Pastor Mike Ashcraft, author of My One Word: Change Your Life With Just One Word (Zondervan), challenged general session attendees today at CBA's NEXT 2013 to resolve to focus on just one word this year, a word that reflects what they most hope God will do in them.

Instead of saying to God, "This is what I would do if I were you," Ashcraft urged attendees to ask, "God, what do I do next?"

He emphasized walking by faith—a way of life that pleases God.

"Faith by its very definition implies uncertainty," Ashcraft said.

And rather than projecting an image that everything is perfect, as Christians often do, he recalled the fact that faith is a process.

In trying to be perfect or right all of the time, he said: "What we have done is eliminate the process out of our faith."

Ashcraft has made a habit of journaling, which grew out of his attention problem, but he encourages every believer to keep a journal in order to have "a record of God's work" in their lives. Along with writing, he espouses reading, which "makes you slow down."

Ending his message, he emphasized that God's priority is clearly stated in Prov. 4:23: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

In other activity at the event today, workshops continued with two offerings, one on Making E-books Profitable led by Zach Wallington of Christian Supply, and the other on Customer Relationship Management with Bob Negen of Whiz!Bang Training and Ann Kardos, manager of Logos of Kent in Kent, Ohio.

To end the day, retailers also participated in what some dubbed "speed dating." Speed meetings afforded reps from publishers and other suppliers—from WaterBrook Multnomah to jewelry maker Spirit and Truth—the opportunity to present to retailers at assigned tables their top products and promotions—and to make a quick connection that may lead to continuing or adding a new business relationship.

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