Shema

A month ago Emily and I started planning the theme for the fall retreat we will be taking the students on next week. We decided on the name "followers" and we are looking at the Matthew 22: 37-40. Attempting to answer the question what does it mean to be a "follower" of Christ mainly looking at the commands given here in Matthew. This of course led me into some more research of the Shema. I think that a very short summary of this is to love God completely with all your heart, soul, and strength. Basically with everything you have. I was aware of the custom to recite this when one woke up and went to bed and thought this may be really neat to incorporate into our retreat. Then I thought maybe I should start saying it before I go to bed and when I wake up as well. For the past few weeks I have been trying, not always remembering, but trying. It is crazy how refreshing it feels to wake up and the first words out of my mouth say "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might".   A reminder to me to Love God with everything I have in me today. Then to say the same thing we I go to sleep reminding me that this day I should have loved God with everything I have in me. 
Drew

Disheartened

Ministry is an interesting thing you tend to see sides of people that you wish you never knew. I struggle with whether or not it is acceptable to hit people over the head to make them understand the foolishness of their ways. It is hard to see someone who knows the truth of Christ and decides to reject it. It's frustrating to see adults be disrespectful to decisions made by the leadership. It is extremely hard to understand how one can view Church as purely a social gathering, a recreational event.
       The most disheartening part of it all is I sit here in my office acting somehow superior. I have struggles of my own that I have not completely conquered. Someone needs to hot me over the head allowing me to fall to my knees.

Dear God,
Have mercy on me, all of us. You are just and your ways above my comprehension. I can not fathom why you have chosen me to be a spokesman for you. Though I am confident you have please use me despite my weakness. Let the people I come in contact with smell your fragrance permeating through me. Keep me humble and lead me where to go.

"Life is Good"

"Life is good" is a popular saying that is on numerous bumper stickers and t-shirts but my life truly is good. After accepting a position at Berea Christian Church in March I moved to Georgia the end of May. It has been a whirlwind experience, we have bought a house, got another dog, and I started working full time in ministry alongside my wife. This is a unique experience that I know God has moved our family into. It has not been without challenges but that is to be expected.
        I am starting this blog to share thoughts about my journey through life and ministry. I do not claim to have all the answers and perhaps this is more for me to flesh out ideas that circulate through my head.
Drew