How Does Someone Lose Over 1000 Friends?

Originally posted on February 17, 2019

For the link to some great verse graphics to share online, click HERE

Some people may have noticed a recent change in my Facebook status/usage.  Most probably did not.  About a month ago, I downsized my use of and friend list on Facebook.  I went for over 1000 Facebook "friends" to 47.  First of all, I want to share with you how I made such a big cut.

Two criteria were used to downsize this list.

1. My family stayed on as friends.
2. Two of my closest longtime friends and ministry partners (and their immediate family), Shane Miller and Casey Jacobs stayed on as friends.  I forgot to mention a third friend, not quite as long time but a Gospel ministry partner - David Sellers.

If you are a family member who was deleted, sorry about that.
If you are not in one of these categories, please let me explain why I made such a drastic cut.

I have written many times about the challenges of the last two years and two ministries not working out as planned.  My heart and mind became very weary especially in January and in that weariness, I lost my focus.  Instead of focusing on God and His glory, I began to focus on myself.   This led to comparing my life and challenges with other people's Facebook post lives, especially those involved in ministry.  To be very honest it was hard to see other people's ministries falling into place while I felt like mine was falling apart.  Facebook provided an opportunity for me to share Bible verses, great quotes, and online resources.  It also became a daily fight against my own selfishness.  

One day I decided, without any public announcement, to go through my friend list and do a major purge.

Now some people might be thinking "You didn't need to do that.  Just don't go on Facebook." OR "The problem isn't Facebook.  It is your heart."

First, Facebook provides a way for me to see what is going on in our families lives.

Second, I know that Facebook wasn't and isn't the problem.  At the same time, because of where I was in life, a flooded newsfeed wasn't helping me think right and glorify God.  What I was posting wasn't really the problem.  My attitude while reading my newsfeed was the problem and it wasn't helping my spiritual growth.  

My Facebook usage was not helping me live out Psalm 115:1

Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness.

It took a little time but since making these changes, my thoughts are continuing to move from "Give me what they have" to "Give Me Jesus"

Do I think everyone needs to do the same exact thing I did?

NO.

Do I think everyone,  especially those who desire to glorify God, should examine their hearts and their social media usage?

YES!

So here is a passage of Scripture and some questions I am going to ask myself regularly.

Matthew 6:19-21, which begins with "do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth" and ends with "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be."

The questions are...

1. Is what I am posting demonstrating that my hope is in the LORD and encouraging others to hope in the LORD?
2. What is my heart attitude when I am looking at other people's posts?  If it is God-glorifying, after praying, what do I need to do?  Unfriend or Unfollow someone?  Take a break from social media?

I have been slowly reading Deep Work by Cal Newport that has also challenged me to think about my social media usage.

Here are some great quotes I have been thinking through and deciding how to implement them in my life.

The problem with this binary response [quit the internet or accept our current distracted state as inevitable] is that these two choices are much too crude to be useful.  (183)

Here is a third option:  Accepting that these tools are not inherently evil and that some of them might be quite vital to your success but at the same time also accepting that the threshold for allowing a site regular access to your time and attention (not to mention personal data) should be more stringent and that most people should therefore be using many fewer such tools.   (184)

It is my prayer that God would use His Word ( Psalm 115:1, Matthew 6:19-21 and other verses) to grow in me and you more of a passion for Him and not the things of this world.  
It is my prayer that God would use His work in my life through so many different people to point people to Him.  As I share updates, book reviews, and other things, I want to glorify God.



If you are interested in reconnecting through Facebook, let me know or re-friend me.  Be aware that I really want to use the platform to help me and others glorify God.

Four Months and a week and a half.

The last four months have been the most challenging time in my life so far. 

We very much appreciate the prayers and support from so many people. 

I’ve written several blog posts and many personal journal entries during this time. 

The following quote from today’s New Morning Mercies has proven true over and over again.  “In grace, he leads you where you didn’t plan to go in order to produce in you what you couldn’t achieve on your own.”

The big thing that has made this time so challenging has been processing through some of the details and reasons for two ministry transitions in a little over a year. While both were mutual, neither was easy, especially as it relates to reflecting upon my personal shortcomings and differing ministry philosophies.  
I have been struggling with how these shortcomings and differences would impact future ministry opportunities. 

After 

- much praying and journaling (see 01.01.19 post), 

- what seems like walking miles of the rows of car parts at my current job, In On Time Logistics, 

- talking (personally and online) with friends and mentors, 

- getting connected with a great church family at Trinity Baptist Church (see 01,31.19),

- continuing with a consistent devotion plan when I oftentimes didn’t want to,

- taking some big steps to limit social media usage (see 02.17.19 post), and

- seeking counseling through a biblical counseling center, 

I have begun to get a clearer sense of direction. 
Through both transitions, I have learned some valuable lessons about myself and ministry.

We are still not sure what God has next for us but we also are sure that God is the Great Provider and that he has given me a desire to pastor his people.  

I also believe others have confirmed this.

Please pray for us as we seek God‘s will and direction for the future as it relates to ministry or whatever He has for us.  
We don't know where God is leading or what He has for us but we do know He is there.

Pray also that we would, through his strength, continue to glorify God in our current circumstances.

Church Membership @ Trinity Baptist Church

This past Sunday, we became members of Trinity Baptist Church (tbcgr.org/).  I have written this blog with the hope of helping others think through church membership and how to find a church home.

I pray this post will be more than just an update on our family.

First of all, church membership is biblical.
  
Here is a resource from David Platt and Radical that helps explain why this is the case - Is Church Membership Biblical?

Second, here is the process we went through in finding a church home.

In September, we visited a couple of churches that were ministry possibilities.

After deciding we would not pursue a church ministry position at that time, our church search shifted from finding a church that had full-time ministry openings to a church where we could grow and serve in the community we are living in.

About a year ago, I read the following statement that has influenced our church search.

Instead of driving 20 miles away to attend a church that "fits my needs."  What if we committed to the nearest non-heretical, Bible-believing church where we could grow and serve - [A church] where Jesus is the hero - however uncomfortable it may be.

We attended churches walking far from our houses during our times in Toledo and Scranton.  

We found two great Bible-preaching churches under 10 miles from our apartment in our search for a new church in Grand Rapids.  After prayerful consideration and attending both churches a couple of times, we chose the church 1.5 miles from our house, which teaches Biblical sermons and focuses on making disciples.  Both churches were friendly and doctrinally solid.
HERE is a podcast from 9Marks on Living Close to Your Church

Here are a couple of reasons why we have decided to make Trinity Baptist Church our church home.

• The pastor preaches God's Word, and the church has a solid Biblical theology.
• This sermon, The Most Difficult Mission, exemplifies the passionate, challenging Bible preaching.
• The church is about a 12-minute WALK from our house.  This is important as we thought about inviting people we meet in our community to church.  
• God blessed me with the opportunity to connect with Jason, one of the associate pastors, over this past year.  He is passionate about Biblical counseling and disciple-making.

We are still determining how long we will be here. Still, my family and I must be committed to a local Biblical church - submitted to that church's leaders, using our gifts to help others grow and learn alongside other believers.  However, as long we are here, we want to be here - growing and sharing with other believers.  We are very thankful for the people at Trinity Baptist Church and for the leadership of the pastors and elders.

The Gospel Comes with a House Key

The Gospel Comes with a House Key is not a how-to show hospitality book.  I am thankful for that because there are so many different ways at different points in life one can be hospitable.   In sharing specifics from her life, along with some general principle, Rosaria shares the why and how of radically ordinary Christian hospitality."

The sacrificial nature of this hospitality shows others the love of Christ and humbles us.  Butterfield's challenge to practice mercy in a world that values coveteousness, achievement, and acquisition" is hard but Christ we have not only the perfect example but also the power to live this life.

At the time of really reading this book, my life was filled with job and housing transition.  At the beginning of the book, I was thinking to myself that my family is in no place to show hospitality.  Quotes like "Hospitality shares what there is.  It is not entertaining."  Hospitality is sharing life.  I am very thankful for this obvious reminder.  Listening to Rosaria and Kent Butterfield talk about this book and hospitality on 9Marks podcast has really challenged me to think about how I can share Jesus with others.  This book will impact the way you look at your neighbors and community.  It definitely helped open my eyes to those in my neighborhood.

If you are looking for tips on how to host a dinner this may not be your book.  If you are looking for reminders of the why and how of hospitality this is your book.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book through Crossway's Blog Review Program.

Additional The Gospel Comes with a House Key resources

• Crossway video HERE
• Pastor's Talk podcast HERE
• 9Marks Book Review HERE
• Hoopla Audiobook HERE

Almost 30 Years of Journals

On December 24, 2018, I finished another journal.  I started this journal on August 13, the day after the announcement of my resignation from West Cannon Baptist Church and December 24, the day after my first time back to Emmanuel Baptist Church since leaving there last year.  This has been the craziest period of my life.

These past four months is the shortest amount of time it has taken me to fill a journal and I have been journaling since 1989.  In looking through these four months there have been many blessings and challenges.

In taking some time New Year's day to do some reflecting and reading, here are two things I want to share and remember throughout 2019.

Psalm 115:1, 18

(1)  Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! 

(18)  But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.  Praise the LORD.

Two sections from The Valley of Vision  prayer "Year's End."  For the whole prayer, click HERE

Thou art good when thou givest, when thou takest away, when the sun shines upon me, when night gathers over me. 

If I am to be cast aside from the service I love, I can make no stipulation;
Only glorify thyself in me whether in comfort or trial, as chosen vessel meet always for thy use.

It is my prayer that my journal entries will help me glorify God and this blog will glorify God and help others do the same.

Here are two posts from December of 2006 about journaling
Part 1
Part 2

In everything give thanks and remember God’s got this!

Merry Christmas from the Rodgers family

The “In everything give thanks” coaster and “God’s got this” mug are Christmas gifts with great messages.  Both were purchased at Northpointe's Middle School Marketplace.

“In everything give thanks”

• Amid difficulties and challenges, God is teaching us lessons on trusting God and others.
• During this time of figuring out some things regarding our future and ministry, we have been blessed by a Bible-preaching church in our neighborhood, Trinity Baptist Church.  
• We are so thankful for the many people who are praying for us.

“God’s got this.”

• Over again and over again God has blessed us with an encouraging note or some kind of gift at just the right time.
• We were blessed with a great apartment just as our rental time at an awesome house was coming to an end.
• Krista has a job and coworkers that she loves at Northpointe Christian.  “Bailey”,” Jadyn’s stuffed dog, is a toy version of the therapy dog in the room where Krista works.
• I have had an interesting job journey that continues to stretch me but I am thankful for how God has used Mol Belting and In On Time logistics to provide for me and my family.  Our medical insurance through West Cannon was scheduled to end on December 31.  December 13 our new insurance started.  

We have been posting family updates on this blog.
You can read these update specific posts at drodgersjr.blogspot.com/search/label/personal

2018

2018!  This has been quite a year.  Not at all what I thought it would be.

This past week at my new job, In On Time Logistics, we had our monthly staff lunch - Chinese food.  While I don't put any stock in fortune cookies, I couldn't help but smile big in a roomful of new co-workers when I read the slip of paper in my cook.  "Your present plans are going to succeed."
The last couple of months have been so different than anything I could have planned.

At the same time, we have been so blessed by God through so many different people in so man different ways.  Transportation, work, schooling, and housing have been provided in amazing ways.  People from Emmanuel Baptist Church, West Cannon Baptist Church, Northpointe Christian School, long-time friends, and people we don't even know have been blessing to us.

I would not choose to go through a year and a half like this.  At the same time, it has been amazing to see how God continues to provide.  Not always how I want it to happen and sometimes at a later time than I would have liked.

As 2018 comes to an end I am very much looking forward to not merely 2019 but more so whatever God has for us.

Over the last several months a couple of books have been challenging and helpful.

Suffering by Paul Tripp.  This book is filled with great truths to remember about suffering like "When you feel abandoned, you must preach to yourself the gospel of the boundless, eternal and unshakable love of God."
How to Lead When You're Not In Charge by Clay Scroggins.   Some good reminders about leadership.  "Leadership is not simply a matter of authority.  Leadership is about influence."
Didn't See That Coming by Carey Niewhouf.  "If you want to beat emptiness, find a mission that is bigger than you."  

As always these books and every book need to be read with the truth of scripture as the ultimate authority.

Here are some prayer items.

• Some specific praises
• I started a new job at In On Time Logistics.
• We have our current lease agreement through the middle of June.
• We have connected with a great church - Trinity Baptist Church
• Some specific prayer requests
• Wisdom in finding long term employment for me.
• Ministry?  I am still processing through this especially as it relates to two ministry transitions in the last year and a half.
• Teaching?  I have begun preparation for taking the MTTC (Michigan Test for Teacher Certification) for Mathematics.

Thank you to those of you who have been prayed for and encouraged us in so many different ways this year.

I am planning to post one more time before the end of the year about some specific praises from 2018.

Things are still the same but very different

I haven't posted an update recently because in one sense things have been the same. 

God is amazing.  We are facing some difficult circumstances.  I am doing "temporary" work and continue to look for longer term non-church ministry work.  God has used his people to bless us in amazing ways. 

With that recap, here is my most recent update post.

Recently, I finished reading Paul Tripp's book Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn't Make Sense.  It was a great reminder in the midst of the challenges of life..  Here is an extended quote.

Weakness simply demonstrates what has been true all along: we are completely dependent on God for life and breath and everything else. Weakness was not the end for me, but a new beginning, because weakness provides the context in which true strength is found. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that he’ll boast in his weakness. It sounds weird and crazy when you first read it, but it’s not. He has come to know that God’s “power is made perfect” in his weakness. You see, weakness is not what you and I should be afraid of. We should fear our delusion of strength.

This year has been one of, if not the most, challenging times in my life.

I have also been able to see God working in some truly amazing ways.
Here are a couple of recent challenges and blessings.
This past Friday was my last day of work at Mol Belting.  God used this company to help me and my family with a job throughout November and into December.   While the job provided a steady paycheck, I was not very good at fabrication and I decided it wasn't going to work out long term. 
To put this in context, over Thanksgiving weekend, when I told some of my family in Pittsburgh about where I was working and showed them some pictures of the work I was doing, they couldn’t help but laugh knowing my ability to work with tools.  While the company and the people are great, I was not getting better or faster at the work.

Last week, I applied for and accepted another job at a warehouse where I will be sequencing (arranging in a particular order) auto parts.  I also have taken some different tests for other types of jobs, including my recertification for teaching.  I am continuing to look at job possibilities that might be longer term.

The whole house hunting process was stressful but looking back I am thankful we did not commit to something financially that would have been a disaster considering our current situation.

With our housing situation we have been EXTREMELY blessed in so many different ways with our rental.  The blessings include ongoing financial help with rent and a great location that is near both Northpointe Middle/High and Elementary School. 

We are thankful that we have connected with a great church, Trinity Baptist Church (http://tbcgr.org), which is 5 minutes from our apartment.  Pastor Brett's Christmas messages on December 2nd and December 9th have been particularly encouraging.  Click HERE for Trinity's sermon page.

Please continue to pray for wisdom as it relates to long term work.

The One Great Thing

During the different transitions and challenges over the last two years we have been blessed by so many people's emails, gifts, conversations and prayers.

While I have greatly appreciated these words of encouragement, one of the statements I have heard and needed to process through is that God must have something great in store for us.

Over this weekend I have been reminded in Sunday's message at Trinity Baptist Church (one of the Verses was Luke 9:23-25), this week's Fighter Verses (Matthew 20:26-28) and yesterday's New Morning Mercies devotional that the great thing in this life is God Himself - not the dream job or just a job you can do well.

Whether I am working in a factory, a non-profit organization, an office, a church or wherever, I am thankful for Jesus Christ.

What and How of Advent

This post was originally made on 11.22.17 as the first of series of Advent posts related to a class I taught.

The word Advent finds its root in the Latin word Adventus.

WHAT IS ADVENT?
There are two different ways Advent can be celebrated.
Churches can have Advent readings and candles in each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.
Individuals can do Advent readings and activities beginning December 1 through December 24.  This is what West Cannon is doing this year.  Starting December 1 go to www.drodgersjr.com/search/label/Holidays

This word Advent has several definitions that will help you understand why using an Advent devotional/reading during this time of the year is helpful.  These definitions are taken from www.latin-dictionary.net/search/latin/Advent.  My thoughts are in italics.

1. arrival, approach - Advent celebrates the arrival of the Messiah - Jesus Christ, God in the flesh.  It also reminds Christ-followers of the anticipatory hope we have that Jesus is coming again.
2. invasion, incursion - Advent reminds us of our sin problem.  While Jesus did come as a baby in a manger, His purpose was to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).  He did this through his life, death, resurrection, and ascension.  He came for God's glory and so that we could have victory over sin.
3. ripening - Of the four definitions given this is the one that might seem the most strange at first.  However when you consider one of Merriam-Webster's definitions of "ripening" - to bring to completeness or perfection along with Galatians 4:4-5; Romans 5:6-8, it provides a great visual reminder.  The time was ripe for Jesus' birth.  
4. visit, appearance - Advent is about so much more than a baby in a stable.  It is about the appearance of God's grace, Jesus, who brings salvation (Titus 2:11).  It also reminds us that Jesus will appear again (Titus 2:13).

We are not commanded to celebrate Advent throughout the month of December.  However, we are told to consider who Jesus is and what He has done for us (Hebrews 3:1-2; Hebrews 10:19-25; Hebrews 12:3).   

HERE is an article that gives Seven Reasons to Celebrate Advent. 

Use this Advent season to do what we should be doing all the time, glorying God by making much of Jesus Christ.  


Advent Resources:
Dawning of Indestructible Joy - free ebook
Good News of Great Joy - free ebook and/or podcast
Come, Let Us Adore Him - book to purchase and videos
The Bible Projects four part advent series - videos

Daily advent posts from two different online resources, originally posted during December, 2017. 

• December 1
• December 2
• December 3
• December 4
• December 5
• December 6
• December 7
• December 8
• December 9
• December 10
• December 11
• December 12
• December 13
• December 14
• December 15
• December 16
• December 17
• December 18
• December 19
• December 20
• December 21
• December 22
• December 23
• December 24
• Post Advent

Challenging Memories and God's Blessing of Friends and Family

God, help me to remember this and live like this.

I have to say over the last couple of months there have been some memories that have been difficult to think back on.

Two years ago was ordination weekend.  There were a lot of friends and family there for this very special time.  

Ministry wise things are now very different.  
There are two constants though.  
1.  God is the same God.
2.  God has truly blessed us with so many great friends (old and new) and family.

November 11th, 2016 was my ordination council.

Gospel Primer Entry #12 "Inheritance of the Saints"

When God saved us, He made us members of His household (Ephesians 2:19), and He gave us as gifts to one another (Ephesians 1:18).  Each brother and sister is a portion of my gospel inheritance from God, and I am a portion of their inheritance as well.  We are significant players in each other's gospel narrative, and it is in relationship with one another that we experience the fullness of God in Christ. (Ephesians 3:17-19;  2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Peter 4:10; Ephesians 1:22, 23)
Hence, the more I comprehend the full scope of the gospel, the more I value the church for which Christ died (Ephesians 5:25), the more I value the role that I play in the lives of my fellow Christians, and the more I appreciate the role that they must be allowed to play in mine.

November 13th, 2016 was the ordination service

For my blog post about the ordination service go to
drodgersjr.blogspot.com/2016/11/ordination-service_13.html

My new job has been a blessing because it will help us financially.  
Here is what I have been saying to people who ask about the job.

The company is a great company.
The people I am working with are nice.
The work I am doing is WAY OUT of my comfort area and I am not good at it.
I am definitely learning new tasks and how to trust in God.

I know God is in control.  
I know God has me in this place at this time for a reason.
I don't know what God is doing right now but I know I need to trust in Him even more.

It has been very humbling getting help from so many different people in so many different ways.
It has been very humbling hearing my children pray for their dad to find a job and do well at his job..

Your prayers are greatly appreciated as we trust in Him day by day and consider what he 
Thanks!

Changes in Work

Next week I start transitional work at Mol Belting.  I will begin working at this factory from November 5th through the end of December.  I am not sure exactly what I will be doing but I do know it will be very different than what I have done for the last eleven years.
Mol Belting is aware that I am in the process of searching for a permanent job and has been very flexible and helpful.
I am thankful for how God has provided this job to help me and my family.
I would very much appreciate your prayers as I begin this new phase of life.

Below is a summary of several personal journal entries over the last three days.

This Saturday there was a lot going on emotionally for me.

The shooting at the synagogue in Pittsburgh.

When I heard the new Saturday about the shooting, I was saddened because there was another tragic shooting.  What added to my sadness in this specific situation is that it happened in a city I know and love very much.  There are still a lot of things I am trying to process through but I do know this SIN IS UGLY!  For a person to walk into a synagogue, yell anti-semitic statements and then begin shooting people is so wrong and sinful on so many different levels.  

The 14th anniversary of my dad's death.

My dad was 56 years old when he died.  Eight years before that he had a work related injury, a deflated lung, that caused him in one day to go from work crazy hours to not being able to work at all.  That injury that changed his work life happened when he was 48 years old.  Before that day my dad was a workhorse.  I remember him coming how covered in coal dust.  We would often take the long way home so he could check the barges docked at North Star.  Did you catch the math?  56 - 8 = 48.  He stopped working at 48 years.  I am 48 years old.

While I know my work transition has not been as drastic as my dad's, the impact of both of us having big work related changes at the age of 48 has been a huge over the last couple of days.  

At 48 years old, I am sure my dad was not expecting a deflated lung that day at Northstar Transfer.  There were so many hard things after that day.  Three and a half of no work and no pay.  A lot of doctor visits, a couple of near death experiences and some very hard times emotionally for him, my mom, my sister and me.  There were also blessings.  The two biggest blessings were a much slower pace which provided opportunities to spend time with dad that we would not have had at his previous work pace and opportunities for my family to see and show how God works even the most challenging times out for His glory.

At 48 years old, I was not thinking I would be working at a factory in a time of job transition.  There are several positions in ministry organizations I am waiting to here from and I am checking on renewing my expired teacher certification.  We don't know what God has next for us but I am continuing to remind myself that God has it under control.  I know that is true but I need to continually work to remember and live it out. 

To be very open and honest, over the last three days I have cried a couple of times each day.  Sometimes those tears have been because I miss my dad - remembering something about him or thinking about something I wish he was here for like the kids' sporting events.  Sometimes those tears have been because I wonder what God has in the future for me and my family.

Here are some quotes New Morning Mercies on October 28th.

You have two ways of looking at life.  You can look at all your internal and external challenges from the perspective of your track record and present catalog of abilities or you can look at them from the vantage point of the sufficiency of the work of Jesus on your behalf.

Don't give way to the fear of inability when the work of Jesus has supplied you with everything you need.

God, help me remember that Your divine power has given your children everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness (2 Peter 1:3).  All too often I look at life with me as the focus.  Remind me to see that that life is about Jesus and what He has done.  Amen.

Dad and Krista working in our Dominican Republic apartment

Some specific prayer requests:

• Pray for my testimony at Mol Belting
• Pray for my knee.  It is continuing to get better but still isn't 100%.
• Pray for wisdom as I continue to look for work.
• Getting together teacher recertification information
• Waiting on the ministries and jobs I have sent resumes to
• Pray as we decide on a church home

If you want to keep up with what is going on in our lives, click on the Personal tab on the site or go to http://drodgersjr.blogspot.com/search/label/personal

Crashing a Men's Conference

Yes, I crashed a Men's Conference this weekend. 

This past weekend I had the God-ordained opportunity to attend a men's retreat at Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference Center.
It truly was a God-ordained because of the circumstances around the weekend.  Here are some of them in bulletin point form.

• I received the invitation to attend by mistake.  Yes, that is correct.  When I registered Friday night, the individual who invited me said "I recognize you, how did you find out about the conferenece?"  After I told him about the text he sent me, he said "It's great you're here.  I meant to send that text to another guy."
• I knew NOT ONE other man at the conference.  I had no connection to anyone at the conference other than meeting the man who "invited me" at a men's event once.  
• The conference was not connected with any ministry I was associated with.  There were no ministry or denominational connections I had with the conference or the men there.  
• The conference promotional information communicated just what I need at this time.  It was promoted as an "Identity Intrusive Retreat."  One of the quotes on the event page was "Most men know what they do.  Very few know who they are."  The purpose of the retreat was to DISCOVER your personal identity and DEVELOP your life mission statement.

A couple of things I learned or was reminded of...

• The process of working on reflecting on my identity in Christ and beginning the work on a mission statement was very helpful.  God used 2 Corinthians 5:20-21  
• One of the speakers referred to an author I love and hadn't remembered in such a long time - Fredrick Buechner.  Here is a quote from A Room Called Remember.  "I did not love God, God knows, because I was some sort of saint or hero. I did not love him because I suddenly saw the light (there was almost no light at all) or because I hoped by loving him to persuade him to heal the young woman I loved. I loved him because I couldn’t help myself. I loved him because the one who commands us to love is the one who also empowers us to love..."  Frederick Buechner, A Room Called Remember
• In thinking through my mission statement and my identity two words came to mind.  Ambassador and Actor.  I am looking forward to working through these ideas especially in the midst of this craziness.
• Ambassador - God' glorifying - from 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.  My job, my ministry, my responsibility in this life is to represent the one who has reconciled me to himself.  I am a mouthpiece for the creator/king of the universe.
• Actor - self-promoting - from Romans 7:14-25.  "For I do not do what I want to, but I do the very thing I hate."  (15)

If you want to keep up with what is going on in our lives, click on the Personal tab on the site or go to http://drodgersjr.blogspot.com/search/label/personal

Good Reminders on October EIGHTEENTH!

From today's New Morning Mercies

I originally wrote "Today along with the last couple of days were challenging," 
but then I realized the last two summers have been challenging.  
Leaving a ministry, moving to a new state and a new ministry.
Then, leaving that ministry after a year.
Now, processing through what is next for me and my family. 
Some challenging circumstances but I am thankful for reminders, 
especially like the ones today, of the fact that God is bigger than any circumstance.

As Krista and I have been prayerfully considering what is next for my job, 
I have decided to not pursue a church ministry position.  
This has been a difficult decision.
It has also made the job search this last two months especially interesting because the search process has changed from September to October.
I have realized this shift while difficult is necessary.
Two of the biggest realizations I have been working through are
(1) my identity is not and must not be found in my role as a pastor.  I am first and foremost a child of God, saved by grace.
(2) even if I am not serving as a pastor, I still have many opportunities to glorify God as I serve people and make disciples who make disciples.

Here are two great October 18th reminders.

One of my favorite quotes from The Gospel Primer is from the 18th entry.

For the gospel is the one great permanent circumstance in which I live and move; and every hardship in my life is allowed by God only because it serves His gospel purposes in me.

And then here is October 18th devotional from New Morning Mercies

OCTOBER 18 

Don’t give way to discouragement, feelings of futility, or waves of fear, because the Father has graciously chosen to give you the kingdom! 
There are so many reasons to be discouraged in this fallen world, it’s a wonder that anyone is happy. It’s discouraging to watch your marriage turn cold and distant. It’s disheartening to be betrayed by a dear friend. It’s disappointing to lose the job you worked at with such commitment. It’s depressing to face a sickness that you’re not sure you’ll ever lick. It’s hard to face the rebellion and rejection of one of your children. It’s discouraging to hear so often about corruption in politics and government. It’s disheartening to have to be concerned about crime and injustice. It’s tough to deal with the weaknesses of old age. It’s hard to be mocked and rejected for your faith. It’s sad to see your church become more a place of controversy than gospel healing. It can seem as if everything in your life is in the process of decaying or in danger of going bad. People die, dreams die, flowers die, and marriages, churches, jobs, and friendships go bad. If you look around, this old world that God created isn’t doing very well. In many ways, it’s a hard, discouraging place to live. The downward spiral of the fallen world can get to you. It seems that everything is impermanent or in the process of falling apart.  

But that’s not all that is discouraging. It often seems as if you’re powerless to make much of a change. You do everything you can to restore your marriage, but it just seems stuck. You know you don’t have the power to change other people and you have limited power to change situations. It so often seems that you’re a witness to or affected by things you have little ability to alter.  

So where is encouragement to be found? It’s found in grace, as depicted by these beautiful words: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). With these words, everything changes. These words tell you that it’s not you against a world gone bad. Yes, you are a citizen of this world and you are touched by its brokenness, but as you are, you must remind yourself that you are the citizen of another kingdom. Your King rules over everything that would discourage and disappoint you, and he rules for your good and his glory. What is out of your control is under his rule. What you don’t understand is under his careful administration. But there is more. While everything around you seems impermanent, this kingdom will have no end. Long after the kingdoms of this world have been destroyed, you will reign with your King in his kingdom forever and ever and ever. 

For further study and encouragement: Luke 12:22–34

We would appreciate your prayers and help as we continue this adventure.

If you want to keep up with what is going on in our lives, click on the Personal tab on the site or go to http://drodgersjr.blogspot.com/search/label/personal