Jonathan Shradar

It has been a busy but good year. I am spending the second New Year in the Tri-Cities and am blessed with a wonderful family and church community. Here are some of the highlights of the year... August 28 - My first son, Ewen Miles , was born. Now 4 months old, he is a smiling charming that needs to learn to sleep! Good books read this year: Creature of the Word - about having a "Jesus-centered" church. The book was challenging and encouraging. Dangerous Calling - about the pastoral life. This was scary and hopeful. October 7 - Stacy and I celebrated five years of marriage. She is the woman of my dreams and a great partner for life. Our church hosted Heather Zempel for a leadership event in October. It was amazing. May - I officiated my first wedding. It was a blessing to see Ben and Marion get hitched. December 15 - my princess, Iona , turned 3. She is a pistol and I love every bit of her. I added a few credits to my work toward a Master of Arts in Biblical and Theolog

Jesus has come. [youtube=http://youtu.be/s6-XtFfKVM4]

"When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “ It is finished ,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." John 19:30 “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  6  And he said to me, “ It is done!  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end." Revelation 21:3-6 From the hope of finished work on the cross for those that believe - the covering of sin and reconciliation to our creator. It leads to the gift of the Holy Spirit that indwells giving peace beyond understanding. But... we still wake in a broken world and com

You will know the people by their music. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=If5MF4wm1T8] HT: Everyday Theology .

Today on Pastoralized there is a list of types of objections the " Good-Idea Sniper " might raise to your new ministry idea. Each organization has a "Good-Idea Sniper" for a number of reason but this might help you be better prepared to present your idea. Here are the questions they ask: “How do you plan to accomplish that?” “What if…”  “That has never worked before.” “Certain people won’t like it.” “I have an even better idea…” "Let’s wait for more info." The post has some counter answers for each of these roadblocks. Check it our here . And keep in mind, maybe your idea is lame!

Mark Driscoll has given some clues on how to improve your preaching and I think his points are beneficial. Read the whole post here . Some of the keys for me are: "A great sense of humor, an engaging personality, or the ability to tell a great story is not enough to make you a lifelong Bible teacher or able to grow people in the truth of God. You have to work hard at being a repentant, growing Christian, a devoted Bible student, a prepared teacher, etc. Work hard to find a way that works for you. All of this is by God’s empowering grace..." "Invite people to come and speak to you. Stick around for a while. Early on, this time was a huge gift. When people have follow-up questions, they are helping you learn what you missed in your sermon. When lost people want to talk about the message, they are helping you learn to do evangelism. When people are confused, they are helping you learn how to communicate more clearly. When people need prayer, they are helping you learn to lo

I have been posting a lot of videos as of late - evidence in my distraction and busyness. This though is rich. It is good. It is true. It is our hope.

"After throwing overboard our works as a means to salvation, we want to drag them back on board as a means of maintaining favor with God. Instead of seeing our own righteousness as table scraps to be dumped, we see it as leftovers to be used later to earn answers to prayer." "We need to remind ourselves every day that God's blessings and answers to prayer come to us not on the basis of our works, but on the basis of the infinite merit of Jesus Christ." - Jerry Bridges. His infinite merit. Our infinite blessing. Rest in this. Be in awe of Christ.