Jonathan Shradar

For the last week the San Diego Shradars have been enjoying time in Nebraska with my family. Cousins, museums, thunderstorms, the pool, and all this food... It has been a fun week of connecting face to face with my parents and brothers' families and seeing how my hometown keeps on changing. We worshiped as a family and enjoyed meal after meal together. And even though the volume rises when Shradars are together, there have been quiet moments of rest as well. These people are family through and through and we wouldn't change them (well mostly) for the world. This trip was also a chance for Iona and Ewen to see their great grandpa who moved into hospice care just yesterday. Ninety-one years of life and love and he is still fascinated by Ewen's name! We are looking forward to returning home to our dogs, friends and our Grace Church family but this has been a great time of rest.

It was another question in a long conversation that forced me to think about why I was involved. The conversation was part of an ongoing set of sessions I have been having with a friend of a friend who was going through a difficult situation in life and asked for some counseling. The title "pastor" invites this, as it should, at least from the community of believers you are called to shepherd but occasionally from those that trust the collar (not that I wear a collar but you get it). I thought to myself, probably quite sinfully, I could have this hour back. I could be using this time to pour energy into some other passion, into other people I love and want to see flourish. But then I understood the still small voice to say, "right here." This is where I want you. In this moment. This may be the only gospel voice he will hear and I care for him, tell him how I love him. So, here it is I remain. Telling of how Christ died for his bride and calls us to do the same so o

Let this take you into the holiday weekend. That you might celebrate the ultimate freedom you have in Christ. [embed]https://youtu.be/JQO_0RsXRoU[/embed]