Delivered from Distraction and Discipleship

So it's been a while! I'm sorry for my lack of writing as of late. Life seems to be getting a little busier, which is by no means a bad thing.

I just wish I could share more as there are often many details that get omitted from my wrap-ups. You can always call or e-mail me if you want more info or just want to chat! Amy Hanson, I also want your mailing address!

Here's a few bullet points that will fill you in on the little biographical pieces
-I am working a few hours each week as an office assistant in the Admissions Office
-I have been hired as a Warehouse worker at the only Augsburg Fortress Warehouse in the Country! I'll reshelve and restock books, file returns, etc. The best perk is that any damaged books we find we can take for free! P.S.- The Matt Kruse bookshelf funding project is now started. You can send any donations...Just Kidding!
-I need to go grocery shopping
-I am playing on Trinity's Flag Football Team. Yes...There is a seminary Flag Football League. A bunch of seminaries get together for the Luther Bowl in November in Gettysburg!
-I also sing in the Seminary Chorus, where it's been fun to sing and think about how I miss Augie Choir rehearsal.

There...now for more elaborate writing.

At the request of my candidacy committee, I've explored options of pastoral counseling and spiritual direction. This has so far been a helpful request, and is keeping me balanced in mind, body and spirit. One person suggested to me the other week that they thought I demonstrated several characteristics of attention issues. This isnt' a full-blown "Matt has ADD" diagnosis, but does make sense about a lot of things- Why I don't sit still, why I appear to zone out when people like Chris Zuraff are explaining things, etc. I thought it was interesting and am processing how I can function more effectively and how to be "delivered from distraction!" I know now that my second book will be "Prayer and Spirituality for the Distracted: Dear God, "Oh Look, there's a bird!""

Last week, given the lectionary text, the fitting recurring theme that presented itself to me numerous times invovled discipleship. After hearing three good-quality sermons on the topic (Oh, how I look forward to preaching that "hate your mother and father" text) of discipleship and the difficulties and sacrifices that are involved, it seemed as if that were the message God was speaking to me. We read about a martyr named Ignatius of Antioch who so wanted to testify to his faith in Christ that he wrote a letter compelling his fellow Christians not to advocate for him, but rather to advocate for his death, so that he might win for Christ and propel the church and other believers forward on account of his martyrdom. How cool is that! It definitely shaped my own understandings of ministry. In a class I'm taking called Person in Ministry, we've talked about how we are called and shaped and need to find our growing edges in the midst of ministry. Despite the difference between the historical contexts in which Ignatius of Antioch and Matthew of Jackson live, it seems as if our paths toward ministry are also quite similar at the same time.

Next time, there will be more about listening and a failure to hear, plus an updated grocery list (okay, I'm not crazy enough to blog about my grocery list!) God's peace...