Feeling Rebuked

Bishop! I received your e-mail and am feeling heartily admonished. Thank you for caring for my soul in this way. Please do not shut down this blog. Long Live Dever's Mighty Men!!

Updates from the Merkers:

• Erica finished grad school and is working as a speech therapist in a 3-4 yr old classroom at the River School in Georgetown -- enjoying it, but long hours and long commute.
• I'm working on staff at the church and am having a BLAST! College ministry, music/bulletins, elders' meetings/members' meetings, and caring for members who have left the church (typically by trying to secure resignation letters from them). I'll be on staff till summer 2012. Then hopefully seminary.
• Speaking of seminary, I'll be taking 60 students and adults from CHBC to Lou-uh-vulle next weekend and we'll probably toilet paper the Manleys' lawn during our break from the conference.
• Enjoying having another class of interns here, including Bishop's fine predecessor at Graham, Garrett Kell. That makes this new intern class almost as "Texas" as ours was.

That's all for now -- miss you all!

MM

Higher Education

Hallo Fellas,

This "update" sees me writing to you all in the midst of the second sizable "snowpocalypse" or "snowmaggedon" of DC's winter. The result of all of this snowschatalogy is a day off from work for me, which means listening to choral music in preparation for Good Friday, drinking too much coffee, catching up on blog reading, eating my wife's delicious cooking, and applying for seminary.

Yes, I said applying for seminary, and yes, Ryan, you win. I'm applying to that "grand beacon" of light and truth, "The" Southern Baptist Theological Seminary of ol' Kentuck. My tongue's not in my cheek - I really do think that SBTS will be a good choice, not only theologically, but also logistically/financially for us. I'm really just hoping to get started with some extension center and possibly online classes, but the Lord may have us in Louisville in a couple of years for full time study -- we'll see!

So, my question for those "in the know:" Which M. Div. concentration do you recommend? I'm sticking with the School of Theology, and looking mostly at the Biblical/Theological Studies and the Worldview/Apologetics concentrations. Any help you can provide??

While we're at it, I also wanted to inform you guys that I will be coming on staff at CHBC this summer as a Pastoral Assistant! I'm extremely excited (and humbled - yes, sincerely humbled, not just saying that as a token nod to our buddy C.J.) for the opportunity and would covet your prayers for my faithfulness, helpfulness, and servant-mindedness during my time on staff. They're not exactly sure whose position I'll be filling, because some of the responsibilities might get shuffled around a bit - but it looks like I will have some combination of Gustav's and Geoff's duties.

That's all for now -- I'll leave you with a couple of wedding pictures since Garrett requested them so long ago!






Yep, Ryan, that's a highway-side beach on the southern coast of Maui, along the "other" road to Hana... great times!

Discipleship Books

Brothers, I would appreciate your advice regarding a book selection for discipling a guy I met through the Intern Bible Study at CHBC. Since we're studying Ephesians in the group, I figured that when I meet with him we can discuss more personal application from Ephesians, but I think it would be helpful to go through another book together -- something theologically thoughtful, yet straightforward enough to challenge a recent college grad who hasn't read much theology.

I'm considering "The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction" by Sinclair Ferguson. I know Manley has used it in discipleship before and I would love to hear his thoughts, as well as comments from anyone else who has read the book and/or has other ideas for me.

Thanks for your help!

Wedding Photos

Hello brothers,

Per Garrett's request, here is a slide show of some favorite photos from our wedding. Enjoy!!!

http://getstak.com/slideshows/erica_matt/

MM

Like sheep without a shepherd...

That's what this article from the New York Times Magazine on prayer had me thinking. So many people pray, so many people need (and even desire) instruction on prayer, and yet so much of what is out there is pure baloney.

The Messianic Rabbi's (from Long Island, of course) comments about 1/2 of the way through are pretty funny, yet sad.

Check it out. You can sign up for free if you're not already registered on the Times.

Happy Birthday Matt Merker!

Matthew celebrated his 25th birthday on Wednesday. Sorry for the late post. We love you Matt.

Hello.

Brothers,

Forgive my tardiness in contributing to this excellent blog!

Thank you, Garrett, for creating it!

I'm in NY for my best friend's wedding, so I can't type long. Just wanted to check in and let you all know that I am still breathing.

Ryan, CONGRATS on being called at Kenwood. You have my prayers. I am confident that with the Spirit's strength you will be a compassionate and watchful shepherd.

Things are going WELL for me and Erica. The wedding was a blast. We were pleased at our pastor's presentation of the Gospel, and also with the comments we received from unbelieving family members about the service. Many of them said they appreciated the congregational singing. Score another point for the regulative principle! Erica and I were encouraged beyond belief by the presence, kind words, and generosity of our friends and family -- thanks to you guys too for sending texts, voicemails, and e-mails that week -- I was really built up.

The honeymoon was unbelievably fantastic. Ryan, Hawaii was everything you said it would be and more. We will post pictures online at some point of all our adventures -- surfing, kayaking, biking, snorkeling, beach-bumming and more. Erica and I enjoyed reading Galatians to each other nearly every day on the beach. We also started "The Rare Jewel" by Burroughs but the going has been slow -- it is very very good but we are very very human and unable to follow him for longer than a page or two.

Thank you for your prayers about the job. (Garrett, I saw that you posted on the day of my interview -- thanks!). I am now working as a music teacher at Clinton Christian School in Maryland. Scott Gurley and I are carpooling every day, which is fun. It looks like a good ministry opportunity. The school and the church attached to it are on a meager theological diet. But there are are a lot of people there that love the Lord and the lost, and they are happy to let me start every class with a devotional and a prayer. I shared the Gospel with 60 4th graders at the beginning of my classes on Tuesday this week, so pray that God would develop fruit from that and from future opportunities to do the same. I don't think that being a school teacher is my lifelong dream, but it's a great provision of God for now and I'm sure it will grow my character too.

Yesterday I went skydiving for my friend's bachelor day. YEAHHHHH BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!

I look forward to hearing updates from all of you on the blog. (Nik, I hope to return your phone call soon!!!!!) I miss you all!

MM

Manley's move...

The Manley's have landed safely in their new home in KY; however the pack and move it self was not so easy. The wonderful thing was the incredible turn out they had for help from the family at CHBC. All in all there were about 30 people who stopped by to help with the load!!!

That makes things easy. It just goes to show the impact the Manley's had on the life of this church.

-Here is the captain himself. He was pretty stressed because the initial truck he got from Budget was 1/2 the size he needed. We had fun going to get a uhaul trailer to hook to the back of the big truck.

This was my expression when Josh told me that all we needed was a trailer. Let me just say, "The Manley's got some stuff." The challenge to get it loaded was met with exceptional help we had from the church.

Here is the set up. Looks safe doesn't it?

-Here is Matt pondering life without the Manley's.

-I thought I would go and ponder with him. We were bummed out after it was over.

-We miss you guys!

Pray for Matt

Matt is up for a job interview as a music teacher today.

Brothers pray the Lord will provide for his need.