Live your theology.

Dear Fathers & Brothers of the Northwest Presbytery,

Please accept this letter as my request to be excused from the 2010 Fall Stated Meeting. Though I wish to be present, travel time and conflicts with work prevent me from doing so.

This year has felt somewhat transitional.

I have less than two years of seminary work left to complete. This brings back a certain sense of unrest… what next?

Save for a class or two, all of my theology and history classes are finished. I am currently taking Greek and Hebrew in residency and I am thankful that the Lord has provided me with the flexible and understanding employment that has allowed me to come in and leave early in order to attend these classes as my seminary tenure winds down.

I’ve been blessed to be able to serve the Church in Tacoma as Sunday School super intendant, Pastoral Intern, and Youth Director. Sunday School has gone well, but we are hard pressed to find people willing to teach. Your prayers are appreciated. Our Youth Group is slowly growing and incorporating young adults from the Olympia church. I’m very pleased to see these young Christians fellowshipping with one another, but I am also anxious to see them grow spiritually through discipleship. Again, your prayers are appreciated.

Since the last Presbytery I’ve had the opportunity to preach in Tacoma, Scappoose, and Olympia. This Sunday, Lord willing, I’ll be providing pulpit supply in Bonners Ferry. I’m very thankful for the trust the pastors and elders of those churches have placed in me and thank God for his provision in keeping me faithful to his Word. I feel like my ability to preach the Word of God has increased, though I’m too squeamish to go back and listen to any messages from when I first began preaching.

The Lord has continued to bless our family. My wife and I have begun home schooling or oldest child, Caleb (6) – he has begun the first grade and shows an affinity for math that mystifies his parents. Our other son Owen (4) and our daughter Holly (2 in January) are growing in wisdom and stature, for which we are thankful. Our fourth child is due on February 14th. We recently found out she is a girl and are excited for the level playing field and equal distribution of brothers and sisters.

Please remember me in your prayers during these coming months – for school, family, and for guidance and wisdom from the Lord regarding what the future holds.

Respectfully submitted in the love of Jesus Christ,

Jason Anspach

So now, you know.

First: Sunday Morning Message

I preached Ruth 1:6-22 twice now, first in Tacoma and then at the Columbia BPC in Oregon yesterday. Each time the emotions boil over — not sure what to think about that. I can assure you that with this particular message, I just can’t seem to keep it in.  In homiletics they’d always say that such a thing was fine, so long as it didn’t distract from the message.  I don’t think I did from the feedback & conversations that followed, but listen for yourself & let me know what you think.

Second: More Contests

If you’re feeling blue about missing out on that epic 1-in-9 chance to win a prize, Mark from Here I Blog has a contest of his own.  Presumably with worse odds given his large (and deserved) following… but you never know!