True Worship

My daily devotional asked a good question: What does true worship look like? Here is what they had to say:

Asking what true worship looks like is sort of like asking what true love looks like. Like love, worship is an issue of the heart, not just of the mind. Worship may involve music, prayers, and religious symbols, but if your heart is not engaged in what you are doing, your worship will be empty.

I agree! Why do we come to worship each week? Do you feel as though you have to? Do you feel as though it's a requirement? Are you enjoying worship? Are you worshiping with your heart and your mind? Are you engaged in what is going on?

These are questions that we should ask ourselves before we come to worship. We shouldn't come out of obligation. We should come because we are excited for the opportunity we have to worship God. We should come because we are excited for the opportunity to thank God for all that he has done for us. We should come because we want to lift up our prayers and concerns to God.

Especially during Holy Week, let us think about why we worship. Let us come prepared for worship: body, mind and heart.

Some Changes

My mom asked what was going on with all the changes to the blog. Most of you look at this blog through Facebook. The posts from my blog are forwarded there. You all may not see any changes. If you are curious to see what the actual blog looks like, you can check it out at: http://pastordroste.blogspot.com/.

I received an E-mail from Blogger about some new layout options for the blog. I took advantage of them.

There may not be too many updates to the blog this week. In preparations for Holy Week and Easter services, I'm not sure how much time I'll have to blog. I'm also not sure of how many ideas might pop into my head.

Another Transition

Christa left this morning at 7:05AM for her last day as a long-term substitute teacher at Fond du Lac High School. She has been looking forward to this day for a long time. She has worked with some difficult students, dealt with some difficult situations and sometimes came away disillusioned with the teaching experience.

I am proud of Christa for sticking with it. Even though there were some pretty trying days and frustrating moments in this experience, she made her way through it. She toughed it out. She gained some valuable experience! She will get to celebrate with some buffalo wings from BW3s! :-D

Tomorrow, she meets with the owners of Settler's Mill to begin her job as supervisor for the mini-golf course in Oshkosh. She will be stepping out of one position and into another, but this is a position that she is looking forward to. She will be the supervisor for all of the employees of the facility. She will have a greater role in how the operation is run. I can see this being a wonderful new opportunity for her.

I know Weaver will appreciate having Christa home more often. Leaving at 7:00AM and not returning until close to have caused some separation issues ;). It will also give me the necessary time to be able to run in the morning. Christa and I will also be able to see each other more often. And...we'll both be less crabby because we don't have to get up so early!

Facebook Bible Verses

It can be quite a task to come up with something interesting in my Facebook status box. I might make the mark a few times, but after awhile things started to get mundane. Do people really need to know that my day is going to be tough? Do people need to know that I bowled a 161? Do people really need to know that I like bacon? Probably not.

A few days ago, with nothing left to put there, I put a Bible verse for my status. I have been doing this for almost a week. I received multiple comments from people who mention that this was a great start for their day, or that it was what they needed to pick themselves up when they were down.

I can tell you right now that God's Holy Word will go do much more good for those on Facebook than anything I can write. So, if you like the verses, you'll be seeing a lot more of it :-).

Oakfield Youth Group at Work

The Oakfield Youth Group met this past Sunday to put the final touches on the relief bags for Haiti. With help from the congregation and some funds from the group, they were able to prepare 14 bags that will be mailed to help in the relief effort.

This picture was taken in the Youth Room as we were putting in the final components. From left to right: Christa Droste, Youth Group leader; Mack Shaffer & Robert Easterson.

Thank you to all of those who gave money or materials to make this happen.

The Shepherd

This is our dog, Weaver. She has grown up quite a bit since I've last blogged about her. She still demonstrates some puppy behavior, but she has grown up quite a bit. As you can see, she remains vigilant for our safety while we are in the house. She'll definitely let us know of if anyone gets near the house...it's a blessing and a curse. :)

Each morning during the week, I take Weaver for a walk. We explore all sorts of places in Oakfield each day. This morning, our walk took us by a farm that has sheep. According to the agency that we adopted Weaver from, she is part Australian Shepherd. "We'll see how this goes," I thought to myself.

Weaver definitely got pretty excited as we walked by. She kept tugging against the leash and she barked a little bit. The sheep, however, were in a sheltered area as we approached. Once they saw Weaver they came out of the shelter. They came forward about twenty feet and stopped...they looked right at Weaver.

As we continued on our way, they walk with us, keeping their same distance, but still focused on her. They were not skittish; they did not look scared. It was as if they were just fascinated with her. Even when we left the area, they continued to look.

This little incident reminded me of Easter. No...I am not saying my dog is Jesus.

We celebrate Jesus' triumph over death at Easter. We use Lent as a time to prepare for his arrival at Easter. As he gets nearer we allow ourselves to be fixed on him. Living in a busy society, other things in life may cause us to keep a distance greater from Him then we'd like. But, we continue to focus. He makes us calm. His excitement to see us never changes. Even when Easter is over, it is our hope that we continue to stay focused on Jesus.

Weaver is a shepherd. Jesus is the Shepherd.

God be with you and keep you safe. Have a good weekend!

New Commercial Opportunities

I do enjoy living in the Oakfield community. It is quiet, peaceful and friendly. I like walking to get my mail each day and I appreciate how easy it is to take a walk and not worry about traffic.

The main drawback to living in Oakfield is that there is not much commercial development in the city. For almost anything, we need to travel to Fond du Lac. We have a gas station/convenience store, a bank, a salon and a bar/restaurant. We have a few other small business, but these are the ones that come to mind or are businesses we have frequented.

A few months ago I heard a rumor that they were doing to be putting a seven store strip mall in the lot where the grocery store used to be. Some were questioning if it would ever happen. It appears that this is going to happen! The picture that you see is what remains of one of the old buildings.

Christa and I have been trying to brainstorm a list of stores that we would like to see in there. I have to counter that with thinking of stores that also have the potential to survive in a city of 1,000 people. Thus far, I think a Subway would be great. I also think a ice cream/candy store may have some potential. Does anyone else have any ideas?

Regardless, I celebrate any steps that Oakfield makes to expand. Between this and the new housing development taking place by the old Belle Reynolds school, I an encouraged by what could happen in this community.