Mike Edmisten

I got to the office early this morning to say goodbye to our group that’s heading to CIY. Brian & Cara Morrisey (our youth minister & his better half) are taking our students to the Christ In Youth Conference in Carbondale, IL.

It all brought back a lot of memories for me. This is the first time in ten years that I won’t be attending CIY. I know that each evening when they take part in CIY’s incredible celebration service, I’ll wish I was there. When they’re sleeping in a college dorm room and I’m sleeping in my own bed, I’ll be glad I’m here.

It’s fun to look back over my time as a student minister. It was full of highs and lows, but God was faithful throughout my ministry to young people. That’s the greatest thing about memories. As we look back, we see how God has worked in our past. We may not have seen it at the time, but as you turn back the pages in your mind, you see how God was with you every step of the way. Memories remind us of God’s most frequent promise found in Scripture: I will be with you.

Did you ever have the feeling that everyone was in on something cool except you? Back in Jr. High, I was always about three steps behind when it came to the cool, fashionable clothes. By the time I transitioned my wardrobe to all Bugle Boy apparel, Bugle Boy was out and something else was in. Quite frustrating. I guess my parents just didn’t understand the importance of buying me these overpriced clothes so I could keep up with the current trend.

Well, here I am, behind as usual. Everybody and their brother has a blog. It’s taken me a while, but I’ve finally caught up with the trend. Although, I have a suspicion that this is more than a trend. It feels more like a cultural shift. I don’t pretend to be up on all the latest technology. (My friend, Josh, blows my mind on an almost daily basis with what is now available on the web.) But as a student of our culture, I’m seeing that this blogging stuff is here to stay.

My blog is going to be pretty simple because I’m a pretty simple guy. Here’s a picture of me: I love God. I want to serve him with my life. And I often mess that up. Just because I preach for a living doesn’t make me a superChristian. (That’s why I hate terms like “Reverend.” If you “revere” me, you’re going to be disappointed BIG time!) I don’t feel at all worthy to preach. It’s only through God’s grace that I can get on stage each week. And my goal in preaching is that I extend that very same grace to other people who are just as hungry for it as I am. That is ultimately why I’m starting this blog. It’s just one more small way for me to extend God’s grace to you and anyone else who may stop by.

It took a while, but I’m glad to finally be here.

Mike