Three weeks ago, I decided that it was time to set aside some time to prioritize a “re-evaluation” of Allen Memorial Student Ministry. And I felt that I needed to place a strong emphasis on our three AM/SM programs and an even stronger emphasis on my own heart. It is my goal to blog daily about some of the things that the Lord is teaching me as I listen, seek, visioneer, and allow the Lord to re-center my heart for leading students at Allen.

Yesterday was the first day of this 7 days of study leave, and it was very productive. I have ONE (and only one) major goal each day this week… to allow the Lord to rehab the elements of my soul and to renew my heart for pastoring through the discipline of silence. When I was contemplating the amount (obviously quantified in the numerator of time) of “silence” that I should spend each day… the peace in my heart rested on 3 hours.

And so it was that I, Ryan Von Weaver, spent a three consecutive hours with no talking, no speaking, and much listening (for many of you… this may seem unbelievable… to even consider that I could spend that much time without verbal communication… but I assure you that from 10:43 am until 1:56 pm I was silent before the Lord as I carefully prayed and patiently worked). In preparation for this week of remembering the discipline of silence, I picked up a book by Maggie and Duffy Robbins at Ollie’s called “Enjoy the Silence“… and I forced myself to begin journaling again.

There are several questions that I am asking the Lord to answer this week… and I will share them with you throughout the week. Please pray that I will be faithful to this commitment… and pray that the Lord will continue the speaking and answering and moving and renewing and rehabbing in me…

.: weav :.