Who is @jeremyers1

Today I am pleased to have Jeremy Myers as part of my continuing series on Who is ________?  Jeremy and I share a few things in common – growing up in Montana, family and our desire to follow God.  Jeremy is an avid blogger/writer; he spends a lot of time writing and producing quality material that really gets a person thinking.  If you haven’t seen or read his writing you can check out his links at the end of this interview.

Tell me about your family?

Jeremy and Wendy have three girls; ages 9, 7, 5, and currently live in New York. Jeremy grew up in Montana, and Wendy grew up in Illinois, and they met while in college at Moody Bible Institute. Since they got married in 1998, they have moved 13 times (or is it 14?).

How long have you and your wife been married? 13 years.

What is the one thing you love most about your spouse?

Aside from being beautiful, I love her creativity and forgiveness. She is amazingly creative when it comes to balancing our budget, raising our children, decorating our home, and showing love to other people. I am grateful for her forgiveness also, because I have messed up a lot in the years we have been married, and Wendy always forgives me.

What would your wife say is the thing they love most about you?

My desire to learn and study Scripture, and teach others about the truth of God.

What has been the key to success to your marriage?

Communication. Every marriage faces serious struggles, but as long as the lines of communication are left open, a marriage can grow stronger within and through the struggle.

What is one of your favorite things about being a parent?

Raising children is like growing up all over again. Every day they learn something new, and as parents, we get to experience this new thing all over again with our children again. Children help us see life again through the fresh and imaginative eyes of children.

What is your current job (what do you get paid to do)?

I am a chaplain in a prison.

What other jobs have you held?  What was your very first job?  What lessons did you learn from it?

I have been a Bible Camp Director, a pastor in a church, an editor for a publishing company, and a carpet cleaner.

My very first job was in high school. I flipped burgers at Wendy’s. I learned that there is no job is beneath me. Someone has to do the dirty and disgusting work, so why shouldn’t it be me? Too many people today think that some work is beneath them, but if Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, we can clean out slop buckets, take out the garbage, and get on our hands and knees to scrape grease off the floor.

Of these jobs, which have you enjoyed the most?

Pastoral ministry. I really enjoyed being a pastor, helping people, and teaching Scripture.

What do you do to relax?

I write. Writing calms my mind, focuses my thoughts, and gives me a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

What hobbies/interests do you enjoy?

Writing and reading. I used to ski and fish, but have not been able to do that in over six years now, and the desire for it is no longer there.

What music songs are you shuffling around on your iPod/iTunes or Spotify?

Uh-oh. I could get in trouble on this one. I like “Raise Your Glass” by P!nk, “World so Cold” by Three Days Grace, and anything by Steve Taylor (musician from the 1980′s and 1990′s).

What books are on your nightstand?

Simply Jesus – by NT Wright and Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes – by Kenneth Bailey

How are you connected or involved in your community? 

We are focusing on getting to know our neighbors. Getting to know the families where our girls are involved in activities.

Serving at a mission for the children of migrant workers.

 What things are you most passionate about?

Helping people understand the cultural context of Scripture so that Scripture and Theology can be understood and applied to our lives today.

Not to put you in a box, but what words would define you as a person?

Analytical. Always thinking. Liberating.

When it comes to social media, what is your purpose for using it?  What are the positives and negatives you have found using it? 

I use social media to connect with old and new friends, finding out what they are doing and thinking, and letting them know the same about me. The weakness in social media is the time it consumes, and how it often substitutes for real, face-to-face community. The strength is that even when you are not in the presence of someone, you can use social media to keep the conversation going to help further develop relationships and community.

What do you find humorous?

Dilbert Comic Strips, Lark News, Fail Blog, Jerry Seinfeld and Monty Python

Who in history do you admire the most?

CS Lewis. I love his thinking and writing.

What is something that moves you to tears?

How much I have hurt my wife in our marriage.

Do you feel like you are living out your calling?

No. But I do believe that I am preparing for it.

When you look in the mirror what do you see?

A long-haired, unshaven, middle-aged man who still fights acne.

How has God transformed you the most?

I used to be quite legalistic, judgmental, and critical. I thought I had a corner on the truth, and anyone who disagreed with me had simply not studied as much as I had. Now I know that I have much to learn, especially from those who believe differently than I do.

 In your opinion what defines a real man?  Who helped to shape your ideas and opinions in this? Did your Dad or other key men play a key role in helping shape your identity as a man?

I don’t know what a real man is. A lot of people point to James Bond, Clint Eastwood, and Indiana Jones, but I don’t think those are good Biblical role models. Lots of Christians point to Jesus, and I would agree with them, but it all depends on “which Jesus” they are pointing to, and besides, Jesus was never married, nor did He have children, so it is difficult to use Him as a role model.

Name two things on your bucket list?

Become a published author.

Enjoy a second honeymoon with my wife (our honeymoon was a nightmare).

In the end when your life is over, what do you hope to be remembered for?

It depends on who is doing the remembering. If it is my wife, I want her to remember how I loved and cared for her. If it is my children, I want them to remember how I loved and provided for them, and was always there for them. If it is other people, I want them to remember how I helped them understand Scripture and theology.

 
What is the name and web address of your blog? I have several….

www.tillhecomes.org - My main writing blog.

www.gracecommentary.com - My site for academic-level research on the Scriptures.

www.graceground.com - A community for bloggers and ministry leaders.

www.gracebooks.org - A blog about writing and publishing.

www.graceblogger.com - A blog about blogging.

www.Scripture-on.com - A blog for daily devotionals on various Bible topics.

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