Clearwater Minister Finds Biblical Inspiration For Blog

Editor's Note: This is a new feature where we get to know bloggers around Tampa Bay. You don't have to be a Patch blogger to be featured. E-mail blogger suggestions to charles.schelle@patch.com if you would like to be featured.

In this edition, we find out about Blake Ferrell, who is an accountant, minister and Patch blogger in Clearwater.

Blog: All That is Within Me www.restorationclearwater.org and Blake Ferrell On Patch

Town: Clearwater

Writers: Blake Ferrell

Started: February 2012

Social Media Pages: www.facebook.com/restorationchurchclw ; allwithinme.wordpress.com

Why did you start your blog? 

I started my blog as an outflow of my preparation for an evening Bible study we started on Wednesday nights last February.  It provides a chance for me to put my thoughts together as I study the passages we are working through as a community.

Has your blog evolved over time? 

When I first started, my posts were very detailed because the material we are going through is very detailed, but lately I have been trying to be more concise and communicate one clear theme in each post.

When do you find time to write? 

Whenever I can…once I have a nugget from the text we are studying that I want to share, I start putting together my posts.

What have you learned from your own blog? 

I have learned how compassionate Jesus is.  Luke is filled with example after example of Jesus’ compassion for people.  I pray I can have an ounce of the compassion Jesus demonstrates to all who come to him.

How active in social media has your church been? 

We have been pretty active. We have a Facebook page to which I post my blogs, our sermons, activities, etc. We have yet to create a church Twitter account, though I have my own (@blakewferrell).

Is there a favorite Biblical passage where it feels you could blog about it forever? 

Yes, Hebrews 4:14-16, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet without sin.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” 

It goes along with the compassion lesson from above, Jesus demonstrates such compassion for us that he endured all that we endure day to day and as a result has provided a way for us to approach God corporately and as individuals to seek His help.