Local pastor authors book
Submitted by jcht2010 on
By Jessica Coleman
Staff Writer
Some know Rev. Andrew Schroer by his column every week in the Jackson County Herald-Tribune and two other newspapers, or from his blog. Members of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Edna know him simply as “Pastor.” Others know him as the one who counseled them through overcoming addictions, depression, or a host of other ailments.
Now, a wider range of people can know him, and they can know him as “Author Andrew Schroer.”
Its something he is still getting used to hearing.
“It’s just kind of weird,” he said, laughing, “I guess
It began with a woman who had tried to commit suicide, whom he had counseled with the help of a counselor friend, and the idea was born about writing down one blessing every day. It’s a simple exercise, something that may be responsible for its effectiveness.
“Sometimes we put blinders on when things aren’t going our way,” said Schroer, “and we don't see all the amazing blessings God has given us. So, we had a few people start doing that at our church. That became the heart of what the book is. The book is not very long. It’s just three chapters about what it means to be thankful, and then it’s a journal.”
He hopes the journal and the accompanying devotionals, that sometimes act as something of a prompt, will help readers focus on the positive aspects of their lives.
“The name itself, 364 Days of Thanksgiving, comes from British Author Charles Dickens,” said Schroer. “He once said that we as Americans have it backward. Instead of spending one day giving thanks and 364 days whining and complaining, we should spent 364 days giving thanks, and just spend one day a year whining and complaining.”
In practice, Schroer hopes readers will spend 364 days writing down what they are thankful for, and then the last day reading through all they have to be grateful for in life.
“Its very simple,” he said, “It’s nothing complicated. I’ve seen how keeping a journal like this has affected people’s lives and I just wanted to share that. Sometimes it’s a struggle. On bad days we need to look around and see how good God has been to us.”
Schroer will be signing copies of his book Thursday, Nov. 12 from 5-7 p.m. at the Jackson County Memorial Library. The books are $12.99 plus tax and will be available for purchase at the book signing. They are also available at the Jackson County Herald-Tribune and Office Supply.
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