.This is my second update on The Forge. I don’t really know what to say. The Forge is so hard to explain and I learn so much that I don’t think I can fully get out what I want to say. I will try anyway. That leads perfectly into the first thing I want to talk about that I have learned lately. I have learned that whatever seems hard, uncomfortable, and scary should be tried anyway. I have had several opportunities come up where this was the case but we had to do it anyway. To my surprise the fruit that came out of it made the difficulty, the discomfort, and the fear seem so small compared to what we got out of it. Trust me when I say that it is worth stepping out into the unknown and trying it. If you fail, you fail. But when you succeed, what a joy.
What I have also learned lately is to stop assuming. It really gets me nowhere with people and the future’s events. Usually when I assume what we are going to do I’m usually wrong. Or when I assume that someone is the way they are…I’m always wrong and then I get humbled real quick.

The past month has been insane! I can’t share too much because someone reading this might want to do The Forge someday and I do not want to ruin a great surprise for you. Let’s just say that we got a lot closer this last month. I am feeling like we are towards the end of the honeymoon faze and all of our true character is about to unleash. I can’t wait.

I asked a man the other day, “Who is seminary for?”
He replied, “Seminary is for people who can’t do anything else.”

I thought that was a great answer. I feel like after being here that I would not like seminary. I would be bored. Maybe The Forge should be a three-year program. That would be insane. I’m learning a lot about how God has designed me: my temperament, my skills, my gifts are becoming more revealed to me. Knowing these things is so great. I want to live out my life the way God has designed me. I don’t want to be a screwdriver used as a hammer. I want to be John David Rogers used how God intended John David Rogers to live. Myers Briggs says I’m an extrovert. Others say I am an introvert. I have been more introverted since I have been in The Forge. It usually takes me a good while to warm up and be open with people. I’m still seeking this out. It’s not something to lose sleep over but it is definitely something to think about.

The workload is a beating but I’m getting by. I need to be more disciplined with my time.

I love The Forge and I am so blessed to be here. I remember last year when I was working at Starbucks I started to miss learning. I would do some on my own but I missed being pushed and challenged to learn, and not just in the classroom, but EVERYWHERE. Right now I am at home for Thanksgiving and I have quickly learned how much I already miss my guys and girls I spend every day with. I am being challenged to learn in whatever situation I am put in. I challenge you to do the same. Keep praying for me that I would have this mind wherever I am led. Pray that I would be intentional with my all of my time and that I would never stop learning…even after The Forge.

God IS Love,
John