My plan with this space is share a word(s), The Word, my pictures, my life, my thoughts, links to other sites, AND bragging on my wife, Rachel, Chase, Meg and Becka (and ok, Toto too).
WHY? - I am not a big Facebook fan eventhough I do have an account ... so I apologize to all of you who have written on my wall for not responding. For me, it's a bit too revealing to all the world. Just not my thing. I think the format of a blog will allow me to express myself in a way that is more comfortable for me from an organizational and expression standpoint.
WHY NOW? - Last night, Lauri and I went to church to hear our
Pastor, Jeremy McQuoid, continue his bi-weekly series on the New Testament Survey. He was summarizing the Book of Acts ... the first half about the birth of the church and the Apostle Peter's leadership. The second half was about the Apostle Paul, his leadership, and his missionary journeys. He made a comment which really grabbed my attention. Jeremy stated that Paul went to where people gathered ... the town square to share the
gospel. To an audience of about 100 he posed the question, "So where is our town square where people gather?" The audience was silent, because there is no town square where people gather. It is not our culture to gather in the town square, although we do have one at the bottom of Union St (Aberdeen). We've seen great town squares in Rome where people gather. In Paris, we noticed people gathering on the bridges crossing the Seine River. Just doesn't really happen like it used to. We are all busy, traveling via car instead of foot, working, ferrying kids to and fro etc ... Jeremy stated that our Town Square today is Facebook/internet. Think about it ... Where do people gather to large numbers to "converse?" On the internet. Granted, the conversation isn't long and deep, but the connections are made - No matter where you are in world (as long has you have an internet/phone connection). Jeremy challenged us to be authentic ... share our lives, our thoughts, share the
gospel.
So, as to why now ... Jeremy's challenge.
Why SQUARELY .... the internet is the Town Square of the Information Age; also the notion of being truthful (Dictionary.com-just, fair, honest, straightforward, direct, or unequivocal). Part of my intent is share my faith in God ... His absolute truth.
Why SOJOURNING .... Dictionary.com (who looks words up in Websters anymore?) defines SOJOURN as "a temporary stay". My life on earth is temporary because my eternal home is heaven. I am a sinner, saved by God's grace. You too can experience Him and heaven instead of hell. It's as simple as acknowledging you sin and have sinned; ask forgiveness for those sins; believe that Christ died for everyone one of those sins (=FREE GIFT) - in other words paid your penalty. Answer the question, do you know where you are going when you die? If the answer isn't heaven via faith in Christ, then let me know so we can discuss further (in person or phone) .... I'd like to spend eternity with you as well!
To make my mindset and thinking visibly clear ....
I am a born-again Christian
I am conservative in my political outlook
I am a Texas Longhorn
I am really proud of my entire family
None of which I will apologize for ....
As they say here in Aberdeen, "Watch this space ...."
