Finally at It!

I've resisted blogging for a long time even though there has been a lot of people (OK, actually just 1) who have been bugging me to start. I can't guarantee any regularity to my blogging, but then again you never know. I hope you're interested in what I have to say. Mostly, I think, I'll point you to many people who are much smarter than me and hopefully bring up a few issues you're interested. I very much welcome interaction, but again, I can't guarantee you an intelligent reply. So, I hope it's worth your time.

As I start my blog, here are some things about me that will let you know where I'm coming from:

• I believe very much in the inspiration of the Bible, so I hope everything I say is firmly grounded in Scripture. On the other hand, I find that much of what we (evangelical Christians) read today will often claim to be the "Biblical" way to look at an issue, but is really only a particular (evangelical) interpretation. Remember, there are many good, Biblical Christians out there that aren't necessarily evangelical.
• I'm finding out more about grace all the time. I was talking with a friend last night who asked me when I really felt like I understood grace. I told him it was some time after I came to Hillside in 1997. Now I'm feeling like it was last night. I think my first official, actual post will be about trusting in grace (Jesus).
• I grew up as a Christian in a mildly fundamentalist home. I knew more about doing the right things to please God than I did about grace. It took me a long time to figure it out--as I said, I'm still trying to really understand it. I grew up worrying if I was going to be "left behind." I felt any little sin would send me to hell. I may have swung too far in the other direction now, but I'm still trying to figure that out. I wouldn't call myself a fundamentalist and in many ways I wouldn't even call myself an evangelical. I think on a lot of things, I could be considered an evangelical (the need for personal relationship with Jesus, I pastor and evangelical church, etc.), but there are a lot of things about me that I would put me on the fringe of evangelical (leanings toward preterism, open theism, I'm in strong agreement with separation of church and state, etc.). I'm in a much different place than I was growing up.
• Finally, I'm all about Jesus. I think we can get side-tracked with a lot of things when it comes to faith. We can get hung up on being religious, but never really follow Jesus. That's my greatest pursuit -- to think and act like Jesus, to make His heart, my heart. I don't always do that well, but I'm on the journey. So if you're travelling with me, I hope you enjoy the ride!