I wanted to take a few minutes and address something that I probably should from time to time. I started this blog with the intent to share my ideas and opinions about the things that are important to me. I express my ideas and opinions, sometimes in a confrontive way, but in no way am I trying to anger people or personally attack anyone. I paint with a broad brush, and sometimes people that don’t deserve to be painted with that brush are. I have never set out to anger people by things I have said, although from time to time it has turned out that way. So, in expressing my opinions and ideas, it is my desire to challenge the ideas of the culture that the church has sometimes succumbed to. And sometimes, I not only challenge ideas on a global scale, but, also, from time to time, I challenge the ideas that I hold or ideas that I have heard expressed by those around me in order to foster dialog.
I do not intend to personally attack or frustrate, but from time to time it happens when people see themselves inside the things that I say, and are upset by them. But when they see themselves in my opinions, they are not alone. I talk as much of myself and against things that I do and the ideas that I have held or do hold, as I do against those who read and have never heard of this blog. I have never claimed to be all knowing, or even an intellectual, but I do have opinions, that from time to time might be wrong, but I express them so that I can challenge and be challenged by anyone.
I have not directly attacked any person or directly attacked any person’s ideas. I also do not intend to question a person’s integrity or love for Christ. I believe that people should be able to deeply disagree without being angered by another person’s perspective or disagreement on issues that are important to them. I believe that people can have totally different ideas and passions and still love Jesus and still love each other. If I have given anyone of you the idea that I do not value or love you as a person, I am sorry. I will do my best to challenge ideas and not people.
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I enjoyed our discussion this morning at church. Like you said this morning, the written word can be difficult at best to comprehend. Emotions and feelings are often miscommunicated. Isn’t that how the Bible was written? That is why we need the Holy Spirit to guide us in our comprehension of God’s word for us through the Bible. In the same way, we need to seek the Spirit in dialogue with fellow believers. Many times that doesn’t happen; hence rifts in churches and on teams.
I love the fact that our church is dynamic and that its parishioners are dynamic sorts! It makes for a fun walk through life as Christ-followers. Love you bro!