I feel it important to set a few expectations and possible ground rules for this blog.
First of all, this blog is not going to solve any problems, cure any diseases, or be the warm blanket that assures you everything is right in the world. It is also not going to be the blog that stirs up a bunch of hate and angst creating urges to punch holes in the sky or someone’s face – whichever is closer.
Also, as a rule I try to avoid cussing and foul language, however, it’s not completely off limits, especially when there aren’t any good direct substitutes for words to communicate a point. This doesn’t mean you have to overly censor yourself in your comments. Say what you have to say. Get it off your chest and head out refreshed into the world. Just remember, my kids will probably be reading this one day. My 6-year-old is scary smart and could probably read every word in this post already.
Politics is pretty much off limits. This falls in the whole hate and angst category of forbidden fruits. This is a blog for anyone and everyone who cares to read it… except for folks who vote differently than I do.
Finally, I make no bones about the fact that I love me some Jesus, but you likely aren’t going to find this blog listed on the Christianity Today website.
This is a thoughtful blog. Sometimes I will provide an opinion, other times I’ll ask a question. Society is very good at spoon feeding us whatever information it thinks we need. We all too readily open our mouths and eat whatever junk food click-bait is shoved in our faces. We all laugh when we hear someone say that something is a fact because they found it online, but then we go and tell people they’re ridiculous because they haven’t seen this post or news article we read online that proves they’re wrong.
One of my favorite classes in college was a Business Ethics course. The professor forced the class to think about things and not simply accept the ideologies, opinions, and self-imposed guidelines we grew up with. I think it was probably one of the few courses where I actually learned something I could take with me into the “real world.” Hopefully, this blog will get you to think, to dream, to be challenged, as well as encouraged. I thought of a sentence to describe the essence of what I hope to convey - how I seek to view others and came up with the sentence at the top of the main page of this website.
Our society is easily distracted and remarkably disengaged. Oh, we’re “informed” and everyone seems to have some sort of strong opinion about whatever the news of the day is, but there is a huge difference between having an opinion about an injustice in this world and getting out there in the middle of it to engage and build empathy.
Their stories, your story, and mine are not over, yet. The past is gone, the future is yet to come. How can we engage today and not miss out on the seconds that just went flying by unnoticed and unaccounted for? This blog is part of my journey, my pursuit of that goal. Join me on it.
*Disclaimer: The “except for folks who vote differently than I do” line was a joke. I’m sure it’s not the last questionable one-liner I’ll throw into the mix.
Also, if you haven’t checked out my other website (www.raggamuffin54.com), take a quick walk over there. What you’ll find is I’m a sucker for redemption and restoration. That car is an outward manifestation of my inner being.