As I start my second day of blogging I am met with another powerful blog post on Christianity Today. (http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/marchweb-only/bloggers.html /Note to self, learn how to hyperlink directly into blog) The argument is made, as you can tell from the title, that not many of us should presume to be bloggers, and just because we can, doesn't mean that we should. As far as I can tell this is starting to be a trended subject between well established scholars and writers. Please see James K.A. Smith's blog for March 12th Fors Clavigera: Writing (and) Theology: "There's no dearth of publishing in Christian theology. To the contrary, there has been an expanding universe of theological publishers chur...". As people become more opinionated and we move further away from modernity I can see the educated elite only becoming more frustrated and isolated. Despite me starting my own blog I agree with them. How many times can I read another take on Rob Bell's new book Love Wins? I just pulled up my Google reader and there are another 10 posts having to do with Bell. Charlie Sheen has to be pissed off wondering how he can pull off crazier stunts to get back into the lime light. One would think that professing to drink Tiger's Blood would keep him in the news.
It is upon this note that I take a stand for my blog. I don't want to be the center of attention like Bell or Sheen. It is more of a journal that I will be writing (when possible) to amuse myself...working out what I believe while trying to tie my beliefs to action. Ultimately, does what I believe really matter or affect the way I live and interact within the world?
As I am now wrestling with how to go about this, I have realized that when my beliefs call me to action I avoid it. Particularly when it comes to confrontation!!! How do I espouse my beliefs without stepping on people’s toes...? I enjoy being controversial, rebellious, and saying obscene things...race, religion, sex, patriarchal tendencies...all easy. However, when it comes to the way a Sunday service should ran, relationship advice, or challenging someone's personal walk/life choices I get silent. I see the issues as critical issues that must be addressed…but I don’t know how to do it in love.
I don’t want to be a Mark Driscoll where I am right and everyone else is wrong. I don’t want to be John Piper proclaiming that it is my way or the highway, and if you’re not on my highway you are burning in hell with the rest of the non-elected people. (Please don’t be offended not all Calvinists are bad) To build on this problem, as my wife constantly reminds me…I am socially awkward. So what am I to do?
I have to build trust, be vulnerable, and show that at the heart of it I love him, her, or the organization even if they choose the latter. All tough things tough for men…especially me. In order to accomplish this I am going to implement small actions in my day which force me to reveal vulnerability, grace, love, and trust. The number one person to start with (or that comes to mind as I am blogging) is my wife. I need to call her but all I can do is come up with ways to procrastinate from making the call.
All Kinds of Men Stuggle...at least we are trying
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