Introduction

I'm still not completely confident that I should start a blog.  But I guess you only live once, and I want to take advantage of life by sitting in front of a computer and sharing my thoughts!  One reason I want to write is to share my experience following Christ and get feedback from others.  Solomon's writings in Ecclesiastes and Proverbs have pushed me to search for Godly wisdom. However, it says in Proverbs, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." (Proverbs 12:15)  I need others to ask about/critique my thoughts to grow in my relationship with Christ.  I pray that I would always be open to others' thoughts so that Christ my be seen through me.

In addition to this, I have enjoyed reading others' blogs over the past several weeks and months.  I have seen new perspectives and been introduced to passages from the Bible that have helped in my walk with Christ.  Though I don't have a long list of blogs I consistently keep up with, the blogs are my gateway to the various communities that I'm apart of.  That is one of my chief desires for this exercise, to link the communities and people that I love dearly.  There are three specific communities that have had the largest impact on my life.  First, my family.  Next, the church community I grew up with in Greensboro, and lastly, the church community I am apart of in Raleigh.  Each group is so full of complex and joyful people that I could not begin to describe any of their members with the proper respect and love that they deserve.  That is a main reason why I want to write.  To link the worlds that have shaped me and that pursue Christ together, even if they don't know each other.  Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." I no longer live, but Christ lives through me, and I have seen him in various ways through his followers that surround me.

So with that, I hope that this blog will reveal, not myself, but Christ and the precious people that have poured into me throughout my life.  In some small way, maybe my parents will now be able to meet Patrick, or Christian will be able to see what worship is like at Vintage 21.  Maybe Rob will be able to meet my community group and Chris will be able to talk to Reece about the Bible.  When I walk around Raleigh, or when I drive to Greensboro, these people are with me.  They are in my thoughts and prayers, and these communities shower Christ-like love on me in ways I could never begin to explain or even understand.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."
-Hebrews 12:1