1, A Call to Joy

1 Thessalonians 5:16 – 18 - Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I am not sure if this is a New Year’s Resolution or simply an ill timed intent.  But for the year of 2013 I want to publish a written piece each and every week on a Blog.  Yes a Blog, the internet’s version of the Soap Box, or a street corner, where one can expound at length into the Blogosphere where all, some, or none of the inhabitants read what is posted.  I do recognize the level of narcissism involved in doing this, but that has never really stopped me in the past.  But I do feel called to speak up, not in defence, or in explanation, but in celebration of Christianity.

          I feel that the teachings of my Lord and Saviour have been greatly misrepresented, and thus Jesus has been relegated to the role of being a “Sanctimonious Douchebag.”  That is a term that I first read in an editorial by a Morgan Guyton a United Methodist Minister.  The term did a great job of explaining how I feel that God is so often portrayed by popular Christian Media.

          So I do want to write about my faith, a source of great freedom, great joy and great peace.  I do want to avoid any anti-doctrinal writing, but realize that there is a challenge in not speaking directly against beliefs of God that I find that I am almost visceral in my object towards.

          I want to write this, think right this, as a means of encouraging others to speak their mind, and the understanding of their hearts.  I want to write this as a means of expressing the deep joy and love to be found within my faith.  A joy and love that surpasses anything like relief for not being eternally consciously tormented cause we did not come to make an intellectual decision regarding divinity.  To be honest, I am much too immediate and concrete, read Attention Deficit Disordered, to maintain a faith based on arriving at a destination once I am dead.  More will be revealed regarding the intention of my writing as future pieces are published.

Phillipians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

          To start with - I believe, and every fibre of my being seems to resonate, that we are called to Christ to live in JOY!  Yes, there are times of great sorrow and regret for we have been the Sanctimonious Douchebags, but we are not called to live a life of groveling before the Lord because we are worthless worms!  No, we are called to live in Joy for we are restored into right relationship with God. 

          Whatever else you do, and the breadth and width of Christianity seems to encompass a whole host of possibilities, live in Joy.  Not because you are not rejected by God, but because he who has created you loves you.