Sowing the Seeds

As I begin expressing and developing my theology through a public format, I want to encourage constructive engagement with and response to my posts. I would love to hear feedback - good and bad. Many years ago I began a blog while working my way through my undergraduate studies in theology, and I recall how quickly I began to doubt whether or not my posts were clearly presented or even worthy of being read. After a short period of time, life continues on as it always does and my views were developing in a way that my previous blog posts became embarrassing. I decided to delete that blog and eliminate all evidence of its existence. I currently do not regret that decision, but it has caused hesitation for me to start this new one. Here I am many years later, and I have certainly matured much more than I could have ever imagined (I'm also sure I will look back at myself in 5 years and laugh at how immature I think my current self is). But that is a part of growing up.

I have decided to challenge myself with another blog. I have recently completed my graduate degree in theology, and a blog seems like a great way to maintain my reading and writing skills while I decide on where life is leading me. Further encouragement came from the loving support of the wonderful lady with whom I share my life. You can find her blog here: Paper Crane Library. Every Thursday she offers a special post called Theologian Thursday, and she asked me to do one for her. I finally obliged soon after completing and defending my MA thesis. My Theologian Thursday post was on one of my favorite writers, Leo Tolstoy. My MA thesis was on an ethic of nonviolence in and for the Wesleyan tradition, but in my attempt to be as concise as possible without going too far astray from my topic I was not able to fit Tolstoy into it. I really enjoyed writing the post, and I received positive feedback. With that encouragement I finally decided that I am capable of writing well enough to begin another blog. Therefore, the seeds I wish to sow today will hopefully grow into connections with those interested in similar theological discussions that I am engaged in. Through these relationships I pray that God's love and grace can cultivate a Church committed to nurturing mercy and healing the violent, hateful symptoms of sin.