So I decided to start a blog...

I've thought about blogging for awhile, but have wondered if I have anything to say that isn't already being said better, elsewhere. While I am still uncertain if my perspective adds much to the blogosphere, I decided to take a stab at it anyway.

I'm not sure what shape this blog will take. I hope that my time writing and interacting with comments, will feel a lot like enjoying great conversation while sipping a mocha frapuccino with a friend. I find great enjoyment in sports, especially football. I don't know how much I'll actually write about football, but I find sports to be a great way to have fun, cultivate camaraderie, to experience and understand success and failure, and challenge one's limitations. I hope this blog will help do all those things.  I live my life in family. In addition my "earthly" family, I am part of a church family, and the family of God. Without a doubt, there will be much here about various aspects of life as part of these families. I suspect that many reading this blog are part of one or more of my families.

I am opinionated about many topics. I like people who are opinionated. There is a difference between being opinionated and being certain. Lots of things are worth discussing and debating. Few things are worth fighting for.

I wish Christians weren't so quick to jump on bandwagons. If something is popular, especially among Christians, I probably haven't done it and/or am suspicious of it. I didn't read The Purpose Driven Life, I've never done a Beth Moore Bible study, and I didn't watch "Fireproof" until it came out on DVD.

I am annoyed by false dichotomies. I almost always look for the "third option". I like to think outside the box. 

I want to be someone who is good at listening and empathizing, but instead I usually try to control and fix.

I am a Bible-believing Christian, a homeschooling mom, and a pastor's wife. I probably fit into a lot of the stereotypes that come with that description. But even if I fit in the box, I hope I've knocked a few holes in it and have made it a bit lopsided.

My goals here are what my goals should always be.

Mark 12:30 says: "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."

And 1Corinthians 10:31-33 says: "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved."

May it be so!