First Blog Ever

The title says it all, well except for...Howdy. I hope this blog reaches everyone out there in Internet town in good spirits. I have jumped on the bandwagon, or the blogwagon, and embarked on a mission like no other. A mission to redeem the world through love, laughter and truth.

I am currently reading the book of Acts. It is my favorite book of the bible so far. Jesus is risen and He sends the Apostles out into the world to build the Christian church. It shows us the power and love of God and what the church is supposed to be, the redeemer of the world. A place for us to live in community and love each other in the name of Jesus Christ. Pretty simple if you think about it, though history has proven that it can be warped and manipulated into something else entirely. Not all churches are off base though. But the question is, how many churches today are like that of the first church in Acts? I've never counted, so I can't answer that exactly, but based on the worlds perception of the church, I would guess less than more. I suggest we throw out all the rules and regulations that stifle the soul and get down to the basics. Jesus's words. Truth. Let's face it, a lot of churches are boring. They are anything but engaging and encouraging. The perception is that one day out of the week you have to put on a three piece get up, a tie from Abercrombie that you got for your birthday, and a nice pair of loafers to go and listen to someone you barely know telling you how to live your life, all so you can feel better about yourself. Who really wants that? I never did. How about we live, love and interact in a community, seek the truth and the challenge (aka God's word) any/every day of the week, all the while wearing jeans and flip flops. Who says worshiping God and following Christ has to be stale and boring?

All of this reminds me of a Johnny Paycheck song called "The Outlaw's Prayer". It is basically about a man getting kicked out of a church full of hypocrites for not looking "the part", in which Mr. Paycheck responds, didn't John the Baptist have a beard, camel hair coat and sandals, and didn't Jesus have long hair, beard and sandals on his feet.

It is a genius song, check it out..... http://www.rhapsody.com/johnnypaycheck/16biggesthits

For the past year and a half I have been involved in a local church in Raleigh, NC called Vintage 21. get to know the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is a throw back to the book of Acts and the Gospel of Jesus. Encouraging, engaging, and creative conversation directed towards the world, with the intent to find out who God really is. Our purpose on this earth is the live a life in a relationship with the Creator and through the words of Jesus, Vintage 21 is laboring to do this. I am humbled to be a part of it.

Books that helped me see real Christianity

Velvet Elvis - by Rob Bell
Searching For God Knows What - by Donald Miller
Blue Like Jazz - by Donald Miller
My Utmost for His Highest - by Oswald Chambers http://www.rbc.org/utmost/index.php

Until next time.....