Thursday, April 29, 2010

Andy's First Blog Entry

Welcome to my first blog entry! How do you like the Larry King'esque layout? It reminds me a little of game "Light Bright" when I was a kid. For some reason I could never make those intricate animals that they did on the "Light Bright" commercial.

Okay, this is a blog after all so let's get straight to the chase. Here's my commitment to you if you are going to read this blog (and if I am going to write it). I'm going to be totally honest with you. That's right. Like a shot of Jim Beam, I'll come straight with you here. Why is that important? Well, I'm a pastor after all. (That's a joke...well, kind of.) But wouldn't it be cool to read blog from a pastor who was being completely honest? I think so. I mean, what if I really shared what it was like to lead a congregation? What if I really shared my thoughts on the Bible--especially the confusing parts? What if I really shared my thoughts about intersection of religion and public life? I think that'd be a good read. My sense is that if you are going to read a blog about these kinds of things then it should at least be an honest one.

And besides, I think I need to write an honest blog just as much as anyone deserves to read one. As some dead greek dude once said, "Nothing is easier than self-deceit," and I think I'm just as susceptible to self-deceit as the next person. Therefore, I think the more honest I am with you, the more honest I'll be with myself.

What is it that I am going to (honestly) blog about? Well, that's where the "verve" comes in. I'm going to write about the topics for which I get especially excited. (def. "verve" - a lively vigorous spirit.) The topics that are of particular interest to me are faith, culture, church planting, marriage and family life. In case you don't know me, here's the skinny. I'm lead pastor of The Bridge--a new multiracial, inter-generational church. I'm married to my lovely wife Jenny of 10 years. We have 4 children together, one of which has a developmental disability. Therefore, between all this church stuff, all this marriage stuff, all this family stuff, and all this 'life with a child with a disability' stuff, I think there may be an interesting perspective in there somewhere. That's where the "verve" comes in.

Welcome to Andy's Verve.

Okay, hommies. That's enough from me. I'd love to now hear from you!!! Give me your thoughts, feedback, input, push back, etc. Let's chop it up!