During the long minutes I was looking for a suitable name for my blog I realized that I spend quite a bit of time reading what other people write or seeing what other's have done. I noticed this when all of blog name ideas came to me based on what I'd learned or what I'd seen another person do.
I don't think it's wrong to learn from, or be inspired by, the examples or thoughts of other people. What would anyone know if there weren't any teachers? But when we find the things we "know" within ourselves we begin to own them. We move from being an educated or inspired person to a person that can impart something of value into an other's life.
I spent about a year and a half in my early twenties taking apart and rebuilding everything I'd been taught as I was growing up. I've been doing that very thing ever since. No matter what I hear or read I judge it according to strict guidelines to discover the truth of the person's words/ideas.
I suppose now would be as good a time as any to say that those guidelines are totally scripture based. If the teaching/idea fails the test of scripture I write it off. That does not keep me from finding value in teaching that don't originate in Christianity. Other religions have good practices and motivations in spite of their differences in doctrine. So while I completely disagree with the doctrine of non-Christian faiths I can find value in their practices.
All of that to say that in this blog I hope to write about the things I study and contemplate - not for the sake of proving myself correct, but to submit my ideas to other people to study. I would not arrogantly say that I've found the truth and that all must listen to me. I do believe that God speaks to me, and that He has many things to say to me about my life and His word. Perhaps here in my ramblings I'll discover things I already know. I'll come to own the things I've already been taught. Scripture will be more than just words, stories, and hopes. It will become a way of living.
