An Introduction

It was not long ago that I received a text message from a dear friend of mine which read the following:

"Hey man, ive got a little project/idea that i want to get some feedback on. Im gonna start praying on it, but a few days ago a thought came to my mind to create a blogspot that would consist of various posts of various topics which would be foundations for conversation. the past 2 years ive noticed that i think and observe the world in a certain way and i have maybe 10 or so topics about God, life, humanity and such that ive wrestled with and would be good to share via a blog. That being said about myself, if see the same type of thinking in u. my vision is this: to create a "critical thinking" blogspot that opens discussion on a variety of topics, where viewers are invited to add and participate, even disagree, with our points, to ultimately encourage critical thinking among christians and non-christians, to hopefully solidify beliefs, or even help someone along to salvation. Im just curious to hear ur opinions about this, please let me know!"

Shortly after, Andrew and I briefly discussed our vision for this blog, and he has since asked me to write up an introduction. This is that introduction.

I must admit that I had my reservations when Andrew proposed his blogspot to me. There's nothing I love more than starting a stimulating discussion, and doubly so for any discussion concerning faith (the sorts of which I find are often the most stimulating of them all). Still and all, I don't do deadlines. I'm sure if I was left to my own devices and somehow felt prompted to start a blog, I would soon become wearied of tending to such a demanding enterprise, and the blog would fall into obscurity.

Not withstanding my professed lack of assiduity, here I am, playing a role in not only instituting such a blog, but also in maintaining it.

I feel as if I should be writing my own personal mission statement for this blog, but if I'm to be perfectly honest, then I don't know what I expect out of this blog. I don't style myself much of a scholar, and whenever I do chance upon a serendipitously profound idea or the latest a priori gem of reasoning, I find myself bogging the idea down with excessive verbosity and circumlocution to the point of losing the idea entirely.

Still and all, I sincerely hope and pray that whatever I have to offer in the critical thinking department will be useful to some of our readers. I cannot make you, as readers, into who you will be tomorrow; I do not have that privelege. But if I can challenge you to come to grips with your own beliefs, Christian or otherwise; if I can put you in a position from which you can view yourself and others with all due sincerity and grace; if I can nudge your hearts until they are where you can see God, and see Him more clearly; then there is growth, and where there is growth, there is life.

So if I am pressed to formulate a missions statement (which I feel I am, if only from myself), it is this: I want to be an encouragement. Whether or not you believe in God, Jesus Christ, or even yourself, I want to be an encouragement. The world around us, with all of its innumerable complexities, is a daunting and unforgiving frontier. Anything I can do to add clarity and sense to the tempest of Life As We Know It is a step towards fullness and vitality; that's where I want to be, and that's where I want to see all of you.

Peace and grace,
Stephen