A New Direction.

I want to take this blog in a new direction. (I know what you're thinking-- Sheesh, any direction is a "new" direction, when what you're doing is standing still!) What I intend to do is write about the things that I'm doing and thinking about now, and to a largish extent, a lot of it is informed by my growing and developing faith. In, like, God, n' stuff.

I don't know why it's so hard for me to talk about. Why? There are plenty of people who have so little problem talking about their beliefs that they're conversant in an entire faith-tastic vocabulary. If someone asks for a prayer, they'll say "I'm lifting you up." They ask each other how they "walk by faith." I'm pretty loquacious, but people don't typically talk to each other this way in a liberal Episcopal church. Unfortunately, people in liberal Episcopal churches often have problems talking about their beliefs, and I fall squarely in that category.

I think it's a little more than WASP-ish reluctance, though. I care about lots of people who don't believe in God, and I certainly don't want them to feel judged or alienated or afraid that I'm going to grab them by the shoulders and lift, literally or figuratively. I don't want them to think that if they share problems or worries with me, they're going to get advice couched in a worldview that does nothing for them. Mainly, I don't want them to think I'm "one of THOSE" Christians, whether "that" refers to conservative politics, evangelical leanings, or shitty hair.

The fact of the matter is that people who love gay people, women's rights, taxpayer funded social relief, the environment, AND Jesus are woefully under-represented. We're not a vocal majority. I don't know whether we're all too afraid we'll be turning in our hipster cards to speak up or whether there's something to legitimately be said about a quiet, personal faith, but we're not the people Terri Gross is clamoring to interview. It's people like this guy.

And while I don't feel it's my place to evangelize or convert, I would love to be a visible, vocal example of other ways it's possible to follow Christ. I would love to share how my beliefs have shaped and guided me, and how I feel they're transforming me, and especially how fulfilling they are. I would love for people who are interested in finding out more to be able to look to me as someone who might show them the door, but not push them through it.

That's what I'd like to try and do with this blog. I'm not saying that's all I'm going to do with it-- I'm sure I'll continue to let it lie fallow for long stretches of time, drop in every so often to screech about being frustrated with the kids, and possibly post about still more new exercise regimens (I'm back to the gym Version 35.0!). After all, it's that sort of provocative lowdown that helps you wake up in the morning. You're welcome.

Still, this is fair warning. Things will be getting a little Jesusy up in here. Maybe that's your cup of tea, and maybe it isn't, but it increasingly is mine. Why not write about it?