I believe it is time for me to change the way I blog. I want to explain how and why to those of you who take the time to read my writing. I’ve worked to keep the blog to about 500 words or fewer so far. This brevity is not natural to my thinking or sharing. I like storytellers and fancy myself a person who prefers complete stories, even when they ramble a bit, instead of shortened or condensed versions that give the point but lack the flavor or personality of the story or the person telling it.

I work diligently to write in common language instead of using religious catchphrases or church slang. I like people who communicate in ways that anyone can understand, and I want to be like that. I tend to believe that faith-based people can forget that the entire world doesn’t speak or even comprehend the Bible, church lingo, or shortcut religious references based on complicated or combined concepts. I plan to be freer with my use of Bible stories but intend to use them in a way that a believer or nonbeliever can relate to. Wisdom stands on its own feet whether you believe in the God who created it or not. I would like to be clear and understandable, even to those who do not agree with me. My faith is important to me and is embedded in everything I say or write. The importance of my faith is all the more reason for me to be considerate of others.

I have often asked my former students if they felt free to ask questions or disagree with me. They felt free when mutual respect was evident. I believe the freedom to question and disagree is critical to real sharing and dialogue. I am not a professional interpreter of the Bible or an authority on religious life, concepts, or philosophy. I became a Christian around 1970. I was raised in the church from birth, but I took a long ramble through terribly destructive behaviors before committing myself to Jesus. I consider myself a person in process who is still making all kinds of mistakes. I love to share what I see and have learned during the process. I’ve had people tell me that I’m encouraging and helpful. That is the focus and goal of my writing.

I am growing and learning, and I view myself as a friend who walks with others, not as an authority who has any right to dictate to them. Mutual respect and courtesy are necessary for real discussions to take place. Each person in the discussion must leave the other free to maintain their opinions if polite persuasion doesn’t change minds. I want to open the door to comments and discussion, but I will feel free to cut them off if they become argumentative, demanding, or discourteous. I will feel free to address your comments in the blog unless you indicate that you would rather keep them private.

I expect, at this point, that I will be more informal and write more in the first person. I may also intersperse some stories that I just think are funny or have a level of entertainment value. I have a gift for walking into embarrassing moments or seeing things from a humorous perspective.

Well, I think that’s about it for the coming changes. I hope this finds you well. Drop a comment if you want. I also keep a prayer list if you’d like to be added to it. I will keep any prayer request on the list for a week. Prayer requests are considered separate from blog content. So, here we go and on with the show!