The Pilot Episode

Are you ready to start? Buckle up. Here we go. I’m calling this the pilot episode to explain where I’m coming from and where we are going.

I believe the bible. Every word. The inspired word of God. Now I also know that while it is the inspired word of God, it is not always inspiring (see Deuteronomy). I believe it. Even the talking donkey, virgin birth, Jonah and the whale, etc. I have seen miracles, so yes I believe it.

There are people who (from my point of view) have a greater understanding of Jesus. They have a closer connection with Jesus. The lead singer of Casting Crowns has great insights. The pastor of my church always seems to state the obvious in ways that are new and energizing. People that make me go “hmmmm.”

I hear of the peace, the confidence, the love that Jesus Christ can bring and I want that. I’ve been going to church since I was a baby. I lead my youth group when I was a teen. I’ve lead Sunday school classes for over 20 years. I’ve even attended classes to prep me for being a pastor. With that said, I still feel I can “take it to the next level” even though I’m not sure what that is or means.

I’ve been a teacher in the corporate world for over 20 years. I started filling in for my pastor when he went on vacation. I was later approached to consider doing this full time (as the pastor was looking to retire). I prayed and agreed. To make a long story short, the experiment of me becoming a pastor did not go the way I had planned. As the old saying goes, “You can’t please everyone,” and my style of preaching was completely different from the previous pastor. I was water, and my congregation was oil. This doesn’t mean my water was bad, or their oil was bad. It just meant we weren’t a good fit for each other. I have since moved on to another church that feeds me spiritually. I love the people of my old church, and wish them well.

The one thing I truly enjoyed about being a Minister in Training was preaching. I enjoyed the process of putting up my radar, and having God send down a message. I would have a single thought, and example after example would just jump out at me. Literal creative juices flowed as I would be up way past my bedtime with websites and scriptures leaping off the page to be part of my teaching that week.

AIn my studies to be a pastor, I’ve learned A LOT about religion. I’ve learned that I love Jesus Christ, but I HATE religion. Christians have argued for centuries over RELIGION. Why do you think there are so many denominations? Religion.

I’m here to try to build a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. This means I’m going to need to look at myself to see where I am. It means I’m going to have to study his word, and other books to see where I want to go, and then chart the course. It sounds easy. It should be easy. It’s not. The world is always working to convince me that the bible is just a bunch of stories. Being a Christian means going against the grain.

Let’s see if you can get this one. Why did Jesus come? I’ll let you think a minute. To save us? OK. To forgive our sins? Sure. When Pilot asked him, he replied “I’ve come to testify to the truth.” Which makes you think the truth is on trial. It is. Everything the bible says is wrong, the world says is OK. My favorite is that Christians are called “judgmental” when we say things like “Ashley Madison is a morally bankrupt company” (it’s a site that’s purpose is to help married people find other married people to have affairs). It’s not me saying that, it’s God. God said not to cheat on your spouse. As a Christian, my goal is not to judge, but to identify those things that God deems offensive and avoid them.

So I’m taking my teachings to the Internet. I’m a geek. I’m a teacher. I’m a Christian. This will combine all three. As I strive to “Get to the next level,” you’re welcome to come along. I don’t have all the answers. I’m not perfect (far, far from it). I hope to make you smile along the way, maybe even chuckle. More importantly, if you’ve been thinking about reaching out to God. I think we all can learn from each other. Let’s see where God wants us to go as I start the process of feeding my faith.