What is the purpose of this blog?
After so much preparation to become a teacher, professor, pastor, or whatever else I was supposed to be, finding “purpose” has been an uphill battle. (See my first memoir for more information.) I have been searching for any tiny outlet to pass along the knowledge I’ve gained and continue the conversations that I loved to enter while in school. I never want to stop learning.
One of my most valued experiences was teaching high school Bible, particularly New Testament Survey. Many of the students seemed to at least fake an excitement when entering those doors, and we focused on the essentials of each book. They were amazed by how foundational the apostle Peter was in the gospel narratives (i.e., how many times his name was an answer to a quiz question.) We hammered down how God’s kingdom comes for all, but more than likely the outcast and social outcast will enter, while the rich, powerful, and self-sufficient do not. This opportunity fed my spirit, knowing that I was made to be a conduit of what I had received.
More opportunities may surface in the future, but this blog exists to gather my thoughts, notes, working conclusions as my faith journey continues. I love organization, and this is my feeble attempt at putting everything in one place. So you're eavesdropping on my thoughts. Spooky.
Why "Something to Chew On"?
The title is based on passages like 1 Peter 2 and Hebrews 4, where authors beg for the audience to dive deeper into what they have received, not to be satisfied with basic understandings or, worse, what they've heard from others. There's nothing wrong with the simplicity of certain truths, but as we progress in our individual journeys, we must never be content with our knowledge or experience of the divine.
Anyone who has heard my teaching or preaching recognizes the term "nerd moment," because I love to insert a nugget of culture, grammar, or social background to add flavor to the text. It gives a contextual bridge into the past before providing appropriate application for the present.
These posts seek to do the same. I can't provide a full course meal every time, and as I say below, these entries will develop overtime. But I hope to offer a few thoughts that provoke further discussion, more hunger to seek truth, and a desire to reflect on who God is and how His character impacts our own.
These posts seem a bit rough…
Brian Regan, one of my favorite comedians, gave an interview for Google about comedy and how he prepares (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZDlEKRYQFk, especially 30:33-33:42). I come back to these few minutes often, as he discussed the battle comedians face when being recorded by “well-intentioned” fans on their smartphones. Even though the joke may not be in its final form, or ready for “production,” it will be published instantaneously and critiqued by millions. He compares it to taking brownies from the oven before the oven dings at the appropriate time. Just as brownies are no good if too mushy, and a comedian longs for control over the timing of publishing his work, a teacher can hesitate to release a sermon, research paper, or book into the world prematurely.
My intention, though, is not to produce final products each day. As I return to these passages throughout the years, I will update my thoughts, add resources for support, or change my own conclusions. These brownies are mushy. Welcome to the oven as my thoughts expand and shape over time. This is a lifelong project, so I can hopefully gather an abundance of thoughts worthy of interaction for following generations. Enjoy!
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