Vision Navigator

I’ve been co-leading a BTCL (Bible Training for Church Leaders) class at North Point Community Church for the past two and a half years now (along with my long-time friend and former seminary roommate, Kevin Bacon — no, not the actor, the guy with BTCP).

This past Thursday night was our last class. Which was cause for celebration, reflection, anticipation, and a little sadness as well. Because the folks pictured above (along with some others not in the picture–that’s me in the back row, far right, btw) have all been on a long journey together. A journey that involved studies on hermeneutics (i.e., the art and science of biblical interpretation), the Old and New Testaments, bible doctrines, and the personal spiritual life.

I’m really proud of what these folks accomplished. I’m also thankful that I got to journey with them and get to know them all better. Their passion and love for the Scriptures, and for knowing God more deeply, has been a real source of inspiration for me.

Though this stage of our journey has come to an end, I look forward to the new beginnings God has in store for each of us.

“Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” Winston Churchill

[Thanks to Irene for the Churchill quote, and Matthew for the photo]

Not sure what to make of this blog. I have high hopes and dreams for it — on one level I see this as an opportunity to connect with other like minded folks, and to be challenged by those who see things from a different perspective. On another level, I see it as a place to chronicle/journal my thoughts, and record some of the things I’m learning. On yet another level, it’s a place to be creative, to muse, be amused, and celebrate things that God has for some reason wired me to appreciate or be interested in. For this reason, I don’t want to limit myself to simply personal or professional topics — I want to be free to write about anything that seems important enough to write about at the moment.

Hopefully, my ramblings will resonate with others, and serve to create new relationships and realities that will be beneficial. As I write this, however, I’m struck with the reality that I’m writing for a very limited audience right now (namely me — and God). This in fact may be the only demographic I’m able to reach, and that’s ok. If this turns out to be merely a tool that helps me make sense of my own journey, that’s fine. If others peer in and find something helpful, that would be great, but I don’t want this to become a burden/chore, or simply another checkpoint on an already overburdened “to do” list.

My prayer is that of the psalmist, that the words of my mouth and meditations of my heart would be pleasing to you, O God. So, with that being said, I bring my first post to an end.