March 21, 2003. Seems like a long time ago. That was the day I wrote my first post on this blog. Over 22 years ago. There aren’t too many other things that I have been doing for such a long time. I’ve been a dad for 33 years. I’ve been married to the same amazing woman for 36 years. And I’ve been following Jesus 41 years. Oh, and I’ve been breathing for almost 59 years.

So why do I blog? Writing is a spiritual practice for me. I’m not a quick thinker. I need time to reflect and process. Writing provides that space for me. I don’t work with my hands. But I think what I try to do with words is similar to what others do when working in their garage or shop. I have a bunch of jumbled thoughts that I place on the “workbench.” Then I start tinkering with words as my tools. Some words are like a saw, slicing ideas into smaller pieces. Some words are like a hammer and nails, fastening concepts together. Some words are like sandpaper, methodically smoothing out the rough edges.

Order, flow and cadence begin to emerge as I tinker. Sometimes, I know where my words will lead me. Other times, I’m surprised by where I wind up. But each time, I love the journey.

So, why do I post my writing on a public blog rather than keep my thoughts in a journal. I used to journal quite prolifically. But journaling was very different than blogging. I think it’s due to the perceived audience. Journaling was very personal. I presumed only God would see those entries, so they were raw and disjointed. Whatever was on my mind and heart would come spilling out. It was helpful the several years I enjoyed it, but I don’t find it as beneficial now.

Blogging is much more public than journaling. Granted not many people visit this site. I’m very content with that. I view this blog like a message in the bottle, bobbing along the digital currents until an unknowing Google search washes it up onto someone’s screen. Maybe they’ll find the message relevant or even helpful. Or maybe they’ll view it as part of the noisy chatter generated by our online culture and toss it away. Either way, knowing there’s a chance someone might read these words motivates me to craft something fit for others. I want my words to be simple, positive, and reflective. I want to highlight God’s immense goodness and the mystery and beauty of following him. 

Over the years, I have read words written by many people. There are a lot of gifted writers in the world. I’m humbled by what they can do, how they connect words in such a way to fuel the imagination, inspire great deeds, coax new innovation, and evoke intense emotions. I have read words by others that have made me smile, laugh, sob, rage, praise, cheer, and ache. And I have read words by others that have made me reflect, ponder, reason, brood, reconsider, and assent.

The power of words is amazing! It’s staggering that God allows us to wield such power. But words is how God works. He speaks into nothing and creation is birthed. He keeps speaking and creation is sustained. He keeps speaking and creation is renewed. Worlds upon worlds in a vast universe. All by his words. 

All by his Word.

Jesus is the Word of God. He is the fullest expression of God. He is the whisper of God. The exclamation of God. The mind of God. The order of God. The whimsy of God. The joy of God. The love of God. 

God keeps speaking his Word. Stilling the storms. Raising the dead. Healing the sick. Feeding the hungry. Finding the lost. Forgiving the fallen. Encouraging the despairing. Transforming the broken.

As we apprentice ourselves to God’s Word, learning from him how to be like him, we are becoming God’s words. Smaller expressions, yet spoken by the same God.