A Blog about Blogs

I've recently made blog-reading a new hobby and time-killer (or productive time passer - whichever way you'd like to look at it). And no, not the junior high or high school xanga friends list so I can keep track of who likes who, or who did what today (that's what facebook is for these days). I've subscribed to the blogs of some pastors I respect and/or admire (Piper, Mahaney, Harris, Driscoll, Mohler) and some other ones that seemed to be popular in the "blogosphere." Although I centered my selection around evangelical or Reformed blogs, I choose some other ones that were maybe not as serious or had views that were different from mine. I found a list of top Christian blogs and started browsing to see what would be interesting.

What I've found is truth to the age old adage, "The more you know, the more you realize you don't know." Man, these bloggers are so up-to-date in the latest politics, culture, historical research, theology, christian movements, you name it. Reading these blogs humble me and help me realize that I'm a twenty-two year old know-it-all that really doesn't know anything. Yet they've sparked a new interest and thirst for knowledge, one similar to my first introduction to theology as a sophomore in college. With my personality, I know I run the huge risk of shoring up knowledge to feed my pride, but as I've said earlier, the amount of information out there is really humbling.

Anyway some thoughts:
1. It's interesting to see where I lie in terms of my beliefs in the broad spectrum of those who call themselves Christian. I really think it comes down to reading all sorts of different views and seeing which things resound with you even if you may disagree with other things. Now, this maybe a dangerous road like when I advised someone to take an intro class to world religion and it caused more doubt than certainty. There's a reason why the majority of my blogs are from Reformed or evangelical sources. I want to stay rooted or anchored as much as possible while I explore the thoughts of the rest of the world. (I've also read some atheist blogs to see what some of the world thinks of Christians, but I just don't have the energy to keep up with them).

2. But I still advise people to start reading blogs. I know people in this day and age don't like reading full books and what's great about blogs is that you can get a good amount of summarized information to give you a superficial understanding that may or may not spark further indepth studying. We should know what we believe and why we believe it. But I also think its important to know and give a hearing to what other people have to say, because a lot of the time you realize you just don't know it all. I would love to link a Piper blog I read but I can't remember which article, but basically he talked about how Christians cannot face university-level secular challenges to the faith with a second-grade Sunday School education (Jesus loves you and died for you). Get informed! There's an incredible amount of reason to believe in the Christian faith other than "having a child-like faith" (not to downplay that at all).

3. I'm not at all trying to be elitist and say we should only read blogs of people who have Ph.D's and are on lists of Top 50 Christian blogs. I have a good amount of subscriptions to different friends from college and church and it's a daily reminder that God imparts truth to the "wise" and the normal Joe. In fact, I stumbled upon a blog of someone who used to go to Sarang that really got me thinking about what faith actually is. The child-like faith and simple love is an absolute necessity, but is not only component to faith. So read blogs and strengthen your faith!

4. I would say read books, but books are just so old-fashioned right? No, I'm just kidding, please read books.

5. You don't like to read at all you say? Man...I don't know then.

Lastly, I've decided what I want my own blog to be about. I know this is supposed to detail my mission trip in Thailand (and if that's what you're really looking for, give me your e-mail and I'll put you on my e-mail list for ministry and prayer updates). But I really didn't want this blog to be just about things I'm doing. And I think way too much not to try to organize some of my thoughts through blog. Anyone who has talked to me knows I try to bring theology into every facet of life (if I don't say it, I'm at least thinking about it).

If Christians have one solitary purpose in this life, it is (to borrow from the Westminster Catechism) glorify God and enjoy Him forever. (Or to glorify God "by enjoying Him forever" - John Piper). And I want this blog to be just my inadequate attempt to really think about just why "To live is Christ" and how that plays out in the little things. So I'll still give updates on certain things that I'm doing here but I only feel things are blog-worthy if it ties into some bigger picture of life as a Christian.

So once again, if you wanted just a list of things I'm doing or prayer requests, I would love to give you that information through e-mail or that pesky monthly update I need to make. If you came to this blog wanting to see pictures of what I'm doing, check out my facebook. But if you want to follow along as I wrestle with different thoughts and beliefs of what is important and worthy in this life, then by all means, I welcome you. =)