Strangely Warm Theology

I have called myself a Christian most of my life. I had a salvation experience when I was 13 at a revival at my home church in Nicholasville, Ky. That being said, it didn't become real to me until the next day or two when I realized what I had done. I feel my faith has ebbed and flowed quite a bit in my 45 years. There have been times that I have felt far away from God and times that I felt I could almost audibly hear him speaking to me. I would say I have been a believer all of my life...i would also say I have sometimes been a doubter and a skeptic.

My personal belief system is in line with most basic Christian beliefs. I think the Apostles Creed is a good statement of what I believe. I also fall pretty closely in line with a quote by Augustine an early church father.

"In Essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, love" - Augustine (354-430 AD)

There have been times in my life I have been ultra conservative, times I have been liberal and currently I would call myself middle of the road. I don't get to worked up over issues on either side. Some would say that I am not taking a stand on important issues, but I see it that I am taking a stand on neutral ground.

I also try not to worry about what I would call "minor' differences in beliefs among Christians. I have preferences and I have at times voiced those preferences, but I am not going to argue over something I consider "non-essential".

So, this brings up a question. What am I willing to argue about? Argue is a strong word, so what would I be willing to address? I would say injustice and unwillingness to see the "big" picture. It truly aggravates me when people get so wrapped up in their "idea" of what church should be like, that they cannot see beyond that. I also cannot stand for others to be used, abused, ridiculed, etc.

Why am I sharing this? It is all part of my pulling back the layers of who I am and what makes me tick. The disclaimer here would be that as I do this, I may uncover other layers that I need to address. Thanks for staying for all the fun! :)

This Blog is Strangely Warm

I have had this Blog for quite a while, but have not blogged consistently since 2008. Other Social media such as Facebook had taken the place of the blog. I recently have had renewed interest in blogging as a tool for ministry, communication and just general fun. Why Strangely Warm? I have been United Methodist my whole life...let me rephrase that, I have been a Christian since I was a youth, and I have attended various United Methodist churches my entire life. Here is a quote from John Wesley, the Father of Methodism.

In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while the leader was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.
from The Journal of John Wesley, May 24, 1738

When I was 13 I made a commitment to Christ, as my faith has had an ebb and flow through life, I have at times been strangely warmed by the spirit working in my life. No matter what struggles I have had in life, I have always turned to my faith to pull me through. This blog is about many things: faith, family, youth ministry, church, fun, and basically other things that interest me. I have deleted my old posts from a few years back, because I plan on being more intentional in using this blog. So welcome to the journey and I hope that at times your heart also will be "strangely warmed."