If I am perfectly honest, I didn’t want to start a blog. Blogging was a requirement for my pastoral classes in Bible college. I didn’t like it then. I’m not sure I like it now. For me, I have this icky feeling bubble up inside of me any time that I see someone in life, but especially in ministry become self-promoting. What has kept me from publicly writing are those inner questions, “Am I promoting myself? Do I think I have something to say? Should people listen to me?” Ultimately, the answer is no. I don’t want to promote myself. I don’t think I have much to say. I certainly wouldn’t want to listen to me either. I would even recommend reading or listening to many other faithful men than me. However, there are several “whys” in my life that have led me to start publishing some things.
The foundational reason for blogging is not a spiritual one. Our church secretary who has such an incredible love for the Lord and a deep appetite for learning the Bible began pushing me to stop throwing away my sermons after I preached them. Honestly, there are many days that I and other pastors feel that the trash is the best place for our work. Through the now three years of working alongside her and her continually asking, praying, and borderline pleading with me about one day publishing some writings I broke down and made this blog after I stopped throwing away my sermons. It has been a process with her seemingly winning each battle over this. I won’t name her. I’d like to. I’m certain that as she reads this, she is beginning to pray that her name won’t pop up or that I wouldn’t have put the blame for this blog on her. She’d blame it on an answer to many prayers that she has prayed. I will say this, I hope that through blogging I will develop the same love for the Lord and appetite for learning and living the Bible as her.
Now for my personal reasons for blogging. As a Christian and pastor, I see the world from a Biblical perspective. Sadly, a biblical worldview is not only out of reach from the world’s understanding but from many followers of Christ who have been left without biblical discipleship. There is a need today, perhaps more than ever for bible believing resources to be made available. I will say, although there seems to be a saturated market for Christian blogs and podcasts, there is also a lot of detrimental teachings that have floated around the internet. My prayer has always been for the Lord to have my life and use it as He sees fit. I know that God has called me to be a pastor and preach His word, both of those callings I am unworthy of. I know that time is precious and so is God’s Word. I know that many need to hear the truth and see the depth, height, and width of the Bible. Christians are starving. By God’s grace I want to provide some from Bible bread for people to feast on the riches that are in the gospel of Jesus Christ to the glory of God. Another reason is that I simply want to grow as well in my walk with the Lord. I want to grow to be a more faithful husband, one day father, pastor, friend, and follower of Christ. Simply put, I want to respond in faith to what God has revealed, is revealing and will reveals through His grace to the praise of His glory. Pray for me in this endeavor.
“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” – Romans 11:3-36
May God be glorified as we grow deeper, higher, and wider in doctrine and devotion to Christ.
Grow With Pastor Joe 