Another Introduction
Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2016 8:51 pm
Greetings Everyone,
My name is Jonathan Vaughan and I live in Northern California. I am married with seven children between the ages of 13 and five months. I've been a Christian for many years, and have recently been burdened with the conviction that my work-home-church-do it all over again routine is not enough. I feel the Lord is speaking to me to get off my behind and serve. So, I'm presently examining opportunities, among them the Union Gospel Mission. I also like the idea of Meals on Wheels, so we'll see.
I attend a Bible church an hour away from my home, and it is uphill both ways. Long story as to why (why I go to a church an hour away, that is - it's not really uphill both ways). But it's a good church with people who want to be like Jesus. There just aren't many service opportunities there because it's small.
One day I happened to be driving home from work early and heard this guy on the radio, our gracious host. Since then I've called and harassed him a few times, to which he responded with consummate patience and edifying answers.
It's nice to have a Christian forum that's more broad-minded without being "liberal." I seem to need regular reminding of the fact that Christianity is not some sort of framework, it's a life to live out. Know Christ, don't just know about Christ. After listening to Steve's lecture last night about the Christian defined as a disciple of Christ, it makes good sense to me to focus on what Christ commanded, and a great deal of that is contained in the Sermon on the Mount. As a boy, I had once memorized the Sermon, but had since forgotten it. Perhaps I had left my first love, but in any case it's time to come back to it.
Almost done.
Regarding Christian music, does anyone know of any Christian prog? If you remember the secular band Yes you'll have an idea of what I'm talking about. So much of Christian music is all on one worship tone (in my opinion). Failing the prog thing, is there music that's a bit less formula driven and has themes that run the gamut of Christian experience? For example, are there artists out there who plumb the depths of, say, grief, or doubt, or crisis, and then come out the other end stronger, or is everything pretty much...resolved? Just looking for something beyond the standard verse/chorus/bridge format and the single mood. Worth a shot.
Anyway, I've read through several posts and it's nice to meet everyone. Lot's of smart folks here, so I look forward to future discussions.
Jonathan Vaughan
My name is Jonathan Vaughan and I live in Northern California. I am married with seven children between the ages of 13 and five months. I've been a Christian for many years, and have recently been burdened with the conviction that my work-home-church-do it all over again routine is not enough. I feel the Lord is speaking to me to get off my behind and serve. So, I'm presently examining opportunities, among them the Union Gospel Mission. I also like the idea of Meals on Wheels, so we'll see.
I attend a Bible church an hour away from my home, and it is uphill both ways. Long story as to why (why I go to a church an hour away, that is - it's not really uphill both ways). But it's a good church with people who want to be like Jesus. There just aren't many service opportunities there because it's small.
One day I happened to be driving home from work early and heard this guy on the radio, our gracious host. Since then I've called and harassed him a few times, to which he responded with consummate patience and edifying answers.
It's nice to have a Christian forum that's more broad-minded without being "liberal." I seem to need regular reminding of the fact that Christianity is not some sort of framework, it's a life to live out. Know Christ, don't just know about Christ. After listening to Steve's lecture last night about the Christian defined as a disciple of Christ, it makes good sense to me to focus on what Christ commanded, and a great deal of that is contained in the Sermon on the Mount. As a boy, I had once memorized the Sermon, but had since forgotten it. Perhaps I had left my first love, but in any case it's time to come back to it.
Almost done.
Regarding Christian music, does anyone know of any Christian prog? If you remember the secular band Yes you'll have an idea of what I'm talking about. So much of Christian music is all on one worship tone (in my opinion). Failing the prog thing, is there music that's a bit less formula driven and has themes that run the gamut of Christian experience? For example, are there artists out there who plumb the depths of, say, grief, or doubt, or crisis, and then come out the other end stronger, or is everything pretty much...resolved? Just looking for something beyond the standard verse/chorus/bridge format and the single mood. Worth a shot.
Anyway, I've read through several posts and it's nice to meet everyone. Lot's of smart folks here, so I look forward to future discussions.
Jonathan Vaughan