The purpose of this blog is rather simple. I hope to use this space as both a place to make notes and ask questions that come to my mind as I confront faith through Scripture, provocative readings, experience and prayer. My desire is that this blog help me organize and communicate my thoughts and feelings as I prepare to write sermons and contemplate visions for ministry. If anyone wants to walk this journey with me I gladly welcome you.
I cannot promise anything profound, life changing or even meaningful. I have no idea what will come from this blog, but I look forward to finding out. I intend to post at the least once a week, perhaps more if I feel the urge. Look for my first official post next week, if you are interested.
Finally, I perhaps should explain my Blog name/title. This comes from Psalm 137.4, which was a theme verse for myself and my ministry partner, Mario Matos, as we worked on a program called EdT in the Dominican Republic. This program sought to equip pastors and lay leaders who live in difficult and painful contexts proclaim God's kingdom to those who are hurting. The main question we had to answer in that program is the one posed by the psalmist in 137.4. In the middle of pain, suffering and affliction how can we continue to sing songs to the Lord? Even though we here in Visalia do not necessarily live in "difficult contexts" we do know very well what a broken life is like. We do understand pain and disappointment and so asking who we can still worship the Lord in this pain remains a valid question for even us. For this reason I chose "Street Psalms" as my blog name. Psalms are the songs we sing as we walk the streets of this foreign world of pain, hurt and disappointment.
I should note that this blog will not try to provide answers. Rather, this blog will try to ask the right questions. It can be that I will pose some possible answers, it is just that I have found that the beautiful answer is ALWAYS preceeded by a beautiful question. My intention is to try and ask these beautiful questions... much like the psalmist did in 137.4
Thanks,
Pastor Joel
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I am looking forward to reading what you write and will try to comment too (I am a blogger myself and enjoy reading other's comments!). Congratulations on your installation this morning. You, Alison and Indira are going to be a blessing to Visalia and the church, and I hope that we can somehow be a blessing to you too.
ReplyDeleteJulie Bakker
Now when someone googles your name it'll show up in YOUR blog. haha.
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