Into the Fire

There are things we speak and reveal to friends, to relatives, to pastors, to acquaintances, to bosses, to employees, to teachers, to strangers. Other things we show without anything more than body language, a look, a sigh, a sob. Some people read those things as well as they do spoken words. I know I try to take in the whole person whether it’s face to face, over the phone, by the written words in a novel or over the internet on various blogs.

Sometimes it’s easy to do because some individuals lay themselves out there, provide no cover, and simply show who they are. Others of us are more guarded but over time as trust develops we allow bits and pieces of ourselves to be revealed. And still others hide under rhetoric and clichés until something incites us enough to blast out of our façades and unravel in front of whoever provoked us.

Our writing says a lot about us . . . often how we think, how we translate our experiences and philosophies to the written word. Sometimes it shows if we are random or logical in our thought processes . . . if we are whimsical or fatalistic . . . if we are concrete or surreal.

When writing a blog, we set a tone. Are we serious, humorous, sarcastic? Do we address all areas of life, stick to current events, discuss a specific area of expertise, make it a potpourri of topics? At any point, our approach can aggravate someone. Of course the hotbed issues are politics and religion, so when we venture into those areas, the risk for confrontation escalates depending upon who our readers happen to be.

Yesterday I posted a political rant. It’s not the first one I’ve ever done. I doubt it will be the last. I used the asterisks, the cautionary warnings to notify anyone who might venture this way that they could be offended by the post. But there’s yet another reason for the warnings. Frankly, I want to ward off the views of those readers who might disagree with me politically. This blog isn’t a place for debate. It never has been, and it never will be. That’s not its format. I’m not a debater.

If I care enough about something to post about it, chances are I’m dedicated enough to it not to flinch or change my opinion. My tagline is “Passionate: right or wrong”. Indeed. When it comes to politics and my faith, I’m rock solid. For that reason I don’t need to hear opposing “opinions” to fortify my own by mounting defenses for them. God needs no defense, certainly not mine. And I gratefully give way to those who are both articulate and diplomatic enough, who possess the intelligence, patience, and wisdom, and have the track records (Mike Duran and Rebecca Luella Miller) to handle those who love the challenge of debate and to conduct orderly conversations with disagreeing bloggers. I don’t.

Those who truly know me will tell you I love the Lord God Almighty with my whole heart and desire to serve Him to the best of my ability. Jesus is my Lord and Savior, my beloved, and the Holy Spirit does lead me when I choose to follow. Jesus confronted the Pharisees because they were arrogant and religious. He scorned their attitudes and pompous displays of self-righteousness. His words cut to the quick. He always knew what to say and when to say it and who to say it to. He was, is, and always will be perfect.

I really don’t wish to offend, to hurt, or to anger anyone, but I suspect at some point when I tackle politics or religion, someone is going to get their toes stepped on. I know I’ve been offended by others. It’s an unfortunate part of discussing these polarizing topics.

This is my little portion of the internet where I get to be me. Little by little allowing who I am to penetrate cyberspace. I’ve made some wonderful friends, real friends. Mark, Dayle, Mike, Becky, Jessica, Jason, and others. You guys and gals are terrific people, and I appreciate you. Thank you for being my friends.

If I’ve irritated you with my political posts or posts on faith or posts about writing and publishing, it was never my intent. However, it happens. I regret that it does, but I’ve lived a lot of years and at times it can’t be avoided if we intend to speak the truths of who we are, if we intend to stand for things.

It’s no secret who I am.

Father, help me to be truthful, careful, cunning like a fox, gentle as a dove. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.