I am accepting this “invitation” to become a blogger rather unwillingly. It is against my personal preferences and style. However, I am intrigued by the idea of participating in a wider spiritual - Christian - Marble Church - conversation. I am just a little sketchy about potentially talking to so many people that I can’t see. My Myers-Briggs results have let me know that I am an introvert. (The fact that I, and so many of my ministerial colleagues everywhere, are introverts is one of the most surprising aspects of the profession. You would think that with the frequency of the public speaking, we would all be extroverts. Go figure.) Anyway, I am something of an accidental participant in the blogosphere.

The Philippians 4:8 scripture helps to ground me in the project, so I will use it as a launch pad. It is a favorite of my family. Growing up, I can remember both my mother and my grandmother referencing it. It is a hopeful text that reflects the positive and warm nature of the Apostle Paul’s relationship with the church in Philippi. Bible scholars think that Paul and his crew founded this little Philippian church, and that Paul wrote this letter while incarcerated. The church sent a representative to visit Paul in prison and take him a gift of support. Paul sends the visitor back with the message that has become the Epistle to the Philippians.

I am attracted to the warmth and affection that Paul expresses. In this particular portion of scripture, Paul offers advice on how to live a life that echoes the Gospel in everyday experience. I like the idea that we might have the potential to engender some more truth, honesty, justice, purity, loveliness and goodness in the Body of Christ, especially in the progressive areas of Christ’s anatomy.

I am especially engaged by Paul’s admonition to think. It resonates with another Pauline scripture of my heart - “Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” [Romans 12:2]. It fully undergirds Rev. Renita Weems’ (my favorite blogger) encouragement to be a “thinking woman of faith” and Bob Marley’s profound suggestion to “emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds.”

Though I am a minister with particular program assignments, my intention is that this blog will be broad and multi-disciplinary and not directly attached to the Women's, Arts or GIFTS ministries.  Overtime, I hope to use it to think with you, to reflect, to think out loud.  So let us put our chairs in a virtual circle and start the conversation.