The obligatory "About Me" Post

I don't know what brought you to my blog or what you hope to find, but I guess I can tell you a little about who I am, where I am on various sundry things, and perhaps some of what I've learned... and from whom, where attribution is possible and practical.

I am a Christian.

I am a Christian who screws up, resolves never to do so again, screws up again, and throws up my hands in increasing realization of just how amazing God's grace is. Anything rotten in me is me. Anything good in me is Him. And somehow, that makes things a lot easier.

I have learned, and apparently need constant reminding, that God is God, and I am not.

I am privileged to work with teens. Astounded at how much I love them. Fearful that I might do or say the wrong thing, but hopeful that God can use me (in spite of me, if necessary) in their lives. Honored that when I tell them they can call me any time they need to, even if it's the middle of the night, some of them take me up on it. Overjoyed to watch them grow and thrive and start seeking to know Jesus better on their own.

I have learned and been encouraged more by some of those kids who are now college age than they will ever know. This would take more time than I have to expound much. But Ryan has reminded me what it is to try to be real, and Josh and Andrew encourage me in their respective dogged pursuits to know Jesus better. I forget sometimes that it's a journey, not a destination. And if you are other friends of mine and you know you've had a huge impact on me, don't feel snubbed. I just don't have time or space to go further at the moment.

I love the Word of God. I don't understand it all, and some passages puzzle me sometimes. But I know that God is just, and God is good, and at the end of the day, just trusting in that is enough. I love Isaiah's descriptions of just who Jesus is, and what He did for us.

I have an awesome family, including some cousins who are missionaries in Poland that I'm crazy proud of, and some of the best friends anyone could ever ask for. I seriously don't know how people make it without Jesus, nor without being surrounded by those who are His.

I wish I had more courage when it comes to sharing my faith with those around me who don't know Him and don't know how much difference it can make to know that the Creator of the Universe waits to receive them with open arms. One of my favorite writers once said, "continue seeking Him with seriousness... unless He wanted you, you would not be wanting Him."

Psalm 139 remains one of the most encouraging things ever written.

That ought to do it for now.

Some people have asked me "what on earth does 'Pax Domini' mean?" when I sign off with it sometimes. It simply means "The peace of God." And that is my prayer for you!

Thanks for reading.

Pax Domini,
Tedd

P.S. No, not everything I write will be this long. :)