joining the fray

So what does one say upon joining the ranks of bloggers? Here I am? Welcome to my blog?

It's probably best to focus on why I am here.

Here's what I hope to accomplish: provide an antidote for weltschmerz. A fancy word for mental depression or apathy caused by comparison of the actual state of the world with an ideal state (thanks Webster's).

Many of us suffer from this ailment. The phrase "that's not fair" comes from a longing to be somewhere where justice is served. Where bad things don't happen to good people. Where honesty is the norm.

I don't think I'm the only one overwhelmed by the natural disasters, scandals, excesses, and tragedies that make their way into our lives via TV, Internet, radio, conversations. It's exhausting. Sometimes it feels hopeless. It's enough to wear you out. We can be weary of this world. Sometimes we long for a better place.

I believe God places this longing in our hearts because he does have something in mind for us. Something better. He has a place for us in his Kingdom. In the New Testament book of Revelation, the apostle John speaks of a vision where he heard someone saying," Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever." (Revelation 21:3-4).

Sounds wonderful doesn't it?

So that's the purpose of this blog. Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:7 to "Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near." That's what I aim to do.

But I don't want you to think I am offering some sort of apocalyptic prediction. I want to help you and all the other world-weary souls discover hope for the journey...in God's Word.

DJS