User Profile

Welcome to JoyFaithGrace.

Who am I?
I'm a 20something from Brisbane, Australia otherwise known as melwil

What am I doing here?
In August 2003 I began regularly attending church for the first time. I was 21 years old. Later that year I was baptised into the Uniting Church of Australia.

My problem with coming to the church in my 20's was that everyone knew more than me. Even the five year olds in Sunday School had a more extensive Bible education than me. My religious education could be pretty much summed up as one afternoon a week from Grade 1 to 7. I knew about Easter and Christmas, the 10 Commandments, the Lord's Prayer and the 23rd Psalm.

This wasn't too hard with the previous minister at my church who spent a lot of time getting me involved, helping me to learn. However, we've recently had an unfortunate change in ministers. Our new minister is less inclusive, more interested in getting his family to give acts during the services.

So, I intend to take a personal journey through the Bible and related readings. And I'm going to record my findings here. Also, readings and ideas related to being Christian and a believer in left wing ideology.

Why the name?
Although my parents did not regularly take us to church, they gave my sisters and myself middle names often related to Christianity. My middle name is Joy. I apologise to my sisters for using theirs *g*

Disclaimer
I'm not a theological scholar. Just someone trying to make sense of the Bible. And how to relate my Left-wing beliefs to my religious beliefs. If I offend you, I apologise.

Books I'm using
I read from both the Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version Bible
I'm also using The MAP by Nick Page to guide my journey.

Webpages
The Uniting Church of Australia
Sojourners
Belief.net's look at John Shelby Spong
Grace of God overwhelms: Dorothy McRae-McMahon

Friends (2):

Friend of (8):