As we began thinking about restarting the blog, one of our desires was to recruit some additional authors.  Matthew DelValle is one of our new authors.  He will graduate from the University of Central Florida this fall.  He hopes to attend seminary afterwards and receive further training for gospel ministry.  Matthew enjoys serving at Faith in the College and Career group.

The most important thing about me is not me. The most important thing about me is not even a thing—it is a person, and his name is Jesus Christ. I exist to glorify the name of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul said it best: “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). This is the most important thing you must know about me: that Jesus Christ is my life. It is Christ who defines me; it is Christ who empowers all that I do.

Why I’m Blogging – To Exalt Jesus Christ
This is the main reason why I agreed to write for this church blog. I see this blog as one more opportunity to proclaim Christ. Whatever the topic, it is my goal to always magnify the name of Jesus for his glory and the good of his people.

I only like to write about things I am most passionate about. I am most passionate about the glory of Jesus Christ. Therefore, my aim in every post is to share with you something that I believe will help increase your own passion for God—that you will know him more accurately and love him more deeply.

This is our aim in life. Knowing God personally and intimately and worshipping him deeply is what we were made for. Everything else is temporal. This is what we are to desire, and it is what God desires for us. Hosea records the words of our Lord, “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hos. 6:6). God wants us to know him and love him. Thus, that’s my goal in every post: that we may know and love God better.

I Like to Write
There is a smaller, secondary reason why I’m writing for this blog. The simple truth is that I like to write. Writing has always been a love of mine. Ever since I was a young boy, I have enjoyed putting pen to paper and churning out words. I take great delight in crafting sentences that awaken and inspire. A compelling phrase, a clever hook, a clear proposition—fewer things give me greater joy than sharing my work and seeing others enjoy my writing.

Perhaps one of the simplest reasons I enjoy writing so much is because I learn best when I write. I can listen to a lecture, I can read a book, and I can observe a task, but nothing helps me think through material more clearly and coherently than the task of writing. The rigorous process of putting ideas into words that are not only intelligible but also persuasive to others is no small task. It requires a high level of focused energy sustained over a period of time, in which information is processed, evaluated, and translated into gripping sentences and cogent paragraphs.

Hence, it is not surprising to me how significantly writing has factored into my spiritual growth. I see things in the Bible when I write that I often miss when reading. Writing helps me eat and digest biblical truth in its own unique way.

What to Expect
So what can you expect to read when you visit this blog? I cannot speak for the other writers, but I know that what I write about is largely determined by my life experiences. Typically, you can expect one of the following:

• Something I read in my devotions will inspire deeper meditation, and I will write out my reflections on a passage of Scripture.
• Other times, a book I am reading will address a topic that resonates with my soul, and I will write about that topic.
• There are also times when an encounter in daily life will provoke further contemplation about what happened and why, and I will write about it.

So you as a reader can expect a mix of articles from me. Sometimes I will post thoughts on a passage of Scripture; other times I will blog about a Christian topic—perhaps a doctrinal or lifestyle issue. Whatever the subject, my aim is always the same: to exalt Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of all who repent of their sins and trust in him, and to help you know and love our great God better.

Write Back!
This is just a brief introduction of myself as one of the blog writers. However, I must have you know: this is no one-way street. I don’t want to be the only one writing in my posts! I encourage you to voice your remarks, disagreements, and questions via the comment feature. Anytime you want to comment on an article, feel free! I would love to hear your feedback and extend the discussion beyond my original writing and learn from you as well.

My only request with comments is that we always keep in mind the old Augustinian maxim: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” We must heed the words of Paul: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Col. 4:6). With this spirit, our comments can serve to “stir up one another to love and good works” (Heb. 10:24).

I am looking forward to writing articles and discussing them with you! May this blog demonstrate our love for one another as brothers and sisters and bring honor and glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.