CCBlogs thinking critically, living faithfully

From Larry Vaughan's blog

This short essay is a perfect example of why I love Larry Vaughan's writing. Keep reading because you are in for a BIG surprise. This piece is not about what you think it's about.
...............Real Live Preacher

DWM, 44, loves reading, writing, and taking long walks in the rain. I enjoy deep conversation and music that matters. I’m tired of the head games, so if you’re into that sort of thing, just keep walking. I’ve been burned before so I’m a little gun-shy. I’m interested in a long-term relationship but I want to go slow. Let’s be friends first and see where that takes us. One of my pet peeves is people that try to hide their flaws. I’ve got no patience for pretenders. Don’t hide it or dress it up. Just let it breathe.

I’m not a fan of the Class System. Arrogance annoys me. If you think you’re better than others, please don’t reply. If you do something nice for someone and don’t tell anybody, you’re on the right track.

I prefer picnics to palaces. Bikes to BMWs. Inner strength and quiet confidence turn me on.

Politically I’m a little complicated. Al Sharpton and James Dobson both piss me off. I’m part capitalist, part socialist.

So who would I consider to be my ideal match?

I’m looking for inventive thought with deep roots. Someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously. But someone who is serious about things that matter.

You should know why you believe what you believe. And above all things, your passion should be dripping out of your pores. Apathy is not sexy.

Note:
Larry Vaughan was once the pastor of a church. He now does the Lord's work in an institution working with the sort of kids the Church cannot handle. He is a marvelous writer, and what follows is a great example of the kid of things you'll find at his blog, Ad augusta per angust.This piece was originally published there on June 4th, 2008.

When a patient comes into our hospital they bring bags with them. When they get back to our unit we have a staff person go through their belongings and check each item for safety (you can’t have your own razors or knives), appropriateness (your shirt can’t glorify drugs), and contraband (we’ll be flushing that blunt you have hidden in your shoe). Then we do a skin assessment. That’s a fancy term for getting nekkid in front of a nurse so she can record all of your scars, bruises, piercings, and tattoos. We do these two things so we know exactly what you are bringing to our facility.

Unfortunately we don’t have a secret detector.

In addition to their belongings our residents bring in another type of baggage. This one is invisible to the naked eye, yet the impact of its contents are deep and real.