Welcome to Nate's World

When I was a Junior in college I had surgery on my shoulder in an effort to tighten the ligaments so that it wouldn't slip out of socket while I was facing off against 300 lb offensive tackles. After the surgery, the mobility of my shoulder was significantly reduced. Common, everyday tasks became difficult. It was hard to wash my hair and I could hardly put my own deodorant on. I also wasn't able to use my backpack any more to haul my books to class. So I invested in - what I can only call - a manbag. Today we might call them a laptop bag. It is basically a bag that has only one strap on it. Anyways, I bought this bag and I still have it. It has held up for more than six years and a seminary education. Throughout the six years, my wife has helped me name my bag as "Nate's World." We call it this because inside I have everything I need. Within it, I contain my world - my books, my magazines, my iPod, my computer, my Bible, my notes, my calendar, my bills, my to-do lists, my thoughts, my ideas...my world.

I write all of this because I imagine that this blog is something like inviting you into my world.

I can't really imagine who might have any interest in reading this. Although perhaps some of my loved ones who wonder what is going on inside my head might enjoy taking a look at it from time to time. Primarily, though, I wanted to open this blog for myself. I wanted to use it as a way of capturing some of the thoughts and emotions that I'm experiencing. Now, I could have done this with a journal. But one thing about me is that I have become such a critical person that I have become content to evaluate everything from afar without ever stepping into the game and offer my own perspective. A person's opinion can soon become fact if it is never held up alongside reality.

So I'm laying it out there...at least the thoughts that I've had these last couple of days. I have a couple things stirring around within me. Beyond that, I don't know how long this will last.

"Welcome to Nate's World." I say this to you. I say this to myself. Hopefully one of us will discover something useful, beautiful, lasting and good.