First Blog

My name is Mark Walters and I'm brand new to the blogging scene. For a long time I've been looking for a forum to share and expand people's perspectives on issues related to faith. I'm a committed Christ-follower and pastor of a Lutheran church in Ottawa, Canada. Since I became a pastor back in 1997 I've been extremely concerned and downright saddened at how legalism, the very thing that Jesus came to destroy, has permeated many mainline church bodies, including my own. I believe that legalism, perhaps more than anything else, has become Satan's biggest tool to attempt to destroy the church today. Christians, and particularly pastors who hold onto grace for their salvation and preach grace on Sunday mornings have treated other Christians and especially their own ministry colleauges with a disdain and contempt that goes way beyond the bounds of Christian love. We need a new perspective. A perspective that allows for grace to dominate our spiritual discussions. I am fully committed to all of Scripture as God's verbally inspired Word. The Word is the end-all of all discussions. However, we need to have a forum where ideas can be shared without assuming the worst about people. Too many blogs within my church body have become so legalistic and toxic that relationships -- both personally and professionally -- have been damaged, somtimes beyond repair.

So, here I am, to offer my perspectives on issues of faith. You may not agree with everything I post. In fact, there may be things that I pray you won't agree with. At the same time I would like to offer a place where our minds our stretched beyond our comfort zone in a spirit where grace may always abound.

I'm a busy guy, so I'm not sure how often I'll post. But when I do, I'll do my best to offer something that forces you to stop and think and constantly run back to the cross of Jesus and his amazing grace.

Thanks,

Mark