Breaking The Ice...

So I have been wanting to blog for a long time and really only just recently built my drive enough to get started. As of now, I think I ought to say something a little about myself and break the ice, and to tell you what I am about and foreshadow the intent of this blog.

Where to start.... My name is Zach. I was born July 2, 1991 A.D. in MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. I've been pretty much raised and educated my entire life in Central Florida, minus a couple of years in Norfolk, Virginia; little of which I remember. I was only a baby. I graduated high school on June 5, 2010 and left for the army June 30, 2010 to Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, ended up only serving 8 months. I was honorably discharged March 25, 2011. I have no regrets but I wish I could have thought it out better. God's plans are greater.

With that said, here is the primary reason for this blog thread: I am a Christian, baptized in a Southern Baptist church when I was 12, confirmed in the Episcopal Church April 24, 2016 A.D. Funny enough, a few years ago I wouldn't have imagined myself being an Episcopalian, but I have always had an admiration for the Anglican tradition. I won't go into detail here as to how or why, at least not now. I may not even know for one, but I think it's best left to another Article dedicated to my spiritual journey. I will say I am an orthodox believer: the Bible is the final authority, and I draw much of my theology from the Creeds, Luther, Cranmer, Wesley, and Molina. I would like to immerse myself in the teachings of the Church Fathers more. I reside also in a largely orthodox diocese and attend an orthodox parish.

As for my personal beliefs, this being my secondary reason for this blog, I am a Libertarian. I love the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, (which precedes the current Constitution,) etc. I'm a huge advocate for the Liberty Movement in America. I support Separation of Church and State, while not compelling public servants to keep their faith strictly a private matter. It's getting out one way or another, let's be real hahaha. I hold a lot of conservative and traditional values socially and practically, not discounting the broadened sphere of the culture in which I live. I can be friends with just about anyone. The way I see it, the only way you CAN'T get along with me is if you make it that way. We can hold to our differing civilized views without compromise and remain the best of friends. If not, just know I love ya and wish you the best in your life, and keep you in my prayers.

The more "fun" things about me: I love to write, hence this blog. I was writing a novel a few years ago and hope to get back to it at some point, but I think some more important vocations need to be taken care of first; I am not giving up though. I work in EMS (emergency medical services) for a private ambulance company for now, and I am aspiring for Paramedic and firefighting hopefully soon. I'm a tea, coffee, and beer enthusiast. I'm an Anglophile and adore Celtic culture. (By the way, it's pronounced KEL-tik, not SEL-tik. There's your grammar lesson for  today.) I'm of mostly English, Scottish, and Irish ancestry, with some German and Danish in the blend. I have really come to embrace my Anglo-Celtic heritage. I like shooting guns. I own a Russian bolt-action rifle called a Mosin-Nagant and a Glock. I'm a history nerd; I can be in the seemingly most insignificant place and just be in awe of what could have taken place there. My classmates in high school would fight amongst themselves to have me in their group in the event of a group assignment in American history class. I have been tandem skydiving twice and I hope to take lessons to go solo one day. I love running, though I don't do it as often as I used to. I love video games and reading books, watching movies, and listening to music. I have an affinity for hard rock, punk rock, metalcore, classic rock, and much of classical music, mostly from movie and video game scores and classical hymns. I've grown rather weary of contemporary Christian music, not that I never listen to it.

I'm not making any claims to being a revolutionary thinker or even trying to become one of Christendom's greatest minds in the last 2000 years. I'm only trying to bring in my rational perspectives and observations as my mind is fed and however the Holy Spirit leads me in this endeavor. Also for some ranting and musings in the sociopolitical sphere and the life of the Church. Perhaps some devotion material as well. My hope is evangelism and to be a proponent of orthodox belief. Whether there will be anyone evangelized, is the work of the Holy Ghost, not me. I am only a vessel.

God knows His plans for me and all of us, and they are greater than we can ever hope for ourselves. Amongst my many intentions for this blog, I want it to be  a self-exhortation to continue in fervent prayer, worship, and study. I hope you can learn from me and I learn from you. God bless us in our spiritual growth in Jesus Christ.
 
                                              - Zach

P. S. Follow my friend's blog at barelyprotestant.blogspot.com. I have learned a lot from him through his blog. You can also find him on Facebook under Barely Protestant. Follow my personal page, The Via Media. A Facebook page is in the works specifically for this blog. Thanks for reading! Share with your friends!