The beauty of beliefs are that however they may ebb and flow, their very movement and progression reveals a core set of values underneath that guides individual beliefs. People may fluctuate in their beliefs and even contradict former beliefs, but they are headed toward a set of core convictions. What may appear to be a random collection of convictions matures to more accurately reflect an undercurrent of principles.

How can we discern those core values before people reach them? The confines of their beliefs may reveal inner convictions that wouldn't permit them certain beliefs and would instead draw them toward others. The progression of their beliefs show the shaping of central values, values they may have developed long ago but still take time to realize and apply consistently. The contradiction of their beliefs, whether at the same time or through changes in belief over time, may reveal the maturation of their thought. Beliefs grow, if not individually, as a whole, toward a central and unifying Belief that defines our thoughts captures who we are. Heck, even my beliefs on beliefs may change...but that would reveal more about what I believe, wouldn't it?

Assay the Essay

I could attempt to capture my beliefs on a single page, but I may do nothing but a disservice to you, providing only a snapshot of my beliefs rather than showing you the progression of my thoughts so that you can more adequately discern my underlying convictions. Instead I present to you my blog, Assay the Essay, a collection of my essay-like thoughts plus a few snapshots (I mean, pictures!). I hope that by reading my blog you'll develop a sense of me that I perhaps could never capture here on a single page or even a small volume of pages. Yes, you'll find a small volume of pages there, but this time you have the opportunity to collect my thoughts into principles—your beliefs about my belief. And if you have any idea of what that might be, I heartily invite you to share it with me! No doubt it will be enlightening for me to hear your perspective—I firmly believe it.

Other Resourcess

Some other resources available in your arsenal to pin down my belief:

• Commentary on 1 Timothy: My on-the-fly, raw commentary on 1 Timothy, an ongoing project in my blog.
• Sonrise Christian Fellowship: My fellowship at UCSF.
• Campus Christian Fellowship: A fellowship I serve at, which seeks to bring greater unity among the various Christian fellowships at UCSF.
• Diary of a Young Man: My oldest brother's collection of inspiration writings, which has served to spur and test my convictions numerous times.