I remember watching the Superfriends on Saturday mornings – back when Saturday mornings were good TV. Aquaman was always my favorite… still is… here is our own Aquaman, Matt:

I’m a 34-year old corporate lawyer, married to my college sweetheart (an amazing woman) and the proud father of two beautiful children– a 5-year old girl and a 2-year old boy.
My parents, both Catholic, gave me a strong upbringing in the faith, but I was one of those people who (to paraphrase Lenny Bruce) had to leave the church to go back to God. I’m grateful God led me to that realization eight years ago; some people spend their entire lives letting the flaws of human institutions stand between them and Jesus. Thankfully, I have since been led to a vibrant, Protestant church community that embraces my family and nourishes my faith.

I don’t care for labels, but the label “progressive Christian” fits me as well as any. I believe Jesus was God Incarnate, died for my sins, and rose on the third day. I accept the authority of the Bible. I look forward to Christ’s triumphant return, when he will place the powers of this world under his feet. I’m also a registered Democrat who falls somewhere between Ted Kennedy and Noam Chomsky on the political spectrum. I’m bemused that so many people see a contradiction here; it seems so natural to me.
My faith was greatly tested 3 years ago when my daughter was diagnosed with a rare, degenerative disease. The typical life expectancy for a child with her illness is 10-12 years. We’re optimistic she’ll do better than that, thanks to some innovative treatments, but assuming I’m blessed with decent health and luck, I know I’ll bury her someday.
Soon after my daughter’s diagnosis, I realized that nurturing my anger toward God was a luxury I couldn’t afford– as angry as I was, I needed God more than ever. That’s not to say my faith is the same; like every other part of my life, it has changed.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer famously wrote that “when Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” I’m slowly grasping the truth of those words. I used to think walking with Jesus was something like a leisurely walk along the beach with a dear friend. That’s part of it, but walking with Jesus also means walking alongside him as he carries the Cross to Calvary.
I’m drawn to this blog because I sense that David’s understanding of “J-Walking” is very similar to mine. Compared to that common ground, our political differences are trivial (though they make for lively discussion).
More from Beliefnet and our partners
Close Ad