Over the past couple of days I've felt that I have been hiding the real reason for this blog so today will be a coming out, of sorts. There are plenty of blogs out there for every person that has read my blog to go to and find out about the brewing process so I prefer not to bore you with details you probably already know. The real reason behind me learning to home brew goes beyond just my taste for the delicious nectar, beyond the fact that I find the science and art of brewing fascinating and straight down to my faith in Jesus.
My savior has set me free, because of that freedom I can enjoy adult beverage in health and in moderation. Not only can I enjoy beer in health and in moderation but I hopefully can draw other people into relationship and friendship with me that need that health and moderation modeled for them. Beer is a ministry tool for me. Main stream Christianity has in large part demonized alcohol, even called it sinful. My question to you is, can a bottle of beer sin? I think not! Perhaps that is a conversation for another time, right now I'll stick to the task at hand, letting you in on my deep dark secret plan to develop friendships and relationships while people sit and share a home brew with me.
It may come as a surprise to you, but the other guy you see in the pictures of us brewing.... that's my pastor. He has done a great job at teaching and practicing moderation and he fully supports my home brewing endeavor. The church hasn't done a good job of loving those that enjoy adult beverages. For some reason it has become something that is tucked away, not to be shared, hardly to be spoken of, for that I am sorry. I aim to change that through my endeavors in the town in which I live and by building an online community of people that can support the goals and vision that I have.
This doesn't mean that my blog is going to turn "preachy" and that I feel the need to evangelize to everyone that comes across my blog. It does mean that I would like my blog to become a whole lot less about the brewing process and a whole lot more about the great people I get to share this with and build friendships over.
Can beer point someone toward Jesus? I don't know... can great food? can art? can music? I believe so, hopefully you do to!