In order for people to better understand this group, it is necessary for them to understand who I am. I wouldn't even begin to pretend that the functionality of this group is dependant on my leadership skills or ability to teach, because in reality I have little experience with these kind of things. The only existing pretense I have to pioneer The Stand is a core temperature of 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit; a burning desire. Needless to say, I don't have it all down. Even when I'm at my best in my relationship with God I struggle to force my passion outside of the four corners of my mouth. Neverless I would have you all know what you see before you is a product of love. Nothing more, nothing less.
At times the center of all Christian thought might seem slightly cliche. It may even seem to be some kind of fraud or veneer used to cover something more sinister. If you think so I can't blame you. How many Christians do we have who only solidify the authenticity of the outside world's view of the Stained Glass Masquerade? To be honest, this is one of my greatest desires: to shatter the glass. We've grown so accustomed to our self-indulged infatuation with religious customs, that we've set up for ourselves some kind of false Christian faith. Why is it that people wear their Christian faith to "church" and take it off when they enter into the real world? It's because we've made "church" into some kind of facade. Some kind of holy place where we cover up who we truly are and try to act as God would have us for two hours a week. Why is it that so many pastor's have become so fake? Have we abandoned our search for God as we try to make people feel confortable? We worry so much about how church is "supposed to be done", that we're afraid to tell others about our problems and even, our triumphs in Christ's name. Who are we?
I guess I'm running free from the topic and should get back to telling you about me. Who am I? Actually, it's not particularly important where I fall on the scale. I am a beautiful mess. I am a degradate, lowly soul who is being raised up by God to dine with Him. And so are you... that is, if you proclaim Jesus Christ as your LORD and Saviour. Unfortunately, I'm still breaking glass in my own life, and never will finish 'til the day I die. I will grow closer to God until the day we meet. Soul exposed? Who is it that I strive to be like? Read the Bible and study Jesus for yourself, then you'll understand my role model.
Until that day when we meet seperate from all these circumstances, know this: I love God. Truly, I hold no other value than that alone. Any other things I have are only a bi-product of that one momentous truth. I have a passion for the lost, and just as much for those lost in their own faith. The believers that hold that Truth inside of them, but don't even realize the awesome glory of the mystery they've so thoughtlessly rationalized. This, at the true heart of all reality is the truth about who I am.
~Daniel Deurbrouck
