God wanted everyone… to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple. That is the substance of our Message. – Colossians 1:26-29

I have a new title for my blog (the view from over here). I try hard not to impose change too often, but it is critically important to me that my writing reaches people in a way that is as inviting as possible. So, while having an eponymous header may have been accurate, “Derek Maul’s Blog” means absolutely nothing to probably 99.9% of the Internet.

Because it’s not just about posting random stuff. I honestly see this as a calling and it is important that I understand what I’m about as a writer if I intend to reach people. I do tend to think out loud and quite often I figure things out as I go.

Purpose:

What I want to achieve, in terms of my message, is the offer of a clear and compelling perspective from which to frame our day-to-day response to the opportunity that is life. I want people to read me and consequently find themselves challenged to rethink, reevaluate, refocus, and renew.

I want people to read me and consequently find themselves challenged to rethink, reevaluate, refocus, and renew.

The View from Over Here is a view I want everyone to consider, and I believe I have some tools that are practical and important if we want to see clearly. These tools include the following:

Inspiration, encouragement, grace, promise.

• I want to inspire,
• I intend to encourage,
• I believe I am called to connect people to grace,
• and I own this sense of promise that undergirds everything.

Quite simply, I believe. And out of belief flows an orientation toward life – a view, a perspective – that is absolutely transformative in terms of how we live.

The view from over here:

I’ve got to tell you, the view from over here is beautiful, it is real, and above all it is hopeful.

This view is both from and of my faith in God as a follower of Jesus. It’s a lot like that day our guide in Egypt asked who wanted to see the sunrise on Mount Sinai. I thought we were going to get up at 6:00, grab a cup of coffee, step outside and watch the mountain become soaked with morning light. Instead, we got up at 1:00 and (a hike, a camel ride, and a climb later) we watched the sunrise from the top of the mountain. The view was both of and from the mountain.

In the same sense, the view from here is also the view of here.

I hope and I pray that this will be both an invitation and an encouragement on your journey. Let me know how you’re doing.

In love, and because of love – DEREK