Allow me to introduce this, my new blog. This is a blog of things I’ve read, seen, or heard; things that have caught my attention and made me think. Sometimes I feel I need to share where this brought my mind, and often sharing these things on a social media site (Facebook, anyone?) can cause debate & harm instead of encouraging someone to simply think or just relate. So here’s a marvelous avenue where I can post things and you don’t have to see it if you don’t want! So take caution, because sometimes I think there may be a post that’s controversial – even if you’ve loved the first few, give it time, your opinion of me may change. I beg you to take what I say as what I’ve said – not (always) gospel, truth, or the end-all-be-all. Just thoughts and convictions.

Catching Foxes. Interesting title with somewhat unexpected significance. There’s been a recent surge in pop culture of the fox (a lot of thanks going to Ylvis and their goofy…yet rather entertaining…video). The fox for me, however, is not a pop culture icon, but a (rather adorable) symbol of those things in life to watch out for. It started in 2004 with the release of an album entitled Catch for Us the Foxes. This incredible album is one of many released by my favorite band, the lyrically challenging and provocative mewithoutYou (Check them out – they are definitely worth the listen…and you have to listen!). On this album is a song entitled “The Soviet” (I have yet to figure out why). In this song mewithoutYou’s frontman, Aaron Weiss, belts out the lyric “Good God, please! Catch for us the foxes in the vineyard, the little foxes.” I had no idea what this meant the first few times I heard it…then I found it in scripture and sought further.

Song of Solomon 2:15 (NIV): Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.

Little foxes are little sins, little false teachings and ideas. The vineyards represent our walk and relationship with God. John 15:5 – God is the vine, we, His disciples, are the branches who bear fruit. When little foxes first start to creep into vineyards they eat and destroy the fruits, soon turning to big foxes who bring their other fox friends and family members. This is a much bigger problem to get rid of than it started, and much more destructive! If you catch them while they’re little it’ll be much easier to save your vineyard from total destruction.

Throughout our (my wife and my) house there are cute little foxes in various little places. These are a continual reminder for us to watch for the little things in everything we do. The little things that creep into our lives: our relationships with each other and God, our daily activities, and our continual thoughts; to watch for them, recognize them, and be ready to nab them before they become increasingly difficult to catch and control.

Thus begins our journey. You’ll hear much from me and hopefully some from my beloved wife. If you don’t hear from me in a longer span of time than you deem acceptable I beg you to contact me and ask me what’s up. I know you’ll figure out how, this is the internet! I’m indeed privvy to the fact that you can find my contact info if you really wanted to.

Grace and Peace,

Chris

p.s. – I see nothing wrong in ending sentences in prepositions…so you may see that from time to time.