I was telling a friend today that I feel like I am a voice crying in the wilderness sometimes. I sense I am working behind enemy lines in very hostile territory. My style of pastoring is very different. I know that. And our church community is very different. We know that. The result of my and our uniqueness* brings harassment verbally, socially, spiritually, etc. Here are just some of the reasons:

1. You can believe however you want if you want. You do anyway.
2. You need not have to fear the constant surveillance of behavior.
3. You do not have to submit to, support, or subject yourself to a vision.
4. You are free to question. Even the pastor. Take that both ways.
5. You aren’t pressured at all into giving your money.
6. You need not be ashamed of your failures or weaknesses, perceived or otherwise.
7. You aren’t expected to fit into a certain lifestyle.
8. You can embrace and/or choose your own orientation.
9. You can bring your unedited authentic self into the community.
10. You do not have to fear authority, manipulation or control.

*We don’t look unique. But the spirit of the community is definitely unique. You’d have to be here to feel what I mean. You are welcome anytime!

I just wanted to shout out some link love to some people and sites online who have made a difference in my personal life that I hope is reflected in my blogging:

1. Seth Godin: Seth exhorts me to damn the torpedoes and fulfill my own call with integrity and passion. Thanks Seth!
2. Hugh MacLeod of gapingvoid: Hugh first inspired me to Ignore Everybody and cartoon with spice. Thanks Hugh!
3. Hazel Dooney: Hazel’s an extraordinary and edgy artist in the system while a severe critic of it. And she’s successful. That encourages me to press on. Thanks Hazel!
4. Arjun Basu: This Shorty Award winner for “Literature” and Twitter sensation reminds me that if I can’t say it in 140 characters, I can’t say it at all. Keep it short, simple and sweet. Thanks Arjun!
5. Chris Brogan: Chris illuminates the value of quality relationship, networking and community. Thanks Chris!
6. Gail Vaz Oxlade: A fellow-Canadian money maven who demystifies money and debt with zest. Thanks Gail!
7. Darren Rowse at problogger: His was probably the first blog I ever read. I’ve never looked back. Thanks Darren!
8. Heather B. Armstrong at dooce: Heather demonstrates that persevering in gutsy transparency with generous doses of humor and good writing pays off. Thanks Heather!
9. The Llama: The Llama (aka DoWhatITellYou), another Shorty Award winner for “Weird”, warns me of the danger of wrapping useless thoughts and activities in the language of clever but empty words. Thanks Llama!
10. The team over at mashable: These folks are simply THE gurus of social media. Wow! Thanks mashable!

I want to give an honorable mention: I love the irreverent and incisive humor of Chelsea Handler. She exposes the pretense of fame and makes me laugh. I wish her handlers ,) would advise her to personalize her twitter account and update it herself on a regular basis. Thanks Chelsea!