My name is Josh and this is what I do.

I’m a freelance graphic designer. I write. I read. I muse.

I like good music and good beer.

I’m 27 years old and married to a beautiful woman who is more than my wife but my partner in crime and best friend. Her name is Anna.

My life used to be full of all kinds of junk. In some sense, I guess it always will be. But I about 2 years ago (about the time I got married - funny how that works) I realized that all of the things that I used to think were important weren’t very important anymore. And all the things that I had been building my life towards . . . job, money, reputation, respect, approval . . . I kind of decided my “goal” . . . what I was steering my life towards was somewhat futile. Kind of like chasing the wind. I realized that if I didn’t change what I was doing, what I was becoming, I was going to look like everybody else when I died.

And so I quit doing what I was doing.

Somewhat drastic I know. But I decided if there is a better way and the only thing that is keeping me doing the very thing that I’m doing is pragmatics and a sense of safety, then to keep doing what I’m doing would be the great waste of my life.

So I streamlined. My job. My thoughts. My desires. I’d like to die a minimalist when I go. And I’d like to retire at 30. So everything in my life now is about doing that. Getting there.

Freeing myself up so to speak . . . so that I can do something that matters and counts. Something that lasts. That resonates for a while.

The greatest tragedy in life are people who get by. Who do the same thing day after day, month after month, and year after year and do it with no guts and no heart. But do it because they’re supposed to or do it because they’re called. But are miserable the whole time. Except for a few token exceptions when they catch a small glimpse of the weight and significance of God.

In that sense, Marx was right, religion is the opium of the masses. It’s what people use to get by.

But I can’t do that. Its not that easy for me. You see I believe life is about getting as many glimpses of the kingdom of God as you can. Not waiting around for 1 or 2 shots a year. Or to wait around for a special song that gives you goosebumps. I’m talking about the real deal . . . see it, feel it, breathe it, smell it, hear it, experience it . . . live it. That’s what this whole thing is about.

It’s not about a church. It’s not about church marketing. It’s not about a religion. It’s not a fancy slogan or a pretty necklace. It’s not witty or cute. It’s not 3 points and a pat on the back. It’s not hell is hot and bad. It’s not heaven is shiny and safe. It’s not about having trendier music or cooler messages. It’s not about politics. It’s not about a mortgage and a white picket fence. It’s not about a Volvo, Audi, or Benz.

Somewhere we’ve bought a lie. Somewhere we gave up. Somewhere we swallowed the wrong pill. Somewhere we started building an empire instead of sharing a dream for the world. And when you build empires your priorites get out of line. They get skewed.

So that’s me. Or at least where I’m at right now. Maybe I’ll do something different one day. Maybe you’ll find me pushing papers one day. Maybe you’ll find me regurgitating the same old, same old.

But for now I’m all about playing my part in the story. Doing what I do to help make God’s dreams for the world come true. Not the version that got co-opted by the Christians, and pastors, and politicians.

But the deep down, real deal, minus all the fluff and baggage, “ISH” (it’s slang, it’s the way brothas say it which I think is much more meaningful). The stuff to center your entire life around. Not just a Sunday morning face. Or your “religious side”.

So that’s ABOUT ME.

For now.