Giving Opportunity

There is a new way to support people at Patreon.com. By signing up and agreeing to a small monthly charge, your money will help struggling artists, musicians, and writers pay their bills, buy art supplies, allow them to continue enriching the world, encouraging, inspiring, and entertaining us, and will allow them to in turn support others to also know the joy of giving. You can peruse the website for artists that fit your tastes or promote ideals you agree with. It’s not a hand-out because these people are working hard on their material. There are generally also some perks for those who join. Think of it as paying dues to a fan club.

Let me tell you about my blog, WayOutLife.com. I plan on taking a road trip and reporting my findings on the blog, along with photographs of what I see. Since life itself is an adventure, I will also post things I learn about life and love, products and people I discover, musings on physics and philosophy, and observations on ethics and spirituality. At times I may touch upon controversial subjects. I know I don’t have all the answers, but I like to make people really think and question their assumptions. I also post poetry.

I am doing this for several reasons. I want to show God’s greatness both as creator of the world and in the things he does on a continual basis in my life and in the lives of others. I want to foster in others an appreciation of natural places and return a sense of awe and adventure to life. I want to foster in others an appreciation of other people. Humans are amazing creatures able to produce art and humor and there will be much of both on the blog. Instead of passing judgment, I want to increase understanding of people and their activities. I also seek to be encouraging – not by commanding people to be hopeful when all seems lost or by simply presenting vague and hollow assurances – but by describing concrete examples of good in the world. I also seek to raise awareness and understanding of the world.

Above all, I strive to entertain. I do this not only on WayOutLife.com, but by writing novels of science fiction and fantasy. I am currently writing a trilogy about the salvation and redemption of a time-traveling explorer and hero who in the end learns to face his own limitations. It will probably take at least until the end of 2020 to finish. After that, I plan on writing about other characters who overcome other personality flaws and hopeless situations. I want to give people hope. I also manage a fictional biology blog at FloraAndFaunaOfTheUniverse.com and a blog highlighting local charities and businesses at LovesTampaBay.com.

Unfortunately, filling my gas tank and my belly can be expensive, State Parks often charge nominal fees, and the state of Florida requires that I have car insurance. This is why I need support. If I can convince just 250 people to give me just 5 dollars per month, I expect that I will be able to live comfortably. This is not a handout because I will be producing material for the blog for the enjoyment and betterment of all. I am also enriching the world by writing a novel and making drawings.

I have even thought of being a missionary of sorts – and missionaries are usually paid. I have never been skilled at bringing up spiritual subjects and I realize that those that need to hear them the most will only see them as distractions from what is really bothering them in the moment. I have also never been skilled at initiating contact with strangers and I realize that most people are very suspicious of those who are. I believe that God is perfectly capable of providing me people to talk with, but there are no assurances in life. I could be dead tomorrow – as could you. By supporting me, you are taking a risk along with me. I want to help people avoid some of the pain I went through in finding God, but how? The blog is a good start. I expect to move beyond it, but for now it is a good start.

Basically, if you like what I write on the blog – if it helps you or you think it will help others – support me on my Patreon page. I welcome you as part of the team. If you don’t find use in my posts, don’t support me. It means that God is calling you to spend your resources elsewhere.