first things first

I hope you will appreciate the double meaning of this posting's title, "first things first." Obviously, this marks my first posting on this blog, so I'll need to provide some context to my readers. The more important element of "first things," however, is the notion of the first principles of life - or what comes first on our earthly journey. While I want this blog to be reader- friendly, enjoyable, whimsical and wide-ranging, I hope never to sever its moorings from the faith that has been handed down to us from the Apostles. I trust you, dear reader, to assist in insuring that I fulfill my obligations to myself and to you. (Payment will be in the drachma of gratitude!)

A note on the Solinus on stewardship blog name... Solinus is a Shakespearean character, specifically the Duke of Ephesus in "The Comedy of Errors." Solinus assisted foreigners in raising money, so our tasks are similar and therein lies the connection. For the Shakespeare lovers out there, I do realize Solinus was helping Syracusans to raise money to pay ransoms, rather than to build churches and schools, but I'm betting he made efforts to sustain the churches in Ephesus also!

Why would I write a blog? Simply because I believe I have something to say that might be of some value to some people. I love what I do - love to think about it, talk about and write about it and now I can do so in a forum that allows me to also integrate other elements of interest with the issues of stewardship.

So, in closing this brief introductory post, let me encourage you to come back often, pass the word to your friends and most importantly, to do a good deed for someone today! To encourage you, and since this posting already has a Shakespearean tint, I'll sign off with Portia's words in 'The Merchant of Venice,"

"How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a naughty world."