I'm a writer, an artist, a crafter, a Christian, and an Armenian; yet I am loathe to describe myself in words. I still think that labels tend to confine as much as, or maybe more, than they illuminate. I don't define myself as a "goth" because I am a human being first, but another another element to who I am is that I am Goth influenced, and have been most of my life. I started to get into punk when it first came out, then came new wave, and then early goth. I don't see goth as just music, I love a lot of different kinds of music. It's more a way of expressing yourself and how you walk through life. There are actually a lot of Christian Goths, and I am blessed to know them. We are a breed apart, from the world, and from what people think Christians are supposed to be like, look like, and act like. Our hearts are totally committed to God, and we have the freedom in Christ to be individuals. To dress as we like, to be who we are, and to show the world that gothic doesn't have to equal evil. In fact, being Goth means we can identify with all those that are sorrowful, who have seen tragedy and loss. I have a deep heart of compassion for people who are broken, because at one time, I was broken too. I still am in places, but my wounds are healing. So, that all being said, the best way to know who I am, is to actually get to know me.
*The Christian label is especially loaded, because so many so-called "christians" have acted so un-Christlike. I am just a deeply flawed human being, who is sincerely trying to do it right, as far as following the real teachings of Jesus Christ, such as loving and serving all of my fellow human beings who I share this earth with; as everyone alive is one who God calls my neighbor, and commands me to love them, as much as I love myself, and as much as I love Him.
All I would ask of you is please don't assume I'm like all the other Christians you may have met. This is not to say that many Christians are not sincere and loving, the trouble is, that the ones who are bigoted, judgmental and hateful tend to be louder and get a voice in the media, tainting the reputation of all the unsung Christians who are feeding the poor around the world, who are helping people, and doing all that God has called them to do.
Whoever you are, wherever you are in life, whatever you have done, or are presently doing, whatever you believe, just know that God loves you unconditionally and wants to have a relationship with you. He has a great plan for your life, and can make your life better than you have ever dreamed. He has changed my life completely for the better! I had a very rocky past, and many troubles, and yet I am being healed of my past, and God is giving me a vision for my destiny and my purpose in life. I now have hope for the future, when in the past I didn't think I'd live to be 30.
My Father God -- who has adopted me as His very own, my walk with His son, Jesus Christ -- which is a relationship, not a religion, my journey with The Holy Spirit -- knowing Him is the greatest adventure of my life, my awesome spiritual family at Open Door Vineyard Christian Fellowship, The Ark House of Prayer Long Island, Burn 24/7, Art -- creating it & viewing it, Indie/D.I.Y. crafting, creative writing, reading, photography, vast eclectic music listening, indie films, nature, I also love being Armenian, and I love my wonderful and diverse friends, Asian food, life, pretty much all of it, and exploring existence to the full. It's a blip on the horizon of eternity, so I am trying to make the most of it!
Sports, bleh. I used to play tennis, and I'd like to get back to that, but that's about it. Oh, and I used to love to shoot hoops at my old house, where we had a basketball hoop.
Music:
Lately: Thousand Foot Krutch, Phil Wickham, various worship music. But I like tons of music. Punk, 80's new wave, punk, industrial, rock, blues, classic soul and r & b, some old school rap, ebm, shoegaze, Johnny Cash (but I don't like new country music). And the list goes on...
Movies:
I think my favorite movie might be "Trust" by Hal Hartley (hard for me to choose just one). Last movie I saw was "One Night with the King".
TV:
House, Grey's Anatomy, NCSI, Project Runway, The Biggest Loser, a lot of shows on GodTV, & many more... I'm sure I could add more, but I try to do a lot of things besides watch TV. Heh.
Books:
Tess of the D'Ubervilles by Thomas Hardy is my favorite book. Hard to say what the last book I read was, because I usually am reading a few at time.
Heroes/Idols:
Jesus Christ, Johnny Cash, Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, those are some of my top inspirations, but I am sure I have some more, tucked away in my heart that are not coming to mind right now.
