Why is this blog called Junkyard Salvation?

When a car gets totaled in a wreck, what remains is carted off to a junkyard. If you’re able to restore the car from a junkyard wreck back into working condition, you can register the car, but it legally must be identified as “salvaged.” I am questioning the foundations of Christianity and salvation in order to get my faith (and other damaged elements of my life) back into working condition. No other title fits.

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What’s the goal of this blog?

I’m in a season where I’m learning a lot of life lessons, one stacked and overlapped atop another. It’s too much to remember. If I write it down cogently and succinctly, then (1) I can re-read it and not have to re-learn the lesson, and (2) someone else can read it and skip a step.

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What’s your Christian background?

I grew up in an A.M.E. church. Switched to a non-denominational church. Went to college, joined another non-denominational church. Left that one and helped start a new non-denominational church. In the course of serving in ministry, my faith in God, faith in people, and faith in myself suffered several lacerations which lead me to abruptly quit everything. I have no intention of joining another church until I understand how my faith works and how it’s supposed to work for me.

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Why isn’t there more scripture in your posts?

There is a temptation to include scripture references in order to be accepted by Christians who only believe in the Bible. That is not the type of audience I’m catering to. My goal is to make sure truth and wisdom are more present. I include scripture only when directly relevant to the discussion topic.

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What kind of Christian are you?

I question authority. I avoid politics. I bruise easily. I love people, but they get on my nerves. I pray in tongues. I’m very analytical. I don’t believe in faith healing. I tithe. I try to judge myself as harshly as I judge others. I also judge others. I do not like attending church. I do not like reading the bible. I do not like preachers. I have no passion for evangelism or missions.

I recognize God’s appearance in both the sacred and the secular. I curse infrequently. I desire an honest and unfabricated relationship with Jesus Christ. I am not an ideal Christian. I am an actual one.

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Mark Chappelle is a musician, singer, graphic artist, writer, composer, and balance artist who intends to push all of these abilities to their limits in his lifetime. His debut single “It’s Heaven” is available on iTunes, Amazon, and other digital retailers everywhere.