Today was my first of two sermons I am supposed to preach in chapel for the class I’m taking this year, Preaching As Worship with John Piper. I preach in chapel for 15 minutes, and afterwards I get lovingly (we all hope) critiqued by Pastor John and my fellow classmates.

One of the responses made me chuckle was what Pastor John said. Regarding my tone,

It’s hard for us to imagine you crying.

The helpful critique was that there were some tones missing in my sermon, and I received the worst criticism you can receive in our class: being “chipper.” Eek. That was the last thing I wanted to be.

Nevertheless, it’s interesting that Pastor John couldn’t picture me weeping, because most people who are friends in real life know that weeping is not outside my “repertoire”. I’ve realized that I have multiple personas and none of them are the totality of who I am.

At work and church, I try to be very upbeat and initially encouraging. That’s kind of my M.O. when I first meet someone.

On the Crossings, a website I moderate on, I’ve heard that people generally think I’m serious and logical, a bit too much. And totally on a power trip.

On Facebook/Twitter, I’m pretty aggressive politically (at least of late), more sarcastic, and a bit lighter in my content.

When I compose music, or choose to play whatever I’d like, it’s almost always melancholy and contemplative. I have a very hard time playing 7th chords and liking it.

In one on ones (not the Apple service, I think I’m a blend of all of the above.

Whatever the case, it’s occurring to me how I might come across in the various theaters of interaction I engage. It also reminds me not to jump too quickly to assuming that I understand the personality of someone I’ve known for a short or long time.