I actually went through my archives and checked how many times I have stated why I like blogging. A lot! ~ But I didn’t want to ‘recyble’ a post – maybe I am sharing this time some new thoughts. I think blogging is a beautiful tool for Christians to witness. Especially for a soft-spoken person like myself. I am not saying that I don’t have my own opinion on things and sometimes I have to bite my tongue (better, restrain my fingers) to not leave a comment because it is the opposite view of the blogger. I just don’t like conflict, so I won’t comment and move on.
Am I a different person on the Internet than in real life? No, not really, just more straight forward and I can share with the ‘world’ what is on my mind and in my heart. I can share my faith, my struggles and failures. But the coolest thing is that I always can point to my Lord and Savior, who is my Strength and my Shield. If people are offended by it ~ they just move on and won’t return…I can say on my blog what I want and don’t have to be ‘politically correct’.
Since I am not a great Evangelist like Billy Graham or Greg Laurie, I can share His promise of salvation with people who are searching to find hope. Hope of a better tomorrow. Hope that Someone will see them through their struggles in this life. Okay, so I hide behind the computer screen and use my keyboard to take the message out into the world – nothing wrong with that. My hope is that someone out there will ‘google’ Sting My Heart and will click on the link they will find (BTW – ‘Sting My Heart’ comes up at the #2 spot with the Google search engine and #1 with Yahoo :grin:)…
So, what can be more beautiful than to share my hope with the World Wide Web via blogging. Okay, I could go out on mission trips, but I am not brave enough to do that…
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:15-16
Yeah – I don’t have to hide my lamp under a bowl on my Blog – I can just go for it:wink:. How about you? Do you hold back on your blog? Do you write what is in your heart, or are you trying to ‘please’ people with your posts?…Please do share.
Just a little side-note to self. Don’t mess with the sidebar of your blog when your wireless mouse acts all goofy on you and looses its power. And a note to you Spamers out there. I have Akismet installed and about 99.9% of your Spam is blocked anyway. And if you leave Spam comments in German, please learn how to spell it correctly…But actually you are doing me a favor, because you show up as visitors to my site and thus you are boosting my rankings :wink:…
This entry is brought to you by the Carnival of Beauty, which is hosted by Relevantgirl at Relevantblog. You entry needs to be in by Tuesday, 3pm, Est. Hope to see you there. I missed last weeks ~ still don’t have a clue what happened :oops:. ~ And guess who is hosting next week? 😉
Boost your rankings? What is that for?
I’ve been blogging for a little while now and somedays I find myself with nothing to write about. Asking myself the question – do I use this as I would a diary? Is it for recent up to date family information? To share my views on something? I don’t plan on ever putting something on my blog that I wouldn’t preach from the pulpit or in a women’s group or with my husband. I’m not one to vent in public with strangers so that’s not why I started one either. I have to rethink everytime I sit in front of the screen, why am I doing this?
I enjoyed reading this. Yes, I agree, your blog can and will be used as an instrument to bless others, including me. The written word in cyberspace is just as valid as the spoken word on the street.
I started blogging in May mostly because I just really like to write, and had a couple of friends who blog and I couldn’t comment unless I registered. I had no specific ideas as what I’d blog about but lately, it seems to be all about my faith walk. I had no idea cyber friendships would actually develop. There are ladies out there who I look forward to visiting everyday and I get a thrill to see they’ve come to visit me.
I popped over here from Sandra’s…she’s one of the cyber friendships I was telling you about.
You’re blog is lovely and I’ll be back.
Rena
I’ve been surprised by the number of Christian women who blog. It just amazes me, and I love it. I would never have the opportunity to “meet” people like you otherwise, and I think that’s just dandy!
I think people do come across fairly accurately in their writing, but I don’t think we get the complete picture, unfortunately. I tend to be more serious and earnest about what I put out there on my blog, because, I have fewer opportunities in “real life” to share the truth and beauty of the Word. We all have houses to clean, meals to prepare, bills to pay, children to nurture or jobs or both, and so on. (Plus sweeties to love!) Blogging–and reading–are my time to be thoughtful, and I try to be as honest as I can. So to answer your question, no I don’t think I hold back!
When I started my blog, I didn’t even know that there was such a strong group of Christian bloggers. I didn’t intend on my blog being “Christian”, but i knew that I would be myself. And just as eveything I write comes from the heart of a wife, mother and woman – so it is coming from a Christian. I knew I would be myself and that my faith would shine through. I love using my blog as a witnessing opportunity and I hope that non – believers feels welcome and are blessed by the site. What I didn’t expect was to join such a wonderful network of Christians and find such rich fellowship, inspiration and teaching. It is such a blessing – so beautiful!!!
This post struck a chord with me. I have pursued many things in my life…on my own. The most time consuming of which was my business. In January of this year I closed my business down…I felt that if it was what the Lord wanted me doing it would have been more of a success in the nine years that it consumed out of my life. I knew I wanted to write….a blog seemed the perfect avenue…however, it was not what God had planned…He is transforming my blog…you may note the difference reading through the archives. When I first started blogging, I struggled….what to write….what do the readers want…you can see where I lost focus….but God nudged me and said “this is what I want you to do”…and so here I am…part of a wonderful network of Christians…God knew I needed to have some form of accountability in my christian walk…and He provided it…I pray that I am able to do the same for those that visit my “new and ever improving with God’s direction” blog. Thanks Iris. P.S. When I see my beautiful signature, I always send up a prayer for you and your family…it is so beautiful.
Good question~
Actually–I have thought about this privately before. I feel a bit convicted by the fact that my blog seems to represent my spiritual state more accurately than my real discussions in life! I think part of the reason is I have discovered a core group of Christian women to dialogue with–not always the case in my daily goings-on. Where like-minded people gather–deep meaningful, spiritual discussions can happen. As I am approaching mid-life (who am I kidding–I’ve arrived!) I think often of “what legacy will I leave?” I hope that if my children or loved ones discover anything about me after my death–it would be that they visit my blog-and read my honest-to-goodness-deepest-desire to have lived in the HOPE of our LORD. Of course, I try to model this while I’m still plugging along in life–somehow, in the quiet of my den, the words I write seem to just flow, without the distraction of the normal day-to-day activity found in everyone’s home. Maybe it’s the solitude that enhances my vulnerability on my blog–maybe it’s that I’m writing to newly-met–dear blogging friends in the absence of distraction–maybe it’s just that I don’t feel threatened by differing opinions. Whatever the reason, it is easier for me to be vulnerable and share my deeply held values and Christian beliefs.
Seems, it’s clear, I shouldn’t blog quite so much–I should work on my r-e-a-l life!
🙂 Diane
I have a cousin who I believe I’ve mentioned. He’s travelled quite a bit to share the gospel. He’s also what I would view a modern day Paul. His purpose: to share with anyone who will listen to him – nothing more.
I was talking with him about my blog (he isn’t “online”) and I told him that I felt like it was the mission field I could reach from the place I’m at. God has called me to be a wife and mother and be a witness to my kids first. So, I guess I see it much the way you do Iris.
I don’t think my blog posts differ much from my real life though, my friends and family know I’ll speak up if need be lol. At the same time, I do feel the freedom not to be “politically correct” as I might to “keep the peace” around a few. Gracious, am I making this complicated or what LOL.
Anyway, great post Iris!
I also find myself blogging about blogging a good bit. In fact, when I just made categories, I named one that, because it appeared so much. I am not “different” on blog, but as my friend who knows me in life as well said, one just sees my thought process when they read my blog. I honestly try to write to please God. I feel that He is on this creative journey with me, and guides me. Sometimes I do think I veer to the side of trying to generate traffic, but I usually get checked on that. Good post.
Thanks for this post, Iris. It was good to read your thoughts. I’m basically the same exact person online as I am in real life. Folks get to know your ins and outs and what you’re thinking from one day to the next. I don’t think we as a family try to hide anything on our family blog – just honestly writing what the Lord lays on our hearts each day. It’s been fun!
You ‘d probably need to ask my friends and family members to gauge if I’m “being real” on my blog. I try to, for sure.
My blog is my mental, emotional, artistic, spiritual and relational journal. Everything goes there. Not much rhyme or reason, but then again, that’s me. I can not imagine trying to keep tabs on writing specific blogs for specific themes. That’s too much brain power and organization for me, and I never see things as boxed up in a neat and tidy package. Baking a chicken will somehow relate (in my strange mind) to the sermon I heard last week. Which will then remind me of something that happened to me when I was a kid. And that will trigger an idea for an art project with my kids…
Life and experiences for me are all intertwined. So I guess my blog reflects that. The typed-out ramblings of a right-brained thinker.
I enjoyed your Carnival post. 🙂