- I like to meet new friends from the blog world. These are people who share common interests, or who simply are there to share and help others. I think particularly of my brothers and sisters in Jesus. But I also include anyone who would like to enter in, to what hopefully can be a conversation.
- I like to converse. I am learning in this. It's an art of give and take, and more than that, of simply enjoying the other person, and what they have to share. I want to become more and more a conversationalist in blogging. This doesn't exclude an aspect of teaching/learning or even engaging in friendly debate, at times. But I'd like to see more conversation that helps us get to know each other better, and along with that, we can get to know our God better.
- The outlet for creativity. Some of you are particularly striking in this. I have my own simple outlet, and I enjoy it, and look forward to it. To share whatever I may, and to enjoy what others share.
- I do learn alot from others. Especially by reading their blogs. And sometimes when I'm challenged either on a comment I make on their blog, or on a posting I make on my blog. Also I am blessed by what others share on comments from their own life or thought, on a subject or issue.
- Last, but not least, I also want to see this as a ministry. I once believed the Lord was calling me to be a pastor. I went to schools, got my degrees, but God still needed to do a major work in my own heart. I was once called "an emotional cripple" when in my mid to later twenties, and that person, on staff at the school, and a counselor of mine, was right. But God did a work, and continues to do a work in me. And I want to share from that, and from whatever he gives me. And pray it will help others. I do think about how I might possibly be part of a community, in blogging, among those not of the Jesus community.
This is at least some of the reasons I enjoy blogging. What about you? What do you like about blogging?
8 comments:
Ditto Ted,
I think if you start blogging relationships that they inevitably lead to ministry--serving one another, encouraging one another with support at the right time and place--sometimes without ever knowing it. Blogging also inspires a growing connectedness that goes beyond former or present evangelical/fundamentalist parochial or sectarian boundaries.
Dan, Thanks for your interesting comments. I'm especially interested in the boundaries you point out are broken through blogging. I always feel stretched in a good way when reading from you. And on matters directly related to "the Jesus Creed".
I've also found, and sensed it especially of late, that people can be a ministry to me through blogging. That we can encourage each other in the Lord.
Hi Ted,
Thanks. Oh, I think all kinds of emotional, relational, theological, and ecclesiological boundaries are blurred by blogging; some boundaries appropriately merge through presence of blogging.
I love the title of the book "Living on The Boundaries" by Nicola Hoggard Creegan and Christine D Pohl. Are you familiar with it?
Women who were influenced by the worlds of feminism and evangelicalism who find their identity within both worlds. They came to see through their own desires and aspirations some of the "intolerance and tightness of evangelicalism" yet for many good reasons wanted to stay with evangelicalism. The authors speak of women who are "weary and reluctant to engage boundaries, whether propositional or cultural."
One of the subsections in a chapter is called "Engaging Both Worlds: Life on the Boundaries."
In similar ways, across many supposed boundaries previously set up by a particular ecclesiology, theology, or psychology, Christians are connecting at a much deeper level through blogging.
Dan, I can say, "Amen" to that. And that book sounds very interesting.
I think blogging gives us, and this is especially helpful for some of us, a kind of safety in which to explore sharing our thoughts and something of our real selves with others. Sometimes harder to do in person. And I think such sharing can actually facilitate better fellowship when such would meet each other in person.
(C.S. Lewis is an excellent example, I think, of one whose writings and life transcend so many, virtually all the boundaries of Christendom. And even beyond that, to some extent, I think. We need more Christians doing that kind of thing today.)
Another good reason to like blogging!
Hey Ted - what I like about blogging at this point in time is the ability I have to simply start writing again. Raising 3 small children simultaneously with going through a firestorm at my church has really sucked the creativity out of me. I used to be quite creative and articulate, now I'm a blithering idiot whenever I open my mouth, it seems.
I've always devoured books - and that does help, but not to the same extent that blogging, and getting to know and read others in the blogging community has done.
Kim, Yeah. I think blogging has helped me in a similar way. I too love to read and have my own distractions. Though I'll hand it to you, you definitely have more! :)
I think being exposed to various bloggers is nice in alot of ways. And then letting loose one's own gift in it, and working on developing that.
For me, it really isn't so much that. Just sharing, and trying to enjoy this medium, and trying to get better at it, all the way around.
A sidenote: It is nice to be exposed to those who like to read and think in similar things. A fellowship that really encourages me to do better at my reading, thinking, etc.
Ted, I like what you said about ministry. Blogging is so transparent, people can see your history if they want to with just a little bit of focused reading. Of course, even bloggers recreate their histories to some extent, but since we blend the forms of memoir and diary, I think our recreations have more authenticity and less artifice than if our thoughts had gone through the formal process of publication.
To be more direct, here's what I like best about blogging:
The interactions between author and reader.
Mark, Yes. Authenticity and interactivity are a blessing. Kind of like being mentored by a real person in the real world.
And it is nice to be able to interact with authors including aspiring ones like yourself.
Post a Comment