I said I was going to end this blogging series with journal entries but I’m having a terrible time choosing the entries. So I thought I’d just do two or three posts with snippets of entries. Here goes.
3/27/12
| My View | God’s View |
| I need to quit this blog. | God: Really? |
| No one likes it. | I like it. Let it point people to Me. |
| I’m a horrible writer. | But you’re good at truth. |
| I’m making a fool of myself. | I ask people to do that for me. |
| Everyone hates this blog and hates me. | You know that’s not true, Barb. |
| This is futile. Why should I bother? | To love the ones I’ve given you to love. |
4/2/12
God’s Rules of Blogging
- Spend time with me first so you have something to write – and by time, I mean lots of time.
- Spend time praying so you know what I want you to write and so I can empower you to write.
- Don’t worry about the stats. I love you! Isn’t our fellowship worth it even without people watching? Let this be an intimate journey with me – not a sign of who you are or how acceptable you are.
- Make a priority of relationships so you don’t depend on your blog for that.
- Embrace your bottom dogness. Glory in your high position in Christ. (James 1:9)
5/2/12
Barb’s Rules of Blogging
- Don’t start UNLESS you have a plan!! I mean it!!!
- By plan, I mean an intro, a closing, 3 points, and an idea of what will go under each point.
- After you have the plan – write. Don’t stop. Period. Force yourself to keep going no matter how terrible it is.
- Then – don’t look at it again until the next day! I mean it!!!
9/12/12
Jesus didn’t try to make his message attractive so the masses would love Him. He spoke the truth. The truth will do one of two things: It will either set people free or make them mad.
9/14/12
No wonder I haven’t felt the presence of the Holy Spirit when I’m writing – it’s because I’ve been following platform and not Jesus.
2016 Update: It’s now almost four years later, and I’m glad I didn’t quit blogging! I’ve published three books since this blog post, including the Renewing of the Mind Project, which is filled with the questions and Bible verses I use to renew my mind when I can’t make myself write, feel discouraged by writing, or anything else writing-related. If you struggle with discouragement, procrastination, insecurity, or fear of failure with writing, I’d encourage you to give it a try. God can use your blog for good in your own life and the life of others! If you’d like some free resources, check out the Renewing of the Mind Tools tab for all kinds of posts on different ways to renew your mind. If you’d like to see more journal entries, click on the links below.
So appreciate your honesty and transparency, Barb. Inspiring to see you confronting your own deceptive thoughts and placing them against God’s higher and bigger ways. I see so much value in that an pray for that to happen in other’s lives for the breaking down of strongholds that appear hopeless but for Christ. “God’s Rules of Blogging” are really terrific and what I personally try to adhere to. Kind of gets at blogging for an audience of One, doesn’t it? Know that you are doing a good thing here, Barb. Push through these struggles… There is so much victory waiting for you on the other side, my friend.
Thanks for the encouragement, Kari – I appreciate it very much.
I love this. Oh how easily I am swayed by the world to “give up”. And then I remember “give up” what? If God is using me, as He uses all things for His good. I only need to be faithful. He’ll do the rest!
I LOVE, Barb, how God gives you the words to express the battle of my heart. This helps me look at it, sort it out and re-adjust my priorities! And I am challenged to figure this out on my own. But with God’s help through you…………we are truly united as the Body of Christ!
Keep fighting the good fight!! :o)
My blog was just recently slammed by 1 critic. One critic sent me reeling. When many more readers said nice things. One critic upset me. Isn’t that crazy. I can’t let one person/critic have that much power.
O.K. now I’m rambling …………………….
(((HUGS)))
It’s one of the scary things about blogging, isn’t it? Opening ourselves up to criticism. Not only will people disagree with us – which isn’t surprising – but they’ll also get to know us, including our sin. It’s one of the things that makes blogging so hard. If only I could put a perfect me out there for everyone to see and love – but that person doesn’t exist! And even if she did, not everyone would agree with her opinions. :)
Just a quick comment on your comment to Elizabeth. Would people want to read posts from a perfect person? Not sure I would.
I love your ramblings, Elizabeth – and thanks for the encouragement (I forgot to say that earlier – I was too worried about your critic!)
Thanks for the laugh Barb!! LOL!! (worried about my critic!!) I needed that!
Following platform and not Jesus – ouch. That’s something I’ve had to fight off many times.
Me too – although the funny/sad thing is that I don’t do a great job of working on platform – but the pressure still messes me up.
Brilliant! Thanks so much for sharing. Your heart echos so many’s…but you’re brave enough to write it down (and even braver to share it). God’s using you in a mighty way. Keep going!
This part really speaks to me, “Don’t worry about the stats. I love you! Isn’t our fellowship worth it even without people watching? Let this be an intimate journey with me – not a sign of who you are or how acceptable you are.”
Thank you!
Thanks for the encouragement, TC.
Love your points on “God’s rules of blogging.” If we first focus on God and growing His kingdom then everything else will work out. Great thoughts.
Thanks, Dan.
I love love this post..so many nuggets of truth. You have shared many things that i discovered after a recent bout of mini (okay not so mini) dream-meltdown. I echo your entry on ‘God’s rules for blogging” – spending a lot of time with Him. I am rediscovering where my help and inspiration and life comes from. Not from the outside but from the inside. God bless you for your courage. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks, Ngina. I’m not enjoying this time of struggle but growth is never easy – I look forward to being on the other side of it!