What is the purpose of my blog? The purpose is to get my writing flowing with an audience of "friends" who I am hoping will give constructive feedback to me so that I can refine the direction and purpose of my voice before it is in print forever. Luke 11:5-10 states, "Then he said to them, 'Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'
Then the one inside answers 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. So, I say to you; Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
I have received both positive and negative feedback to my blog, and I would be remiss if I didn't pray and reflect and test the feedback. First, is it the truth? So, I went back through all my blogs and took out anything that stood out as bitter or seeking vengeance (based on feedback). Then, I looked for things that could point to and hurt someone specific.
This blog is not meant to hurt anyone, but again I am not perfect. Second, am I presenting myself as some type of martyr (more feedback)? Well, I think that I have been laying my own sin bare as well as my willfulness. Do I think that I have suffered more than others? I don't know, but I am the one writing and pursuing to put myself out there for God. So, if anyone else with a story would like to do the same or share their story with me, then please do!
If you are on the front lines, then I bet you have some stories that you could share. The point of sharing is to let people on the front lines know that they are not alone, life is not easy, and life is gritty and sin filled but YOU are not ALONE.
I stand at the door and knock. I know what I am asking for, and God is already answering me. Because of my blog, I have a motivational speaking engagement! I know what my goals are: publish many books both in the Christian and Education genres, become a public speaker, and make an impact in Jesus name for those struggling on the front lines or those afraid to step out on the front lines. If you know what the battles can look like, then you can prepare, pray, remain on your toes and fight the good fight by tuning into the Holy Spirit and not responding to and from our weaker flesh.
When I got some negative feedback on the blog, what was my first response? "Pull it. I'm done. I am not opening myself up to this kind of response." I was afraid of a veiled threat, and I was ready to tuck my tail when the Holy Spirit screamed at me, "Stop!" I knew that I needed to seek counsel and I did. I cleaned up my blogs, prayed, regrouped, and I here I am. I will welcome accountability but I will test it to God's call on me.
I have been hurt, but I do not want to cause harm to others by damaging someone. However, God has called me to be bold. I am going to rattle some cages and hopefully kick a few people in the seat of their comfortable pants in order to get them to wake up and get out there and do whatever God is calling them to do.
My brother in law told me about a sermon that he heard about the typical Christian response. The analogy was this: if you tell your child to clean his/her room and get the following response, what would your reaction be? Response from child," Dad, I wasn't sure exactly what you meant by clean my room. So, I memorized what you said. You said clean your room.
So, I got together with some friends to discuss your words. Then, I prayed about your words. We are going to do a 6 week study all about "clean your room." We are putting together a committee, and we are going to write about "clean your room." I am paraphrasing, but you get the point.
As Christians, as educators, as parents, as friends, etc, we often spend incredibible amounts of time reflecting on, studying, discussing, and praying about things, but we fail to then take action. A close friend of mine taught me about "action plans", and that has changed my effectiveness in all areas. If we fail to take action, then what is the point of all the memorizing, studying, praying, discussing, etc? There is no point.
Christ calls us to action. "go, speak, knock, enter." Show "boldness"! Stand firm! Keep the faith, and get out there on the front lines when the Holy Spirit is calling you. If you aren't reading your Bible, studying and reflecting on God's word, then how will you recognize the Holy Spirit's call on your life? All of those things are important in your walk as a follower of Christ. Just don't forget that He calls us to take the positive steps forward as well. We still have to do the work of "cleaning our room" which requires action.
A special thank you to my friend who lovingly held me accountable!
Then the one inside answers 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. So, I say to you; Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
I have received both positive and negative feedback to my blog, and I would be remiss if I didn't pray and reflect and test the feedback. First, is it the truth? So, I went back through all my blogs and took out anything that stood out as bitter or seeking vengeance (based on feedback). Then, I looked for things that could point to and hurt someone specific.
This blog is not meant to hurt anyone, but again I am not perfect. Second, am I presenting myself as some type of martyr (more feedback)? Well, I think that I have been laying my own sin bare as well as my willfulness. Do I think that I have suffered more than others? I don't know, but I am the one writing and pursuing to put myself out there for God. So, if anyone else with a story would like to do the same or share their story with me, then please do!
If you are on the front lines, then I bet you have some stories that you could share. The point of sharing is to let people on the front lines know that they are not alone, life is not easy, and life is gritty and sin filled but YOU are not ALONE.
I stand at the door and knock. I know what I am asking for, and God is already answering me. Because of my blog, I have a motivational speaking engagement! I know what my goals are: publish many books both in the Christian and Education genres, become a public speaker, and make an impact in Jesus name for those struggling on the front lines or those afraid to step out on the front lines. If you know what the battles can look like, then you can prepare, pray, remain on your toes and fight the good fight by tuning into the Holy Spirit and not responding to and from our weaker flesh.
When I got some negative feedback on the blog, what was my first response? "Pull it. I'm done. I am not opening myself up to this kind of response." I was afraid of a veiled threat, and I was ready to tuck my tail when the Holy Spirit screamed at me, "Stop!" I knew that I needed to seek counsel and I did. I cleaned up my blogs, prayed, regrouped, and I here I am. I will welcome accountability but I will test it to God's call on me.
I have been hurt, but I do not want to cause harm to others by damaging someone. However, God has called me to be bold. I am going to rattle some cages and hopefully kick a few people in the seat of their comfortable pants in order to get them to wake up and get out there and do whatever God is calling them to do.
My brother in law told me about a sermon that he heard about the typical Christian response. The analogy was this: if you tell your child to clean his/her room and get the following response, what would your reaction be? Response from child," Dad, I wasn't sure exactly what you meant by clean my room. So, I memorized what you said. You said clean your room.
So, I got together with some friends to discuss your words. Then, I prayed about your words. We are going to do a 6 week study all about "clean your room." We are putting together a committee, and we are going to write about "clean your room." I am paraphrasing, but you get the point.
As Christians, as educators, as parents, as friends, etc, we often spend incredibible amounts of time reflecting on, studying, discussing, and praying about things, but we fail to then take action. A close friend of mine taught me about "action plans", and that has changed my effectiveness in all areas. If we fail to take action, then what is the point of all the memorizing, studying, praying, discussing, etc? There is no point.
Christ calls us to action. "go, speak, knock, enter." Show "boldness"! Stand firm! Keep the faith, and get out there on the front lines when the Holy Spirit is calling you. If you aren't reading your Bible, studying and reflecting on God's word, then how will you recognize the Holy Spirit's call on your life? All of those things are important in your walk as a follower of Christ. Just don't forget that He calls us to take the positive steps forward as well. We still have to do the work of "cleaning our room" which requires action.
A special thank you to my friend who lovingly held me accountable!
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