Hi,
I'm still here, but I'm Drawing a Blank. There are People Lurking in the Shadows of my Hit Counter, Some of which Visit quite Often. I can Even Think of Something that I could Post, but I'm so Tired of Arguing.
The Blogosphere is such a Crazy Place. So Often it Feels Like an Unfriendly Place. Very Possibly there are even Unfriendly People that are Reading what I am Writing Right Now. It's Ok, though, for I Know that some of them are just Frustrated, Angry or Perhaps Even Afraid.
If Someone says something that we Consider Incorrect, we become Angry. Wouldn't it be Better to just Calmly Express our Point of View. We Take Things so Personally at Times.
Here is a Point of View that is Common on the Blogosphere.... Everyone is Responsible for their Own Feelings. Hmmmmm. Interesting. What about the Verses in the Bible that say we are to Bear One Another's Burdens?
Here's what I Believe to be True. We are Responsible for Our Own Feelings when in the Presence of Untrustworthy People. It is Good, though, to Strive to Be Trustworthy, Encouraging and Helpful whenever we are able to do so.
When I Feel a Certain Way, I sometime Wonder if I should just Pray Rather than Talk...
Lord Jesus,
Please Bring Peace to my Friends on the Web. Please Calm their Hearts of all the Things that Cause them to Feel Disturbed. Please Help us to Better Communicate. Please Help us to Understand and not Misjudge. Please Help us to Speak Clearly. Please Bring Peace to the Web.
For those who are Afraid of the Truth, Lord, I Ask that you will Help them not to Run from it by Insulting, Changing the Subject, Asking Unrelated Questions and the Like. Shhhhhhh! Be at Peace. Shhhhhhh! Be at Peace. Shhhhhhh! Be at Peace. Shhhhhhhhhhh! Be at Peace.
Lord Jesus, Please Bring Peace to Those on the Web. Amen.
This Prayer was at Least in Part Inspired by a Certain Flow Chart that Explains How People Avoid Genuine Discussion and Use Diversionary Tactics Instead. Here is the Link. Those of you who do this, I Wonder if you Know who you are.
Meanwhile, I sincerely Apologize to anyone who I have Offended Lately. I Never do Mean to. It just Seems to sort of be the Way Blogging is.
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Friday, October 24, 2008
The Sacrifice/Cost of Efficiency
There are things Sacrificed for the sake of Efficiency that I am simply not willing to Sacrifice. For example, most Efficient Bloggers Read Fast, Type Fast and Comment Fast. The problem is that many of them read a whole bunch of Posts as fast as they can, while giving minimal thought to each Post they are reading and occasionally Comment as quickly as they can, while giving minimal thought to what they are saying. Some "Efficient" Bloggers are obsessed to the point at which they are spending too much time on the computer and don't have enough of a life spent apart from it.
In order for me to keep up with this level of Efficiency, I have to make all the same sacrifices and me even more so, because I am a slow reader. Aside from my reading speed, the other main difference between me and highly Efficient Bloggers is that they think that the price they pay for Efficiency is worth it, but I do not. That which is Sacrificed just plain isn't worth it to me, so instead, I just keep plodding along, at my own slow little pace, and hope that a few loyal followers will still come by.
It's like the story in the Bible about Mary and Martha.
"38) As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. 39) She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40) But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!' 41) 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, 42) but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.'" Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
I've used this story often in order to remind myself that when I have company, it is more important to spend a little undistracted time with them, than to plan an extremely complicated meal that keeps me in the kitchen. Even the house work, if left to the last minute, like I so often do, causes me to feel tired when the company arrives. It is so easy to forget our priorities.
The other thing that this passage is about, though, is about spending time at Jesus' feet, in both Bible Reading and Prayer. This is more important than all of our busy, Efficiency Goals and even than our Ministry.
Another important lesson relates to a few words that I put in Bold Print in the above passage. When we are interacting with people, we need to listen and not just talk and we need to try to do so very intently, without distraction. When we pray, this is true as well. We need to listen to God and not just make our requests. This involves the Reading of Scripture and also moments a quite reflection, in which we stop complaining and requesting and just listen to that still small voice inside of us; the Holy Spirit; God's Voice.
So how does this relate to Blogging? Well, first of all, time spent in Bible Study and Prayer is more important than our Blogging. There are other non-Blogging priorities that we need to tend to as well. We also need to seek God's direction in our Blogging and not just do it from our own strength or even from our own passion. This is why we need to Listen Intently to God, Without Distraction and than after this is accomplished, then we can Blog.
It's very interesting how so often when I try to write about politics, I get writers block and I'm not able to return again to the blogging until a give in to writing something Spiritual. Isn't that the strangest thing? It's as if God Himself causes the writers block, in order to get me back on track again.
In order for me to keep up with this level of Efficiency, I have to make all the same sacrifices and me even more so, because I am a slow reader. Aside from my reading speed, the other main difference between me and highly Efficient Bloggers is that they think that the price they pay for Efficiency is worth it, but I do not. That which is Sacrificed just plain isn't worth it to me, so instead, I just keep plodding along, at my own slow little pace, and hope that a few loyal followers will still come by.
It's like the story in the Bible about Mary and Martha.
"38) As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. 39) She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40) But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!' 41) 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, 42) but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.'" Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
I've used this story often in order to remind myself that when I have company, it is more important to spend a little undistracted time with them, than to plan an extremely complicated meal that keeps me in the kitchen. Even the house work, if left to the last minute, like I so often do, causes me to feel tired when the company arrives. It is so easy to forget our priorities.
The other thing that this passage is about, though, is about spending time at Jesus' feet, in both Bible Reading and Prayer. This is more important than all of our busy, Efficiency Goals and even than our Ministry.
Another important lesson relates to a few words that I put in Bold Print in the above passage. When we are interacting with people, we need to listen and not just talk and we need to try to do so very intently, without distraction. When we pray, this is true as well. We need to listen to God and not just make our requests. This involves the Reading of Scripture and also moments a quite reflection, in which we stop complaining and requesting and just listen to that still small voice inside of us; the Holy Spirit; God's Voice.
So how does this relate to Blogging? Well, first of all, time spent in Bible Study and Prayer is more important than our Blogging. There are other non-Blogging priorities that we need to tend to as well. We also need to seek God's direction in our Blogging and not just do it from our own strength or even from our own passion. This is why we need to Listen Intently to God, Without Distraction and than after this is accomplished, then we can Blog.
It's very interesting how so often when I try to write about politics, I get writers block and I'm not able to return again to the blogging until a give in to writing something Spiritual. Isn't that the strangest thing? It's as if God Himself causes the writers block, in order to get me back on track again.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Blogging Fatigue/Sometimes God has Different Plans
Ok. Once I got thinking, I decided that maybe I should make my response to the last comment on the previous post into a new post, whether than just a comment. Interestingly, though, I thought that this post was going to be about our puppy, yet as I began expressing a frustration that I have, it became Spiritual instead and also relates once again to frustrations with Blogging.
BB's Comment
In what is now the last comment on the previous post, BB-Idaho was talking about "getting bruised up a little in the political blog arena, with the Election coming up and most folk uptight."
My Response
Your frustration with politics at this time is interesting. I've actually been annoyed with God a little over how my life has been going since we got our puppy. I've been thinking that it is such bad timing with the Election coming up and all.
I even asked God just before the puppy arrived to please send one that would fit with His plan, not only in relation to what ever life lessons we need to learn, but also in relation to not being too much of an interruption to something that I have considered a ministry, such as my blogging.
Since I prayed this prayer, I have to trust that what ever happens is what God wants, yet I've been so frustrated because what was sent to us was an extremely difficult puppy that requires a lot of our time and causes me to feel almost too tired to blog. I've been very frustrated and have been asking God why. Why at a time in which it would seem that blogging would be all that much more important, has God allowed me to be experiencing this distraction? I haven't had much time to blog or to visit blogs. My hit count is way down to the point at which there are only a small handful of people coming by and looking at my blog. I want to thank those who still do come by and tell you how very greatly I appreciate you.
And yet from the above comment, it seems that one of my most loyal supporters is almost pleading with me to not post about politics. How odd and yet, you know what? It just goes to show you that sometimes what we think is really important is not what the people who we are interacting with really need.
Perhaps just before an election is not the best time to sway people's basic political views anyway. If I thought that there might be some undecided voters reading my blog, that might be different, yet for the most part, I get the feeling that Bloggers in general are rather opinionated people who are difficult to sway. What mostly appears to be happening on Blogs is that those who feel passionate about something have the chance to vent their feelings and they draw others to their Blogs who feel the same way that they do and are also venting. I wonder, at times, how much actual persuading is going on.
And as for me, I ask God for guidance and he distracts me with a difficult puppy.
The bottom line is this...
The Bible says "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
Perhaps the key to effective communication both politically and otherwise is Humility, Prayer, Seeking God, Purity, Honesty and Sincerity. Unfortunately, Passionately and Obsessively expressing our views doesn't usually produce the effect that we would like it too.
BB's Comment
In what is now the last comment on the previous post, BB-Idaho was talking about "getting bruised up a little in the political blog arena, with the Election coming up and most folk uptight."
My Response
Your frustration with politics at this time is interesting. I've actually been annoyed with God a little over how my life has been going since we got our puppy. I've been thinking that it is such bad timing with the Election coming up and all.
I even asked God just before the puppy arrived to please send one that would fit with His plan, not only in relation to what ever life lessons we need to learn, but also in relation to not being too much of an interruption to something that I have considered a ministry, such as my blogging.
Since I prayed this prayer, I have to trust that what ever happens is what God wants, yet I've been so frustrated because what was sent to us was an extremely difficult puppy that requires a lot of our time and causes me to feel almost too tired to blog. I've been very frustrated and have been asking God why. Why at a time in which it would seem that blogging would be all that much more important, has God allowed me to be experiencing this distraction? I haven't had much time to blog or to visit blogs. My hit count is way down to the point at which there are only a small handful of people coming by and looking at my blog. I want to thank those who still do come by and tell you how very greatly I appreciate you.
And yet from the above comment, it seems that one of my most loyal supporters is almost pleading with me to not post about politics. How odd and yet, you know what? It just goes to show you that sometimes what we think is really important is not what the people who we are interacting with really need.
Perhaps just before an election is not the best time to sway people's basic political views anyway. If I thought that there might be some undecided voters reading my blog, that might be different, yet for the most part, I get the feeling that Bloggers in general are rather opinionated people who are difficult to sway. What mostly appears to be happening on Blogs is that those who feel passionate about something have the chance to vent their feelings and they draw others to their Blogs who feel the same way that they do and are also venting. I wonder, at times, how much actual persuading is going on.
And as for me, I ask God for guidance and he distracts me with a difficult puppy.
The bottom line is this...
The Bible says "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
Perhaps the key to effective communication both politically and otherwise is Humility, Prayer, Seeking God, Purity, Honesty and Sincerity. Unfortunately, Passionately and Obsessively expressing our views doesn't usually produce the effect that we would like it too.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Let's just Talk and Say a Prayer.
Since the number of comments on the previous post is already up to 25, I feel that it's time for me to make another post. Not that I'm implying that you shouldn't keep commenting on the previous post. Go right ahead and comment away.
My goal was to make a post about once every 3 to 4 days and that would make the due date either today or tomorrow. My previous post is about Abortion and Fetal Development. There's a lot more I could say and will eventually say on the subject of Abortion, yet at least one of the people who has been commenting on my previous post has expressed a desire for a less stressful topic, and to be honest with you, even I could use a break.
One thought I had was to post about something that I was a part of over the weekend but I was looking for the program so that I could copy something off of it, but couldn't find it. I've called around and found a copy, but am not likely to get my hands on it until Thursday night. That's two days off and I should post at least a little something sooner than that.
This may seem a little odd to some of you, but when I run out of things to say, sometimes I just pray, so that is what I'm going to do.
Lord Jesus,
Please be with all those who have been commenting on my blog and even with those who have been reading and not commenting and also with those who are reading this prayer. I really do pray that everything that I say will be a blessing in some way and as we discuss certain issues, we can all go away feeling like we've learned something. Draw us closer to you, Lord God, and fill us with your peace. Dry all of our tears. Help us to better communicate with each other in a way that will help us to be understood. Be with all of our marriages, family and friends and always guide our steps in the way that we should go. Fill us with Your peace, Lord God! Fill us with Your love and fill us with Your joy! Help us to learn how to be better people and to treat each other with respect and love. Thank you, Jesus, for all that you do for us in our lives. Thank you, Lord, for life itself. Help us to see the good in this world and also the good in people. Help us to always love and not judge and help us to always reach up to You for Your help in everything that we do. Thank You, Lord, so much for all that You are and all that You do. I love You so very much. Thank You so much!
Amen.
On this post, you can either comment on this prayer or if you would like, you can just answer one of several non-political questions; How was your weekend? How is your week going? or How was your day?
My goal was to make a post about once every 3 to 4 days and that would make the due date either today or tomorrow. My previous post is about Abortion and Fetal Development. There's a lot more I could say and will eventually say on the subject of Abortion, yet at least one of the people who has been commenting on my previous post has expressed a desire for a less stressful topic, and to be honest with you, even I could use a break.
One thought I had was to post about something that I was a part of over the weekend but I was looking for the program so that I could copy something off of it, but couldn't find it. I've called around and found a copy, but am not likely to get my hands on it until Thursday night. That's two days off and I should post at least a little something sooner than that.
This may seem a little odd to some of you, but when I run out of things to say, sometimes I just pray, so that is what I'm going to do.
Lord Jesus,
Please be with all those who have been commenting on my blog and even with those who have been reading and not commenting and also with those who are reading this prayer. I really do pray that everything that I say will be a blessing in some way and as we discuss certain issues, we can all go away feeling like we've learned something. Draw us closer to you, Lord God, and fill us with your peace. Dry all of our tears. Help us to better communicate with each other in a way that will help us to be understood. Be with all of our marriages, family and friends and always guide our steps in the way that we should go. Fill us with Your peace, Lord God! Fill us with Your love and fill us with Your joy! Help us to learn how to be better people and to treat each other with respect and love. Thank you, Jesus, for all that you do for us in our lives. Thank you, Lord, for life itself. Help us to see the good in this world and also the good in people. Help us to always love and not judge and help us to always reach up to You for Your help in everything that we do. Thank You, Lord, so much for all that You are and all that You do. I love You so very much. Thank You so much!
Amen.
On this post, you can either comment on this prayer or if you would like, you can just answer one of several non-political questions; How was your weekend? How is your week going? or How was your day?
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