Brother Dave gives some good points about the nature of blogging and how to blog when you don’t feel inspired. He generously linked to my own blog as an example.
7:45 AM Steve Scott is suffering from Blogger’s Cramp and asks for suggestions as to what to do. This is nothing new. If blogging isn’t fun, it becomes just another chore to get accomplished for that day. Quick little ditties are the best blog posts, and are fun to write. Blog about everything under the sun if you want to. Just keep it fun. (Here’s an example from Down Under.) If you get stuck in a rut, so what? Nobody is hanging on your words anyway. I’ve said it since I began blogging in 2003, and I believe it now more than ever. The happiest people on planet earth are not the getters. They’re the givers. Blogging means giving of yourself so that others might benefit. Fact is, sometimes we have less of ourselves to give. No sense in trying to patch up the externals if your internals are pitifully lacking. So take a break from blogging, Steve. When the Lord again gives you something to say, we’ll be the first to praise Him for it.
I personally see blogging as a method for conversation. According to Wikipedia conversation requires a combination of interaction, spontaneity and follows the rules of etiquette.
Within the area of interaction, I find that reading and commenting on others blogs helps me to connect with others on a global scale. I will BOLDLY state that on a personal level it helps me to partake in and become a partner within the framework of the Kingdom. When someone shares of their ministry and their life: it gives me an opportunity to give thanks to our God and Father. It gives me an opportunity to lift others up to our heavenly Father and ask him to bring provision in their area of need. And it gives me an opportunity to partake in the ministry of mutual encouragement, as I often find myself encouraged and spurred on through the sharing of life with each other.
Because of the uniqueness of life, spontaneity is something we have no control over. Life comprises of deep sorrow and much laughter. Life at times is extremely logical and yet also can be extremely absurd. And within this framework I find Marc Cortez, Jim West, Joel Watts, and Dave Black are extremely effective in the art of conversational spontaneity.
The art of conversation within a social media context is further strengthened with the use of Twitter and Face Book. While Twitter is something I am still grappling with – my interaction with many other bloggers on Face Book has given me a deeper appreciation for the reality of each others life. Within the schema of Face Book – my friends range across the vast spectrum of non Christian to mature Christian. I use Face Book as a means to continue conversation and engagement about theology and life. My blog is linked to it, which gives my friends an opportunity to engage with me on a deeper level if they wish.
Therefore if we see blogging as a form of conversation about life and engaging in life we will never have a lack of material to write about life.
Craig: No facebook for me mate! I am always something of the old British eccentric, and eclectic! 😉
And Marc Cortez is the only one there in a league by himself! There is no perfection in any of us, especially as bloggers, but there must certainly be an openness and approachability!
That you are Robert 🙂 Marc has a good grasp of technology, theology and life and mixes it well.
Yes indeed, that’s why he is a teacher and professor!
Hey Craig, thanks for the encouragement. I’ve definitely enjoyed interacting with you on the blog over the last year or so. (At least, I think that’s how long it’s been!) And I definitely agree that blogging is an interesting and helpful form of conversation. I really didn’t think that when I started, but I’ve changed my tune as I’ve gotten into it.
Your welcome Marc. As a student and preacher, blogging has helped me immensely in my research and sermon prep. And high quality blogs like your own help in that regards.