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I am going to talk about something for which I have great expertise. That is Blogging. I have plenty of wounds and medals to show for it. I have seen some things that I didn’t want to see. I’ve heard some things that I didn’t want to hear. Originally, it was like walking across a mine field. However, I’ve made invaluable friendships all over the world. I would not trade it for anything!
The good side of Faith Blogging is that the sky is the limit…people WILL come to hear what God has to say if you are truthful. Stick to the Word of God and let God lead you. Do not compromise the truth. Don’t alter, don’t add.
The bad side is that there are many distractions and great warfare to stop you from being a Faith Blogger.
THE VERY FIRST TIME THAT I PUT UP MY WEBSITES; ALL OF THEM CRASHED AT THE SAME TIME! (It was a faith test; God restored them within 1 minute of when I prayed.)
There are not enough Christian Faith Bloggers. WE NEED MORE! It is a big step so think about it and pray about it.
Some bloggers have made themselves bad reputations and have brought the profession a bad name because of the liberties that they have taken. As a rule, I’d say that these are not faith bloggers.
However, faith bloggers must be warned; it isn’t an easy job! Many Christians come online and forget they are Christians. They get influenced by the prevailing mindsets. People on the Internet are very opinionated…aren’t you?
Here are some tips to avoid burn out:
BEFORE YOU START DO TWO THINGS PLEASE: RESEARCH AND PRAY!
YOUR WILLINGNESS AND OBEDIENCE ARE SO NECESSARY.
1. The fact that you like to write; not necessarily hear yourself speak is a plus to this endeavor.
2. Know in advance what it is specifically that you’re going to be talking about. Do not stray from the focus.
3. The Internet is a place with great distraction; be prayed up before any blogging endeavor.
4. Prepare yourself for the unexpected.
5. Those who disagree with you will outnumber those that do agree.
6. Decide if you’ll even entertain the detractors. (I do not. and they know it.)
7. POST, POST, POST . Schedule your time correctly. If you have a Blog you must post regularly. I’d recommend daily to start and after you build a following you can cut back.
8. Consider more than one blog and tie them together.
9. Keep your eye on your behind the scenes statistics; who is coming to read what you have to say and where are they coming from. Certain Blogging sites provide this data while others do not. Be advised of this.
10. If you treat it as a chore it will show up in your writings; I don’t know exactly how but it does. The people that come will actually examine your site to weigh your dedication.
11. PRAY PRAY PRAY. For direction, what to write and pray for Faith friends to support you abd for traffic to come where people will be Blessed.
12. Do not offend; but do not compromise your faith.
13. NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Friendster, MySpace etc. are all good ways to make connections. This is not an all encompassing list.
14. Google Reader will allow you to build networks through emails. This will Bless people and bring traffic.
15. Seek ways to update your site and to make it visually appealing.
16. You need Faith Blogging friends…pray about it and proceed cautiously. If you’ll visait their sites and leave comments, they’ll do the same for you…usually. Seek linking partnerships.
17. Do not allow your personal life to overwhelm your Faith Blogging or vice versa.
18. If the computer starts acting up; pray for a new one. (I’m serious)
19. Stay in faith! If God means for you to take the message to the nations via the Internet, HE will send the provision. Your job is to be obedient and willing.
20. Keep confessing the Word of God over yourself and your Blog.
21. Expect increase. Be confident.
22. Expect the enemy to surface time and time again, he is a defeated foe! Don’t forget that. He will use people. Your job is to stay on the path.
EDITOR’S NOTE: I am not writing this because I’ve burned out, but because it may appear glamorous to many; but it can be if indeed the person(s )totally understand the dynamics.
I originally was in a network of 6 Faith Bloggers, but two of them are no longer writing. There is a third that I am led to believe that they are changing their genre ultimately. That leaves three out of the original 6. I have since added 5 more but I do pray daily for my fellow Faith Bloggers including those that took a time out.
*** I AM CALLING IT BURNOUT BUT A BETTER WORD MIGHT BE A DISTRACTION…
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By Patricia Saddler
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines efficacy as power to produce effects; …as the efficacy of the gospel in converting men from sin; the efficacy of prayer; the efficacy of medicine in counteracting disease; the efficacy of manure in fertilizing land.
Growing up in the 50’s we kids had a saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” Today as an adult (the sum total of words) I realize that statement was not the truth. In reality words are far more powerful than sticks or stones.
The efficacy of words have the ability to harm you or protect you; to bring disease upon you or keep you healthy; to bring death to you or life. Notice I said “…as an adult (the sum total of words)… I am who I am today because of words that have been spoken to me and words I spoke over myself, some good … some not so good. I’ll write a little about that later.
Words are far more powerful than most people realize and the most powerful of all words is the Word of GOD. John 1:1 reads, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with GOD, and the Word was GOD.” Here we see that God and His Word are the same. Verse 3 reads, “All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made.” The Word created all things. Throughout the beginning of the book of Genesis it states that GOD said … and then He saw … In Genesis 1:26 GOD said, “…Let us make man in our image, after our likeness …” We were created as speaking spirits just as our Creator is a speaking SPIRIT. Our words are powerful like His Words; however, His Words are far more powerful.
There’s another saying I grew up hearing and saying, “You are what you think you are.” It wasn’t until I grew up stronger in the Word of GOD that I realized the absolute truth of what I was saying. I was activating a biblical principle without realizing what I was doing. You see, what you think you will eventually say. Over the years as a special education teacher there were many times a child would cough or sneeze in my face and I would say, “Oh no, I’m going to catch your cold.” Usually I’d find myself with an itchy, scratchy throat before the day was over. Here’s another word that often came out of my mouth, “I’m so shy. I do well teaching my students and interacting with my parents, but put me before a group of other people and I can’t put to words together without shaking like a leaf.” As a result of my confession, I spent most of my adult life extremely shy. I had created that persona with my words.
Today I speak in many open forums without an ounce of shyness. When the school I taught at for 23 years closed I spoke at the closing ceremony. One of the retirees in attendance later said to me, “Pat Saddler, I never knew you to be so bold. What happened?” What happened? The Word of GOD happened. I began speaking His Word over my life and re-created a bolder, securer, more loving persona unlike I ever thought possible. I’m a new creation in CHRIST JESUS. I’m a new creation through speaking His Words. When the doctor (another speaking spirit) told me I had asthma I spoke GOD’S Word and said, “Oh no, by the stripes of JESUS I’m healed!” When the bank teller told me my balance was a negative $127.00 and I knew I wasn’t expecting any money any time soon, I said, “But my GOD supplies all my needs.” Before the week was over I had a paying speaking engagement, a friend blessed me with $100.00, and another brought me $50.00 worth of groceries not knowing that my cupboards were bare. In all three situations the people told me that they were led to be a blessing to me.
And by the way, my lungs are strong and healthy. You see, when we speak GOD’S Word over a situation He sends His ministering angels to perform it.
The efficacy of words must not be taken lightly. Keep that in mind when speaking about anything or anyone. Proverbs 18:21 reads, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
From one speaking spirit to another: Choose your words wisely. Speak only what you desire not what adverse circumstances project, but what GOD’S Word says about it. His Words are far more powerful and bring sweeter results.
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You are a really good person. You’re cool too. Everyone likes you. You dress good. Things are going your way and then:
WHAT NOW?
Oh my goodness! The bible is so rich. So much can be gleaned from reading Matthew 25: 13-46.
This begins with a statement that reminds us that we DON’T know when Jesus is coming back; not the day or the hour.
This is the story that speaks of Jesus giving talents to 3 of his servants. I am one of his servants and there are millions of others who serve him as well.
The story then talks about Jesus coming back and asking what did we do with what he left for us. Now hear this:
We have all been given different assignments. I guarantee you that if you spend some time in prayer and meditation (on a regular basis; not just once or every now and then) you’ll find out what God wants you to do.
This is a two part ending. On the one hand, Jesus returns and assesses what the servants did with the talents. But let’s also look at the second part:
LOOK AT VERSE 30; the unprofitable servant is cast into utter darkness.
But, even further let’s look at the future verses for more information on the nature of the talents…
The bible mentions that there will be a separation of the sheep from the goats.
Jesus mentions these things and says when I was this way where were you?
1. Hungry
2. Thirsty
3. Stranger
4. Incarcerated
5. Sick
Your ability to answer this question correctly will determine where you spend your eternity.
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MATTHEW 25
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
14For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
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