not here to defend reading blogs more than the Bible — honest. i do want to say though, that expanding my ‘network’ via blog conversations has opened up more opportunities for me to think about aspects of my faith that i might not have otherwise. rather than simply reading my ‘daily passage’ and moving on w/ my life, many of these conversations have challenged me to go to the Word and dig deeper for insight into ‘whatever-issue … fill in the blank.’
Again, not to imply that blogs are a replacement for scripture, but for me, like a Bible study group, they have offered a valuable place to learn from new bro’s and sis’s and have helped me sharpen my sword a bit ….
Conviction… and a good reminder that we ought to be reading the Word more, which will inspire us to write about the things that really matter to ourselves and then to others. And I agree with Kris’ point about sharing and learning and growing from others’ experiences and insights — as iron sharpens iron. We’ve gotta do both, but the Bible is foundational for us to be able to ‘expound’ in the relational areas of our lives, web or otherwise.
I do agree with you Kris – my life has been changed by others here and challenged in many ways, but when I wake up in the morning, I reach for my laptop instead of my Bible. That hit me this morning.
true, anne, very true… it would be good if we could hold each other accountable on this. (like ‘hey, you’re spending a lot of time around here lately, judging from comments and posts, etc. how are you doing with time spent with God, time spent with your face-to-face loved ones?) i know i’m more healthy when i’m keeping things balanced…
Terri
That is sad, but sometimes true in my life…Why is that?
sharibrown
Did Jesus spend more time building relationships or in prayer? Think his point was to have a balanced life, if I know my Father because I have spent time in His word and in prayer, then I am able to build better, healthier, more purposeful relationships. Only able to point this out because of His mercy in my life….
shari
Russell
Just for me personally, but in reading your blogs and linking to the blogs of some of your other posters, I’ve found myself reading my bible more now than I have in many years. I only respond to your blogs because, being new to blog reading/posting, I’m comfortable posting my thoughts in the forum you provide because you’re family. But in all of the blog reading I’ve been doing lately, I’ve found myself re-reading a lot of things in the bible that pertain to various points. And I also spend a lot of time cross-referencing this or that in efforts to support or re-evaluate my beliefs on a given topic. But I just thought you should know that your blog helps me to read my bible more.
BALANCE!!!! Yup. I got so mad as someone who told me constantly to seek balance. Creative. Prone to obsessions. Pouring ALL into projects with no sleep and no food. I still thought I was right! I said, “What is that, exactly?”
But, no, I was not “balanced” to sustain me for the long haul. I thank God for mentors.
You know, go with the passions and convictions God gives for today, don’t feel guilty, and try to keep it balanced! This refreshe, for this moment. If he’s pulling you back to the word…He’s creating a hunger and passion in you. Feel the crinkle of tender paper. Hear the rustle of gentle pages. Highlight a psalm and date it. Spell the ink from your pen. God pulls me back to tactile times with Him…and it’s not the same as community. My paper journal is getting more and more use lately. That private prayer closet, one on one time with Him…he speaks to us individually, not about problems and world concerns and all we want to figure out…but us. “Me”. He deals with me. He does that some through the net…but we still need “date time”, for lack of a better descriptor.
A note: I’ve been digging in my Bible all day for the verse I was thinking of in the comment I left on your blog to another post this morning. “All things in moderation.” Can’t find it yet. I was thinking that as extravagent as Mary Magdelene was, and as much as her wholehearted gift meant to Jesus…we can’t make a principle out of one Biblical situation. He wants us to hold onto her heart condition to give all and not worry about what others thought, to minister, serve, bless, give extravagently. But, day to day, I think Jesus would teach Mary balance in all things…that is His way. He would not have allowed her to do that every day, I do not believe. It was a moment.
I think there is a lesson for me there to live with Him in the moment…a life of principles, but not so principled that I can’t just respond to those impulses like you had today.
I hope that makes some lick of sense.
Nicole
i know i do too.
yeah, and your probaly were reading it right.
i can’t wait to see you guys again! graduation is going to be so much fun!!
Comments
14 responses to “Confession”
agreed.
well…ok, maybe but we’re talkin about good stuff. *hangs head*.
I agree…
not here to defend reading blogs more than the Bible — honest. i do want to say though, that expanding my ‘network’ via blog conversations has opened up more opportunities for me to think about aspects of my faith that i might not have otherwise. rather than simply reading my ‘daily passage’ and moving on w/ my life, many of these conversations have challenged me to go to the Word and dig deeper for insight into ‘whatever-issue … fill in the blank.’
Again, not to imply that blogs are a replacement for scripture, but for me, like a Bible study group, they have offered a valuable place to learn from new bro’s and sis’s and have helped me sharpen my sword a bit ….
Conviction… and a good reminder that we ought to be reading the Word more, which will inspire us to write about the things that really matter to ourselves and then to others. And I agree with Kris’ point about sharing and learning and growing from others’ experiences and insights — as iron sharpens iron. We’ve gotta do both, but the Bible is foundational for us to be able to ‘expound’ in the relational areas of our lives, web or otherwise.
(This interweb stuff is pretty cool, eh?)
I do agree with you Kris – my life has been changed by others here and challenged in many ways, but when I wake up in the morning, I reach for my laptop instead of my Bible. That hit me this morning.
true, anne, very true… it would be good if we could hold each other accountable on this. (like ‘hey, you’re spending a lot of time around here lately, judging from comments and posts, etc. how are you doing with time spent with God, time spent with your face-to-face loved ones?) i know i’m more healthy when i’m keeping things balanced…
That is sad, but sometimes true in my life…Why is that?
Did Jesus spend more time building relationships or in prayer? Think his point was to have a balanced life, if I know my Father because I have spent time in His word and in prayer, then I am able to build better, healthier, more purposeful relationships. Only able to point this out because of His mercy in my life….
shari
Just for me personally, but in reading your blogs and linking to the blogs of some of your other posters, I’ve found myself reading my bible more now than I have in many years. I only respond to your blogs because, being new to blog reading/posting, I’m comfortable posting my thoughts in the forum you provide because you’re family. But in all of the blog reading I’ve been doing lately, I’ve found myself re-reading a lot of things in the bible that pertain to various points. And I also spend a lot of time cross-referencing this or that in efforts to support or re-evaluate my beliefs on a given topic. But I just thought you should know that your blog helps me to read my bible more.
guilty.
Confession: I spend more time and intention doing ALOT of things more than I do reading my Bible.
nooc
“Balance.”
My word of the year.
And for last year.
And the year before that.
BALANCE!!!! Yup. I got so mad as someone who told me constantly to seek balance. Creative. Prone to obsessions. Pouring ALL into projects with no sleep and no food. I still thought I was right! I said, “What is that, exactly?”
But, no, I was not “balanced” to sustain me for the long haul. I thank God for mentors.
You know, go with the passions and convictions God gives for today, don’t feel guilty, and try to keep it balanced! This refreshe, for this moment. If he’s pulling you back to the word…He’s creating a hunger and passion in you. Feel the crinkle of tender paper. Hear the rustle of gentle pages. Highlight a psalm and date it. Spell the ink from your pen. God pulls me back to tactile times with Him…and it’s not the same as community. My paper journal is getting more and more use lately. That private prayer closet, one on one time with Him…he speaks to us individually, not about problems and world concerns and all we want to figure out…but us. “Me”. He deals with me. He does that some through the net…but we still need “date time”, for lack of a better descriptor.
A note: I’ve been digging in my Bible all day for the verse I was thinking of in the comment I left on your blog to another post this morning. “All things in moderation.” Can’t find it yet. I was thinking that as extravagent as Mary Magdelene was, and as much as her wholehearted gift meant to Jesus…we can’t make a principle out of one Biblical situation. He wants us to hold onto her heart condition to give all and not worry about what others thought, to minister, serve, bless, give extravagently. But, day to day, I think Jesus would teach Mary balance in all things…that is His way. He would not have allowed her to do that every day, I do not believe. It was a moment.
I think there is a lesson for me there to live with Him in the moment…a life of principles, but not so principled that I can’t just respond to those impulses like you had today.
I hope that makes some lick of sense.
i know i do too.
yeah, and your probaly were reading it right.
i can’t wait to see you guys again! graduation is going to be so much fun!!