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03/17/2004 Entry: "Congratulations..."
...to Joshua Claybourn who is celebrating his 2nd "blogday" today. I question the wisdom of starting on Guinness at 10am, but I assume he hasn't been drinking it all day. I just hope it's properly kept draught Guinness - the bottled stuff doesn't deserve the name to my way of thinking. Anyway, I'm grateful to him because he's made me realise that I forgot to celebrate my own 2nd blogday back in February.
After an abortive beginning in November 2001, this blog began properly on 5th Feb 2002. And, broadly speaking, it's been fun. In that time I've failed to build up a huge following of devoted readers, never been mentioned in a major news magazine or TV show, and I've gone completely unnoticed by any of the "A-list". Result.
Thinking about "success" reminded me of this blog's second proper entry:
Do you ever get the feeling you're being "got at?" One of last Sundays readings was 1 Corinthians 1: 18-31 "God chose the foolish things of this world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of this world to shame the strong..." Then a message on the Forum (note: sadly, now demised) asks about targets and strategies for church growth. I realise how much store I set by success and become aware of how great is the temptation to compare myself and my church to others nearby ("Am I doing better or worse than them?") But this is wrong. If I'm called to be a minister then it is to serve the kingdom, not just one congregation. And if things seem to be going well in my church I shouldn't be taking credit but giving glory to God.I'll stick with that, I think.
Replies: 6 comments
Your blog makes me feel like I can breath; take a deep breath, step back and be.
I feel like here I am allowed to love God, not compete for attention, and know that whatever I give is in His Hand. Here at this blog I don't feel condemned, I'm reminded that Jesus has set me free.
I'm really glad you took the plunge and kept going with connexions Richard.
May God continue to pour in His grace, and may we who are honoured with a password, have enough sense to step back and let Him. Blog on!
Posted by Bene Diction @ 03/18/2004 04:14 AM GMT
Congratulations Richard and keep up the good work - I know a number of huge and devoted readers.
Hey, aren't we the 'A' list? Oh, no, sorry, I mean we're on A list. Next best thing.
Posted by Dave @ 03/18/2004 10:03 AM GMT
Congratulations, Richard!
(Hey, this makes three seperate and distinct readers already in this comment alone...don't be so hard on yourself!)
Posted by Jonathan @ 03/18/2004 03:16 PM GMT
Make that four! And, you even let some of us be surrogate bloggers! Blog on! Ivan
Posted by Ivan The Crank @ 03/18/2004 04:31 PM GMT
Make that 5
Posted by Carroll Sickles @ 03/19/2004 12:54 AM GMT
Congratulations!
Posted by Joel Thomas @ 03/20/2004 07:36 PM GMT
