30 Days of Blogger's Bliss - A Review

In terms of this 30 day thing with the blog it’s been great, I’ve enjoyed the challenge of being disciplined to write something and post it. David was great in giving some constructive criticism on some of the posts in terms of them lacking bite. I concur with the analysis on reflection and I put that down to two factors. One, with the main workday entries as they’ve been at best expansions on the daily thoughts that I post to the staff then they’ve necessarily had to be a bit toothless as I endeavour to edge my way round communicating to the audience in a relevant way. There again I feel like I’m straining on a leash and not getting to really let full steam blow on that, but I’ll have to see how that goes at work. The second factor is that as it’s a daily entry thing even on the weekend I don’t really give that much thought to what’s going up in terms of reviewing the material and analysing whether I’ve said the strongest thing that I can on a given subject or issue. Therefore even the Almighty’s Awesome Deeds series does not hit the heady heights because I more or less read the verse, contemplate content, put it down, and with little editing or revision post it. As I consider that I don’t really give it my best shot, which is disappointing but it’s necessitated by circumstances.

As a result of this I don’t think I’ll necessarily post the staff daily thoughts on the blog unless it’s particularly appropriate. Likewise I won’t pressure myself to have a daily entry on the blog and rather ponder and note any things that I read and study in a period of time and then create the post to the best of my ability even if it just means a weekly post or maybe every few days. Yet I do want to continue posting entries on this blog as well developing work on other blogs that I hope to be involved with over the season. The writing thing is definitely something I’m all the more committed to developing over time. I want to see what I can do with some of the teaching series I’ve already done and those I’m about to do. If I can convert them to text that may also help with the writing thing, and as ever reviewing these notes should trigger off issues that I can write about.

So in doing this I believe I’ll set myself a target to be ready to do another month’s of daily blog entries perhaps by this time next year should the Lord tarry and spare my life.

4 His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts – The Almighty’s Awesome Deeds: Public Announcement

An God spoke all these words saying,. (Exodus 20:1)

Throughout the book of Genesis when God speaks, He’s usually talking to an individual or a family. He doesn’t talk to a tribe, let alone a nation. Throughout the dealings with the Israelites up to this point in Exodus God has spoken through Moses. Indeed it’s as a result of the last awesome deed of the Almighty that Moses’ leadership is fully recognised.

Although the Ten Commandments are awesome in and of themselves, it’s fair to say I’ve taken for granted the fact that God spoke all of the words. Not written, not through a prophet or mediator – live and direct. Later on we realise that such was the power and awesomeness of the Divine Public Announcement that the people urged Moses to let God do all the talking through him – they couldn’t stand it.

Sometimes today it’s easy to take for granted the sheer awesomeness of the Almighty Himself speaking. People often say ‘God said to me’, ‘I felt the Lord tell me’, and everybody’s favourite ‘God told me to tell you’. Yet the very fact that the Almighty communicates direct should be a cause for us to stop and appreciate exactly what has happened. Like appreciating the grandeur and beauty of creation, when we consider that the Almighty chooses to talk to us it should be a truly heart-stopping moment.

In essence we don’t deserve to hear God talk to us. Having rejected Him by sin our actions deserved only one last piece of communication by God to us and that was the invitation to hell. As it is not only does He choose to reach and communicate with man but when He first chooses to do so on a corporate level, it is to outline in loving manner just what He’s done for us and how we can now live life to its best in accordance with His will.

That’s awesome.

4 His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - For Example

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

It’s fine telling people about Jesus. It’s great pointing to a book and repeating the words of the main man of the book and then telling people – do that. That’s all fine, but it’s not always that straightforward. In doing good things and being the best we can – we offer people an example to follow. Like parents who’s behaviour influences a child, so our behaviour can affect each other when we spend enough time together. The challenge is to live a life that reflects something encouraging to others for them to follow and then get others to follow.

4 His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - Good Perspectives

One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honour. (Proverbs 29:23)

A good perspective on things can be a healthy thing. A good perspective on our weaknesses should prevent us from feeling too smug and superior when talking to people ‘less fortunate’ than ourselves. A good perspective on our failures should allow us to be gracious in success. A good perspective on our bad times should give us a better appreciation of our good times. Pride doesn’t allow a good perspective on things whereas remembering where we’re coming from bad as well as good can give a more balanced approach to life.

4 His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - Way With Words

To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! (Proverbs 15:23)

There are times when it’s not people saying a lot that matters. It’s the little that someone says that can make all the difference. Just a single word at the right time can cheer someone up. Just that word can evoke memories of better days and hopes of brighter days to come. Of course it takes good relationships to be able to know when to say that word and how to say it. More than that though it’s good to know that the words we speak can bring joy to others that can be indescribable. What say you?

4 His Name Sake
Shalom
da man cd