Thought I'd devote today's blog post to blogging itself, or blogs that bless us. Can you believe there are 400 million "active" English language blogs right now? Or so current estimates say. Many bloggers begin a blog with great intentions and then abandon them. I've considered that a time or two in my 2-1/2 years of blogging when work has been overwhelming or readers weren't reading. Now what, you may be wondering, has this picture to do with blogging? Plenty:) In Indy at the conference, Julie Lessman got a bunch of us girls together for lunch at a Mexican restaurant. I happened to have the pleasure of sitting beside Wendy Paine Miller ~ the sunny, smiling blonde to my right here. I was struck by the freshness of her presence and all that she is doing online and in real life. When I came home I hopped over to her blog. Wow! If you want a blessed respite that's fresh, inspirational, real, and full of HIM, then stop by and say hi. You'll be blessed!
So many of you blog and bless me and others, also. If you don't blog, you certainly bless me with your comments. Sometimes I'm amazed by all the great blogs that I'm missing. And when I need to know, I go to you, my readers:) So...
Which blogs do you return to again and again? What brings you back? If you can name even one or two you think might bless the rest of us, please comment!
Well yours is one of the first to come to mind! And then Amber's Season's of Humility. Julie Lessman's journal jots, even though it isn't a blog, it still blesses me MIGHTILY! I enjoyed hearing of Wendy's blog. I checked it out, lovely look! Thanks Laura. :)
ReplyDeleteWendy Paine Miller's blog is appealing -- to the eye as well! I'll have to explore more.
ReplyDeleteThis whole blogging world is pretty new to me but I am quickly accumulating favourites which is a bit alarming because I think I could hop from blog to blog all day and not get anything else done.
I have a llloooonnnngggg list of blogs that I return to again and again...yours is one of them. :-)
Then there's seekerville, Kaye Dacus, Amber's Seasons of Humility, review blogs like Michelle V's, Windows to My World and Spire Reviews. There's just too many to name.
I guess the two that stand out most in my mind right now are Bonnie Leon's (she blogs uplifting devotionals -- short and sweet but they always seem to be just what I need at that exact moment) and Writes of Passage -- a six author blog which I've just recently tuned into. They also seem to manage to combine a great 'spirit' along with whatever else they blog about and I always feel uplifted after reading one of their posts.
Oh -- I just read Casey's mention of Julie Lessman's Journal Jots and I was going to say that as well, but it isn't really a blog since there's no interaction but it's definitely a blessing, like Casey says.
ReplyDeleteCasey, You're such a sweetheart of an enourager!! Thanks so much for stopping by here and there. And thanks for mentioning me here, plus Amber, plus Julie's jots. I swang (is that a word?!) by hers yesterday and got so tickled by something she said that I was telling Randy about it at supper:) She is so EFFERVESCENT!
ReplyDeleteStay tuned, I'm spotlighting your blog(s) this Saturday:)
Kav, I knew you'd have quite a few to show us and am so glad you took time to name them. It would be sooo easy to blog hop all day as it really is like visiting with a person as each blog reflects a person's heart/soul/etc. I don't visit blogs as much as I like to because of the time factor like you mentioned and don't leave many comments. But I always visit yours to keep up with Christian fiction and your take on things. I was just telling Lorna the other day that you seem to the one of the happiest readers I know ~ so widely read and with something fresh and interesting to say about every book you post! That's a true gift! I tend to get stuck on historicals and narrow my scope too much. Maybe that's why I like your blog as you give equal time to so many genres and authors, though I know you love historicals.
ReplyDeleteI, too, love Julie's jots and I'm familiar with Bonnie's as I stop by but don't often comment. She has a great devotional style. I'm always afraid of leaving someone out when mentioning blogs as there are so many, like you said. I'm so intrigued by your Writes of Passage and am going to visit now:) Bless you for this!
Oh my, I'm already forgetting! MUST mention Inkspirational Messages!! Heavens, too many fine bloggers to list...
ReplyDeleteDo you know that today is her anniversary? I just loved the post and pics she included. Theirs is a true love story. :)
ReplyDeleteSigh, enough procrasination. Off to my edits....
Oh my, Casey! So glad you are procrastinating because I really missed something! A happy anniversary and pics!? Bless you bunches! Going right over...
ReplyDeleteLaura,
ReplyDeleteThis was such a moving post. Thank you for your words.
You'll never know how much they mean.
I'm so grateful to have met you!
Oh, and I love the Novel Matters blog.
~ Wendy
Wendy, Thanks so much for coming by!! It's a JOY to spotlight you here:) I meant every word. I am about to go over to your blog now as I meant to earlier after Casey's kind words here and then was sidelined as my new cover came in! In my inbox, I mean! Anyway, you've blessed me and I look forward to keeping up with you in cyberspace till we meet again. Have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteLaura, your blog is beautiful! I love stopping by and reading your encouraging and inspiring thoughts. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I am so honored by Casey and Kav mentioning my blog! Thank you both so much--your kind words mean so much to me. :D
I am blessed by so many blogs, and I spend an exorbitant amount of time blogging. ;) Here are just a few of the blogs I love:
--Casey's blogs ("Writing for Christ" and "Operation: Encourage an Author")
--Renee's "Black 'n Gold Girl's Bookspot"
--author Cerella Sechrist's "The Cerella Life"
...and many more!!! Blogging is such a blessing to me, both writing my own posts and reading others' blogs. I'm so excited that Julia at "Dark Glass Ponderings" (another fabulous blog!) is doing "Blogging as a Ministry Week" next week! I love that idea that our blogs can be a way to reach out to other people. :)
Thanks for another great post! Wendy's blog looks lovely, too!
~Amber
Oh my goodness! Thank you, Casey, for mentioning Julie's Journal Jots today!!! What a sweet, sweet story!!! And those pictures... *sigh* No wonder she writes such amazing romance books! ;)
ReplyDelete~Amber
Amber,
ReplyDeleteI was so hoping you'd show up!! And you have a wonderful list for us ~ thanks a million for that! All the ones you've mentioned are ones I visit regularly, too, except for Cerella's am going to visit! I actually met Cerella online in a group and she is such a lovely person so know her blog would be the same. Love the wintry cover and cooking theme of her book:)
Your blog is really becoming a favorite as you can see from comments here. And I so agree with you ~ it IS a ministry and a wonderful way to stay connected. Since writing is such a solitary lifestyle usually, blogging buddies are quite dear! I ALWAYS miss you when you don't show up ~ everyone of you! I nearly tracked Amanda down when I didn't hear from her the last few days. Whew! She logged in this morning:)
Bless you so much!
Oh, good question, Laura. You always seems to post interesting thoughts which is one of the reasons I love your blog and, yes, it's truly a blessing.
ReplyDeleteAs for other blogs? Well, I do read a small handfull of writing blogs which provide excellent writing education, but ones that bless offer what I'd call life and heart education.
I've only recently discovered INTO THE FIRE (http://hopeofglory.typepad.com/into_the_fire/) and I love Nicole's thoughts on life and writing. A friend of mine has just started a blog, KAREN'S IDEAS GALORE! (http://rko-ideas-galore.blogspot.com/) where she offers fun & unique family activities.
Of course I'd be remiss if I didn't give INKSPIRATIONAL MESSAGES(http://inkspirationalmessages.com/) a shameless plug, wouldn't I? The people I've met there are the biggest blessing of all.
Amber S. You are so sweet! I was going to mention Amber's blog and Casey's too! Cerella's blog is terrific too! They are all so beautiful and they have wonderful posts nearly everyday. Like Kav said Seekerville is a blast especially since you get a glimpse of a bunch of authors all in one place and everything that Julie posts on her Journal Jots is inspiring and fun. Of course there's a certain writer whose heart is in Kentucky but she already knows I love her blog. ;-)
ReplyDeleteXOXO~ Renee
Brenda,
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're here. Love your wording ~ life and heart education. That truly does make a blog distinct and outstanding. The 2 blogs you mention here that speak to you are ones I'll visit shortly. I so appreciate learning about new ones like these. It's like opening a window!
The Inkspys are a great bunch ~ each so different but all so thought-provoking, real, and personal. I'm glad I have it in my sidebar as then it's only a click away. And I'm so thankful you're a blogging friend. I learn a lot from you and it's a privilege to pray for you and your writing.
YAY, Renee!! So glad you're here:) It's so neat that so many of you here like the same blogs, etc. I know when I visit Seekerville I always see you there. I told Julie it's the most happening blog out there:)
ReplyDeleteAnd I'll not forget being part of your big blog blowout, Renee! I keep up with you there, on Goodreads (though I'm a Goodreads dropout), Twitter, etc. BTW, your most recent book review was read adn appreciated very much (Delia Parr) as it helps me figure out what to read (or not).
While I'm thinking of it, Stephanie Grace Whitson and Nancy Moser, 2 historical writers, have a new blog. I don't remember it offhand but you can google their websites and find the link. It's quite interesting and takes a different slant on history, books, etc.
Bless you, Renee!!
Thank you for posting this, Laura!
ReplyDeleteI agree with oh-so-many of the suggestions, Julie, Amber, Casey, Renee,Kav, etc...and of course your blog which is my most commented on.
Lisa Buffaloe & Cathy Bryant's devotions have blessed me. Bluerose's Heart is very heartfelt.
Julia, I'm so excited to spotlight your blog next week:) I think readers will love what you're doing there. Having you mention Lisa B. means a lot to me. I met her last year at ACFW and was struck by her genuineness and purity and sweetness (that might sound like a strange combo). We've been online friends since and then I ran into her in Indy!! Twice blessed!! And Cathy B. is sort of a mentor to me. Her devotional blogs, esp. doing God's will and devotional-like posts, mean so much to me.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many great blogs out there, including those of readers here. I'm not familiar with Bluerose Heart but find the name so intriguing I'm off to visit. Bless you so much!
Oh, I would love that. You and Lisa are two people I would dearly love to meet. I heard Lisa's testimony on a radio show and was just blown away by it. She seems like such a Spirit-filled lady. And I can't wait for Cathy's book in November :)
ReplyDeleteLooking at my bookmarks, I have so many blogs saved. I only go to some of them occasionally though. I would guess most of you have my daily list, Rel's Kaye Dacus, Amber's, Renee's, etc.
ReplyDeleteThe one I'm going to mention isn't updated very often, but when she does post I find it to be a tremendous blessing. It's written by one of the worship leaders at my church. She has such a beautiful voice, and writes such thoughtful posts. I've never commented on her blog though, I am a little shy at times. ;)
Anyway, here's a link: http://worshipandwhatnot.blogspot.com/
Laura! I always love to stop by but unfortunately I haven't been able to visit much this week (you know why LOL).
ReplyDeleteThank YOU for stopping by to visit me I'm so grateful when folks let me know that they've read something I wrote. I sometimes wonder if it's worth it all but it's folks like you ladies here that keep me going! It's hard to imagine what I would do without my blogger friends! Honestly! You are all such blessings! Laura I especially appreciated your prayers this week as I was going through that craziness with the hacker situation!
XOXO~ Renee
Michelle, Wow ~ I just visited and now understand why you keep going back. Love the names of her little girls:) Love how she deals so openly about her loss.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me so much of our church days in Lexington. I grew up attending Calvary Baptist downtown Lex. but there was a big scandal and our pastor left so we moved to the Methodist church over on Tates Creek. But one of my mom's and my favorite churches is Southland Christian and I am just going to be blown away if you're going there!!! We knew Wayne Smith, a former pastor there, and he is such an amazing man with an amazing ministry. Last thing I heard, Southland had this incrdible meal ministry. Sigh. Makes me worship hungry just hearing about it!
Oh Julia, I imagine Lisa's testimony is incredible. I'm blessed just by brief contacts w/ her on FB and her blog, which is now bigger and better than ever!!
ReplyDeleteRenee, I'm so thankful you are hacker free ~ SCARY!! My heart (and prayers) really went out to you. We had credit card fraud here and it's taken 3 months to get that taken care of. Ugh. But somehow I think hackers would be worse!!
ReplyDeleteYou really do have a ministry with your wonderful blog:) And you are a real writer, even if you don't think you are!!
Oh goodness, Laura, I hope you are ready to be blown away. Southland Christian is my church. I've been a member there since 2002. I started going there because when I would see church services on TV, Mike Breaux was the only preacher who could hold my attention. Wayne Smith still attends services, he usually comes to the Saturday night service. I think he's just great!
ReplyDeleteI have to say I feel blessed to be a part of a church that is so active in the community. We now run two free medical clinics, one in Jessamine county and the other in downtown Lexington, to provide medical care for the uninsured. We're partnered with two elementary schools, and provide weekend backpacks of food for the kids, tutoring, etc. My favorite thing though is probably the dollar club. The idea is everyone gives an extra dollar in offering each week, and the money that is given to those in need equals the number of people in attendance that weekend.
I don't know if you've heard this, but we've bought the old Lexington Mall property. Sometime in 2012, we will have a second campus here off Richmond Road. The old Dillard's building will be remodeled, and it's going to be used for ministry offices, children's ministry, etc. The single story portion is going to be torn down, and that's where the worship center will be built.
Oh Michelle, Amazing! You just caught me up on all I've been missing. Mom did recently mention that you all had acquired the mall property, etc. SWEET, as my boys say:) I think that church has been so blessed with such spirit-filled leadership. I know you love every minute of membership! If I am ever in Lexington on a Sunday, I would love to join you.
ReplyDeleteHey Laura! Sorry my comments have been late these past few posts. My parents and brother have been sick, and since I'm not, I've been taking care of them :) My dad and brother are feeling better but my mom had bronchitis and it's still lingering :( She went for a chest x-ray this morning and we're praising the Lord she doesn't have pneumonia. We all have asthma so when we get sick it always hits our lungs pretty hard. I'm just happy that I didn't get sick so I could take care of them... it's a good thing chicken soup is one of my specialties ;)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I love all the wonderful blogs that have been mentioned here! And I will have to stop by and check them out very soon! I know that through YOUR WONDERFUL BLOG I've made some great friends and have been blessed by all the comments they post here! Thank you for that :) But, blogs in general are so very new to me. I agree with the others about Julie Lessman's Journal Jots- they have been such a BLESSING! And, I love Amber's blog, too! She is always so very encouraging and her posts always bless the spirit and the heart, and make you smile- just like YOURS :D Goodness, I wish I had more time to visit more blogs, LOL!
But, there is one I really like that I don't think was mentioned here yet, and that's "Writes of Passage" with those 6 AMAZING Christian authors!! I think it's great that every day they switch off and each post something. They are all always such a blessing :)
Off to go finish my church newsletter. Praying the rest of your week and weekend is beautiful!
Blessings,
Amanda Stanley
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your family being so sick! And all at the same time! We've done that a few times here and it's miserable. So glad you are a nurse/cook/comforter. I'll admit I've been a bit worried about you as you are always spot on with those wonderful comments of yours. My blog misses you so much:) I almost contacted you to see if you were okay but don't want to pry so just prayed for you instead. Asthma is such a difficult thing - my brother has it. Anyway, prayers with your mom especially. Please let me know when how you all are doing.
I know you love Jule's jots:) Your beautiful poem was spotlighted there by her! And it's great to see another thumbs up for WOP. I went over and visited and remembered Lorna Seilstad guests blogs for them sometimes as she's good friends with Judy Miller. And yes, Amber is a great blogger:) I'm like you and wish I had more time to visit. Also, the danger in doing a post like this is missing or overlooking someone and I don't ever want that to happen! I think every blog represented here is so unique and has a blessing attached and hope I made that clear in my post.
Glad to see you're not too tired to work on that newsletter:) Blessings to you and get some sleep!
I forgot to thank you for the link to Wendy's beautiful blog! Will have to check that out in detail very soon! LOL, you guys (girls, rather) look like sisters!! :D
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Amanda Stanley
Love that, Amanda!! I've always wanted a sister. Only Wendy would be my younger sibling, for sure! But thank you for saying so. Julie Lessman calls me her twin and I always smile. That's quite a compliment in my book:)
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much for the prayers, my friend. I'm touched that I was missed (I missed you, too!) and you wanted to contact me to see if I was ok :) I would never take it as prying, EVER! You truly are a rare blessing and I'm thanking Him for you :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Amanda Stanley
Just wanted to say that Julie Lessman is having open comments for her Journal Jots today!! I know I'll see some of you there:)
ReplyDelete