Sunday, September 19, 2010

Is a blog the best medium for what I value doing?

Over the past two weeks, I've been thinking, talking with others, and (and praying a little) about this blog. After asking myself the question, "what should this blog be about?" I could only think about one unique reason to blog. One thing I value is sitting around the table or living room and talking about business. What if I started an ongoing conversation and brainstorm about creating Christian businesses? If any, this would by reason.

I discerned that I do not want to blog. Three reasons:

1. A blog is probably not the best medium to have an ongoing conversation. In fact, it takes a long time to develop followers. Even distinguished bloggers may receive few comments, and rarely helpful or relevant comments. Someone told me that blogging should be intrinsically valuable; whereas I would be dependent on others to have a good conversation, and my expectations may lead to disappointment.
2. I do not have any practical, real life experiences to create a blog about Christian businesses. I feel like I need to learn more about this subject first before writing anything substantial. There are other great blogs that cover Christian finances and small business.
3. There are more intrinsically valuable works that I want to pursue. This year I will be working with the Action division in the People of Praise, here in South Bend. Working with young men will be my joy.

I think I will let this blog hibernate again, unless I find good reason. Thanks for reading, and sorry for anticlimactic end.
All for Jesus and his kingdom!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Found a fun blog

I enjoy this blog.  http://www.gatherlittlebylittle.com/
Call me predictable, as it is about Christian finance. He is not preachy.

Analyzing Christian Blogs

I'm trying to learn more about Christian blogs. I sampled many today (excluding friends or links on the right hand side).

There are daily blogs on theology, politics, christian families, updates on international struggles, prayer-chains, bible quotes, heroes of the faith, christian book clubs, Pro-Life, fund-raisers, etc. All of these are good and righteous topics. Men and women use blogs as a personal journal on their faith journey, good and bad. Some christian blogs are bloated, trying to say too much at once, or show me too much with ads and book covers--mostly political blogs and christian author blogs. I was also uncomfortable with how much they are trying to sell me.

From my limited research, it looks like the majority of Christian bloggers are women. These women find fellowship by sharing their lives through their blogs. Post are often 500 words or more, with a picture or two, and may have an uplifting title, like "The Lord is my Strength and my Joy!" (I don't mean any negative connotations or cynicism.)

I have found three categories for a man's blog: family man, christian-political views, and faith journey/ author. I have not found a trend in length or title, but I notice that men (more often than women) try to impress upon their audience a teaching or advice through his own personal experiences. Men blog--and this may be the reason why men come back to the same blog the next day--by using logic and experience to persuade the reader. (Ironically, I am trying to persuade my reader(s) with my logic and experience.)

Again, it's too little research and sampling to call it evidence, but interesting nonetheless. Feel free to disagree and comment me about it. If you like a certain christian blog, comment me.

I am still thinking about how I intend on using my blog. Renaming my blog to "Jesus is a Liberal" is still not out of the question.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Ressurection ...of the blog.

What's the record for the longest idle blog? I might have been contending for it. Consider the streak ended...
Three and a half years ago I found myself in Northern Virginia, trying to keep up with friends all over the country. When I announced that I was moving to South Bend, IN to work for the People of Praise, I let this hibernate.
I am interested in resurrecting the blog for several interests. Much has happened since then, and I plan to share more stories (past and current) in the future. It will be fun to pose questions about thoughts and reflections intertwining both Finance and Jesus. Who knows, maybe even find other Christians out there in the blogosphere to connect in dialogue.
I still live in South Bend. I am privileged to work for the People of Praise in the Finance Office. I get to work for the King, and with the King.