My first blog I ever posted included the line "I want to keep this thing going on a nearly daily basis..." Ha! I was really pretty good at that...for awhile. But then we took the youth group to Panama City Beach, came back for 5 days of craziness, and left for vacation. Got back Wednesday. It has now been one month since I posted something!!! Yeesh.
My original motivation for posting something regularly was in part to create a sense of community. I want this to be a place where we SHARE - not just me sharing with you, but you sharing with me. I realized that somewhere along the line, I started feeling like I could only write something so long as it was deep and challenging and motivating. Obviously, I still want to post things like that, but I don't want the pressure, ya know?!! I want to just be able to sometimes write about random things - that may or may not have an obvious impact - just that helps us stay connected.
We need that, don't we? We're meant to do life together, not apart. We need each other.
So, I'm going to make a better effort to just stay up on this. Besides, it's good for me to get out my thoughts - you may as well be along for the ride! Sometimes things will get deep. Other times it may seem completely pointless. But it will be there none-the-less.
There are 33 people following this blog through facebook - that I know of. And I know there are others that follow it other ways. How cool would it be if we ALL (yeah, you included) started pouring into each other through this blog?! How cool would it be if this became a community of people sharing their lives and thoughts? Praying for each other. Encouraging each other. Joking around. Challenging each other. It would be almost like...like an online church! Hmmmm...
Maybe you're already getting community somewhere, and that's awesome! But you could always use more support in your life, right? I mean, life's insane. Am I crazy here? Am I the only one who thinks we need each other? That we weren't designed to struggle on our own? I say, the more community, the better.
So I want to encourage you to make a comment on this post before you leave this page. Seriously! Let's get this party started! It'll take like a minute tops. You can even be anonymous. It's easy, really!
"But what do I say?" Well, just say "AMEN!" or "I agree...we need community!" or "You're an idiot!" Or it can be something deeper and longer if you want. It doesn't matter. It doesn't even have to be about the post! Just share what's going on in your life if you want. No rules! (Well...I take that back...some rules are good). Ha!
On your mark, get set...GO!!!
Posts
August 7, 2009 at 2:16 PM
oh, and comment here...not on facebook. that'd be swell. thanks!!!
August 7, 2009 at 2:56 PM
You are swell Jeremiah! Thanks for sharing your heart.
August 7, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Hey there Jeremiah;
You are deffinitly not crazy thinking the more community and support we have from others the better.
In my life I have experienced being on the side of the fence where I thought, I can handle it on my own. I did not like to share one thing about what is going on in mine and my Families lives.
I have jumped that fence and came a long way with building relationships, giving and receiving love, and life is soo much better. AMEN!
August 7, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Definitely. An online community is good for keeping people together. What a good idea (and great opportunity to blog), even though it's normally done in the style of facebook and myspace. Breaking out of the mold! Lol. :)
August 7, 2009 at 5:24 PM
I'm glad to see all that you have accomplished Jeremiah.
I would love to see you sometime if you ever make it back to Indiana.
August 7, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Woo-hoo! Now we're getting somewhere! You guy's are great!
Matt...dang! Great to hear from you old friend! Hope things are going well! Family's still up in Indiana, so yeah, we get up there from time to time! We'll have to hook up sometime...
Karrie...no, YOU'RE swell!
Prelude...yeah, you're a whole new person from all i understand. keep it up man.
Brittny - thanks! good to have you here!!! hope to see you sometime soon!!!
August 8, 2009 at 8:51 PM
This has been a long week for me with a lot of challenges so I have really been thinking a lot about the idea of community. I'm still trying to figure out how to take the concept and actually apply it to my busy life. How much to share and with who?
August 9, 2009 at 9:42 PM
I love being able to read your blog and stay somewhat in the loop of you and Erin's lives even though I live halfway across the US from you guys. I am so excited for everything God has been doing in your life and what he will continue to do! If you haven't already heard, I will be leaving next July for a year-long mission trip called The World Race. I have been so encouraged by some of your blog posts as I have been seeking God's provision for the trip, and seeing his faithfulness play out in your life!!
((Check out my blog if you want to learn more about my trip))
August 10, 2009 at 7:51 AM
Hey! We have really focused on this in our church over the last year and it's wonderful to have the support of God's people!:)
And along the lines of staying connected, I'm going to see your parents tonight.:) They are stopping at Mom and Dad's overnight on their way to you. I haven't seen them in ages!
August 10, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Good question, anonymous. How much to share and with who?
I'd think how much depends on the who.
But regardless, the need is definitely there to share. And I personally think we it's ideal to have someone in your life that you don't have to hold back with. Someone you can totally trust. And who listens well. And who won't just tell you what you want to hear, but cares enough about you that they actually say the hard things.
That's on the deep level. Then there are other things (such as this blog and church) where you should be able to share things that are on your mind - sometimes deep and sometimes not - just a place to connect with other people. Maybe get advice. Or just encourage each other. Talk about things that matter.
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