Five Ways Blogging Has Affected My Life

Well, Bill, I don't know whether to curse you or to kiss your cheek, so I'll do neither. ;) Thank you for tagging me, I think, and I'll follow your lead and say that this is a worthy post, because, let's face it: I am a blogger. If I can't express how it has affected my life, then what's the point?

For those of you who have not visited Bill's blog, The Spiritual Oasis, you're truly missing out on some spiritual refreshment and admonishment. He knows all kinds of things about theology and the deeper stuff of the Bible that I wouldn't even attempt to blog about, so I enjoy going over there to learn and grow.

So, he tagged me, and I'm supposed to write "Five Ways Blogging Has Affected My Life." Seems easy enough, right?
Rrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiight. It's the way it's worded. It's not "Five Things I Like About Blogging." It's, how has it affected my life? That is a tough one, because since my blog is based on my LIFEsong, I need to express my feelings just so...

In all honesty, four out of the five are positive. Number five, not as much so...so I'm going to start with number five, and work my way down to number one, just so I can end with the positive...lol. Sorry folks, it's the way my brain works.

5. Blogging has affected my life in one not-so-good way. It has eaten up a little more of my time than I care to admit. At times, I have chosen posting a blog or commenting on someone else's over getting in the floor with my children or spending time with my spouse. God has had to create some balance in my lifesong here, because it was beginning to fall a little flat on the main melody. Isn't it just like God, though, to use something we are passionate about to continue to transform us. This isn't the first time He's used something I love to shape me and conform me more to His heart and way of thinking. So even though #5 has been the not-so-good, it is ending up a positive as I go along. AS LONG AS I STAY FOCUSED ON HIM, KEEPING HIS BALANCE AND HIS PRIORITIES, #5 WILL NOT HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON ME. And just because I can't help myself, have any of you reading this thought about the same...let's all of us bloggers remember that the people, places and things the Lord puts around us take precedent over that which is virtual. As we keep our priorities lined up, it will only make this other a better thing.

Okay then, that said.
#4. Blogging has led me to some really interesting people. New friends. People I know that I would not have met otherwise, who enrich me and challenge me in ways that only they can. I love that.

#3. Blogging has brought about an awareness of how, as Christians, we really are all in this life together. The whole blog I did awhile back about The Body and its parts all working together called One Body, Many Blogs came about from the numerous blogs I visited as I began in the world of blogging. I am still amazed as I look around this virtual world, how many of us are trying to say the same thing, and yet we all have a different way of doing it. When my voice doesn't ring a tune with someone, another's does. And visa versa. So all together, we make each other strong. I don't know about you, but I think that is wayyyyyyy cool. Beyond cool.

#2. My life as a writer has been incredibly impacted by blogging. I've been forced to stay in tune with God's mission for my blog, which is to admonish and encourage the life of believers in Jesus Christ. I'm learning how to use my own voice, and my own personality to speak and teach what I know best, and how to do so more effectively with each post. This is priceless experience.

#1. Much to my surprise, blogging has affected me in a huge way spiritually. It forces me to think through my beliefs, pray through my convictions, and allow the Spirit to put it in a form that will minister to others. Just like David, as I express my heart to the King, He does a work in me (and hopefully in others at the same time). Each time I blog, it becomes less about me and more about Him. I am surprised and amazed by that. I consider this a ministry, an education and a hobby, and how blessed am I with this three-in-one.

So how about you? Any of you care to post about the five ways blogging has affected your life? If so, lemme know in the comment section, and I would love to hear your side of the story on the subject. Thanks for dropping by...


In the Key of HE,