Thanks for Your Help
January 31st, 2018Comments are Appreciated
I want to write a quick post to thank people who have written grateful or positive comments regarding the things I’ve written about God. I tend to think of myself as a sort of invisible person. I don’t see myself as someone other people think about or miss. I don’t have the feeling that I’m important to other people or that I have any influence. That’s just my nature. No matter how many times I get a word of thanks or support, I am always a little surprised when it happens.
The encouragement is very helpful.
I thought I was writing for a few dozen people, but when I looked at correct versions of my site’s statistics, I learned I was getting between 1,000 and 2,000 unique visits per day. That was a little sobering, because it meant I was in danger of affecting a significant number of people. I realized I needed to be careful.
I don’t know why I get so few comments these days. I think the scarcity of comments helped give me a false notion of the size of my audience. I don’t care if people choose not to comment, though. If you don’t feel like it, don’t do it. It’s your business.
I don’t try to build an audience. I am not planning to try to make money here. I am not interested in running a busy forum, either.
I hope that whatever influence I have will become more and more positive. I have a lot to make up for!
January 31st, 2018 at 6:52 PM
Even if it influences only one, you are doing God’s work. It is probable not as many of the people who visit this site have seen the progress you have made from being Hog on Ice to become a Tool of Renewal. It is an amazing journey you have made and shared with those who care to read it.
I have read your work from way back. I have enjoyed your humor, your interest in cooking and in getting it right.
I’ve watched as you went through those churches who were using you and I’ve seen you overcome their influence and realize your value as more than an armour bearer for a bad pastor. And even then you were influencing others in a good way. I believe you are still friends with some of those people.
Keep on doing what you are doing, don’t think of the size of the audience, just think of the message you are bringing. It’s a good one and you are doing it well.
January 31st, 2018 at 9:31 PM
I rarely comment here but I’ve been reading you since the Nigerian book.
January 31st, 2018 at 9:40 PM
Nobody’s commented yet. Here. I think it’s sort of awkward if there aren’t any comments on this post. There are a lot of people that enjoy what you do.
January 31st, 2018 at 9:42 PM
It said “No Comments” when I started to do this.
January 31st, 2018 at 10:58 PM
I’m a daily reader and occasional commentor. I could probably do better at adding a substantive comment every now and then.
January 31st, 2018 at 11:51 PM
Often what you say requires a great deal more contemplation before I’m ready to respond. Days, sometimes weeks. By then you’ve posted something else and I don’t as a rule comment on old posts.
February 1st, 2018 at 3:37 AM
I’ve experienced the same thing on my blog (which I’ve somehow managed to nearly destroy trying to upgrade WordPress!). You pour your heart into a thoughtful, introspective piece, and nobody says nuthin’. But I think a lot of times, it’s because much of what you write is so on target, that there’s not much to say. Most internet comments are from trolls or confrontational types who want to show you all the ways you are wrong, or some self-appointed crusader who wants to nit-pick the finer points of your theology.
And, I suspect, a lot of what you post nails people right between the eyes. I know I’ve been hit several times with your Holy Two by Four. People are perhaps somewhat reluctant to chime in with, “Yeah, that thing you just talked about that major grieves the Holy Spirit and is probably a really bad way to live your life? TOTALLY ME!!”
It’s humbling when you realize what you’re doing has moved beyond just throwing some words at the Interwebs, and has become, in fact, a form of ministry. GULP!
Keep it up, brother. You are planting seeds and standing as a Watchman on the Walls.
February 1st, 2018 at 1:23 PM
Steve,
You are very welcome for the grateful, positive comments. I have found your writing thought provoking and it has caused me to go work on myself, instead of comment.
Anymore I find myself checking your blog daily so I can virtually walk and grow with you.
Thank you for your time in sharing yourself. I am grateful.
Steve B
(Morrow, OH)
February 2nd, 2018 at 8:41 AM
I’ve been reading your blog daily since your days at Trinity Church. I enjoy and learn from your insights. I hope you keep on writing since clearly God has given that gift. I and I think many others benefit from it.
February 2nd, 2018 at 8:06 PM
Been reading you since Hog on Ice. Check in once a week or so. Have commented maybe 3 times over the years but I’m here!
We live in NE Florida. Welcome to the neighborhood! So glad you made your escape!
PS: Our son Sam developed schizophrenia 7 years ago at age 20. He went from active and engaged to now hearing voices and living in his own world. He lives with us and likely will until Jesus comes to take us all home. My wife and I would not have survived this without the indwelling power and leading of the Holy Spirit. We have great joy where there is also great grief. THAT is the biggest blessing I get from reading you. You walk not in a spirit of fear or timidity, but in a spirit of power…and communicate it so well that it drives me deeper into that relationship with Him. You DO have a ministry.
Say a prayer for Sam now and then, would ya?
And if you ever want a lunch on me, you have my email.
February 3rd, 2018 at 6:02 PM
Thanks for the offer, John. Of course, I would be happy to pray for your son.
Your comment went to trash 3 times. Can’t see why.
February 4th, 2018 at 8:13 AM
Yes it did. Frustrating. Probably enemy not wanting our son prayed for.
February 6th, 2018 at 7:07 AM
37 years and counting… Probably what linked us all along was that we were spiritual seekers. Even satire in the aim of putting hypocrites in their place, or at lease exposing them to ridicule, hearkens back to Elijah at Mt. Carmel.
Inching up to our 34th anniversary of reuniting in Jerusalem.