Discovering My Voice
Jul. 9, 2005 at 7:36 PM
Blogging
I posted the other day on Keeping Up With the Bloggers so I thought this post would help explain my convictions about what I blog about.
What I am experiencing in blogging is very similar to what my one year old daughter, Elaina, is experiencing. She is slowly discovering her voice and that words have meaning. Daily new words are being added to her aresenal and with each word a new found pleasure and sense of power and influence. Her personal favorites are "No" and "outside". But it is my job as her mother to train in her to use her words in a way that will edify and encourage others and to build them up in the Lord. Obviously, that is a long term goal. But in the short term I work on little steps like not raising her voice and being quiet even when she wants to speak. These are hard lessons to learn but the self control she learns now will be priceless in her future life.
I must learn similar lessons with blogging. I have a new voice and with each day a potential for fun and influence in the lives of others. But with this new ability I also have a responsibility. As I examine scripture there is a standard to speech that I must observe in the same way that Elaina must learn to observe them.
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. There are alot of things to blog about but they don't all meet this fundamental standard. There are alot of news stories that are funny but would not be edifying.
In a multitude of words there is sin. (Proverbs 10:19) There are alot of things to blog about but writing about things just for the sake of having something to post is not what blogging is about for me. Elaina babbles on just to hear herself speak and to draw attention to herself. God will hold me accountable for the words that I speak. I don't want them to be idle words just meant to entertain the ears but have little profit for the soul. I desire that my words draw attention to Christ.
But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine...Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. Titus 2 As a woman, God has also given me a high standard for what is acceptable to talk about. They must be fitting for sound doctrine and good and sensible. There are alot of things that go on around my house that could be humorous but they would not be sensible to share in a public forum such as a blog. I don't want to speak of my children or husband in a way that would dishonor them or the Lord. There are alot of news stories that I could share an opinion about but would not be fitting for me as a woman. I will leave that to others.
Keep the Sabbath. I don't blog on Sundays in an effort to take a rest from all my duties including blogging. I must admit I am tempted at times but establishing the conviction early on has been helpful.
7 Comments and Trackbacks
posted by underhiswings on Jul. 10, 2005 at 12:12 AM
Great Post! I wish all bloggers had such a standard.
posted by Donnabooshay on Jul. 10, 2005 at 9:46 AM
What an excellent standard.
One more you might like to think about;
(Not at all that I think you have done this)
"Do everything without complaining or arguing,
so that you may become blameless and pure
children of the Lord."
Phil 2:14-16
This verse helped set the tone on my blog a few years ago.
The whole reason I started a blog was Titus 2
You are a blessing,
Donna
Does commenting count as blogging on Sunday?
:o)
posted by Sweetpea on Jul. 10, 2005 at 1:06 PM
What a blessing your post was to me...gave me lots to think about!
I am feeling very convicted about what you said!
Again thank you so much for posting this!
Blessings to you!
posted by Hearts4home on Jul. 10, 2005 at 11:51 PM
I see that there are many things that you are posting that I NEED to read! Thanks for your insights and sharing. Your BLOG looks like a great place to sit back with some hot tea and enjoy.... :) I hope you don't mind if I add you to my Friends list.. just have to be able to link back easily to read what you have to share! Keep up the great blogging...
posted by PatriciaWHunter on Jul. 11, 2005 at 8:26 AM
Excellent advice for speaking and writing. There are so many situations that occur in my life that would be excellent writing material, but the Holy Spirit reminds me that I need to refrain from using those situations for many of the reasons you mentioned.
posted by AgentTim on Jul. 11, 2005 at 11:37 AM
You may know that I post on Sundays. I haven't thought much about it, or thought about not posting...I know many Christian bloggers who do, and many who don't. But I think it's better not to post. I know Hugh Hewitt doesn't, and I don't believe LaShawn Barber does either. It's sort of a case of "better or best" wouldn't you say?
Best would be not to post.
posted by Anonymous on Jul. 12, 2005 at 9:42 AM
Thanks for sharing words in a way that makes sense of what my heart tells me. Thanks for being able to write in a forum that helps me listen and learn. I feel guilty about some of my links from my site, but I link to an old friend who I like to visit to see what is going on in her home as we are busy with family and new life in Christ in our home...I pray that people can use discernment, I do it to visit easier from my site and to keep track of those I prefer (I have several I prefer - yours may become one of them). God bless you and your heart! .