The Web is a weird place

Found it interesting today when I stopped in here on my blog. Even though I haven't posted in nearly 13 months I still am getting 8-10 hits per day. Odd. Pondering starting up posting again and what the focus of this blog may be. Only time will tell ...

A new beginning ...

To Blog or Not to Blog

I keep realizing how much I want to utilize my blog. Yet time continues to be my enemy. I feel frustrated because I think that if I am not posting every day its not worth it. I think i am realizing that I can post whenever I get around to it or find something I want to share. That should help. Time for a new start... again ...

Time for some fresh air ...

Recently we opened the family cabin for the first time this year. Part of the process along with sweeping and setting things up is propping the door open and opening some windows to allow the fresh air to flow through it. We then typically leave two windows open about an inch so that when we return to use the cabin it has fresh air.

That's what this blog feels like. Facebook and Twitter updates are cool and I will continue to do that, probably even more than a lot of formal posts here. However, those don't quite cut it when you have more than 2 sentences to share. I'll be starting with a new batch of "something to ponder" posts and throwing in some other toughest as well along the way. One of the things I beat myself up over previously was the lack of regularity in posts. I've decided that its not a problem if I don't have a feature posts every day. I will still do the link dumps and who knows what else. This cannot and will not be a chore.

With camp coming up my web access will likely be limited, but that's OK. I look forward to breathing in the fresh air and blogging again. We are open for business ...

So much to write about ...

Seems like I am constantly noting things that should be blogged about. Yet a lack of time, and quite often lack of discipline leads me to either start a post that then seems irrelevant by the time I get back to it or they just become good thoughts, never to be written.
I am in need of trying a new approach to being consistent. One thing I have found is that my Twitter account makes giving quick comment and a link on a particular subject/ article easier. Still I need to process more in depth through the blog. Here's hoping the new approach works; you'll know as much as I if the posts flow more consistently.

This and That...

Been a hectic couple of weeks in my world. Got fun stuff, serious stuff ,and who knows what else stuff. I'm blocking some time over the next few days to get things posted and future posted. It sure doesnt take long to get a discipline out of whack....

Blogs I like ... The Persecution blog

Persecution Blog

OK, definately not a warm, fuzzy, funny blog. But an important one. I just added this to my reader fairly recently but it is an eye opener. The blog is run by Voice of the Martyrs. Especially as Americans it is easy to overlook what goes on throughout the rest of the world to our brothers and sisters. Did you know that 7 Christians were recently killed in Iraq? Or that a Taliban hit list assassination was carried out on a Christian? Or that Christians are now the most persecuted group globally? You need to have this coming across your inbox. It will renew your perspective and shuold change the way you pray.

Blogs I like ... The Ongoing Adventures of ASBO Jesus

While cleaning up my Bloglines account (I still have more to go) that I should set a series of posts about blogs that I really like/ find useful/ informative/ etc. So here is the first installement. I'm looking to make this a Sunday thing.

The Ongoing Adventures of ASBO Jesus

I have posted several favorites from this blog here. The blog posts a new cartoon(s) nearly every day. Toes are stepped on, thoughts provoked. conscience stirred, adn some quality discussion usually ensues. If you have never taken the time to check it or add it to you reader, you really should. I'll wrap this up with a favorite toon from the blog...

A Feature that works

Now that Blogger will finally allow future publishing of posts I can arrange some time in my schedule to write some things and set them for later release. That had become one of my biggest frustrations; having to be online several times weekly, if not daily to post things. I am looking forward to doing a bit of writing, sharing some great quotes, as well as passing on some of the best that I find around the blogosphere. Thank you Blogger for creating a great feature.

Back on the horse...

It has been a full 3 weeks since I last posted to this blog. This was both intentional and unintentional. It started out as a few busy days and distractions that led me to the realization that I had come to one of those points in blogging where the time was right to consider my motivations and direction for investing in a blog.
Call it a blog fast, blogcation, or whatever. It was needed. During this time I came to some understandings about what I like and don't like about blogging. I also am seeing how I have been handling juggling life and it's responsibilities and opportunities. This is the gist of where I am:

• I want to keep blogging. not to be "read" but for myself and as a way of marking and journaling things that I enjoy or find helpful. If others benefit, that's cool!
• I need to use writing as a way of producing the discipline of following through rather than having too many plates spinning at one time. Setting and following through on deadlines for my original content will help.
• I need to be more vulnerable and open. Posting will not always be on personal stuff, but I should do it more.
• I have a ton of ideas for posts, series, and the like. I need to develop those ideas. They can and will evolve into useful material for teaching and learning myself if I will do that,

With that in mind these are my initial blog goals...

1. 2 link dumps a week. Bloglines is a great resource. I will use my feeds to gather stuff I find pertinent and helpful.
2. At least 2 original posts per week. As I looked back I was beginning to merely be re posting stuff I found around the web. Not a bad thing but I need to create and input.
3. HAVE FUN WITH IT

That's it in a nutshell; time to dive back in...

December 3rd -- my blogoversary

I missed posting on the 3rd.

I have had a good time, learned a lot about myself and look forward to more to come. I also am seeing ways that this blog can be improved, more on that in the near future. For today, I just wanted to recognize the event. Any excuse for cake and ice cream...

Link Dump - September 22nd

BBQ Foods: Kentucky Burgoo - this might require a roadtrip at some point...
Considering the Qur’an
A Small List of Good Books we need to be reading more
Ultimate Frugality - Ten New Ways For You To Save Money.
Why Church Workers are Prime Candidates as Porn Addicts
Los Angeles Police Department officer Joey Getherall gridiron hero becomes a real life hero
"God Wants to Give Us Nice Things"
Are Church Plants the most Effective form of Evangelism?
Self-taught MBA
This Is Not the World's Greatest Dad No Matter What His Shirt Says
8 Marks of a Disciple
What If You Spent One Year Following Every Rule in the Bible?
and...scene. Interesting info on the departure of the ND quarterback Demetrius Jones
Yuck!
Popular Mechanics 25 Skills Every Man Should Know I've 22 (maybe 23) of these down

Link Dump -- September 18th

I have recently spent some time cleaning up my feed reader. I also have added some new content. This is one of the things that I like so much about the blogosphere and feed readers. You can keep fresh things that speak to you and move on from old stuff. Many favorites remain. I have overall about 7 less feeds right now. Here are some good recent posts.

Amish Pentecostals?
Welcome to Jerkville, Population Me
10 Tips to Read More and Read Better -- we all could stand to be come better readers
Total Depravity of Man….Chapter and Verse
CONFESSIONS OF A HAPPY PASTOR: 5 Attitudes I will Not Tolerate
HOUSTON NUTT: PICTURE, 1000 WORDS, ETC. made me laugh...
Ex-ND QB says Weis reason for abrupt departure , uh yeah right...
Baptism, Church Membership, and Graduation sometimes the Church cannot get out of it's own way
Lack of Leadership is Costly a great response to the current ND football season
May God Bless You With Discomfort
Divorce Isn’t That Big a Thing for Many Pastors These Days…
Rebuilding Your Credit Report – Part I
First look at Prince Caspian really stinks we have to wait 6 more months than planned, hope it's worth it.

Addicted to Blogging???

I had seen this elsewhere but was reminded of this on Derry's blog. I guess it could bee 22% worse...


78%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Mingle² - Dating Site

Back in the connected world

Except for a few short periods I was without web access for the past week. I spend most of my time at Prairie Camp. It was a great week! Almost 20 kids made a decision for Christ on Wednesday night. I also was able to get quite a bit of reading done (I was able to type some reviews that I hope to get posted today.), previewed some curriculum, and hang out with friends (which seemed as often as not to include euchre).
I call this week our official end of summer. We are buying school stuff, football practice starts for the boys, and we try to establish some sort of a routine. That will include a return to regular blogging. I'll be having the book reviews, a link dump, and some other things I have had on my mind or have been working on. Changing the pace is good; getting the groove to accomplish the daily tasks is good as well.

Better Blog Reading

Abraham over at Desiring God has a great post about being a better blog reader. Well worth reading through and putting into practice. Check out the link below.

Anyone who is not yet using some program or website and making use of RSS is slowing themselves down. I personally use Bloglines, it has been great for me. I am constantly adding/ removing blogs as I check them out for a while to see if they are useful for me. This is a tip I would highly recommend to anyone who spends any amount of time in the blogosphere.

Better Blog Reading

Blogger gets the boot

Governing bodies like NCAA just can't seem to get out of their own way sometimes. Heaven forbid a championship tournament event (that by the way is available to only a limited audience by radio or TV) be given coverage like it is important. Instead of people being drawn to the sport and the tournament, they just alienate more people, real smooooooth!
Here's the article