Tuesday, January 13, 2009

One Year Anniversary


It's been a year since I wrote my first blog entry on January 13, 2008.

Now that it's been a year, I've inducted myself into "official blogger" status. Another year or two and I'll be in Canton. Here are some reflections on being an official blogger (in no particular order)...

1. I started blogging because I wanted to have a sort of life journal that I could look back on. I wanted it to be public so as to demonstrate what an "unto God" life looks like. I've strived for authenticity, even when I come out as the friend of Beevis. As it turns out, that happened more than I'd like, but oh well. Maybe 2039 will show improvement. I'll either be 62 or with Jesus by then. I wonder if there will be bloggers in heaven.

2. The blog has gotten over 22,000 hits. That's good news, not just for narcissistic reasons, but because I hope readers are in some way encouraged to live out the Sh'ma (Deut. 6:4-ff) in everyday life. As a pastor, I lead a lot more people than I'm able to have daily relationship with. This allows people to stay updated on my life without a two hour meeting at a coffee shop. Plus it's better than that, because here you can see pictures.

That said, this blog was never meant to replace personal relationships with my family and close friends. (i.e. "I don't have to call, because I expect you to be reading my blog...")

3. Because my blog has the personal intertwined with theology, entertainment, recipes, etc, I think a lot of people feel like "stalkers" if they see me and reference something from the blog. It also restricts comments, or makes people want to post anonymous comments. I find that interesting. Maybe all blogs are that way...

4. I enjoy writing.  The blog has helped me formulate thoughts and communicate them clearly and concisely. If most blog readers are like me, I like pictures, short and to the point. So I try to make my blog more like USA Today than Wall Street Journal. Maybe smart people avoid my blog for that very reason. No offense if you're a daily metropuritan reader...

5. I hope 2009 is filled with more God, more fun stories, and more offspring (#5...)

I'll keep you posted.


2 comments:

Ed Noble said...

I'm grateful for your blog bro. I do feel closer to you, your fam, TSC, Cornerstone & what God is doing in your life. Thanks for taking the time to do it.

You da man!

Ed

p.s. it was 82 here today.

Metropuritan Mark said...

Ed, that's both encouraging and makes me sick.

Please refrain from "it's 82 degrees in SoCal" when we're buried in snow :)

Seriously, I feel the same about your blog. It's been fun to be connected with you this way. And that "connection" is multiplied by the readers.

Thanks for dropping comments- it's great hearing from you!

Enjoy the weather....jerk.