An Online Notebook

My buddy Jeff (not to be confused with my colleague Geoff) told me the other day that he was glad to see that I was actively blogging again. ON Sunday I caught myself asking why I did this and trying to answer. Here is a more reflective answer to that question.

1. This is for me, an ‘online notebook’. It is a place to deposit my thoughts, observations, and reflections. There are things that I must get on ‘paper’. This helps. James Fallows says this about his blog for the Atlantic Monthly, “I undertook this long ago mainly as a notebook for myself. That is still my fundamental motivation, though like everyone in the writing business I am of course grateful to anyone who pays attention.” I, too, am grateful to all of you who pay attention.

2. It is as well a ‘discipleship tool’. As a pastor, I want to impress upon others what God has called us to be. My task as pastor is more than deliver a weekly theological address. I long to see people growing in their love for Christ and maturing in their Christian practice. A blog provides one more tool that I can use to encourage others to love and good works.

3. It is a place to write. Some people do everything possible to avoid writing. Writing for me is an outlet, often a refreshment and a delight. Tied in with this is a desire to delight, to entertain, to challenge, or to encourage others with my writing. I was told in college that those who want to write must write daily. To do so with instant readers was something this professor then could never have anticipated.

4. It is the refrigerator in which sermon leftovers are placed. In preparing a class or a message many more thoughts and ideas are suggested than can be used. So, I sometimes put here what I can’t use there. And sometimes I come here and grab out something that has marinated and is ready to be used there!

5. And, at least for now, it’s fun. And my buddy Jeff says, appreciatively, that this shows. I’m glad.

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