It’s been a couple of days since I posted. Yesterday, Gail, one of the ladies who who posts comments regularly, and who is also a member of OVCF, asked me about it. I told her I would explain it all tomorrow (today). But before I do, I’d like to share something from my morning Quiet Time/journal. It comes from Watching for the Morning by Vaneetha Risner- #59. “Watching” is a daily devotional written by a woman who has an incredible story. I would highly recommend this, along with her book, This Wasn’t the Plan (an unexpected divorce). Anyway, here are her thoughts today as she writes about faith being greater than fear, and asks the question, “How?”
- Remember God’s faithfulness. Psalm 77
- Follow my fear and see where it takes me. Psalm 46
- Trust that God will give me the grace I need when I need it. Mt. 6:34; Phil. 4:19
- Remember that nothing comes into my life that has not passed through God’s loving hands first. Rom. 8:28
- Remember that God is with me. Dt. 3:22; Heb. 13:5b-6
- Keep my mind and thoughts on the Lord. Is. 26:3; Phil. 4:8-9. I will add Col. 3:1-4
- Pray. 2 Chron. 20:3; Phil. 4:6-7
My thoughts: no matter what happens God will go with me. I have nothing to fear. N.O.T.H.I.N.G. (I made the points personal with “my” or “me” words).
My prayer: “God, be with me as I ride early this morning, as I study, as I interact, as I shepherd. Help me to pass along these thoughts to those who live in fear. Amen.”
ANNOUNCEMENT: When Gail said, “You didn’t post today. Or yesterday. She actually missed me! 🙂 I told her the following: I have been blogging since February 20, 2008. I have used my Quiet Time journaling to be the basis for my blogging. Lately, several factors have become apparent. 1) My audience for “Shadow” has dropped off dramatically. At the peak I would often have 15-20 comments on my blog but lately it has been 3-4, sometimes even less. 2) And here is the biggest issue: my journaling has been more about posting on “Shadow” and LinkedIn than recording lessons learned from my relationship to the Father. I have garnered over 500 viewers on LinkedIn, but I have had to ask myself if my journaling is for me and God or for me to share with others. I’ve noticed that my journaling has taken on more of a “social commentary” approach. That is NOT what I want my journaling to be about. 3) I have been spending way too much time reading LinkedIn and caring about my viewers. It is time to stop that nonsense. I am the pastor of a church, and desire not to be a slave to any social media. So, as of today, I am taking “Shadow” on hiatus. I thank all of you who read “Shadow” but don’t comment. I especially thank all of you who do. I may come back, but at this point, that is highly doubtful. If I do, I pray it is with the right heart and spirit. Thanks again for reading my thoughts (for what they are worth). And I do still plan to read other blogs and articles.
I have had the same reaction as Gail, but I figured you would let us know what was happening with you, Bill, and your post today certainly explains it. I will miss your insights and wise words, but know that I understand your need to step away. I certainly hope and pray that God will guide you in the direction He wants you to take.
Blessings always, my friend!
Thank you Martha. There are some other things going on that I am not able to share that affect this as well. And no, I am not leaving OVCF nor have I had a moral failure. But you have been such a loyal reader and commenter that I don’t know how to thank you.
I feel like I’ve been put through the ringer lately so those 7 points by Vaneetha are welcomed.
I had to also give up on my blog. I thought I was having fun. And I was, but ultimately I didn’t really any views.
I do know that views and comments on social media have gone down a lot recently, so perhaps there is a shifting going on?
I hope you will keep posting your OVCF sermons I really do enjoy them.
God bless you Bill! Thank you for your hard work and more importantly your friendship!
You’re welcome Ed. I have enjoyed your comments and friendship. I still have that photoshop picture of me in Captain America garb. It is on our fridge at home. 🙂 Sorry to hear you have been put through the wringer lately. Please let me know if you would like a copy of the book. I can arrange that.
This saddens me but I truly understand. You will be sorely missed, Bill. Praying your quiet time and writing connect you more closely with God. Blessings!
Thanks Pam. I have valued getting to know you (and Dick) over the years. I’ll still visit your blog and comment. 🙂
Bill I fully understand, but yes I will miss your blog, I do look forward to reading it everyday and what thoughts it provokes in my own spiritual journey. Our walk with God, should be both a very personnel intimate relationship and at times a witness to others. I pray Bill that your journal ignites your personnel and intimate relationship with our Father, and that you feel less pressured to write to a group of followers and just concentrate on your thoughts with the Lord. I am excited to see the fruits of that spirit in your sermons. Thanks Bill for letting me be a part of this blog and all of the thought provoking lessons that it has provided me, and how it has encouraged me to have more intimate words with God in my own pray journal. 1Timothy1:17
Thanks Gail for your heartfelt words. I know you said some of this to me personally, but it is good to see it in print. Thanks for faithfully reading and commenting. Perhaps i will come back different and stronger.
Wow, Bill. This wasn’t the announcement I thought it would be. I will miss dropping by – we’ve been connecting for decades, I think.
But I admire your decision and the heart for Christ that’s motivated it. He says, ‘well done, good and faithful servant.’
Bless you, brother.
It has been decades Linda. I will stay in touch through your blog. I am curious what you thought my announcement might be. Retiring? Thank you for being a regular contributor to my blog.