Mining Grace

I admit it, I’m no Tim Challies.  You won’t find a meter on my site of consecutive days blogged.  I lose my blogging inertia easily.  Sometimes I really enjoy it and others I wonder whether or not it is a waste of time.

Recently I’ve been feeling more of the latter — the blogging doldrums.

But some recent conversations have been well timed to contradict my blogging depression.  It seems that folks do read what I write and do like interacting through comments.  So in addition to opening up comments again, I am reminded that blogging is a good thing and can be used by God for at least some benefit in the advancement of his kingdom.

What are the reasons I started blogging and continue to blog?  Here are a few:

1. Blogging shows me the state of my heart. I can look back on past posts and ask the question, “How well am I understanding and articulating the gospel right now?”  Sometimes I like the answer I give and other times I don’t.  There are few things that help me discern Christ-centeredness of my soul than frequent writing.
2. Blogging gives me a venue to participate in my generation’s communication of the classic truths of Christianity. Every generation needs to declare and apply the classic truths of Christianity.  Blogging gives me a place to do just that.  A secret around here at Mining Grace is that when I’m stuck on something to write about I just pick some segment of a creed or confession and make devotional comments on it.  In that way I expose my readers to classic Christ honoring documents that they will probably never read on their own.
3. Blogging reaches people with the gospel. I’ve been shocked at what a diverse group of people will read what you write just because you post it on a blog.  What a responsibility to write well!  I am infatuated with the gospel of Jesus Christ and want other people to be equally infatuated.  Blogging gives me a chance to communicate the gospel to people that I will never have the opportunity to talk to in person.
4. Blogging helps me in my ministry. I blog about what I am studying.  Writing it down helps me to understand the argument I’m trying to make.  It hones my preaching and teaching.  Many times, working through a blog post will help me see a different angle on some topic I’ve been thinking through.  The discipline of writing helps me as a communicator.
5. Blogging helps me interact with my congregation in ways no other medium can. I can follow up on a point in a sermon.  I can express encouragement or rebuke.  I can let people in on different facets of my personal life that make me more approachable.  Blogging makes me a better pastor.

These are just a few of many.  Who knows how long I will continue to call myself a blogger?  For now, I’ve made it through another blogging slump thanks to the encouragement of some good friends.

I hope to always blog in such a way that exalts Christ.  If I cease doing that, the sooner I hang up the ol’ keyboard the better.