Tag: FaithBlogger

3 reasons I’ll keep blogging in 2017

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My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ… Colossians‬ ‭2:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬


I started blogging in January 2015 after a bit of a writing hiatus from a seven-year self-publishing effort. Blogging seemed to be a natural extension of that work, and it allowed me to return to my love of words. This was my first post here on New Day, and my excitement over this space continues. I’m glad for the privilege of sharing in this platform.

I have learned a lot about blogging generally and target audiences and branding and ALL that seems to come with this territory. I’ve also learned about community and what it means to connect with readers and support fellow bloggers in their endeavors. This is what I like best about this world.

So, if I had to pick, I’d keep blogging for these three reasons in 2017. Or let’s call them motivations:

1) Words and THE Word. No doubt, I love what words can do to shape lives and inspire greatness. I’m sure each of us can think of the best advice we’ve received for our careers, a favorite sermon that led to a change in course, even a note or letter with just enough encouragement to keep at it. Words are powerful! And THE Word – what would our lives be without it? It is God’s love expressed. It is our food and sword, our amazing grace. The opportunity to share THAT? Yeh, I’ll take it.

2) Community. What a blessing it’s been to see family and friends adding likes and comments to my posts, and then to see complete strangers do the same! I stay in awe of the great people I’m able to meet and engage with through my blog. Starting out, I had no idea of the possibility of this part of New Day. My aim here is to inspire others, but in the end, I’m the one changed and made more knowledgeable by these interactions.

3) Something I can call my own. This space is dedicated to God, no hesitation about that. But to look at work or creation and be able to behold what your hands can do – that is something awesome to me! I used to look at the copies of PRAISE!Magazine, which I self-published, and was so proud of what I’d accomplished. I STILL pull them out every now and then and just celebrate that work. It’s a good feeling to see your time and research and preparation be put into a project born out of your heart, set in motion by God.

Whatever your thing is, I hope you feel encouraged to stay with it and invest in what it takes to produce something worthwhile and beneficial to others. Actually, that’d be motivation #4 for me here on ND: to help somebody, plain and simple.

Get to it! Get to work on that hobby or project or enjoyment in 2017 and stay motivated to fulfill it to the end!

11/4 grateful friday pt I

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Give thanks to the Lord… 1 Chronicles 16:34

Credit: Canva

Last year in my first year of blogging, I featured a series here on New Day called “Grateful Friday.” Each 4th Friday I’d offer a post listing things for which I was particularly thankful from the previous days or weeks. Here’s one of those posts.

I thought I’d bring that little bit of blog tradition back to the site over my two November posts this year, so here’s pt. I:

The grace of God. I mean, you knew it was going to be first on my list, right? I don’t know where I’d be without this undeserving gift, this saving power that fills my each and every day. For me, grace is God’s love at work in my life. It is the source by which I’m able to know Him, grow in Him, and abide in Him. Each morning, as soon as I’m able to clear the night’s fog from my mind, I turn to the Word and embrace the new grace given. So thankful for it.

Daily tangible blessings. You know, things like food, clothing, shelter? In this day and age, it’s easy to get caught up in things of the world and take things for granted. Ask the man on the corner with the sign what it’s like to not know where you’re going to sleep that night, or from where your next meal is coming… Our aim? Give thanks for all God provides, then help others in need. Get outside yourself sometimes.

Family and friends. I should say, true friends. I REALLY should say, those I need, who support me and are truly there for me. I think of one particular sister-friend who’s become my unofficial therapist – always advising with a heart of truth, praying, and just being genuine. Those who’ve indicated in one way or another that I’m no longer “fit” for their “list,” well I’ve moved on from them and recognized who they truly are and what they stand for (that’s another post…). And so thankful for my family – they’ve stood by me through some hard times this year, and we’ve endured other seasons together. At the end of the day, I know I can count on my blood.

This blog space and the privilege to serve. I’ve said plenty of times before just how thankful I am for this space to write of and share the goodness of God! I recently tweeted, No better words, to me, to write than those that express the unending love of Jesus Christ. Glad to be the called. And that is so true – I’m not just saying it just to be saying something, but it’s where my heart is.

That’s it for me for now. I know your “grateful” list has a few things on it – tell me about it!

November Days of Thanks: Unexpected Grace

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For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11 KJV

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November Days of Thanks was a series I participated in last year on Instagram. Each day I shared a picture that reflected something for which I am grateful – family, fall, etc. I’ll be posting photos in the days of thanks campaign again this year, and I invite you to follow along. (You can access my Instagram account through the icon at the top of the page, or look for the widget in the right menu.)

Here on New Day this month, I’ll also be blogging the thankful series each week, offering thanks for blessings granted. Now I could never, EVER contain those to four blog posts, but I will use the space to reflect on what stands out most for me this year. I begin with this blog:

When you aren’t looking, life has a way of sending you down a path you may have never meant to take. I mentioned in last week’s post how faith writing wasn’t something I thought I’d be doing. Now, I don’t think I could see myself committing this gift to any other place. Here is where the fire burns for me. I have to write.

Without God appointment, I wouldn’t be able to write, anyway. I wouldn’t be able to do anything without His favor, His grace, which He generously gives to those who have open hands and a heart to receive. For me, grace is not often announced with balloons or loud party whistles, but as a soft, unexpected whisper. You have to be in position, within spiritual hearing distance, to discern His voice telling you to go. Then, when that seed is planted, take hold, make space for it to grow. Heed the grace.

I’m so thankful for this space, for the gift I’ve been given to express faith through words. It’s been a delight to meet such wonderful friends along the way.

But while I’m thankful for the gift, I must bow to the One who gave it. It’s His gift, His grace that’s bestowed, all so that His name will be glorified on earth as it is in Heaven.

What’s an unexpected grace you are grateful for?