Happy 1st Anniversary to My Blog!

One year ago I took a risk. Stepping out of my private space and into the public arena, I declared “Today’s the Day!” With an energy inside of me that started all neurons firing, I published my first blog post. Today, one year later and 95 blog posts published, I’m amazed, no, I’m more than that, I’m energized, excited, and ready for year two.

True Story Ahead

The most exciting thing to me about this whole journey is that I know I’m living for God. I’m doing His will and purpose for my life. Oh, there’s more He’s asking me to do for Him, but I’m so glad this blog is a significant part of my calling.

I love communicating about God and what His desire is for us. He’s the beginning and the end of everything. I write to promote Him.

Saturday night I attended church after spending almost eight hours in my writer’s studio. What a joy to be able to engage with God all day long. Perhaps some people don’t understand that, but I’m telling you, God is amazing!!! His ways are the best for us.

My pastor, Jason Stonehouse, is preaching on making space for people and for God. His big idea this week is to, “Do something in the name of Jesus.” Meaning, we need to do something for the reputation of Jesus.

I realized that’s exactly what I’m doing with my blog.

Each time I write, I know I’m writing to glorify God by living out my calling for His sake, to bless others. In the process I’m blessed too. Now that’s what I call cool!

As Jason said, we can’t do everything for everyone, but we can do something in the name of Jesus. He quoted Andy Stanley, an author and pastor, which really resonated with me:

“Do for one what you wish you could do for all.”

I think that’s what each individual blog post is about for me. As I pray about my writing, I’m seeking to write about something in the name of Jesus, for His reputation. I am doing that which He’s called me to do.

I’m an envoy, a messenger for God. An envoy is someone who brings instructions and refreshment to those who hear (or read) the message (Proverbs 13:17). A trustworthy envoy brings healing (Proverbs 25:13).

That’s my hope. That the words I write and share with you will instruct you in the best way for you, to refresh, encourage, and bring healing to your heart, soul, mind, and spirit.

That’s a big hope, I know. But as my faithful spiritual mentor has instructed me recently, all gifts are from God, and He decides what gift(s) each person has. So, one gift God has given me is the gift of communication. Another gift He’s given me is encouragement. And yet another is the gift of instruction. All of these are for your strengthening, encouragement, and comfort.

I believe God gives me knowledge and inspiration that He wants me to share with you. The cool thing is He lets me write and speak in a way that’s understandable to us today. He allows me to be me.

So while another envoy may be delivering the same message to you, it may sound different based on that person’s personality, gifts, and life’s experiences. You see, that’s how God works.

Each person is gifted. Each person is fearfully and wonderfully made. God’s desire is that all may know Him and know Him to the fullest. His desire is that we love Jesus with our whole heart, whole soul, and whole mind. His desire, His will is that we will embrace the whole will of God, not just part of it. He wants us to be mature, not childish. He wants us to grow and develop. He wants us to become more like Him.

My job is to share what God’s will is, what it looks like, and how we can practically apply God’s Word to our lives today. How then shall we live God’s will in the twenty-first century? That’s what God is asking me to communicate with you.

What’s Next?

So what does that mean for the future? It means I’ll continue writing about God Himself. It means sometimes I’ll be sharing the harder things to swallow. Sometimes I’ll share the easier things to embrace. There’s always going to be things we need to refrain from and embrace. That’s called living wholly God’s way, which is the best way to live.

Now, besides that, I do have some cool things on the horizon specifically for my blog. I’m excited to announce that I have a very talented graphic designer who has agreed to design my blog branding. I’m not going to say when the new look will happen, so keep coming back, okay?

With that, I’ll also be changing email subscription services sometime later this year in order to enhance how I can communicate with you. My hope, drum roll please…is to offer something “free” to everyone who signs up to receive my blog posts via email. By the way, I’m still praying about what that free thing will be.

Finally, I will be updating a couple of pages on my blog. Nothing like a new year to refresh things, am I right?

Thank You

Thank you for journeying with me this first year of my blog. Thank you for letting me journey with you too.

May we continue to keep our eyes on Jesus. May we devote ourselves to His best for us. And may we journey down life’s path together, no matter if there is joy or sorrow.

Happy 1st Anniversary Readers! We made one year together!