Two years ago my younger brother and I came to the disappointing realization that the small regional newspaper we owned (The East Texas Tribune) was never going to grow into the media empire of our dreams. Bringing “World Class Local News” to East Texas allowed us to ekk out a tiny profit but our ambitions exceeded our abilities and a few weeks later we closed the doors.
Depressed at losing a creative outlet, I went to a bookstore to salve my loss by partaking in my favorite indulgence -- book buying. Wandering through the stacks of Christian works I stumbled across a small text on influence by Hugh Hewitt which I took home and devoured it in one sitting. I've mentioned it many times before but I can't praise the book highly enough. It was the type of vade mecum that I wish someone had given me my junior year of high school.
The entire book was amazing but it was the topic of Chapter 33 (Start and Maintain a Weblog) that gave me the answer I was looking for. That night I opened an account with Blogger, added my first post, and wondered if anyone would ever bother to read my fledgling blog.
Two years, 1,352 posts, and 33,254 comments later, I’m still asking that same question.
While my primary goal – to develop and present a distinctively evangelical worldview – has remained unchanged, I reaped other benefits that I’ve enjoyed enormously. As much as I love the exchange of ideas that this medium presents, I’ve appreciated the sense of community even more. I’ve met some amazing people over the past couple of years, some of whom I'll get to meet at the GodBlogCon later this week.
As I prepare for this exciting event, I've decided to use this week to highlight ten of my favorite posts. Although they many not be reflective of the best work I've done (I couldn't scrape together 10 posts for a "best of" list), they are, for one reason or another, among the favorite pieces I've written. Regular blogging will resume again next week and I intend to work harder than ever to be worthy of your time and attention.
As always, I invite your comments and suggestion for how I can improve. Let me know what I can do differently, do better. What should I be focusing on? What should I do more of? Less of? How is my blog’s layout, my writing style? Any and every criticism and suggestion is welcome. With your help I’ll make next year even better than before.
Thanks again to everyone for all that you’ve done.
1
As a long time reader I just wanted to say that I've enjoyed this blog immensely; you've managed to engage your readers whatever side of the fence they're on. In particular, you've helped me view the news in a wider perspective.
Input? Uh...layout-wise, the white on grey looks a little boring, I guess? I shouldn't be up at this late hour.
posted on 10.10.2005 2:46 AM2
I was in east Texas this weekend chaparoning a Jr. High retreat outside of Tyler. (Yes, God did amazing things among the kids!) I was cut off from all news, so didn't hear about the Texas/OU game or the earthquake in the middle east until I got back last night.
Your paper would have been much welcome, Joe.
posted on 10.10.2005 7:31 AM3
I was in east Texas this weekend chaparoning a Jr. High retreat outside of Tyler. (Yes, God did amazing things among the kids!) I was cut off from all news, so didn't hear about the Texas/OU game or the earthquake in the middle east until I got back last night.
Your paper would have been much welcome, Joe.
posted on 10.10.2005 7:32 AM4
S.F.A.S.U. in Nacogdoches Tx. was my alma matre. As I was thinking of some helpful advise, removing this picture of Ann Coulture comes to mind . . then leaves . . . then comes back again about every three seconds. She is beautiful and makes a great standup comedian for a conservative commentator, but the ad is too much. Regarding you commentary, I would suggest also alternating your theological, political, scientific, and philosophical material a bit more. They seem to come in clumps.
Keep up the good work!
5
Congratulations on your 2 years, and many more to come. I appreciate the breadth of topics and the way you insert your faith into the culture at large (and vice-versa). It reminds me of the Mars Hill Tapes.
I also enjoy the way you have people both inside and outside the faith going back and forth in your comments. They're amazingly civil for such a diverse group. It's a good inspiration to do likewise in my daily relationships.
Keep up the GOOD work
6
Happy blogday Joe.
I think I understand a bit better now why you have been frustrated with criticism.
Your admiration for Hugh Hewitt makes sense now, it appears from what you've said above that some of his work came along at a critical time in your life.
Keep up the great work, I'm glad you get to meet one of your heroes this week.
I hope Hewitt has the wisdom to step off any pedestal you would ever put him him on and encourage you in your unique gifts and passion.
You've done a lot for blogging and I've no doubt you have a lot more to offer. Looking forward to your next year.
All the best with your conference, have fun and blog on!
7
As always, I invite your comments and suggestion for how I can improve. Let me know what I can do differently, do better. What should I be focusing on? What should I do more of? Less of
It's your blog after all, so do what you will, take this for what it's worth, but less recycling of old posts wouldn't hurt...
posted on 10.11.2005 8:22 AM8
we are less privelage in the soceity we are suviving by the special grace 0f God . PLS sir we need ur assistance in any way. As you do that may God bless you. from christian youth organization Nigeria.
posted on 10.15.2005 10:57 PM9
Whatever happened to just reading the bible? I guess theres too much wisdom and understanding in that for some of us. We have to turn to the internet like Jesus did. Oh well, whatever.
posted on 10.17.2005 11:51 AM10
Joe,
Before this thread passes into the history books, one quick comment. I respect your policy of forbidding foul language
and racist comments. For the most part people abide by it and it
only enhances the blog in general. Sometimes I get the impression that you are too busy writing new material to moniter what is going on once a thread gets long. If it it were my blog, I would have not let certain way over the top comments go by unchallenged.
For a recent example: When a friendly old man is being berated and made fun of for his lack of education, then, in my opinion, at it time to remind the person doing it that this is more offensive than foul language (and that foul language is still foul
even if you delete a letter or two).
You may lose a few loyal readers, but in the process
you will gain many more.