blogging

BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN

/ revheff / 4 Comments


The blogging saddle that is.

Not that I dismounted the blogosphere entirely over the last six years. From 2020 through 2022 I switched platforms to my Idaho church site. But since retirement in 2023, my personal site has remained live on the web, but void of any new posts.

Why? A number of reasons.

One, a much-needed rest. At age 70 I welcomed retirement and the opportunity to put aside ministry demands–including writing.

Two, a big move. Jan and I left Idaho for good to return to the Orlando area. Time to prioritize connection to our kids, grandkids, and extended family.

Three, a new home. We didn’t bring much from the NW to equip our Longwood place. It took way more time than expected to settle in.

Fourth, a lost voice. I have lacked any inspiration to write. Honestly, until recently retirement thus far has left me feeling lost in other ways. I’ve searched to little avail for purpose and direction in this still relatively new season of life.

But lately, with nudges from a long-time friend (thank you Mark) and some reading resources, I’ve sensed revived motivation to mount up again and see where the ride might take me.

Many thanks to followers past and new ones yet to come who may hitch a ride with me along the way!

Just Heeding the Exhortation . . . Again

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shakespeareblog

I resisted blogging for a long time. Too much to do. Not worth the effort. Why bother? Then a deacon at OGC, long since relocated to another part of the country, did a Luke 18:1-8 number on me. He wore me down over time. I relented. I started a blog called “Late Bloomer Reformed.” Long story behind the title. I never regretted listening to John’s voice on this. After 500 plus posts I have seen the Lord work through blogging especially among the precious people I have the privilege to help shepherd.

Orlando Grace eventually upgraded its website. The blog made up an important feature of the homepage. I abandoned by blogspot personal blog and went “all in” on our church website. There I have camped out for years.

Now I’ve got a new provocateur in my life. He loves me and has a wonderful plan for my life. Last Thursday on our way back from our monthly gospel cohort meeting he asked me if I have a desire to write. “Absolutely,” I said.

He then proceeded to tell me in the concise and persuasive method I am coming very much to appreciate what I needed to do.

Get my own domain name. Check – curtheffelfinger.com.

Start blogging regularly on my own site and cross post to the church’s site and Facebook. This begins now.

Build up several years of writing reflectively about the things that matter to me in gospel living and ministry. How long might that be? Lord only knows.

Write and publish, Lord willing, in the future. I’d love to write a book entitled “The Peacemaking Church” someday, all things considered.

Very ambitious. Not sure about all of this. But I do now that God uses writing. More than one book has changed my life along the way for the better. I would like to make some contribution of a written kind before I check out of this world and go home to the next. Writing an article for Tabletalk Magazine got me hooked. I desire to do more, again, only if it pleases Him.

The first exhortation about blogging bore fruit. I wonder what will come from the latest. Let the journey continue. Thanks, Mike. This post I dedicate to you, my friend.