It seems that I’m reading more and more thoughts from followers of Christ (and maybe those who aren’t) who are looking at the proper etiquette and attitude we should have towards blogging.
Brian McLaren said in a recent interview:
It’s way easier to talk than to actually do, and the people I respect the most spend less and less time critiquing and more and more time serving, loving, showing hospitality, listening, visiting, solving, caring, worshiping, praying, and so on.
I know for myself, I hope my blog shares more good than bad. I hope I’m writing for the common good rather than casting judgment or slinging arrows from afar. I hope my writing is amusing for some and causes others to think. I hope that the stories and thoughts I share preach good news to the poor, free the prisoners, give sight to the blind, release oppression and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. I know this isn’t a hard and fast creed of mine. I don’t double check what I write by these standards (probably even less so when it comes to politics) but I hope that some of these thoughts/standards/ideas become more fast and true when it comes to what I share here on my blog.
I started my blog back in 2005 originally as a way to share some of my thoughts/columns/writings I had after the death of my sister. The blog then developed into a cross between a place to share my weekly newspaper column with friends and family as well as a “link dump” in which I shared things I came across that I might have formerly e-mailed to a mass group in my address book (wish more people would take that route). Of course like all things, it’s evolved from that somewhat over the last 3 years.
It’s still a link dump at times (especially thanks to the automatic delicious link posts), its still commentary on how I see life and its a place where from time to time I share what’s going on in my world (although Twitter and Flickr have become the primary aggregates for that information.
Anyways….
I hope that this blog does more to show the good in people and ideas rather than the bad. I hope it holds to a generous orthodoxy. And I hope you still enjoy it regardless and you often walk away seeing things in a different light.
On that note, Tall Skinny Kiwi shares a poem he wrote back in 2005. (still trying to get back in touch with him for a podcast interview).
how shall we then blog?
with smile we publish glad tidings daily
with giggle we reveal our mundane humanity
with sigh we mirror the tragedies of broken people
with shout we send healing words through a keyboard
with bitten lip we offer more cheek to those who despise us
with double-take we acknowledge the publisher on the screen
with mumbling we paint mysteries with strange palette
with softened voice we offer answer from ourselves
with whisper we speak beyond ourselves
with twinkle we welcome past friends
to reawaken childhood dreams
to publish our journeys
to record our stories
to be noticed
to be heard
to point to
others
who
must
be heard also.
what standards do you try to uphold when blogging? what attitudes do you try to follow? what is challenging about it for you?
related ::
duncan mcfadzean :: blogging is not the solution
jesus manifesto :: brian mclaren – a new kind of ancient
tall skinny kiwi :: how then shall we blog
SSL :: first blog post
my links on delicious
my micro-blogging on twitter
my photos on flickr
Blogging is a writing outlet for me. First and formost, I strive to write about things that interest me and things I am passionate about.
Standards: The ideals I strive for in my writing include being truthful, ethical, real, and relevant. Furthermore, not writing something just because others will approve/disapprove.
Attitudes: On balance I strive to be positive in general but not being afraid to confront hypocracy and falsehood when I see it. At my best I am striving to seeking God’s wisdom to know what is appropriate.
Challanging: Trying to strike a balance with how much I reveal about myself. When in doubt, OI believe in the quote: “Discretion is the better part of valor.”
Blogging is a writing outlet for me. First and formost, I strive to write about things that interest me and things I am passionate about.
Standards: The ideals I strive for in my writing include being truthful, ethical, real, and relevant. Furthermore, not writing something just because others will approve/disapprove.
Attitudes: On balance I strive to be positive in general but not being afraid to confront hypocracy and falsehood when I see it. At my best I am striving to seeking God’s wisdom to know what is appropriate.
Challanging: Trying to strike a balance with how much I reveal about myself. When in doubt, OI believe in the quote: “Discretion is the better part of valor.”