"TIPS FOR A CHRISTIAN BLOGGER"

Good Evening to All!

Tonight is going to be a bit different. A good while back, I joined a "bloggers group" named "Faithful Bloggers" founded by Courtney. It is a wonderful group, and she has a lot of wonderful ideas. Every week, she posts a new topic idea for those who can't think of a topic to post. Every once in a while I take her up on that topic. I like to use my own, (or what I feel that God puts in my spirit) most of the time, but every now and then I will check her site just to see if her topic jumps out at me. This week's topic did.

Blog Prompt #45 of Courtney's asks "What three tips would we give a new Christian blogger?" There are so many types of blogs out there. Some look like they spend literally HOURS on their blogs, and others a shorter time. Some look like they do a lot of research and others mainly blog about their life experiences. That is what is so neat about blogging and reading other blogs. The diversity is endless.

Well, back to the topic. I KNOW that their are much better Christian blogs than mine, written by Pastors, or elders of a church, or their wives. I definitely am a far cry from being that knowledgeable about the Word of God. This brings me to my first tip: Pray before you begin blogging. You wouldn't be doing a Christian Blog if it wasn't in your heart to do so, so it would serve best if you would pray and ask God what HE wants you to blog about. Ask Him to show you, and He will.

My second tip would be: Be true to yourself. Don't try to be something you're not. I have said more than once that my extent is being passionate about the Word of God, and being a good "servant" by spreading His Word the best way I know how.

My third tip is: spend time on your post. Don't expect to sit down at your computer and whip it out in 30 or 45 minutes. If you truly care about what you are writing, you will want to make sure you get your information right by doing proper research. This takes time. I bought a book about blogging when I first started, and it said we shouldn't spend more than an hour on our post. I disagree. Granted, there is such thing as too much information, and I am SO guilty of that! It's like once I get started typing, thoughts just keep rolling in, and I don't want to stop.

The problem there is, I won't say most, but a lot of people don't like to process that much information at one time. If I were smart, I would break it down into two separate posts. I have tried before, but it seems like my thoughts run so close together, that if I don't keep going, my thought seems half finished. Needless to say, "don't use my blog as an example! LOL! I kid about myself and say that I write like I talk, and I talk too much. LOL! Keep your blog informative, yet at medium length.

Also, I would suggest to have more substance than just Bible verses. Include some personal testimony or commentary that will give a personal touch. That will help people get to know who you are as a person as well as your walk with the Lord.

OK, I know I've passed tip #3, but I'm just typing what God is putting on my heart to say. Check out other Christian blogs and reach out to the writers. I have made some WONDERFUL friends all around blogland, but I have a few Christian Blog friends who I can go to for advice on scriptures or ideas, and they have truly been a Godsend. Don't be bashful about reaching out. I have made some true friends by doing that. Not just in the Christian blog realm either.

Now I know Courtney just asked for three,but I had to go with my heart. Here is the last one. I suggest that you take your blog seriously. I may be "off base" here, but since this is my passion, I look at my blog as me doing my part as a disciple of Christ, spreading God's Word. Just as He told His original disciples to go into all parts of the world and preach the gospel, that is what I am doing with the exception of two things.

One- I am NOT a preacher, so I consider my blog "witnessing". Secondly I reach more people by with my computer than I do in person. I also witness to those I come in contact with if the opportunity arises, but I feel I do a much better job by blogging.

If you have a Christian blog, remember in God's Word, Colossians 3:17 it says, And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. This includes your blog, so make Him proud.

I hope that these have been tips that you can take with you and put to good use, because they have always worked for me.

Good Night To All and May God Bless!