Comments on: Where are they?

By: Seeker

Seeker — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:42:57 +0000

I am a Catholic, but my blog is very much a warts-and-all account of my life. Although I have my religion clearly marked, I do not fill my blog with solely religious stuff. I find though that, as far as Catholic bloggers go, I do not seem to be able to get any of them to read my blog. They apparently stick to the purely religious blogs!

I started my blog because, apart from my husband and 2 grown-up children (who live with us), I have no close friends who I can confide in, or who can do the same with me. I don’t care what religion other people are, as long as they accept me as I am.

I wish a very happy and blessed Christmas to everyone who reads this.

By: Kay Lutz

Kay Lutz — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:07:02 +0000

I received your blog information on Randy Peck’s Daily Blessing.
My immediate response was not to the lack of authentic blogs, but dealing with cancer. We supported our daughter, Julie, as she struggled with melanoma cancer that went to her brain and kidney. She lost her fight in Aug. 2007 at age 33. I can truly say that God intervened in our lives and gave us a peace that passeth understanding as we walked through those days. After her death I have struggled with “shoulda”s and I have to attend to something else to get out of doing that.

By: Melissa May

Melissa May — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 17:26:05 +0000

I totally agree that taking off the masks is so important… not just in our blogging, but in our LIVING! I read an amazing book called TRUEFACED last year that talks about that (and SO much more… I wish everyone would read it). I have the tendency to get passionate and jump on my soapbox, but have come to the conclusion that the only “preaching” I can do on my blog is when I’m preaching about the lessons God is teaching ME about my problems, etc. And it seems that everytime someone is encouraged because they’re struggling with the same thing. It’s such a lie from the enemy that any of us are the only ones dealing with ________ (fill in the blank) and we all so desperately need to know the truth and be honest with each other… on our blogs and every day of our lives.

Melissa Mays last blog post..Me and My Big Mouth : )

By: Susan Ramey Cleveland

Susan Ramey Cleveland — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:25:21 +0000

AMEN! Susan Ramey Clevelands last blog post..Charisma

By: Angie

Angie — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:36:08 +0000

Heather,

I recently started reading your blog, and I have cried, laughed, been blessed and convicted… so many things.

Your post today hits the nail on the head. Just this past week I wrote, “I need to stop putting disclaimers on my blog and not worry about appearing like I have it all together, because I don’t. I sin in my struggle. I place expectations on myself and others that aren’t healthy.”

Thank you for your candor and honesty. And happy Thanksgiving!

Angies last blog post..The Unthankful Heart…

By: Judy

Judy — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:53:52 +0000

I think I understand where you are coming from Heather. And it’s not just Christian blogs I feel that way about, it’s Christian fiction books. There is one writer I used to read all the time and stopped reading as much because her writing such pie in the sky writing I couldn’t relate to her anymore. It just seeme like everything was so perfect in her characters worlds. Everybody came to Christ, everybody’s marrige was good and they always got along, kids were always obedient and never disrespectful to their parents. I just really couldn’t relate to her anymore. So I think I understand where you are coming from. By the way, thank YOU for keeping things REAL! during your struggle with cancer. You had the courage to still keep posting during the toughest times and keep it real. And if you want to read another blog where she keeps things just as real with her pain and struggle dealing with a triple organ transplant baby, slip on over and try reading Ashley’s Journal@blogspot.com. I promise you Trish Adams keeps thing real.

By: Heather @ The Striving Wife

Heather @ The Striving Wife — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:26:34 +0000

I completely agree!!

About a month or so ago, I came to the same conclusion about my OWN blog! I felt like I needed to be perfect in ORDER to minister….. but that felt hypocritical… because really, I’m far from perfect.

So, I got real. And it was awkward at first. But… the response has been outstanding… you never know who’s hurting right along with you, as my last blog post (and subsequent comments) showed.

I’m a believer in being real! God uses transparency (or, translucency if that’s all you can do!!).

God bless what you’re doing, and keep on striving!

Heather

Heather @ The Striving Wifes last blog post..Striving for Faith… the Faith to Move Mountains!!

By: Coco

Coco — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:25:27 +0000

I’m one of ‘them’. And I see a lot of ‘distorted versions’ as one of your readers put it. It’s nice to see you recognizing the need for people representing Jesus to keep it real. Anything else, is so very nauseating, and a huge turn off.

By: Gayle @ thewestiecrew

Gayle @ thewestiecrew — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:06:04 +0000

I can’t take blogs that are only *preachy* either. I need to know we are on the same page or at least trying to be. I think the problem is that it ends up feeling like condemnation or something…I don’t know.

Whatever the case, I posted the other day about exactly where I am spiritually because I have nothing to hide.

Gayle @ thewestiecrews last blog post..All the rest

By: Marie

Marie — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:01:34 +0000

I don’t know what to say to that one except, has that person read your blog?

By: Sandy @ Jesus and Dark Chocolate

Sandy @ Jesus and Dark Chocolate — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:40:38 +0000

Great post Heather! I am pretty much a tell it like it is person, but I am also this positive, upbeat person…..So I tend to be very positive on my blog. I think your point is well taken…..after all we ALL have days that are just miserable! And this is part of life.
So let’s blog about it. :sideways:

Sandy @ Jesus and Dark Chocolates last blog post..The Great Outdoors

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:02:14 +0000

How can we be more real in our Christianity without “grumbling and complaning”…

Ahhhhh…..gotcha girl! Just wasn’t sure I understood. Now I really do – I frequent a few of those ‘perfect’ blogs and they always make me feel like the worlds worst mother! You won’t find anyone perfect on mine Thanks for the further explanation!

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:46:19 +0000

I did a blog post about my reactions recently;
http://blogs.oddsocks.net/ahunt/2008/11/16/lessons-learnt-at-a-market/

Amandas last blog post..Painting again

By: Robyn

Robyn — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:10:57 +0000

I love how Brennan Manning puts it in his Ragamuffin Gospel –

When I get honest, I admit I am a bundle of paradoxes. I believe and I doubt, I hope and get discouraged, I love and I hate, I feel bad about feeling good, I feel guilty about not feeling guilty. I am trusting and suspicious. I am honest and I still play games…”

Why do we as Christians insist on putting on unrealistic masks making following Jesus appear as an unobtainable path to this hurting World?

By: stephanie

stephanie — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:51:32 +0000

Well said! stephanies last blog post..A Little Bloggy Giveaway!

By: Fran

Fran — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:41:44 +0000

I can’t ever forget how deep in a pit I was and how beautiful our God is to redeem me and set me free. So….constantly keeping that perspective….”Lord help me to be a blessing to someone else.”

Excellent post Heather. And the new design is pretty cool too!
Hugs~
Fran

Frans last blog post..Think of something new….

By: Musings of a Housewife

Musings of a Housewife — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:38:48 +0000

Funny, and I usually feel like I’m TOO real in my posts. And not spiritual enough. But I know the type of post you mean. And you’re right. I does no one any good to pretend you’re perfect. Thanks for this challenge today!

By: Lena

Lena — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:28:27 +0000

This post reminds me about a post I wrote awhile back. I think it is so important to be real and honest with themselves and others. thanks for sharing this
http://lenatoews.blogspot.com/2008/11/slow-fade.html

Lenas last blog post..It’s Called Trust…

By: owlhaven

owlhaven — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:06:11 +0000

Thanks for sharing this, Heather. So true.

Mary

By: karla | looking towards heaven

karla | looking towards heaven — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:41:07 +0000

This is something I’ve tried to keep in mind as I write my posts.

I think that I have always been very transparent on my blog and even in my “about me” note on my home page.

My blog started as a journey through the muck that my life was wading through at the time.

Because basically, I am a Christian who falls her face regularly.

I’d love to send this writer a couple of links to my posts, lol.

xo~K

karla | looking towards heavens last blog post..Holiday Cards and Gift Ideas