Opportunity - Thankful Thursday

I realized the other day that blogging has opened up opportunities to me that I would never have been able to have otherwise:  I have met wonderful women and formed precious friendships.  Recently I also was asked to do a guest post, a first for me.  I have been blessed with a support system that is critical for me.  Experience in writing on a more professional level and learning about topics that I am passionate about is another benefit. Obviously blogging is not the reason for all of this but only the means.  God chose this avenue to fill holes in my life that were always blaringly apparent to me. And for this I am so thankful!

I have also seen and known women who have gotten a job, started a business, and become the basis for a movie because of their love for blogging.  Would you please share with us what opportunities have become open to you because of blogging?  I'd love to hear all about them!

For more Thankful Thursday, please visit Spiritually Unequal Marriage.

Faithful Bloggers Show #4 - Sarah Mae from Like A Warm Cup of Coffee

We're back!  Yay!  As many of you have heard by now Kelly's and my hosting account got hacked and it affected all of our sites including Faithful Bloggers.  After a lot of hard work we got everything straightened out and we are ready to roll once again. To start things out this week we have a great podcast for you.  Kelly and I were able to chat with Sarah Mae from Like A Warm Cup of Coffee.  Sarah Mae was such a joy to speak to.  I know you will love this interview and the chance to get to know Sarah Mae a little better.

Meet Karin

We hope you enjoyed last week's "get to know you" with Debbie.  This week we are featuring Karin from Flickers of a Faithful Firefly.  You already know a little bit about Karin from her guest post a couple of weeks ago entitled Think Before We Tweet.

Tell us a little bit about you and your family. My husband and I live on twenty acres of beautiful land in rural Manitoba with our dog Faith and various barn cats.

Would you share a little of your testimony with us?

One evening as I sat at the computer, in my Chicago suburban home, an internet message came through from a stranger, not unlike most I'd regularly receive, asking for basic info, simple questions.  I stopped what I was doing, and asked a few basic questions of my own. The info he provided included the fact that he was in a very committed marriage, satisfied with his life, and a Christian. We began chatting online. He warned me that somewhere along the way he'd try to save my soul. I took it as a joke, and a challenge.

I had lived 43 years, with no sense of a higher power in my life, no belief, living one day at a time, for that day only.   After this internet contact I found I was stuck in the middle, I couldn't believe and I couldn't return to my life of non-belief. I spent sleepless nights, trembling beneath blankets, asking God for comfort, and for signs. I couldn't hear Him telling me that faith means believing in what you cannot see and cannot prove. I wanted to say the prayers asking Jesus to be my savior; in fact, I did recite the words, but wasn't sure if I could feel them. I didn't want to be a hypocrite, wanted to be sure. It was faith I lacked, and didn't hear Him telling me "just ask and I will teach you all you need to know. Hear me, believe me, accept me, and you'll receive all the help you need."

I thought I needed to be perfect before I came to God. But then I took that giant leap of faith that God had been requesting all along.  On a long car ride home from work one evening, I spoke aloud to Him, confessing that I could never be good enough on my own, I knew that I needed Him to shape me, to set me on the right road. I thanked Jesus for all his sacrifice on my behalf, and asked Him to be my Savior. I continued talking out loud, not so He could hear my words, but so that I could better hear them. And I knew He was there in my car with me, knew then that He had always been there with me, waiting with astounding patience for me to merely come to Him and ask.

When I opened the door to Jesus, His light flooded me, pushing into even the emptiest corners.  And the heart that I didn’t know was there has been swelling, expanding, and growing larger with each day.

The following spring, through divine design I met a man of His choosing and followed His leading to Manitoba, Canada.   When we married we knew that God must always be the center of our relationship and our lives.  Without really knowing much about this country, God has truly placed it upon my heart, giving me an unexplained passion to see Canada arise to fulfill her destiny as a healer to other nations.  Each time I question how I ended up here, I am uplifted and restored by His Word in Esther 4:14: “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this”

My hunger for God and desire to be molded by Him and not this world has continued to grow ever stronger.  My desire is to be totally surrendered and radically obedient to His calling.

Why did you start blogging?

I began my blog when we returned from a short term mission trip as part of a global build team for Watoto Childcare Ministries in Uganda.  I had experienced so much I was bursting to share.

How long have you been blogging?

I began my current blog in January 2008.  Prior to that I had maintained various other websites but not with the same regularity. What are your favorite things to blog about? Why?

I enjoy blogging about the ways I see God at work, in the lives of those around me, in nature, in my marriage and in my own heart. I always pray that my words encourage and spur on others to listen to the voice of God.

Please visit Karin at Flickers of a Faithful Firefly.  For more Say it Forward stories, visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Support – Thankful Thursday

Last week I shared how I was so grateful for the friendships I have made through blogging.  It amazes me how many new sweet friends I continue to make.  This week I want to share how blessed I am to be supported in this so-called "hobby" of mine.

My husband has always given me encouragement and sage advice when it comes to blogging.  He doesn't quite understand the attraction that blogging has but that does not matter to him.  The joy and delight I get from it spurs him on to supporting me in my online endeavors.

It is rather awkward to talk about blogging with someone who does not "get" just quite what blogging is.  Recently I was on a flight and the gentleman next to me snickered when I told him I was flying to a blogging conference.  "Really?" he said. "Can't you guys just sit around at home on your computers and hold a tele-conference?"  I tried to explain to him how important it was to group together and have that support once in a while.  To be in a crowd that knows why you do what you do.  It wasn't only until he saw on his Blackberry that some people make livings off of blogging that his smirk left his face.

So on this Thankful Thursday, I encourage you to thank God for those who support you in blogging.  What are you thankful for today?  For more stories, visit Spiritually Unequal Marriage.

God is a God of Order

When Kelly and I interviewed Debbie Pendell she made a statement that has really stuck with me.  God is a God of order.  1 Corinthians 14:40 tell us "Let all things be done decently and in order."  The phrase here I think is "all things."  Not just our homes, not just our Bible study time, not just our prayer time, not just our homeschooling times, but at all times in all situations. And of course, we should keep order in our blogs too. How can we stay organized and keep things in order on our blog?  Here are some tips that I think might help.

1. Create a blogging schedule - In Open Office Writer I created a very simple document with 7 columns, one for each day of the week.  I then created a row for each of my blogs.  I then printed out several copies of the table I had made.  Each week I fill in the blanks for each day according to each blog about what I will post about that day.  By doing this I know what I am going to be writing about and I don't send all of my time brainstorming a topic the day of.  Of course, things happen and inspiration may strike and throw you off your schedule very once and while, but that is ok.
2. Clean up your sidebar - Does having a ton of buttons or ads on your site make your blog look cluttered and orderly?  If it is important for you to support your bloggy friends by displaying their buttons and/or badges try creating a friend page and listing the buttons there instead of your sidebar.  If you only have one sidebar and it is becoming too cluttered, try changing to a theme with 2 sidebars.  The less cluttered your sidebar looks the more professional it will look and easier to read and navigate.
3. Keep your plugins and Wordpress installation up-to-date - Obviously this does not apply to those who are using Blogger, but if you are using the Wordpress blogging platform, make sure you keep up-to-date on plugin updates and Wordpress installation updates.  Not updating Wordpress or a plugin can create security problems and eventually lead to larger problems.
4. If you review products and/or host giveaways create a spreadsheet - Creating a spreadsheet to keep track of product reviews and giveaways will help save you time.  It will help you to stay on top of the things that need to be done and remind you to pick giveaway winners when needed.  Product reviews can spiral out of control quickly so it is important to create a system to keep up with them all before you even get started.

How about you?  Do you have any tips on how to keep your blog organized and in order?

Remember Proverbs 16:3 tell us, "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established."

Faithful Bloggers Podcast #3 - Interview with Debbie Pendell

Today we have a great podcast for you.  Kelly and I got a chance to speak with Debbie Pendell from DebbiePendell.com who is a professional organizer and home economist.  Debbie gave us some great advice about balancing blogging and family life and evaluating our prioritizes.  You can also find Debbie on Twitter as @debbiependell.

Debbie from Heart Choices

Our very first Featured Member here at Faithful Bloggers is Debbie from Heart Choices. Debbie is our top commentor and we are so blessed by the comments she leaves.  Please read on to learn more about Debbie:

Tell us a little bit about you and your family.

Hi, I’m Debbie Petras.  I live in Phoenix, Arizona and have been married for almost 25 years to my husband Greg.  I was born and raised on Long Island, New York.

I was a very sickly and sedentary child because I was born with a congenital heart defect before open heart surgery was very advanced.  I know I’m showing my age but that’s OK.  Eventually, the surgery was performed when I was seven years old and I’ve been healthy ever since.

I became a nurse and worked for 25 years as a cardiovascular nurse specialist in a variety of healthcare positions including Intensive Care, Cardiac Rehab and cardiology practices.  I left nursing and have been working with my husband for the past few years in technology startups.

I was unable to have children but enjoy spoiling my nieces and nephews.  Greg and I dealt with many years of infertility issues.  For 8 years, I served as a children’s leader in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) teaching little 3-5 year olds.  I believe this was a gift from God who never forgot my desire for children.

Would you share a little of your testimony with us?

I prayed to receive Jesus when I was seven years old.  The pastor’s wife took me for a ride prior to my open heart surgery to make sure I knew where I’d go if I died.  I understood and desired that relationship.  However, I had some wild years when I wasn’t living for the Lord.  About 16 years ago, I returned to church after attending my grandmother’s funeral.  She was a very godly woman and I just felt the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart.  Since that time, I’ve grown in my faith and I love the Lord more than ever.  I guess the difference now is that He is Lord of my life and not just my Savior.  I want to allow Him to work in and through me to reach others.

Why did you start blogging?

I began my blog Heart Choices in March of 2007 but only published 10 posts that entire year.  The reason I started blogging was to learn more about the internet and social networks because of the work I was doing with my husband.  It really wasn’t until the latter part of 2008 that I began to post on a regular basis.  At first, I thought I would write about heart health related issues because of my nursing background.  But I soon realized that physical health was only a portion of heart health.  And that’s where my faith came into the picture.

The focus of Heart Choices became …your day to day choices determine what your tomorrows will become.  These choices impact your body, soul (mind, will and emotions) and your spirit.  I can’t help but share my faith but I also welcome ALL people to Heart Choices.  I don’t mind discussions and different opinions but I always request that they be respectful.

How long have you been blogging?

I guess I already answered that one.  It took quite a while before anyone commented on Heart Choices and I was so excited when people began to follow.  But I always try to remember that it doesn’t matter so much about the numbers.  If there’s only one person who needs to hear my message, that’s OK.

What are your favorite things to blog about?  Why?

• • Faith – most important in my life
  • Health and fitness – establishing a healthy lifestyle is so important so we can be about the work we’ve each been called to do
  • Thankful Thursday – I love having one day a week to focus on all I’m grateful for
  • Family – I’ve found several new relatives through my blog
  • Friendship – I love meeting new blogging friends all over the world
  • Lifelong learning – I love to continue learning and reading no matter how old I am.  I enjoy participating in memes and writing on weekly quotes for In Other Words Tuesdays.

Come back next week to learn more about another Faithful Bloggers member.  Also, visit Say it Forward over at Five Minutes for Mom.

Bloggy Friends

I have made many friends while blogging. Some are casual friends, some are getting to know the "real me."  Had I not started blogging, I would not know a huge majority of those who make up my circle of friends.

Have you ever written a post that you knew was controversial? I have. I am usually pleasantly surprised when the comments come in. Yes, some are negative and mean. Oftentimes I find that there are many other like-minded souls out there who support me in the words I shared with the world.

As women we are socially minded. We are nurturers of relationships. We crave conversation with friends.  Some of us may not normally be privy to such interaction if it wasn't for our blogs.

What about you? Have you met your friends through blogging?

Visit Thankful Thursday here.

What a blessing!

Christian Ad Networks

Last week I wrote a post about affiliate marketing and Mary from The Writer's Block left a great comment and question.  Instead of just answering her question as a comment, I though I would just do a post instead. Her comment and question:

I have a question about Google ads. I have that on my blog. Since I blog about Christian themes, occasionally, Google ads will post “Christian-related” ads. Well, I clicked on one of these one time. I had some serious issues with the theological and doctrinal slant of this “church.”

So, I put a disclaimer on my blog, saying I do not necessarily endorse the theology represented in those ads. Is there any way to filter the Google ads? Any other ideas of a good way to handle this?

Yes you can filter ads on Google Adsense.  However, it is only on a domain by domain basis.  You have to actually list the domains you want to ban from being displayed on your site.  This can be very time consuming as there could literally be thousands of sites you would want filtered out.

Something you might consider using instead of Google Adsense is a Christian based ad network.  I have not actually used any Christian ad networks but a quick search on Google gave me a few results and places to check out.  I have listed a them here:

1. Christian Ad Network
2. Faith Ad Net (I actually applied for this one but haven't heard back yet.)
3. Christian Web Ads
4. Cross Ads (I applied for this one too)

Let me know if you apply to any of the networks listed and let us know how your experience with the company goes.

Faithful Bloggers Podcast 2 - Introducing LeeAnn

In today's podcast Kelly and I chat with LeeAnn from Encouragement is Contagious.  LeeAnn has such an awesome story about how she started blogging and how the Lord showed her the way to do so.   LeeAnn is truly an encouragement to all

Think Before We Tweet

When I participated in the A Woman Inspired - Online Ministry Conference I learned much about social networking. I spend more time checking Facebook and Twitter now, perhaps too much time, but that's an issue for a different post.

What's been on my heart today is how quickly we expose ourselves with little "tweets" and "status updates". When we hit the keyboard we somehow seem to think we're just sitting talking with a few friends. I sensed the Lord saying "Don't you realize the world is watching? When your fingers type, your tongue speaks"

I felt led to dig into what the Word has to say about the "tongue":

"The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly." Proverbs 15:2 NIV

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21 NIV

"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." James 1:26 NIV

When we call ourselves Christians we are representing our Lord in all that we do and all that we say. Jesus has called us to be "in the world" but not like the world. We are different, marked by His seal and changed by His love. If in anger we type off a nasty remark, do we sound like Jesus? When we type words of fear, seeing the worst possible outcomes in our situations, do we sound like a people who have faith in a God who holds our future? Shouldn't we instead be typing light into the darkness?

I pray to be like the psalmist David, the one God called a man after His own heart, who wrote: "My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long." Psalm 35:28 NIV

May all of our words, (whether they be thought, spoken or typed) bring glory to the only One Who is worthy of glory and honour and praise. May our words offer salt to lives that have lost their flavour. May our words offer the hope of living water to a thirsty world. As people peek into the little snips we leave online, may they a see a clear reflection of the One Who calls us His own.

**************************

Today's post was by guest contributor, Karin.

Karin (HisFireFly) is a sold out disciple of Jesus Christ learning more each day what it means to abide in Him.   She desires to walk in radical obedience to His voice and prays that her life brings glory to The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.

Karin and her beloved husband live in rural Manitoba with their dog Faith and various barn cats on 20 beautiful acres the Lord has provided for them.

Stop by for a visit at Flickers of a Faithful FireFly where Karin blogs about Jesus, love, prayer, and life in rural Canada.

Photo credit:

Shane Fullwood / CC BY 2.0

Freebie: Christian Twitter Backgrounds

Today Faithful Bloggers officially opens the doors to our new Free Resources Center!  The first resource we created for our readers are free Christian Twitter Backgrounds.  There are 8 backgrounds to choose from and each background is based on a Bible verse.

Here is a sample of one of the backgrounds:

All of the Twitter backgrounds can be found here.  I have included installation instructions with each background but if you need any help, please let us know via the contact form.  Also if you would like to have the Twitter background customized with your name, blog name, or blog url we can do that for you for a small fee of $5, please see this page for more details.

I hope you enjoy these backgrounds!  There are more great free resources coming soon in the future.

Faithful Bloggers Podcast #1

Kelly and I are ecstatic to announce the start of a new weekly feature here at Faithful Bloggers - a podcast!  We have great things in store for the podcast including some great interviews with other Christian bloggers and online entrepreneurs.  This first podcast is just Kelly and I letting you all know a little more about ourselves, why we started Faithful Bloggers, and what we have in store for the site. This is Kelly and mine's first time to ever do a podcast and it is evident in our first try but it was  lot of fun to do and we are looking forward to doing more.

Do you have a podcast on your site?  We would love a link and any suggestions and/or tips you my have.

Using Your Blog for Good

Reasons for blogging are varied depending on who you ask. Some blog to help build their businesses, some for monetary gain, while still others blog just because they like to write. As Christians we are called to do good in all things – “Trust in the LORD and do good. . .” –Psalm 37:3a -  however I will specifically be talking about how we can benefit others through blogging. I will be covering for areas however there are many more ideas that are included in this scope. Do not limit yourselves but be creative on how your blog could be used to shine for Him. I encourage you to seek out His guidance through prayer and to discuss with your husband before you jump into anything. I bring this up because some avenues of serving through our blogs may be very involved. Do not over commit.

Speak out on a certain subject

Whether it be on food allergies, addictions, personal struggles, share with your readers and guests what you have learned. There are times when I have personally benefited from those who have taken the time to research and share on their blogs on certain topics. Two of my children have issues with food allergies. I do not personally have the time to weed through every bit of information out there yet I am able to pick up knowledge from those who have “been there, done that.”

This extends beyond health issues. If you are great at recovering a couch or chair why not make up a blog post tutorial replete with photos? Do you homeschool a child who has problems learning to read? Share in a blog series what has worked and has not worked for that child. What about cooking? Share recipes!

Other ideas might be:

Crafts (with fall and Christmas coming up, now is a good time to share those “how to” tutorials!) Baking Gardening Blogging tips For older women I cannot stress enough how much being a Titus 2 woman and sharing your wisdom with younger wives and mothers is a must. Blogging is a perfect avenue for this.

Get involved!

There are many lovely ministries set up today. One way you could help them out is by writing about them. You could become a Compassion blogger, or write a post about ministries that seek to serve. This must be done with careful and prayerful consideration. Search out the ministry fully before you advocate it on your blog.

Feature Others

Many of us remember what it was like to start up our blogs. There are many new bloggers out there who just do not know how to start. Showcasing them in a blog post would be a way to bless them and introduce them to new friends.

If you see a blog post that has touched your life be sure and share it in a link. I often see links to posts by “popular” bloggers but it would be wise to search out those who may not be considered “A-list” but still have words of wisdom that are just as beneficial. Cliques are rampant in blogland just as they are in real life. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by what you find if you take the time to look outside the box.

Speak in Love

Lastly, always write in love. I know I seem to write this often on my posts for Faithful Bloggers but I feel it needs to be stressed. There are rampant instances of petty quarreling and hateful words thrown about by women bloggers. Remember who you are and to Whom you belong! We are called to shine, to be different. Doing good to others may be as simple as just being quiet and meek when others are yelling and shouting. People will notice and it will bring glory to Him.

Have any ideas on other ways to use your blog for His glory? Please share!

Photo credit: sraburton

I'm Thankful For Blogging

Thankful Thursday is a meme I have been participating in with my personal mom blog for sometime now.  It is a great way to give thanks to the Lord for the things He has done in your life, which is something we should always be doing. One thing I am very thankful for is blogging.  The fact that the Lord has seen fit to allow me the time and provided the tools to blog is amazing because there are so many of things I could be doing.  Having the opportunity the serve the Lord in this capacity just amazes me because it is something I love to do.

Another aspect of blogging I am thankful is the other Christian bloggers I have gotten to know.  The blogosphere has a great community of Christian woman and I am loving connecting with them.

Are you thankful for blogging?  What aspect of blogging are the most thankful for?

Thankful Thursday is hosted by Women Taking A Stand.

I'm Thankful For Blogging

Thankful Thursday is a meme I have been participating in with my personal mom blog for sometime now.  It is a great way to give thanks to the Lord for the things He has done in your life, which is something we should always be doing. One thing I am very thankful for is blogging.  The fact that the Lord has seen fit to allow me the time and provided the tools to blog is amazing because there are so many of things I could be doing.  Having the opportunity the serve the Lord in this capacity just amazes me because it is something I love to do.

Another aspect of blogging I am thankful is the other Christian bloggers I have gotten to know.  The blogosphere has a great community of Christian woman and I am loving connecting with them.

Are you thankful for blogging?  What aspect of blogging are the most thankful for?

Thankful Thursday is hosted by Women Taking A Stand.

Maintaining Honesty in Product Reviews

If you have been following the latest buzz in blog news, you know that honesty in blog reviews is a hot topic. “Disclosure.” “Integrity.” “Paid reviews.” These are all words that you probably read in articles that are written up concerning bloggers that review. This issue has reached to nationally known publications and is a topic discussed in every reach that social media has ventured into.

I have enjoyed doing product reviews for over two years. Reviewing has given me a new area of writing in which to learn and has provided me with some wonderful (and not so wonderful!) products I would have otherwise not been able to try. I personally never purchase a high-dollar item or kitchen appliance without reading reviews. I want to know how the product worked for people who have actually used the product and what their experiences were.

From a marketing perspective, companies that use bloggers to review their products are smart. Bloggers have a voice and while I will not speculate on exactly how powerful that voice is it is fair to say that when we post about a product, others will take notice. The problem comes in when those bloggers do not say “Hey! So-and-so Company sent me this product for free to review and this is my honest opinion.”

As Christian bloggers we are still to obey what God says concerning this matter: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16 NKJV We are to be honest and truthful in all things, even blog posts. Would you bother reading a blog in which you knew that the blogger was not being totally honest? Probably not. In turn, you need to realize God’s command to not lie applies to product reviews. Your readers should be comfortable knowing that what you say about a product is how you actually feel.

Here are a few tips when doing product reviews:

• Make sure to have a disclosure policy written up somewhere on your blog. Can your readers easily find it? If you need help with this, Disclosure.org has an easy, free process that will help you make up a policy.
• Don’t get caught up in the excitement. It is great to receive new things. Being able to share with your blog visitors why you loved a product is fun. But make sure that you write in a professional manner. Adding exclamation points after the end of each sentence is annoying and your readers will not take you seriously. Remember, they want an honest opinion not an infomercial.
• Say no. Make sure that before you agree to review something that you have the time for it. Too many products to review becomes overwhelming and you may not be able to give the time and attention to each review that is fair to the company who sent it.
• You will find that there will occasionally be products that you really do not like. In this case it is okay to email or call the company letting them know that you will not be able to review their product. That is okay. I have had to do this a few times because the product was not a good fit and to have given it a good review would have been dishonest.

What are your personal experiences in reviewing? Do you strive to maintain God's command to honesty?

Photo courtesy of rcade/ / CC BY 2.0

What Makes A Blogger A Christian Blogger?

What makes a blogger a Christian blogger?

Is it the the topic of their blog?  Do they have to blog specifically about religion or faith?  What about mom bloggers? Craft blogger?  Or even political bloggers?  Are bloggers only considered Christian bloggers if they tell their readers of their faith?

Here is my definition:

A Christian blogger is a blogger that puts God first in their blog.

There are many ways that a blogger can put God first in their blog.  And just because you may not see any faith related posts does not necessarily mean they are not a Christian blogger.  Of course if they are not writing about their faith it may not always be easy to tell.

What do you think makes a blogger a Christian blogger?

10 Ways To Pray For Your Blog

I am a firm believer in the power of prayer.  I keep a prayer journal and write everything I can think of to pray about in it.  It is so exciting to be able to cross an item off my prayer list because the Lord has answered it!  Prayer is one of the most important aspects of my relationship with the Lord.  I don't have any worries in my life because I pray and hand everything over to the Lord.  It is a very refreshing and thrilling feeling to know that my life is in the Lord's hand and that His will will be done. I also incorporate this same philosophy with  blogging.  I don't worry about my blog.  I don't get upset if I don't get the traffic I want or the opportunity I was hoping for.  I don't get caught up in the blog drama that constantly seems to be happening.  I pray for my blog.  I pray for my blog readers.  And praying makes all the difference in the world.

Here are 10 ways you can pray for your blog:

1. Posts and articles you write. Praying before you sit down to write a post or article can make the whole process go a lot faster.  If you feel you are being led by the Lord to write on a certain topic, the words just seem to come together naturally.  Just a quick prayer asking the Lord to give you the words needed is all it takes to make the writing process much more enjoyable and easier.
2. How you react and respond to comments. It is inevitable that you will get some rude and hurtful comments at some point in your blogging life.  Unfortunately not everyone understands where we as Christians are coming from and can feel threatened for no reason.  People sometimes leave rude and unjustified comments just because the can.  Whatever the reason for the undesired comment, take a moment in prayer before responding and acting upon the comment.  I response made in the heat of the moment maybe all it takes to destroy our testimony.
3. Advertisement or sponsorship. Before accepting any paid advertisements or sponsorships take some time to pray about it first.  By accepting their advertisement on your site you are referring your readers to them.  Make sure any advertiser you agree to sell ad space to holds the same values as you do.  Sure the money you can make is great, but does the ad or product align with your faith?  Would you be putting your testimony on the line by accepting the advertisement or sponsorship?
4. Product reviews and/or giveaways.  This could actually fall into the advertisement or sponsorship category.  If you are going to include product review and/or giveaways on your blog, pray before accepting the review offer.  Pray as your write the review and host the giveaway.  See if there is a way to incorporate the product or giveaway with your faith.  Most of all be honest and up front about any review or giveaway you do.
5. Your blog readers. Not only do I pray for more readers, but I pray daily that the readers I do have will find my posts helpful.  Readers are one of the main reasons we blog.  We want to be able to communicate with the world and blogging is one way of doing that.  Without the readers where would blogging be?
6. Other bloggers. We should encourage other bloggers even if it results in them becoming a better blogger than yourself. Praying for bloggers is one of the best ways to encourage them.
7. God's will for your blog. You may have a lot of plans for your blog, but if it isn't God's will then it probably won't happen.  Praying that God's will be done will bring our wills under His.
8. Partnerships. Before starting a partnership with another blogger pray about it.  Does the other blogger have the same faith and values as you do?  Kelly and I met on Twitter and were instant friends.  When we started discussions about starting this site together, I know we both spent time in prayer about it.  Of course over time and talking to each other over Skype and Twitter, it turns out we have a lot more in common than just our faith and love for blogging.
9. Ebooks, Special Reports, etc. Pray about any product or service you plan to offer to others. In the past I have started projects without praying and it was such a struggle to get everything going. The projects I have prayed about and felt the Lord leading me to do have been much more successful. I pray every step of the way from conception of the idea, to implementation, to any writings I must to do, to asking price, and marketing efforts.
10. Affiliate Programs. Affiliate programs are great ways to try to make some money on your blog.  Before you start actively promoting an affiliate product pray to make sure the product is a good fit for your blog.

Do you pray for your blog?  Are there any other aspect of blogging we should be praying about?

5 Ways to Share Your Faith

Have you ever sat down to your desk, pulled up the screen to write a blog post, and wondered “How can I share my faith through my blog?” Many of us have a sincere desire to write about the love our Father has for us and to inspire others towards seeking Him. How can we effectively do that?

Here are a few ways that may help you share your faith.

• Your Testimony – This is sure to kickoff lots of emotion. Your retelling of your personal testimony will produce a passionate post that will touch the hearts of your readers. Real stories always make for the best blog posts and how much better when those stories are all about how God came into your life.
• Changes God has made in you – Similar to sharing your testimony, giving your readers a look at how you have changed in your Christian walk will show them that you are more than a person behind a computer screen. I have often been able to relate to other blog owners when they open up and are transparent. People like to know that others have the same struggles. They desire to see that they can be changed as well.
• Devotion ideas - Have any ideas on how to use wisely that quiet time with God? Do you have that personal time at night, in the morning, or while the children are napping? What changes have you made to your time of Bible study and prayer that have allowed for more consistency? We all can learn from our Christian brothers and sisters and for those who have a hard time making devotional time a priority, this may give them the extra boost they need!
• Favorite Bible verses – What is your favorite Bible verse? Which particular Scripture has given you comfort when you need it? Perhaps a verse that you and your family are memorizing at the moment would be timely for someone else.
• Where you are stumbling? – Are you struggling and falling in any area? Share it! One of my most popular posts was about where I fall short as a mother. My readers could relate in my shortcomings and I got lots of comments about the fact that they had the same problems. At the same time, my visitors shared ways in which to overcome particular things and I was able to use those ideas. Being transparent, when used wisely, is uncomfortable but may yield eternal benefits.

How have you shared your faith on your blog?

Photo courtesy: ba1969