I haven't done my daily devotional blog since 2013, but recently started it back up for the current study at my church. I'm asking that you swing on by and check out Let Me Not Wander and catch up on Philippians Study. I also encourage you to add your own commentary or questions on each of the verses.
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Post Number 1501
This is blog post number One Thousand Five Hundred One.
I didn't realize I had posted so many times to this blog. I started this blog September 2003, which means I have blogged, somewhat consistently for 9 years. I can't even believe that blogging has been around that long. It still seems like such a new thing to me.
While I've been on this blog, I've lived in Indiana, South Carolina, and Illinois.
I've taught at Faith Baptist Christian School of Lafayette, IN, Shannon Forest Christian School in Greenville, SC, Mauldin High School in Mauldin, SC, Blue Ridge Christian Academy in Landrum, SC, and Georgetown Ridge Farm High School and Mary Miller Junior High in Georgetown, IL.
In addition to teaching, I've been a truck driver at three different moving companies. I've traveled as far north as Connecticut and as far south as Miami. I've also been a janitor and a pastor (which are surprisingly similar) since I started blogging. I've made good money, bad money and no money.
I've seen my children go from tiny to one of them being as tall as me. We've encountered black widow spiders, scorpions, and poisonous snakes. One of my children had an encounter with a small hatchet. Shortly after that I had an encounter with a sharp piece of metal.
I've seen my wife suffer through the loss of two babies.
I've owned and sold hairless cats. I had a dog and had to give up that dog.
I've lived in 7 different houses since I started this blog. I've owned a few different vehicles and had to repair more than one of them. I've blogged about replacing the fuel pump in the same vehicle on two different occasions.
This blog started at a time when my marriage was barely hanging on. Since then, I've seen our marriage grow to a deeper depth of love and commitment than I knew existed when I typed my first post.
I had just turned 31 when I started blogging. Now I am 40 years old and have high cholesterol.
If I was really an ambitious blogger, I would put links up for each of these stories. But I am not an ambitious blogger, I just like to get on here when it crosses my mind or when I finish a book.
Two other bloggers that I started following from the very beginning and have kept up with since then are Rodney Olsen and Rick Boyne, both brothers in Christ. I appreciate both of their blogs and always enjoy reading what is going on in their lives.
Well, there it is. One Thousand Five Hundred One posts.
I didn't realize I had posted so many times to this blog. I started this blog September 2003, which means I have blogged, somewhat consistently for 9 years. I can't even believe that blogging has been around that long. It still seems like such a new thing to me.
While I've been on this blog, I've lived in Indiana, South Carolina, and Illinois.
I've taught at Faith Baptist Christian School of Lafayette, IN, Shannon Forest Christian School in Greenville, SC, Mauldin High School in Mauldin, SC, Blue Ridge Christian Academy in Landrum, SC, and Georgetown Ridge Farm High School and Mary Miller Junior High in Georgetown, IL.
In addition to teaching, I've been a truck driver at three different moving companies. I've traveled as far north as Connecticut and as far south as Miami. I've also been a janitor and a pastor (which are surprisingly similar) since I started blogging. I've made good money, bad money and no money.
I've seen my children go from tiny to one of them being as tall as me. We've encountered black widow spiders, scorpions, and poisonous snakes. One of my children had an encounter with a small hatchet. Shortly after that I had an encounter with a sharp piece of metal.
I've seen my wife suffer through the loss of two babies.
I've owned and sold hairless cats. I had a dog and had to give up that dog.
I've lived in 7 different houses since I started this blog. I've owned a few different vehicles and had to repair more than one of them. I've blogged about replacing the fuel pump in the same vehicle on two different occasions.
This blog started at a time when my marriage was barely hanging on. Since then, I've seen our marriage grow to a deeper depth of love and commitment than I knew existed when I typed my first post.
I had just turned 31 when I started blogging. Now I am 40 years old and have high cholesterol.
If I was really an ambitious blogger, I would put links up for each of these stories. But I am not an ambitious blogger, I just like to get on here when it crosses my mind or when I finish a book.
Two other bloggers that I started following from the very beginning and have kept up with since then are Rodney Olsen and Rick Boyne, both brothers in Christ. I appreciate both of their blogs and always enjoy reading what is going on in their lives.
Well, there it is. One Thousand Five Hundred One posts.
Must-Read Interview
The Guru's Handbook is an excellent teacher's blog that I have been following for quite some time. I am not sure when I first ran across this site, but every time something new is posted, the questions asked always spur me on to deeper thoughts.
Recently those questions were asked in a more direct fashion. That's right, blog readers, the must-read interview is an interview of ME!
The great thing about this interview, for me, was that it came right at the beginning of a new school year, at a new school. I was also jumping back into public education, after having spent the majority of my teaching in Christian schools. The questions that were posed really helped me to bring some solidity to several different educational/philosophical concepts that were forming in my mind.
All in all, the interview is worth a read, if not for my answers, then for an example of excellent questioning.
Go check it out! Read the interview here.
Recently those questions were asked in a more direct fashion. That's right, blog readers, the must-read interview is an interview of ME!
The great thing about this interview, for me, was that it came right at the beginning of a new school year, at a new school. I was also jumping back into public education, after having spent the majority of my teaching in Christian schools. The questions that were posed really helped me to bring some solidity to several different educational/philosophical concepts that were forming in my mind.
All in all, the interview is worth a read, if not for my answers, then for an example of excellent questioning.
Go check it out! Read the interview here.
New Records!
My blog has broken two old records. (For a person who hasn't completely abandoned blogging for the one-liner updates of facebook and the quick little pithy statements of twitter... this was slightly exciting.)
New record number of visits for one month: 1508
New record number of unique visitors in one month: 1304
Not overly exciting, but a little bit exciting for a dedicated blogger.
New record number of visits for one month: 1508
New record number of unique visitors in one month: 1304
Not overly exciting, but a little bit exciting for a dedicated blogger.
Thanks for stopping by...
I think that my blog is going to set a new record today. The record will be a new monthly high number of visits to this blog. The previous high was in October of 2008, when I had 1291 visits in one month. I think that I have already surpassed that for this month, but I want to really beat the record!
So, if you are reading this through a feed reader, stop on by!
Please say "hi" while you are here (via the comments).
So, if you are reading this through a feed reader, stop on by!
Please say "hi" while you are here (via the comments).
Comment Moderation
Well, I just had to turn on the comment moderation. I don't like to do that because I like the comments to show up right away. Especially if I am not going to be by a computer for awhile.
But yesterday I had several spam comments. Those are comments from people who really have no interest in your blog, but want to put up a link to their website so that they can get more publicity. So, when someone says "Hey love your blog." and then adds a link to Jordan Shoes... Yeah.
So I am now going to start moderating the comments.
But yesterday I had several spam comments. Those are comments from people who really have no interest in your blog, but want to put up a link to their website so that they can get more publicity. So, when someone says "Hey love your blog." and then adds a link to Jordan Shoes... Yeah.
So I am now going to start moderating the comments.
Harmless Thoughts
I just added the option to get Harmless Thoughts in your e-mail!
So, if you can't get enough of me, and you want to make sure you don't miss anything, then look to the left hand column and you will see a place to get e-mail updates.
So, if you can't get enough of me, and you want to make sure you don't miss anything, then look to the left hand column and you will see a place to get e-mail updates.
Blogger Template Designer
I finally tried out the Blogger Template Designer. It was easy to use, had great options, and it may have made my blog better! Well, I can't vouch for the content, but it looks nicer.
I chose a salt background because I am currently preaching though the Sermon on the Mount at Church. Here is a screen shot for all of you people reading through a reader.
Click on through and check it out...
Here is a little video for the template designer.
I chose a salt background because I am currently preaching though the Sermon on the Mount at Church. Here is a screen shot for all of you people reading through a reader.
Click on through and check it out...
Here is a little video for the template designer.
2nd Highest Month Ever!
This blog, which started in September of 2003, just reached its second highest month in its recorded history.
I switched from a different stat counter to Google Analytics early in 2007. Since I switched, I hit my record of 1291 visits in October of 2008.
I don't know why I am posting this.
1278 visits!
I switched from a different stat counter to Google Analytics early in 2007. Since I switched, I hit my record of 1291 visits in October of 2008.
I don't know why I am posting this.
I won!
Over at Challies.com, you can always find Free Stuff Fridays... At least you can on Fridays...
A couple of weeks ago I decided to start dropping my name in the hat to see if I could win something. This last time I won a year's subscription of Table Talk.
Tim Challies describes Table Talk:
I used the Church's address when I filled out the form, so our church is now getting a year's subscription.
Just thought I would let you know.
I won.
A couple of weeks ago I decided to start dropping my name in the hat to see if I could win something. This last time I won a year's subscription of Table Talk.
Tim Challies describes Table Talk:
Tabletalk is a tool that helps you grow in your knowledge of God and in your love for His Son and His people. Each month is packed with more than 60 pages of focused, practical Bible study and insightful commentary by today’s top Christian thinkers. Over the years, Tabletalk has been recognized for its excellence through several awards. Today, people all over the world read Tabletalk on a daily basis. The magazine is regularly found in seminary libraries and churches throughout the country. Many credit Tabletalk with helping them maintain a solid life of study and prayer.Here is a sample issue.
I used the Church's address when I filled out the form, so our church is now getting a year's subscription.
Just thought I would let you know.
I won.
Tweet!
I am tweeting my way through my night tonight. It's kinda fun.
Follow me... twitter.com/mattharmless
Of course, as I tweet, everything gets sent on to my facebook.
...
I am such a loser.
Follow me... twitter.com/mattharmless
Of course, as I tweet, everything gets sent on to my facebook.
...
I am such a loser.
Let Me Not Wander
I have a blog titled Let Me Not Wander. I know that most of you who check this blog already know that, but for those of you who don't know about this other blog, I would like to share a little bit about it with you.
I started that blog on April 7, 2005. My first post was on Psalm 119:10, which is the verse that was the inspiration for the title. In that first post I laid out what I was going to attempt to do with that blog. Well... 4 years later and I have to say that I haven't actually accomplished the goal that I was setting out for, but that blog has undeniably become a great tool in my life. There are many times that I will sit down with my Bible and read short and long portions of scripture, but this blog has forced me to dig deep into some of the simplest of verses and allow the Spirit to teach me through them.
I am now up to (I think) 490 posts. There are actually a few more than that, but there are 490 posts of a scripture with with some commentary. I make mention of this today for two reasons. One, because I have been reminded again lately of the importance of reading and digging deep into God's word. I really believe that. I believe that it has everything we need for life and godliness. I believe that it is the only book that is living and powerful. I believe that this book that we call the Bible is the very word of the Living God. And if I believe those things, then I believe that I must read it and dig deep into it.
Two, I mention this here on this blog because I want to invite you all to feel free to participate in my scripture blogging. I would love to have more commentary on that blog, more interaction with other people. I don't do it for that, but that adds to the enjoyment. Because, let's be honest, if you are any sort of a blogger yourself, the one thing that really drives your blogging is when you begin to feel like there is some level of conversation going on.
So, Check out Let Me Not Wander, and let me know what you think.
I started that blog on April 7, 2005. My first post was on Psalm 119:10, which is the verse that was the inspiration for the title. In that first post I laid out what I was going to attempt to do with that blog. Well... 4 years later and I have to say that I haven't actually accomplished the goal that I was setting out for, but that blog has undeniably become a great tool in my life. There are many times that I will sit down with my Bible and read short and long portions of scripture, but this blog has forced me to dig deep into some of the simplest of verses and allow the Spirit to teach me through them.
I am now up to (I think) 490 posts. There are actually a few more than that, but there are 490 posts of a scripture with with some commentary. I make mention of this today for two reasons. One, because I have been reminded again lately of the importance of reading and digging deep into God's word. I really believe that. I believe that it has everything we need for life and godliness. I believe that it is the only book that is living and powerful. I believe that this book that we call the Bible is the very word of the Living God. And if I believe those things, then I believe that I must read it and dig deep into it.
Two, I mention this here on this blog because I want to invite you all to feel free to participate in my scripture blogging. I would love to have more commentary on that blog, more interaction with other people. I don't do it for that, but that adds to the enjoyment. Because, let's be honest, if you are any sort of a blogger yourself, the one thing that really drives your blogging is when you begin to feel like there is some level of conversation going on.
So, Check out Let Me Not Wander, and let me know what you think.
Should Pastors Blog?
I don't know what you think, but here is an interesting post from the Desiring God blog. It is titled 6 Reasons Pastors Should Blog.
Here are the six reasons:
Here are the six reasons:
- ...to write
- ...to teach
- ...to interact
- ...to develop an eye for what is meaningful
- ...to be known
"It nurtures a habit of looking for insight and wisdom and value in every situation, no matter how mundane."He goes on to say that this habit can help you to become more aware of what God is doing in your life. I agree, even if you don't blog, it is a good habit to get into. I won't mention any more, just go read the article.
Twitter the Gospel?
The 9Marks blog wants to know if you can Twitter the gospel. It is an interesting challenge simply because Twitter only gives you 140 characters per "Tweet" (post). The idea behind the challenge is to see if you can accurately convey the gospel in those 140 characters.
My mind immediately jumped to a 140 character statement of, what I believe, is the Gospel in a nutshell, that is actually in the Bible! Can anyone think of it before I mention it?
If you would like to participate in this challenge, you can read more here at the 9Marks blog. To read some other thoughts about this little challenge, check out Josh Harris' blog, he posted about it as well.
To see my "tweet" of the gospel, just click here.
My mind immediately jumped to a 140 character statement of, what I believe, is the Gospel in a nutshell, that is actually in the Bible! Can anyone think of it before I mention it?
If you would like to participate in this challenge, you can read more here at the 9Marks blog. To read some other thoughts about this little challenge, check out Josh Harris' blog, he posted about it as well.
To see my "tweet" of the gospel, just click here.
What have I been blogging?
Lately I have been blogging through Genesis 1 on my Let Me Not Wander blog. Just before that I finished blogging through I Peter 2:1-12. If you haven't checked that blog out... Oh, c'mon! Check it out! I'll be honest, I am blogging about that blog right now because I am trying to acquire more readers! I can admit that.
I know I started that blog for myself, to help me to really dig deep in each and every verse that I read, but it is a little more fun and a lot more encouraging when you have readers participating. Maybe you don't like my commentaries on those verses, fine... come by and add your own commentary in the comment section. I am inviting that! I want to learn and understand these scriptures, and your input could be helpful. And maybe, just maybe, my input might be helpful to you.
http://letmenotwander.blogspot.com
I know I started that blog for myself, to help me to really dig deep in each and every verse that I read, but it is a little more fun and a lot more encouraging when you have readers participating. Maybe you don't like my commentaries on those verses, fine... come by and add your own commentary in the comment section. I am inviting that! I want to learn and understand these scriptures, and your input could be helpful. And maybe, just maybe, my input might be helpful to you.
http://letmenotwander.blogspot.com
I moved...
... my blog!
I hope that I will be moving soon, so I decided to go ahead and move my blog. The new address is:
http://blog.harmlessonline.net
I have owned this domain for the last two years. I have mostly used it for school, but since I am switching schools, I have decided to make it a little more personal. I will be changing the students.harmlessonline.net into a site for any students. I would like to include some links to some basic free tools that I have found. The teachers.harmlessonline.net would be transformed into a collection of links for teachers. I already have some on there, but I will need to do some rearranging. (Those sites might still be password protected for now...)
The old blogspot address will forward to the new address, but I don't know if you will continue to see me through any feed readers.
I hope that I will be moving soon, so I decided to go ahead and move my blog. The new address is:
http://blog.harmlessonline.net
I have owned this domain for the last two years. I have mostly used it for school, but since I am switching schools, I have decided to make it a little more personal. I will be changing the students.harmlessonline.net into a site for any students. I would like to include some links to some basic free tools that I have found. The teachers.harmlessonline.net would be transformed into a collection of links for teachers. I already have some on there, but I will need to do some rearranging. (Those sites might still be password protected for now...)
The old blogspot address will forward to the new address, but I don't know if you will continue to see me through any feed readers.
I want to blog...
I want to blog, but I am at a loss of ideas... I am at a loss of free time... and I am tired of the way my blog looks, which always eats away at my blogging inspirations.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)