This week punched me in the gut with problems and issues that made me honestly think about throwing in the towel and quitting faith blogging.
I honestly had to do a gut check. Why am I blogging about faith? Why do I write? blessed me, however, with her simple post; and then Diana and Nicki and Sandra drove the message home. God loves me. I have something to offer even in my broken times. He wants to use bloggers to spread His love to the world.
Satan can cause my blog to malfunction; links to screw up; but I know God is in control. Then controversy hits and trying to decide what to do about a post that I don’t agree with; so, I decided to pray and approach the issue with love.
Abortion is wrong in my book period. It is murder. I understand sometimes women feel trapped by bad decisions, but there are resources out there for them. I agree with the mission of Christian-based Crisis Pregnancy Centers, and I believe that they are forthright in their mission statements on their blogs and pamphlets that they try to lovingly present alternatives to abortion by giving the mother incredible resources.
So through it all, I am going to hang on battle for Him. We have a lot to accomplish for Christ on our blogs; some of us want to encourage and uplift women; others want to edify and teach with in depth Bible studies; while others want to give us resources to become better wives and Christians.
I want to be a voice for those who want to share family-friendly book reviews and discussions about literature; along with great an uplifting Bible studies. I want to uplift women with quality posts featuring poetry, creative writing, and photography. I hope to increase my publication of posts when school resumes; right now, I am taking care of grandchildren and time is a premium.
Thank you everyone for your continued support and prayers.
Now on to our weekly linkup. First let’s meet your hosts:
Gayl at Words, Photos and Art
Blog/Facebook Page/Twitter/Pinterest/ Instagram/
Mary at Mary-andering Creatively
Blog/Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/ Instagram/Google+
Last Week’s Top Clicked
HOW TO TRUST GOD IN YOUR BROKENNESS
I love knowing that the Holy Spirit dwells within me and He is my #1 source for strength, even in my weakest and most forgetful moments.”
Week 1 – How to find the words to pray when you cannot find the words
Week 2 – How to trust God’s abounding Grace in deep waters
Week 3 – Is it important to teach our children about spiritual warfare?
My Favorite Post
Remember to grab your button if you have been featured:
Now, it is time to link up to the Literacy Musing Mondays hop!
Linkup Rules:
- Include a link back or the blog hop button linked to this hop on your posts.
- Link up the urls to your posts not to your blog.
- Please remember this is a family-friendly linkup. Although we believe in the right for adults to read whatever they want to read, we prefer to read wholesome posts that feature literature that edify and uplift families. We reserve the right to delete any posts that are not family friendly. We love all kinds of literature and genres including family-friendly inspirational romances, fantasy, or science fiction. We do not welcome any posts that feature excessive violence, sexual content, or any cursing. This rule also applies to book review posts that feature books that are not family-friendly. These posts will be deleted without notice to the blogger or explanation. While we believe in the right for all adults to read whatever they want, we feel our linkup is for family-friendly posts only. Thank you for understanding.
- We also want to be loving community by supporting one another. Please make a point to do this this week! Visit the two posts before yours and at least one other blogger’s post of your choice! I want to see lots of clicks on everyone’s posts. Remember it is also nice to follow them on their social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.
- Also note periodically I will send everybody updates on the linkup using your contact information you provided when you linked up. At the bottom of the notifications you will be able to unsubscribe if you do not wish to receive these notifications.
- Tweet about the link up too.
I am a digital web analyst by trade who has gained a small following in my industry for teaching other analysts and marketers how to present information and data more effectively to their stakeholders. I wish to produce content that will fasttrack analysts to presentation greatness, and analytics vendors to present their offerings better to analysts like myself. But, no one is really doing this in my industry and I worry that these content types and products would fall on deaf ears.
The devil tries to take us out slowly a little at a time until one day it’s all overwhelming. And we want to stop. But God. God stepped in. Prayers for you, and many blessings. So glad you linked at Blogger Voices Network!
KellyRBaker recently posted…Lose the Frustration: Discern Counterfeit Voices and Know God’s Voice
Mary, I’m so glad you are not quitting. Your blog and your linkup are a blessing to many. Speaking the truth in love and allowing others to do so is risky, but such is the Christian life. It’s a war and we can’t run from it.
I recently wrote a post on abortion and I had to go back and look at last week’s linkup to see if I had linked it here and if it was my post that had caused you so much grief. I don’t hold back when I write on my site, but always pause when I link posts that have the potential to be misunderstood or cause controversy.
While I think I understand Nylse’s point about deception, but I completely agree with you and Heather. As I said in my post on the subject, I believe abortion is the greatest evil of our times. I never want to be like the congregations in Germany who listened to the trains rumble by as they took victims to the gas chambers.
I have counseled and ministered to countless women who are were considering abortion and who had previously had abortions. I always do my best to minister God’s love and compassion in both cases, but I will not hold back from speaking the truth in love, including telling them that it is murder.
I have many friends working tirelessly in Christian Crisis Pregnancy centers and have never seen them show anything but love and compassion, as well.
Thanks for taking the heat. God is faithful and your rewards are eternal.
Donna Reidland recently posted…“10 Secrets to Finishing Well” July 18
I had no idea you were struggling. I’m sorry about that; I’d have prayed for you. Grateful you’ve decided to stay the course. The world — the KINGDOM — has a need for women who are brave enough to speak the truth and be true to their faith.
Much love and celebration!
Shelby, it just has been a really rough year; not just one week. A lot has happened and yes, all of it combined made me think about quitting. I am praying for revival of my writing spirit and trying to develop a new publication schedule. Thanks for stopping by.
Mary Hill recently posted…#LMMLinkup: Thinking About Quitting Faith Blogging
Your voice is needed and matters. I’m glad you are going to continue writing and sharing Christ.
Mary Geisen recently posted…Women Are Like That
Mary, thanks for your support.
Mary Hill recently posted…#LMMLinkup: Thinking About Quitting Faith Blogging
Thank you for all you do in sharing your voice and encouraging others. I’m glad God used others’ words to bless you and encourage you to persevere.
If I had a dollar for every time I am tempted to quit, I would be a gazillionare. I know you have been through a lot, but be assured you are not the only one. I have a friend who ran a prayer board and she is the hospital, she has been there over seven months. And I know people may not agree with me on everything I write, I don’t agree with abortion but I have seen children in bad situations, and there a lots of options besides that, I did agree that the whole person needs attention. we all make mistakes but He doesn’t and He is love and I am so glad He thinks I am worthy of it, I will share all I can, the devil won’t ever win unless we give in, no rhyme intended.
Mary – I am so proud of you for not throwing in the towel. I can see why you might want to. However, remember it isn’t about us it is about God and being obedient to him. If he wants you to write, I would say that is the best choice.
Although, I don’t like being in the middle of controversy we are sometimes called to be a voice. I am proud of you for using yours. I hopped over and read your comment. It was full of wisdom, love, and scripture. I believe your voice needed to be heard. It was an opportunity, not a mistake that this post was on your link-up. It got a good conversation going and truth was spoken.
In my own experience, I once jumped in too quick to voice my opinions on abortion and left a hurting woman even more shamed. I didn’t lead with love. I had to do a lot of backtracking to help her see God loves her and so do I – no matter what.
We all fall short. I have come to learn that leading with understanding, love, and recognizing we are not walking in their shoes is always the best plan of action. But the most important thing is being in tune with God’s desire for our conversation. It is so easy to judge first based on our history, beliefs, desires, convictions, and what we know. There is always more to the story.
Blessings to you,
Maree
Maree Dee recently posted…Are You Sure You’re Going to Heaven? – Grace & Truth Christian Link-Up
Maree Dee , thank you so much for your wisdom and support. We would not be a great community without women who bravely share and let God lead.
Mary Hill recently posted…#LMMLinkup: Thinking About Quitting Faith Blogging
Mary; I don’t think you should quit blogging and no its not because of the linkup.
When I wrote my post last week, I knew that many would not see my point of view, but I’m ok with that. I don’t think we all need to agree to be faith bloggers. The point in my post that is overlooked is the deception; I don’t think anyone needs to be deceived to make a right choice. Because we are humans with free will, we all have the capacity to make choices good or bad, with rewards or consequences.
Would anyone want to be deceived into doing what’s right? Does God deceive us to make us accept Him? Unfortunately once the choice in question is abortion then it seems the ends justify the means.
So keep blogging, don’t be discouraged. It was a hard post for me to write also.
nylse recently posted…Guest Post – Faith Don’t Fit
Nylse, I’m the one who’s brought your post to the attention of blog owners. I have clicked around your blog a bit and found lots of other inspiring messages. I have no doubt about your faith. And I appreciate that you are trying to clarify what you meant in your post, instead of just getting angry or defensive. But I think this will have to be one of those areas where “agree to disagree” is the only course of action.
I don’t think the process of how we make a decision about abortion is more important than what our final decision is. Sometimes, it’s not the thought that counts, but it’s what you actually end up doing that matters most. I personally would rather be “tricked” into doing the right thing (especially if it’s the biblical thing) than to do the wrong thing in my emotional distress and then regret it for the rest of my life. My mother was a teen mom who thought about aborting me. I’m glad she chose rightly, whether she was “tricked” into it or not.
I agree that God doesn’t deceive us into agreeing with Him, but He does boldly call us to do things His way. And He demands that we do things His way or risk the consequences, warning us of the very unpleasant, eternal consequences for sin and rebellion. If you want to look at how God does things, you can’t overlook this.
Let’s be real here … most women who find themselves unexpectedly pregnant were taking chances, contrary to God’s plan for sex in marriage, and they knew they could get pregnant. Should we be excusing abortion just to make it easier on them?
And I think many, many women in America see abortion as a right that they are very proud of and protective about (case in point: consider the “Thank God for abortion” float that was recently in a 4th of July parade. NYC, I believe.) Should we really be encouraging them in their proud rebellion against God’s ways?
It’s one thing to extend compassion and grace to a woman who is truly hurting and confused and tormented about an unexpected pregnancy, but it’s another thing to make excuses for abortion, to soften God’s Word, or to give those who are proud of their ungodly choices more reason to be comfortable with their ungodly choices.
Once again, I appreciate that you took the time to thoughtfully respond and to encourage Mary, even though she disagrees with you too. That shows a tender heart. But I hope you can see the dangers in softening God’s word to make others feel better. It is happening all over the country in so many areas, and it’s drawing so many away from biblical truth. And please know that I don’t like calling people out. I am a people-pleaser, don’t-make-waves kind of person. But with the many ways the Bible is being compromised in the world and even by churches, it’s becoming more and more crucial to take bolder, stronger stands.
When we stand and give an account for what we did and believed and taught, we will not stand before others. We will stand before God and give an account for what we did with His Word, with His Truth! Let’s help others find Truth so they can find hope and healing and eternal life in Him, instead of worrying so much about making them feel good about bad decisions.
Yes, I agree. We cannot soften our stance on abortion, but we can soften our hearts toward a woman who made a serious mistake. Pray for her, guide her to do the right thing; which in this case, we both agree is to keep the baby and not to abort it. We draw the line at killing innocent children. Two mistakes do not make right; they lead to serious, life changing consequences. If women go to Crisis Prevention Centers they should read the brochures or visit the website first to make sure that they align with their belief system. I belief Christian Crisis Prevention Centers exists because the people who establish them sincerely hope to help the woman and give her resources to help her keep her child; not to make her feel guilty because she may want an abortion. The people who work there simply want to show life-giving alternatives for a woman facing a crisis pregnancy.
Mary Hill recently posted…#LMMLinkup: Thinking About Quitting Faith Blogging
Ladies, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I never said I was pro-abortion so that was never my issue. And I neglected to say they are CPCs that have done some good, but not all have and that is my point. Don’t trick people, don’t compound an error. Let women come to a conclusion – I feel most would come to the right conclusion if we weren’t so gung-ho on preventing the abortion, but rather listening and hearing where they are. (And I know this can be proven or disproven by statistics). Obviously, not all will make the right choice but I do think that’s between them and God. Do all you can to help honestly, lovingly, with great support. It’s a fallen world we live in. So Christians, as they are led, should be bright lights but not with deception. There are many ways to be a bright light.
Obvously it would be great if a woman never chose to have an abortion. It would be great if there were no sin in this world. On top of all of this – God knows. He knows that woman, and he can meet her right where she is. He knows all the sins that we are capable of and he is not shocked. He died for her too.
nylse recently posted…Guest Post – Faith Don’t Fit
Nylse, Thank you for trying to explain what you meant. I can see that you have a real heart for these women who are struggling. And to be fair to you, you never did say you were pro-abortion. But saying that abortion is never addressed in the Bible makes it seem you are saying that it’s still an option because “God never talks about it.” It’s misleading, especially since God very much talks about the value of life and about being the creator of life. (I personally don’t think He had to clarify “abortion” when He already addressed life itself. That is all-encompassing.) And add to that your criticism of CPCs for trying to “trick” women into keeping their babies instead of giving them all their “reproductive health-care options,” it really does come across as defending a women’s right to abortion. You may not read it that way, but I do. And I think many others would, too. Anyway, your reply here does help clear up what you might have intended to say. Thank you for taking the time to clarify. You heart for these women really does shine through, as does your gracious spirit in not getting defensive or angry about the criticism. Blessings to you!
Thank you for the feature Mary and I am glad the few words helped. I often think why should I post something if it is short because I think people will think it is not worth reading but it’s not the number of words or the lavish use of them but often just the simple right words. Heep in there we all need to keep encouraging each other.
Thank you so much Sandra. I so needed your simple post this week as a reminder in the midst of it I have God and He loves me.
Mary Hill recently posted…#LMMLinkup: Thinking About Quitting Faith Blogging
Mary, I am sure it was partly my comment in the last post (about the “Lifenotes” link) that led to the confliction you feel. I am sorry if I cause you discomfort of any kind. Please do not give up! None of us always knows the right thing to do and none of us always does the right thing. But we need voices like yours. You were brave enough to take a stand for biblical truth, when that truth is so unpopular. The author of that link also linked-up with many other blogs, and I notified as many as I could. But you are one of the first ones to do something about it. And that’s a brave, bold thing! I only know of one other blogger right now who also took a stand against it. So don’t discourage and don’t give up. You have a boldness and faithfulness that’s sorely needed online right now. God bless you and your faithfulness!
Heather, thank you so much. The controversial post was just one thing. I also had other issues too that were weighing me down. But God is good and having such great responses help me so much. Thank you again.
Mary Hill recently posted…#LMMLinkup: Thinking About Quitting Faith Blogging
Hi Mary. Well done for hanging in there. Blogging is often a lonely, little-understood ministry. Keep standing up for what you believe. Keep sharing what’s on your heart to share. You’re doing a great job! And may God bless you, and inspire, and encourage you in your writing for many years to come. With love, Joanna
I pray the same for you Joanna. Thank you so much for your kind words and support.
Mary Hill recently posted…#LMMLinkup: Thinking About Quitting Faith Blogging
Hang in there, Mary! God’s using you and your message and resources, my friend!
Beth recently posted…Comment on The Unfair Task of Making God Priority Over Your Mate by Getting Unstuck : Letting Go of the Past and Choosing to Live Again
Beth, thank you so much. You are such a great support.
Mary Hill recently posted…#LMMLinkup: Thinking About Quitting Faith Blogging
It’s so important for us to stay rooted in our purpose for sharing words. There are so many obstacles and challenges in this blogging life that if we lose sight of our moorings, it can all feel very overwhelming — and maybe not worth the risk.
Thanks for sharing your heart, Mary, and for all you do to foster community here!
Michele Morin recently posted…Commit Deliberate Acts of Hospitality
Michele, our community is richer because of you. Thank you so much for your help and love.
Mary Hill recently posted…#LMMLinkup: Thinking About Quitting Faith Blogging
Praying that God will help you persevere if He still calls you to write, Mary!
Sarah Geringer recently posted…When You Meet Up With Impossible
You have a unique place on the Internet, so I’m glad you’re going to continue. I love how you encourage readers in various ways.
Barbara Harper recently posted…Psalms for the Sleepless
I am glad you are sticking with the blogging. Your voice is needed!
Debbie, thank you for your encouragement.
Mary Hill recently posted…#LMMLinkup: Thinking About Quitting Faith Blogging