Blogging with a Vision – Part 2

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Yesterday I told you I had a vision for Intentional By Grace. Today, I want to try to flesh out my vision for you.

As I mentioned yesterday, I love writing. Blog posts are constantly percolating in my mind when I’m doing dishes, washing clothes, changing diapers, etc. I’ve often told Mark that my mind is like a Ferris Wheel. Sometimes ideas hop off, while other times the thought stays on the spinning wheel and keeps on turning until I find a way to put it into words for others to understand. Ideas come and go with each pass of the cart. It’s a joy for me to sit down and try to put on paper what is mulling around in my mind.

But you know all of this already. What about Intentional By Grace?

Well my vision is two-fold.

Fold #1: Take the Gospel to all the nations

Psalm 96:3 says:

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!

All throughout the Book of Psalms, the psalmist writes of sins forgiven (Psalm 103:10), the mercy of our God, and the steadfast love and faithfulness of our Heavenly Father (Psalm 86:15). He pens his thoughts and prayers so that others could benefit and praise God with him (Psalm 150:6). He records all that the Lord is doing so as to give glory to God!

Mark 16:15 says:

And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’

I think that blogging is a wonderful way that we can proclaim the goodness and mercy of our God. More specifically, it is a way that we can fulfill The Great Commission.

Technology is a powerful thing. William Wilberforce would have given anything, I’m sure, to have blogs, Twitter, and Facebook to get the word out about the abolition of slavery! I wonder what the apostle Paul could have done with all this at his fingertips?! I can guarantee you that they wouldn’t have squandered these gifts.

Fold #2: Take the Gospel to all the nations Together

My heart’s desire for this blog is that it would be a place where dialogue happens. My fear is that this blog will be one that people visit and only read what I write. Instead, I want the articles that I post to be a spring board for conversation. I don’t want what I say to be the end all be all. In essence, I would love to see a virtual community evolve.

I think that there are many of you out there who have a lot of wisdom to share. Maybe you have your own blog. Maybe you don’t. Maybe you’re just starting out in your Christian walk. Maybe you’ve been around the block a time or two. Maybe you know just the remedy for getting a baby to sleep through the night. Or maybe you know the perfect recipe for a spectacular hospitality dish. Maybe you read something that encouraged you and want a place to share it. The possibilities are endless.

What does this have to do with the Gospel?

EVERYTHING!!!

Before I became a Christian, I didn’t know what the Christian life looked like. What do “those people” talk about? How am I supposed to walk in a manner worthy of my calling? I would love for a new Christian to come to this blog and taste of the goodness of God that comes the through the fellowship that is being shared.

In addition, sharing with one another is a wonderful way to build one another up in our faith. We can help each other be better stewards of all that the Lord has blessed us with. I know that blogging has made me a better wife, mother, cook, friend, etc. I don’t want these benefits to just be for me!

How does this practically play out?

Here are a few thoughts that I have for doing this practically.

1. Comment on posts. Answer the questions that I ask. Ask questions of your own. Share your thoughts! If you love a post, tell me. If you hate a post, tell me. Did a post encourage you? Convict you? Exhort you? Confuse you? Leave a comment. I bet you’re not alone.
2. Comment on other people’s comments. Do you see a comment that you can relate to? Tell them! Have you been there done that? Tell them! I know I love hearing that I’m not alone in something. It always builds my faith. There is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Solomon should know. So help each other to not feel alone and share what you’re thinking.
3. Like us on Facebook, then start sharing. Have a scripture that encouraged you? Post it on our wall. Have a question you want some input on? Post it on the wall. There have been countless people who have told me that they learn so much by the questions asked by others on Facebook! So get on Intentional By Grace’s Facebook page and start talking.
4. Follow N10tionalGrace on Twitter. If you prefer Twitter, same rules apply as said above for Facebook.
5. Share what you’re reading with others. At the bottom of each post, there is a cool little gadget that makes it easy to share what you’ve read with others. Use it to spread the word!

Together I think we can change the world. At least, together we can tell a whole lot of people about Jesus Christ! Even so, I can’t do it alone. I need your help. I want to use this beautiful piece of technology as a way to tell the world about our wonderful God so like the Psalmist we can ascribe much glory to His name. I want to come alongside fellow believers and encourage one another. And as always, I want to have a little fun along the way!

Would you be a part of this vision? Would you come alongside me in this dream of mine? What do you think of online community? Come on! Give me  your thoughts. Have I gone off my rocker? Could I be on to something? I’d love to hear from you!