in all honesty

Thanks, Jean, that's helpful!

2012-05-27T15:34:45.155+10:00

Thanks, Jean, that's helpful!

ps in other words yes, I would start a blog, just ...

2012-05-27T14:59:26.269+10:00

ps in other words yes, I would start a blog, just maybe do it a little differently. ;)

Now, on the blogging thing: I had no idea what I ...

2012-05-27T14:57:31.752+10:00

Now, on the blogging thing:

I had no idea what I was doing when I started! I woke up one day, thought "I might start a blog", and I can't even remember why at this distance!! Had I known how obsessive it would be, and how it would suck times from my primary relationships, I might have held off until my kids were a little older. But I'm kind of glad I got it out of my system.

Now that I've had a break from it and come back to it, it has a good, healthy part to play in my life and I can't quite imagine ministry without it! I think I'd always be reading, thinking and writing whatever I did, and this takes that energy and channels it in a healthy way. Also it's brought so many opportunities, like writing for The Briefing, that I couldn't possibly have imagined when I started!

God had many things in mind for me, even if I had some hard lessons to learn about how to blog in a godly way. I'm so glad he taught me those lessons, and I'm so glad I have the opportunity to encourage people in this way now. It's a great privilege and not one I take lightly. And it's a great joy to me to be able to write.

Not sure if that answers any of your questions. If I was to do it over again...well, I'd have to be a different, less sinful person to do this, but I'd sit more lightly to it. I'd know that I don't have to post every day! I'd get off the computer more quickly and spend time with my family. I'd set aside clear times to spend with them. As I said, I might have waited a few more years to start. And I'd have less interest in some of the things that go with being a blogger that meant too much to me at first, like being liked and respected and asked to do stuff.

I still battle my blog taking over - at the moment it's less the writing and more worrying about whether these links are worth it or whether I could be doing something more useful with my time (resting, maybe?! :) ). It's a constant balancing act and I'll never find the perfect balance, just stumble along, loving my family, serving in my church, sharing Jesus with people around me, and, yes, writing. Writing is just one means among many that God gives me to encourage people.

Hope that's part-way to some kind of answer!

Love Jean.

Hi Deb, I don't think I read it quite the way...

2012-05-27T14:46:45.938+10:00

Hi Deb,

I don't think I read it quite the way you did, as an argument against people blogging this way and for people blogging that way; more as an encouragement about how to think about the things we read: to remember ourselves in the light of the cross. I'm not sure how he wrote it, that's just how I read it. But then I do tend to turn everything back on myself.

When it comes to blogging, my rules for myself are the same as my rules for any kind of conversation or teaching: I write to encourage others in love. Which means I both try not to "boast" and also try not to reveal things that wouldn't be appropriate to reveal. I try to let people see my weakness because I think it's pretty discouraging for people if they can't see that, and also to encourage me that I am struggling too, and this is how God helps me with my struggles, and this is how he might help them. If I write about the "good" things I do, I try to stick to what the Bible says we should do, and never imply that we need to do more than that, so I don't put heavy burdens on people. So much more I could say, but yes, I'm always mindful of the possible effect of my words on those who read.

Although I agree with you, too, that there is responsibility with the reader to read what I write in a godly, non-competitive way that trusts God and rejoices in what he has given.

*Phew!*

Well, one of the ones I found most interesting in ...

2012-05-27T14:19:23.218+10:00

Well, one of the ones I found most interesting in this week's list was Challies on "Competitive Mothering". The question that surfaced in my mind was whether he was putting too much responsibility on the blogger not to boast and not enough responsibility on the reader not to covet. It seems to be that the more things change, the more they stay the same. I don't think envy was not alive an well before blogging made us ever-so-aware of what other mothers are doing beautifully. Sure, we have more easy access to things which we could find guilt-inducing or envy-inciting. I know that reading blogs has given rise to feelings of failure and sinful envy many a time. But I own those as my sinful failings not as a fault of bloggers who have chronicled their lives with fancy photos. And as most blogs are open to the whole wide world, boasting in weakness needs to be done very carefully so that we don't violate other people's privacy (my argument with my husband might not be a suitable topic even if it's "keeping it real") and so that what we write is wholesome, builds others up and causes them to think on those things that are excellent.

Another question for you: if you had your time again would you still have started a blog? Are there things about blogging you would do differently the second time around? How do you start a blog but guard against it consuming all the time you have for meaningful relationships?

See? This is why we need coffee and about 36 hours!

I agree, Deb, that would be lovely! (I'd have ...

2012-05-27T08:47:12.288+10:00

I agree, Deb, that would be lovely! (I'd have a lot to say about the anxiety posts, for example; and yes, there's often stuff in there I only 95% agree with.) But I am barely keeping up with the links let alone deciding which ones to post during the week etc... Still, I'll give your request some thought.

Best would be for you to comment and ask questions/make comments on the online meanderings posts and then we can talk about it in the comments. That, I'm happy to do and have time to do (commenting takes less time than posting). Then if the discussion goes in an interesting direction, I can post it on the main blog and invite others to comment too.

Which ones did you particularly want to discuss further and why?

Jean, I love your links. But the problem is this:...

2012-05-26T17:06:31.524+10:00

Jean, I love your links. But the problem is this: after I've read them I want to discuss them with you. What did you think of this bit? Did you really agree when he said that? What is your opinion of x, y or z? If only there was virtual coffee and 36 hours in the day to discuss it all! Could you post one or two during the week as a separate post so we could natter in the comments?

Work together on it...hmmm...good idea, any ideas ...

2012-05-26T09:39:31.895+10:00

Work together on it...hmmm...good idea, any ideas how to make this work?

I'm learning Colossians at the moment: you could join me! :)

I did learn Romans 1-8 once, and it's Romans 5 and 8 that stick in the head. Also bits of 1 and 3, probably because I've studied them a few times. Wouldn't mind re-learning it.

Likewise, I started Romans 8 on the train to work ...

2012-05-25T13:17:24.548+10:00

Likewise, I started Romans 8 on the train to work some 6 years ago (more uplifting than chapters 1 and 2!), and I did find that the repetition of it made the meaning more clear in a frightening way ('those led by the sinful nature cannot please God') but the wonderful truth of being adopted as Sons of God was a relief to sink into.
So I'm looking forward to your suggestions for passages to memorise, and perhaps some work together on it?? :)
Caroline E

Done. Fun. Ooh...that rhymes too! Mx

2012-05-24T00:17:18.975+10:00

Done.
Fun.

Ooh...that rhymes too!
Mx

Hi Jean, I've been enthused about learning bib...

2012-05-23T20:32:15.246+10:00

Hi Jean,
I've been enthused about learning bible passages in the last 12 months, but my efforts wax and wane. I have great memories of learning Romans 12 on a summer mission when I was at uni. So I started memorising Romans 8 a few months ago. I am bogged down at verse 10. Looking forward to your tips and hope to get going again:)

Can I be A & D at the same time? I love it and...

2012-05-23T15:09:19.687+10:00

Can I be A & D at the same time? I love it and get enthusiastic every so often, but (like so many things) the momentum seems to die.

My very long term goal is to memorise Romans. I've been working on it (on and off - see above!) for about 3 years, and I've got chap 1 down and chap 2 almost there.

Probably D for me. Although at uni I had to memor...

2012-05-23T14:29:28.758+10:00

Probably D for me. Although at uni I had to memorise scripts for theatre classes (a lot of lines if you're an understudy for multiple parts!). That just shows I think the issue for me is laziness. I find putting chunks of Scripture on little cards near the kitchen sink (or anywhere where you spend a lot of time) helps.

Hi Mel! Hopefully I can help out with that when I ...

2012-05-23T13:00:18.909+10:00

Hi Mel! Hopefully I can help out with that when I suggest some ideas for memorizing in a few weeks. Different methods suit different people. But I think propping your bible in your recipe folder is a great idea and half the battle! If you're seeing and reading God's word often, you'll start to remember it. Even if it's not the exact words, the Bible will make its way into your heart and mind and change you. God says so, and he doesn't lie! :)

I think I'm in this bewildered state; 'how...

2012-05-23T11:21:36.388+10:00

I think I'm in this bewildered state; 'how do I get it to stick?' I'll keep trying... I like propping my bible in my recipe holder!

Absolutely LOVED your project that you and your ch...

2012-05-19T02:32:05.672+10:00

Absolutely LOVED your project that you and your children did. I just purchased a Kandinsky print of circle with squares as you're painted. Wonderful project! The one by your 6 year old son is fabulous!

Just beautiful! You couldn't have articulated...

2012-05-18T15:37:44.457+10:00

Just beautiful! You couldn't have articulated my sentiments about motherhood better.

Yeah, it's not so efficient for me either. But...

2012-05-16T07:51:06.885+10:00

Yeah, it's not so efficient for me either. But I do enjoy it. I love the way it brings great truths sweeping into my thoughts and emotions. I have to work for it, though! Probably lack of practice.

The only reason I didn't promise to share more poems is that I'm never sure I can live up to my blogging intentions! But I would love to share more poetry. So thanks for the encouragement. For children and those of us who need help reading poetry! ;)

Might write a post about a couple of books I've found good for reading poetry to kids. One is AA Milne though, so that's pretty obvious.

Love Jean.

I enjoyed this post Jean! I have to say though (in...

2012-05-15T22:09:46.520+10:00

I enjoyed this post Jean! I have to say though (in response to Gordon's comment) that reading poetry is not efficient for me. Sometimes it feels like those 3D pictures (that dates me!) that look like a lot of fuzz but if you gaze in just the right way for an age you see a new picture inside -- once you do, it's pretty awesome. And maybe it gets better the more you do it - you get your 'poetry eye in', so to speak. And poems hit harder than prose because they're succinct - kind of like a mental (emotional?) espresso!

I'd be keen to hear more about the poems you find to read to your kids!

I've never seen reading poetry as a method of ...

2012-05-15T12:13:09.822+10:00

I've never seen reading poetry as a method of time management, Gordo! :D

But I am enjoying reading more poetry. So many beautiful poems! I love the way they communicate so much in such a short space and so much more wonderfully than prose.

Triffic poem Jean. If you want an argument for po...

2012-05-15T10:04:52.826+10:00

Triffic poem Jean.

If you want an argument for poetry from the perspective of time management and efficiency, then reading the poem at (say) a quarter of the speed you read the chapter of a book still results in

a. More ideas communicated in and absorbed within a shorter period of time.

b. Lessons in conciseness for our own communication, thus helping those who listen to or read our words.

c. A slowing of pace which puts us in the right frame of mind for the next task on our 'to do' list.

Therefore, even obsessive time management freaks—of whom I'm sure I know none ;-) — should read a poem a day.

Thank you so much for these lessons. I'm home...

2012-05-14T23:23:54.073+10:00

Thank you so much for these lessons. I'm homeschooling my 2 girls and 3 others, and this is EXACTLY what I needed for our study of Proverbs. Your blog is a blessing to us!!

I hope that helps and your project goes well!

2012-05-14T08:27:58.758+10:00

I hope that helps and your project goes well!

I think we just scrunched up green crepe paper (or...

2012-05-14T08:27:15.153+10:00

I think we just scrunched up green crepe paper (or some other kind of paper - can't remember now!) for the leaves and stuck it on top of the branches. Don't even know if we stuck it or just rested it on there, to be honest! Whatever works.

Hiya Jean, I am in Year 6 and I live in the UK. Wa...

2012-05-13T22:28:04.720+10:00

Hiya Jean, I am in Year 6 and I live in the UK. Way way way away from you in Australia but we have this homework pack in school and we have to complete one thing off it and I chose a rainforest scene. I was searching and searching for a suitable website and I was going to choose a different one until I found this. I have not yet completed the task but I'm onto the part where I paint the paper mache but I wud just like to say THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I am stuck on one part though which is the leaves for the tree or the canopy, I don't know how to do it so as soon as you read this comment reply back, THANKS!!