Many bloggers start out not really realizing that their blogs are publicly available to millions. Others wonder why the millions aren't coming to their blog!
What actually tends to happen on a well-made blog is that people interested in what you're doing, in what you're talking about, those are the ones that eventually find you.
I often read blogs where people sound like they're just talking to the six friends that they mentioned the blog to. Those people are in for a surprise when strangers start arriving on the Google train, or the Yahoo! train, or from a church website, or, hey, even from here!
So how do you deal with this new found fame?
Barb (who is starting into her fourth year of blogging) had to think about this question again when someone showed up at a church service who actually knew her from her blog! Her post, Celebrity Status!? is a must read. Here's an excerpt:
I suppose when complete strangers recognize your face from some public forum, that could constitute celebrity status. It's actually been pretty cool to have met several people, both online and in person, who know of me through my blog. It's a bit disarming, too... I always stop to think "what have I written and is it all stuff that I really want to share with complete strangers?"
Compassion, Endurance, and Transformation August 5, 2008 08:43
There have been some just amazing posts lately about the joys and sorrows and struggles of serving God. Some of these provide powerful insights into what it really means to share the love of Christ.
First stop, Ukraine. Reading a story about a woman dying alone with no one offering to help (in New York), Michelle reflects on compassion and serving the needy.
Over in Russia, you can read about two and then three new graduates from a rehabilitation program. But the Evil One isn't ready for defeat, and we are reminded by A Dead Man in the Park.
We'll end our journey in Kenya. Someone is standing and waiting - it's Silas Sifuna, and he wants to say "Thank you". (For more of the back story, read this update).
For all those supporting the work of Christ in the world - a thank you to you...
I think it's about time to take a blog tour of France! I actually just want to introduce you to some of the blogs that are there - a wonderful variety of people, ideas and situations! Actually, often these blogs aren't just about France, as you will see...
I just have to start with the Grand-Daddy of France missionary blogs (I have to say that because, according to the sidebar, the author is "getting very old") - les Davey de France. This blog has been going since 2004 - a respectable age for a blog! In recent news, it looks like there may be a new place for the believers to get together, so that's cool. This is a blog with frequent, interesting posts - I won't list all the latest, but everyone likes bugs, right?
Someone else is celebrating 7 Years… Think they might be related? Check out Urban Idealist for more on serving God and people in Europe. For example, check out these Big thoughts on the Olympics.
This is fun - okay, just one more. Then I'll let you spend the next couple of hours reading all the posts (and watching all the videos) I didn't mention.
Introducing - a Missionary Blog Carnival! August 25, 2008 14:05
A what?? Well, what we're going to do is run a blog carnival right here. What's a blog carnival? In short, I'll be gathering posts from missionaries all over the world related to a single topic.
We'll see how it works the first time, and hopefully keep doing it!
The topic for this one is "Invisible Illness". It's being run in conjunction with Invisible Illness Week, which is an annual event run by Rest Ministries. If you'd like to know more about the idea of Invisible Illness week, read this post.
In order to coordinate with the upcoming event (8-14 September), the time is short. If you're a missionary blogger and want to be involved, your entry must be in by the 4th of September!
For everyone else, stay tuned here to see the results - hopefully links to lots of blogs you haven't yet visited! Feel free to subscribe to the RSS feed here.
