Possibly, it's the content people find important that drives the traffic to a blog site. Such as a top Wordpress blog for the day was: “White Problems: Poorly Read Partners” There were 429 Responses.

One response was: JESUS WAS A BLACK MAN LYNCHED ITALIAN STYLE. The link was provided to their church website. Check it out: http://www.tucc.org. I think the world has gone nuts!

I'm thinking....

"bluzzle" - an adverb I suppose. The definition still to be determined by its' use. The heart (essence of being) of a blog is a bluzzlement to many, but loved by a few.

As you infer, we as humans are limited in capacity. We have a predetermined about of time and energy to accomplish all God has planned for us. So the answer to the question, "Do I continue to flip the switch with expectation that the light will come on, some day?" is really quite simple. What does God want?

For me personally, I look at the concept of blogging as being a single spoke in a wheel that God has spinning in my life. I use the blog as a method of communication for those that have an ear to hear or at least an interest in what I have to say.

It is safe to say, most of the world could care less what I have to say. There are a few who have a passing interest in my thoughts. There are even fewer that have a active interest in my thoughts. After all, it's not about me. It's all about you. Right?

For me to have an interest in your thoughts, I must have a reason. For example: If you are my boss, I will read your blog because I want you to know what a great employee I am. If you are the president of Microsoft, I might read your blog hoping to gain insight into business.

If you are a pastor with a passion for discipleship, I might read your blog because I too have a passion for discipleship. But I don't. I read your blog, because I desire to know the person Mike Sharrow more intimately. I want to know what makes him tick. I want to know if God is real in his life. I want to know how God is using him because it encourages me in my walk.

As discipleship goes, I think the mechanics of it are overrated. Ultimately, God prepares the heart of a person and creates a hunger for righteous living. Our responsibility lies in being available to encourage. I think the blog format provides the opportunity to communicate the message that God is real in my life and I am available to allow God to work through me in adding real value to your life.

We toss the coin. God controls the outcome. But first, we must toss the coin.

I looked up disciple on dictionary.com and interestingly the last definition came back as 6.Obsolete. to teach; train. In my experience, teaching and training has been lost. When I was searching for something I approached many "christian" people. To a person, the first words were "find a good church." The second most common response was "read the Bible." Both responses are like telling me to find a good mechanic or read the manual when my car is broken down. What's missing? The personal "Follow Me." I didn't know how to find a good church, I didn't know what to read, verses made no sense or did not relate to what I was going through. The original 12 were told to follow, every day they had someone to watch, question, and discuss with. They saw what their Leader did, they were able to question why He did things. They participated in what He did. Reading is fine, blogging online is ok, as it may peak an interest like a billboard on the hiway, but how do you go from an anonymous disciple to a teacher and trainer with a personal relationship with those new in the faith? Discipleship and Ministry should be hands on and up close and personal. Personally those who I have spoken to about Christ have my home phone number, cell number and know my home address. I call them, I make the effort to go see and speak with them. When they are in trouble they don't want verses, they want answers to how to get through the tough times. If they knew the verses and how to apply them, they would be ready to disciple someone else. I dunno to me disciple=relationship.

Just some thoughts

As you know I've asked a similar question, but not so bloguzzly. I read a smattering of blogs for their content and interaction. I am stretched by those that push me beyond the constructs of my understanding. I'm bored by those that consist of people talking to themselves (of which my own blog seems.) I'm taught and challenged by blogs such as this one, as well as by the lives of those who share....Blogs share some great stuff and can function at one level of fellowship and encouragement, but they can't substitute for working together, praying together, worshipping together, enjoying together, etc. etc. in the way that real relationship does. Most of the blogs I pay attention to teach me and encourage me at a level even electronic words can maintain. I enjoy being (albeit remotely) a part of the Gracepoint community by checking in here. My understanding of my own connectivity with others through this medium is this...my output port is still parallel and if can get upgraded to USB I'll probably write more!

can a blog be discipleship? not in and of itself. so, on that level, this will fail regardless.

what you can do is open your eyes and the eyes of others to incredible views of god that otherwise may never leave your heart - and that is the world's gain.

keep this. just revisit the "why" and change the "why" if it doesn't allow you to continue as you like.

I think we as a society have gotten pretty lonely. We shop online, listen to church online, listen to radio online, we tithe to our favorite ministries online, we pay bills and bank online..we have lost the human connection.

It bothers me that we are such an information age. Cell phones are great except for the fact, someone can reach you ANYWHERE at ANYTIME. I really miss the days of the landline one line phone, if it was busy you call back.

And, do we really need the convenience of flipping the remote to the tv..what about getting UP off the couch and changing the channel?

Your post made me think and of course when I do that I have to respond.

--Sara Gwathmey