Happy Belated Blogiversary to me!!!

I have a confession to make.  As is obvious, my posting has been way, way off for several months now.  In the fall, I started something related to church and continuing education that I couldn't finish.  I was stressed beyond belief.  I was very, very close to cracking up.  It was the second darkest time in my life that I'd ever been through and I decided I couldn't live like that for 3 years.  So I dropped.  But, and I know I'm being vague here-sorry about that, by dropping I also gave up on something that I've always wanted to do. 

In short, I have experienced a crisis of faith.  Maybe I'm still experiencing it.  In any case, it has been difficult to motivate myself to get to work.  It all seems so pointless.  To be perfectly honest, I'm still wrestling with it.

I'm going to break protocol here--I'd like to ask you for a Blogiversary present.  I'd like you to take a moment and pray for me.  Particularly:

1)  Pray that I will remain faithful to what God has called me to do where I am--specifically, being a good husband and father.

2)  Pray that I will remain devoted to blogging.  I still believe it is a great avenue for proclaiming biblical truth.

3)  Pray that I will not feel as discouraged and defeated as I have.  Pray that God will give me the strength to reach out to those I need to reach out to for help.

Thank you.  I'll be back on my game next week.  Here's to another 4 years!!!!!

Milestone Post--The Big Five Oh Oh!!!

I am in awe that this blog has lasted for 500 posts.  What is even more amazing to me is that anyone has actually read any of them.  I mean, seriously, you're looking the worlds biggest goofball right here.  I've got nothing useful or important to say.  I pray, however, as we have looked at scripture together that you have heard the voice of God.  Thanks for reading and I look forward to seeing you when I get to the 1,000th post.

30,000 hits? Seriously?

Along about 15 minutes ago, someone from LaGrange, Georgia (used to live near LaGrange--played in a community band there) who was searching for "Matthew 6" on Google became the 30,000th hit on my blog.  How in the world did I get to 30,000 hits?  I am amazed that anyone would want to read anything I've written, much less 30,000 people.  Now, I know as far as blog stats there are people with a lot more but I am in awe that God has given me an opportunity to speak to that many people.  Anyone who has read anything on this blog and gotten anything out of it should give glory to God because it's not because of me, but rather in spite of me.

Prase God for allowing me to be involved in His work in some limited fashion.

Happy Blogiversary To Me!!!

I cannot believe it has been three years!! Honestly, I started this blog three years ago for myself as much as anything. I had pastored a church (bi-vocationally) for 6 years prior to finishing an accounting degree and taking a job in Tennessee. I wasn't (and still am not) preaching anywhere and while I don't believe you study God's word for the purpose of making a sermon the simple fact is that I can't do anything without a deadline. So I decided to make one--creating a weekly blog of scripture exposition. I have added other theological topics that have interested me from time to time and I link to sermons and other blogs that I feel will be beneficial. Doing so also aids me because, let's face it, I work full time and there is no way I could produce 4 or 5 days of original material myself.I'd like to thank those who have commented, read, and subscribed over the years. My prayer is that God would conform us even more to the image of His Son, our Savior, as we study His word together.

Soli Deo Gloria!!

joe blackmon

300th Post-Needy Children: WIll You Help?

A friend of mine from elementary school (Silverhill Elementary-Go Bulldogs!!) is adopting a child, Max, from Hati. She is adopting him from a ministry called Lashbrook Family Ministry. Below is a description of who they are and their mission:

We Are a Christian organization that is based on showing the Father’s love to a nation through serving them by meeting their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Founded on family values, we cherish relationships: with God and with each-other. We are non-denominational and serve all people, regardless of religion, gender, and social status.

Our Mission
~ To restore the foundation of the family
~ To raise a new generation of fathers by fathering a new generation of sons
~ To care for abandoned children and place them in loving homes in the States
~ To feed and educate the children of the community both physically and spiritually at no cost to them
~ To have a church that brings the kingdom of God to a country that is 80% voodoo.

I encourage you, if you're able to consider prayerfully if God would have you or your church donate to this ministry. I know they have needs that they would appricate your help in meeting.

Happy Blog-iversary to me!!

Today is the 2nd blog-iversary of my blog. I would like to thank all my readers both regular and not-so regular for taking a gander at the ramblings of a goober. I suspect I get more out of this than anybody else.

Thank you and may God our Father bless you in the name of Jesus Christ.

200th post-Help a Child who needs shoes!!

I can't believe I've gotten to 200 posts on this blog. For that matter, I can't believe anyone actually reads this blog. I am honored and encouraged. I would now like to encourage you to help if you can.

Soles4Souls is a non-profit organization that provides needy children the world over with shoes. Take some time today to go over to their website and pray about how God could use you in this ministry.

Thanks. On to post number 300.

joe

100th post- A Prayer Request

One of my friends from church sent a prayer request. A little girl in my area has been diagnosed with cancerous tumors behind her eyes. From what the doctors are saying, at least one of the eyes may not be salvageable. She is only 3 years old.

I have been thinking what to post for this, my 100th post. At first, I thought doing anything special would be cheesy and pretentious. However, my wife has been subscribing to the notifications on this little girl's website. I have a 4 year old daughter and a 21 month old son. I know that I would be crushed if this was to happen to my babies.

I would ask that you please:
*Pray for this little girl, her parents, and the medical personnel.
*Visit her website and leave a note on her guestbook letting them know you are praying.
*If you have a website or a blog, please put up a post for this prayer request.


Thank you all for visiting my blog. God bless you. I'm looking forward to the next 100 posts with you all.