300 Followers | My Journey & Message For Other Bloggers

(The end of this gets a little intense, disclaimer. I do talk about something uncomfortable, I’m sure, is not uncommon in the blogging community. There’s one incident that pushed me to talk about this, but by no means, am I talking about just one person.) 

THANK YOU!!!!

WOW!!!! I’ve been anticipating this as the numbers grew, but I never knew how excited I would be to reach 300 followers!!! Looking back on everything on this blogging journey, I don’t think I believed I could ever get this far, so if you are out there, and you have under 50 followers, I was in your shoes. I didn’t reach a 100 followers till after I celebrated my first year having the blog, and God used that time to refine me as a writer and a blogger. It’s okay! Don’t lose heart, but keep focused 🙂

Blog Stats-

This is the 212th post of the blog. 

Approaching Milestone– I am less than 1,000 views away from viewing 10,000 views all time.!

This post will cover new things I’ve introduced in the blog since 200 Followers, a message for bloggers, and at the end, I talk about something that’s been on my heart that has troubled me in the past.

New Posts/Page I’ve Started

Testimony Series– This series will cover powerful testimonies in my life, how God made His hand known. The first is here. (Not weekly)  

Alphabet Devotional– This series you can see on Mondays. A letter of the alphabet is picked and two words of that letter relating to Christ. I also share words from the previous week of what others have come up with.

I love the feedback and participation. ❤

Blogger Spotlight– So far, I have one post.

My version of Blogger Spotlight is for readers to comment something they would like to see me write about that hasn’t been covered in relation to my blog.

My blog is about devotion, depth, and connection to Christ and God’s Word through the Holy Spirit. Topics not related to this won’t be covered.

The reason I decided on this method was to get to know my community of readers and followers. What you all want to see, learn about, and where your heart is 🙂 ❤

First inspired post-  Temptation | Believer 101

Topics I’ve Covered Page– If you’re curious about a topic and not sure if I covered it, that’s the whole purpose of this page 🙂

You can check the page out here.

My Message To You The Writer/Blogger

Take yourself seriously, everyone! 🙂

In my first post ever, I talked about the short period of time I looked into an online source that could connect you with writing jobs.

You may not be surprised to know…this really is not who I am. I found that out quickly.  But one thing I did take out of the whole experience I want to share with you.

They taught to take your writing seriously. For a writer, embrace your writer title. Introduce yourself as such.

Believe in the work you are set out to do. Trust God has a plan. Embrace the job He’s given you. Don’t give up.

Growth Of Audience Has Impacted Me As A Writer

Let’s admit it. If we wanted to only write for ourselves, we could do so very easily. We could make a private document, blog, or jot things down in a notebook. But the fact we decided to make things public says a bit more, to me at least.

I feel it’s reaching out. Maybe to help someone. Maybe to feel connected. When giving tips many bloggers discuss to write what you feel, and up to 95% of this message, I completely agree with.

The only caution I give is to consider your audience, you have one follower? 🙂 Congrats, you have an audience. I’m not saying to only think of what your audience wants to see. What I’m saying is dig within yourself to find honesty, truth, connection, and care.

Especially as a believer of Christ, we need these things, but we are encouraged to remain aware of our accountability. Are we glorifying God with what we write? Are we speaking in a voice Jesus Christ would use (cursing)?? Are we writing things that will stumble up other believers? Are we getting argumentative? We are warned in 2 Timothy…

2:14, “Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.”

2:16, “Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.”

2:23, “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.”

Followers help us stay consistent. God speaks through them, which speaks to us, or convicts us of what to work on.

Realizing my audience is growing has humbled me. It’s encouraged me to keep pressing forward so I see God’s fruit become fruitful. So many of you have truly spoken to my heart, encouraged me, enlightened me, became friends with me, and inspire me. I’m grateful for the opportunity to talk to you 🙂

But, it needs to be stated, followers can also sometimes stumble us up.

Speaking of that…

Announcement: Comments Could Get Deleted

On my Twitter and my Facebook page in early October, I spoke of this, but I want to cover it here, as most of you get your information here.

Comments that stumble me up as a believer will get deleted. I will not tolerate comments that are lecturing, belittling, confusing, or comments not relating at all to the post written.

That being said, I don’t mind long comments, but it must relate to the post. I love discussion and conversation. I sometimes leave long comments on posts as well. 🙂

At first, I wasn’t sure what to do when I saw these kinds of comments. When I felt what I talked about in my post wasn’t good enough for the commenter to discuss, they instead lectured/preached about other things. But God did give me an answer.

God opened my eyes to the fact, this is MY blog, which means, as I said earlier, I am ACCOUNTABLE for my blog. I am accountable for what my readers see.

It’s okay to feel concerned we might hurt someone’s feelings. But it’s okay to stand up for yourself, your writing, your audience, and above all your relationship with Christ.

I will not have comments discussing things I don’t feel are the right place or appropriate material.

Should you not see your comments does not mean you aren’t welcome or can’t comment, however. (Sometimes, spam happens too)

Message I’d Like To Say

I don’t have a physical voice here, but I am saying this gently and kindly for any of my Christian readers.

Please do not try to lecture me without knowing my story and my relationship with Christ. Get to know me, where God has taken me, and my calling first 🙂

I see this so often in the body of believers, some of you have also written about your experiences with this. Which is why I feel called to talk about.

People don’t get to know me and my relationship with Christ, they just assume.

And it hurts.

It’s like no matter what I do, no matter how far I’ve come with Christ, people don’t always see that. They see age and assume ignorance. They appear to feel it’s their job to lecture/preach first. I’ve seen this, especially in real life, so many times. Truth is, this is NOT being Christlike.

Here’s what I want to say.

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER AND WISDOM OF GOD TO USE YOUTH! 

DO NOT BELITTLE THE WORK HE HAS DONE IN MY LIFE AND HIS GLORY HE RECEIVED! 

People can hurt me, but I won’t accept them belittling Him! Maybe they don’t think they are belittling Him when speaking to me this way, but they are. 😦

When someone doesn’t get to know me and my journey with Christ, that person is belittling every single amazing thing God has done for me.

(Note: This is not everyone of course!! 🙂 This has been something on my heart and I felt I needed to talk about it here. I’ve not seen anyone talk about this, and I felt the tug it needs to be talked about, and not hidden.)

Which leads me to ask.

Christ knew the ones He spoke to, do we? Do we truly know the person we are talking to or lecturing? Are we speaking to hear our own voice?

Do we have a right to say everything we want to because we have the knowledge or experience?

I don’t think so. It’s important we all consider this as Christians and Christian bloggers.

When I get sermons and lecture comments having NOTHING to do with my posts, I feel belittled and sometimes rebuked for things I am not even against. It really stumbles me as a believer because the feeling it creates is separation, and we are to work together as the body of Christ, not separate. Because we truly can lift each other up in the right way of Christ.

Especially the past few days leading up to this post, I’ve seen so much amazing feedback, discussion, and encouragement. I want to iterate again, this is something that was placed on my heart to discuss. For those of you who have experienced this as well, you are not alone.

Which is why I’m accountable to what God puts on my heart.

And you, my dear reader, are accountable to what God puts on your heart too 🙂

Above All Listen To What Christ Puts On Your Heart

Write about the hard topics even if people misunderstand. Use this as an opportunity, NOT A SETBACK! Talk about the misunderstanding, be constructive. Point to Him all throughout the way. Be willing to admit when a mistake is made, embrace humility. Amen, God has shown me this.

Don’t let people stand in front of Him and between your relationship with Him. Go to Him in prayer. Guard yourself with His truth, guidance, His instruction, and then set out. Pray for your enemies or those who are against you.

The journey has just begun ❤ Thank you, everyone, who has gotten me this far!

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See a topic not covered on Inside Cup? Maybe it could be the next inspired post. Let me know in the comments below.