MISSIONAL WOMEN
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5 Tips to a Fresh Blog Start

1/17/2013

16 Comments

 
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I had been blogging consistently for 2 years when the Lord led me to change directions. I was asking Him what He wanted with my blog and how it can better glorify Him. And the thoughts He put in my head were much different than anything I had ever dreamed up. How He was leading me meant letting go of what I knew, expected, and was comfortable with. He led me turn my blog Beholding Glory into Missional Women, this contributor site. (Here's more on how the Lord led me.) Something you'll soon read is way out of my comfort zone. So after 2 years, I re-lauched and had a fresh blog start.

5 things I learned from my flesh blog start.

1. Be willing to yield your "rights". Though my blog was for the Lord, it had become my blog. The place I could do whatever I wanted. The place I didn't have to be a team and didn't have to be dependent on other people. I had the right to do with my blog whatever I thought was best. I lost sight that my blog was something to be held loosely so the Lord could lead as He pleased. The reality is, we don't really have any rights of our own. Jesus bought our rights on the cross. So, just as our life is not our own, neither is our blog.

2. Don't go it alone. Scripture tells us there is wisdom in the multitude of counselors. The more we seek wisdom and instruction, the more wise we become. As I alluded to in the first principle, I am a very independent person. Doing things alone means I get my way, all the time. And really, that just makes for an ugly attitude without Jesus' intervention. When we ask for peoples thoughts and feedback about our blogs, when we search out how to do things, when we invite other people's perspective, not only will we be blessed so will they and so will our readers.

3. Focus on the point. Our purpose and mission are two different things and are easy to loose sight of. Our purpose is our north star. It's the big picture. It answers the question, "Why in the world am I really doing what I'm doing?" As followers of Jesus, and as bloggers, our blogging purpose is to glorify God. This can look a ton of different ways but if we loose sight of the big picture it so easily becomes about us instead of the Lord.

4. Keep your mission in mind. Your mission is how you want to see your purpose accomplished. There are a thousand things in life that can distract us and it's easy to be controlled by the tyranny of the urgent in the mission of our blog. It's easy to see other attractive, engaging blogs and want to be a little bit more like them. Learning from others is a good thing but copying someone else without regard to your overall mission is not wise. When we keep our mission in mind, it enables us to think outside the box. It helps us think about what we want our readers to think, feel and do. And it helps us  process how our blog is going to help them  get there.

5. Take initiative by faith, bathing each step in prayer and dependence on the Lord. I was reminded of this when I had been praying for my big re-launch. I had been praying for my new contributors and for the ladies who would visit the site. But I hadn't prayed about what article to post when, I just did what what easiest. My re-launch happened to fall on the same day as the Connecticut shooting. There were some really fitting articles that would have been perfect to have up that day, but I didn't. I'm confident that if I had turned to Him with that detail, He would have used it to encourage many people. I missed an opportunity to encourage women because I did what was easiest instead of asking God about it.

Whether the Lord is leading you to a fresh start with your blog or not, I pray this is an encouragement to you.

What tip most applies to your situation?

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About Laura

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Laura, the creator and host of Missional Women is married and has three kids, two of who are adopted. They have been missionaries to college students for 11 years serving with Master Plan Ministries. Laura has discipled over 150 girls, led over 30 Bible studies and speaks 10-20 times a year. Laura is an award winning author of a 12 week Bible Study on First Samuel, Beholding Him, Becoming Missional, recently released Reach; How to Use Your Social Media Influence for the Glory of God, and Glimpse of Glory; A Devotional Journey through the book of Judges, a FREE devotional which accompanies the online Bible studyTheBookofJudges.com.

Sharing this article over at these awesome blogs

16 Comments
Hazel Moon link
1/18/2013 02:20:25 pm

Thank you Laura for hosting and for your beautiful verses with photos.

Reply
Laura
1/21/2013 04:24:29 am

Thanks Hazel!

Reply
Jeannie Pallett link
1/21/2013 04:46:57 am

#4 is the tip that speaks to my heart. As a relatively new blogger I know I cannot copy others, only learn from them. I must allow the Lord to have His way and be willing to write only what He leads me to write and not what I may think is "popular or trending" at the time. In there too is the need to be sensitive to readers and so I appreciate the mission/vision statement the Lord gave me. There is liberty and freedom in flowing with the things of God and I hope and pray He will continue to use me with the words I write.

Reply
Laura
1/23/2013 11:50:04 am

So well said!!! You're doing a great job Jeannie!

Reply
Amanda @ http://imstillclayblogspot.com link
1/21/2013 04:58:58 am

Laura, thanks for sharing. I'm new here and this is my first time dropping in. I, too, have been wondering if God is calling me to a new direction with my blog. I've yet to make any changes and will wait on Him before doing so, but your tips are practical and full of wisdom. I appreciate them so. I recently have experienced a season of "letting go" so I fully understood your mention of giving up our rights...that Jesus bought our rights on the cross. So true, yet a brutally difficult thing to learn at times. However, I've found much more freedom in the letting go. Full surrender ushers in currents of Peace that I was depriving myself in the "holding on." All glory to Him!

Reply
Laura
1/23/2013 11:54:47 am

Yes!!! How crazy that we hold on so tightly to things and it actually chokes us instead of bringing freedom. Yet it is so hard to let go sometimes... oh wont the day when we don't have to battle our flesh anymore just be awesome!!

Reply
Lisa link
1/21/2013 11:06:35 am

Love the explanation of the change and to see what God has done in you and through you!

Reply
Laura
1/23/2013 11:55:55 am

Thanks Lisa!!

Reply
David Rupert link
1/21/2013 12:14:16 pm

It was amazing what our conversation a couple a years ago led to. I'm so thrilled to see how God is using you

Reply
Laura
1/23/2013 11:56:53 am

I was just thinking about that the other day. Thank you so much for being willing to share your thoughts/insights with me!! You're a blessing to many David.

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Kim Lenon link
1/21/2013 12:51:31 pm

Thank you so much for this! I am new to blogging and this is so helpful and encouraging. God has called me to this as an addition to my teaching/mentoring ministry. I want Him to use me to write and share what He wants and to be a help and encoragement to women in their walk with Christ.

Reply
Laura
1/23/2013 12:00:11 pm

You're doing a great job Kim!! I love the names of God idea/series!!!

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Jamie Rohrbaugh link
1/22/2013 10:54:42 pm

Hi, I really liked your post. I've only been blogging since last fall and already can sense that I need to watch out for numbers 4 & 5 especially. With a whole world of things to write about, sometimes it's easy for me to lose focus. And I'm naturally a type-A girl, and need to remember that I cannot do this without the Lord's help. So I need to stay grounded and follow Him, and not rush ahead of Him. Thanks again for the thoughts!! A needed and encouraging post.

Reply
Laura
1/23/2013 12:02:41 pm

I am so right there with you Jamie.
Thanks for the encouragement.

Reply
Elizabeth @ DogFurandDandelions link
1/25/2013 04:55:57 am

Great suggestions for anyone who blogs! Visiting from Fellowship Fridays... hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Reply
Alana @ Grace-Full Intentions link
3/5/2013 09:52:11 pm

These are great tips. I recently felt led to change the direction of my blog, as well. I pinned these so that I can read through them regularly in order to KEEP my focus.

http://www.domesticblissdiaries.com

Reply



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  • Home
    • Ministry Resources for Women >
      • Beholding Him Freebie
    • Contributors
    • Statement of Faith
  • Blog
    • Ministry >
      • Evangelism {Win}
      • Discipleship {Build}
      • Living Missionally {Send}
    • God's Word >
      • Bible Study
      • Prayer
      • Devotionals
      • Bible Studies
      • Apologetics
    • Relationships >
      • Marriage
      • Singleness
      • Dating
      • Family
      • Friendship
    • World >
      • Social Justice Issues
      • Internet & Social Media
      • Politics
      • International
      • Science Revealing God
    • Life >
      • Image & Idenity
      • Health
      • Fashion
      • Food
      • Organization
  • Bible Study Resources
  • Prints
  • Stickers
  • Quiet Time Journals
  • Courses
    • Discover God's Calling
    • Women's Ministry Training Promo
    • How to Study the Bible
    • Women's Ministry Training Course
    • Growing in Your Faith Mini Course
  • Retreat
  • Video Bible Studies
    • Matthew
    • John
    • Galatians
    • Philippians
    • Know your Purpose
    • Creation Reveals
    • Ministry
    • Heart Growth
  • You Are Unshaken Book
    • Unshaken Groups
    • You Are Unshaken Paint Party
    • Unshaken Freebies
  • Shop