I’ve only recently discovered you, but you make it all appear so effortless–you get up, words flow freely from your pen, you greet your multitude of readers, and you’re done by 8 am. Thanks for sharing the reality. Bless you on this journey.

The opportunity to comment here also provokes opportunity to share both my thoughts and yours with my own readers while I point still others to what you’ve said:

http://aardvarkalley.blogspot.com/2006/03/getting-back-to-20-20.html

However, a “Writing for the Church” workshop through Concordia Publishing House and the following opportunities to write sermons, prayers, and devotions for publication have both sharpened my writing chops and made me more attentive to many of life’s other details. Learning as an adult because I wanted to and then being given opportunity to put the skills into practice helped immensely.

The pages I need to fill involve family and congregation: I am husband, father, and pastor above all. But when writing enters the picture, I want it to be the best I have to offer.

You’ve reminded me and many others of the joy of vocation fulfilled and new or expanded vocations granted by our gracious God. The marvel is that when we approach any of our tasks with open eyes and thankful hearts, all of our skills learn and grow from the effort and from the God who blesses them.

MQ

Go for it LaShawn! Change is an essential ingredient for self betterment. I have recently gone into my heart and started to blog more about personal experiences and PHYSICS, which is my heart. I think when we focus on what we wanna focus on, blogging is fun. Trying to post multiple times a day or keep stats up takes away from the joy of it. Best wishes with your business ventures as well.

I had the same feelings about my blog lately. I noticed something interesting. You said, “But I want to be a writer again. In fact, I want to be considered a writer first.” I’d like to think that all bloggers are writers already. If you’ve put pen to paper or typed on a template you are a writer.

So what if I’ve never been paid. I’ve been read and quoted on other websites. I consider that being a writer. In addition I have published a monograph, again, unpaid, but am I any less a writer than a member of the press or a talking head or a columnist? No, they’re just more famous and admittedly better writers than I am.

Whatever you choose to do, enjoy it. Take all you can and live it to the full. Keep writing either way. You have a ready made audience no matter where your work appears.

Scott G

My observation is that you’re burning out. This is not a negative commentary. It’s actually a good thing, when it’s recognized.

Listen: you’re in the business (current events and news) that dictates a constant stream of negative news — is good , at least for business. This rubs contrary to your Christian principles.

I long ago suggested you enter politics. Not much difference in the negativity, but at least you get the chance to see some good from the work you do and the time you invest. You’re working too hard to not get the proper recognition.

Fear not: you’ll do well.

Okay, okay. I’ll settle for the first two of the three.

But you will keep posting something? On occasion?

La Shawn Barber wrote a piece today where she would appear to be saying that she met with an old boss who told her she needs to spend less time on the blog and more time on paying work and op-ed type pieces that could get her a bit more publicity.

NO KIDDING!

Thanks

But, yours is a voice of clarity and reason. God did not give you this talent for transient reasons.

LaShawn, you need to have a heart to heart with yourself. Your blog has stirred the thinking pot in a thousand ways. Sometimes the burden of teaching and prodding is onerous, but it is one of the most important jobs a person can undertake in this life.

You have made a role model of yourself and that is a position that carries a great deal of responsibility with it.