Headed into BlogWorld Today - Why Do I Apologize for My Faith?

September 20th, 2008 | blogging, writing

Why do I do that? After grabbing Starbucks and logging on, I found myself sitting next to Paul Chaney and Jim Turner of the International Blogging and New Media Association. I had emailed Paul and volunteered to help out however I can with IBNMA if they can use me.

Paul says, “You’re one of those godbloggers aren’t you?”

I don’t know why that makes me bristle. Paul certainly didn’t mean it as an accusation. But I’m like Peter, quick to qualify myself on a dark morning. Not that I betray myself or my faith, but I don’t speak with confidence. In some sense, I have trouble believing Matthew 28 in my gut. Jesus said,

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

I talk about editing from time to time–because I’m an editor and this blog has the word “editing” in the title. And I wish I could edit myself this morning. If I had my conversation with Paul, I would strike through some of the things I said. I would write in things that were more honest. Less feable. More confident in the authority that is in God who is in me.

So this post is my penance, I suppose. I’m not sure I believe in penance, but reading Gene Wolfe always warms my heart toward traditional Catholic ideas like that. (And I’m ready Gene Wolfe right now. Pirate Freedom, of course. It ROCKS.)

Here’s what I believe when I sit down at a table and think it through. My heart is in my fingers on the keyboard, not in the tongue of my mouth.

TheHighCalling.org is sponsoring the Godblog track of BlogWorld 2008 in Las Vegas because we believe that we are called to glorify God in all that we do. It’s really the way I’ve come to interpret the passage above from Matthew 28.

I’m not out to convert the world or baptize them. I’m just here to teach and obey. I’m not a bad teacher, I’ve learned. That’s the piece above that God has called me to do. All authority, all authorship of creation, has been given to God, therefor I go in to all the world that I can.

Being bound by space and time, I can’t go everywhere or be everywhere. But I can be in Kerrville. And I can be online. And I can be at TheHighCalling.org and HighCallingBlogs.com and here at GoodWordEditing.com.

And if I’m wrong about all of this–that’s okay with me. I’m not out to push my understanding of the truth against all odds. I’m just going to share what God has done in my life.

Future updates today will be on my Twitter page if you’re interested.

Viewing 10 Comments

Lynn Mosher 2 months ago 1 point
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Hey, Mark! Sometimes the tongue gets tied in a knot, doesn't it? The next time someone asks if you're one of those Godbloggers, just give them an exuberant, "YES! Would you like to be one, too?" LOL!

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spaghettipie 2 months ago 1 point
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I know that's why Peter's story is included in the Bible . . . he walked with Jesus, was his disciple and close friend, and still he denied in the heat of the moment. Here at home I am surrounded by people who share my beliefs. When I'm on the computer, it's easy to have confidence because I still have a screen (and some SSL) to protect me. Face to face, I wonder what I would do, too.

It's assuring to know he is with us - saying the right words or the wrong ones - until the end of the age. Thanks for sharing honestly with us. I'll pray for boldness and security in your identity in Christ as you share your heart and life with others this weekend.

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Monica @ Paper Bridges 2 months ago 1 point
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o, how I wish I was there! maybe next year.

the Internet makes it so easy. type, hit publish. real life catches me off guard too many times too. I'll be praying all "those godbloggers" speak loudly with actions and with truth. :)

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Marcus 2 months ago 1 point
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Thanks for the encouragement! I'm just trying to engage folks here as an excellent blogger. I figure if I can earn credibility that way, I'll be on the right track.

I'm just trying to work with excellence and integrity in the industry. (If the blogosphere can be called an industry.)

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Shep 2 months ago 1 point
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Take heart. Fumbling for the right response to, "You're one of those Godbloggers, arn't you" isn't even close to the same as denying Christ. That kind of generalization should leave one fumbling for words.

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Paul Chaney 1 month ago 1 point
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Ouch! Certainly didn't mean it as an acquisition. Far from it and apologize if it came out sounding that way. Truth is, I'm an ordained Southern Baptist minister who grew up in church.

I have great respect for the Godblog community and claim a number of its members as personal friends, La Shawn Barber and Stacey Harp among them. Oh, and you as well!

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Paul Chaney 1 month ago 1 point
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Make that accusation, not acquisition. D'oh!

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Marcus 1 month ago 1 point
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Paul, sorry about the confusion.

I should have made it clear that Paul is also a Christian. He made it clear that he was not at all threatened by "Godbloggers."

Paul is a great guy. VERY encouraging--and doing a good job of living out his faith without necessarily wearing his faith on his sleeve.

Shep, you mentioned the generalization of being "one of those Godbloggers." The conference set up actually encouraged this. All of the Godbloggers had a special colored ribbon under our names to distinguish us from the others.

The point here was not to criticize Paul. I was just struggling with my own issues and found it so odd that even another Christian recognizing me as a "Christian blogger" bothered me somehow. Not because of what Paul had done but because of what we Christians do to encourage that kind of thinking.

Wearing special purple ribbons. Calling ourselves Godbloggers. Etc.

I think it would bother me just as much to be a Manblogger or something.

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Every Square Inch 1 month ago 1 point
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Marcus

Just catching up on your blog - interesting post. We all battle what the Bible calls the "fear of man" so you're not alone. We just like blending in, don't we?

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real live preacher 1 month ago 1 point
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My response is to become very childlike. "Why yes, I am one of the God bloggers." It's kind of a spiritual discipline to let people think what they will think until they get to know me, which they can choose to do or not.

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