I would be the first to admit that my exit from blogging world last week was rather a snap decision – albeit a right one – and as a result I hadn’t thought thru what to do with this blog… whether to delete it, keep it, hide it etc… all that sort of stuff.
Having chewed on it for a week I have decided to leave it up intact, as I do hope to be back writing again when this break is over.
Many thanks to all who have commented and written. It is really nice to know that what you do is appreciated and valued. I regularly read thru all the blogs listed on the sidebar so I will be able to stay in touch with your life as much as you choose to post and reveal!
Also, after pulling the plug, I remembered that I did agree to write 3 blog book reviews for people who have sent me their latest publications. I will probably post those reviews on here at some stage over the rest of 2007 as I want to honour those commitments.
In the meantime the ‘backyardmissionary test pattern’ is in place and this time I will actually leave you with some words that have been significant to me in the last week as I move into a different place in life for a while:
The Message Col 3:1-4
Colossians 3:1-2 So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ-that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.
3-4Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life-even though invisible to spectators-is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too-the real you, the glorious you.
Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.
Whew…good news! Enjoy your break.
Maaaaate…you never fail to impress me! God bless
Im hoping for another last post…
Theres an old saying “the more you climb up the ladder the more your bum shows” …
Methinks “obscurity” is better than scrutiny.
However, your blog has made me think about church in a different light, a fresh way. Whether we pass or fail is not the issue, it is endurance, running the race to the end that matters. I believe Andrew that you are a “change agent” for the good of the church on the earth today.
There are probably many of you and Im glad your leaving your blog intact because I can read about the exploits of others who have stood up for what they believe and the call of God on their lives.
As your ministry morphs as it should because the world is not static, I pray that your light will shine in the community in which God has placed you. Our call never changes but we do change our shoes to suit the road we walk on…
A test pattern but no tone or classical music! 😉
Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Just came across this after being away for a month or so (away from blogs, not away in general) to find that you are going away (from blogs, not necessarily in general)
I’ve always appreciated your take on things Hamo. You and other contributors/posters have caused me to reflect a great deal on stuff that i had previously taken for granted.
I’ll have to go back over the last month of entries to find out what’s going on!
Of course, this is written a couple of days after any other comment… it may be the last comment on your blog ever!! INFAMY AT LAST!!
Best of luck mate
Wellll, obviously I’m coming to this rather late. And WOW!!! The blogosphere w/o Hamo?!!! That’s like a cheerios without the milk.
First let me say that I understand and respect your decision. Heck, I’m actually praying about and struggling with a possible decision to do the exact thing you are planning to do. I will probably be stopping blogging for alteast Lent if not longer (for personal reasons and general disinterest on my part).
Second, let me thank you for all the wonderful insights and comments that have challenged and built me up over the last few years.
I too hope one day that I might make it down your way and finally meet you in person. And that may be a possibility if my ties with Forge become any stronger (and mutual friendships with The Rev and the Goss family could lead that direction). Who knows???
Till then, I found this great Scottish Blessing that I will speak over you:
May the blessing of light be on you
Light without and light within.
May the blessed sunlight shine on you like a great peat fire,
So that stranger and friend may come and warm himself at it.
And may light shine out of the two eyes of you,
Like a candle set in the window of a house,
Bidding the wanderer come in out of the storm.
May the blessing of the rain be on you,
May it beat upon your Spirit
And wash it fair and clean,
And leave there a shining pool where the blue of Heaven shines,
And sometimes a star.
May the blessing of the earth be on you,
Soft under your feet as you pass along the roads,
Soft under you as you lie out on it, tired at the end of day;
And may it rest easy over you when, at last, you lie out under it.
May it rest so lightly over you
That your soul may be out from under it quickly;
Up and off and on its way to God.
And now may the Lord bless you, and bless you kindly.
Amen.
Ok, just read thinking it over, the dying part of the Scottish blessing above is a tad morbid and final. Sorry that I didn’t consider the appropriateness of that more closely. I’d edit it out if I could…and feel to do so (and/or generally disregard that section).
Many, many blessings to you!
All I can say is…
Nothing to see here. Move along, move along. . .
Uhhmm, well I don’t really know where to start. I think you know whats best for you and thats a good thing. I have been told to check out your site only to find you’ve gone AWOL. I’ll keep looking and hopefully one day I’ll find the lights on and you at home. In the mean time I’ll make myself at home reading all your past posts.
Gods peace and blessings for you and yours.
Shane.
Hi Hamo,
I have only just come across your blog and I will link it to mine. I will return to read and find out more about you. From what I have read to date, im very impressed. All the best in your sabbatical. Hopefully the lure of the blogging outreach will be overpowering.
Regards,
O