My Blog Is Dead…Or Is It?
I had someone ask me on twitter today, why I have been so quiet in the blog world. I thought it is probably time to address it in some fashion.
The last couple of months for me (specifically since fall) have been a whirlwind. Prior to that time, the blog world was the center of communication for me. Times have changed. I have changed. A lot.
Last fall, I was asked to plant a church with a person I respect deeply. His invitation started me on a journey. I evaluated what I do and who I am in Christ. I evaluated the ministry I am a part of and the leaders I work with. Everything went under the microscope and was guided by God’s truth and spiritual guidance. It was a journey that had me looking deep inside to figure out what I really believed and who I was. If you are looking for answers to those two questions, I am sorry to say that I don’t have them. But, I can say that I am clearer in discovering them. I will forever be on this journey. After a couple of months of prayer and reflection, I turned the offer down. I can honestly say that there were tons of pros and cons. In the end, there was not a single factor for the decision I made. It was based on everything around me. The people. The ministry. The job I have. My family. I can say, it is one of the most stressful times I have lived through, regarding making a decision. But I am grateful I had the decision to make.
So why am I so quiet? Well, my focus has changed. I am still here every once in a while. It is an awesome place to think and hash out ideas. It is a great place to gain new perspective, from all of you. And I love the ability to share in depth what is going on in my life. This will continue to happen and it will continue to be at a pace that it demands. But, this is no longer the center of communication for me. Twitter has become a huge part of my life, but beyond all of that, the people I am in living relationship with are getting my attention. It is changing the way I learn, network, care. It is good and it is fruitful. I am enjoying it.
The whirlwind has led me to new relationships, new ministry opportunities, new life experiences, better priorities and definitely a more focused vision. I realized when I lived in the blog world, that it somehow kept me coming back for more, when in fact, I needed to start living many of the things I was learning and saying. Now, don’t get me wrong, I still learn a ton from all of you. Sometimes through blogs, but more often, through voice to voice or face to face communication. I am truly blessed by all the people that are filling my life with wisdom, instruction and encouragement.
So, all this to say. I don’t live here anymore. This is an aspect of my life and will be a place where I come to talk. But this is not where my focus is anymore. Especially in the future. I am busier now than every before. With great things! I actually haven’t read through my Google Reader in months. If you twitter your blog post, I will stop by 
Please pray for Table Rock Fellowship. We are beginning a new journey for us. This fall, we go multi site! We are locating our first (yes, that means there will be more) campus just south of us in Phoenix, Oregon. We will be one church, in multiple locations. We want to be less focused on our one building and one location and we want to make sure we are all over our valley in every community. Worshipping and serving in the neighborhoods. I am really excited about this and I ask that you pray for us as a leadership and as a church. We are anxious to see what God is going to do, as we step out in faith.
I hear you!
well put.
Needed this…
Thank you
right on Brent. I have enjoyed the simplicity that I can find where i currently am and it sounds like you are learning the same things.
‘Sort of sounds like a ‘goodbye’ to all ‘non-twitterers’ and non-face-to-face contacts like me (‘LWBUT’ will probably be disappointed too, but he’ll probably respond for himself at some point I’ll guess).
‘See ya sometime ‘across a crowded room’ on rare occasions, most likely,
D-
I should probably have twittered my appreciation for this blog post huh
Can I just say that’s one of the most awesomest blogs I have ever read! I’m proud to know there are people like you out there….struggling and achieving what is real! I’ll be praying with you during this transition!!
Toby´s last blog ..Do You Remember
Sometimes the hardest choice to make is “no.” Especially in ministry. Especially for people with big hearts and visions. Good job.
Mike Mahoney´s last blog ..Sunday Setlist – Father’s Day 2009
Thanks, Brent. It’s awesome to hear what God’s doing in your life! It’s funny, though – I’ve been thinking of not twittering anymore over the past couple of weeks. And that’s pretty much the opposite of what I hear from everyone else. Hmm.
Turning down the church planting opportunity must have been a hard decision to make. I’m so thankful that a) you didn’t take the decision lightly and b) you had time to truly and prayerfully consider the decision. My husband and I planted a church with 5 other couples a few years back, and (wow, how to sum it up in a kind of short comment?) it was the most amazing AND devastating experience of our lives. I guess you don’t need to know that, but I just wanted to say – yeah. It’s a big deal. A big deal that you were given the opportunity. And a big deal that you sought and listened to God’s heart on the matter.
Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect´s last blog ..Bible Study Update
So you got out of His way?
Peace and love Brother
Respectable…
…I’ll look you up on twitter. Ironically, the sentiment behind this blog applies to my feelings on twitter…it ends up being too much work to keep up with for me.
Nate´s last blog ..Lambic by Brouwerij De Troch
I didn’t want my previous comment to seem negative regarding your decision here. It was more a personal disappointment since this is one of the few ‘communication lines’ left due to the decisions and circumstances of our lives.
I realize you’re weren’t saying that your blog is dead, just ‘re-prioritized’ when you wrote:
“And I love the ability to share in depth what is going on in my life. This will continue to happen and it will continue to be at a pace that it demands… the people I am in living relationship with are getting my attention. It is changing the way I learn, network, care.”
I do understand and agree that those ‘face-to-face’ relationships should never be neglected by being excessively ‘online’. I know trying to keep up with all your contacts’ blogs(and even responding to comments) can compromise proper priorities – that’s my main reason not to start one. But I do hope you will continue (as God leads) to express some of those insights you’ve gained these past months into what’s “deep inside”. I think you will find open ‘ears’ and hearts to relate and respond in love.
I believe that is our desire anyway (even if it might seem a little ‘prickly’ at first read =).
D-
Good for me to read this. Now is such a busy time in my life and I have been wanting to blog because I have felt like it’s what everyone else is doing, but to be honest between a full time job, full time education, planting a church, being a good husband and father, blogging is definitely taking a back seat… as it should be. This was some good confirmation for me this morning, and I am encouraged by you and the Lord to just let it sit and get to it when I can.
Really looking forward to meeting you guys soon, feel like we are kindred spirits already.
Until He Comes
B
Not dead – only sleeping.
As you said – you don’t live here anymore, but have ‘moved on’.
For the better hopefully, even if it means those of us stuck in the blogging community or who like Laz would visit regularly won’t get to see you as often nor experience ‘life’ with you in the same way as before.
Your blog was never for us, but for you though so prioritise it as you think best…
and do the same with the rest of your life as you serve Him
Auf Wiedersehen!
<B
love´s last blog ..My 200th Post (subtitle – Oh SH&T!)
Well, Love (LWBUT), I dunno, when Jesus said Lazarus was “only sleeping” (John 11:11) he actually ended up dead for 4 days before being resurrected.
It’ll be 10 days here tomorrow…So, you think maybe we should give it 4 WEEKS before not even bothering to check back? (Maybe you’ve given up already and I’m just talking to the air – it wouldn’t be the first time, that’s for sure =).
D-
Laz – i don’t give up ‘easily’
they say a year is equivalent to a day in biblical timings?
check in in 4 years maybe???
keep that stone rolled back just in case there’s a ‘miracle’ here before then
Your still likely to find a reply over at my blog – for the forseeable future anyway
<B
love´s last blog ..One for the Ladies…
Well, that’s actually 1000 years is like a day (2 Peter 3:8) and I definitely won’t be around (here anyway) in another 4000 years…
but that’s not to say I would have ‘given up on him’ either though =)!
Maybe we can just take over his blog in the comments (like it looks like we already have)??
And yes, your blog (LWBUT) is one I regulary visit too =)!
D-
Laz – Ahhh one day with the Lord is as a thousand years – not with Brent!
i was thinking more in line with Daniel and Revelation prophecy when they describe certain periods as 42 months or 3 and a half years (= 1260 days or years) and when a ‘time’, times (2 times) and half a time = 3.5 years or days.
<B
love´s last blog ..One for the Ladies…
Laz – do you really think….
<B
We could….
or we SHOULD…
try to take over brent’s Blog – since he doesn’t seem to have much use for it lately??
<B
aaaaaaaand… Comment take-over complete!
Taking over Brent’s Blog – piece by piece – Mwahhahahahahaha!
Over to you, Ma’am
<B
So, do you think…
if we get the comments…
up to 100 or so…
that it would then qualify as a “great thing”…
and he might just notice us again =)?
Nah, I didn’t think so either ={.
D-
I’m thinking that I should just post both of your comments. I’ll have enough material for months
B – i have no objection!
Laz??
Maybe – and this is just a ‘maybe’ mind you…
B could ask you or i to guest blog (or blog swap perhaps in my case).
That way we can really take over ‘his’ blog
Since B is mostly off doing better things now!
<B
love´s last blog ..A Brief History Of Medicine
Oh – and B – that twitter update thing is getting to be a little annoying now!
it uploads over 1100 tweets from Amazonaws.com every time a comment is made or a post is opened!
Most of those are nothing to do with your blog so it seems a little ‘unnecessary’ at Laz and My your blog? 
<B
love´s last blog ..A Brief History Of Medicine
Okay, I’ll try again (if I can remember what I said the first time that didn’t ‘go’- must have been a ‘twitterference’ =).
“Since B is mostly off doing better things now!” >B
I believe that’s “GREAT things”, Love
As to the blog post idea, I’M the one who has ‘better things’ (or at least ‘more pressing things’)to do instead. It just takes me too long to think, write, rewrite, edit, and reread it to revise again and again (like here with just this).
I am fine with ‘living in’ the comment section though =)!
Regarding the ‘twitter stuff’, I can’t even understand info. ABOUT it, much less what it actually might be communicating! I’ll just stick with the ‘old school’ of complete sentences and even paragraphs, thank you…
except ‘broken up’ as necessary for comment ‘take overs’ of course =)!
D-
‘Sorry Love, see even after all the proofreading, I didn’t catch the “>B” when it should have been “<B" (BIG difference to you I know)
={!!
D-
Laz – rest assured – you’re forgiven
Heyyyy – we got a new post!
was it something we said d’you think??
<B
love´s last blog ..How are Christians to Behave?