FARCE – QUESTION…?
We interrupt this program to ask a question:
Can anyone tell me if it is possible to set your WordPress account up so that it automatically likes every post you receive notification about, from a given blogger?
So that someone who never reads your posts – has it rigged so that he automatically hits your LIKE button?
If so what a farce. 🥸
BLOGGING MILLIONS
I was thinking the other day about blogging.
I checked out the numbers. Here is what I found, not an exact science it would seem:
Here’s a quote I came across:
Exactly how many blogs there are in the world is difficult to know, but what’s clear is that blogs online number in the hundreds of millions. The total number of blogs on Tumblr, Squarespace, and WordPress alone equals over 440 million. In actuality, the total number of blogs in the world likely greatly exceeds this number.
Also someone suggested the following:
Tumbler = 440 billion blogs
Blogging has been on the go for quite some time. And I hear a scriptural injunction amidst the fact, that there are so many:
…There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance.
This is part of a particular context of course, but nevertheless it is a statement in itself.
All speech is significant. All languages are necessary. Most subjects have some value. All blogs have something to say.
Stripping it back even further – everyone wants to communicate to their fellow man.
So much so that there are hundreds of millions who want to do so.
I find this interesting/intriguing. And ask myself why I too wish to blog post?
Can we say – we are just made that way (?).
We can’t help it – as it were.
I write poetry because ‘I can’t help it’. I paint pictures because ‘I can’t help it’. I want to communicate because that’s how I [and all of us (?)] are made.
Communication is like breathing, – necessary, and it’s absence is deadly.
Even reclusive-type humans – communicate with themselves. We can’t switch our brains off, and stay alive.
I stop and think this over again.
In another way it is quite inexplicable.
How many really know why they must write their posts? Why do you do it?
I guess there are many reasons.
Do we seek the agreement of others? Do we hope to gain financially? Are we commissioned to pass on our message? Are we looking for admiration? Are we trying to help others? Do we want to be part of a ‘mutual appreciation’ society? Do we think we are geniuses and the world needs our contribution? Are we lonely and want responses? Are we compelled to promote something – some cause, some belief? Are we enthused about a hobby and seek other members for the club?
Such questions must also be coupled with what we hope to achieve, and that starts another round of questions, about what it is we are trying to accomplish.
Usually what I’ve just written, should end with a personal view or conclusion, in which I share my own reasons for blogging.
But maybe that’s too boring?
And maybe I’m in for a silent admonition from 440+ million – “don’t overthink things”.
SEEDSINMOTION
The name of this blog – seedsinmotion – truth – n – art, summed up the way I wished to go in blogging.
I wanted to share the teachings of God’s Word and at the same time, remind us to embrace and enjoy life as it has been given.
Embrace it, for example, through enjoyment of art and writing.
False religion might suggest something different. In former times, visual art seemingly was rejected by some religious folks arresting the scripture that says:
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
Taking it out of context and failing to read the verse before it:
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Art is not here to be worshipped but certainly enjoyed.
The fact that mankind was created in our Creator’s image suggests to me that mankind should prioritise being creative. Expressing creativeness in various ways, whether in how they lay out their garden, decorate a room, sculpt, or paint etc.
A creative approach to life should be perpetually engaged in.
All without bowing down before any of it – and reserving worship to that same creator, maker of the heavens and the earth.
Let’s make things.
I initially in this blog, almost daily exposed my paintings to ‘the world’. It’s almost two years since I stopped posting my work, in such a prolific way.
Thereafter ‘Likes’ soon diminished, when I stopped. After all it’s easy to view a piece of art rather than patiently explore a written post.
My walk with God is the most important thing in my life. How could it be otherwise?After all…
For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appears for a little time and then vanishes away…(James 4/14)
…away into the arms of a Loving Saviour, if you are a friend of His.
This is how Stephen – a ‘vapour’ like the rest of us, left his body:
Acts 7/29
And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
God loves us so much – He so loved the world that He gave…. (Jn. 3/16)
God wants us to look into His personality and nature, and has provided The Word of God – to make that possible.
This brings me to another part of my seedsinmotion blog: TRUTH.
Increasingly TRUTH is an illusive ‘commodity’ in these days.
There has never been so much manifest confusion, in my lifetime.
How difficult it is to hear the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
It seems almost impossible to find it in the words of men. ‘Fake’ has almost replaced real.
Pilate stood before The Christ and asked the question: What is truth?
Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all…”
Standing before Pilate was the Personification of all truth and he (Pilate) couldn’t see it, he didn’t know it.
And he didn’t find the answer to his question. He did not find the truth, just like many thousands, as we speak.
So this exposes man’s dilemma. There is a blindness that is upon the minds of men. And the blind try to lead the blind – but all fall into the ditch of error and lies.
In this day and age – the biggest carriers of confusion seems to be the politicians on the big world stage.
They can’t agree on what the truth is.
There is so much inconclusive debate going on. There is so much that seems to be the truth, but with insufficient evidence to confirm it.
Indisputable evidence is often a slow train coming.
Meantime, failing to see their own inbuilt bias – many fail to see it is from their inbuilt-bias-held-views – that cause them to fall down on a particular opinion and to conclude it is true.
Even though it should not leave (as yet) the place of mere possibility or suspicion.
A man is innocent until proven guilty.
How about applying that rule to truth seeking?
Truth should be sought still – before randomly attaching the truth label to an unsubstantiated opinion.
It’s easy to conclude something as true for all kinds of reasons often because it feeds into and suits our pre-conceptions, or because it suits us to say it is true, even though it isn’t.
In emotional fervour it is easy to jump to the wrong conclusions.
Many, thinking ‘it’ to be the truth – actually believe a lie.
Christian truth overflows the Bible. I trust it because it is God’s Truth and it makes us free.
It is the only thing on earth to be trusted completely, more than any other writings or any other person.
So I write my seeds of truth.
But also poetry, which can be fictitious, observational, or whatever, and because it is fiction – well, that’s the only time it doesn’t have to be true, in the strictest sense, – is it not?
Maybe each piece of poetry, needs an explanatory proviso, or do we all know, fiction can be true or false?
Fiction can be make believe, and is acceptable, because the author is not trying to deceive us in the real world?
True art is simply an individuals self-expression, i.e. true to themselves. That’s enough for it to be genuine (another idea of true), without plagiarism, but, in my opinion, not necessarily communicative of a given truth, or absolute truth.
Seeds of biblical truth, truth spoken in love, and art – painted, written and spoken poetically, that’s my ‘manifesto’.
INTERESTED?
Here we go – perhaps stating the obvious?
I was thinking of things that interest me.
Having mentioned (in a previous post), the ‘interest’ factor when it comes to what posts people will read.
It must be one of the simplest conclusions one must arrive at, when it comes to examining why your posts and mine receive their quota of ‘likes’, or not as the case may be.
Some posts get a four, and some get a twenty-four for example.
And so the “why?” question.
I still say it is the interest factor. I too will read what catches my attention/interest, and ignore what doesn’t. I quickly glean whether the post is worth pursuing or not.
I think it’s safe to say that, like you (?), the time element also comes into it.
Posts too long, usually get bypassed for that reason.
All because you and I have things to do. We have our own world to engage with. Trying to hit a balance with work, rest, and play. (Let me add pray).
Some excellent writing therefore is bound to be bypassed along the way.
And so good writing is not a deciding factor in what gets read.
Is writing ability over-rated? Well yes and no. Try reading a post by someone who has little writing ability.
Conversely think of the innumerable multitude of decent writers.
Subject matter – is either of interest to you or isn’t. You will read accordingly – or not.
We know that our ‘followers’ total, means little. Please correct me if I’m missing something?
But there are hundreds of my ‘followers’ who have not visited seedsinmotion for a loooong time.
But heh! Neither have I visited them. So who can complain?
Where’s this all leading to?
Actually I suppose this is where promotion comes in.
Those who must have constant attention and traffic etc. – go mad on promotion. All social media outlets taken on board.
Every which way they can – promote, promote, promote.
I feel a spiritual point coming on.
Jesus was the most sought after person on the planet within His sphere of service (Israel).
He had the goods, as we say. He did the opposite to promoting Himself, with sentences such as:
Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.
Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”
Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it.
Notice the more He told them not to ‘promote’ Him – the more He became famous, and His mighty deeds were noised abroad.
Amongst the many attributes we see demonstrated in the Life of The Lord Jesus Christ – humility comes to mind.
He so had every attribute worthwhile to living life – that all came to have a look. Have a look – and get their needs met.
Now before this becomes another Post, suffice to say – for those who are earning a living online – keep on promoting. I am not earning a living online. So I have no tricks, free mugs or T-shirts, but bid you “have a nice day 😎”
PS (To that one person who is helped by anything I write – you make it all worthwhile)
77
I still see the number in my mind’s eye
Exactly as it was
The door is no longer…
–
Destroyed in urban clearance
But I still see the number
On gloss-green painted door
All brass shining on its plaque
–
Where I was born
Gone with the house
That number is fixed
In my mind’s eye
It represents my family
It is the constant
The number on our door
–
Brass bright – like some ancient landmark
“77” I say it again
Once we enthused
at its sunset strip connection
“77” – brass – polished – by diligent mother
–
Quickly take me back
Green door – red step
Window sills
Paper mill at the street’s end
Roofs to climb in naughty pursuit
–
I will ride the imaginary horse
And espy with my little eye
77 glinting in the sun
Branded on my memory
Bygones gone forever
Leaving 77 to shine on
On the green door of my heart
POSTING
Something by no means unique to a particular blog’s subject matter – is the question of what to put in and what to leave out in a post?
I imagine – Too long a post and we lose readers.(?)
Especially in this instant coffee day and age in which we live.
Attention spans have changed.
When it comes to posts with Christian subject matter in pursuit of readers – here’s how it looks to me:
Many are posting. Many send out the Word of God, hoping and trusting that God will use it in ways we know not of. Based on the scripture that tells us:
Isaiah 55/
For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
11
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Now of course, for it not to return void (in the sharing of Christian teaching sense) – it must be accepted in the first place by the readers to whom it is sent. Or at least listened to.
For most of my fifty years as a Christian I have sent forth God’s Word – not as prolifically as I would have liked.
But needing something to describe what I do – I became seedsinmotion. (Preaching, teaching, evangelising, writing)
Most Christians agree that the times we are entering into are times of hardship and a ‘falling away’ is taking place, rather like in the days of Noah.
II Timothy 3/
3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
We are also told that there will come a time when:
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;…
So some will not even get past the title of a Christian post, before they decide it’s not for them.
The preacher gets his listeners on a Sunday morning. Usually an expected ‘ready made’ audience.
But sending out blog posts is potentially hit and miss for bloggers.
Usually having many genuine readers and not just followers, in my opinion, depends on the interest factor or lack of it.
It is not based (again – in my opinion) solely on writing ability.
It is true for myself also – if I am not interested in a particular post – I trash some of my email notifications without even reading the posts in situ.
So I shouldn’t be surprised if others do the same with me.
However there are those I return to again and again for the opposite reason i.e. I’m interested enough to do so.
Also – perhaps to the chagrin of the ‘poster’ – I sometimes read their post in my emails and don’t sign in to click the like button (naughty I know).
There is no doubt Christian or non-Christian when you read a Christian post – you are ‘exposing’ your mind to content that can be used by God to do something inside you. That is the most important thing when it comes to Christian posts.
Not just primarily that you have been educated or informed intellectually but rather: is God saying something personal to you, that you can take into your being, and because of which you allow Him to bring change?
That’s the question you must ask. There is no way of knowing how many ask this question.
And that is something we (i.e. more specifically I) must leave to Our Heavenly Father.
It’s no surprise to me that often my poetry gets more ‘likes’ than posts with Christian subject-matter (though not always). The following scripture explains why non-Christians do not respond to Christian teaching.
However if they respond to the powerful Word of God – they might stop long enough, to examine the claims of Jesus the Christ, and pursue these claims to find salvation and/or the truth making them free!
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
MISCELLANY
This blog started as a 3-fold sharing idea. I would share my paintings, my poems and Christian writing.
I stopped sharing my paintings approximately one year or so ago. I post only the odd one.
I have been preaching/teaching the bible for almost fifty years. Not in the capacity of a full-time pastor as they say – but e.g. as a joint leader in various churches, whilst holding down a job in a local newspaper as a typesetter.
I am like most people who are getting on in years, the older I get, the more I realise that life is extremely short/brief, even if you reach the grand ol’ age of Dame Vera Lynn, who passed away recently.
I would like the same amount of years over again. Highly unlikely I’m afraid.
It’s a bit like The Lord Jesus said: …The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few:…
There is plenty of work still to be done, and the privilege of serving The King of kings would create the desire for many more years to come, in which to do so.
I believe we are all unique. What we do – is often the result of what we are. It is meant to be that way.
The scripture instructs us –
Roman 12/6
…Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,
Though the context is spiritual gifts – I believe it is not ‘arresting’ scripture to conclude that it also applies to our natural/personality gifts.
I don’t think we should be overly concerned with how good or bad we are in expressing our particular gift, but are meant to do the best we can.
I have been painting since schooldays and writing also.
My poetry is a mixture of all kinds. Sometimes personal, sometimes tongue-in-cheek, sometimes just playing with words, sometimes (I hope) with the injection of profundity, other times I use lightness.
My painting is the same.
My preaching is always with the endeavour to ‘rightly divide the word of truth.’ Knowing that the letter kills but the Spirit gives life.
My expectation of what friendship brings, has somewhat diminished over the years. The realities of life are sobering.
If I did not have a friend I have proven – ‘sticks closer than a brother’ [Prov. 18/24] – I fear to think how empty life would be. (His name is Jesus).
Even when I don’t sense a lot in the spiritual realm – I know Christ’s Word is totally reliable, and it assures me I will never be forsaken by this God/Saviour/Friend I serve.
An observation I have made in life is to notice that there are two aspects of friendship-forming. Two ways if you like that we engage in the human experience of forming relationships.
There are the ‘initiators’ and the ‘responders’.
We are all initiators and responders, to varying degrees.
The percentage break-up of these two activities varies from person to person.
Some folks never initiate anything.
Often they communicate in ways such as: “We must get together for a coffee!” They never do. Or “ We must have you round some night.” But the invitation never reaches the date and time stage.
If you initiate the get together, they gladly respond. And they can be the ‘nicest’ people you know, but they are 90 percent responders and 10 per cent initiators.
There can be all sorts of reasons for this. Some folks are just ‘hyper-active’ and they are always initiating events. It has been said that in a church all the work of service is carried out by 10 per cent of the congregation. Probably their initiation percentage is high.
It causes incredulity to arrive on the doorstep of our minds, when we e.g. take someone out for a treat. ‘Wine and dine’ folks as it is referred to, and they assure us of the wonderful time they had, and how they too wish to initiate such an outing in return.
Only to find that months or longer go by and you never hear from them again.
Now of course the saving grace in this is found in the following scriptures –
Colossians 3/
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
And yet another principle:
Luke 6/35:
…lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
This gives cause for rejoicing when we do good to others, or offer friendship. Much as we have their good in mind – our reward, our satisfaction if you like is that it is pleasing to God and it is the answer of a good conscience to The Lord.
Doing it heartily, and hoping for nothing in return, tests our mettle.
When people say and don’t do, we will experience frustration, (let’s be real) but what we do with that frustration is turn it into prayer and if we need to – into forgiveness.
A faithful friend is hard to find – David found one in Jonathon. It is as Christ changes us from the inside out – that we shall be able to give love when it is not returned.
This is why He, the Christ of God, shone in His perfection to show us how mankind aught to live.
Praise be to His Great Name!
IT’S A BOOKSHELF WORLD
Heads peer at us – full-screen or to the side
Mouths mouthing every conceivable Covid theme
Experts and not – giving opinion in the rectangular frame
One after the other in different parts of the globe
That global world of mini caves with furniture
Furniture – have you noticed? – you bet you have
An insight – a strong conclusion is concurred
[I see much paper is still with print
Books – hard-copy called –
stuffed unceremoniously in bookshelves walled]
Backgrounds countless in every private room
Stacked in space-filling fashion
Some neat – others replete – or crammed
All shapes and sizes – arrangements galore
Titles curiously glanced at – by you and I
Some titles too small for the human eye
We eagerly look to see their reading habits
Yes low and behold –
bookshelves – bookshelves – bookshelves
All in array – everyone has one – has many –
Bookshelves well made and hanging together
Real wood and veneer adjacent side by side
Vertical stacked books horizontal as well –
Supported in rickety Mondrian pattern
Or – all displayed volumes in volumetric show
Best of binding don’t you know
Bookshelves – all have been exposed
Not things of the past as you might think
Bookshelves on show in a row
Ugly Covid’s by-product bonus for the eyes
Glimpses of how the other half live
They all love their bookshelves
We cannot fail to see
They all love their bookshelves
It’s a bookshelf-world made from the tree
Bookshelves – bookshelves – bookshelves
Everyone talks in their bookshelf room
Bookshelves – ‘If I ever see another bookshelf…’
Bookshelves on the TV
Bookshelves – it’s overwhelming me
I thought you said it’s all computerised?
While there before our eyes
Regardless of the subject-matter discussed
Regardless of Isolation – all locked in – at home –
Have bookshelf will travel –
Books and more books – bookshelf spree
With the all-encompassing comfort-zone-shelf
People – proud – chose that room – to let the world see
They still love their bookshelf – not even tidy
They say it doesn’t have to be
The humble bookshelf background –
or are we looking at a shop?
Bookshelves – surely a library is before me?
No – that’s their’s – in their home
(most advanced persons of the 21st century)
A bookshelf exposé
Bookshelves –
The ones that are not meant to be…
Talking to AMSTERDAM
Once again coming across old literature, caused me to look back on my evangelistic visits to Amsterdam.
Flying to the Netherlands, my wife’s home country.
I would ‘tithe’ a week per year, of my holidays from work, to go on the streets and into cafes etc. to engage in conversations with all kinds of people. Wherever I found a willing, listening ear.
And of course it takes all sorts to make a world.
I took an 8-person team there once for the same reason.
Otherwise I usually went with a friend or a few times on my own. I of course acquired friends who lived in Amsterdam and would sometimes work with others in local churches.
‘Gossiping the gospel’ as it is sometimes referred to.
It’s been a while since I was last there, on such a mission.
I wonder how empty Amsterdam is at the moment?
Those were enjoyable times. It appealed to my ‘hippie’ personality, (if there is such a thing).
Any Christians reading this post, might inform me, if hitting the streets (pre-covid 19) to spread the gospel of Christ, is still on the agenda?
If so, let me know of such outreaches that you know of, so my enthusiasm for the younger-generation-servants-of-Christ, can be boosted, knowing the baton is still being carried.
Putting seeds-in-motion, was my foundational motivation, in going to the streets of Amsterdam.
The bible tells us that one sows, another waters – but God alone can give the increase of the shared message of the gospel. (I Cor. 3/6)
If there was ever a time (though there always has been), when the good news of God’s love is greatly needed in a world staggering around in zombi-like fashion, needing answers – it is now.
Now indeed is the accepted time (II Corinthians 6/2).
I enjoyed my times encountering all kinds of weird and wonderful people, and of course, had the bonus of going to visit the art galleries.😎
As the old cliche goes: ‘I’m not as young as I used to be…’
But watch me as I slap my wrists and tell myself: ‘That’s no excuse – get out there.’
Anybody want to go with me?
See you post-covid 19!
You ran well…
Galatians 5:7-9 (NKJV)
7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
Paul the apostle is addressing the believers in Galatia.
‘You ran well’ he reminds them.
Followers of Christ have a personal relationship with Him – through prayer.
And all Christians at some point in their experience will fail to ‘run well’.
Shortcomings will ‘take over’, to hinder the race they are called to run.
The conscientious, must quickly return to their advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ the righteous. (I John 2/1)
The whole epistle to the Galatians should be greatly appreciated by all believers. As it warns us of the dangers of falling into legalism and dead religion.
In a nutshell the problem is that the believer ends up with their eyes totally on themselves and no longer on The Lord Jesus.
I’ve been there, and can smell – a mile away – the grave clothes of legalism resulting in morbid introspection, a sense of constant failure, and the curse of the law. (Gal. 3/10-13)
In my early Christian walk, I too went through a period of bewitchment (Gal. 3/1). But Jesus set me free again!
Paul talks here of ‘persuasion’.
They, the Galatians, were persuaded and drawn-away from the true gospel. They had a form of godliness, but where not experiencing the presence of The Holy Spirit as they should.
That’s why, Paul asks them this question in a later chapter:
This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
God wants us to simply believe and act on our belief, in humility and adoration of the King of kings.
Always returning to communion with the lover of our souls.
I suppose we all run our race, at a different pace than fellow Christians.
At times we all become spiritually lethargic and need a fresh spiritual impetus.
We must never forget and always act upon God’s offered acceptance and forgiveness in The Saviour.
He is exactly what He says He is. And His mercy endures forever.
To arrest an advertising slogan – (God is) and does exactly what it says on the tin.
Be encouraged to take Him at His word and act upon it!
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
