I don’t know what the #1 Most Popular Blog for Christians is. I know it’s not mine. That’s okay. I don’t expect it to be. But in my blogging experience, I’ve observed a strange phenomenon. Of the few Christians who read blogs, even fewer read blogs about the Bible.
How do I know?
1} I have been on the lookout for “Bible bloggers” for almost two years, and I can just about count my findings on one hand.
2} Of the “Bible bloggers” I’ve found, none are even close to “popular.”
3} If, on social media, I post a Scripture-filled thought or article, there is usually little to no response, increasing only if I incorporate an eye-catching image or intriguing title. However, if I post selfies or strong opinions, or share articles about politics, sports, music, or current trends and controversies, the likes, comments, and shares skyrocket.
Christians read all manner of things online, but they scroll past the Bible.
I like to think it’s because they’re regularly involved in personal Scripture study and don’t need the online tips, encouragement, and interaction.
But let’s be realistic. More often than not, Christians scroll past the Bible because they’re not interested. It’s boring. They already know all that stuff. Maybe they’ll spend their screen time reading theological articles, cultivating godly friendships, or participating in helpful discussions. More likely, they’re promoting their small business, bragging about the grandkids, gabbing about the latest news, engaging in frivolous arguments, or learning how to make cake pops.
How do I know?
Because that was me. That was how I spent my time online because I “already knew” the Bible, and other stuff was just more interesting.
{Then I had a light-bulb moment that lasted a few months. But that’s another story for another day.}
As a “Bible blogger,” I want nothing more than to declare, promote, and display the immeasurable worth of the Word of God. But sometimes I feel like I’m fighting everything, non-Christian and Christian alike, to have such a voice.
And I thought the Bible and the God it reveals were the Christian’s greatest loves. If online stats mean anything, I’m not so sure.
But I’m not bemoaning the lack of hits and shares. I’m bemoaning what the lack represents. I realize my deduction may be illogical and unfounded, and I realize that the Bible isn’t the only thing worth reading or sharing. But when the church doesn’t teach the Bible, I leave. When the community of Christ-followers would rather sit around and play games, I look elsewhere. And when the Christian’s online interaction doesn’t reflect the loves they claim, I pity them.
And I move on. In search of truth. In search of life.
Because personally, I need all the encouragement I can get to know and love God more. I need to be thrown back into the pages of Scripture. I need new angles, ideas, and observations. I need feedback and community worth having. I need people who know and love God. {And if there’s no proof that they ever read his Words, how am I to know?}
In the muck and the mire of the online mess I face every day, that’s what I’m looking for. Those are the people I want in my life. Those are the ones I want to emulate. Those are the Words I want repeated to me again and again. Those are the blog posts that stand out like a sore thumb.
Because they’re not popular. And they probably never will be. But, when I see them, I smile. And sometimes do a little happy dance. And almost always read, like, comment, and share.
Because for me, they’re #1.
[image credit: pixabay.com]
I read ALL your blogs, Lydia and I applaud your search and your sharing.
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Thank you!
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Hey Lydia, good article. Here’s one Bible-based blog I read sometimes. I love the idea of it:
http://kingsenglish.info/
It goes through the Bible finding famous phrases that the KJV brought into our common speech and doing a Bible study on each one.
Another one worth looking at is https://answersingenesis.org/
I’m sure you’re familiar with Ken Ham and his work. It turns out his site has good articles explaining questions people have about the Bible.
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Thanks, Cody! I’ll have to check those out! And thanks for your “Bible blogging” {and Facebook discussion group}. I so appreciate how you challenge people with the Word.
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We all need this: ” I need all the encouragement I can get to know and love God more. I need to be thrown back into the pages of Scripture. I need new angles, ideas, and observations. I need feedback and community worth having. I need people who know and love God.” Congratulations! I’m approving your membership into the Fellowship of Christian bloggers!
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Thank you so much! I’m privileged to be a member!
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I like reading a lot of different things to see how some of the folks bring the Bible and/or Jesus into the discussion. That helps bring the word to people that might not otherwise hear it.
One thing I heard one time talked about was not elevating the word (the Bible) above the Word (Jesus) and that made me stop and think. Jesus can be in every thought and conversation we have without necessarily quoting the Bible. I don’t know of that makes perfect theological sense, but I thought it was applicable to your post.
Thanks!
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Excellent points. And yes, the aim of knowing the Bible is to know the God of the Bible. Which is why I want to know the Bible more and more!
Bringing the Word into discussions is fantastic. Most of the time, I find I haven’t spent enough time in the Word to be able to do so. Unless it’s a passage I’ve studied deeply, I feel like I can’t enter the discussion with a decent level of understanding. I don’t want to enter a discussion with my own words, but with God’s words. Which means I need to know what he says! {Lots of “homework.”}
As for reading other things, I have so much Scripture study to do, I don’t have time to read much else. I don’t want to become a hermit, but I want to be so saturated in Scripture that it transforms me and enables me to impact others. If I had to choose, I’d rather spend my time in Scripture-saturation on a personal level and in community, than filling my time with other good, but perhaps “lesser” things.
But I agree with your points, and thanks for sharing.
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I understand, but if you SHOW people Jesus, which you do, and let the Spirit do the talking, you’ll be a huge advocate for God. The lost don’t need a huge theological explanation of Christ, but they do notice Christ’s love in action. Learn as much as you can, I totally understand that, but just remember, you don’t have to have every answer to reap a harvest, God can do that all on his own, or with our help. Love your writing, Lydia!
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Yes, I understand what you mean and totally agree. Thanks for the encouragement!
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Yep,
The more you dress up Gods word the more hypocrisy/hypocrites will add.
multitude followed (most for food) + truth=12
I love the passage where Jesus says: I do what I saw my Dad does.
Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.
Only true followers will take the bible for the true word of God.
The way is narrow….
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You nailed it! I’ve often felt that. I write about the Bible because I want to share what’s there! I want others to know that there really are answers, encouragement, wisdom, and more in the Word.
Hopping here from Grace and Truth.
Blessings to you and yours!
Marie @ http://asatisfiedspirit.com
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Couldn’t agree more Lydia. Please don’t quit doing what you’re doing. Everyone will agree on THAT day.
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Hi Lydia…I’ve just discovered your blog through Literacy Musing Mondays, and am so glad I visited. It’s wonderful. I love your writing and your heart for the Word. I’ll be following from now on. God bless you in your boldness and desire to be in his Word and share his Word.
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Thanks so much, Joanna!
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Hi Lydia, I found your blog through the ‘Beauty in His Grip’ link-up. Glad I did! Your post was encouraging to read and I agree we need more Bible teaching. We may need only the love of Christ when coming to Him, but once we have received Him we need to grow, and the more we study the Bible, that He has given to us, the more we get to know Him and are blessed and enriched by His Word.
God bless : )
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Thanks for stopping by, Cathy!
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The Bible is the most important read, it is the most necessary. I was once told by a friend that my words are not light-hearted all the time because I can’t write anything w/o referring to the Bible. She encouraged me to write so I could get more followers. But, that wasn’t my ‘real’ purpose to begin with and it made me think of 1 Corinthians 10:31.. Whatever i do, in thought word or deed, I need to do it for HIS glory… not my own.
Keep pushing deeply into the truth, where He is calling you. (Is 1:18) and let His faithfulness to you bring the harvest.
Blessings!
Dawn
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Thanks so much, Dawn! I so appreciate your encouragement!
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We need like a team to inspire us and guide us to do better every time. Good on you.
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Hey Lydia,
Thank you for the reminder of the importance of studying the Scripture, including His words in our post, and cheering on other bloggers who are faithfully following Christ–I love your passion for this! Wishing you a blessed week!
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Lydia that may be true, but we are called to Go and tell and that’s what I do. I am blogging for an audience of one – Him and prayerfully asking that my blogs touch others. I started blogging to reach family and friends, and sometimes I know I am. Our world has changed, but it’s time for those of us who blog about Him and the Bible step up and change it back for generations to come.
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So true! Thanks for sharing, and I pray your blog reaches many!
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Interesting read, Lydia. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I think I might be the opposite of you, and probably only have ever been involved-with/read Christian blogs. (Is that the same as “Bible Blogs?”) There are a ton of blogs out there though, aren’t there? I don’t have enough time to read outside my genre, so I haven’t really ever read many of the ‘secular’ ones. Love your emphasis on the Bible. Nice to bump into you today. ((sweet blessings))
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Thanks so much for reading! I guess I differentiate between Christian blogs and Bible blogs. There are a good number of Christian blogs out there, but I find very few Bible blogs. And by “Bible blogs,” I mean blogs which specifically talk about the Bible and encourage Christians to dig into the Word. I see few Bible blogs out there, and it seems that they’re not “popular.” Not that being popular matters, but it makes me wonder why Christians don’t like to read about the Bible. Hope that helps to clarify my point in this article.
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Lydia,
I am a Bible-based blogger. I would love you to link to Word of God Speak. http://www.janiscox.com
blessings,
Janis
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How wonderful, Janis! I look forward to checking out your blog!
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I am so with you on this, sister. I don’t care about the popularity either. I was visiting a church in CA once when the pastor encouraged his people to tweet and share Scripture on social media when it encourages us because it will encourage others. I never play the games either!
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Yes! Verbatim Scripture makes the best tweets! Thanks for your encouragement and for stopping by to check out my blog!
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Lydia, thanks for saying what so many of us feel at times. It helps me to remember that we do what we do to please God … and that’s always enough! Blessings!
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By the way, I pinned, posted and tweeted!
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Thanks, Donna!
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Great post. I just finished studying the book of Acts. Paul was all about the gospel message, teaching through scripture. We can follow his example. God bless you as you continue to focus on God’s word!
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Amen to this: “Because personally, I need all the encouragement I can get to know and love God more.” Me too! I can completely relate. I have only truly been a believer for about 5 years so I’m still really hungry for the Word and that type of encouragement. I certainly hope that never goes away :).
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I hope it never goes away, too! Thanks for reading, and I’m glad it was an encouragement to you!
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Thanks for sharing your post with us at the #LMMLinkup. May Bible bloggers keep blogging for God’s glory no matter how many followers they have or don’t have. I enjoy this Bible blog: http://alookatthebook.blogspot.com/
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Amen! And thanks for suggesting “A Look at the Book”! Super excited to check it out!
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What a wonderful post Lydia! Look at the Book is the BEST advice available. May I invite you to share your words at the DanceWithJesus linkup to bless someone there? SusanBMead.com/blog beginning each Friday
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I love this quote: “As a “Bible blogger,” I want nothing more than to declare, promote, and display the immeasurable worth of the Word of God.” That is my goal too! Thanks so much for sharing on Literacy Musing Mondays this week.
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Hi Lydia. I don’t think I could ever get too much of God’s Word. In fact, I told my hubby the other day that I wanted a new colouring Bible. His response, “Don’t you have enough Bibles?” NO WAY! God’s word is so comforting and it brings such peace to my heart. I am sad that many Christians have not realized this truth. I wonder if some are just so caught up in their bondage and pain, that they underestimate the power of His word. Thanks for linking up with Grace and Truth.
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I think it must be true that many underestimate the power of His Word. If they didn’t, they would spend so much more time in it! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts today.
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Thanks for the post. Encouraged by your heart for God’s Word! Would appreciate you taking a look at a sermon/preaching blog done by my husband called ‘The Preaching Platform’. http://www.preachingplatform.org is the link. Blessings.
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Thanks! I enjoyed visiting your husband’s site. I pray your ministry together continues to be blessed.
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Thanks Lydia for your response and for visiting The Preaching Platform. We pray that the Lord will use you powerfully!!
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Hi, Lydia! As a fellow “Jesus blogger,” I can certainly understand your perspective. It has helped me to remember that Jesus Himself said that the Way to eternal life is narrow, and only a few will find it. There are so many things vying for our attention these days; so many trinkets to lure our gaze. May Christ’s followers be drawn ever deeper into intimacy with Him, and may we be faithful to point those few to Him.
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Amen! Thanks for the encouragement, Jennifer!
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Many Christians need a challenge to seek for more of God’s presence and all He has for us as believers. I try to add a spiritual twist when I tell a story, but now days I share notes from my Pastor’s sermon, or our Bible Study lesson. Right now on Facebook I post a portion of a chapter from Mark’s gospel. I read two chapters each morning, but most FB watchers will not read an entire chapter on FB, but a bite size seems to get some attention. You are correct that many people like something that causes them to respond, maybe argue or find fault. My blog Joyful Noise has a few regular followers, and most do not comment. The bloggers that submit posts here at Tell me a Story are all lifting Jesus up in some way. Thank you for sharing here at Tell me a Story.
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Thanks for sharing! That’s neat that you’re posting sections of Mark’s gospel. My pastor is preaching through the book of Mark in a year, and I’m in a study of Mark with some ladies from church that coincides with his preaching. It’s been a blast!
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I totally agree with this. I am also a Bible blogger. Even more specific, I blog about Biblical parenting and discipling our children intentionally, so I think it’s even less popular. But that’s not the point. I enjoyed checking out your blog. Mine is http://www.minivanministries.com if you would like to check it out. Have a great weekend!
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Awesome! Thanks for sending me to your blog! I love it! I look forward to reading more of your posts!
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Hey Lydia. Thanks for this post. I’ve been writing a Christian discipleship blog for almost 4 years and find myself frustrated with trying to encourage readership. I spend a lot of time reading and commenting on others’ blogs but get only a trickle of responses. I end up feeling like I must be doing something wrong, but maybe what you wrote here is more the issue. I appreciate your insight. I’d love you to stop by to visit my blog if you have time…. http://www.switchbacks.org
and btw… I just followed you on twitter! 🙂
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Hey! I’m so excited to check out your blog! I’ll add you to my “Friends Along the Way” list in the right-hand column of my blog, so maybe I few people will find you that way! Though I don’t consider my blog to be very “blog-y,” but more plain and focused in nature, I’ve recently learned about link-ups and have been posting some to increase awareness of my blog. My goal is not to get lots of hits, but to draw many to the Scriptures, so, yes, I’m always looking for more ways to get the Word out. But I also realize that what I write is not popular, so I write for the few who need it, and it’s okay if only those few show up. Anyway, I’ll be sure to check out some of your articles. I’m intrigued!
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I love this so much! thank you for sharing! 🙂
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I agree. I have been blogging for 2 years also, and I am floored by some of the posts that have many comments and it is about absolutely nothing. I think reading Christian blogs takes time and understanding of what that specific person may be going through. I enjoyed your honest post and am so glad you shared with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week 🙂
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Thank you! And blessings to you as you seek to be an intentional and meaningful voice in the blogging world!
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Oh, girl! Oh, oh, girl!
I stumbled across your blog just now from the Grace and Truth link up, and started clicking around your site. I think I’ve found, in you, a kindred spirit!
I write about many things, but the posts I write about scripture tend to be the least viewed, least shared… but they mean the most to me. So I keep writing them, and know that I’m doing something that pleases the heart of God.
Thank you for staying strong in the faith and in the Word, friend! Blessings to you! (And also, I’d love to connect… and I’ll be following your blog!)
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Oh my goodness! I’m so excited about your blog…and “Blog Through the Bible”??!! That’s so awesome! I’m adding you to my list of links on my home page. And wow, we’ll have to talk more!
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Ok, so I have lots of posts that could be submitted to your “Blogging Through the Bible” site. Should I submit them individually or leave you to take the ones you want from my site? 🙂
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THis is so true. Thank you for speaking up. I need to be held accountable!!
Here from Fri. Frivolity
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It is wonderful to see all the support your post is getting and good to know there are quite a number using God’s word to encourage and uphold each other and to bring glory to our Lord. Their target audience is primarily Christians.
I would not want to underestimate the blogs that have a broader target audience that includes the unsaved. They have to be much more sensitive how they communicate God’s message. They realize that people are at different stages on their journey.
There are other bloggers who use blogging as a full-time income stream, that is no different than going to the office and bringing home a salary, it is their job. Many a Christian mom takes this on in order to stay at home with their children.
I know Christian bloggers who work on forming genuine relationships with unsaved bloggers, they go out of their way to help them even if it hurts themselves. It is quite humbling to promote someone else above yourself. They are living God’s word and when the time is right they will share it. If you come across their blog it would be easy to dismiss it as not overtly promoting God’s word.
It is good to respect the efforts of all those seeking to be a genuine witness.
That does not answer your original point that Scripture on social media does not get support, that is a worrying trend. Please keep posting Scripture all you faithful bloggers.
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I completely agree. Thanks so much for this clarification.
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This is so true Lydia. Lots of Bible posts on social media go unnoticed, unshared, and unliked. But we all need all the encouragement we can get.
Thanks for sharing this encouragement with us at EncourageMe Linkup, it led me to your blog which Ihave added already to ‘Blogs I read list’. I’m glad you came around.
Blessings,
Grace
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So important to make a stand for what you believe even when it isn’t “popular”! Thanks for sharing your thoughts at #FridayFrivolity.
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I visit Always Learning daily!! I love how real she is! Because most of the time I need a real kick in the pants! http://lorialexander.blogspot.com/
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Ooo! Thanks for the recommendation!
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Thanks for the challenge. I have found your insight true in my own life and in those around me.
Blessings,
Leslie
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On my author page I’ve consistently shared 1-3 paragraph blurbs on a topic of scripture. The response? Usually nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. The silence of a thousand keyboards paying their respects. Or disrespecst. I’m not sure. The point is that it generally goes nowhere. But onward I press because outward it flows from me and I am compelled to continue. I cannot stop the point for which I was created. These are beautiful words written here on your beautiful blog. You are making a difference for the kingdom one keystroke at a time. God bless you and your work.
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Such sweet encouragement! Thank you! And my God bless you in your writing as well. We may never know what kind of difference we’re making. But it’s worth it all if only we ourselves learn more about his Word in the process. Blessings, friend!
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YES YES YES YES YES. You get me. The end.
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Thank you so much for sharing this! I recently started my own Christian blog and I too find it easy to get discouraged when people don’t like my Christian posts like they like my selfies. Thank you for the reminder that I’m not supposed to be popular, I’m supposed to share the gospel! I definitely needed to hear this encouragement.
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Hey Lydia! This blog is not popular? What??? I don’t have 69 comments on anything on my blog! Lol! I so appreciate this post. I appreciate you as a Bible blogger. Since you are classifuing things, I am a family life blogger. And I certainly hope that my blog meets your expectations. I have a wonderful “faith” section. It’s my favorite part of the blog, actually. Keep up then great work. You are an encouragement to me.
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Just saw this comment. You are the sweetest!
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