(Written Jan. 1, 2012, looking back at the past year on the blog.)
With almost 13,000 hits this year from over 80 different countries and 46 states, the year 2011 has more than exceeded my expectations for this little blog. There were 162 entries, generally written in series of thoughts, ranging on topics as varied as my heart, Jesus, culture, art, the search for a church home, books and anything else that captured my attention. As the year progressed, certain themes definitely emerged, as did my voice as a writer. Thank you to those who have come along for the ride. Some days I write for just for me and my sanity…some days I write because Jesus has asked me to – and I’ll be honest…some days I write because I really like for y’all to read what I’ve written.
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So, after perusing the blog for the last year, here are some of the top posts, judged by some weird mental formula in my head combining number of hits, quality of comments and personal preference. Even though I numbered them, they are not in any sort of order.
1. The Fram – I Want To Be This Boat 1/12/11 – This post was the perfect marriage of introspective topic, photos and the personal story of God moving in my life.
2. The Danger Of Repeated Conversations 1/2/11 – This entry made me chuckle because the friend I wrote about, who ‘slapped me in the face’, is actually a semi-regular reader of the blog. It was also, hands down, the most visited post of the year.
3. Cleaning Like A German 1/20/11 – I love bathroom humor. Who doesn’t? And here I got to combine it with paying homage to my beloved German friends. The lesson I learned from the experience wasn’t bad either.
4. It Wasn’t What I Wanted To Be Doing Today 5/8/11 – I cried while writing this… and sometimes I cry while re-reading it.
5. What Are We So Afraid Of (Heart Stuff pt. 7) 12/13/11 – I probably got more off-blog feedback on this post than any I’ve done. I obviously hit a nerve here.
6. Navigating The Unfamiliar (Heart Stuff pt. 8) 12/21/11 A very recent entry that, like # 6, generated significant off-blog traffic. Writing about heart stuff may very well prove to be one of my life’s themes.
7. What In The World Is My Problem (pt. 6) – I’m A Hater 9/26/11 – This was by far Jeff’s least favorite blog post I’ve ever written, and considering I’ve probably written over a thousand of them through the years, that’s saying something. Yet it was easily one of the most commented on of the year. It was raw and honest, written during a very unhappy moment. I’m so glad I recorded it though, as I’m getting to see Jesus redeem it now.
8. 16 Years Ago 11/11/11 – Ah… just read it and you’ll understand why it is a favorite of mine.
9. Jesus pt. 1 – I Underestimate Him 11/13/11 – A few months ago I began a series I publish every Saturday. It is just about Jesus: who I’m discovering Him to be and how He is working in my life. This entry was the first, and so far, probably my favorite – because I know the story behind it and how it changed my life.
10. Recent Prayers I’ve Prayed (pt 3) 5/4/11 – When I wrote this out at 3 am, I didn’t realize just how honest this prayer was going to be, or how powerful its echo would become in my life in the coming months.
11. The Battle Is Raging – Thoughts On Spiritual Warfare pt. 3 – Feelings Aren’t Always Our Friend 10/30/11 This post was probably the most recommended by readers to other folks…and I was so glad to put words to something that others were thinking too.
12. Let The Healing Begin - 8/20/11 A personal favorite of mine that captures one little slice and story of my amazing trip to Europe this summer. Little did I know how prophetic it would become.
13.What In The World Is My Problem Meets The Church Search : and both blog series mercifully end. 11/23/11 – This was the second most trafficked post of the year, surprising me greatly. Not my best writing and to fully get it, you needed to keep up with two different series over the course of several months. Evidently, some of you did.
14. Finishing Well 1/6/11 – Semi-poetic, existential, moody, introspective, spiritual…my writing in a nutshell.
15. Beyond The Water’s Edge 4/3/11 – Oddly enough, this was a repost from 2006. And it is still one of the favorite things I’ve ever written. It is a snapshot into the moment of time and thought processes when God officially made me a missionary.
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