A lot has been on my mind lately. I obviously can't share everything with you because some things need to be left unsaid or not said by me. I want this post to be about blogging and how we can/may be defiling ourselves. I don't know if I'll quite get the point across. It's hard to say what you want to say without hurting anyone or being blunt about it (or naming anyone). Jesus said many things that upset the "righteous' leaders of the Jews. Jesus said everything in a loving manner. He said never said anything to make one angry or to hurt them. He said it to be a light unto them as was His role as the Son of God. He was to be a Light unto the world.

In my year of blogging I have seen a many blog-fights that have come to nothing but hateful words, hard feelings and no friends. It is a sad thing when the Body of Christ is divided because a mere disagreement. Those who stand for what is right get 'preached' at by the other party who doesn't know what else to do (knowing they're wrong). I am tired of it and it is only hurting the Body of Christ. You know that old saying, "An eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth"? Well, I don't think that was meant for the Body of Christ to use as a 'motto'. That is how heathens, who don't have the love of Christ, act. But it seems as we go along in this world we go farther and farther from the original meaning of being a "Christian". We Christians have finished the quote, which is "then the whole world will be blind and toothless" and so we've made it. We cannot lead anyone to Christ if we are blind for we can't see ourselves; and it's hard to speak the truth if we have no teeth. (Try it - try speaking without touching your teeth).

I know of a few blogs that I stopped visiting. The wars that rage are hard and rough. The unspoken words and subtle messages between the lines of the posts. The anger that is written is not so easily hidden and it's time we laid down our pride and actually do what we wrote. Without love, mercy and forgiveness of Christ we are nothing. We are not worth a cent. Without it we are ****ed to an eternal lake of fire. Can't we offer that same love, mercy, forgiveness to the one's who we've hurt or been upset by?

When Jesus comes back it won't matter who was right. What will matter is what did you do in that situation? How did you show the love, mercy, forgiveness? You will be judged for your actions, not by what so and so did. So do the right thing, even if it does hurt your pride and make you look 'weak', as I am learning myself.

Just a few days ago another blog-fight was about to begin because of hurtful words and children who were being thoughtless when they spoke - er typed. Only when we show the Love of Jesus can we fight against anger and hate. I was also involved in a 'blog-fight' almost a year ago. The leader of our blog group was dishonest and caused division which led to hate and thoughtless words. We always have to be careful with what we say when things don't go our way, and we're mad about it. We should always be the one advocating for peace and unity, without acting like you're better then everyone else, and it may be hard because you can't see face expressions or emotions online.

Another thing that has been on my mind is about having relationships with people online. We should be careful at who we allow to comment on our blogs, on a regular basis. I visited a young man's blog, who recently joined HSB, and one the first post he got there was a comment from an older woman (about 40+). I was disturbed by her comment because she was acting as if she wanted to be this young man's buddy and 'spoke his language'. I have seen her on many kids' blogs and even defending a few. She does not see that she as a woman, an adult and a stranger is commenting on young men's' blog as if she were their friend. I don't think there is anything wrong with her commenting on young ladies blog if she is encouraging them but from the comments I've seen and her blog content she is very immature and very sarcastic. I am concerned and pray that those young man will guard themselves for their future bride as I hope mine will for me.

It would be very, very, very disturbing if my sister was getting comments like that (mentioned above) from a 45yr old man. Even if he was a Godly, Biblical man, he (and she) have no right to have any type of personal relationship, and we have to be careful that we do not defile ourselves by merely leaving comments. I also recieved an anonymous comment asking unneccesary questions that did not concern them. Have discretion when you say things. If you're not sure you should be saying them (and are afraid to put your name if you do) then it would be best if you just kept to yourself. I was very heartborken that this 'person' lacked the courage and disrespected themselves and me by doing so.

It is the same thing with leaving comments on young men's' blog. I have to be careful that I am not being flirtatious because I don't want to defile myself at all. In fact to help us stay pure and holy, mom has limited us to visiting certain young men's blog. And, we are only allowed to comment every so often. Most of the blogs she would disapprove of I wouldn't care to read, though, anyway.

EDITED: I need to clarify, I do not think there is anything wrong with older woman or men commenting on young blogger's blog. What disturbes me is when the comments are of a personal manner and not about the post. Of course, if might be different is the familes actually know each other, but conversing about a post is completely ok; but when the comments seem to be like a phone call between two teenagers, then we have a problem. We need to avoid all apperance of evil.

I have seen many young ladies blogs who have enticing pictures of themselves and who are flirtatious on boys' blogs. They leave comments that would be accepted by the world's standards, but I'm not sure it would be by God's. I want to help them and point it out but I'm usually not friends with them and they would be offended that I don't know them and are "judging" them. I have actually done this and got 'slapped' in the face for it. A few of those 'worldly Christians' all teamed up and asked how could I "dare judge someone like that?!!!!"

So take a minute and check to see who you comment a lot or look over the content of your comments. Would it make you comfortable knowing that some other person is leaving these types of comments on *your* future spouse's blog? If not then the future spouse of the one you are commenting may not either.

I've had a few bloggers/moms be obsessed with me or my family, which ended in that blogger getting offended when we couldn't devote our time to her. Please, understand, we are just regular people, striving to be what God has called us to. I am not a queen, I am not a blog-star. I am just me. It's nice to know that people want their daughters to grow up to be 'just like me' and I hope to set a good example, but I know I am not perfect and I still have a lot of mistakes to learn from, I'm sure.

ot: I will be hosting the Carnival of Homesteading here next Monday. If you have any submissions, email me and I'll put it.