Hey lovely blogging friends!
I can't believe I am heading into my LAST week of finals as a college undergraduate student today!!! WOOOHOOO! I graduate college in 5 days you guys. 5 DAYS! I can't believe it. It is starting to feel real. I think it will feel more real once I get done with all of these darn final exams and papers, ugh! I just want this term to be over already! I feel like it's dragging on and on...one more week Jess, you can do this! I could use some prayers on motivation and strength for this week, as well as the peace that only Jesus can give me, thanks guys!
This may be kind of random, but lately I have been dealing with some doubts and frustration with my whole blog name and theme. As much as I absolutely love writing about Jesus and having my blog centered around Him, lately I have been in a phase where I just can't stop re-thinking it all. I've been doing the whole "maybe I should have done this instead," thing. I've been asking God stuff like, "Well maybe I should have called my blog just jessicalynnmartin? or something more modern that won't scare away non-Christians and make them think I'm try to preach too hard? Or maybe I should atleast delete the page on my blog that talks about why it is called the name that it is called? Or call it something more fun and less serious like 'keepitpink?' okay, you get the point. I've pondered if I really like the name 'forever convinced,' and I've asked myself how far this blog could really go with a Christian influence to it. There's been a lot of doubts, fears, and frustration.
Truth is, if I ever were to change my blog name {which I likely never will unless I came up with something new that I truly felt like God was calling me to use} my blog would be boring as ever. I would talk about things like food, fashion, and other stuff that may be interesting yes, but without Christ at the center of it, it would be nothing. Without Jesus in my life, my life is boring, lame, and I have no purpose. So why the heck would I even consider re-naming this blog? This blog has gotten as far as it has by God and God alone. I could see this blog one day becoming a business for some type of ministry Jesus calls me to do. That would be awesome, I should probably start praying for that. Cheaaaaaaaa boiii.
Thankfully as well in the midst of my frustration and re-thinking this whole Christian blog thing lately, I came across a FREE E-book recommended to me by my lovely new blogging friend Leah called "Called to Write, Biblical Truth for Authors and Bloggers." Friends, this book is beyond encouraging. If your a Christian blogger I highly recommend that you read it, especially if you have been feeling discouraged at all lately in your blogging and are reconsidering not blogging about Jesus anymore. This book talks about how God truly calls each one of us to the blogging scene to write for Him, and if we give this space in our lives completely to Him, He will use us in magnificent ways to glorify His kingdom! This book is FREE on the kindle app! Hurry up and get it because I am not sure how long it will be free for! *holler!*
The book is available in these two places:
Amazon: Click to open expanded view Share your own customer images Called To Write, Biblical Truths For Authors and Bloggers [Kindle Edition]
Smashwords
Do you guys ever struggle with doubting the Lord's hand in your blogging and through the writing that you dedicate to Him? Do you sometimes desire to make your blog a little bit more about 'you' and less about God? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this, you guys know I am a good listener! haha. Love you guys! :)
xo
Truth is, if I ever were to change my blog name {which I likely never will unless I came up with something new that I truly felt like God was calling me to use} my blog would be boring as ever. I would talk about things like food, fashion, and other stuff that may be interesting yes, but without Christ at the center of it, it would be nothing. Without Jesus in my life, my life is boring, lame, and I have no purpose. So why the heck would I even consider re-naming this blog? This blog has gotten as far as it has by God and God alone. I could see this blog one day becoming a business for some type of ministry Jesus calls me to do. That would be awesome, I should probably start praying for that. Cheaaaaaaaa boiii.
Thankfully as well in the midst of my frustration and re-thinking this whole Christian blog thing lately, I came across a FREE E-book recommended to me by my lovely new blogging friend Leah called "Called to Write, Biblical Truth for Authors and Bloggers." Friends, this book is beyond encouraging. If your a Christian blogger I highly recommend that you read it, especially if you have been feeling discouraged at all lately in your blogging and are reconsidering not blogging about Jesus anymore. This book talks about how God truly calls each one of us to the blogging scene to write for Him, and if we give this space in our lives completely to Him, He will use us in magnificent ways to glorify His kingdom! This book is FREE on the kindle app! Hurry up and get it because I am not sure how long it will be free for! *holler!*
The book is available in these two places:
Amazon: Click to open expanded view Share your own customer images Called To Write, Biblical Truths For Authors and Bloggers [Kindle Edition]
Smashwords
Do you guys ever struggle with doubting the Lord's hand in your blogging and through the writing that you dedicate to Him? Do you sometimes desire to make your blog a little bit more about 'you' and less about God? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this, you guys know I am a good listener! haha. Love you guys! :)
xo
Here are a few more pictures from the weekend! my mom and dad in the photo below- aren't
they the cutest?! I was so happy to have them in town this weekend!!
my brother and I in the photo
below! Do you guys think we look anything alike?! haha. We always either here a
for sure yes, or that we don't look anything alike at all.
here is me
below, just chilling on a staircase on campus. No big deal or anything...:).
Are you just a non-British version of me? haha! Lately I've been thinking the exact same thing! I was like all caught up with wishing I had a cool name or a blogging 'niche.' And I was worried I'd come across as preachy too. You just get worried that people want to hear all about what you ate for lunch yesterday rather than what God is doing in your life! Until you say that out loud and realise how silly it sounds! My favourite blogs are Jesus centred and that's obviously for a reason. I'll definitely have to check out this e-book girly, thanks for sharing xo
ReplyDeletehahaha, I literally laughed out loud when you asked me if I was the "British version of you" love you Francesca! We seriously are going through the same things all the time, its crazy! I totally agree, sometimes I think to myself "maybe people would like this artsy pic I took of my breakfast earlier instead of me talking about Jesus?" I'm pretty weird like that sometimes, and it is not true! I hope you check out the e-book, if you do, let me know, it's SO good! love you! My fav blogs are Jesus centered too :)
DeleteGirl, writing about Jesus makes this whole thing worth it! My motto has always been WHO CARES how many followers I have, as long as i'm living out a life of adventure that God has called me to:) If what you write is from your heart, people will connect:) You are genuine and real and that's what I LOVE about your blog, and what attracts me to you! You say what everybody else thinks! So keep being you, and keep being true, and you will enjoy blogging to the fullest!!! love ya, Katie
ReplyDeleteLove you sooo much Katie! this comment by you really encouraged me to keep blogging about Jesus and really made me smile. I am so thankful for my friendship with you! I think it is just so awesome how you are serving the Lord in another country, and how you have done it so much in the past. YOU inspire me! Thanks for encouraging me to keep being me :) Your right, who cares what other people think as long as God has called me to do it?! Writing from my heart and what the Lord speaks me to do is all that matters. love you!
DeleteThis is such a great post Jess! Definitely gave me some things to think about.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes down to it, neither of my blogs were really created around the fact that I wanted to share my faith. Both were created more as a safe place where I could vent and share my heart, as well as some things that I enjoyed. As I became more confident in blogging (both on my old and new blogs) I became more inclined to share my faith and beliefs.
Sometimes I do worry that too many of my posts are about superficial things such as fashion or college life and such, but at the same time I wouldn't my blog to be so faith focussed that it would scare away some readers that I have that aren't Christian. I want my blog to be a place that everyone can enjoy, and hopefully be encouraged to learn more about Christianity! I also like tying in my faith with other things that I post about: such as modest yet modern fashion ideas, and sharing music that is uplifiting and free of profanity. :-) I also love sharing about my favorite Christian authors!
Have a great week! Congrats on being almost done!! You go girl!
xoxo Miss ALK
http://missalk1994.blogspot.com
I am so glad you liked this post Annaliese!! love you!!That is so awesome how you have become more confident in blogging for Jesus as time has gone on. Go you!! I love your blog, friend! Your blog is in no way superficial! I blog about fashion, food, and other things like that too! As long as Jesus is the center, that is all that really matters. I am encouraged by your blog, so don't ever second guess yourself in that girl! I totally agree with you about tying in your faith with modest fashion ideas, and christian music! Those things are so impacting and I love connecting our faith with things like that! God is using your blog in big ways! I need to find some more Christian books this summer! ps when does our blog summer thing start? lol I am so out of the loop I feel like! But I am so excited for doing that with you! thanks again for inviting me :) xo love you!
DeleteFirst off, you are such a cutie in those pictures!
ReplyDeleteSecondly, WOW! Your insight and wisdom is so so amazing and such a blessing to me. When you said without Jesus at the center of this blog, it would be nothing, I was nodding my head in agreement. I've struggled a lot of times with the same things, or worrying that what I was writing wasn't "good enough", or wondering what direction my blog should go in. But like you said, God has gotten my blog as far as it has, and I need to keep trusting Him with that. Thank you so much for sharing this!
awww thanks Julie! your so sweet! I can't wait for you and your boyfriend to do your vlog! Thank you for telling me my post was such a blessing to you, I can't believe I am able to encourage others, God is so good! YOU encourage me to much too, I hope you know that! I am encouraged that you have struggled with the same things as I have with this whole blogging name thing. Trusting God with this blog is the same thing as trusting Him with anything else, I've realized. Just gotta give Him full control, which at times can be hard for this control freak! haha! love you! :)
ReplyDeleteChange your name? Never! Gurl dont change your name b/c those that dont worship God are being scared away. It's not your fault hun. You cant make people love and appreciate the work God has done in your life and you cant make someone worship God if they dont want to. All you can do is pray for them and pray they find God before it's too late. I love your name actually. I think it's awesome.
ReplyDeleteYour dad took an awesome pic. You look great.
an early Congrats for finishing college. I finished back in April and it my 2nd time going back after being out for 6 yrs. :D but I havent gotten anywhere yet. I'm not where I would've wanted to be in my life esp since I'm about to be 30 yrs old come Dec. 7. But I pray about it and give God the total control so I know it will all work out in due time just not on my time. That's what I got to realize and accept.
We would all be lost and would be nothing if we didnt have Christ in our life. Gurl you pray about things and all. No reason to be doubting b/c you feel like you're scaring people away. If they cant like you for you and that you love and adore Christ then that's on them. That isnt your problem but I totally understand. Trust me. I'm here to chat as a friend in Christ if you need to vent you can just come send me a email.
pinkowl07.blogspot.com
nightowlblog@gmail.com (i hope that's right)
Aw thanks friend! so kind of you to say all of those encouraging words! I totally agree 100%, we would all be nothing in our lives if we did not have Christ! He is always greater than any of us ever could be! Your right, I can't make people love God or worship Him, so there's no point in caring about what others think! Praying for them is the smartest choice, thank you so much for reminding me of that! That is awesome you finished college, congrats girl! God has big things planned for your life, don't give up and just keep giving Him full control and pray a BUNCH for your dreams to come true! You got this!
DeleteHey. tried to reply to your comment thru email but it came up as that stupid no reply blogger deal. may wanna get that fixed. Thanks for that. Yea I pray daily for all of that. but sometimes I feel like my faith isnt as strong as I want it to be but others say I have strong faith and they wish they had it.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I just want to say that I'm so glad that I found your blog! It has been so encouraging to me and I love how you share your relationship with Jesus and you're not afraid to open up about important things!
ReplyDeleteI like the name forever convinced--it's creative and sounds beautiful! And of course it has such beautiful meaning behind it. I went through a name change with my blog a few weeks ago and I feel like I took the easy way out with just naming my blog "gina alyse," my first and middle names. I would see other blogs and would think that they had pretty, creative names that would tell you what their blog is all about in only a few words. I consider myself a "lifestyle" blogger and it feels weird as I just blog about things I'm inspired by and what God is teaching me. It's weird not having a niche exactly, but I think that it helps me be true to myself, my readers and the Lord.
Also, thank you for introducing me to the book! It also made me realized I could download the kindle app on my computer. Haven't gotten into the ebooks scene too much so I'm excited for this!
And congrats for graduating soon! I didn't realize you were still finishing up school--I pray for your strength and endurance with finals and a good transition from undergrad!
xo, gina
Gina you have on idea how much I love reading your comments, they are always SO thoughtful and wonderful to read. You are just so wise! Thanks friend, I am glad you enjoy my blog because I surely love yours just the same!
DeleteThank you for telling me you like my blog name as well, that makes me feel better. haha. I am just being way too dramatic. Honestly, I love my blogs name, just these past couple of weeks my mind was all over the place. It can be hard sometimes keeping it going as a Christian blogger.
I don't think you took the easy way out of your blog name at all! Your first name + middle name sounds really pretty together, and your blog itself just has so much personality. I love the things you say about God!
Let me know if you read the e book and what you think of it! It is seriously SO good!!! :). ah.
Thank you, I can't wait to graduate, of course then it is off to graduate school. haha. love you!
I completely understand your heart on this one, Jessica!
ReplyDeleteyay I am so glad you liked it!! love you!
DeleteI love your name girly! We are all preachers of the word by either faith or action. Shine bright for Him and continue to spread His word and truth! Trust me, I'm right there with you, it can be hard sometimes but it is always worth it in the end! IM SO EXCITED FOR THAT E-BOOK!!! Thanks for sharing it! Love you!
ReplyDeletethanks so much for your encouragement lauren!! love you sooo much!! I hope we can meet one day in real life!! how wonderful would that be? :) let me know what you think of the E-book when you read it, it is amazing!!! I was SO encouraged by it.
DeleteI'm pretty sure almost every blogger goes through that weird questioning period. Like, aw man I'm stuck with this name now I've gotta commit my blog to it and maybe even branding in the future.
ReplyDeleteBut you just gotta keep on the forefront of your mind why you chose the name in the first place. You were so confident in it and CONVINCED that its what you should do right? I mean you said it yourself. Just don't go into over-analyzing mode. Your name is great!
I don't blog about God a whole lot mainly because in real-life I'm the 'preachers kid'. Over the years I've tried so hard to get away from the stigma that comes from that. Now in my adult life I find myself STILL hiding that part of myself for fear of judgement and scrutiny. But I do try to include Him now and then in my posts. I mean it's my blog, right? I kind of feel bad about leaving out such a big part of my life but I'm getting there! lol
Nice family photos Jess! But I think you missed the memo of having your sunglasses LOL ;D
Good luck with the last of your finals! I'll pray for you on that!
Spanx for the tip-off on that ebook!! :)
XOXOXO
Thanks so much EB, I appreciate all of the nice things you said to me about my blog :) Your right, I was totally confident about this blog name when I initially made it so I need to stick with it and quit doubting! Over analyzing is never good haha. I didn't know you were the preachers kid, that must have been a unique experience! I would feel the same way if I were you too honestly. I can imagine that people stereotype you a lot. That was soooo funny what you pointed out about everyone wearing sunglasses except me! hahaha I didn't even realize it! love you girl :)
DeleteThanks for sharing not only the book resource but your heart in this post! I've gone back and forth with how much I use my blog as a way to share Christ because my blog is also how I keep my family up to date when we are abroad. I have thought about maintaining two different blogs so as to not 'offend' anyone but then I realized that my blog is a personal blog which means I will write about my life which includes Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI had a lot of negativity thrown my way here a couple months ago about using my blog as a space where I 'thank God' for things in my life. At first I was really hurt but the Lord walked me through it and provided a lot of truth to me through that experience and I've come out stronger. I (ironically not) blogged about it if you care to read: http://www.rootandblossom.com/2013/04/he-is-jealous-for-me_7.html
I was also talking to my husband last night about how I am just recently coming across a great community of Christian women bloggers and it's very encouraging! With that said I pray that you have an enjoying end of college experience!
XOXO/Lena
Hi Lena! I am glad you liked this post :) I am so happy we found each other through the blogging scene! I love your heart for the Lord. I have honestly thought about the same thing in terms of "offending" people. I can't really "promote" this blog like crazy because I don't want people to think I am preaching to them. haha. I don't know. I just know if I'm in God's will than that is all that matters, you know? Were always going to have those haters, but I say forget them! Life is better when we don't care about what others think of our faith in Jesus. I read your post you shared with me, and I loved it! Don't ever feel bad about sharing your faith, let alone simply thanking God! I had the same kind of experience last year-but through the pain of that experience God taught me that yes the haters will continue to come and go, but it doesn't matter because we already know where our destiny lies--in eternity! The people who were insulting my faith were not real friends at all anyway, So I realized it was also God's way of saying "get a new group of friends" haha. Thank you Lord!
DeleteI am so happy to have you in my blogging community, God is totally instrumental in all of this! It is so cool how this community becomes such a big part of our lives. Hope you had a great day!!
Amen, sister!
DeleteHi Jessica, you have a wonderful blog and this is an awesome post - I did read! :) I'm Christian but not really in to it. I can't really explain my self :) I've created many blogs and really did not maintain it, you may say non-sensical blog names too, ha! But what I can tell is if it is in your heart and for the Lord then everything doesn't matter. We are unique individuals that is what excites everything.
ReplyDeleteBefore I go, advance congratulations too you for graduating college. It's been 11 years since I graduated and its truly a relief. heheheh!
And thank you for linking up into my blog hop and following.
Hope to see you again on the 24th of June. Have a wonderful day ahead!
I definitely relate to your feelings. I had been thinking about my particular blog topic for a very long time. I prayed about it for who knows how long before I decided to do it. I knew I wanted to encourage and motivate others and that not everyone would be a Christian. The posts where I post about my faith and Scripture are my least read posts and that's okay. My blog is a ministry and I pray that I may be relatable to the average person culturally without compromising my biblical beliefs. I will pray the Lord continues to give you the words to continue to minister through your blog and that your heart may be at peace with this season.
ReplyDelete*hugs*
I know and have felt those exact same thoughts--especially in the beginning stages of my blog change/makeover! But like you said, "without Christ at the center of my blog, it would be nothing." That is spot on and something that we, as bloggers, all need to remind ourselves of. I'm so glad you're sticking with your blog name because it's a good one.
ReplyDeleteAnd I just found Leah's blog and downloaded that ebook, too! I can't wait to read it now that both of you ladies recommend it! :)
I'm so glad the book was of help to you ladies! I really enjoyed reading it, too. Thanks for all of y'all being so sweet!!
ReplyDelete