Tuesday, December 30, 2008

my 2008 blogroll

After a few months away, it's been good to be back in "blog_land". And as 2008 comes to an end, just wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone out there who puts their ideas, insights, fears and emotions on the line week after week. You encourage me. You challenge me. You inspire me.

Here's just a few of the posts I've read this year that I'll want to remember...

Biscotti Brain: Swaziland:Bhventi
So much to choose from… the whole Advent series challenged me, the $8 hot dog convicted me, but Wilsonian’s Swaziland posts opened my eyes to a whole new world.

"How are you?" I ask
"I am fine."
"I am fine."
"I am fine."
They all answer the same way...


Don’t Call Me Veronica: The Problem with Indifference
I’m a contrarian… I like to do things my own way because, well, because I know better. So this post from Tony hit home and demonstrated how even the little things can make a difference.


Eye for Redemption: Facing Down Fear
In a year where I have been trying to figure out what holds me back, Kansas Bob provides ongoing insight and encouragement.

I think that God is amazing in the way that he uses
a wounded man's courage to heal him
when he returns to the battlefield and faces down his fear.


Faith and Family: Witness to History
I’m pretty sure Matt voted for John McCain… but his recap of Kennedy endorsing Obama back in January has stayed with me.

… it struck me at one point that he was somehow
lifting the crowd from their seats and from the floor
and symbolically putting them on the stage
next to him so that they were all looking
in the same direction: towards the future.
He even got me, the skeptical gray-haired Republican,
to move up on the stage with him.


Julie Unplugged: How Pro-Life Voters Like Me Justify an Obama Vote
Long-time Republican Julie worked tirelessly in support of Barack Obama this year. Here’s one of many well-penned essays.

The Republican party has acted as though
"believing in a plank" called pro-life is
the same as actually fostering a culture of life,
as being those who see others as valuable.


One Hand Clapping: Make Something Day
For my wife, Black Friday is an annual social event. I tried it one year and was back home by 6:30 – without the computer on my list. Here, Julie provides some balanced thinking on the alternative.

I like it and I don’t like it.
If it works for you, really works for you, great.
But I’m uncomfortable with it being
the only “just” alternative out there.


PoMoXian: What I Did for MKL Day
It was tough to pass up Dave’s live-blog of the Super Bowl (Go Giants), but when someone steps out of the e-world and actually does something, it’s worth a second read.


Ragamuffin Rambling: A painful, and embarassing, confession
I need to be challenged, and Steve’s hard-hitting Advent post is one I’ll need to come back to time and again.

This is my confession to you all - that I have
lived a life of excess, while others have starved.
And this is my first step at redemption.
I don't know that I will ever live long enough
to make amends - but it starts now.


Sacred Vapor: Tuning In
This beautiful metaphor may be one of my favorite posts of the year.


Sublime Transitions: it is like this
With NaNcY, it’s hard to pick just one. This one captures a lot of what it means to write out in the open about our zig-zagging journeys with Christ.

i want to hear God speak to me,
to know what He is saying,
and to understand what He wants…


Texas Chilly: Wheee!
We were created to discover. Here’s a fun reminder from Missy that we all need to be trying something new.


TSSO: When a hand of the Body is smackin’ your face…
Some people find themselves hurt in church situations… but what is one to do? Karen offers wisdom beyond her years.

I think that we have to walk in the Truth and
stop being doormats for the Body.
God loves us to serve, like Jesus served,
and to be loving and loved, but surely
He doesn't want us to be hurt repeatedly.


This Walk: No Really, WOW.
When you need a quicker-picker-upper, try this post from FLYAWAYNET.

I cannot complain. I've nothing to
complain about. God's been good.
And the best part is, I actually mean that.
.
.
Trying to Follow: Christians and Homosexuals: Love’m or Hate’m?
We have not seen the last of post-Proposition 8 protests. Here, Ariah sees to that.

Rather, I’d challenge you to ask every homosexual
person you know, who will answer you honestly,
if they have ever felt themselves
at the receiving end of hate from Christians.
.
.
Happy New Year to you. And you know of any blogs that I might want to add to my list in 2009, please let me know in the comments section below.

9 comments:

HennHouse said...

What a great list! Some I've read and loved while others are new to me. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

very nice :-)

http://theblogofnancy.blogspot.com/2008/12/dear-blog-friends.html

kc bob said...

Thanks for including my post in your list Ed.. it is a great list.. but what else would I expect from a great guy like you :)

Happy 2009, Bob

trace said...

great bunch of posts you've written - just catching up this afternoon after several months away. could use your help staying faithful to the writing. see you soon.

Ariah said...

Thanks for including mine. And I appreciate the list, I've found some other good blogs to follow as well.

Peace.

karen said...

Happy New Year, Ed! I'm honored to be on your list. You are a blessing to us all!

NoVA Dad said...

Ed, Happy New Year to you. Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for honoring me with inclusion on your honor roll for the year. I look forward to reading all of your posts in the coming year!

Anonymous said...

Hey. I'm not on this post, but I noticed I'm in your sidebar. Just wanted to say Thanks!

Ed G. said...

Thanks for stopping by, Lex. Your blog is new to the list, and already some of your postings are making a ron for the '09 recap.

I recently a few, including your site and hennhouse.

Trace hadn't posted in a while, so didn't link to Tracing My Steps here. I think I commented on everyone else on the current blogroll (except for Prodigal Daughter... I don't know... barbara is so open, so authentic, seemed to personal to share like that.)