“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35
God is good; life is beautiful; we are blessed.
derekmaul.blog
This is interesting. Probably not so much for you, as a reader, but absolutely for me and my end of the equation! It’s a statistical observation that has me scratching my head.
For several years now, I have been watching the numbers here at DerekMaul.blog. How many “followers” there are, how many “hits” each post receives; how many visitors come my way to read.
It’s this last one that has the most meaning. Because what I really want to do – other than my intrinsic personal need to write and to keep an ongoing journal – is to reach people with the particular message I believe I have to offer this world.
Not so much “clicks” as conversation:
Generating a lot of “clicks” or “hits” or “likes” may be noteworthy, but what really floats my boat is knowing that I am “in the conversation” and contributing to people’s thinking and – best case scenario – offering a compelling invitation to the way of Jesus.
So the fact that, by the end of July 2024, I already surpassed my best year ever for “visitors” is noteworthy to say the least.
My record, before 2024, was a little over 33,000 visitors. This year, at latest count in the beginning of August, the number is well over 36,000. I think it has something to do with our move here to Tarboro, but it may reveal something more.
Why does this matter? It matters because I honestly believe I have something important to say. I believe there is a reason God helped me develop my distinct writing voice in order to communicate something of consequence.
The “why” of this blog:
This is it (and it’s something I say almost every time I sit at the keyboard with the intention of getting a message out). God is good; life is beautiful; we are blessed.
Let’s fine tune that a little. I believe that we were all created for the purpose of honoring God and enjoying the privilege of life, and that the best possible context in which to do that is as followers of the Way of Jesus. Jesus, by the way, said that the way we love each other tells the truth about our commitment to him.
That’s pretty much it. Thanks for being part of my story; if you feel this blog helps then please share it with others.
In love, and because of love – DEREK
Thank you, Derek for all that you share.
Your messages (and photos) capture so well what many of us feel and God is definitely communicating to all of us through you. I have had the honor and privilege to be able to share a number of your blogs over the past couple of years at FCC Wadsworth, OH as on-point and timely devotions for our church Elders and Men’s group events.
~ Chris Jones
Much appreciated, Chris.
Your church has a unique and powerful ministry in Wadsworth. May God continue to equip your church to be a force for love and reconciliation.