Hello Forgotten Blog, I am Back
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| Snow Trillium (Trillium nivale) |
About four years ago I made my first post on this blog. However, up till now, that post was my only post on this blog. Like a spring wildflower after a long icy winter, I am back.
When
I made this blog and shared my first post four years ago, I was spending many
hours sitting beside a hospital bed, away from home, as my wife recovered from cardiac
arrest and a massive stroke. I spent
lots of time writing prayers, prophetic declarations, and copying Bible verses
down in a journal. One day, I decided I
should make a blog, and share the thoughts that were going through my head at the
time. Thus, the solitary blog post from 2018
was written. Unfortunately, I never
returned to share more and grow the blog.
It sat there alone in cyberspace, stranded on its own island-like URL.
Fast
forward to the present, and I am glad to say my wife has had a miraculous
recovery and is continuing to recover. I
also have made some changes to my life and decided to embark on a graduate
degree program online. I enrolled in online classes pursuing a Christian
apologetics degree, and I am just embarking on that journey. Writing a blog post happens to be an
assignment for one of the introductory classes.
Therefore, I have returned to this blog.
The
book Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age, by Stephen Lowe and Mary Lowe, [1] was one of the assigned readings for this
introductory class. The authors argue
that Christian spiritual growth and the development of Christian communities can
flourish in both formal and informal online settings. They strengthen their case by comparing online
Christian communities to natural ecosystems and the ministry through letters by
the Apostle Paul.
In
chapter five, Lowe and Lowe discuss spiritual formation in online
settings. They note that online interconnected
communities, such as those social media, provide a virtual social meeting place. I was able to relate to what they were writing
because I had recently joined some Facebook groups that discussed theological
and scientific subjects. In addition, I followed
numerous YouTube channels of Christian ministers, evangelists, or people that discussed/debated
theology and apologetics. I was making
use of online resources and communities to learn and grow in my faith and
Christian walk. However, I was taking in
more information than I was sharing. I
would occasionally write a Facebook post, but mostly I would merely share
something someone else had written.
Later
in the chapter, they mention how blogging allows Christians to share and interact
with others concerning spiritual matters.
I intend to revitalize this blog, not merely for the completion of an
assignment, but to begin sharing what I learn, and contribute to online
Christian communities in addition to learning from them. However, if I merely post on this blog alone,
my posts will continue to be stranded, unknown from the rest of the world.
Lowe
and Lowe discuss the importance of reciprocity in the growth of human relationships,
including forming networked online communities.[2] I must begin to interact with others
intentionally and thoughtfully in online settings. Otherwise, my online
contributions will never spread beyond the island of virtual isolation. Consider this post an invitation to join me
in this digital journey. Through this journey,
I hope to grow and be more prepared to share the gospel and answer questions
unbelievers or fellow believers may have.
If
you happen to find yourself beginning a similar online journey through
Christian graduate education, you will likely have to juggle a multitude of
responsibilities. I know from experience,
as I am currently working full-time, and caring for my wife and two children at
home. I have learned that the long hours
studying or typing a paper can drastically impact the overall sentiments of the
household members. It is too easy to
forget priorities and become too focused on academic pursuits, especially if
you are a nerd like myself.
I
was convicted of not spending enough time interacting with my family as I was
reading Surviving and Thriving in Seminary, by Daniel Zacharias and
Benjamin Forrest.[3]
This book was another required reading, and it discussed the need to balance
family responsibilities and academic study.
After reflecting on this topic, I had a wonderful time spending some
quality time with my wife and son at a local state park. Since this trip, I
have tried not to become grumpy and too isolated when studying. Though, I must admit that I still need to
improve. Having a loving and praying
spouse is a blessing and encouragement in my moments of weakness when I am hard
at work studying.
Other
tips Zacharias and Forrest mentioned in their book that I can also endorse from
my experience include being intentional with time management and taking care of
your physical body. I have found that if
I am able to get a head start on assignments or readings, there is less stress and
more time available later. Also, when I try to push myself to research or write
too late at night, it ends up making me less productive the next day. As Zacharias and Forrest discuss, use available
time wisely, so other aspects of your life are not neglected, and your studies
are fruitful.[4]
Another
helpful tip is to become very familiar with the online resources available
through the library and become familiar with the formatting style needed for
your classes. It becomes easier the more
you practice it, but do not be afraid to make mistakes. Spending too much time making sure everything
is perfect catches up with you. Being somewhat of a perfectionist, I have had
insufficient time on some assignments, that had numerous mistakes, because I
spent too much time overanalyzing another assignment to make sure it was
perfect.
Lastly,
I find encouragement when I think about the strength that God provides, even
when the assignments look overwhelming. If
God planted me in this online soil, He will give me the spiritual life-giving
water to grow to spiritual maturity.
Lean on Him for your strength or to find the words to write through the rough
moments when studying or fighting writer’s block.
[1]Stephen D. Lowe, and Mary E. Lowe. Ecologies
of Faith in a Digital Age: Spiritual Growth through Online Education. (Downer’s
Grove, IL: IVP Academic), 2018, 67-86.
[2] Lowe and Lowe, Ecologies of
Faith, 127-129.
[3] H. Daniel Zacharias, and Benjamin K. Forrest. Surviving and Thriving in Seminary: An Academic and Spiritual Handbook. (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press), 2017, 49-61.
[4] Ibid., 65-86.
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