Can I be a dissenter? :) <-- Smiley because most know the answer.

I like that the "What's Fresh" starts with Friends, Church, etc. because there I *do* know these people.  This isn't speaking out against those who aren't my friends, but rather for those who are.  Friendship at times has to be intentional.  After the last move, I made it a point to try to stay in touch with folks from my former place of residence.  Many of them did not follow suit.  No call backs when I left messages, never called me leaving me as the person who had to make the calls (which for an introvert doesn't work so well) and so on.  My choice is whether to continue to pursue.  Some I chose yes and well... others I haven't (yet).

So in a land where being someone's friend takes some work, I like the fact that some of it is made easier. :)  Yeah it can lead to cliqueness, but there is no reason someone can't come bother me either.

And no that's not to say there aren't a couple of things I would change (to get to a more consistent interface overall), but I don't have time for those right now. ;) 

Mike, you are a brave man to bring up this subject!  If we're honest, we all like the idea of being popular and noticed.  The hard reality, though, is most people focus on what is important to them at a certain time and ignore the rest.  People are not intentionally mean, they're just busy.  It is not personal.  Part of pursuing any sort of writing hobby or career is the understanding that 90% of whatever you write will go unnoticed by the masses.  It is the nature of the beast. 

I subscribe to many blogs through google, and I read some blogs here.  I am blessed and encouraged by many of the blogs I read here, but find myself focused more on the blogs I have already subscribed to than newer blogs.  When I have a quiet moment, I do peruse the explore area and have found lovely gems there.  When I do, I subscribe to them, too!  I figure if the Lord wants me to read it, He'll show it to me.  Not every blog is meant for every person on MyChurch. 

I enjoy writing blogs myself and kept in mind from the get-go that I was writing to glorify God and to leave something tangible (and maybe even of value) for my children to remember me by when the inevitable happens and I am one day face-to-face with the One I was made for.  If no one else reads what I write, that is ok with me.  If others do read and are blessed, challenged and maybe even laugh, that's even better!  But if they don't, it's cool.  It's not personal, so we can't take it personally.  If God wants us to do it, He'll bless it.  That's it.

Time keeps on ticking into the future......I hear ya.....Thanks for sharing....

Mike~ Thank you for a thought provoking post.

All~I learned some thinks from the comments as well as the post and am still mulling over some points. Thank you for making me think! 

Hopefully you give me lots to dissent to.  Otherwise I don't need to hear you speak/type. :)  (Well there's a certain part of me that needs reinforcement but I think that would not be the part that this blog is speaking to in general).

And really in outside life I don't have that much more control over who ends up where.  I've been friends with a number of folks that I didn't expect to be friends with.  A bunch of those just ended up happening after much talking.  The one person I talk to the most since my last move is the person I thought I would be least likely to talk to.

The thing about friendship is that in order to be friends you have to have 2 people willing to work at it.  It's not saying that there are people who you can be friends with that you talk to a lot less can't be friends, but that for you to be able to speak without having to reinvent all of the assumptions you have as friends (which should probably be investigated on occasion) which allow better communication it can't be years between discussions.

I realize that first comment probably seems harsh.  I think friends can agree on many things.  But it actually goes back to my issue with the stars serving a dual role here.  I use stars to say "Me too" a lot of times if you say something I agree with.  If I don't, I usually don't add a lot because "Me too" seems like bad etiquette.  I suppose I could grunt instead. :)

So when we are here (on a blog/place of discussion) if everyone is just adding "Me too" to discussions is there really a point to writing? 

It's only because I always do it. (Like right now.  Oh wait I can't forget when it's that obvious.  Wait, look at those nice goldfish.  Actually I saw a comedian once ... I realize that's a 4 paragraph joke (that has to do with the goldfish) but I just don't have the time.)

Really though, watch my writing.  You'll see missing parentheses although I've gotten better about writing in that style. 

We just have to put out there what is in our hearts to write...and let God take care of the rest!

If not one person reads what we write, then at least we have been obedient to the stirring in our hearts.

We pray that we, ourselves, are not operating, or posting for any selfish reasons, and let God take care of everyone else. We cannot examine anyone else's heart but our own.

Love you and Laura!!

Forgiven.

You could do the reverse smiley (Like this (: )  That way not only do you not have a double chin onscreen but those of us who still occasionally tilt our head get exercise in a different direction.

I always try to put my friends first, but that can be hard at times. I had thought that this might, catch your interest.

http://www.gospel.com/topics/friendship

sheesh, now after i read this did i realise that i actually FORGET to put a star on the post i liked reading..!!!!

Grrrr.. 

Mike, I thought the idea you were trying to get at was a way to keep up with what's being written.  Given what's an extremely limited schedule, I can check through the subscription list and decide what to read right now and what to come back to when I have more time.

I don't really spend too much time on the "what's fresh" subject line (although I love the feature).  It takes only about a second or two to go through that and figure out where to spend additional time.

And about time. . .  I took about 4 hours yesterday and got caught up with my blog reading (then another 3 hours to get caught up on my book for book club this morning). 

You're one of the Great Encouragers on MyChurch!

But you're right, we need to Explore and find out if there are some 'voices in the wilderness' that we are missing!

Unfortunately, time is limited. And when you have 484 friends [like you have] MyChurch must be taking up hours of your time!!!!!

God bless u and yr wife.

Procyon 

You're one of the Great Encouragers on MyChurch!  We all know where your heart is in being humble, we just want you to know that we thank God for every rememberance of you!!!