When I began writing weekly articles two years ago, I was sure that I would run out of material within a few months. I completed that year and now I am half way through this year of twice a week blog posts. God continues to supply the material based on the needs of my readers. If anything on my blog has encouraged or blessed you, it occurs to me you should know why, so I want to share with you the process for each post.
There are some processes that need to remain a mystery. For instance, no one really wants to see how sausage is made because it just might ruin the experience of eating it. However, I believe revealing the process I use to write my blog posts will actually enhance your appreciation as you read them.
I pray before I begin to write the draft for each post and the draft is usually completed in one sitting. Then I go back four or five times to reread and make changes before posting it. I often have two or three posts in process at a time and I pray for guidance as to which one should be posted first. Once, I had two posts written about difference aspects of the Holy Spirit. When I asked which one to post to the blog His answer was, “Both!” Then He guided me to combine the two posts. “Drop that story, replace that reference, reword that paragraph and add this testimony.” It was as if the Holy Spirit was creating a verbal selfie. I was amazed at the result. I am not kidding when I refer to the Holy Spirit as my Editor in Chief and for that reason I will never take personal credit for the encouragement or blessings inspired by my posts.
I have a computer file named “quotes” in which I place every scripture verse or passage that jumps off of the page at me (God does that to get my attention sometimes). I also list every quote of famous people that I run across that triggers interesting memories or might make a good topic for a post. Often a topic will present itself during the week, but If not I simply look over the quotes and ask God to help choose the one that will touch the most people.
Now you know the behind the scene process of producing posts for this blog. My prayer is that of the Psalmist, “O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.” (Psalms 71:17-18)