Happy New Year, Time to Shut 'er Down

Hi everyone, Happy New Year.  

I hope you all have a terrific new year, just wanted to let you know the time has come to shut down the blog, at least here in it's Typepad manifestation.  I was one of those folks who got on the blogging wave back when it was the cool thing but over the last few years just haven't had the fire to blog much. 

Also, I'm on Typepad and actually pay money for the hosting so there's just no real reason to keep this up. BTW - let me just say that Typepad is a terrific service and I highly recommend it to anyone who really takes blogging seriously or maybe needs a great blog for an organization or wants to make money.  But, since I'm no longer in any of those categories there's no real reason to keep paying

However, I do have a blog over on wordpress.  I think I must have reserved that back in the day when I was trying to be the uberblogger and trying to make sure I had the lock on the Jollyblogger name.  I had forgotten about that till recently but check it out I did and still have an account there at jollyblogger.wordpress.com.  If I get going again I'll get going there. 

I don't really have any great burning urge to keep blogging but neither am I against it.  From time to time I do think I ought to keep up or re-start some kind of something to leave some wisdom for my kids, on the outside chance that someday they'll want to know what they're old man thought about things.  Also, I do sometimes think I may want to keep writing to encourage fellow cancer sufferers.  So, I may keep something going over there at the wordpress blog. 

I actually have had some pangs of conscience about my blogging practices.  I know to say it this way sounds overly-introspective, probably quite neurotic, and maybe even a like a grab for sympathy through gratuitous public self-loathing (ok, I had to try to throw a few big words at you, just in case I don't get back to blogging).  Truly through, one of the problems with being sick all the time is that you have lots of time to lay in bed and be introspective, which is not a good thing.  Nevertheless, during those times I've had several Genesis 41:9 moments about many things and blogging is one of them.  In an effort to clear my conscience, or maybe just an attempt at self-induced catharsis I may go ahead and do a post on that at the new place.  For now let's just say that blogging offers a great, if illusory, vehicle for engaging in self-promotion,  something to which I am particularly prone. 

Still, though I sometimes wonder about the value of things I have blogged and deeply regret much of the time I have wasted online I am particularly grateful to so many of you who have read this and have encouraged me over the last few years.  It probably goes without saying but I was devastated when I found out I had cancer two years ago.  My family and church family was the greatest help in those days, but all of you who expressed encouragement and concern online were a great help, especially knowing that so many of you were praying for me.  In fact, all of the comments here and on FB, along with many e-mails, were a huge boost for my family, you encouraged them as they tried to encourage me.  

So, for the innumerable kindnesses I have received from all of you I am eternally grateful, and for those kindnesses I am very happy for this season of blogging.  I will say that my health is stable right now, so I have nothing new to report - and that is good news.  I will continue to post health updates on Facebook and probably at the wordpress blog.  And like I said, who knows - I may get the desire to blog again over there and I hope that if I do some of you will follow me there - jollyblogger.wordpress.com

God bless and thanks for the memories.   

Comments

[John Schroeder]

Words fail David - know that I will continue to pray for you.

[Ruth Burge]

I have been following your posts in the last couple of years mostly, and have found them encouraging and helpful. I need reminders of what other people are suffering and how God is helping them through it. I usually am alerted to them through facebook. So, if you have energy for it, I would encourage you to keep sharing at the new address. It has also reminded me to pray for you.

[Dan Phillips]

Well, that makes me sad, but I understand. God bless you, brother, and I'll change bookmarks.

(c:

[DJ Chuang]

@Jollyblogger, this is quite the turning of a chapter and a season, indeed.

Blogging has been a great connector over the years, and I'm grateful that it's connected us online and offline (aka IRL = "in real life" - which I personally don't like, it's a misleading misnomer methinks). Godspeed, and I do hope we'll break bread again.

[Darin Shaw]

I'll miss the blog, David. I'm thankful for those hours you spent online over the years. Many times you've stirred my thoughts and my spirit. Thank you. I will continue to pray for you and keep my eye on the Wordpress site. Blessings!

[Lisa Hoffman]

We are grateful for the time your Blog was here, David - thank you for sharing your thoughts, health updates and great theology and encouragement. It helped us connect with you and your family and gave us a chance to be there for you too.

Sincerely, Lisa Viaros Hoffman (Orange Park, Florida)

[Dan Edelen]

Blessings, David.