by Carley Cooper
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| Free Source Photo - No Copyrights Claimed |
One day last year
in 2011, somewhere between mid to late April, I was sitting on my couch with my
laptop in front of me; working on one of, at least, a dozen big projects that I
have on my desktop at any given time. That
issue, of too much work at hand, is another whole blog by itself. It stems from a problem that lies somewhere
between insufficient time management skills and racing Bipolar mania-episode
thoughts. Anyway, as if someone flipped
a switch, my mind suddenly went from my task at hand to “I have to start a blog
site.” Before I even realized the
thought was there, I had spoken it out loud to myself. The
flipping the switch part, could be a Bipolar matter, but after I spoke those
words I realized what I said. Wow, I’m
staring my own website. Cool! Sometimes, I think, the racing thoughts matter
can be a good thing, because in the next few minutes I had come up with a basic
website plan and purpose.
First, the whole
point would be so I can share my journey; the ups and downs of the lessons I’m
learning on my way toward God.
“However, if I’m
going to do that”, I thought, “I absolutely have to make it so others can be
helped and learn as well. Otherwise,
what’s the point? I have to lead others
to God by using my own life and talents.”
I saw the whole concept
immediately. It would be a travel
theme. You know... my ‘journey’; like a
travel log. Then I spent the next
several hours writing down the specific goals that I wanted to accomplish, and
by knowing these goals I would have a title for my blog.
“Ah ha! That’s it”, I said. “I absolutely love that title. My new site will be called ‘Enlightened Expedition Diaries’.”
I know what you’re thinking; “Huh?!” Well, bare with me. You’ll hear the music in a minute.
I know what you’re thinking; “Huh?!” Well, bare with me. You’ll hear the music in a minute.
Next I went to
work on the design. I spent the next two
weeks, day and night, working on it. I
had the URL reserved, and the background shot was an old treasure map with a compass
sitting on top. The fonts were all
picked out to match in designs that fit an old world, pirate-type theme. After two weeks, I was almost done.
“Just another day
or so”, I thought “and I’ll be finished the design and ‘assembly’ work.”
Wrong!
At that point in
my website design work, one afternoon Blogger.com crashed. People all over the
internet; all over the planet, were freaking out and in a major panic looking
to string someone up in a painful way. In
the end, the only way for the Blogspot team to get the site up and running
again was to roll back to a past maintenance backup. Everyone’s work for the previous week was
gone. Forever and ever, AMEN; gone! There was a lot of very upset people in the
world that day; and I was one of them.
LESSON ONE learned in this journey:
Backup as you go! It’s not just a cute
and fluffy theory. It could actually be
handy sometime.
I was back to a
website that was only half finished. “Grrrrrrr”.
However, I got
right back to work and spent the next week redoing everything I had just
finished. Then the day came. The site is done. I just need to write a few posts to
start. So, I went online to do some
research to see what would be a good first post.
Stop! Wait a minute! “It’s all wrong”, God said. “It’s gotta be a music theme.”
Truthfully, my
heart sank. “What? Are you serious? Oh, but Lord, this is so awesome. Look at it.
I got a great design and a super cool name, and a treasure map!”
“Music”, He said.
“I’m not a music
person, not that I wouldn’t wanna be someday, but I don’t even know how to play
any instruments. The only thing I know
about music is what I like to listen to”, I replied.
LESSON TWO: When God gives you an idea, or a command, stop and listen to Him about the details of how He wants it done!
But, there I was, back to designing it all again. Granted, I was a little cranky about it at first, but the more I worked on it, the more it grew on me. Some of the work, such as layout I was able to save and use, so I wasn't really back to square one. I just needed a new name, URL, background, fonts, email address, and other such things. So I spent another afternoon coming up with a new name, based on the idea that we are to ‘sing’ God’s praises, even through the tuff stuff. After another week, I was finished; again!
LESSON TWO: When God gives you an idea, or a command, stop and listen to Him about the details of how He wants it done!
But, there I was, back to designing it all again. Granted, I was a little cranky about it at first, but the more I worked on it, the more it grew on me. Some of the work, such as layout I was able to save and use, so I wasn't really back to square one. I just needed a new name, URL, background, fonts, email address, and other such things. So I spent another afternoon coming up with a new name, based on the idea that we are to ‘sing’ God’s praises, even through the tuff stuff. After another week, I was finished; again!
Ta... da! “This is awesome", I thought. "God was right.”
LESSON THREE: Don’t argue with God. You won’t win. God is always right. Huh, funny thing... it seems that I remember
learning that lesson once before.
Well, I knew then
when I finished my design, that this endeavour would be a success. I don’t necessarily know in what form that
success will come, but I know that God told me to do this. He even picked out the theme. I pray always, that He would use me to write
messages that will touch other’s hearts.
God is leading me in this at every step.
So, I decided on the
topics for my first few articles. I had
read that one should always begin a blog site with, at least, a few posts. The first one I called, conveniently enough, ‘The First Post.’
I know, some would
say, “for a creative person you’re not very creative.” But, I liked it.
Then, I came up
with the next couple post ideas and I wrote all the articles. The next step was to ask Pastor Henry to
proof read everything before publishing them; to make sure my writing was good,
and my theology was biblically sound.
LESSON FOUR: Pastor Henry is a cool dude... that is, for an old
guy... and especially when he likes my work!
That’s why I've since started baking him a batch of Chocolate Chip
Cookies every once in a while. My
Grandma used to tell me “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Granted, she was talking about finding a
husband, but I figured I could apply the theory to any situation involving keeping
a man happy. Hmmm, that reminds me. He might be due for another batch.
The last step was
to publish everything and announce it to the world... well, at least to
everyone I know anyway. Which I did in a
mass email, and by telling all my friends on Facebook and Spark People.
LESSON FIVE: the blessings never stop when you listen to
God. So on that note, it already is a
success.
My writing has
grown and improved through this venture.
My self-confidence is improving. I
am growing closer to God. And, I am told
all the time, by you, my loyal readers, how much I touch your lives with my
work. This is my own little ministry
that takes place here in this little corner of the world wide web; and all I
really long for is to let others know my heart, in hopes that you will be drawn
closer to God just like I am. Therefore,
you too can know His wonderful love and grace through the miracle of His Son,
Jesus Christ. You tell me how much I
bless you. Thank you so much for that
from the bottom of my heart and soul.
However, I feel that it is me who is blessed the most, by God through you. I love each and every one of you. It’s a very Happy 1st Birthday!
~~ Dear God ~~ Thank You for the journey. Thank You for the struggles because, without
them, I would not have lessons to write about.
Thank you for the awesome site concept, and for my online friends and readers who support me with each and
every post. Thank you for bringing me
into this ministry. I look forward to
seeing where it will lead. I love You, Lord. In Jesus name, AMEN.
~~~~ Birthday Gift Give-Away! ~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIVE-AWAY CLOSED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
See comment section below for winner announcement
Worshipers... to
celebrate Worship Melodies 1st Birthday, I'm giving away a
Birthday Gift! Please leave a comment
about the blog in the comment section below, and you would win a Chris Blakley
prize package! The package contains his last 3 CD’s; plus, a copy of his new book, Words of Thought......or not.
Chris Blakley, based out of Clearwater, Florida (with connections to Barrie, Ontario), is a musician, singer and songwriter that preaches the gospel. His music will thrill and inspire your heart. He is an inspiration and encouragement to people of all ages. His soul stirring songs draw people to Jesus. His style of music varies from rock, contemporary and southern gospel.
CD’s titles
include:
- Chris Blakley
- Redemption
- 4Given – including the song ‘I May Be Down’ from the video below.
DEADLINE: Friday, June 1st, 2012 at 12:00 Noon (EST)
A winner will be drawn from the names listed in the comment section below, here on this post titled 'Happy 1st Birthday' on the Worship Melodies website. The name of the winner will be posted in the comment section here on this post 'Happy 1st Birthday' after 12:00 Noon and before 12:00 Midnight on Friday, June 1st, 2012. So please come back to see if you’re the winner, and email me your contact details. If the winner doesn't contact me by the following Friday on June 8th, 2012 at 12:00 Noon (EST), a new winner will be chosen. (See the Contact page for Worship Melodies contact information).Chris Blakley Prize Package
Click this website title link to see Chris's website:
Chris Blakley Ministries Website
Click this website title link to see the Blakley family website, and to hear more clips of Chris's music. If you're in the Barrie, Ontario area and would like to see Chris preach and perform, he is in town once per month. Message me and I'll send you the deets:
Note: that Pastor Garnet Blakley, from Barrie, Ontario, passed away in January 2012 from cancer. He was an incredible evangelist and a man who led many to Jesus. He won't be forgotten.
~~~~ Photo Opp ~~~~
June 24, 2012 - Carley with Chris Blakley
(Right after He autographed the CD's for winner, Ravyna)
June 24, 2012 - Carley with Chris Blakley
(Right after He autographed the CD's for winner, Ravyna)
