Initiate Conversation--Blogging to encourage
"[Philip] met an Ethiopian eunuch coming down the road...He was riding in a chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah...Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, "Do you understand what you're reading?" He answered, "How can I without some help?" and invited Philip into the chariot with him. "Acts 8:27-31 (MSG)
True interactivity is not about clicking on icons or downloading files, it's about encouraging communication. ~ Edwin Schlossberg
My theme within this SMILE series is encouraging strangers--people we meet along the way with whom we have brief contact but yet can impact their lives by our expressions of encouragement. Many of you who pass this way are strangers to me but in a sense, I have initiated a conversation with you. My goal--to encourage you to encourage another today.
Blogging seems anonymous in a sense but the beauty of it is in the contacts that can be made through the opportunity to comment. A while back on my other blog, Writer's Wanderings, I posted a series of stories about difficulties with our adopted daughter. It led to an exchange of e-mails with a mother who was experiencing similar problems and I was able to comfort her and assure her that she was not alone in her fears, frustrations, and desires. So often courage comes in just knowing you are not alone.
After Philip initiated conversation with the Ethiopian, he was able to explain that Isaiah was describing how Jesus saved sinners. The Ethiopian was encouraged by Philip's words and accepted Jesus as Savior. He asked Philip to baptize him then and there in the nearby waters.
Initiate conversation with someone today who looks like they need a bit of encouragement and let God lead it.
(Copyright 2006 Karen Robbins)
posted by Wandering Writer @ 4:32 AM
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