So, when other commenters say feel no pressure to blog even monthly, well, I don’t agree. I do want you to feel some pressure. Jesus said to Peter, “Feed My sheep.” Not feed My sheep until …. Just “Feed My sheep.”

Now, Steve, are you the only one with grass (to feed His sheep, I mean)? No, certainly not. But you do have very good grass. Maybe that grass needs to rest a bit, or maybe it needs to be rationed and perhaps mixed with some other grasses to make it stretch for now.

But if you were to tell me you weren’t going to feed me your grass again, I can assure you it would be a blow to my nutritional wellbeing — mine, and others.

I know that the burden and pressure of blogging frequently is exhausting, and consumes time you may need to spend elsewhere. I could justify throwing in the towel because no one seemed to miss it. But that won’t work for you, Steve. You would be missed greatly.

Several commenters mentioned it’s not just your topics they’d miss, but they’d miss the sense of who you are as well. So why not combine your blogs — tell us about the family and the job along with your theological musings?

Alternatively, rather than just commenting on others’ blogs, why not co-blog with two-three-four others, so that the blog would have regular postings while you could appear less frequently — for now, until you can return to a more robust schedule?

But whatever you choose to do, Steve, thank you for your service.

Aussie John, are you having trouble writing, too?

Phil, glad to see you’re writing again. I’m sure I’ll end up back here sometime

Terry, keep asking the questions that you’re asking. It’s encouraging to be on this journey with you. And your writing continues to bless me, too, even when I don’t comment.

By the way, should I blog for 5 more years before letting the ground of my mind rest?

Gordon, once y’all canceled your visit here, I just decided to throw in the towel. No, just kidding. Seriously, thank you for your very kind words. You have been, and continue to be, a blessing to me. I do hope we can fellowship together in person again very soon. Did y’all have a good time at Cameron’s?

Oh, and for the record, my passion for Christ is not “just as great as it always was.” It’s growing greater and greater all the time! It’s just harder and harder to put that passion into words sometimes.

ded, you got the basic idea at our last gathering. You know, the kind of stuff I was floating out there for consideration. And it’s not so much that I’ve never been controversial here. It’s just that I don’t desire to further that reputation too frequently!!

Too controversial? Really? You gotta tell me in private then! What is too controversial for a blog that raises the issue of whether or not a Mormon can know God?

Having said that, I fully understand where you are, having been there myself. I pray that God continues to work in your life. It certainly seems as if He is doing so in your family and I sincerely hope that all works out for you in that regard.

While you may have reached a different point in your journey with Christ, I am sure your passion for Him is just as great as it always was. It was this passion that first gave me an appreciation for this blog and eventually you as I got to know you. As long as you have that passion, you will have something to say that is worth hearing, even if it is in another “voice”. I hope you won’t deprive us of that edification.

God bless you brother.

The tide goes out and the tide comes in.

After the activity and warmth of summer, we see fall and winter wind down our ambitions and thought processes.

Manna was to be gathered every day for only that day and then for two days on the sabbath.

We know why the 7th year is the year to let our cropland lie fallow…but what about the cropland of our minds.

I have not reached your point of departure but have my days of doing other things and waiting for something to rise to the surface. I find that I have not asked all of the questions yet that need to be released in order for me to know that I have at least looked.

I will keep looking and have confidence that you will discover more stuff to ponder and share with us.

Phil Hawkins

It must be contagious!