Post #4000: To God Be the Glory

On January 1, 2012, in Okeechobee, Florida, from the winter home of my Uncle, David Key, we launched ThePreachersWord. The first post, early that morning, was “Preaching through Blogging.” Later that day, I sent out a second post, “Beginning Again,” celebrating the new year.

Now, here we are 13 years and 7 months later, still posting. WordPress tells me that today is a significant milestone. It is post #4000. So, pardon a bit of reflection and celebration today.

ThePreachersWord began when time and opportunity had come together in an unexpected and unique way for me to consider blogging as a means to share the Word and expand my ministry. I wrote about the details of its beginning in a post Turning Adversity into a Benefit: How I began Blogging.”

From the first post in Okeechobee we have written and posted from the comfort of my home study, to church office, to airplanes, restaurants, coffee shops, RV’s, airbnb rentals, hotels, condos, kitchen tables of brethren’s homes, libraries, McDonalds, and about any place I could get an internet signal when traveling. We have posted from the majority of US states and several foreign countries, ranging from the mountain top to the beach. From the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Mediterranean Sea. From Athens, Alabama, to Athens, Greece.

Over the years, we’ve learned that posts from ThePreachersWord have been…

• Reprinted in bulletins.
• Published in newspaper articles.
• Posted on social media platforms.
• Printed and distributed to friends, relatives, and co-workers.
• Used as Wednesday evening talks.
• Used as Sunday Lord’s Supper thoughts.
• Served as seed thoughts for sermons.
• Presented at youth devotions..
• A resource for sermon illustrations.
• Reblogged on other blog sites.
• Quoted by fellow bloggers.
• Adapted for Bible class material.
• Translated into other languages.
• Collated into gift booklets.

ThePreachersWord has been read in over 200 countries and territories around the world. The top 10 have been, following the United States, Philippines, Canada, United Kingdom, India, Nigeria, South Africa, Australia, Kenya, and Singapore.

The 4000 blog posts cover 197 topics categorized alphabetically for easy access. One of the most read posts has been Attributes of God from A-Z, followed by This, Too, Shall Pass, A Tribute to Jesus’ Victory, written under the column “It’s Friday. But Sunday’s Coming. 7 Reasons Why We Praise God. And 7 Lessons Learned from Saul’s Flaws. Two discontinued columns continue to be regularly read. Both for their adaption for Lord’s Supper Table talks. “It’s Friday. But Sunday’s Coming.” which has 175 posts and Sunday Seed Thoughts, which has 180 posts.

WordPress stats reveals that we’ve written over 2.3 million words. That’s the equivalent of 46, 200 page books.

These 151 months have taught and/or reinforced at least three important spiritual lessons.

#1 The Importance of Commitment.

Once we committed to writing there was no turning back. The commitment to the goal, to our readers, and to be faithful to my ministry of the Word serves as a foundation for success. Commitment is core to any worthwhile endeavor. And it’s also true regarding our discipleship. Jesus said so (Lk. 14:26-33).

#2 The Need for Self-discipline.

While discipline is needed to write almost every day and produce 4,000 posts, it’s one of the most important qualities in our service to the Lord. The apostle Paul said he had to discipline himself (1 Cor. 9:24-27). So do I. So do you.

#3 The Power of Persistence.

While I’m writing this post from the loft in our cabin in Ontario, I can see the plaque that has hung in my office for years. It’s a quote by our 26th US President, Calvin Coolidge.

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

Much of the New Testament epistles are filled with exhortations to keep on keeping on (1 Cor. 15:58; Heb. 12:1-3; Romans 12). All of this translates into action. How do you write 4,000 posts? One. Day. At. A. Time. Indeed the “The journey of a 1,000 miles begins with a single step.”

I suppose all of this might be misinterpreted as improper boasting. Yet, I hope it serves as an encouragement to others. Especially young preachers. I recognize my limitations. My mistakes. My flaws. Others have advanced degrees, more education, greater eloquence, and more refined writing skills. But God has called us each with our varying degree of ability and talent to do what we can do (Rom. 12:3-8).

Thanks to so many friends, fellow preachers, brethren, and regular readers who have encouraged me and shared how ThePreachersWord has benefitted you. Your encouragement provides the fuel to press on. I especially appreciate my wife, Norma Jean, who has proofed so many posts, offered suggestions, and patiently supported my writing, even when she felt I should take a break.

I know not what the future holds for ThePreachersWord, but I know who hold the future. How much longer will we be able to write? I don’t know.

So, for whatever encouragement ThePreachersWord has provided, whatever good it has accomplished, and whatever the future may hold for this little blog, to God be the glory (Rom. 16:27).

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman