I’m very disappointed this morning. In June of 2000 I instructed one of my programmers to write a software program to publish Words for the Day. I’d been typing it in a word processor and distributing it to interested parties manually for a little over two years, (since 1998).
Finally I got tired of all that manual work and designed an automated version whereby I could post my daily entries and mail them to a subscriber list, and people could subscribe and unsubscribe automatically. I also designed it to store all entries both chronologically and by subject and put a “key word” search feature in the database so users could look up past entries by simply typing in a word or words such as marriage, death, raising kids, etc. I instructed my head programmer to write it for me and Words for the Day was fully automated and being used by 2000.
I’d never seen a blog and invented mine out of necessity and perhaps laziness. It wasn’t until years later that blogs came on the scene and software like Word Press became commonplace. So quite naturally I’ve felt for some time that I invented the blog. I Googled it today and found that some guy in Singapore actually started his blog in 1996, a full 2 years before I did.
Poof! There goes my fame! Fortunately fame and notoriety for inventing the blog were not my motivation. I wanted to disciple those employees who rarely picked up and read the Bible or went to church, and also those who did attend and study, but also wanted to hear my perspective on things.
We all go through the same ups and downs in life, but God has helped me every step of the way, primarily by my daily study of His holy word, the Bible. I felt if my employees would read it, then they might benefit and hopefully enjoy what I learn each morning from my study.
WFTD is similar to a spiritual Seinfeld in that it is about nothing in particular other than life and how to make it through it as best we can. This blog is written about the experiences that I live, as well as the experiences and observations of others whom I’ve known and observed through the years, as well as what to make of current events.
I’ve been able to survive the worst that this fallen world has hurled my way, (and dare I say it), actually thrived thanks to my attempt of following Jesus Christ and not the world. I got through it by using the Bible to strengthen me when I was both down and up, and have discovered that we need Him during the good times and the bad.
Today, nearly a decade and a half later, I have over 2 million words stored in the WFTD database stemming from writing it five days per week and it is perhaps the largest discipleship program in existence today. (I will Google it on another day and see if there is a larger one.)
I’ve lived a full life and Satan has tempted me with about every arrow and fiery dart in his quiver. I imagine myself to be similar to a porcupine with darts sticking in me from head to toe. I’ve lived through sex, drugs, alcohol, homelessness, profane angry violence, wealth, power, fame, triumphs and huge accomplishments, foolish pride, arrogance, a baptism of anguish and tragedy including the agonizing deaths of those I’ve loved and have stared death in the face numerous times myself.
Through it all I’ve maintained a burning passion for Jesus Christ; have managed to stay married for almost 43 years, have raised 3 wonderful, smart, educated sons who married wives who love them and the Lord and together raised 7 grandkids that are simply a delight. I’ve been successful in business, founded a great ministry, and best of all I’ve maintained a semblance of sanity through my stark raving mad and crazy life and now know peace, joy, and love.
Not bad for a diagnosed sociopath – I attribute all my successes to Jesus Christ, my Bible study, prayer life, and fellowship with other believers and I’ve written about it five days per week for nearly fifteen years.
Words for the Day is a history of all of the foregoing and details specific Bible passages that the Holy Spirit gave to me in order to get me through it all. It is written in a transparent fashion, or more simply it is a totally honest account of how I’ve worked towards overcoming the numerous weaknesses in my life through the power of Christ. It is real and not some namby pamby account of some idyllic life that exists only in someone’s self-righteous mind.
So now I’m going to attempt to review Words for the Day and organize it into a discipleship program that is not random. This will result in a book or more likely a series of books broken down by subject. My purpose is not to make money, but to help others learn what I’ve gleaned about how to cope with life by relying 100% on Jesus Christ. The theory is that if I could do it with the myriad of problems I’ve had and the incredible crazy life I’ve lived, then anyone can (including you).
I’m looking for a volunteer or two who could help me review these entries and separate them and organize them by subject. If you are proficient in using Word for Windows and have some time on your hands and want to be a part of this project, please write to me and let me know.
It is my intent to use this discipleship program to assist struggling believers all over the world. It is not traditional or ordained by some PHD theologian, or written by some “perfect” Christian; it is real, written by a sinner who has been forgiven. It is about the sometimes ugly – sometimes beautiful world in which we live and the promise of what comes next. It is about fleshly weakness and how God strengthens us.
I think my discipleship program; (WFTD) will help in fulfilling God’s great commission as stated below. If you agree, then please share it with others and encourage them to subscribe or like it on Facebook. It started with a readership of just a few employees and now is read all over the world, but still far too few to make the impact it could. I would ask those of you who like it and believe as I do that it could help folks all over the world to get involved in helping to spread the “word” . . .
Matt. 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
December 4, 2013 – Click here to listen