Tuesday, April 10, 2007

I'm Back!

A partial blog fast is exactly what the Great Physician ordered. I had been needing one for some time, having seriously lost my perspective in blogging and particularly commenting. My desire is to edify my Lord in this enterprise and not my ego, so with your help, readers, I will do that.

My blog fast concluded yesterday with a wonderful meeting with an old friend--at least an old friend by blogging standards. One of the first bloggers I met out here was Steve Sensenig. Steve actually proposed the meeting, and honestly I felt kind of like Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail.

"Meet?!"

Having been blogging together now for quite some time, exchanging some high-spirited comments in the threads, we decided it was high time to talk face-to-face. And where do all good bloggers meet? Starbucks! The white chocolate mocha decaf was outstanding. After evaluating the streets and trips CD, we decided Greensboro was about half-way for both of us, and unlike Halifax County, which has NO Starbucks, :( Greensboro has three (so unfair), so then the real problem was deciding which one.

I found Steve to be just as he is in the threads; kind, generous, affable, and one of the most grace-seasoned men I have met. After having talked for over two hours, unfortunately I had to go. My wife had a homeschool moms' meeting to go to, so I had to be back. We probably would have talked until nightfall, or at least I would have, if Steve would have been willing to listen.

I am so thankful for all the friends I have met out here in the blogosphere, each one of you. Thank you for your reading and commenting here. Though Steve and I have some obvious points of disagreement, we agree more than we disagree. Well, that isn't an accurate statement. As he said, we are on the same team, partners in the glorious Gospel. Our passions are the same, that all people everywhere come to know the Lord and that the church come to her full maturity. That is more accurate. It is the risen Christ that unites us!

Well, two bloggers down, several more to go. Two weeks ago, I had the blessed privilege of meeting Les Puryear and I do hope that I get to meet some of you other bloggers and commenters this side of eternity.

Steve, thanks for taking the time to come out and for us to sit and chat. I was blessed by our interaction and look forward now more than ever to our interaction in blogging, now that I know not just you, but your heart.

God bless each one of you!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tony, as I already expressed on my blog, it was a blessing for me, too. And yes, I could have talked long into the evening if our schedules had allowed!

You and your family are in my prayers as you serve the Lord there.

...one of the most grace-seasoned men I have met.

I am truly humbled by that statement. I hope that can always be said of me to the glory of God.

Tony said...

Steve,

I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it.

Blessings,
Tony

Anonymous said...

Tony, our Lord is with us "all the days" (Matt. 28:20) including those days when we feel like we're in the furnace. We are never alone. Your friendship in the blogosphere means so much to so many, myself included. You are helping us get our eyes off our faith and begin to "off-look" unto Jesus (Heb. 12:2). Blessed be God!

Tony said...

Brother Dave,

Thank you for the kind words of encouragement. I needed to hear those. I appreciate and desire your friendship also.

Elder's Wife said...

Tony-
Thank you for extending your "prayer thread" after hours! I've appreciated your ministry to my family.
Kat