Buzzard Blog State of the Union Address #1 (6 month blog anniversary)
This is the first of what I hope will be many periodic “State of the Union” addresses on the status, history, and future of Buzzard Blog. For this first address I’ll be brief and to the point, highlighting what I find to be interesting information under bold headings. Here we go.
HISTORY:
Exactly six months ago, on August 20th 2006, I began Buzzard Blog with this post. On August 20th, a handful of people visited my blog to read that first post. A few days later a few more people paid a visit. If you’d like to know more about why exactly I started this blog, read that first post.
CURRENT READERSHIP:
Today, this blog is averaging 200 readers per day. I’m excited and thankful that readership of this blog has been steadily growing. Exactly 108 people subscribe to this blog via a feed reader or an email subscription.
VISITOR LOCATIONS:
Most Buzzard Blog readers are located in America, the UK, and Canada. A number of you come from more distant locations such as mainland Europe, Singapore, Australia, Israel, and Saudia Arabia.
LINKS FROM OTHER BLOGS:
A good number of other blogs now link to this site. I’m honored that 3 of my favorite blogs (Gospel Driven Life, Eucatastrophe, & Unashamed Workman) link here.
THE 3 THINGS I’VE ENJOYED MOST ABOUT MY 6 MONTHS OF BLOGGING:
1. Hearing from readers (through blog comments, emails, or conversations) who’ve told me that they’ve benefitted from what I’ve written here. I’ve been especially encouraged to learn that people have appreciated what I’ve written about the gospel on this site.
2. Building new relationships. There are a host of fellow pastors, church planters, and bloggers from around the world who I now communicate with on a regular basis only because we’ve come to know each other through this blog.
3. Growing as a writer.
WHERE I WOULD MOST LIKE TO SEE THIS BLOG DEVELOP & IMPROVE:
It’s my opinion that where this blog most needs development is in reader participation. What I enjoy about this blog site is that it’s not just me talking here–all of you can leave comments and contribute to the learning, discussion, and community that we have going on here.
I started this blog in hopes that readers would come to “get” as well as “give.” I’m thankful that many of you have been “getting” from this blog. What I would like to see is more of you “giving” to this blog by posting your comments. It only takes 1-2 minutes to leave a comment and give to this site. If you choose to never comment here, that’s okay–I just think that the rest of us are missing out because we don’t get to hear what you have to say.
So, in hopes that a handful of you might respond to this humble request for more giving/comments on this site, let me prompt you to get started by commenting on this Buzzard Blog State of the Union Address question: What are 1-2 ways that you’ve appreciated this blog?
I’d love to hear your comments. So would others.
Hey Justin,
Just to say, keep up the good work. I appreciate the great mix of things you deal with on your blog. Here’s to another six months…
Keep it up, Justin! Your blog has already surpassed my blog with the number of daily visitors it receives. Keep blogging!
Oh fellow typepad blogger! So I find reading you blog and a few others as well as writing on my own to be very addicting. Does this addictive tendancy go away after the first few months? I check your blog out daily, so thanks for all the interesting insights! I hope my blog will catch up with yours!!
Justin
I look at your blog weekly I just don’t always comment but it is awesome. Keep up the bloging. Maybe some day I can follow in yours and Sandy’s footsteps. But probably never so don’t hold your breath.
Justin,
I appreciate that you keep it fresh. Yours is one of only 2-3 that I visit every day, I can’t wait to see what you’ve posted.
I appreciate the writing. Your writing style is very easy to read in the sense that no matter how complex the subject, you present it clearly with no rambling.
Most of all I appreciate that your blog has helped me in my relationship with God.
Keep up the good work!
I have appreciated hearing my husband’s thoughts and reflections on a variety of topics. I have also appreciated the challenging, interesting, and creative nature of your posts. Some of my favorites: the posts on Joel Osteen, Tim Haggard, performing non-Christian weddings, our Valentine’s Day date. It has been great to see what a fun, stress-free project this has been for you.
JB…an inspiring fellow you are, and I so appreciate working with you.
Anchored in Him,
Tom
Justin,
I came across your blog a few weeks back through Eucatastrophe, and I have added it to my daily reading list due to your pertinent information and wise insight. Keep up the good work!
In Christ,
James
I LOVE your blog! It’s fun how you have the variety of posts that are challenging, convicting, thought provoking, hilarious, informative, silly, playful, serious, sometimes so sad (abortion), quite humble (your post on your journals) and so very loving, (Valentines with your beautiful-blessing- from-God-wife, Taylor). They really reflect who you are as a person and all the gifts the Lord has given you. That you are using them for his kingdom and seeking to saturate yourself in the Gospel more and more each day, gives this mom joy!!
“The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!” ~Proverbs 23:24 & 25
Great work on the blog (and State of the Blog Address) Justin! I have been blessed by your:
1. Book reports
2. Dead Guy reviews
3. Relentless honesty
Hi Justin,
I’m one of your readers from outside the USA – England to be exact. I can’t remember how I discovered your blog but I find it really encouraging and appreciate the effort you put in to update it so regularly.
Thanks, Michael, for the encouragement.
