Are Authors Waving the White Flag to Give Up Their Blog?

My friend and author, Elaine W. Miller, shared an article awhile back titled, "Why Bloggers Are Calling it Quits". The article written by Amy Julia Becker shares how some of the very people who started the first blogs have stopped and the reasons behind it. Amy says, "Armstrong explains how even blogging has become eclipsed in the digital landscape: “Everything has been reduced to a small square on a phone,” she wrote. “Attention spans are now 140 characters long, sometimes as short as a video or a picture that self-destructs in a few seconds.” (click here to read entire article) 

I understand the idea about everyone viewing through a small hand-held screen and the fewer the characters the better BUT if we become a "Fast Blog" society, our minds and hearts could be come obese with half truths, partial stories, and false impressions. You aren't alone in your micro reading and viewing or only slowing long enough to read a snip-it. This doesn't mean it's right or a healthy habit to practice. We are a busy society, pulled in multiple directions all the time, and it seems we slow down less and less.

This summer I'm challenging myself to slow down. I want to read more. I want to write more. I want to work on my next book. I want a lot, right? But is it a want or a need. 

Abide in Me, and I will abide in you. 
A branch cannot bear fruit if it is disconnected from the vine, 
and neither will you if you are not connected to Me. 
I am the vine, and you are the branches.
If you abide in Me and I in you,
you will bear great fruit. 
Without Me, you will accomplish nothing."
John 15:4-5 Voice

John writes to share God's message to us,  about the necessity to abide in  Him. Abide seems like a big word but really, it means to stay, digest, stand, and remain in a relationship with God. How do we abide in God? If you think about it, we need to slow down, read our Bibles, journal, pray, and share the gifts given to us by God, with others. 

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. 
If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, 
so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. 
To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever."
1 Peter 4:11 NIV

What does any of this have to do with authors waving the white flag to the blog? I can't speak for all authors but I have a thought when it comes to christian bloggers/authors. I think back to Elaine W Miller's first blog, click here, when she concluded her first blog with, "And that is what I hope this blog will be to you--a splash of serenity from all the things in the world that drain you. Don't throw in the towel. Come back and visit me and let's have a good swim." 

As authors and bloggers we use blogs to encourage, inspire, uplift, and connect with our readers yet on a much deeper and personal level, to blog is a way we can reach more readers to share who we are and the things, people, and God we love. I have contemplated taking a break, possibly blogging less days each week but not waving the flag. I enjoy blogging and sharing with all of you. So why am I thinking and praying about lessening the blogs you might ask. It's a matter of time. 

To write well requires time. During the school year, my time to write is limited so rather than having blogging, speaking, and book writing and preparation time...I have a set amount of time for the three so it becomes a "what is above the line" type of philosophy. I find myself blogging some mornings because I think I need to, not because I feel called to. Don't get me wrong, I always enjoy the blog but some days I really would like to spend more time in prayer, reading my Bible, or working on the next book. So is my blog an obligation or act of obedience?

Some people are reading this and thinking, "Lisa has finally lost it" while others are thinking, "Thank you, I'm not alone in feeling this way." Where do fit? Then again there are some reading this thinking, "Wish you would have kept this to 140 characters, this is three minutes I'll never get back." Regardless of where you are in this spectrum of response, thank you for taking time to read.

Here are a few discussion questions:
For readers: 
If the blog you follow changes to a few times a week, would you still follow it? 
Why or why not? If you can personalize it to my blog, that would be cool.

For fellow bloggers: 
Have you contemplated raising the white flag? 
Lessened the number of days you blog? 
What keeps you inspired and motivated to continue blogging?