Christians does blogging make any differences? So often we hear the phrase “Keyboard warrior.” I would say it does. A death of a Christian apologetics Blogger name Steve Hays yesterday got me thinking the answer is yes.
I saw the headlines on their blog “Steve Hays (1959-2020)” Now this is on Blogspot not WordPress.
I think if there’s someone that has shaped how I blog the most it is Steve Hays. I followed his blog since I was a college student. Before I read his blog to learn how to do apologetics. I’m now passed my mid 30s. I can’t believe he’s blog that long and not just daily often its multiple times a day. Also he wrote so broadly. Next moment he’s writing about the Bible, the next on political insight, culture, theology, apologetics, philosophy and his short stories.
And yet I don’t know what he looks like!
He’s reached out to me personally. I wished I asked him more questions about himself personally. I notice he’s incredibly observant of things of my personal life.
Its only the last year or so it dawn on me that the guy that had the most influence on how I blog is Steve Hays. Even if I don’t agree with him he made me think. He’s quick on his feet. Reading his blog it made me realize there’s many people he’s impacted. Including for all of eternity!
One of the best private electronic message discussions I had with him was two years ago about him visiting a cemetery and his reflection of a dead Marine. I guest in hindsight there’s clues here and there that Steve Hays was getting ready to meet his maker but he never said it. I was thinking about asking of his health and body. But I never got around to it.
Towards the end his blog has gotten shorter in length. But they got more good too. Short sentences. Good prose. His discussions of life and death is good.
People have asked me why I don’t touch up my blog more better in appearance. I always thought of Steve’s blog being driven more by content than mere stylish looks. I try in my small way and no way at the level of Steve Hays and the crew at Triablogue.
The last two weeks has been really hard for me as I felt I have been fighting for our country at the battle of the worldview front on other venues online, to love and to steer people not to go extreme in their views and the riot. Steve Hays’ blogging and what people now say of his blogging made me realize that maybe God can use my thousands of comments, private messages and texts since George Flloyd’s death. Steve Hays’ death also made me think more of heaven being more real. I would say what a good and faithful servant of Jesus to the end.
I want to blog like that to the end.
This post is a real encouragement to me. Indeed, you have influenced me more than any other blogger. I especially like you balance in the George Floyd controversy. Thank you. May God continue to encourage and bless you.
Hi Jim, I’m familiar with the website but not Steve Hays. I’m about half way through the 85 page memoir he wrote entitled “A Backward Providence”. Very detailed and very insightful. I am impressed with his honest candor. I am continually amazed at the individual “story” that everyone has. Very few, take the time to write down, especially in such detail, those who influenced them. It’s also so very interesting to see the wide spectrum of Christianity that Steve was exposed to and the effect that it had on him. I found it interesting to note that Steve felt he always was an outsider. I used to, but I don’t feel that way anymore. I’m sorry for the loss you must feel but we know in Who’s presence Steve is. I keep forgetting how young you are and the insights you have gained at such an early age. And you’re right about the value of our written thoughts, although sometimes one wonders if they are but dust flying into the wind. But there is indeed a residual effect, when one ponders and appreciates, the expressed faith of others, that walk with us and have now gone before us. And the building up of the Church, person by person, thought by thought, builds us all. May God’s grace, peace and blessings be poured upon you and yours. – Bruce
Follow-up: I finished reading the 85 page memoir. Some really interesting statements in there but I won’t spoil it for you, definitely worth the read. Blessings!
That’s a very touching comment you wrote. Had to take a while reading it to digest it all. This discussion Bruce makes me think a lot of life and also the life to come. How are you doing? How’s your daugther?
Yes Jim, it made me think of the same things. We’re doing alright but not great. My wife continues to have a lot of discomfort with the damaged disks in her back and our daughter has isolated herself from us yet once again (along with our grand daughter) because we voice our displeasure at being continuously disrespected, used and manipulated. It’s hard enough with the situation as it is with our daughter but the grand daughter is especially hurtful at this time of our life. Daily heartfelt prayers but no change detected. Very disheartening, especially what with a young innocent child involved. Wish I had an answer but I don’t. We just got another email today with another long list of accusations and a picture of our grand daughter attached. It just never ends. Please keep the whole situation in your prayers. Blessings!
Jim, this is an excellent post! I struggle with whether my blog matters or is making a difference. I LOVE to write. Even when I am not blogging I am journaling, sending prayer texts and emails. I also feel like God has placed some of y’all bloggers deeply on my heart and I want to reach out to people but don’t want to come across as a wacko/weirdo if that makes sense?! I LOVE your blog Jim. I appreciate how honest you are and your commitment to sound doctrine, exegesis and hermeneutics. I saved all your posts on prayer, worry and marriage and conflict. I also like the posts you do on Greek, which I know are crazy time consuming! All this is to say that I am thankful for you Brother and I pray that you know that the work and investment that you are making in the blogging world is more than you can imagine!
Mandy that has encouraged me very much to read that. May we continue to blog for Jesus, and hope God would use it amen? To answer your question I know what you are saying, it makes sense!
AMEN!
Ok man. I am sorry to hear that. I can’t say I really even know about him, but I can see that his fruits is still being made in those that he helped. He helped you along the way and because of that, others and especially I really do enjoy to read your posts. I hopefully can do the same thing you aspire to be in that we can both be great influencers on blog for Christ. I say all this to say this, great moving and inspiring post. Also, keep it up. I’m here if you ever need anything.
Thanks brother for those words of encouragement. I think your blog has a lot of potential. Hopefully with time more people Lord willing will read it. But Steve with his blog definitely made me think about how God might use our blogs more than we realize…what do you think?
Honestly, it’s up to God really. Some servants will be raised while others will not be in our lifetimes. We’ll find out when we get to heaven.
I didn’t always agree with Steve, but he did encourage thinking. His memoir is very touching.
Oh and very good post, Jim. Thanks!
I’m sorry to hear of Steve’s illness and passing (although he’s loving being home with the Lord right now!). Thanks for pointing me to his Triablogue posts. We Christian bloggers can have an impact and make a difference, although we won’t see the fruit in this world. Good example. Let’s be faithful.
Brother I imagine God uses your blog as one of the few blogs willing to tackle the subject you write about! Do you ever feel you can’t wait for heaven to see what God does with our faithfulness???
Brother, I’m appreciative of your support and encouragement over the years. I’m very aware my subject matter is not well received by the brethren these days. Every so often I wonder if I’m making a difference. If when I get to heaven I learn that I helped just one soul, that will be enough. I’m grateful for your faithful blogging and all of your ministries. Your posts have been very helpful to me in my walk with the Lord.
I admit that I was not familiar with Steve Hays but actually read if his passing on a Catholic blog, Nicholas, In The Pilgrims Way — very kind words despite their having often “argued” one another’s posts— that’s what true spiritual Christians can do— they may not see eye to on denominations but they can recognize a brother or sister in Christ — and I call that the Holy Spirit ☺️
Wow Julie thank you for sharing that. By the way how is the situation in ATL?
I just got home Jim—I went up on Saturday to keep the kids since Brenton and Abby celebrated their 6th wedding anniversary.
Gregory came up yesterday to help.
Atlanta seems calmer than other cities but she bears the scars…
I am just sick over all of this mess.
“The mob” now making police and military gaurd to bow down to them in order to show contrition and regret…regret for things they personally have not committed but rather those others who did not represent the decent minded masses of service personel.
We have lost our collective minds!!!
The amount of hatred and now reverse discrimination, of which is not a step forward for anyone but rather a million steps backwards, is just about to send my heart adrift!
Thank you for your encoragement regarding keeping on blogging!
Let’s look ahead!
This is always the best tribute: “I would say what a good and faithful servant of Jesus to the end.”
Blessings.
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I am not familiar with Steve Hays but it’s good to know he is now home with His Saviour.
I know your blog has made a great difference in many’s people’s lives. God is using you in more ways than you know.
Thank you for the encouragement. This means a lot. How are you doing sister?
I am doing well by God’s Grace.
My daughter turned 40 yesterday. She is the baby 😀
If I can specifically pray for anything please let me know.
Jim, I always appreciate your honesty and candor. My years of teaching demonstrated to me the need to be professional and not shy away from being a positive role model for both students and colleagues. Now being a writer, I still feel the same way about how I write and interact on WordPress.
Thanks Jim. Encouraging. Keep going.
Visit pepplesotonyelive. WordPress.com.
Site Title: Pepple Sotonye Blog
The material from Steve Hays was a big help in learning how to deal with the sophistry of Romanists.
While he is with the Lord right now, I will definitely miss his writings.
I think the beauty of blogging for Jesus is the simple expression of His truths… Even if it only touches one life!
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Very insightful thank you! I’ll have to look up his blog. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and he sounded like a wonderful person.