In the movie School of Rock, Jack Black plays a rocker in between gigs who cons his way into a job teaching kids at an exclusive academy. Instead of math, science and history, he teaches them to rock. When he finds out one of them has written a song he immediately asks the kid to play a few bars. Then he tells everyone to grab their instruments.
“What are you doing?”
“We’re gonna learn your song.”
“But why ?”
“That’s what bands do, man.
Play each other’s songs.
You got lyrics? Hook me up.”
Today I’m hoping to say something as straight forward and constructive as that movie dialog:
If I publish a blog, tweet or Facebook post and you want to leave a comment with a link to a post you wrote on a related topic, please do. We need to be here for each other. That’s why it’s called social media and not anti-social media.
After all, this blog has a purpose and that purpose is to glorify God and encourage people.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:34-35.)
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds … . (Hebrews 10:24.)
So please, if you wrote something related to a post here at my place feel free to link your post.
It’s a great way to spur one another on in God’s love.
It’s what we do.
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[This is the first post in a two-part series on blogging well. The Rule of Necessity for Writers will appear on tomorrow and discuss how bloggers and blog commenters can discern what needs to be said and what can be left unsaid.]
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Thanks Tim, that’s good to know. I must admit I’m one who is very hesitant about linking to my own articles in someone else’s comment section. Thanks for such a refreshing attitude.
If it advances the discussion or even just might be interesting to anyone reading, then I think it’s fair game, Cheryl.
I appreciate this, Tim. Like Cheryl, I’m always a little bit hesitant to do this too, so I think you’re being very hospitable and encouraging by being so up-front about it.
If there’s anyone who should be sharing her posts more with the world Jeannie, it’s you. I love tweeting links to your place.
Aww, thanks! That reminds me of this:
OK that may or may not be a totally random link … 🙂
hahaha! Through hospitality we enjoy each others’ company and contributions. This one made me laugh. Thanks, Jeannie!
I’m pretty terrible with the whole social part of social media myself. I’m pretty bad at twitter and sharing what I write in comments. To be honest I’m just pretty bad at marketing myself period. Nice to see you say that it is more than welcome in your comments though, if I ever have a post that relates and decide to even if I do.
If you want to get your feet wet by linking through this blog’s comment section, Jeremy, feel free!
I’ll keep it in mind, thanks. If I have something that I feels adds to a discussion around one of your posts maybe I’ll give it a try.
Personally I think Jeremy’s post from Monday fits right in with a post on hospitality. A good way to be hospitable is to listen well. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen.
“After all, getting to know people and know the issues that underlie the decisions people make takes time and effort.” –Jeremy Manuel in http://anintermediatefaith.com/index.php/2015/05/18/assumptions-of-the-heart/#comment-118 Maybe that’s why God’s Word admonishes us to be hospitable.
(hope you don’t mind me being social for you, Jeremy…)
Excellent use of the social in this media, Ellen.
I don’t mind at all. Personally I’m much more comfortable with others thinking something connects or that something is good or not than making that judgment call on my own (you know bias and everything). Thanks very much for taking the time to even think of being social for me.
Jeremy, I just tweeted a link to that post Ellen put in her comment. I also left a comment replying to your post on your blog.
Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
Good for you, Tim. We feel exactly the same way!
You provide a good example of how to handle it hospitably over at The Wartburg Watch, Dee, and I appreciate it greatly.
I love this idea!!! Sometimes I read stuff posted in people’s comment sections, so it’s a good idea. I’ve made internet friends via the comment sections in other people’s blogs!
You never know who you’re going to meet, but I can say that when it comes to my comments section I meet some of the nicest people.
Tim, your generosity is appreciated, but I would only leave a link to my own related post if it is one you review first and approve of.
I’ll tell you now, then: if you think it relates to a post I have here and would be helpful for others to read, I approve of it!
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You’re so nice. And that is one of my favorite movies ever. Of course you would write about it!! You do encourage me Tim.
Thanks for the encouragement right back, Nancy.
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I love the sentiment here. My wife has gotten into listening to leadership and entrepreneur type podcasts and one of the principles that I overheard that has rung true for me is the importance of helping others be successful in the things that they are passionate about.
That is a wonderful principle, and one I’ve seen bear fruit as well.