January 12, 2009 | Seth Barnes | Living Free | 8 Comments

Top 13 blogs of 2008

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According to my stat tracker, these were the thirteen most popular blogs of 2008. Ten of the thirteen blogs below are about something specific – usually an event – while just three follow the essay format I often favor. I’d be interested in your feedback, including any blogs that you would …

By Seth Barnes

12 January 2009, 12:01 am

By Seth Barnes

12 January 2009, 12:01 am

1. Revival in Lakeland, FL

2. What abandon looks & feels like

3. Mother Teresa’s poem – ANYWAY

4. Raised from the dead or a hoax?

5. The Daniel fast is more than a diet

6. 3 year-old sex slave

7. Lakeland revival: A post-Bentley analysis

8. It’s not about right & wrong, but life & death

9. How I helped liberate Dachau camp

10. Who do you trust your identity to?

11. Death of a radical Jesus-follower – Craig Gallegos, RIP

12. The election and Christians

13. And the violent take it by force

Final thoughts on 2008 in the blog: The most interesting development of the year was that my coverage of the Lakeland Revival provided an unexpected boost to the overall blog, increasing readership by thousands for about five months and catapulting the blog to “Top 10,000” status.

Since then, it has fallen back and averages about 700 visitors a day. Many of these are looking for a specific blog. (for example, this individual blog has over 50,000 visitors, and this one has 343 comments). I figure about half that number are showing up on a regular basis and form the core of the blog community. The development of a community that actually assists in ministering to one another is for me the highlight of the blog and the main reason I keep writing. I’d love to figure out a way to make that community grow in breadth and depth.

For example, just an hour and a half ago, Gail posted this comment: “I would like to join you in fasting. One main reason is that my only son died in his sleep yesterday. My husband and I do not believe that it was God’s will for him to go to heaven at this particular time. So we are believing that he will be raised from the dead. Of course, we understand that we do not fast to change God’s mind about anything, but we fast so we are more able to hear from Him as he speaks to us and directs us as to what to do and how to pray.”

I subsequently wrote Gail to get more info. and she wrote me a detailed email back. She lives in Virginia Beach. She gave me her phone number and welcomes phone calls. I sent the info to an intercessor who lives there and she actually knows the family. She says that they prayed for another person who died for 23 days before God released them! She is believing God for a miracle – so, if you’ve never prayed for the dead to be raised, now would be a good time to start.

(Blog community – Let me suggest that we pray with Gail and her husband about this today.)

Comments (8)

Butch Maltby

January 12, 2009 at 7:49 am

Reply

Causes come and go. Fads are fantastic then fizzle. A writer has a good day and one that may feel like she is back in grade school struggling with an assignment.

I don’t know what category I’d fall into as you create your blogging taxonomy, Seth.

But I’m pretty sure the “glue” for me is a long term relationship, having weathered stormy seasons and united in authentic community with a common purpose and prayer.

I am one of your “visitors” because long ago it was clear we’d be friends for life.

Oh that more people had that possibility in their busy and self absorbed lives.

Appreciate you.
Kathy

January 12, 2009 at 9:53 am

Reply

Jesus had compassion on the woman who lost her only son and raised him up and restored him to her. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. I agree with Gail and pray for this wonderful report from her. Jesus’ compassion displayed in power over our last enemy. Gail, as a mom of an only child, I pray with all my heart (and tears) for you and your family. I pray the Lord rebukes the destroyer. Do not give up. Remember the woman who prayed by the side of her dead, unsaved husband for 13 hours before he revived. Everyone around her who did not believe were embarrassed for her and did all they could to convince her to accept his death. But she prevailed on God’s promise to her. She took him home; he returned to his work and yes, became a strong believer with an incredible testimony.
Kathy

January 12, 2009 at 1:02 pm

Reply

I came upon this site by accident or possible I could say it was a God incidence.. I was reading up on the Lakeland revival and was directed to a blog here, but since have been a regular reader and i can not tell you the number of times I have been blessed by the blogs and the comments as well.
There have been times I have woken to a wieght on my mind only to see a email for the blog and at times it was just the answer I was seeking.. I have on many occassion forwarded the blog to someone I felt would be blessed by it.. So I know i am fairly new to site I feel a connection to christians who desire to see Jesus be lifted High so that others might come to know him as we await His return.
many continued blessings for sharing your faith , your ministry, encouragement.. continued strength as you press on in His name for others sake and uniting the body of Christ..
Kathy
Jen Schwab

January 12, 2009 at 2:11 pm

Reply

The best thing about our community here is the variety. There are so many different points of view posted on any given topic. I love how I get stretched by your posts, Seth, and then by other people’s comments. We all get to sharpen each other.
Uche Izuora

January 12, 2009 at 5:04 pm

Reply

I’m deeply stirred by Gail’s faith and resolve. It’s an honor to be asked to believe and pray for something as “ACTS-some” as this and totally crazy to feel the burden to so do.

Seth, you are a great blessing.
Bill Hager

January 12, 2009 at 5:26 pm

Reply

I will add my faith, hope and love to prayer for this dear mother and son. God favors life.
I’m new to this blog site and have only posted once or twice since about a month ago. I don’t remember at this moment how exactly I came upon this site but I’m glad I did. the testimonies about the sex trade with children and young people just broke my heart. I cried, almost losin it. I will continue to pray for the children and ask, seek and knock about this. there are other issues Seth you touched on like fathering, discipline and community and church issues that has been my own experiences as well. through your writing/blogging I’m getting to know a brother who knows why ya gotta keep it all real. and the mature responses you recieve has just blessed me and sharpened me as well. I just might move into the neighborhood here and hope to be productive along with everybody else. Lord bless and keep you and yours –
Bill
Los Angeles County, California
Carol C

January 13, 2009 at 2:56 am

Reply

How incredibly moving. I join my prayers with Gail and her husband right now. Keep us in touch. Thanks,

lol Cxx
Uche Izuora

January 13, 2009 at 3:15 am

Reply

I’m deeply stirred by Gail’s faith and resolve. It’s an honor to be asked to believe and pray for something as “ACTS-some” as this and totally crazy to feel the burden to so do.

Seth, you are a great blessing.