Blogging Sabbatical

Uncategorized 4 Minutes

For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. Do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. The land is to have a year of rest. – Leviticus 25:3-5

The Old Testament Law had not only a Sabbath day for God’s people to rest from their labor, but also a Sabbath year, for the land to “rest.” Fields were to be left fallow one out of every seven years.

As of this month, I have been blogging for six years.

In the spirit of this “sabbath” concept, I am planning to take a break from blogging in 2024. This may take the form of discontinuing my blog or, more likely, blogging a lot less, possibly just reposting pieces from years ago. I can respond to comments but won’t be reading and commenting on others. As great as so many of your blogs are, I can never read them all and leave comments (as if y’all couldn’t survive without my all-important opinions – >eye roll<). And trying to do so has kept me from several other writing projects that have been on the “back burner” far too long.

I have a book that is 99% complete and has been waiting to be edited and published since before Kovd. I also need to come up with a cover design.

I want to finish production of the audio version of my Awakening trilogy. Last year I was able to complete the first two books, COUNSELOR and VISION. The final book, SPARROWS, has yet to be recorded.

Another goal for 2024 is an expanded edition of BARRIERS (So, if prayers are so powerful, how come mine don’t get answered?) to include lessons I’ve learned since the first edition came out. (Most of the chapters to be added have already been published as blog posts, posts such as “Are You Praying to the Wrong Person?”* – definitely a “barrier”!). Years ago, I taught a Sunday school class with BARRIERS and still have the lesson plans, or study guide. And I know of at least two prison inmates and a pastor in India (!) who have led studies based on BARRIERS. In this new edition I plan to incorporate the study guide in the form of questions at the end of each chapter instead of as a separate booklet. Meanwhile, the Indian pastor has expressed an interest in having BARRIERS translated into one of the Indian languages – a language I’d never heard of but which I found out is spoken by over 48 million people! He has also invited me to come to India and help him teach. That prospect seems unlikely, but you never know. If God wants it …

My sister has suggested I publish a compilation of my blog posts as a devotional. I have also thought that I might rearrange key posts about my life to publish as a memoir. As for titles for these two projects, I haven’t yet come up with a better title than Seeking Divine Perspective, as that still pretty much says it all.

All these things are not going to get done if I continue to spend 2-4 hours a day blogging. Many days I have set aside an afternoon to “get down to business!” and as the emails pour in, I keep thinking, “I’ll read just one more…” (You guys are just too good!) And next thing I know, the afternoon is gone. Something as wide open as blogging, for someone as scatterbrained as yours truly, is practically asking for trouble!

If I get a good amount done in 2024, l might return to regular blogging. In the meantime, I’ll probably post my “perspective” occasionally when I’m particularly inspired. If you read and comment on these, I promise I will answer. So many of you have become what I consider good friends, even though I’ve met few of you face to face, and I’d hate to think of losing touch with you! I just don’t have the willpower to blog without setting boundaries for myself.

Bottom line: You’re probably not going to be seeing as much of me in 2024, at least not in the blogosphere, but as long as the Lord has work for me to do, I will (as we used to say in the 60’s) “write on!”

Prayer: Lord, thank You so much for the experiences of the past six years. I never would have imagined You would inspire me to write so many hundreds of messages, much less that so many people would find them interesting and inspiring. As always, I trust You to continue answering my prayers for “divine perspective.” – I’m living in the world but don’t want to see things as the world does. Thank You for my blogging friends. Please bless and guide them in their own journeys as we all strive to reach the world for You, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

*https://seekingdivineperspective.com/2022/11/04/are-you-praying-to-the-wrong-person/

*https://seekingdivineperspective.com/2022/11/11/are-you-praying-to-the-wrong-person-part-ii-saints/

*https://seekingdivineperspective.com/2022/11/18/are-you-praying-to-the-wrong-person-part-iii-angels/

*https://seekingdivineperspective.com/2022/11/25/are-you-praying-to-the-wrong-person-part-iv-fallen-angels/

*https://seekingdivineperspective.com/2022/12/02/are-you-praying-to-the-wrong-person-part-v-wrong-jesus/

Unknown's avatar

Published by seekingdivineperspective

I am a forgiven sinner and adopted child of God, seeking to see life from His perspective - as opposed to the world's flawed perspective - and living my life accordingly.

Published

58 thoughts on “Blogging Sabbatical”

    1. Thanks, Carol. I will be posting OCCASIONALLY and will definitely keep y’all informed. I already have some ideas for posts, but I won’t be stressing out over getting one published every Friday. 😉
      If you’re into audiobooks, I have two that are available through Amazon, Audible, and iTunes under my name, Ann Aschauer. My books are all on Amazon under the same name. Or you can order directly from me and get a handwritten note inside and free shipping. 😉 Email me if you’re interested, bascha3870@yahoo.com. (Subject: “book order”)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Good point, Gail. Although I’m not sure what that “me” time looks like! I don’t know when I feel more “myself” than when I’m writing out the inspiration that energizes me for the rest of life. One of the most satisfying steps in writing is when I finish, heave a sigh of relief as I put down the pen (or laptop), and proofread. I’m thinking that compiling my favorite posts will be a pleasure. I often reread a piece I’d forgotten about, and it occurs to me that the Lord may well have been using me to communicate – what an honor! And of course, every time I revisit a chapter of my life and what He taught me through those experiences, I have another reason to thank Him. 🙂
      Thanks for your feedback and support. ❤
      Blessings,
      Annie

      Like

      Reply

      1. Life experiences are such great reminders of things to be thankful for. The Lord certainly had plans for us when we felt a strange sense of “rightness” about going to India for a year, just a few months after our first anniversary! Many of our friends thought we were slightly deranged to undertake such an adventure. The learning from it would take hours to relate, and God was in it all.

        I look forward to the book(s) to come.

        Be kind to yourself,
        Gail

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Annie, I’ll miss your posts and your always-thoughtful comments on mine this year, but I appreciate your reasoning, enabling you to focus on things outside the blogosphere. Regardless, you’re still always more than welcome to stop by for a “visit!” 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Keith, it’s frustrating to be limited to 24 hours a day (If I just didn’t have to sleep …!), but we should keep in mind that someday we’ll have forever to share our God stories. I think that’ll be one of my favorite things about heaven. 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  9. I’ll miss you but time flies and I will be glad to see you when you come back! By the way, Grace is doing better today. Still on the ventilator but I am pretty sure she is going to recover. I wasn’t so sure a few days ago. Take care! Blessings, Paula

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. I’m excited for you. I recently began to connecting with your blogs last year and enjoy reading your them and appreciate your support for my writing too. I look forward to hearing updates and how Father God helps you in your endeavors this year. I too am working on several projects and trust God to complete them well. Been working on a book for a few years now little by little honestly. Much blessings to you!

    Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment)
    Letstakeamoment.com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. I’m sure this was a hard decision for you, but it sounds right. We cannot be “all things to all people” even if we want to be. I will be praying for you during this time and hope there will be some opportunity to “cross paths” again. Blessings!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Russ, I think you hit the nail on the head. I have spent a good portion of my life trying to be all things to all people. Now that I’m somewhat incapacitated, I think the Lord is dealing with the pride that comes with that tendency. (I’ll probably write about it. 😉) I really enjoyed meeting you and Joan in Sanibel. I’m sure someday we’ll meet again. Blessings..💕

      Like

      Reply

      1. Ohh, we just left Louisville!! Literally half an hour ago! We had friend drive us to the Build, Renovate and Landscape show in the KICC. Ate a late lunch at Mussels and Burgers on 7th street just off Market.😋

        Liked by 1 person

  16. I will miss your regular posts Ann and will look for ones that you will post when inspired to do so. May God be with you as you place boundaries and be purposeful in what you want to accomplish with your writing this year.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  21. I’ll miss your regular posts, but what a way to set an example of answering God’s call with the other things He is placing on your heart for His glory! Look forward to your pieces whenever you are lead to blog!!❤️

    Like

    Reply

  25. May God bless you with big blocks of time to tackle these worthy projects, Annie. We’ll look forward to hearing that they are published and ready for us to enjoy/grow from!

    Like

    Reply

  27. You should stop by for a “virtual” visit once in a while. Sit down for a chat with some of us! Only blog 3 times a yr if you feel so inclined. (I have some blogging friends who only post a few times a year and we somehow manage to stay in touch.) Regardless, blessings on your new adventures. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Gabrielle, I would love to! You may have noticed that yours is one blog I can’t resist reading. 😏 You always have a fresh and usually funny way of commenting on the world today. One of these days my “sisterly adventure” with my Arizona sibling will get us up your way. I still want to meet you and just share ideas and perspectives and laughs.
      Blessings,
      Annie

      Like

      Reply

Leave a reply to alimw2013 Cancel reply