Jollyblogger wrestles with the question of why blog? He starts from Michelle Catalano on how to become a popular blogger. You do it by drawing attention to yourself through “Controversy. Raging anger. Venom and spitfire.” Jollyblogger’s comment is “You'll get attention, but for all the wrong reasons.”

I heartily agree. Here is a “right” reason to blog. It can be a spiritual discipline!

In Richard Foster’s classic book, Celebration of Discipline, he lists a number of spiritual giants (Brainerd, Wesley, Woolman, Fox) who used journals to record their life in God. Foster draws much inspiration from these journals and uses it to illustrate his teaching. He encourages his readers to journal as a part of the outward discipline of solitude (p. 108).

For me, blogging is a spiritual discipline because it helps me sort out how God is at work in my life. Doing it online in conversation with others is like journaling in community. I get instant feedback to my thoughts and reflections that help me to further understand what God is doing.

Blogging as a spiritual Discipline seems to be catching on. Pat Loughery of Mt. Is Vineyard in Seattle asks Is Blogging a Spiritual Discipline? He points to Dallas Willard comments that spiritual disciplines are best done in community.

Dream Awakener shares “there are many reasons that I blog… i have found that blogging is therapeutic, healing, enjoyable, interactive, communal and a discipline that helps me pay attention to god and reflect more on my life, my interaction with the world, and my spirituality.”

He mentions an article by Timothy Bednar at e church: Why consider blogging a spiritual discipline? (perhaps like journaling or spiritual writing). Bednar writes that

“The purpose of any spiritual discipline is to intentionally make space for God in our daily lives. If you blog frequently -- practicing your Christian faith through the written word -- I believe you accomplish this. e-Church exists to promote this process.”

Kevin Pierpont writes “Journaling about your thoughts, experiences, relationships, spiritual victories and shortcomings can help you keep the spiritual focus of your life where it needs to be.”

He points to a Gordon MacDonald article at Christianity today: Mapping Your Private World. Journaling: a tool to bring your soul into focus.

Blog one another thinks spiritual disciplines are about disengaging from the world so we can engage the Kingdom of God.

Rather I think, blogging as a spiritual discipline is about engaging with God AS we engage the world. Faith at Work blogging as I mentioned in a previous post is a means of doing this. That is why I blog!