The Loft is open, come on up!

Graphic by Kerry Messer

#TheLoft

The Loft is the place for conversation, community, networking, and Christian growth. Each week we provide a topic to start the conversation.

Then, Monday night, at 9pm Eastern, the link goes live and all week you can link up your post on that week’s topic.

We’ll have fun topics, serious topics, practical, soul-ful, holiday, and so, so much more…we can’t wait to get started! This is not only a great way to connect with others, it’s also a fun and easy way to establish a writing habit. If you aren’t a blogger, you are welcome to join in by leaving your comments in the comment section.

Listening is a lost art. Especially in the blogosphere where everyone wants to be heard. At The Loft, we know that listening is rewarding and rich… surprisingly so. So we want to provide an opportunity for Christian bloggers to speak and listen, grow and be encouraged. We invite you up to the Loft, an out of the way upper room where we’ll talk, laugh, learn, and leave a little bit changed.

So grab your coffee mug and come on up! Hang out for a bit. We betcha you’ll be glad you did.

To Participate:

1. Be creative. Feel free to use words, photos, video, audio, your family pet, whatever, to communicate on the weekly topic.

2. Listen twice as much as you talk. If you leave one link, visit two. Trust us on this one~wink.

3. Be a community. Include #TheLoft graphic and hashtag in your post and social media so we can find each other. Also, share the great stuff you find when you visit around…we’ll be doing the same.

When you link up at The Loft, your link will appear on 6 blogs! We’d love for you to visit The Loft co-hosts and know who we are:
Leah
Kathy
Arabah
Jen
Rebekah

Now it’s time to link up! This Week’s Topic: “Blogs that Inspire” (Since we all love blogs and bloggers, tell us what blogs or websites you go to for inspiration. Why do you love the blogs you love? Are there certain writing styles you are drawn to? Topics? Personalities? Spill the beans and then check out what other’s are saying too.)

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Let me share a few of my favorite blogs - but before that, let me share what I really connect to when reading a blog.

I value reading writers who are real, who are vulnerable and don’t try to hide behind the mask of perfection. If a writer shares a post telling me of a real struggle by a person who is needing a lot of Jesus’ grace, I’m immediately drawn in as this is a fellow traveler on the same grace-needing journey that I am on. If I’m reading a personal story - whether it’s a story of joy, sadness, struggle, victory, or the seemingly mundane moments of everyday life,

I value writers who share what they are learning about Jesus. When a writer shares why something applies in their life - a verse, a prayer, a devotional - I can often glean something for my personal growth.

I long for real, for authentic, for that deep-down, life-is-gritty-sometimes-but-oh-God-gives-beauty-and-grace.

So without further ado, let me share a few of my current favorites blogs and bloggers who provide inspiration and nourishment for my soul.

Tresta at Sharp Paynes
Her tag line “A little wit, a little struggle, a lot of Jesus” entices me to stop, coffee in hand, and soak up some of the goodness she’s sharing. Her blog design is very appealing, her writing is from the heart, and her pictures…if you visit just for her pictures, you will find beauty. You’ll find such pearls of truth here from a woman intent on following Jesus!

Anita at Grace For Parents
Her tag line “Extending grace and encouragement to parents, especially parents of special needs children” reminds me of what I so often need - and need to give - as a parent of a child with special needs. Anita’s posts are easy to read, full of encouragement, and to the point with nuggets of wisdom from a lady who has lived what she shares!

Alisha at Flourish
Alisha’s tag line, “Living an abundant & satisfying life: spirit, soul & body” offers me something for every aspect of who God has created me to be. Alisha is, among other things, an artist and her posts are full of vibrant colors and beautiful works she has created, all the while pointing back to the Giver of the gift!

Milly at Destination Italy
I was so drawn in by her post, “I Am…” where we really got to know her.
I was drawn in by the beauty of someone who came to God later in life, and I marveled at all God has done in her life - as only God can! Her writing style is beautiful and I’ve spent a good bit of time reading through various other posts.

Managing Your Blessings
I have the distinct privilege of being a contributor at MYB, but even before I was contributing, I was reading posts there, almost daily. And now, even as a contributor, I’m still reading posts there. These women have such a heart for God, led by the someone who is wholly committed to following Jesus’ leading.

A few others, in no particular order (most of which you may already be familiar with):

The Better Mom
Such wisdom from these other moms - I always find hope here.

(In)Courage
I always come away feeling encouraged and boosted in courage.

A Holy Experience (Ann Voskamp)
Oh, am I at a place in life where I need to find the joy.
Ann’s posts dig deep.
She knows the reality of in-the-trench living and wrestles for the joy.
If, somehow, you haven’t visited her yet, please do?

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Next Week’s Topic:“Greatest Insecurity” (We are going vulnerable here, asking you to share your greatest insecurity. How do you recognize it when it creeps up? What does insecurity sound like to you: What do you do to silence it? Any scriptures that help you fight it?)

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