Vanity of Vanities: Passing the 1 million mark by Peter Lumpkins

Says the ancient Preacher in the King's English: "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? (Ec 1:2-3; KJV)

An interesting and much looser translation comes from The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language:

Smoke, nothing but smoke. [That’s what the Quester says.]; There’s nothing to anything—it’s all smoke. What’s there to show for a lifetime of work, a lifetime of working your fingers to the bone?

So what does it mean when one has blogged for 51/2 years and finally reaches the proverbial pot of gold--a Million+ page views? 

To be sure some think it is all vanity to post blog after blog, week after week. And, ever running through one's mind is, does anyone ever read this stuff? But more significantly still, is anyone's opinion ever changed by what one writes? Or, is anyone's view ever strengthened by one's repeated musings written out in digital ink?

The way I see it, I must constantly keep my perspective in balance in determining viable answers to those questions. On the one hand, bloggers are not nearly as important as we many times think we are. Some at times appear to think the entire future of God's Kingdom depends upon them writing a response to some point somebody made on a post or even in a comment thread.

On the other hand, what we say here matters for eternity. Really! Jesus said we would account for every idle word we speak (Matt 12:36). It is not disrespectful to our Lord's words, I do not think, to extend His divine assertion to include public words we write both on paper and in cyber space. So, yes...eternity. 

In the end, I want to thank the readership of SBC Tomorrow. I am a better, more informed believer, preacher, expositor, and person because of you. Thank you for following SBC Tomorrow.

What now?

I continue on.

I commit myself afresh to offering genuine sources and credible evidences for the propositions I offer my readers. Know this: I do not deny bias. Ever.  Nonetheless I am obligated as is every critic to be judicious and reasonable with what evidences and sources I do cite. And, as always, my readers may, if they so wish, challenge the inferences I make from the evidences I cite. Likewise, challengers may expect a robust defense of what I write. I have no intention of feeding the public half-cooked ideas with my name on it. Hence, I will respond to challenges toward the inferences I propose, but I will do so with dignity and engage the idea without casting dark asperations toward the one proposing them. 

Once again, thank you for your participation here, and for many of you at least, I am glad I got to know you through the blogging venue. Your friendship I especially appreciate.

Grace to all.

With that, I am...

Peter

Comments

[CASEY]

I have gained great evidence and thought provoking wisdom from your website. I'm predicting your site will not decline or flat-line but will increase substantially since it seems that our Baptist non-Press seems more bent on Public Relations and spin...rather than giving us the unvarnished facts and truth.
Keep up the good work. Thanks for being the "SECOND MAN".
Let me explain:
Prov. 18:17- The first to plead his case seems right till another comes forward and examines him.
Thanks again for being the "SECOND MAN" by examining every proposal and using the principles found in the inerrant Word He gave us as your basis.

[Max]

A hearty Amen to Casey's comment! Thank you Peter for standing in the gap - words are not idle words when they contend for the faith. May the next 1 million hits come sooner than 5 years!

[peter lumpkins]

Brothers,

I appreciate your encouragement more than you know.

With that, I am...
Peter

[Ron]

Congrats Peter!

This is a great milestone and I celebrate it with you. Enjoy a robust cup of Java and one of those little expensive pastries ...and...send me the bill.

[Josh]

I have been incredibly blessed, and encouraged by your writing. I think you offer an incredibly balanced presentation, and a much needed alternative to other writers. God bless you, and keep writing.

[peter lumpkins]

Josh,

Thanks for the encouragement, my brother. We all lay eggs now and then--even the best of writers. I trust I lay no more than my rightful share as a fallen yet redeemed human being I am.

Lord bless.

With that, I am...
Peter

[selahV]

Congratulations, Pete. It's wonderful. Often, you write what my head wants to say, but my emotions don't want to deal with. selahV