Important Announcement!
One of the most annoying aspects in the ‘blogosphere’, is coming across blogs where there hasn’t been a post in two months. You don’t know if the owner will ever post again. The blog may rot in cyberspace forever, or until the owner forgets to pay the host. Because of that, I hereby make the following announcement: as of now, I will not be posting any more on this blog for the forseeable future.
Reason #1
Those of you who read Successful Blog, will know that Liz is always talking about making a difference in the world. In fact the other day, she was sharing her thoughts on what a Minister of Religion said at her son’s graduation. Recently, I have been really considering what I’m doing with my life. I have spent time in serious contemplation as to the legacy I’m going to leave upon this earth, and what I’ll be known as/for.
Now, in case you are not aware, I am a man of God. That is, I seek to live a life in godly fear, and in obedience to everything God has commanded. As a result of that, the importance of me living a life of strict purpose, is more important than it would be otherwise. I don’t want to do what I want to do, I want to do what God wants me to do, and there is a vast difference.
I want to make a difference in this world, and therefore I’m beginning a spring clean of my life, and it begins with this blog. As much as I have enjoyed giving (what I think has been) good, unique advice to help others with their blogs and blogging, let’s be frank, it’s never going to make a difference in this world.
Reason #2
At the beginning of last month, I laid out a test for this blog. I basically said to God, if I was to continue with this blog, then it would get ‘X‘ pageviews before the end of the month. If I didn’t get them, then I’d stop. I didn’t get them.
Is this goodbye forever?
I’m not sure. I have a personal blog, where I keep family and friends at home updated with what my wife and I are doing while in Australia, but I doubt it would be of interest to any of the readers of this blog. If it would be, leave a comment here, and I’ll give you the url.
A Final Note
I don’t expect most (maybe any) of you to understand where I’m coming from, and the reasons as to why I’m quitting writing on this blog for now. However, let me just say thank you to everyone who has read this blog over the past two months. I have really enjoyed helping you, being helped, and the discussions that we’ve had here. This blog, although very young, has had some great experiences. It’s best day had just short of 3,000 pageviews, it’s received a lot of respect from some great bloggers, such as Nate Whitehill and David Airey, and even a link from one of the largest newspaper websites in the world! However, it would appear that it’s not the right time in my life to be blogging in such a way that eats up hours in my week. I’ve really enjoyed it, but while I am young and healthy, I feel I should be putting my energy in something more profitable to the world around me.
So, a final thank you to you all. You’re welcome to leave a comment as to your thoughts on this news.
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46 Responses to “Important Announcement!”
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If you want to quit, quit. But read what you wrote. You’re 24, maybe 25 by now. Read it again.
If you want to change the world, you need to be able to see how you, yourself think.
I’m ready to help you get a start.
Liz.
skype:lizstrauss
I’d hate to see “the last of you”, so, I’d love to know how to continue to follow your thoughts, Armen. I’m one of those strange people that will follow a writer by how s/he writes, rather than what. The content is important and is, ultimately, what brings you in, as yours did. But, if it puts you to sleep, then its a goner, IMO. Your writing does the opposite for me. I won’t be removing iffect.net from my feed reader for some time, in case you change your mind about here…
Well Armen, this is a big shame, but it’s your life and your choice.
I think the blog’s a little young to be killing it on the basis of pageviews, but I know how much time it can take of your life.
Don’t delete it though (I know you haven’t said you would, but…) just mothball it and maybe you can come back to it in future.
Take care, and good luck with what you do.
This was a great blog that I thouroughly enjoyed reading. I’m very upset to see it go.
I fully understand what you said about wanting to make a real difference and having a blog about blogging, but I think your decision was a bit over-hasty.
And sorry, but your second reason sounds like one from a 8 year old. It’s like a child who says “Dear God, if you do not ever want me to eat cookies again, then let a stone fall on my head.” I know, it’s not the best example in the world, but you get the point. People who do things like that upset me because they do not want to take the responsibility for their OWN decisions. “But God/Mr.X/Mrs.Y didn’t want me to do that!” You put the decision on other “people“.
Let me ask you one question: If God wanted us to want what he wants, why did he bother to give us a free will?
Live your life the best you can. That’s the best advice you could possibly get now.
P.S.: Please, don’t be offended by my comment. It’s not intended to hurt your feelings.
Armen,
Good luck to you - I hope you find what you are looking for. I will miss all the good info that you pass along. However I do understand that the time commitment is great. I, too, struggle with that dilemma.
Liz - I don’t like to word it as quitting to be honest, I’d rather say I’m prioritizing my life. Every moment of life counts, and I’m trying to discipline my life in a way that, although not easy, will be most profitable. This blog doesn’t really display how I think with my heart anyway Liz, my personal blog is more like that (although not exclusively), I will continue to write there.
You help people motivate people to make a difference, and it is honourable. However, I feel I will make more of a difference by engaging my time in other things. I don’t use skype to be honest, but if you want to contact me, you should have my email address. If not, use the contact form.
Corey - Thank you for the kind words. Unless you either know me, or are a Christian, I doubt my personal blog will be of interest, but I’ll get the url to you just in case
Chris - I know what you mean about pageviews. It was a decision I took seriously at the beginning of the month, but by the end of the month it became a secondary issue. I’ll be leaving the blog online, as that was the reason behind this post. I could have just taken it off, but I wanted to leave something so people understood what has happened.
Thanks for your support Chris, I appreciate it.
Jake - I know you seemed to like some of my articles, and that is very encouraging. If I didn’t feel so strongly about this, I would continue. However, I need to do this, even though I have enjoyed providing helpful material. Thank you for all the link love and support.
Celebrienne - I am encouraged by your strong desire to try and make me keep going, not offended. It’s a compliment. But you don’t fully understand my position. What I asked God, is something that I have always found to work because I have a close relationship with Him. It would take an essay for me to fully explain the in’s and out’s of my past experiences, which have shown me that on rare occassions, it is right to throw out something to God, that will ultimately define what His desire is. This was one of those occassions. Gideon in the Bible, did the very same thing.
“Let me ask you one question: If God wanted us to want what he wants, why did he bother to give us a free will?”
If we automatically did what he wanted like robots, it wouldn’t glorify Him. What glorifies Him is when people who have a choice, make the decision to live for Him, rather than for themselves. He delights in such obedience. I didn’t want to do this, but a verse might clarify things better. I’m sure you’ve come across what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Does that help to clarify my position?
Neena - You are another one who has been a great support in my writing. You’re one of the few who make a point of encouraging a writer when their work has benefited you. Thank you!
This is a surprising article to read, Armen.
It has been a real pleasure reading your thoughts these past months, and regardless of what comes with iffect.net I do hope you’ll keep in touch.
Do you have skype? You can IM or call me at: d.airey
I hope all’s well mate.
Armen,
It’s heartening to hear that you’re not taking your voice away completely. Your voice is important. Those commented here have said a lot about your value. I see the same things they do.
I want the best for you too. You know I’m in your corner.
Armen,
I think there’s no real point in discussing whether the reasons which’ve led to your decision to “give up” this blog are right or not because we’re totally different and both see it our ways. Of course, it’s YOUR life and you’ll know what works best for you. I won’t argue on that.
You know, there’s another point which came to my mind when I thought about the whole “free will” thing. Isn’t God kind of a selfish “guy” if he wants us all to want what he want and do it his way? At least in my book. I want to live MY life MY way - and someone as “almighty” as God is said to be, should want it for me, too, and have the necessary trust in me that I’m rather living my life the RIGHT way and less HIS way (imo)! Anyway…
Thank you for your commitment to this blog, I really enjoyed it. All my best wishes whatever path you’ll take.
Armen, I understand the reasons why you want to quit blogging, and although we do not share the same passions, I have to say I respect your decision to the fullest. I have to say that you do bring a lot to the blogsphere, and you definitely make a difference, but if you feel you want to go another route and follow your heart, that is the best thing to do in my opinion. You are true to yourself and to what you believe in, and that is the only thing that matters. I hope all is well for you, and I will look forward to hearing from you once in a while. You can find a Skype button on my “about” page on my blog, feel free to add me. I really enjoyed reading your blog. All the best. Take care!
David - I’ll be keeping in touch my friend. Thank you for understanding.
Liz - Being completely honest Liz, I have an ‘all or nothing’ personality. There are a lot of blogs with a similar theme as this, but I knew I could add something, because I when I give myself to something, I do my best. When people do their best, they usually add something.
However, I’m now giving myself more strongly to something else, and I know if I do so, I can make a difference there too. I know you understand.
Celebrienne - I appreciate the civil dialogue, and the mind to try and comprehend my heart. But allow me to say, there is not one character in the Bible, or in history who has said he/she loved God, but lived their own life and managed to make a difference. There are ‘Christian’s’ who live their own way. Whether they are genuine or not, is not for me to say. But one thing is universal; the ‘Christian’ who lives their own way, will not make a difference.
To say that God is “selfish”, is a blasphemy. He gives us everything we have. As Creator, he has a right to demand that His creation live for Him. But, when Christ has also paid the penalty for our sin, then we ought to be compelled to live for Him.
Jonathan - What an encouraging note! Thanks for such comforting words. I’ll keep in touch.
Armen, it will be sad to see you leave the sphere. You are a a great writer with intelligent insights. Send me the URL If your personal blog if you don’t mind and that way we can stay in contact. Hope everything else is well and good luck in the future, friend!
When I first saw this post I though your dog had died! Could you not use your skills to help religious blogs? Anyway it was good reading your blog in the short time ago I came across it. Your right in many ways
Good luck for the future!
Jamie
Nate - Thanks for everything — I really mean that. I’ll get the url to you for sure, and I’ll be keeping in touch.
Jamie - lol…in some ways it may have been easier to announce that my dog had died!
Whether or not religious blog owners would care enough to improve their blogs, I’m not sure. Some of them could definately do with some help!
Thanks for faithfully supporting this blog Jamie, I’ve appreciated it, and I’m glad you found some of my posts worth reading.
Sad…I’ll really miss your site, it was the second one I subscribed to. But I do understand your reasoning and I expect your voice to remain a presence in the sphere somewhere!
Please let me know where to find you in the future.
Thanks and all the best to you!
[…] one of the few blogs that has been featured in everyone of these collections, iffect.net, is now shutting down. Another blog I have really enjoyed, Linux and Open Source Blog, hasn’t been getting much […]
Armen,
I wanna say ‘Good luck to you’ even I know this blog a few days. I’m still remembered is that I pointed out your wordpress theme layout problem at that time you published ‘5 vital elements of successful blogging’. You have published a lot of great tips those are not only about blogging but also about other things too. I’m still reading your posts in archives. Anyway, I’m waiting your coming back!!!
Good Luck! Armen.
Thanks for dropping by my site yesterday…I just posted a little goodbye to you, if you get a chance, I hope you get to see it.
- Your Friend
Oh man! That’s too bad!
I really enjoyed this blog!
I appreciate that your web site creating a higher value in providing updated information through your web site.
..and I just found your blog. =(
Мне кажется это не совсем точно. На эту тему имеется несколько мнений. И у каждого человека со своим мировоззрением свое мнение.
This blog has useful information. thanks.
important announcement
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity,and gas ,and oil .The light at the end of the tunnel has bin turned off till further notice
We apologise for any inconvenience.
DON’T SAY GOODBYE…WE NEED YOU HERE. IT”S A GOOD SITE!
Hey, don’t leave us… Where will you be going… Immigration to Australia? Let me know if you need help with your Australian visa or passport.
I appreciate that your web site creating a higher value in providing updated information through your web site.
I wanna say ‘Good luck to you’ even I know this blog a few days. I’m still remembered is that I pointed out your wordpress theme layout problem at that time you published ‘5 vital elements of successful blogging’. You have published a lot of great tips those are not only about blogging but also about other things too. I’m still reading your posts in archives. Anyway, I’m waiting your coming back!!!
This was a great blog that I thouroughly enjoyed reading. I’m very upset to see it go.
appreciate that your web site creating a higher value in providing updated information through your web site.
I appreciate that your web site creating a higher value in providing updated information through your web site.
When I first saw this post I though your dog had died! Could you not use your skills to help religious blogs? Anyway it was good reading your blog in the short time ago I came across it. Your right in many ways
Good luck for the future!
thank you baby
just see this blog, it seems the author got very high reputation that many readers don’t want say goodbye to him.If there is any chance,I would like to more posts from you.
anyway,good luck!
Good luck for the future!!
I can’t understand,why you quit blogging
any way,best wishes!!
yep,best wishes!!
I appreciate that your web site creating a higher value in providing updated information through your web site.
what a pity, i havn’t see your blog yet.
So Sad…I’ll really miss your site. Good luck for the future!!
So Sad! Good luck for the future
How do I contact you? I can’t understand,why you want to quit blogging? Anywhere i wish you good luck for the future.
Thanks, nice post.
Oh man! That’s too bad! I enjoyed this blog!