Ya Sure Ol’ Dave Done It Dissa Way?

Ya Sure Ol’ Dave Done It Dissa Way? December 5, 2005

I’m not sure why I blog. I’ve always enjoyed writing. But that doesn’t really answer the question: “Why do you blog?” Raphael Richardson encouraged me, Mission Priest, to start blogging back when we worked together in Western North Carolina. Back then, working third shift, it made sense and provided a productive way to pass the “down time.” Believe me, working in a large parish situation, there ain’t much down time. And yet, I blog more. (But more on that later.)

That’s not really the substance of this post and, please, I’m not fishing for compliments or folks begging me to keep this Blog going. The graveyard is, as they say, full of indispensable men and I’m sure the Blogosphere Cemetery is growing vast.

So why do I blog?

Some of it’s pride, no doubt. I keep track of the daily hit numbers and it’s really nice when folks link to your site. Occasionally someone like Amy Welborn tags you and your hits go out the roof! Equally gratifying are the emails received from total strangers thanking you for your efforts. And, of course, there’s the regulars: Hi Mom!

Then, there’s the Comments. A while back I began moderating the comments on this Blog. True, I’ve made a few people mad over the years, but I don’t believe they’re the ones spamming ads for Casinos and such. Thanks to technology, I can fairly well ascertain where folks are, literally, coming from.

Nope, no enemies there, there, nor there.

I struggle to believe that mine enemies are just as good a Christian as I am. In other words … they’re just as happy to be shed of me as to leave my Comments section alone.

But, and all bloggers (except for those who don’t allow comments) know this, it ain’t all good. Sometimes, thank God not often, people feel obligated to write a little note to tell you how much you “inhale deeply” — or some such. I’m not a prude and no stranger to strong language. But, really. Personally, when I visit someone’s Blog, I rarely visit the Comments section unless 1) I’m invited, 2) I have helpful info, 3) I have a better argument, or 4) I wish to say kudos. I’m the chief of sinners, believe me, but I’ve never felt tempted to enter ad hominem comments on a blog.

Uh oh, wait, there was that one time when I told a guy that 40 was old as [Sheol]. But hey, truth sucks.

Lately I’ve been getting whacky emails (which, I must admit, are better than rude public comments) that inform me of 1) the End of the World and, 2) the nuttiness of the ROCOR. First of all, I have nothing against the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. Give it a rest. Secondly, it’s certainly later than it was. But, honestly, if the world’s ending, email spam should be fairly low on your priority list.

I guess folks just have too much time on their hands. Orthodox are not exempt, self included. I’m busy — very busy, sure. But, blogging? Is there really a need? Is the world a better place thanks to blogging? Or is this some form of idleness that I shall dread answering for at the Last Day?

I dunno.

Much of what I do here at Orthodixie is pass on stories and links that I think may be of interest to those who regularly read this Blog. I try to stay true to “Southern, Orthodox, Convert, Etc” — many times erring on the et cetera.

Speaking of “Etc,” if you’ve read this far you’re probably going to finish this post … so welcome!

I began keeping a “Diary” a long, long time ago. (Remember 40? Long past.) My first diary was black, gilded pages, and kinda girlish with a lock and key. I was, oh, twelve. I re-read it a few years ago. Back then, it seems, I had pretty handwriting and little to say. I kept a “Journal” (now ain’t that manly) all through high school. Thanks be to my guardian angel, I did not keep one in college. (Mom, really, I had to study!) I kept one off and on through seminary.

Since my first Curacy — 1992 — I’ve kept a daily journal. Every day, without fail, I write in my journal. I’ve often recommended this practice. A daily collection of thoughts, notes, and activities is, I believe, good for the soul.

Face it, we don’t write letters any more. But back when folks did, those (I assume) were equally cathartic. I’m currently reading the biography of John Adams and — gosh! — did such luminaries ever write! Letter after letter, day after day … thanks be to God!

And, really, when did John Adams have the time to write? Ah. Here we are back at the beginning.

“Why blog?”

The title of this entry is taken from the old Waylon Jennings tune, “Are You Sure Ol’ Hank Done It This Way?” Later, Clint Black — paying tribute — sang: “Are You Sure Ol’ Waylon Done It This Way?”

(“Dissa,” is da way dey sang it.)

For years I’ve told would-be writers: “A writer writes.” There is no truer saying. A writer … writes. That being the case, I guess I’m a blogger; obviously, I blog. More to the point, I only read bloggers who write. Like me, they sometimes merely link to good writing or sites of topical interest. But if a Blogger can’t actually write, I’ve better uses of my time.

I like to read people who read. I like to read people who write. I like to read words written by people who read and write. Every now and then, with God’s help and a glob of charity, I fit that bill for some.

Saint David was, as they say in the South, “eat up with it” — when it comes to journaling, writing, emoting, gushing. If you’ll forgive the analogy, he’s the king of bloggers.

O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of me, there is no help for him in God.

Be angry, but sin not; commune with your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD, keep watch over the door of my lips!

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

Arrogant men have hidden a trap for me, and with cords they have spread a net, by the wayside they have set snares for me.

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

Out of the depths I cry to thee, O LORD! Lord, hear my voice! Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications! If thou, O LORD, shouldst mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?

Make haste to answer me, O LORD! My spirit fails! Hide not thy face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the Pit.

Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.

Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. With the LORD on my side I do not fear. What can man do to me?

He loved to curse; let curses come on him! He did not like blessing; may it be far from him!

All the day my enemies taunt me, those who deride me use my name for a curse.

The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

If the LORD had not been my help, my soul would soon have dwelt in the land of silence. When I thought, “My foot slips,” thy steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.

When the cares of my heart are many, thy consolations cheer my soul. Can wicked rulers be allied with thee, who frame mischief by statute?

Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance, who exult in thy name all the day, and extol thy righteousness.

Thou hast caused my companions to shun me; thou hast made me a thing of horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape; my eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call upon thee, O LORD; I spread out my hands to thee. Thou hast caused lover and friend to shun me; my companions are in darkness.

As for me, I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against thee!” My enemies say of me in malice: “When will he die, and his name perish?”

But, come on! Do you really think King David could have handled reading blogs, blogging … and, gulp, comments?

Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted his heel against me.

Uh, yep, he’s hip.

Truly, there is nothing new under the sun (or on the screen). St David done and said it all. Read the Psalms.

John Adams … Blogger? He’d a been on it like white on rice!

King David? Yes, but not daily. His posts would have appeared only after much introspection …

like all posts (and Comments) should.

Forgive me.


Browse Our Archives

Follow Us!