Revisiting Blog Guidelines

Friends,
When the Trinity Church Blog was created, we set out some ground rules for how we should operate, but as things go, some guidelines were lost and some have not always been enforced. I would like to revisit the posting instructions that we set forth at the creation on this Blog on June 19th 2008.  

Blog Introduction and Appropriate Commenting

Greetings Trinity Church and welcome to the Trinity Church Blog. Andy, or other elder approved persons, will periodically post articles, links and other church related materials to this blog. We would like you to comment or ask questions in the comment section if you so desire. If you choose to comment please provide your name in the appropriate section. All anonymous comments will be deleted.

Please keep the following things in mind as you consider what you will write in the comments section. This has been copied from a long-time, respected Christian blogger.

• Am I expressing love for my fellow believers? (John 13:35, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.")
• Are my words gracious and "seasoned with salt"? (Colossians 4:6, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.")
• Are my words edifying, appropriate, and grace-giving (Eph. 4:29)?
• Do my words convey a heart attitude of humility before God, contrition over my sin, and reverential awe at God's Word? (Isa. 66:2, "This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.")
• Am I "speaking the truth in love"? (Eph. 4:15)
• Am I "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace"? (Eph. 4:3)
• Am I pursuing "what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding"? (Rom. 14:19)
• Am I "slow to speak" and "slow to anger"? (James 1:19)
• Am I "quick to hear"? (James 1:19)
• Is the fruit of the Spirit--“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control"--evident in my heart and through my words? (Gal. 5:22-23)
• Am I increasing in faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love? (2 Pet. 1:5-6)
• Am I writing with eternal reality in view, remembering that my words will serve on judgment day as evidence about my heart? (Matt. 12:37, "By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.")
• Am I writing in complete candor and honesty, including disclosing my true identity?

We look forward to providing helpful information with a way to promote charitable interaction between brothers and sisters who love each other with the love of Christ.

- Josh Hawkins