For the past two years, I have taken a break from blogging during the month of July. I have found that this time away has been spiritually and mentally refreshing. Though the short-term nature of the blogosphere makes an extended absence unwise from a blogger’s standpoint, my previous sabbaticals have been good for my soul.

So, during the month of July, no new material will appear on this blog. On August 1, Lord willing, I will resume writing daily here at Kingdom People.

Here are some reasons why this sabbatical is needed:

1. Need for Spiritual Refreshment

I always look forward to directing some of the time I would have spent blogging to more prayer, Bible study, and devotional reading.

2. Other Important Responsibilities Vying for My Time

• I am writing my next book, tentatively entitled Counterfeit Gospels: Rediscovering the Good News in a World of False Hopes, to be published by Moody in April 2011. I look forward to sharing more about the project this fall. Right now, I covet your prayers, as my deadline is quickly approaching.
• The summer months are quiet around the church, but these are good months to consider the future and ask for the Lord’s guidance in planning for the fall.
• It’s summer, and my wife is home with the kids. I want to be a bigger help around the house this month. Also, our son is out of school, and our daughter just turned two. I want to play with them more.

3. Blogging can be addictive.

I do not want to be constantly concerned about blog statistics, comments, and links. The best way to avoid the danger of caring too much about a blog is by taking a break from it for awhile.

4. Blogs are also inherently self-promoting.

My blog may have good and helpful content in the short-term, but if I ever view the blog as a way to promote myself before others, I will become a self-centered, self-absorbed person whose contributions to the Kingdom will be diminished in the long-term. Having blogged consistently for almost four years now, I think it is wise to take a step back and evaluate the spiritual effects (both good and bad) that blogging has on me. The last two Julys have been very beneficial for me in this regard.

I appreciate the readers who subscribe to Kingdom People and those who visit this site regularly. If you happen upon this site during the month of July, you might enjoy looking through the archives. I believe you will find some articles, interviews, or devotional thoughts that may be helpful.

So, until August 1… I pray you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.