Tips for Commenting and Sharing

A Devotional by Margot Cioccio

My son's: Niah looking so cool, Cai ever fun, and Me

Zechariah 4:10

Do not despise 

these small beginnings, 

for the LORD rejoices 

to see the work begin. 

 Ok so I need your help. I know there are a fair number of you lurking and some of you who read this pretty faithfully. You've told me in person or on face book and I can look at the stat numbers and see that there are people reading from all over the world.  I do have days that it is really hard for me to write. Days when I feel discouraged and wonder if anything I am saying is connecting with anyone out there. I realize my job on this is to write what the Lord inspires and puts on my heart. What He does with it, and who it happens to touch is His job. He might want to use you to help with that too.

So here are a few little things you might want to know about to help you spread the word when I write something that encourages you or that you think may encourage someone you know.
At the bottom you will see under the post some little box icons.

Tips for Sharing These Posts with your Friends
See the envelope icon  it points you to some ways you can forward a post to others. 

The first option looks like it has a "M". 
It opens up a box that lets you put in the address of who you want to e-mail the post to and even allows you to send them a short not to let them why you are sending it to them. 

The next one looks like a "B" and lets you post a copy of this blog page on your own blog. 

The next looks like a "T" and let you post a link to your twitter page. Twitter frustrates me because I can't seem to shorten what I have to say down to so few words.  If it works for you by all means use it to spread the word.


The last one looks like an "F" and is my favorite button. It lets you post a link of the page on your facebook wall. You can also comment to your friends about why you are sharing the link. It is a super easy way to help spread the word about this blog.

Down in that same area you will see a link that says comments if you click on that it will open up a box that says leave your comments. In orange below it asks you to choose your identity.  If you have a google id or open id and know how those work - use them. If not you still have two more options. You can use the one that says Name/URL which means you type the name you want attached to your message. The url is optional - if you have your own blog address or web address you would put it there.  

The last option is to post as Anonymous. Should you feel a need to conceal your identity you can use that one. (I was getting too much spam so this option is no longer available)

So those are the options available to you under each post. It would really help me if you would help spread the word and if you would comment from time to time.  I love writing but there are days when it is really difficult and a little encouragement would go a long long way. 

Also I don't always know what you want to read about. What are you struggling with - I would be happy to try and tackle some of your questions or to take on a topic that you might find interesting.

Commenting is a great way to communicate with me.  Or you might want to share how a post has challenged or encouraged you and what things have happened in your life as a result.

I also need a writing break from time to time and if you would like to send me something you have written to consider I would be happy to recieve it. 

Some Other Features:

Some other features on this blog that you might not be aware of:

There is a donate button: I don't get paid to write this, nor am I on a church staff or job pulling in a nice salary.  I am an artist and I make and sell mosaics. I home school my kids, I teach some guitar lessons and do some life coaching. I can't say I am getting rich on any of those things. If you would like to donate - I would be blessed by your financial support. 

Below that you will see a box that says follow by e-mail. Which means if you enter your e-mail address into that box. Everytime I post you will get a copy sent to your e-mail. I do notice that things like the links and videos that I often include don't always come through. But it is a great way to be reminded about this devotional blog and to keep up with it on a daily basis. 

Then you see my photo with the green back ground. 

Below that are some other Share it options. 

Use those if you want to share the whole Blog site not just a single post.

Again I soooooooo appreciate you helping to spread the word. 

Next you can subscribe to the posts and to the comments. Can't say I understand all the workings of those options. If you do perhaps you will post a comment and help enlighten me.

Next you see my Card widget. If you click on any of those cards it will take you to Greeting Card Universe where I have about 300 of my cards posted. They can be personalized on the inside with your own message. I don't make big money on cards. I create them and post them there and when you buy them I get a small royalty. I often use the cards and other products that I have posted on line at the top of the posts. Most are things that I have created the images from photos that I have taken of my mosaic projects and then done some extra design work in photo shop.

Finding Things by Topic
Below the card widget you will find a biz-zillion labels. So if you want to read what I have said on a particular topic you click on that word and it will take you to posts that have something to do with that topic. 

BLOG Archive

Below that is the Blog Archive - It gives you access to the posts I have written in the past. Need some extra encouragement you might want to read some of the older posts. My goal is to eventually publish a devotional in book form - but I decided to post them on line in the process.

Find Me on Facebook: 

You see my facebook badge and clicking on that takes you to my facebook page where you will need to request to be a friend. If I don't know you it helps if you send me a note along with your request letting me know you are Mosaic Devotional blog reader.   

Follow This BLOG

Then there is a way to be a blog follower. Not sure what that does for you but it is encouraging to me to see your smiling face there. 

Encouragement for Today:

Ok so all that being said you are probably feeling a bit jippped on the spiritual side of things. 

So lets talk briefly about walking by faith. Why because this is one gigantic faith journey for me. 

I am writing because God put it on my heart to write. A friend helped me to see that I did have things to say that would encourage people.  It is so easy for me to feel insecure, who am I, and what do I have to say of any value. So writing and posting has been a big step of faith for me. I don't know what God will do with it but I am thankful that it is touching lives and encouraging people at this point.  I noticed that Moses and David also had overwhelming feelings of "Who am I" and wonder at God choosing them for their tasks in His bigger story. My "who am I" is pretty simple I love Jesus and do my best to follow Him daily. I happen to like to write and I've been through a fair amount of "stuff" and I am trying to be open and honest about my own journey and hope it helps you on yours.

So again thank you for reading - 

 

Zechariah 4:10

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.  

Maybe we will all look back and remember when I first started this blog - and marvel at what God has done with it. I guess we'll have to wait and see on that.

If God has put it on your heart to take a step of faith - do it. 

Don't forget Proverbs 18:16 

A gift opens the way for the giver 

and ushers him into the presence of the great.

We don't know where that step of faith will take us - but I am sure that each step is part of an amazing adventure. Don't miss out and let doubt and fear keep you from taking the journey beyond the borders of Ordinary. 

Prayer: 

Dear Lord, 

Thank you for these readers. I pray you will bless and encourage them by these posts. I pray that you will make this a tool for them to encourage others. I pray that we might encourage one another and follow you more faithfully.  Help us be a blessing and your ambassadors as we go through this day.