The 2014 30 (40) Days of Blogging

by Fr. John A. Peck

This is the 5th Year of our annual 30 (40) Days of Blogging Challenge. As we did last year, we provided you with a daily topic on which to blog (if you wanted – it’s your blog!). To all our bloggers, well done and congratulations! You stepped up to do what few will actually attempt; blogging with your name on it! I hope you did what you set out to do. I am also interested in your feedback on this exercise challenge!

Merry Christmas to you all. Christ is born!

Here is a review of the 2014 topics

The 2014 30 (40) Days of Blogging Challenge

DAY	DATE	TOPICS
1	Sat. Nov. 15	Rules
2	Sun. Nov. 16	Sunday Best
3	Mon. Nov. 17	The Mighty Chicken
4	Tues. Nov. 18	Immortality
5	Wed. Nov. 19	Bread or Beer
6	Thurs. Nov. 20	Eden
7	Fri. Nov. 21	Temple
8	Sat. Nov. 22	Bloggers Choice
9	Sun. Nov. 23	Salt
10	Mon. Nov. 24	Starting A Fire
11	Tues. Nov. 25	Dogs
12	Wed. Nov. 26	The Necessity of Tithing & Almsgiving
13	Thurs. Nov. 27	Gratitude
14	Fri. Nov. 28	Less is more
15	Sat. Nov. 29	Ignorance
16	Sun. Nov. 30	Reading the Scriptures
17	Mon. Dec. 1	Sword
18	Tues. Dec. 2	Staff
19	Wed. Dec. 3	Cloak
20	Thurs. Dec. 4	Trees
21	Fri. Dec. 5	Soil
22	Sat. Dec. 6	The Sea
23	Sun. Dec. 7	Blogger’s Choice 2
24	Mon. Dec. 8	Light
25	Tues. Dec. 9	Swimming
26	Wed. Dec. 10	Rhythm
27	Thurs. Dec. 11	Wool
28	Fri. Dec. 12	Kitchen Table
29	Sat. Dec. 13	Island
30	Sun. Dec. 14	Your Ancestors
31	Mon. Dec. 15	Glog, Grog or Wassail
32	Tues. Dec. 16	Safety
33	Wed. Dec. 17	The Grave
34	Thurs. Dec. 18	Chocolate
35	Fri. Dec. 19	Handmade Gift
36	Sat. Dec. 20	Work
37	Sun. Dec. 21	Vegetables
38	Mon. Dec. 22	Hot Cocoa
39	Tues. Dec. 23	Haggis, Stew, or Pot Pie
40	Wed. Dec. 24	Christmas is for Church

Congratulations Bloggers!

Congratulations to our 30(40) Day Bloggers!

Today is you should be publishing your final blog entry for the 2014 Challenge.

I’d like to congratulate our new bloggers – this is no mean feat. I’m especially impressed with our veteran bloggers who stepped up to challenge once again and distinguished themselves with grace and finesse.

I’d especially like to congratulate our two 2014 Blogging Champs. They are the only two bloggers who blogged every day for the whole 40 days. You two may post the 2014 Champion badge on your blogs!

WORDS IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT, BY KENNETH A. O’SHAUGHESSY

LONDINOUPOLIS, BY DIMITRI SALAPATAS

And to all of you, congratulations. Keep up the good work and engage the world with the Word of God.

And Merry Christmas to all of you.

Day 40 – Let Us Worship Christ

The topic for Wed., December 24 – Day 40 of our 30 (40) Days of Blogging is

LET US WORSHIP CHRIST

It’s a busy time, but also time for us to state specifically the meaning of Christmas for each of us, and that is The Church.

As I said during last year’s blogging challenge, give this final blog topic all your might, creativity and attention. Finish well, and let your work stand with you on Judgment Day. Here are some nice pictures to inspire you.

Kirill w gifts of magi — Patriarch Kirill celebrating Christmas before the Gifts of the Magi

Don’t let the day go by without inviting someone to Church.

GO TO CHURCH

Invite as many as you can. Just do it.

Merry Christmas!

Day 39 – Pot Pie, Stew, or Haggis

The topic for Tues. December 23 – Day 39 of our 30 (40) Days of Blogging is

POT PIE, STEW, OR HAGGIS

These wonderful, stick-to-your-ribs comfort foods should be your final comfort blog entry.

The above photo is of haggis, no watery dish.

Pot pie can be beef, chicken, turkey or lamb. Same with the stew. And yes, I’ll allow traditional Shepherd’s Pie or Cottage Pie.

One more day! Finish strong!

Day 38 – Hot Cocoa

The topic for Mon. December 22 – Day 38 of our 30 (40) Days of Blogging is

HOT COCOA

Closely related to our early post topic on chocolate, I thought something specifically holiday-esque would help your Christmas spirit.

Nothing like a steaming mug of hot cocoa in the winter cold to curry Christmas joy in the heart.

Day 37 – Vegetables

The topic for Sun. December 21 – Day 37 of our 30 (40) Days of Blogging is

VEGETABLES

“Eat your vegetables,” every child hears growing up. Those of us who garden know the value of vegetables, and the pleasure of growing and eating them fresh.

Blogging on vegetables is good for you!

Day 36 – Work

The topic for Sat. December 20 – Day 36 of our 30 (40) Days of Blogging is

WORK

Work has value.

Young men with energy need work, or they find trouble, idleness and fancy.

Young women need work, or they find trouble with young men.

Everyone doesn’t need work, but most of us do.

Jesus worked. The Apostles worked. Even monks and nuns work.

Work is not life, but can bring great meaning to our lives.

Blogging is work. Time to get to it!

Day 35 – Handmade Gift

The topic for Fri. December 19 – Day 35 of our 30 (40) Days of Blogging is

HANDMADE GIFT

Originally, the exchange of gifts consisted exclusively of handmade gifts.

It is one of the original Christmas traditions!

Have you ever made one? Have you ever received one?

What would you like to be yours?