Some rights reserved by vandinglewop – Flickr Creative Commons

This is my 100th blog post.

The first post was on November 27, 2012.  I try to blog three times a week. Here are some reflections:

1. It was a lot of work to create and setup the websites.  If you are  considering the process of a self-hosted website, you should know that it took a considerable amount of time and effort over the first month.  There was a lot of technical and formatting issues and nothing seemed to go smoothly.  I originally set up three sites, but quickly changed to two sites (www.joshketchum.com &  www.amandaketchum.com). 
2. In order to write regularly you have to make it a part of your regular work flow and a priority in your work and life.  It generally takes me about an hour to an hour-and-half to do a post.
3. There is a benefit to writing regularly.  I believe it will pay dividends in helping me to become a better writer and preacher.  I have been blessed by having to precisely articulate my thoughts into words for others to read. This helps me clarify my thoughts and be accountable for them.
4. This effort has been encouraging and uplifting to me, and I greatly appreciate those who read the blog.  Blogs are not for everyone, and I understand that too.  But whether you have read one post  or all 100, I am grateful and hope it has been a blessing.  Facebook is the primary way my posts are shared with others.  I am thankful for those who “like” and “share” the posts with others.  I am grateful for the email and RSS subscribers.  You can subscribe at the top right corner of this page.
5. Here are a few statistics from the first seven months of the blog.  (From Dec. 1 – July 8th)

• 2,400 people have visited the site.
• 8,062 pageviews have taken place
• 72 nations have visited the site (many only 1 time)
• All 50 states have visited except North Dakota and Vermont.
• 1,398 audio sermons have been downloaded.
• There are currently 39 subscribers to the blog through email or RSS.

The goal of Life in the Kingdom is to encourage Christians to seek the reign of Jesus.  When I began I committed to 3 years of generally 3 posts a week, so hopefully we are just getting started.  May God receive all glory and use the site to further the Kingdom of Christ.