"The Bible is a remarkable fountain: the more one draws and drinks of it, the more it stimulates thirst."
- Martin Luther
Monday, April 7, 2008
Five years ago, on April 7th, 2003 (also a Monday), the Thinklings blog was launched. There were a few pre-blog posts imported into the February 2003 archive, but the blog-proper, with comments and interaction, started April 7th.
Originally, Thinklings was based on the venerable B2 software, then converted to WordPress a couple years later, and then converted to Bloo about a year and a half ago, when the WordPress version started getting kinda iffy about whether it would display posts or not in any kind of timely fashion (never figured out why. WP is usually really good).
4,313 posts and 63,077 comments later, we're still chugging along.
We've made some dear friends over this time (most of whom we've never met in real life), and we've probably aquired an enemy or two as well. We've talked about nearly everything under the sun; we've had posting deluges and posting droughts. There were times I wondered if any of this was worth it, and times I've thought being a Thinkling was one of life's highest privileges.
My hope is that we've added more light than dark to the blogosphere, and have honored, rather than dishonored, the Lord in what we've written here. Now and then someone writes to us and tells us that the blog has been an encouragement to them. That always makes it seem completely worth it.
And, finally, it's been a place to practice the fine art of friendship with my Thinkling brothers. I wouldn't trade that for anything. Some of them have dropped off the active posting roster for various reasons (hey, blogging is not life), but I can assure you that we all remain friends, and will always.
Happy birthday, Thinklings blog!
Trackbacks:
Trackback URL: http://thinklings.org/bloo.trackback.php/4527.
Comments on "Half a Decade":
2. Bill
- 04/07/2008 7:59 am CDT
Thanks Rong - much appreciated.
Although, on the color of gatorade, I'm afraid that your moniker says it all.
5. Bill
- 04/07/2008 8:58 am CDT
Huzzah!!
Maybe the cake and presents should be sent to Blo. They just had a baby, y'know.
Although Blo doesn't even read Thinklings (because he's not real), so chances are he doesn't even know the offer has been made.
So it's decided.
Send them to me.
6. Brian in Fresno
- 04/07/2008 9:09 am CDT
Happy Birthday, Thinklings blog!
And many, many, thanks to all who have worn the title of Thinkling, first to the founding Thinklings and second to any who were one honorary Thinklings.
Many thanks also to some of the commenters who have helped me think new things, think through things and helped me on my journey in general.
Brian in Fresno
7. jen
- 04/07/2008 10:18 am CDT
Yay for Thinklings. You guys are some of the dearest friends I've never met! I love you, my brothers.
9. Philip
- 04/07/2008 1:31 pm CDT
Really nice job Bill.
P.S. on the occasion of our 5th anniversary, you and Jared need your own emoticons. If you don't get them. I'll assign you these.
Bill - 
Jared-
or 
And G am I glad that we don't have a :ggaypirate:
10. blest
- 04/07/2008 1:43 pm CDT
And Fudge! You need more fudge!!
Happy Blogday!!! Glad to know ya!
11. Philip
- 04/07/2008 1:51 pm CDT
Just went back and looked at the original post.
Looks like we made the same rookie mistake we've pointed out to others. A "blog" and a "post" is not the same thing.
12. Why Not
- 04/07/2008 1:53 pm CDT
Well, knowing that, in Bill's family, birthdays and anniversaries are celebrated with much exuberance and gusto, I'm not surprised that happy birthday/anniversary wishes are extended to a miniscule segment of the blogosphere called The Thinklings. After all the Thinklings get together regularly, ("Moot"), to celebrate their brotherhood.
As a regular reader and sometime commenter I just want to say that what makes the Thinklings blog a great read is not only the great posts but also the commenters who without them this blog would cease to be what Bill so eloquently stated it has become over these past five years. Here's to the next five years: Happy Birthday/Anniversary Thinklings!
13. Bill
- 04/07/2008 2:14 pm CDT
Phil - yes, we were young and naive. (Now we're old, crusty, experienced curmudgeons . . . :-)
Blest - I was thinking about that fudge when I read the comment from AM. You are, indeed, the only commenter ever to grace us with a sweet, chocolaty gift.
Still waiting for everyone else to pony up. In the meantime, you remain Fudge Queen, and our favorite commenter (because you fed us).
Why Not - thanks!
14. Milly
- 04/07/2008 4:20 pm CDT
Happy Blogiversary!!!!!
I came to this blog by reading one that was blasting my church rather hard. She pointed this one out and asked what folks thought. I started reading and found myself hooked. I’ve made some true friends from this blog, thanks for that.
Milly the MoonPiest doesn’t have an emoticon she loves you dudes.
Word to ya and it looks green sometimes.
16. Daniel Ross
- 04/07/2008 8:01 pm CDT
The Thinklings was my first visit to a proper blog (didn't know what one even was before that). I've often said that (if such things happen in the everlasting) you guys are some of the first I want to meet (besides Jared - I've already met him;-)
18. Manders
- 04/08/2008 10:12 pm CDT
I had just met Bill's daughter through a play we were doing together, and had just started going to his church, when I randomly stumbled upon this via the Internet and was like, "Whoa! It's Mr. Bill!" (Oh no![/snl]) And I have been thoroughly blessed and entertained since. :)
Happy five years, guys! Many happy returns! (And, dudes, it's yellow.)
19. Bill
- 04/08/2008 10:28 pm CDT
Thanks Manders!
And, since you're a chick, we'll overlook your overlooking of the plain greenness of Gatorade.
Green. Completely. Flippin'. Green.
20. salguod
- 04/08/2008 11:35 pm CDT
Hard to believe that you guys have only been at this for a year more than I have. I remember when I started blogging, I stumbled over here and got the impression that you'd been doing this forever. There's always many good things to read 'round here.
Thinklings quickly became and has remained one of my regular stops.
Happy B-day guys.
21. The Ancient Mariner
- 04/10/2008 9:48 am CDT
Half a decade, half a decade,
Half a decade onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the sev'n bloggers.
"Forward, the Thinklings Brigade!
"Charge for the guns!" he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the sev'n bloggers. . . .
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honor the charge they made,
Honor the Thinklings Brigade,
Noble sev'n bloggers.
(With all the many apologies due to Lord Tennyson . . .)
Leave a Comment:
And somehow you guys were one of the first blogs that I ever read and introduced me to this whole concept. Through your blog links and peoples comments I found my way to the dozen or so blogs that I read on a daily basis.
So thanks. You have one reader whose glad you bunch of loons has stuck it out for 5 years - congratulations.
And by the way it's yellow. ;-)