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September 7th, 2010

Motivational talk to all readers

blog awards

Some news: I have entered this blog into the Christian Blog Awards. I did it before if you remember in 2007.

In order to stand any chance I have decided that we need to ‘raise our game’ up to 110%, ie 10% greater than is possible. The graph above shows how we are going to do that.

This period of 110% effort applies to me, the blogger, but also to you, the readers and commenters. In fact I am going to ask the spammers to do their bit too. It is a team effort.

As they are the Christian Blog Awards we will need to focus our attention on two areas:

1) The Christian aspect
2) The Blog side of things

We must remember that from this point on the Judges will be watching us with quite literal eagle eyes. They won’t just be watching me, they will be watching you. If you see someone loitering by a lamppost it is likely to be a Judge from the Christian Blog Awards. Just carry on as normal, creating a good impression if doing so doesn’t inconvenience you too much.

Well, that’s about it for the motivational talk. Just do your best, plus 10%. Thank you.

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41 Responses to “Motivational talk to all readers”


  1. ChangingWorship says:

    I have been putting in 111% up until now. I am looking forward to relaxing a little bit.

    September 7th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
  2. Anne Madison says:

    OK. I’ve just combed my hair and put on a little lipstick–not too much. I promise not to post replies any more while wearing my scruffy old bathrobe and slippers. I’ll ensure that I’m wearing suitable attire. I’ve also tidied the area surrounding my computer. And, I should emphasize, I am posting this reply from an exceedingly impressive, brand new, MacBook Pro with everything. Once I get my iTunes transferred, I’ll be certain to play something suitable–a selection from Bach or Handel rather than my usual vintage Seventies rock. I think that all this demonstrates that I’m willing to put in 110%.

    September 7th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
  3. Louise says:

    I’m having palpitations. I’m normally just a reader, not a commenter. Not entirely sure I can cope with this level of pressure.

    September 8th, 2010 at 12:01 am
  4. mark says:

    The extra 10% sounds like a tithe. If changingworship can manage 111% surely go for a bit more.

    I spotted a lamppost loiterer and waved but may be the wrong person.

    Keep up the good works.

    September 8th, 2010 at 1:14 am
  5. Graham Doel says:

    Dave, I love a challenge, I’m going to stop lurking and start commenting!

    September 8th, 2010 at 6:31 am
  6. Dave says:

    Changingworship – yes, you need to ease off a bit.

    Anne – Thank you for the effort you are clearly making.

    Louise – relax, by commenting you are demonstrating you have upped your game.

    Mark – I like the tithe analogy!

    Graham. I’m sure you have commented before. You are the prodigal commenter.

    September 8th, 2010 at 7:58 am
  7. Andrew says:

    I’ve borrowed the thurible and will be censing my computer before reading blog entries and again before posting. I just hope the computer doesn’t let the side down by letting its magic smoke escape hiden in the incense.

    September 8th, 2010 at 8:16 am
  8. Evan says:

    Erm … I’m not sure about this. I tend to never wear a dog collar out of low-church evangelical conscience, but if you’re asking me to make an effort AND highlight the Christian nature of the blog I sort of feel obliged to put on my best clerical shirt and a collar whilst I read your blog.
    I’m torn really. I’ll have to pray about this (extra points from the judges I feel for that) and get back to you.

    September 8th, 2010 at 8:21 am
  9. James says:

    With enough tea anything is possible

    September 8th, 2010 at 8:34 am
  10. Caroline says:

    Hmm. You’re stirring my latent teenage rebellion. Well, presumably not technically teenage any more.

    I’m afraid the rest of you are going to have to up your game to far more than 110% to compensate for me.

    September 8th, 2010 at 8:36 am
  11. Phill says:

    110% effort may not be as hard as you think.

    It has been conclusively proven* that you can accomplish practically anything with only a quarter of the work required.

    As such I recommend everyone takes the rest of the day off. (And spends it in prayer, of course, that might help with the Christian side of things)

    * Your definition of “conclusively proven” may vary.

    September 8th, 2010 at 8:42 am
  12. Paul Morriss says:

    What’s our goal? I must have missed the memo.

    September 8th, 2010 at 8:44 am
  13. Gavin Drake says:

    Be careful watching out for men at lamp-posts – they may not be the inspectors you’re expecting!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBRyuUCZflo

    September 8th, 2010 at 8:49 am
  14. Crimperman says:

    Not sure I am up to 110% – perhaps I can get away with by pretending to be busy by carrying around two pieces of paper instead of the usual one?

    September 8th, 2010 at 8:50 am
  15. Lesley Fellows says:

    Oh poo*.. I’ve entered mine for the Best Newcomer Blog.. it might pass the Blog bit, but not the Christian bit, I fear….. ah the pressure!!!

    *please note the 10% extra effort from me by saying ‘poo’, instead of ‘sh*t’

    September 8th, 2010 at 9:13 am
  16. Mary says:

    I shall pray, Dave. For what exactly, I haven’t worked out, but I am sure the good Lord will reveal it to me.

    My only other thought is that if we are already hitting 110%, we should recalibrate.

    In the meantime, best behaviour everyone!

    September 8th, 2010 at 10:02 am
  17. ramtopsrac says:

    I shall earnestly endeavour to do my best for God, Blog and country!

    Should we try some sort of prayer meeting, or cafe style worship experience, so that we gain our extra 10% by coming closer in our fellowship with each other?

    Lord, in your mercy…

    September 8th, 2010 at 10:57 am
  18. David Keen says:

    I’m raising my game by buying a desk that is 10% higher than the current one.

    Didn’t realise we were only putting in 25% at the moment. I’m also concerned at that plateau at 110%, you need a bit more blue sky thinking Dave.

    September 8th, 2010 at 11:28 am
  19. Rural Vicar James says:

    I really feel that I am putting in all the effort that I can. Is the 100% equal to all possible effort or just a reasonable amount of effort? If it’s reasonable effort then I am sure that we can make it to the 110% (and beyond).

    If we are checking this Blog every day then checking twice a day is 200% effort; if it was 5 times a week then 6 times a week will be a 20% increase to 120%.

    Now I am confused – time for a coffee…

    September 8th, 2010 at 11:39 am
  20. chris clark says:

    As the basis of our belief is the Grace of God and that is free it won’t be expensive to go 110% or beyond as 1.1*free is still free.

    Howver I think I need to mention Bonhoeffer’s cheap grace here. There will be costs but not of financial kind…

    September 8th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
  21. Margaret says:

    Dave, yours is already undisputably the best Christian blog site around.I don’t normally comment but it does make a difference to my life so I thought I should say so.

    When I need to de-stress from a busy day you make me laugh. I love your cartoons.

    PS To go from 23% to 110% is an increase of 378% (I think?)

    September 8th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
  22. Miffy says:

    Why stop at 110%? Why not go up to 11; right across the board? Reach for the stars!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbVKWCpNFhY

    September 8th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
  23. Miffy says:

    Oh, and I’m with Gavin with the men at lamposts business. Not very sound, I feel…

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWWXS6Vlfrw

    September 8th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
  24. Dave says:

    I’ve had word from the spammers that they too are prepared to up their game in order to contribute to our joint effort. This one from ‘James’:

    Hello Guy, what entice you to post an article. This article was extremely interesting, especially since I was searching for thoughts on this subject last Friday.

    Well, thank you James (may I call you ‘Guy’ too?). A happy coincidence that you were thinking about upping your game to 110% last Friday. As to what enticed me to post an article – I don’t know really, I was just enticed.

    September 8th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
  25. Karin says:

    Good luck with the award, Dave. Good to know you are still going strong.

    September 8th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
  26. Andrew says:

    Whilst the graph does an admiral job of showing us what we need to do, can I suggest a Blue Peter style totaliser to keep track of our effort so far? In these eco-conscious times perhaps reusing the old church roof fund chart would earn us a few extras Brownie points.

    September 8th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
  27. Pam Smith says:

    If we are going to up our effort on your blog to 110%, shouldn’t we also be tithing 11% effort to less well off blogs?

    We probably need to set up a committee to look at it.

    September 8th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
  28. Mary R. says:

    A ha. I think I know how we can all achieve the goal. I have analysed the graph and believe it is because we have been eating only UNLEAVENED bread as per the OLD Testament, hence producing a measly 25% output. The solution is to sprinkle YEAST into the dough and hey presto! a massive increase in volume output! (Matthew 13:33)

    September 8th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
  29. Miffy says:

    Pam – I feel that that one really is from the Lord!:)

    Dave, I would be only too happy to direct would-be commenters towards suitably deserving bl…;) I mean – volunteer myself for the cause.

    September 8th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
  30. Bea says:

    I don’t usually comment on blogs, but perhaps I can help boost the comments to the magic figure…

    September 8th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
  31. Simon says:

    Hi Dave,
    I normally only lurk (but not by lamposts..) and don’t comment so must have upped my game by commenting. However, 110% sound like hard work to me so how about I get my wife to read the blog (she doesn’t normally), and we both give 55%. Can we then count as one person giving 110%? Or should I just get my coat…..

    September 8th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
  32. Sara says:

    I think this would be a jolly good theme for a flower arrangement. I shall give my 110% via greenery and a bit more oasis.

    September 8th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
  33. Philip of Samaria says:

    Never mind 110% Dave – what else can we do about those NUTS in Dove Outreach church? They have a blog too – i have posted – doubt it will see the light of day after the ‘moderators’ get it. my blood is boiling… sorry nothing to do with winning the award!

    September 8th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
  34. Miffy says:

    I’ve not blogged myself since 25th August. Maybe I could donate the percentage of effort thus saved to your site.

    September 8th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
  35. Caroline says:

    Can this effort be gift aided? That would allow the target to be reduced to 88%.

    September 8th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
  36. Grada says:

    I am totally willing to support your blog into beign the best..
    but errr: one question they ask for the nomination have me stumped.
    Your name they ask: OK: David Walker..
    your email address: urrrrk? I have no idea! is it: dave at wibsite.com??? Is that the right email in the answer?

    URL: Ok that is easy…

    so let me know about the email address.
    And yuip, I am an international supporter.. form the Netherlands.. that surely is a 10 percent extra????

    “any other info” I can write, that is no problem..

    September 8th, 2010 at 10:52 pm
  37. Dave says:

    Grada,

    That is very kind of you, but I have already nominated myself.

    Although, if anyone wanted to nominate me in ‘readers choice’ or whatever it’s called i couldn’t stop them.

    Dave

    September 8th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
  38. Dave says:

    Thanks, by the way, for so many great comments today. I really have enjoyed them. Plenty of smiles during occasional breaks from doing my ‘proper’ work…

    September 8th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
  39. Erika Baker says:

    Is it enough to admire the wit and intelligence of the commentators?

    September 9th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
  40. Erika Baker says:

    I was trying to post an astonishingly clever comment about reversing boats being pulled by helium balloons but I can’t access your comment function with IE or Firefox.

    Is the 110% project over?
    Are you secretly sabotating your own efforts?

    September 11th, 2010 at 9:53 am
  41. Sue from IT says:

    I hope I am not too late to add my 110%
    to this worthy cause.
    Wit & intelligence not withstanding

    September 15th, 2010 at 12:41 pm