Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2006 16:08:53 GMT -7
I'm really enjoying reading the forums here.
It's both comforting and a little scary to see how many other Christians are dealing with the same issues I am. Comforting in the sense that I'm not as alone as I thought, or less of a Christian for my struggles. Scary in the sense that I had no idea sexual issues were so prevelant in the church. But its great that we have a place like this to support one another.
I've added a link to Blazing Grace at my forums. I think the Blazing Grace forums can be a blessing to others who are battling the problems associated with sexual sin and immorality. I know its already been a blessing to me.
Shalom.
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wiltingiris
Member
Posts: 155
Occupation: Stay at Home schooling mom
Interests: Worship ministries, Moms ministry, Awana, Childrens church.
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Post by wiltingiris on Jul 14, 2015 7:15:35 GMT -7
Just wondering how someone in need of this forum is able to find us if we are not so visible. Just a thought!:cool:
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KevinesKay
Administrator
Posts: 1,638 
Occupation: Balloon Artist
Interests: weight lifting, singing, playing the guitar
Days of Integrity: 237
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Post by KevinesKay on Jul 14, 2015 9:07:21 GMT -7
Wondering why our visitor numbers have gone down since web changes.
I was afraid that this would happen when the site was reconstructed. I've been keeping track. Over the years, there were months in which BG had about 20 new members. Before the site change, we were averaging about 10. These past couple of months have the lowest record of new members, period. 3 for June. Zero, so far, for July. What's happened?
Well, for starters, the new home page looks very, what's that word?
Oh yeah, it's blah
Sorry, mike. But I would have structured the new site a little differently. It's not cosmetically appealing at all. And it's impacting the responses from visitors. Furthermore, the forums link is near the bottom of the site. So visitors have to scroll through all the 'blah' links before they can notice it. If I was a newcomer, I would not have paid attention to the link to the forum at the bottom.
With the old site, this forum link was noticable on the front page in more than one location.
And then there is still is this issue with the lag. For instance, everytime we sign on, it takes 5 minutes before we can actually post or PM. It's easier to deal with if I don't sign off when I leave the forum, but it's got to be frustrating for a new member.
I'm sure there is some technical saavyness among us. How possible would it be for us to fix this. mike, please consider. Thank you.
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KevinesKay
Administrator
Posts: 1,638
Occupation: Balloon Artist
Interests: weight lifting, singing, playing the guitar
Days of Integrity: 237
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Post by KevinesKay on Jul 14, 2015 23:43:12 GMT -7
I'm sorry about the strong response above. It's just that I get so passionate (that's a feeling!) about all that God is doing here. And God has used BG to change myself and others here in an amazing way. I just wish there weren't so many technical issues to deal with here. I wish I could do something.
Lord,
I want to lift up Blazing Grace. The forums are not working like they used to. And less people are joining. We ask that some solutions be offered to fix these challenges. Help us to take full advantage of every resource and opportunity that you give us, Lord. And help me to not get too discouraged, but to keep Your joy in my heart constantly and allow all things to work towards Your good. I pray this in Jesus' name. We receive. Thank you and Amen.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2015 3:21:10 GMT -7
I've wondered what I could do to 'advertise' so to speak. Do you think linking the forum in the contents of related articles would be appropriate?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2015 22:25:03 GMT -7
I know we are on the 1st or 2nd page of google. This was the first site I visited when I googled PA in 2010. It took me four years before I opened an account to post so we are reaching a lot of readers. For some, it takes a while before they are brave enough to post b/c it's such a hard thing to open up about. However, you're right. There should be a FORUM link at the tippy top of the home page so people can link right to here w/o having to scroll through the whole first page. I've even talked to Mike about having a private forum section: one for women and one for men who want to discuss some stuff privately. There are things I'd like to discuss off the public section. I was on one site to where we had to pay 25 bucks a month to be on her site and it was completely private. But, I was told Christianity wasn't welcome b/c the site owner was a big time atheist, even tho there were other believers there. Or, perhaps and real time chat room would be nice? However, I do like the forum setup b/c we can post in real time w/o having to wait for some type of blog moderation before it posts. That's kinda nice. Just bouncing some ideas around. Perhaps send your ideas to Mike directly in a private message. I really don't think he'd be offended. For those of you who are new, all you have to do is put your mouse over the name of the person and you have the option of sending a PM. Thanks everyone for your input  |
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Post by mike on Jul 16, 2015 6:58:29 GMT -7
My ears are burning... A few comments: The website rebuild came at a 4 figure price. I'm funding BG personally, and am pretty much the ministry's sole financial supporter. The main issue driving the rebuild was to make it mobile friendly, as Google went nuclear on websites that weren't mobile responsive on April 21 of this year. A lot of time went into the rebuild. The results have been that traffic has been on the upswing, as have been the emails we receive from men and women looking for help, from not only the U.S., but other countries. So on an overall basis it's been worth the investment. Newsletter signups have spiked since the rebuild and are way up from what they were before. As for new signups, TRUTH and Itiswell showed up today... also, it's not uncommon to see new members register and not post. It's not easy for people to go public with the issue that brought every one here so building a new membership takes some time. I believe the main attraction is when people read your posts and see how you treat each other and the blessing this is for you. When it comes to sexual sin, finding a safe place to share and be honest where others aren't going to come down on you is always one of the early concerns. You've all been great from that standpoint. I've had it in mind to get a link to the forums at the top of the page for awhile now, and your comments have prodded me to move a little quicker. And as for promotion of the forums, it's something I intend to do more in the newsletters. I tip my hat in thanks and appreciation for the community all of you have created here. It's a blessing to read your transparency, how you encourage each, and occasionally, how you resolve the little flare ups. What you have here is the real church, not the poser church where everyone pretends everything's okay and is terrified to talk about sex or porn. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2015 9:11:19 GMT -7
Wow, four figures! I feel bad for opening my mouth. 
However, if you want to put up a Paypal or a Credit Card button, I'd be willing to contribute what I can if BG needs it.
I credit this site for saving my sanity and my marriage. It has been a blessing for both of us.
Hubby is hoping to have more energy once he starts his full time job on Monday b/c this temp work is killing him. He's almost 50 and this type of Commercial new construction labor is hard on the body and it's dangerous. His dad ended up crippled from 25 years of Carpentry and just had his hip replaced, but I digress...
It was great to see two new posters just today too!
I haven't really been to church in 12 years and believe me, I've tried. My three kiddos go faithfully to a church down the street, however, we don't feel that we can share our marriage struggles with the pastor or the people. I've shared on the church thread the horrible things I've witnessed and it's hard for me to go.
BG and our Celebrate Recovery ARE our church. I receive so much Scripture and encouragement here every time I read.
God bless you and your wife Mike for opening this site and sharing your struggles and God Bless everyone who has shared or who is sharing. My hubby reads more than he posts but we're hoping that can change. |
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wiltingiris
Member
Posts: 155
Occupation: Stay at Home schooling mom
Interests: Worship ministries, Moms ministry, Awana, Childrens church.
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Post by wiltingiris on Jul 16, 2015 9:51:06 GMT -7
Thanks Mike for clearing that up. For your investment and your care. Thanks for considering moving us up higher to increase our visibility. It is good to see you are involved and took the time to answer. This is your baby I don't doubt that. Sorry that you are the sole provider for the site. Like homeschooler said we would donate what we can if you set up a paypal giving site for donations to the site.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2015 10:09:01 GMT -7
I did a google search and we are on page two or three depending on how it's worded: Forums for wives of sex addicts or forum for men who struggle with porn addiction.
I think that's pretty good.
I've shared this link with ladies at Celebrate Recovery, family members, and on my private Facebook.
I've openly shared our struggles with my friends on FB and I've had a couple of other ladies share they went through it too. I was told that I shouldn't share that on FB but I felt like if friend or a family member can't accept all of me and my struggles, than they aren't a friend at all. The only person who called me a hypocrite is an atheist friend of mine who said porn doesn't cause harm to men. I won't used the words she did tho. She said I was casting stones at my husband when really, I was asking for prayer. Oh well. The natural man (or the unsaved) don't understand the things of God or the fact that I was asking for prayers.
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KevinesKay
Administrator
Posts: 1,638
Occupation: Balloon Artist
Interests: weight lifting, singing, playing the guitar
Days of Integrity: 237
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Post by KevinesKay on Jul 16, 2015 15:17:59 GMT -7
The donate page is here. www.blazinggrace.org/donate/Hey mike, Sorry again about all the fuss. I knew you had to have spent good money on upgrading the site. It relieves me to know that this change was ultimately for the good. Thank you for carrying this site under your wing. And thanks for listening to our suggestions. And I'm glad that you can see that we have become quite a close church family. Perhaps that's having a good impact because I've also noticed that although we're getting less new members, we're experiencing better percentages of member involvement. In other words, the number of new members that have zero posts is declining. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2015 21:55:40 GMT -7
One last thing Mike,
What if we have a section for husbands whose wives have a SA or PA? I've read they are having a hard time finding support?
I know you're busy, but I thought I'd throw this one last idea out there. I suppose these men can post on any of the other threads too.
KK, Thanks for the donate button! I'm embarrassed I didn't know where it was |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2015 22:01:58 GMT -7
Perhaps too, many are on vacation this time of year for the next couple of months.
Like I said, I was a reader for years: posts and articles.
I need to print out all the articles to the wives and hubby's and put them in a binder. I'd like to add them to my journal which I've been neglecting lately.
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Post by mike on Jul 17, 2015 4:48:11 GMT -7
> Thanks Mike for clearing that up.... Sorry that you are the sole provider for the site
Thanks W-Iris. BG is something I love doing... I know how miserable it was during those years I was lost, looking for answers. I enjoy being around other Christians who are real. The money is secondary.
> Sorry again about all the fuss....
I got a kick out of your king sized "blah", KK. No worries. Appreciate the honest input.
> What if we have a section for husbands whose wives have a SA or PA? I've read they are having a hard time finding support?
If we had several husbands show up, it would be worth considering, but so far it's been very rare.
> Perhaps too, many are on vacation this time of year for the next couple of months.
Yes, activity comes in spurts and can drop during vacation time. December to January it seems the busiest. Maybe because people are more depressed that time of the year.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2015 1:31:16 GMT -7
Yeah. We've def. gotten more members in the last three months. Kinda like, "if you build it, they will come" And Mike is right, posting on a site can be precarious. Like I said, the first site I posted on, I was called all kinds of names for defending my pro-life position. And it wasn't a good place to be b/c they basically said there is no hope and you might as well divorce. The women there were trying to scare me and say that my husband prolly had an affair anyway even though I said his problem was just porn. They were pushing me to get an STD test at Planned Parenthood and I said I would never darken their doorstep b/c I'm a Pro-Life Christian. Well, then the name calling started. I enjoy BG much much more. When I came in Sept. it was just me and Nikanor. However, God is blessing BG in leaps and bounds. I love our group here b/c we all have something of value to contribute as well as how close of friends we've become. Like KK said, the prayer section is my favorite. "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." |
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