May 14, 2022 …Repent and Return …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 134

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Steve Green singing … I Repent … poignantly singing of how we Christians who’ve sinned must return to God and humbly repenting of our sins.

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …   Joel 2:13 [NLT] …  

13 Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for He is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish..

…Joel, for God, calls His faithful to confession and repentance before it’s too late  at the day of the Lord’s coming.                              

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Joel 2:12-14 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…, thru the Prophet Joel, calls His people (and us) to recognize our sinful hearts and to repent so that God, in His mercy might bless those who would choose to confess and turn to God.         ===============                 .   

Reference Passage: … 2Chronicles 7:14 [NLT] … 

14 Then if my people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.  

… God, thru Solomon, to God’s people, calling them (and us now) to humbly return to God in repentance to receive His merciful forgiveness. .

Reference Passage: … Matthew 4:17 [NLT] … 

17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” 

… Jesus, beginning His ministry after confronting and defeating Satan’s lies in the wilderness, charges His followers to repent of their sins because God’s kingdom was (and is) near.  

Reference Passage: … Acts 3:19 [NLT] … 

19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.  

… After Christ’s resurrection and ascension back to heaven, Peter preaches God’s call for His sinful people to repent and receive His forgiveness and salvation.  

Reference Passage: … 1John 1:9 [NLT] … 

9 But if we confess our sins to him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 

… God’s promise, thru John, that our Lord will cleanse the sins of any of His faithful who’re willing to confess and repent.

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Anne Boucher Pie … AT THIS LINK …  tells about catching her son in a lie and his subsequent unwillingness, … at first,…  to confess, trying to cover up the sin with another lie, as many of us would do.  However, God’s Spirit ultimately convicted the boy to confess to his mom and to repent to receive his mom’s - and God’s - forgiveness.    

        

And I would expect that many of my readers could - and would - empathize with this ODB story.  It is certainly the case, in our sin nature, to reflexively want to cover up our sin with lies when uncovered in that sin.   Well, perhaps you, as I have this morning, take in the linked song and see the truth in the Scriptures above: and we realize that our God is certainly able - and most willing - to forgive us and cleanse us from any/all sins … IF … and only if, … we’re willing to confess and repent of those sins.  

How about it, my friend?  Is there anything we need to confess to our Lord today?   

        

My THANKFULNESS:: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for cleansing me from any/all past sin, as I come to You for Your forgiveness.     

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to go to You, Lord, today to be cleansed from my sin.         Amen 

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Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site. 

May 13, 2022 … Keep On Keeping On! …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 133

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the group Ghap singing … Finish Strong … powerfully singing of how we as disciples of Christ must keep on keeping on to finish strong in our walk with Christ  

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …   Acts 20:24 [NLT] …  

24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.. 

… Paul calls on fellow Christian leaders - actually to all Christians - to finish the work God has called us to do in life.                             

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Acts 20:17-24 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul testifies to church elders in Ephesus (and to us) that finishing the calling Christ gives us is SO important.                                                                                     

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Reference Passage: … Galatians 6:9-10  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

…Paul exhorts fellow Christians to NEVER get tired of doing God’s work.  

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 4:1 [NLT] … 

1  Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.  

… Paul’s charge to fellow Christians (that’s us too) to live lives worthy of our calling as Christians.     

Reference Passage: … Philippians 3:13-14 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ... 

… Paul models a life of consistently moving forward to fulfill his calling as a Christians, … just as we should as disciples of Christ [on your own see <b><u>Luke 9:23</b></u>).  

Reference Passage: … 2 Timothy 4:6-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Paul testifies to Timothy (and to us) about the importance of finishing strong in the race of life.

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Katara Patton … AT THIS LINK …  writes about coming down to the final minutes of her regular 40 minute workout to always hear her trainer say, “Finish Strong!”     

        

And this was a testimony and a witness of the Apostle Paul repeatedly (see Pauline scriptures above).  And if my readers have meditated on these Scriptures and taken in the linked song, … like myself, … you’re likely convicted to move onward and “finish strong” in our faith walk as disciples of Christ.  And perhaps, … as I am, … you’re asking yourself what we can do THIS VERY DAY to move forward to fulfill the calling that our Lord has put forth for our lives    

        

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for calling me to keep on keeping on and to FINISH STRONG in this race we call life.     

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to press forward to finish strong in our calling to follow You, Lord.        Amen 

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Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

May 12, 2022 … Seeing God’s Glory …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 132 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Gordon Mote singing … Don’t Let Me Miss the Glory … powerfully singing of how we Christians need to be sensitive to God’s glory all around us. 

A Golden Door Stop ... 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Isaiah 48:18 [NLT] …  

18 Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea. 

… God’s warning to His people exiled from Babylon for His people to obey His commands                             

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Isaiah 48:12-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God admonishes His people thru Isaiah to seek and follow God’s commands to find the righteous life God promises to His obedient followers.                                                                    

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 34:8 [NLT] …

8  Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him. 

… God, thru King David’s song, charges believers to look around and see God’s goodness.  

Reference Passage: … Matthew 6:33 [NLT] … 

33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.

… Jesus commands all who are His disciples to seek God’s kingdom above all else so that we might receive God’s blessings. 

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:28 [NLT] … 

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.   

… Do we recognize and trust that all things in our world were given to us for our good and God’s glory.     

Reference Passage: … Philippians 4:19 [NLT] … 

19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.  

… We need to trust that our God will supply all our needs from His glorious riches. 

Reference Passage: … James 1:17 [NLT] … 

17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 

… Looking around to see that everything we see comes from our immutable God. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, James Banks … AT THIS LINK …  tells the true story of a young boy in 1799 who found a huge golden nugget (see photo) in a river on the family farm.  The boy took the nugget to his father, who, not recognizing its worth, used the nugget as a door stop for years until it was recognized as gold by a family jeweler, making the family wealthy.    

        

Sometimes - likely too often - we fail to look around us and see our world as God’s blessing, … given to us for our good and God’s glory.  That’s what Gordon Mote sings about in the linked song; and the Scriptures above remind us.  So, I’m stopping to pray, as I write this, that all of us look around today and see God’s glory, … given to us for our good and to reflect God’s glory.    

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for providing all things around me for Your glory.    

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to praise God today for all we see around us, … given to us, for our good and Your glory, Lord.         Amen 

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Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

May 11, 2022 … Fragrance Worth Sharing …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 131 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Steve Green singing … People Need the Lord … powerfully singing of how we Christians are called to share the good-news of salvation with the world. 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  2Corinthians 2:14 [NLT] …  

14 But thank God! He has made us His captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now He uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. 

… As slaves to Christ’s calling, we Christians should be sharing God’s good news of salvation to all who need His sweet smelling grace.                              

Highlight Passage [Context]: … 2Corinthians 2:14-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul models what should be the Christian’s calling to share God’s good news which is a sweet aroma to God but a stench to those who are perishing in their sin.                                        ===============                 .

Reference Passage: … Psalm 96:3 [NLT] … 

3  Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.

… God’s charge in the poetry of song to spread God’s glorious deeds throughout the world.

Reference Passage: … Matthew 28:19-20 [NLT] … <

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  

… Jesus commands all who are His disciples to go and share His gospel with the whole world. 

Reference Passage: … Acts 1:8 [NLT] … 

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

… Just prior to His ascension to heaven after His resurrection, Jesus charges all of His born-again believers to use the empowering grace of God’s Spirit to share the good news of salvation with the warld.  .          

Reference Passage: …Romans 1:16 [NLT] … 

16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.  

… Paul uses his own commitment to share the gospel to encourage other Christians to do the same thing.     

                                                             

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Xochitl Dixon … AT THIS LINK …  tells of sharing the gospel with her mother after coming to know Christ herself, but being rejected forcefully by her mom.  But with love and persistence, the ODB author’s mother finally received the good-news of salvation and surrendered her heart to Christ.    

        

Yes, … anyone who calls himself or herself a “Christian,” is called by God (see the red-letter words of Christ above) … ti go out and share the sweet-smelling aroma of God’s saving grace with the world.  The Apostle Paul even likened this process (see the highlight passage) to being captives to Christ and taking the aroma of the Gospel to any/all who need to know of the saving grace offered to anyone who needs its aroma.  Hear Steve Green sing of that calling in the linked song. 

After I had become a Christian at age 39, i recognized that my dad -  in his seventies … and an elder in our family church - so obviously needed God’s sweet-smelling aroma of grace; and for several years, like the author in today’s ODB entry, I shared how the Gospel had saved and changed me with my dad.  And the fragrance of the Gospel finally connected with my father;  and he surrendered to take in Christ’s sweet-smelling grace.  If the Gospel has saved you, my fellow Christian, with whom might you share that aroma of grace today?  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for calling me to savor and share the aroma of grace with others today and tomorrow.   

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to do all we can, Lord, to share Your sweet-smelling aroma of love and grace with others today.         Amen 

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Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

May 10, 2022 … Hope In Grief …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 130 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Lauren Daigle singing … I Will Trust In You … powerfully singing of how we can trust in God, even in the midst of our deepest grief and pain. 

Even in our deepest sorrows ... 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Job 19:25-26 [NLT] …  

25 “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and He will stand upon the earth at last. 26   And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!

… Job trusting in his Redeemer God, … no matter what!!                             

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Job 19:19-27 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… In spite of his critical friends and grieving over his loss, Job knew that he would see His Redeemer in heaven.                                                                                 

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Reference Passage: … Joshua 1:9 [NLT] … 

9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  

… God promises Joshua, grieving the loss of Moses, that He, our Lord, will be with us, not matter what we face in life.   

Reference Passage: … Psalm 34:18 [NLT] … 

18  Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

… God’s promise, thru David’s song, that He will be close to the hearts of the brokenhearted.          

Reference Passage: …Isaiah 53:4-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s promise, thru Isaiah, of a Messiah Who will come to take all the grief of the faithful upon Himself.     

Reference Passage: … John 14:27 [NLT] … 

27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.   

… Jesus promises to give us His peace - no matter what we face.                                                                   

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Monica La Rose … AT THIS LINK …  tells of Caroline, a photographer, who was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer, and yet, finding great solace in her personal grief by volunteering to take photos of families dealing with intense sorrow with children dealing with cancer.    

        

Sometimes it takes intense sorrow or grief to realize that we must trust in our God, Who promises never to leave us - even in the lowest times of sorrow or pain.  That’s what Job discovered (see highlight passage).  That’s what God revealed to Joshua (see Joshua 1:9), and it’s what God promised (see Isaiah 53) that our Messiah would bring us.  And finally, …  it’s what Jesus said that He would bring His disciples from His death and return to heaven (see John 14:27). 

But our question today, from the ODB devotional, the linked song, and the Scriptures above, is … Do we really trust that our God will be with us when we’re in the lowest of lows or the deepest pits of grief?.  I’m praying we do!!  

        

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for ALWAYS being there to lift me up when I’m down.   

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to reach out for Your strength, Lord, …  even today, … when I’m feeling down.        Amen 

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Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

May 9, 2022 … Battling To Blossom …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 129 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the group Hillsong, leading in worship and singing … Stronger … powerfully singing of how we lift the Name of Christ higher and higher as we grow stronger by following Him.  

Battling for the blossoms ... 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Colossians 2:9-10 [NLT] …  

9 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

… Our union with Christ gives us the empowering grace to overcome our enemies and mature in our faith to the completion of Christlikeness.                            

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Colossians 2:6-14 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians about dying to self and growing into he life Christ made possible for us on the cross.                                                                                  

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Reference Passage: … John 15:5 [NLT] … 

5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.   

… Jesus teaches His disciples that the only way to grow and be fruitful in life is to abide in Him.

Reference Passage: … Philippians 1:6 [NLT] … 

6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.  

… Paul assures fellow Christians (and us) that for all born-again believers, God’s Spirit is working in us to complete us unto Christlikeness.  

Reference Passage: … Colossians 1:9-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul prays for fellow Christians and exhorts them (and us) to live lives which honor our Lord and to be fruitful in His Name and for His glory. .          

Reference Passage: … 2Peter 3:17-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Peter prays and exhorts persecuted Christians to be on guard to grow in the grace God offers true believers to grow in Christ and be fruitful for His glory.                                                                       

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, David Brandon … AT THIS LINK …  tells of how he had planted sunflowers and battled with the nearby deer when the flowers bloomed (see photo) who simply wanted  to eat the flowers to live.  

        

And the ODB story is an apt picture that Christians must consider.  In our desire to be fruitful and to grow in Christlikeness, we have to battle our spiritual enemies who would desire to consume our witness and our testimony.  So today, taking in the linked song and the ODB Scriptures (see above), I was encouraged to do all I can, … really every day, … to protect my mind and grow in the grace offered by Christ’s love so that I can receive His empowering grace and grow in fruitfulness for His glory.   Are you with me?! 

        

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me Your empowering grace to grow daily in my relationship with You,  

My Prayer Today  Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  today to abide in You, Lord, so that we can be fruitful for Your glory.         Amen 

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Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

May 8, 2022 … God’s Immeasurable Greatness …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 128 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Chris Tomlin singing … How Great Is Our God … poignantly singing of the greatness of our God. 

Vein Mapping - unique to each person ... 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Psalm 111:2 [NLT] …  

2 How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in Him should ponder them.

… Paul, to fellow Christians, likens his love for them to be like the love of a nursing mother to her child.                           

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Psalm 111:1-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… A acrostic psalm, likely penned by David, declaring God’s greatness.                                         ===============                 

Reference Passage: … Psalm 8:1 [NLT] …

1 O Lord, our Lord, Your majestic name fills the earth!  Your glory is higher than the heavens.   

… David sings of how God’s majesty is higher than the heavens.

Reference Passage: … Psalm 86:10 [NLT] … 

10 For You are great and perform wonderful deeds.  You alone are God.  

… David sings of how wondrously and uniquely complex God made each of us. 

Reference Passage: … Psalm 139:14 [NLT] … 

14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!  Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. 

… David sings of how wondrously and uniquely complex God made each of us.          

Reference Passage: … Psalm 145:3 [NLT] … 

3 Great is the Lord! He is ,pst worthy of praise! No one can measure His greatness.  

… Again David sings of God’s greatness, which is worthy to be praised.                                                                      

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Bill Crowder … AT THIS LINK …  tells of how wondrously unique God has made each of us, with unique fingerprints, or even more unique, vein prints [see photo] that can be used to identify one person from another.    

        

And the Psalmists sing over and over and over again (see Psalms above) of God’s greatness to create us in such special and wondrous ways (see especially Psalm 139:14). And if my readers believe as I do, that all of these Psalms were inspired and authored by God’s Spirit, ... I for one am inspired to lift up praises, with a thankful heart, to our God for His greatness and glory.  How about you?!    

        

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for creating me, and all who read with me here today, so uniquely

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  today to praise You greatly today, Lord, for how You made each one of us.        Amen 

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Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.