Celebrating 3 Years on Substack
A quick review and a look at what's ahead
October concludes my third year of writing on Substack, making this a good time to recognize the Lord’s goodness and to tell you about a few other thoughts on my mind.
True to His word, God has grown By Green Pastures.
In October 2024, I had 72 subscribers and now have 94, an increase of 23%. My following (which includes subscribers) has grown from 97 to 182, an increase of 47%.
This growth is God’s doing. The Apostle Paul used agriculture to illustrate a spiritual law when he told the Corinthian church that one plants, another waters, but “God gives the increase.”1
I have planted by publishing on average every 11 days, and I have watered, splashing comments on others’ posts. Apart from this, I have shunned the persistent grow-your-Substack schemes and relied on God to grow this publication. I desire readers who are drawn, not by gimmicks, but because the writing resonates (see a previous post).
I point this out to encourage others who are also doing “small” things for the Lord. The Apostle Paul recognized that we may grow weary while serving. Rest assured, God is faithful. May we be like the farmer in one of Jesus’s parables who didn’t understand how his crop grew but sowed and tended his field regardless, confident that God was doing His work while he did his.2
We don’t labor alone.
This anniversary is also a good time to recognize the kindness of many who respond to my posts, either with comments, likes, or shares. You help break the prevalent silence, assuring us writers that our words aren’t swallowed in a void.
In particular, Sharon Rondeau reposts my pieces on her publication, The Post & Email, where she lists me as a columnist/contributor. And Dr. Stephen Phinney, one of my first followers and the founder of the Institute of Ministry America, continues to encourage me in a variety of ways. Check out their sites.
Reader and brother-in-law Lonnie Orfitelli uses my posts in his devotions and comments regularly. A long-time Bible teacher in his own right, Lonnie offers insights that complement my writing. I encourage you to check his comments.
Another subscriber, Steve Dallas, said he uses posts from By Green Pastures in leading a men’s Bible study.
This all blesses me tremendously. Your engagement reinforces that we do not labor alone, whatever we do. When you feel like a solitary traveler, companionship pricks you to part with pity and to press on.
Looking ahead to Year 4
This is what to expect from By Green Pastures in its fourth year:
Paid subscriptions available
The generosity of three subscribers who pledged support prompts me to offer paid subscriptions.
I committed to free subscriptions when I launched By Green Pastures because of what Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give.” The Bible also teaches, however, that workers are due their wages. Some posts come easily, but most are labors of love. And all take time.
I want to be forthright. I am not turning this into a commercial website to hawk my writing, and I plan no perks, such as special promotions, paywalls, or content reserved for paid subscribers. I am still committed to my original purpose: to give freely as God gives to me.
If there are no perks, then why pay to subscribe?
When you contribute because God nudges you, He will bless your obedience in ways I never can. I’m not promising you prosperity. Rather, I see paid subscriptions as common ground where readers and I meet to serve the Lord—I plant, you water, and God gives the increase.
If you are inclined to participate, thank you beforehand.
AI versus AI
Artificial Intelligence is so prevalent that many writers feel obliged either to disavow it or to declare how they use it.
I am committed to AI of another kind: Authentic Intelligence. What you read in By Green Pastures I have written (unless there is a guest or restacked post).
I cannot disavow AI entirely because it permeates so much. Logos, one of the digital Bible study tools I use, has introduced AI to facilitate research. I use it sparingly.
AI also undergirds two software packages I use: Grammarly and LanguageTool. I limit them to tweaking my work; there are no wholesale rewrites. When scouring online repositories for images, sometimes I can’t find something pertinent, and I may resort to an AI-generated image.
Apart from these, WIWIWYG: What I write is what you get. Authentic Intelligence.
The Golden Rule, consistency, and gratitude
Jesus said to treat others as we want to be treated. I want readers to like and comment on my posts; therefore, I commit to doing the same. The number of Christian writers on Substack has burgeoned. Most are small publications, and many of the writers are discouraged. I intend to be more diligent about liking, commenting, and recommending those who promote sound doctrine.
I am retired as of this October and will have more time to trim my publishing schedule from 11 days to the 7 to 10 days that I have wanted. Stale bread isn’t appealing; consistent writing keeps a publication fresh.
Nearly 3,000 years ago, King Solomon observed, “Of making many books there is no end.”3 What would he say about our generation, when AI and easy copy-and-paste spew words so effortlessly?
The writing multiplies, and yet, you have welcomed me into your reading world. I am honored to be here with you.
Thanks for reading, following, and subscribing.
God bless.
1 Corinthians 3:7
Mark 4:26-29
Ecclesiastes 12:12