Lord, I haven’t gone this way before. Hold my hand?

I tried something new tonight. I live streamed interactively on YouTube, FacebookLive, LinkedIn, and Twitch all at the same time.

Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/live/R-aEx1ebPxQ?feature=share

Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=863427918037199&id=1095150317&mibextid=Nif5oz

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/haroldballinger_good-afternoon-friends-jan-4-2023-powered-activity-7016559595728891904-xg7J?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android

Twitch:

https://www.twitch.tv/sparklecityhop/v/1697893146?sr=a&t=5s

I hope to eventually add Tiktok and Instagram as well. People on any platform can type questions or comments live in the chat, and I can answer them live.

I’ve done various pre-recorded videos in the past, but the amount of time that I would spend in post-production to try and make everything look and sound right just wasn’t sustainable as a one man team.

Plus, I feel like a prerecorded video is better if I have a specific topic that I’ve studied deeply and have a polished “teaching” message to deliver and to keep a record of long term.

But my intention with live interaction is to just hang out, in an imperfect, unpolished, and unpracticed setting. I want to be genuine and inviting as a person someone might want to talk to or get to know — not as much focused on wanting others to listen to what I have to say. It’s a subtle difference from what I’ve done in the past. And it seems to be more about making myself available and stretching myself to honest and transparent discussions “off the cuff”.

There are plenty of theologians and preachers out there with recorded lessons and sermons to watch — and I have a high school degree, no seminary, and less than a decade of intentional and focused study in The Word. I’m not going to share anything new that hasn’t already been said by one of them, and I sure wouldn’t want to tackle difficult topics and confuse or hinder someone (because even my best of intentions still fall short of perfection this side of glory).

So instead of just “teaching” or gathering others to “listen to me” — I want to make myself available to “listen” and to “interact” (if possible as a friend and a personal connection — on equal footing, not as a leader or teacher up on a stage).

It’s just something different that the Lord has laid on my heart. I still enjoy writing, singing, studying, etc. But I have little interest in debating theological positions if I can instead love people and share with them why I love God. I guess each person has their part in the body, and this is the donkey that He has me chasing. Lol!

Today’s YouVersion Bible app verse and devotional was definitely timely:

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jer.29.11.NLT

Watch Jeremiah 29:11 by Luis Palau Association:

https://www.bible.com/en/videos/39337?orientation=portrait&utm_content=story_clip&utm_medium=share&utm_source=yvapp