By David Ettinger
Under the heading of, “I Should Just Keep My Mouth Shut …”
But I rarely do.
Plain and simple, there are too many blog awards. I have been nominated for five of them, and I have never “accepted” them. Too much patting on the back. Too much calling attention to the individual blog writer being “honored.” Too much “participation-trophy” mentality.
Also, these awards are too arbitrary. They can be created by anyone for any reason; and anyone can be nominated for any reason. That’s not much of an honor. Now, if there was a committee overseeing the more than 1 million bloggers out there and determining what the best of the best truly is, that might be something to consider.
I think what really motivates this rant is the fact that I am a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Christian blog awards take the emphasis off of the Lord and place it on the writer. It is true that Proverbs 27:2 says: “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips,” but I’m not quite sure this is the context Solomon had in mind.
Rather than awards, I derive my greatest pleasure from those who simply feel my blogs are worth taking the time to read. A nice comment is the cherry on top!
Anyway, I opened my big mouth and said it. Any thoughts on the issue are most certainly welcome. This definitely includes totally disagreeing with me. Feel free to let me know what you think!
And thanks for reading this!
EttingerWriting.com 
mrsmariposa2014
October 18, 2019
Thanks for bringing this up in an honest, tactful way. I actually agree with you, though I have done a couple of award posts. Where I appreciate being thought of, I do feel like they can be arbitrary and I honestly agonize over who to nominate. I don’t want to do that to those who are not interested in it. The only reason I’ve ever taken one on was due to the nature of the questions. I knew I could share something worthwhile in the process. Otherwise, I kindly thank the person and move on. ☺️
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dettinger47
October 18, 2019
Thanks for the feedback, Marisa. And you did remind me of another point: They take too much time. I don’t have time to answer all those questions, and to think of others to nominate. It is like a sub-cultural entity within the blogging process, and it is getting to unwieldy and out of control.
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mrsmariposa2014
October 18, 2019
Yes, exactly!
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seekingdivineperspective
October 18, 2019
I enjoyed participating the first couple of times, but the time factor is the main reason I check the end of an award post, hoping I don’t see my name listed …
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dettinger47
October 18, 2019
Thanks for the feedback!
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Angel at Watchyourlifeinpictures
October 18, 2019
Agree. There have been a few that have meant a lot to me though. But they were more like bloggers that I respect giving me a shout out.
One was Laura Bailey and the other was Mitch Teemly.
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dettinger47
October 18, 2019
Thank you for your feedback! Appreciate it.
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Cindy Dawson
October 18, 2019
I have been convicted over accepting awards for the exact reasons you state, and no longer participate. However, if a new blogger is encouraged in his/her ministry, well, that’s a good thing! Blessings, Dettinger!
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dettinger47
October 18, 2019
Well said, Cindy. Thank you.
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Barton Jahn
October 18, 2019
I didn’t know there were blog awards!
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dettinger47
October 18, 2019
They are all over the place. As you get more followers, you’ll begin to notice them more and more.
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Sealed in Christ
October 18, 2019
Here’s your “cherry on top”.. I totally agree with you. I’ve been there, done that – and did it only because it was fun and I was new to blogging. As time goes on, I blog because I feel God has put something on my heart to write about. Not for the ‘likes’ or ‘comments’. Though comments can often be confirming. 🙂
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dettinger47
October 18, 2019
Well said … and thanks for the cherry!
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Sealed in Christ
October 18, 2019
🍒 🤗
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Bruce
October 18, 2019
I agree with your observations David, they’re not for me, but for those who enjoy participating in them, I respect their decision. Blessings!
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dettinger47
October 18, 2019
Thanks, Bruce.
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Kim Petitt
October 18, 2019
Thank you for this insight. I’ve been nominated a few times and thanked the person and told them I was honored. I am a new blogger and the fact I’ve been thought of encouraged me because I remember when I felt discouraged in doing this. I’ve never participated, it takes too much time than I have patience for.
I didn’t understand the blogger award at first, I was like praise God, what did I win lol. Then realized it was an award that anyone could come up with and nominate someone. I appreciated being thought of, it meant I touched someone’s life through the light of the gospel, which is my ultimate goal.
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dettinger47
October 18, 2019
Very well said, Kim. I appreciate your insights!
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Sonrisa
October 19, 2019
I agree with you.
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dettinger47
October 19, 2019
Thank you, Sonrisa.
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heavensreef
October 22, 2019
I will admit I have accepted some……but now after reading this YOU my friend are so correct that it does take the emphasis off GOD! You are so right!!
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dettinger47
October 22, 2019
Thank you, Maxine.
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bigskybuckeye
October 23, 2019
David, I appreciate your thoughts. I try to make my writing the focus of my blog. I have replied back to one award, but I have humbly forsaken others.
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dettinger47
October 24, 2019
Thanks for sharing, Big Sky.
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Bill Sweeney
November 4, 2019
I’m almost embarrassed to confess that, even after more than seven years of blogging, I know next to nothing about awards. People nominate me, I thank them, and that’s it 🙂
BTW, I like your blog.
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dettinger47
November 5, 2019
Thank you Bill.
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Robert
November 19, 2019
I started getting nominated and was flattered, but to be honest, I think you’re right. My favourite thing about them was the questions, which enabled people to get to know me better. But I didn’t accept the last one I received, and unless I answer some questions, I think I’ll continue on that track 🙂
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dettinger47
November 19, 2019
The questions are a very big problem for me. First, I don’t have time to answer them. Second, they cater to people’s desire to talk about themselves. That’s what I meant about taking the focus off of God and the Bible (if you are a Christian blogger).
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Robert
November 19, 2019
Good points, but I think because my blog is generally about God and His word, people are sometimes curious to know the man behind the writing, so I don’t mind indulging them sometimes 🙂
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dettinger47
November 19, 2019
Good point.
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