Thursday, August 22, 2013

A Call to ALL Christians on Facebook

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.                                Galatians 6:2-3 NLT

A few months back I took a facebook sabbatical. I felt like I needed to detox myself of it because it had become an addiction. Plus I had become sick of what it had become - a meme book. Without going into boring details I reopened my FB because I felt like it was God's calling to me outside of my family. After getting out of full time ministry I felt lost and void of meaning for a long time. I would ask God over and over where I fit in. I wasn't content to be just a pew warmer. I wanted to help/love people. It seemed impossible when you are just another stay-at-home mom who see no other human outside of Walmart, school functions, and church.  God kept pointing his finger toward facebook. I balked because I really didn't want to enter that world again. 

You probably wonder how can facebook be a calling from God. Well it fits my lifestyle quite perfectly and God knew that. I can be a part of 100s of peoples lives while taking care of my family and going about my daily life. It's not about the things I post or say but rather, the post I read. On a daily basis I see hurting, angry, frustrated people. I see sick people. I see discouraged people. I see people struggling with this, that, and the other thing. I see confusion. I see rebellion. I see sinners.  If I were to never login to facebook and I would choose to live in my nice, quiet world I would never see people who need a Saviour. I would never be able to help carry their burden to the Father.

Sometimes its easy to get carried away scrolling down real fast ignoring posts because, well, I've see that whine before. God has to remind me that they need Him.  I've not always posted wisely myself. Ha ha In fact, I've experienced some real humiliation because I offended people and they let me know it. Like it or not, those moments were good for me. They helped open my eyes to see nonsense that I might not have ever fixed otherwise. 

My title might give the impression that I think all Christians should treat facebook as a mission field from here on out. Let me make myself VERY clear that is NOT my goal here. What I want to say is as Christians we are responsible for how we respond to what we read. Many of my friends use facebook as a prayer chain so to speak, calling their friends to pray for this need or certain situations, etc...  My question to you and myself is "how do we respond?" Do we ignore it knowing that one of their other upteen friends will cover the base? Or do we acknowledge that God has allowed us to see that need because He has a job for us to do. The job of "bearing one another's burdens". Whether we like it or not we are accountable of how we will respond.  I have a friend right now whose baby grandson is in serious need of a physical touch. She is pleading with God's people to pray. I shouldn't even be wondering if I am going to pray or not. I better not be thinking someone else is praying so I don't need to. No way Jose!!! I better pray!! 

I leave you with a Macedonian Call because as Christians we aren't to sit on the sidelines twiddling our thumbs. 

  1. There’s a call comes ringing o’er the restless wave,
    “Send the light! Send the light!”
    There are souls to rescue, there are souls to save,
    Send the light! Send the light!
    • Refrain:
      Send the light, the blessed Gospel light;
      Let it shine from shore to shore!
      Send the light, the blessed Gospel light;
      Let it shine forevermore!
  2. We have heard the Macedonian call today,
    “Send the light! Send the light!”
    And a golden off’ring at the cross we lay,
    Send the light! Send the light!
  3. Let us pray that grace may everywhere abound,
    “Send the light! Send the light!”
    And a Christlike spirit everywhere be found,
    Send the light! Send the light!
  4. Let us not grow weary in the work of love,
    “Send the light! Send the light!”
    Let us gather jewels for a crown above,
    Send the light! Send the light!
  5.                         --Charles H. Gabriel, 1890

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Can you believe it.....?

Such a nice subject header to get your attention :) :) I just wanted to share with you something I spotted while enjoying a moment of solitude on my front porch sipping lemonade. It's a rare moment for me and I try to soak up as much as I can when opportunity knocks. But alas, that is not what you are hear for - to read about my porch sitting moments.

Do you see anything special about this picture??  If not then you are not in-tune with the greatest season ever - Autumn :)  Yes yes I know, it's only August 1st but don't you see it? Orange leaves peeking through the green around it.  I saw that and my heart sang :-) So up I bounded to get my camera so that I could share with you that Autumn is just around the corner or in my case just across the road. 

The Trumpet bushes are loaded with oodles of juicy berries for the birds.  I love having trees, bushes, whatever that naturally draws my feathered friends to my yard. Across the road in the woods is a cat bird who "meows" to us every time we are outside. I love to sit in my Adirondack chair with my eyes closed enjoying the perfect weather and listening to the sounds of nature-birds, cicadas, cheepers, crickets. It's really some of the best music.

The apple trees are loaded with their fruit.
Before you know it apple butter will be simmering in the slow-cooker, apple sauce will be bubbling in their jars, and their will be a crispness in the air. Not to mention freshly crushed apple cider.  Are you getting excited yet? :-)  I am!!

A very cheerful corner of the house. Black-eyed Susans always make me smile. They are happy flowers. Reminding us that August is here. I didn't plant any Sunflowers this year so I'm really enjoying these.
I trust your summer is going well for you.  It's been a very wet one for us. Quite the contrast to the drought we had last year. Lakes had been little trickles running through grassy fields. Now they are staying up over their banks. This summer is one I must confess I'm looking forward to putting behind me. Our lives are forever in limbo with this house being for sale. We've tried to lead normal lives but it's hard when your heart just isn't into it.  I'm looking forward to future with great anticipation of the good things God is working out for us.  This lesson in patience is getting really hard though and I'm ready to get on with my life :-)

Enjoy the rest of summer!!








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