Tag: Facebook

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Nice to Me

You know the way Pinterest is spilling over into Facebook and people are constantly posting fancy quote and sayings they like that have been all “arted” up and make attractive?   Well. recently I saw this quote posted in my feed.

“I don’t care if you’re black, white, straight, bisexual, gay, lesbian, short, tall, fat, skinny, rich or poor. If you’re nice to me, I’ll be nice to you. Simple as that.”
― Eminem

Seems good enough.  But I have one question — what if they are not nice to you?  Then what are you going to do? Huh, Huh?? Yeah, then what are you going to do??( said in my best middle schooler voice)

But I say to you, love your enemies and bless the one who curses you, and do what is beautiful to the one who hates you, and pray over those who take you by force and persecute you.  Matthew 5:44 Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)

and sometimes a trip back to the King James is good:

44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Maybe the quote that we post all over Facebook should be something more like this

I don’t care if you’re black, white, straight, bisexual, gay, lesbian, short, tall, fat, skinny, rich or poor or if you hate me, or use me.  I’ll be nice to you. Simple as that.

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Checked in at Lame

I love this whole social media concept of checking in.  I haven’t used Foursquare, or Yelp yet, although it’s on my to do list.  I have been using the check-in feature on Facebook and it’s a great way to let people know all the cool places you go and where you are.

But one thing I notice is that no one checks in at work.  Whats up with that?  I guess we have Adam to blame! You know the whole work curse thing!  We spend the majority of our lives at our place of employment, but we don’t allow ourselves to acknowledge the significance.  As a matter of fact the one time that I did notice that one of my friends ‘checked-in’ at his workplace, the one comment on that post was “Lame”.

So I was thinking today that I would check in at work, and I would check in with one thought on my mind – this one from Micah:

8The LORD God has told us what is right and what he demands:

“See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God.” Micah 6:8 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

I determined this morning that this may help take some of the lameness out of the whole work thing, since it might just possibly help me look past the curse and to the influence I could exert on those people around me.  Maybe those concepts will make the work check-in just as interesting as the other fun places we go.  Well, who am I kidding, checking in at work will probably always be lame, but considering  justice, mercy and humility might change the way we consider the time we am there!

Give it a try.

Oh and here is an alternative ending!

 8But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,

what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously. Micah 6:8 The Message

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As You Once Were

Yesterday one of my liberal minded, utopia seeking college student friends, whom I dearly love,  posted on Facebook about some political things going on in Nashville.  Without going into all the gory details, I have to say that I spend a better part of the day thinking about how to tactfully post a response to his somewhat condemning post.

My thoughts quickly traveled to Ephesians however, for it is here that the writer of this letter lays out some very profound and yet simple ideas for those who wish to follow the Christ.

You see, my friend was calling out the way sin has been categorized to a point that some is acceptable and some is not. However, the letter the the Ephesians clearly calls out all sorts of dark behaviors and groups them in the same pot.  Then there’s the real kicker.  It’s not a condemnation for having had these sins in your life, but an impetus to move past them:

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord Ephesians 5:8 (NIV)

All of us have sinned. All of us continue to make mistakes.  All of us are so dependent on the grace the oozes from our Lord.  However, we are still admonished to move toward the light and to leave the other things in darkness.  The Message version of this brings home the point in a very contemporary way:

8-10You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You’re out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it. Ephesians 5:8-10  The Message (MSG)

So, we need to leave the darkness behind, and move towards the light – transformed by the grace and love of Christ. As you battle the darkness in your life remember this admonishment. And as you deal with others steeped in the battle with darkness please remember that “you were once darkness” but now “you are the light”.  Approach them with the grace and love bestowed upon you.

Oh, and isn’t this just another reason to live a life of joy?

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Social Media Story

As you all know I enjoy the merits and virtues of Social Media – Facebook, Twitter and even blogging.  Yesterday I discovered this new video. I think its pretty cool and thought I would share it with you. It tells the wonderful Christmas story in a very new and innovative way. I hope you take a moment to watch.  And then post it to Facebook or tweet it!

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12

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Toothbrush Visits

While I was in college, occasionally after strolling down the hall to the common bathroom to brush my teeth, I would continue around the corner to some of my friend’s room and “talk” with them for a while.   This may be TMI, but it is funny.  Usually, this was with my toothbrush in hand and my boxers on.

Years have past since those fun days but yesterday on my Facebook wall this is what I saw:

Yep, A reference back to those great days, by one of my very good college classmates.  We have joked about this one and off for years.  I am sure you have friendships like this as well, where you can meet after years and pick up just where you left off.  Those friendships are special, but how do we arrive at those.

I think its from shared experiences.  Experiences like the trauma of me coming into your dorm room in my undies.  Well, maybe, put probably deeper and more meaningful experiences then that.  I think it also from trust and “exposing” yourself.  No no, not in that way.   I mean, by opening up, and becoming a trusting soul, truly interested in what others are interesting in, and at the same time becoming slightly unguarded.  These relationships are special and are important, and I think are worth the risk.

In 1 Samuel 18:1, David and Jonathan “become one in spirit”.  They created a bond that we can continue to study as a great example of friendship.

So today, work on those friendship.  Continue to take an interest in the people around you and show them the love and mercy you have been shown.  Who knows what sort of bond you may develop.