Christians Quit Cursing on Social Media

Let me start out this article by saying that we all know that no one is perfect, including me, you, and that person over there. Even so, Christians quit cursing on social media.

Christians quit cursing on social mediaWhen the Bible says that we, as Christians, become a “new creation” – it means something very important and we should try to remember that. Why do people forget so easily? Is there evidence of a transformed life in us, or are we living as we did before?

From 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV):

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. – 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

I’m Guilty Too

I’m not saying I’ve never said a curse word. I slip sometimes. But, I admit it afterward and then confess it in my heart to God.

We all fall short.

What really concerns me though is this “who cares” attitude from Christians on social media who, for some reason, think it’s okay to curse on facebook or in their web posts.

Are they trying to appear “hip”? Current? Relevant?

What gives? Do they think it helps their Christian witness? It does not. Recently, I stopped by to read a post on a Christian friend’s facebook wall. Ughh. There was a comment from another person calling someone an ugly name I won’t repeat.

Seriously, people.

Cursing Is Not Cool

I read a blog from a well-known Christian musician awhile ago who dropped an F-Bomb and “B.S” a few times in his posts.

Thing is, this musician still has a lot of fans – young people who may see that language and think that’s okay Christian behavior.

Well, it’s not. 

Our country is still free and that musician has the right to say or write whatever he wants on his own blog, but, he’s NOT doing anyone any favors in the mission to help lead people to Christ. Thing is, he probably doesn’t see anything wrong with using profanity. 

I choose not to buy his CDs or follow him.  I follow a lot of Christian musicians.  A sad thing is that some churches lack discernment in their contemporary music choices. They play songs in church services while neglecting to actually “check out” and see what some of those artists are saying in social media.

I think that is a big problem with contemporary Christian churches today.

One more example: another Christian I know recently shared a link on his/her (shall remain nameless) social media that dropped the F-Bomb along with a snarky personal comment about a news story.

It made my skin crawl. This person is someone with a bunch of facebook friends and he/she doesn’t appear to care that some of his/her friends are young, impressionable people.

it's not okay to curse on social media if you're a Christian

Enough With the Cursing

I don’t need to see F-bombs in my news feed. Thank you very much.

What is with people? Were they raised by wolves?

Shaking my head.

No, it’s not okay to curse on social media if you’re a Christian. In fact, it’s not okay to do it anywhere.

It’s also not okay to curse back at someone who is cursing you.

*Patient silence is the best reply to a world of cruel opposition. Calm endurance answers some questions infinitely more conclusively than the loftiest eloquence. The best apologists for Christianity in the early days were its martyrs. The anvil breaks a host of hammers by quietly bearing their blows. Did not the silent Lamb of God furnish us with a grand example of wisdom? Where every word was occasion for new blasphemy, it was the line of duty to provide no fuel for the flame of sin. The ambiguous and the false, the unworthy and mean will soon enough confound themselves, and therefore the true can afford to be quiet and find silence to be its wisdom. – Christian pastor, Alistair Begg.

We should all be mindful of our witness and I’m including myself in that reminder.

This is such a crazy and violent time in our society. Don’t these influential people realize they’re not going to plant seeds with the Holy Spirit and help reach people for Christ when their mouth utters or their fingers type such trash?

We would do well to remember Psalm 19:14 from God’s Word. It’s one of my scripture memory verses. When I slip up, I say this back to myself along with confessing my sin to God.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.           –Psalm 19:14 ESV The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

God bless you! Stay strong.

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*Begg, Alistair, “Slow to Speak.”  Crosswalk.com. 02 April 2017, Web Access 06 April 2017. Copyright Truth For Life. Used with Permission.

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How to Pray When You Don’t Know How

How to Pray When You Don’t Think You Know How

Hi  🙂

I hope you had a fantastic New Years celebration.
We ate way too much delicious food and the word “diet” has popped back into my daily vocabulary. When did those obnoxious extra pounds creep in?

Time for that yearly diet resolution.

Have you made any resolutions?

I’ve read in various publications and in social media that many people have said they wanted to pray more, but they feel like they don’t know how. Or, they feel that their prayers aren’t eloquent enough for God.

Here’s some great news and another wonderful reason to delight in God. The Bible makes it very clear that God is not impressed with lengthy insincere ramblings.

how to pray

Fancy Prayers Fall Short

A prayer from your heart is good. It doesn’t have to be five minutes long either. And, forget English class, God doesn’t mind if you start your prayer with a preposition.  🙂

No, from the heart is a very good thing.

Have you ever thought about praying Scripture, like Jesus did?

I think praying Scripture verses is an excellent idea. Notice that I said “praying” Scripture and not just reading it.

What a great idea modeled after the Bible.

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Happy New Year To you and yours!

Happy New Year to You and Yours!

Happy New Year

Enjoy The Comfort of Your Own or a Friend’s Home

Do you have any fun plans this year?

We do. Avoid the crazies and we’re stayin’ home!

My husband and I are way past the “we have to go downtown and celebrate” stage. We’ve gotten much more practical as we’ve gotten older.

We cook a fabulous meal, perhaps rent a movie and ring in the new year safely in our own home. A few years of that and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Don’t get me wrong. We love parties. It’s just, on a night as big as this, it’s safer to stay inside. There’s no missing out on any fun either. We play games and light a fire in the fireplace. Sometimes we walk outside and we can see the fireworks from a distance at the large hotel resort near our house. It’s a blast.

You know, the more friends I talk with, the more say they prefer to stay home too. A destination New Year is an intriguing idea, but I’ll pass.

If you’re venturing away from home this year for the holiday, be safe friends. Have fun and God bless!

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The Man and the Birds – A Story

Have You Heard the Story About The Man and The Birds?

the man and the birdsNo worries, I’ll post it here.

Christmas seemed like a great time to share this gem from the late Paul Harvey.

Do you miss his voice as much as I do? No one could weave a story or paint a visual picture like he could – a real American treasure.

Anyway, I heard this story recited at a pre-Christmas dinner a few days ago and fell in love with it. Go cozy up by the fire and give it a listen.

I hope you enjoy it.

Merry Christmas 2016!

Classic story, huh? The kind that pulls at your heartstrings. So much wisdom in this tale. There’s a definite lesson here.

And he sank to his knees in the snow.

The man realized that Jesus came to save us, just as the man in the story wanted to save the lost birds. The people in the world who hate Christmas or anything having to do with Jesus Christ – they’re missing so much, not only in this life but in eternity as well. Their hearts are so hardened towards God. I pray that they will be saved.

Will you pray too? Please do. I know that, before I became a Christian, people were praying for me and I came to know Jesus Christ as my Savior. It touches my heart deeply to feel that kind of love. It’s more special than any other kind. I plan to spend my life delighting in God for the rest of my days.

Merry Christmas

God bless you all

# # #


 

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My Love Hate Relationship with Facebook

My Love Hate Relationship with Facebook

Is Facebook a blessing or a curse?

Okay, maybe “hate” is too strong a word. I don’t hate anything…except sin.

That gluttony thing trips me up every time.

a piece of pumpkin pieLike on Thanksgiving.

How can I refuse another piece of that delicious pumpkin pie? It would be a sin not to eat it, right? wink wink

We don’t have to talk about how I already had a piece.

And, when I was putting it away, I snuck a little more that had fallen off into the pie plate.

Shhhhh – don’t tell. My pants fitting tighter is enough of a signal.

love hate relationship with facebookBut back to Facebook.

Facebook has been, off and on, a source of great joy for me.

It’s also been a source of concern as I, along with millions of others, get to peek into the lives of people I originally thought were rational human beings.  🙂

There can be a little too much cray-cray on display as Facebook becomes a vehicle for T.M.I in many cases.Really people, did you really mean to share that?

The Upside of Facebook for Me

Let me start with the upside of Facebook.

Thanks to Facebook, I’ve connected with one of my dearest friends from college. Looking back on some very good memories, Kim and I connected the first day of college during freshman orientation. I was a communications major and she was in dental hygiene.

You’d think our paths wouldn’t cross in the hallways because of that, but God brought us together. I ended up sitting right next to her during orientation in a sea of future dental hygienists!

She was as outgoing and friendly as I was and we became fast friends. I always had a blast when we would get together for dinners or just to talk and she was a big part of my fond college memories.

After college I was living in a different state and Kim was happily married with a full life of her own.

We lost touch. So many lost years between us, but thankfully through Facebook, we found each other again.

It was like we never lost touch. She’s a Christian as well and we share our joys, sorrows, and prayer requests with each other. It’s everything a genuine friendship should be. I appreciate her so much.

The Downside of Facebook for Me

I’ve kind of hinted at it before. I don’t want to know absolutely everything about the lives of friends I care about. I don’t want to cringe over some of the “too personal” details that sometimes seem to be shared with abandon.

Bodily functions, your kids’ pooping habits – you get the picture.

Stop, just stop.

No really, stop.

Politics on Facebook is Way Over the Top

During the political elections, people on Facebook got downright nasty. I’m all about “polite” political debate, but it has taken a new combative turn to nastiness.

Was there some kind of “call out all the trolls” announcement that turned otherwise smart people into fierce name-calling competitors? Or maybe it was “Release the Krakens.” Anyway, the foul language some of these scary people use in public is such a downer.  It’s like a name-calling version of The Hunger Games. “I’ll get you first.”

To the death!

What is wrong with you people? Go take a walk, pet your dog, and hug your kids.

Doctor’s orders.

American flagWhether you’re a Christian, a minority, or the target of someone else’s jealousy or dislike towards you, Facebook has become an all too convenient tool to vent negativity.

I’ve been blocked myself (no loss) and I have also blocked people. After the initial “hmmmmm…okay,” it’s always good to be able to move on with the cherished people in your life who are encouraging and uplifting. If it’s my wall, I control what’s on there. Anyone using foul language or expressing anti-God sentiments can go bye bye.

My Message to the Negative Nancy’s Out There

Take your negativity walking! I will pray for you.

If you, dear reader, also have negative Nancy’s or Ned’s in your life, you can pray for them, too.

God bless

May the light of God shine on you today!

Remember, He made you from nothing and knew you before you were born.
That’s how special God thinks you are.

God bless!

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