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Thoughts on Facebook?

So yesterday.....it was brought to my attention that an old classmate has made his share of comments of how he can't stand the fact that I post Scripture or my thoughts on Jesus often as my Facebook status. Normally I would be quick to get defensive, but instead, I had a big smile on my face. You see, ironically GODronically.... earlier that morning, I did my "flip open the Bible and see what God wants me to see"..... and fell upon this Scripture:

"Do everything without complaining or arguing. Then you will be innocent and without any wrong. You will be God's children without fault. But you are living with crooked and mean people all around you, among whom you shine like stars in the dark world. You offer the teaching that gives life. So when Christ comes again, I can be happy because my work was not wasted. I ran the race and won." ~Philippians 2:14-16

(This was the New Century Version, from one of my sons' Duct Tape Bible)


So I am guessing that God wanted to reassure me to continue to do what I do. I am not here to shove a Bible down someone's throat....or come off as the "holier than thou" Christian who sits behind the stained glass windows and judges others. In fact, I'll be the first to know and remind people that I am "the wretch" that the song refers to. I am a great testimony that God can work through anyone......no matter what your past tells you that you are. Almost like if He can turn *my* life around.....then for most everyone else, it's is a piece of cake.

My intentions for posting positive/uplifting messages on Facebook.....is not only to possibly shine a little Light to anyone who reads it as I also do not solely post Scripture or prayer.....I've been known to have my share of "you can't make this stuff up" events that happened or some random musing. But most of the time, it is something that has been placed on my heart *for me*. And as I have often referred to my desire to spread the Good News as like having the most awesome chocolate-decadence dessert.....you just cannot convey how unbelievably delicious it is. So you just want your friends to take a bite to experience it themselves.
(*hopefully God has a sweet tooth and can excuse this analogy)

I don't claim to know it all, I don't know my way around the Bible like many Christians who can recite verses or the Books of the New Testament in order. I don't claim to know which denomination is "better" than others. I don't claim to know how to live the perfect life, surely I am struggling with my own.

...I just claim to love Jesus.


Now yesterday, when I had heard about what was mentioned about me, I had run inside to grab the Bible and share with my friend what I had read earlier that day. Funny, I had the Bible still opened to that page and the verses were highlighted. (gotta love how God keeps me organized and prepared as I would have never found that verse so quickly). Anyway.....I ended up leaving it by the fire-pit overnight and this morning......well, "dew happens" and those tissue paper pages needed to dry out.

So I decided to grab a book off of my shelf just to have something positive to start my day with. I grabbed this book, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, that my brother-in-law had given me years ago. As you know, I am not a "good" reader so I limit myself to about 5-6 pages at a time because usually my brain cannot download any more than that.

And normally I would by pass any Preface or Foreword because......well......"not-so-good" readers tend to do that. Today, I took it up a notch and dove right into that Preface.

......and I am glad I did.

Check this out.....my brain is still processing it a bit....and not sure if I am going to be able to "handle" reading this whole book.. I am guessing he is referring to people calling themselves/using the general term "being a Christian"? ACK....see?? I guess I will have to go back and re-read it....but this jumped out at me.

......It is more like a hall out of which doors open into several rooms. If I can bring anyone into that hall I shall have done what I attempted. But it is in the rooms, not in the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals. The hall is a place to wait in, a place from which to try the various doors, not a place to live in......

......When you have reached your own room, be kind to those who have chosen different doors and to those who are still In the hall. If they are wrong they need your prayers all the more; and if they are your enemies, then you are under orders to pray for them. That is one of the rules common to the whole house.



I hope and pray that I can lead even one person into that Hallway.....

How about you? What are your thoughts about Facebook in general? If you have a FB account, do you "use" your status as an opportunity to spread the Good News? Do you think it turns people off if/when you talk about your faith? More importantly, do you care about that?

*On a side note, this classmate and I have the "agree to disagree" understanding.....he is a good person who just has different views/opinions on the subject of Jesus. Of course I couldn't keep myself from razzing/reminding him that at our next high school reunion/get-together, I'll be sure to wear my "Jesus Loves You" tee just for him. ;)

and on one more side note......I found this and had to share:



Have a great weekend, my friends~

*~Michelle~*

30 comments:

Warren Baldwin said...

I think it is neat to see statements of faith on FB, myself. We see everything else, right? Why not Jesus? Keep on.

~*Michelle*~ said...

Exactly Warren....

I love this quote, and say it often.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.

thanks for popping in my world today! :)

Jason Jasperse said...

If your classmate was very serious about being insulted, perhaps a private message on fb, or at the very least some sort of comment on the "insulting" status.

It's kinda sad to see people allowing the opinions of others to affect them like that...but then, I guess I struggle with that as well.

jj

Unknown said...

At least your friend is reading your posts! The Word is powerful and it reaches into people's lives. Stay with it sister!

Bless ya!

SusanD said...

I do through out inspirational and thought provoking quotes on FB. It's mostly for me. No one has made any snide remarks yet. Thanks for sharing. Have a fabulous weekend. Blessings, SusanD

~*Michelle*~ said...

@The Wingnut

I did PM him.... he really isn't insulted, it just irritates him that I talk about my faith and Jesus alot. In fact, he says that he believes in Jesus, but thinks he was just a prophet, not the Savior.

He also took my razzing of the tee quite well, in fun!

@JCDude

I know I am being "effective" if he continues to read.....(as opposed to blocking me)

@ Susan

Keep it up! :)

Loren said...

You go girl! Like Warren said "we see it all, why not Jesus?" or HIS Word! For it is alive & active :) What a great opportunity for you to pray for this person !!!

It just takes a while for some to see that we don't consider ourselves holier than thou but cling to Jesus and His Word so that we can "Do" all HE called us to do and to be!

Keep up the great work my friend!

April said...

I have actually had a "friend" on FB act like that to a post my mother put up. My mother, whose Spiritual gift is prophecy, was quick, but gracious to write another post on her page that said something to the effect of, "If you are not happy that I post Scriptures and thing about God, either ignore them or delete me as a friend because I will not be quieted." Well, those aren't exact words, but I loved her post because it was basically saying, feel free to delete me as a friend if you want, but God has given me something to share and I will share it.
I feel the same way. I post positive stuff almost daily, sometimes more than once a day. If they don't want to read it, or if they don't like it, they can ignore it or delete me. It's fine with me either way. I am doing what God has called me to.

alicia said...

I love to see all things spiritual on FB. We live in a world where the media tries to tell us that Christians are a minority and that we aren't a Christian nation, so to see all of the Bible verses and praises to God and prayer requests on FB shows how great a Christian nation we still are. A little good news never hurt those who don't like it either. ;)

Bill (cycleguy) said...

Michelle: I am not on FB for various reasons so I can't comment on that. However, if I understand correctly, does he not have the option of reading or not reading? "Methinks he doth protest too much." I would say keep posting what you want to post...in love...and then pray the Word will do its thing.

katdish said...

What a perfect quote from Lewis. I'm sorry that guy got ouchy or whatever, but you shouldn't edit yourself if what you share is from your heart.

Facebook? Meh...I don't visit Facebook very often. Twitter fits my ADD brain much better, but I know it's been a great meeting place for many people.

Andrea said...

I am smiling with you, my friend. Shortly after opening my fb account an old friend friended me and then de-friended me. She was offended by my status' of scripture. It was hard at first, but then GOD reminded me it was my job to be obedient and the rest was "none of my business!" Yep, so...I just post what HE leads now and try to remember the rest is simply..."none of my business!"

Hugs,
andrea

Kristina P. said...

Honestly, if I don't like what someone posts on FB, I either defriend them, or Hide them. I'm not going to go complaining about what people post just because I don't like it. I might do it if what they were posting was blatantly racist or offensive.

Keep doing what you're doing!

jasonS said...

Michelle, we have similar themes going on today! I was talking about 'how to draw a crowd.' Anyway, people are going to think whatever they want to think so you keep living and shining Jesus. They may be convicted by your scripture updates or they may have been hurt by someone in the church or they may make all kinds of wrong assumptions about you and God. In any case, you are being real and genuine so keep it up! Blessings to you...

Michael Perkins said...

Okay, so you and jason's did coincide. I really like what @katdish had to say. I kinda feel the same way about FB.

Karen M. Peterson said...

I say that if someone doesn't like what you're posting, then they can just go and hide it. All we can control is our own actions and reactions. So one person doesn't like it. That doesn't mean the rest of us don't.

And, frankly, if NONE of us like it, who cares? All that matters is that you do.

momstheword said...

No, I don't use facebook to promote my faith and share the Good News, so to speak. Meaning, anything I might say is just because I feel like saying it, not with a view to anything.

It really hasn't occurred to me to use it as a forum for anything. I don't use it as a platform to promote my political beliefs, either.

I mostly use it as a way to connect with people, or to just put something silly and lighthearted or fun on there.

I use the message option to send scripture and/or a message of encouragement to people if/when I feel a prompting (or use email).

Yes, I do believe people can be offended by our faith, but I don't worry about it. There are times that I give thanks to the Lord for something He has done, or mention our church activities and invite people to come join us.

My son often posts his political thoughts on his facebook, and I imagine that some of his fb friends aren't to crazy about his conservative beliefs. But it's his facebook.

I just figure that if someone doesn't like that I am encouraging them to help someone out with a KIVA loan or something, they can unfriend me.

It is interesting that people use facebook differently, some just for fun, some as a platform, some to cause people to think deeply on a subject, some to provoke.

Anonymous said...

If I couldn't post about faith, I couldn't keep an account... as for your posts, they are uplifting. If your friend feels convicted, that feeling is coming from his internal dialogue, not what you are posting.

Anonymous said...

If I couldn't post about faith, I couldn't keep an account... as for your posts, they are uplifting. If your friend feels convicted, that feeling is coming from his internal dialogue, not what you are posting.

Beth E. said...

The thing about facebook...if you see something that "offends" you, you don't have to go to that person's page! In fact, you can hide their status updates from appearing on your home page. Goodness gracious....

So, in this hallway...are we the hall monitors??? ;-)

Love you, Mi-SHAY-ell!

Beth E. said...

P.S. I believe your friend is under conviction! Who knows? Perhaps God will use those very verses you use on your updates to lead your friend to Him!

~*Michelle*~ said...

Thanks everyone......I really am enJOYing all the input (and encouragement) here.

Laughing out loud at Bay-eth's "hall monitor" comment!

Angela said...

How about you? What are your thoughts about Facebook in general?..... Take it or leave it actually,lol. I am rarely on face book unless someone sends me a message (reason why I'm here,lol). I am kind of surprised that I am not that interested in it..believe it or not, you want to know the reason why? I can't make it 'pretty' like my blog, or the font..like YUK...if FaceBook had comic sans,,girl I'd be there all the time, LOL....If you have a FB account, do you "use" your status as an opportunity to spread the Good News?....I have given our Father MUCH praise on and off on Facebook when I have shared something on the 'status' part...I keep thinking of doing it more frequently actually, or IS it really the Holy Spirit placing this little nudge on my heart? It takes me awhile though at times to 'get it' and follow through. SIGH.... Do you think it turns people off if/when you talk about your faith?.....Maybe. I'm not sure. When I have shared something, I've had many replies back that were positive.If some are turned off, well that is the Holy Spirit that needs to touch their hearts, 'removing the heart of stone and giving them a heart of flesh'.... More importantly, do you care about that?...Like you, I would get offended when someone would leave a comment that was dedicatory, and felt like it was my place to justify why I have shared. For instance someone left a comment on my you tube video on how they thought I was 'nuts' to believe that God brings me blessings when I go yard saling. Like do I REALLY believe that?
Well I was instantly ready to start typing back and felt the Holy Spirit 'calm' me down. "Angela, don't bother writing anything back yet'. LOL..so I didn't. When I did, I thanked them for watching my video and told them that YES, My Father God cares about everything and LOVES to lavishly bless His children.

Shirley said...

I have a hate/tolerate relationship with FB, but so many family and friends are there, I find it so easy to keep up with them there. I share things about my faith as I feel the desire to. I'm not in the least hesitant to do so. Now, I have been turned off (even being a Christian) by those who do nothing but 'shout out' scriptures all the time. In those cases, there seems to be no connection TO the readers. It's talking AT not TO. And that turns me off. So I figure if it turns me off (as a Christian), it turns others off as well.

Beth in NC said...

Hey friend! I use my FB status for scripture, thoughts, and promotion of our corn maze (ha). I'm sure my old school friends get tired of my posts about Jesus. However, you just never know who you are reaching. I have had several people message me about my blog and how it has encouraged them. They found it through facebook. To God be the glory!

Keep writing for Him Sister!

Love & hugs!
Beth

Shirley said...

I should add that when YOU share, you share YOU as well! It's personal! We are witness to a 'road hat' world. That comes from a sermon I heard recently where the preacher told the story of a hat lying lost in the middle of the road, thousands of cars passing by it, running over it, leaving it there in the middle of the road for the better part of a week. He felt convicted by God to stop one day to pick up the hat, even though he fought it trying to convince himself that God would surely NOT be telling him to pick up that ugly, beat-up road hat (road kill). When he finally did get the hat, God showed him how the lost are lying in the middle of the road with Christians passing them by every day, ignoring them, running over them, judging them...and never stopping to pick them up.

FB has a lot of road hats.

Nancy@ifevolutionworks.com said...

Remind this friend that we own the freedom of speech. We also have the right and the ability to "hide" posts and updates from people on Facebook we prefer not to read.

Why he felt it was better to condem someone rather than 'peacefully "hide" your updates? That's the issue. And it's his issue...not yours :)

Keep being......you

herbhalstead said...

Don't let others quiet your praise. (Luke 19:40)

Tracy said...

One of the things about you Michelle is that you are just who you are; that's why people like you and drawn to you, we like that which is genuine.

As to facebook, I'm only on it a tad and have less than 60 friends. It is a nice way to know the main things that are going on with people who I no longer live near or get a different insight into people whom I do live near.

amanda said...

i don't always post 'jesus' stuff, but do when i feel so led. but i know that i also make sure what i am sharing is positive and not negative. ((and i *think* i do an okay job!)) praying for you!! it's crazy to think a year ago we were getting ready to come visit you! i wish it were this year too. i could use a 19 hour drive. :)

 

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