Social Networking

      If asked, what would your definition of "social networking" be?  These two words when used together have morphed greatly in meaning through recent years.  Obviously, in the present day context social networking is considered to be any of the following--email, texting, Facebook, Twitter, etc. All of these forms of social networking have very little to do with truly being "social" as they are usually performed on a computer, phone, or some other device where only words are read and communicated. And, as we are involved in our present day social networking, we become absorbed, distracted, and even less "social" with the living breathing people around us. With this being the case, at what point are we allowing God time and opportunity to use us in reaching those we encounter on a daily basis.
     For Jesus, social networking was talking to the woman at the well, having conversations with fellow travelers as he journeyed on foot from town to town, teaching in the temple, feeding the five thousand, healing the sick. Involvement with the people in His path was a vital part of Jesus' social networking, and great and mighty things were accomplished in the Kingdom of God as a result of that.
     Back in the "old days" when I was growing up, social networking consisted of time spent on front porches with family and neighbors, visiting with folks as you ran errands walking around the town square, welcoming new neighbors with a freshly baked cake. Once again, one on one contact with people was involved, giving you time discern a need to be met, just be there to listen, give a hug, or celebrate an accomplishment.
     Involvement in the lives of people beyond the words on a computer screen is what really makes social networking "social."  My pastor bought this to my attention as he challenged us to reach out in the community through our social networking to reach the lost, to invite people to come to church to hear the word of God. It was at that moment that I realized that social networking means different things to different people this day and time. What does it mean to you--a short, uninvolved tweet to the universe, a facebook posting on your latest "status," a quick email or text?  All of these are much less involved, less complicated ways to interact with people. However, God called us to true, active participation in the lives of people who need to hear from "skin on" Christians about Jesus.
     Does your "social networking" isolate you from people who need to hear the testimony of God's saving grace in your life through His son Jesus Christ. Does it take you away from spending quality time with your own family?  If you find either of these to be true for you, take a moment to re-evaluate your own definition of this phrase and, with God's help, make your social networking consist of God given opportunities to be used in the world around you. Now, I have kept you long enough. Turn off your computer, put away your mobile devices, and get to it!

The Magic Eraser

     Our 23 year old son, Ben, has a form of high functioning Autism. His lack of understanding some things completely is totally balanced by what he has taught me in the form of patience, insight and thinking outside of the proverbial "box."  This past Christmas was no exception. To my surprise, he escorted me into the kitchen one morning to show me that he had successfully removed a water stain from the kitchen table that I had resolved to live with after failed attempts of my own.  When asked how he did it, he smiled from ear to ear and said, "With the magic eraser."  With much praise and thanks from me, he continued about his day.  However, Ben was not yet through exploring the capabilities of the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
     For those of you are not familiar with the Magic Eraser, it is a white sponge which has the "magic" ability to remove marks on walls, floors, obviously tables, and well, just about anything.  Ben went on to test the limits of the Magic Eraser when, unbeknownst to me, he used it to remove a scratch on one of his new Christmas DVD's.  Do not try this at home!   I was so sure that his DVD was ruined, however, after a quick check we found that all was well.  The DVD played without problem, and the scratch was gone. He is now convinced that the Magic Eraser can do just about anything.  Needless to say we tried to convince him otherwise.
     God somehow manages to use situations such as these to speak to me.  My mind was quickly shifted to how God had sent Jesus into the world to die on a cross to be the eraser of all of the spots and marks left on my life by sins I had committed.  There was no magic involved, though.  There was pain, blood, sacrifice, love and most important of all, resurrection. And just as Ben did, I too smile from ear to ear as I gaze on my slate washed clean by God's wondrous love and grace and the blood of Jesus Christ. Because of this I can step into the world each day and let the light of God shine through me without hiding in shame and regret.
     How Satan longs to trick us into thinking that the "stains"  in our lives are too difficult to remove, to keep us focused on the blemishes and "water stains" of our lives instead of living in the glory He has given to us.  With Jesus, erasure is complete and final. Psalms 103:12 of the Bible says,"as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed (erased) our transgressions from us. Today, I will seek to live in the joy of God's promise to me. Mr. Clean has nothing on my God!