For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator...
Romans 1:20-25b NIV
Recently, a friend sent me a funny picture quote he saw. It read, "In the future, I will tell my grandsons I am older than the Internet, and blow their minds forever." On that note of 'old school,' I'll just say I don't know anyone who likes to be told they're behind the times and/or out of touch with the real world. I thought I was doing well to be able to text and keep up with whatever the latest version of Microsoft Word throws my way. However, my 'tweener' granddaughter is still shocked that I didn't have a cell phone when I was her age.
I like technology because it allows me to stay in touch with family and friends who are hundreds and even thousands of miles away. These are people with whom I have interfaced on a personal level. We had 'face time' before it was an app. But now, I don't have to wait for a letter - I can get the updates quick, fast and in a hurry. However, what I've noticed (and may have said before) is that this social media has too quickly become the defining factor of modern day, so-called relationships. It certainly promotes an I-frenzy and has nothing to do with "Come, let US break bread together."
When speaking to someone who is or has been a real friend, I thoroughly detest hearing this reply, "Well, I posted it on Facebook. It's just easier that way." We post what we like, what and who we don't like, what we want, when we want it, and how we want it, and think that is cultivating relationships. There's no working through differences of any kind, no response required or the other extreme, a lot of vitriolic spewing. And as disconcerting as that is to me, what troubles me more is seeing this definition of so-called relationship translate into our walk with God.
I like technology because it allows me to stay in touch with family and friends who are hundreds and even thousands of miles away. These are people with whom I have interfaced on a personal level. We had 'face time' before it was an app. But now, I don't have to wait for a letter - I can get the updates quick, fast and in a hurry. However, what I've noticed (and may have said before) is that this social media has too quickly become the defining factor of modern day, so-called relationships. It certainly promotes an I-frenzy and has nothing to do with "Come, let US break bread together."
When speaking to someone who is or has been a real friend, I thoroughly detest hearing this reply, "Well, I posted it on Facebook. It's just easier that way." We post what we like, what and who we don't like, what we want, when we want it, and how we want it, and think that is cultivating relationships. There's no working through differences of any kind, no response required or the other extreme, a lot of vitriolic spewing. And as disconcerting as that is to me, what troubles me more is seeing this definition of so-called relationship translate into our walk with God.
Pastor Alan Neel nailed it when he defined today's standard as "Modern Porn Faith" meaning we desire to have what God can give us - we want Him to please us, but we don't want to really know Him. We don't want to take the time to know Him for who He IS. There is no prayer closet. No one-on-one. No interfacing on a personal level. No on-our-face time. There is no relationship.
God the Father did not send Jesus Christ, His Son, to die a horrible death to pay for our sin to propagate religion. Christ's blood was shed as an atonement for our sin so that we could be restored into right relationship with God - to know Him in His fullness.
Prayer:
Father,
You are the same, yesterday, today and forever. The same God who desires that we seek Your face. That we wait for You and obey Your voice. Forgive us, Father. Cleanse our hearts of worldly desires and renew a loyal spirit within us, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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