Monday, November 21, 2011

My Facebook Rules

I think every Christian, both young and old, needs to set for themselves “rules” for what they’ll post on Facebook. I say this because there seems to be a disconnect between what we believe and what we post on Facebook. Colossians 3:17, if written today, I think would say: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed – or online – do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (italicized words added by me). I’m not re-writing scripture here, as I believe the “word” portion of this verse covers Facebook posts, but it seems that for many Christian Facebook users, this is not the case. I actually do have a set of Facebook Rules I use for myself when I post my status updates and links.

1. Facebook is not my therapist! Please, please do not whine or complain on Facebook. We are supposed to draw people toward Christ with the hope that we display. Whining on Facebook does not project “Hope,” it projects self-centered pity parties.

2. Don’t cuss! This should be a no brainer. It’s one thing to let a bad word slip in the heat of the moment. Another thing to put it out there on a status update, which shows intentionality.

3. Build up, don’t tear down. I’ve actually seen husbands and wives rip their spouses on Facebook. Facebook is a great opportunity to validate your friends and family, use “the force” for good.

4. Ask: “Will I have to apologize later for what I’m about to post?” Before you post, imagine you are literally standing in front of the hundreds of people that are on your friend list – all of them, including that one you added but can’t remember how you know them. If you’d say what you are typing if you were standing in front of them, then go ahead and type it. Otherwise, find a way to communicate what you want to say in a non-offensive way. I’m not saying to lose your spine and not hold an opinion on anything. I’m saying, find a way to communicate in a way that you won’t regret later. I obviously feel that homosexuality is a sin, and am pro-life, for example, but I also have pro-choice and gay friends on Facebook. I strive to hold to my beliefs in a way that isn’t compromising, yet is not angry, militant, or sarcastic. I want my non-believing friends to come to Christ. We’ll worry about the rest of our differences after they find Him.

5. Ask: “Is what I’m about to post going to glorify Christ, or embarrass Him?” We are direct reflections of Christ on this earth. The term Christian means “little Christs.” So when I post a link to a band, a picture of myself, or a comical website, will those links glorify Christ or not? I’m not saying each of your posts needs to be a “Christian” band, website, or picture of a kitty-cat with a Bible verse in a thought bubble. But, by posting a picture of myself in a bikini (you can throw up now at that mental image), or posting a link to a band whose lyrics are flat out contrary to how we are to live, we give a poor image of Christ to those viewing our page.

In the end, as Christians, we have to remind ourselves that we are “on the clock” at all times. As parents, our teens are going to mimic how we behave, assuming our behavior is acceptable in Christ’s eyes. As teenagers, how we act, and the things we post, might be the only Christ our classmates will ever see. The Christian life comes with some pressure and responsibility, but handling it is not really as difficult as we make it. I challenge each of us to make our “online” life more glorifying to Him.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Precious Death?

One of the things I wasn’t prepared for when I went into ministry was the frequency with which I’d be facing the sad subject of death. Several times each year I am in the position of talking with people who are struggling because of a family member or friend passing away. It has forced me to try to mentally and emotionally process how a person is to Biblically respond to the grief that accompanies the sudden passing of a loved one. While this article is too short to completely delve into the topic, I do want to share a couple ideas that have helped me as I try and work through the pain of losing someone.


The first thing for Christians to realize is that grief is normal and acceptable. Many well-meaning Christians offer the platitude of “they’re home with the Lord now,” and then expect those grieving to suddenly feel better inside. Jesus Himself mourned to the point of sobbing over the loss of Lazarus, and this was while knowing that he’d raise him from the dead (John 11:32-37)! So allowing ourselves to grieve, cry, and hurt is acceptable and even healthy for us. It also can bring us closer to God through our pain if we turn toward Him as our great counselor (Psalm 34:18 & 147:3).


In grieving, I then try and view death from God’s perspective, which can be difficult. But the most helpful and comforting verse I’ve come across in dealing with death is Psalm 116:15, which says: “ Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” How can death be “precious” to God? Because we were made for so much more than this lousy world has to offer. We were created for God (Col. 3:16) and to walk and talk with God face to face, like Adam and Eve did. When you examine what the Garden of Eden was like, and what the New Jerusalem will be like, you see remarkable parallels. We realize that God didn’t give up on His desire for us to commune directly with Him when Adam and Eve fell. Instead, His redemptive plan ends with us living eternally with Him, as originally intended, without pain, sin, suffering, illness, bickering, or death. Those believers who have passed away were greeted in heaven with rejoicing as they now get to live with Christ as God originally intended. This is precious to God as He desires an eternal relationship with us, and upon our leaving this temporary home, we finally get to live with Him (and other believers) forever without the obstructions that this world has to offer.