The 10 Commandments of Social Networking

The 10 Commandments of Social Networking

I found this and it is so true - I pray you read and let the authors words speak to your heart allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your future steps.

The 10 Commandments were given to us thousands of years ago. Sure there was no Facebook or Twitter back then, but the principles still apply today. Here’s my take on how the 10 commandments apply to social networking.

1) Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Don’t allow social networking to become a god. Are you losing hours at a time to Farmville? Do you interrupt meals with family and friends to send and receive messages? Is your first impulse when you wake up to check email/Facebook/Twitter instead of listen to God? Has posting become more important than praying? If so, maybe social networking has become a god.

2) Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images.

Throughout history people have created things to remind them of God – sculptures, stained glass windows, crucifixes – which people eventually began to worship instead of God. Likewise many people have become enamored with the potential social networks have as a platform to share the gospel, connect people to their church, or share spiritual insights. Be careful not to allow the tools used in the name of God to become more important than your relationship with God.

3) Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.


Don’t use acronyms that take the Lord’s name in vain like OMG. Don’t use acronyms that are shorthand for profanity. In general consider the coarseness and vulgarity of what you say online.

4) Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Be intentional about taking breaks from social networking so you can spend focused time with God.

5) Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long.

Kids, respect the social networking rules your parents set up. Parents, set up social networking boundaries for your kids. Install filtering software on all computers. Set rules for when and how much time your kids can spend online/texting. Warn them about friending strangers.

6) Thou shalt not kill.

Jesus said, “You’ve heard it said, ‘Do not murder.’ …But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother…[or] says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (Matthew 5:21-22) Don’t insult or hate on people online.

7) Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Guard yourself against porn. Use filtering/monitoring software on your computer and mobile browser and get yourself an accountability partner.

Guard yourself against emotional affairs. Just because you’re not having sex doesn’t make flirting or deep soul-level conversations with someone who’s not your spouse are ok.

8 ) Thou shalt not steal.

Don’t steal time from your employer, your spouse, or your kids for social networking.

9) Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Don’t lie or slander people online.

10) Thou shalt not covet.

Don’t envy people’s blogs or the number of friends, followers, or comments they have. Don’t envy the hot studio photo from 5 years ago they use as their profile pic. Don’t envy all the parties, vacations, and accomplishments they choose to post about. Much of what people post about is put in the best possible light and their struggles and shortcomings are omitted.

If Superman Pastored a Church

A little humor but a lot of truth hidden in the humor of why Superman can not pastor your church

If Superman Pastored A Church?
By Stephen Portner

If Superman was a pastor of a church, at least in the traditional
chaplaincy mode, he would not be able to do it. Here's why -

1) Superman never mastered being everywhere all the time. He could
not take "a day off" each week, because who would cover for him? He could not
go on a vacation because, sure enough, that's when a parishioner would die,
and he would look like he doesn't care. Even if Superman never took a day
off and never went on vacation, he still could not take care of all the
people who would demand his attention. He could not even get any sleep and
expect to be there for everybody when they needed it.

2) Superman never mastered being all things to all people. Even if
Superman rounded up all the bad guys, who would then visit them all in prison?
Who gave Superman the right to be the judge and jury and make the
decisions about what is justice or injustice? And just where were Superman's mercy
gifts? Certainly he would be considered a "bad pastor" by quite a few of his
parishioners, because he could not please everybody in the way they
wanted their needs met or their opinions stroked.

3) Superman was not spiritually gifted to do everything. Sure, he
had x-ray vision, which would save a number of his parishioners from going to
the hospital. Sure, he had super strength, which would help in moving
the band equipment around the stage. Sure, he could fly faster than a
speeding bullet, which would help him visit house to house faster than most
other pastors. But who was going to do all the administration, paperwork,
convene the meetings, make sure the church was unlocked, and do the
pre-marital counseling, just to name a few things? Even Superman would "need
help" from others who had the spiritual gifts for those things.

4) Superman did not work well in teams. He was always trying to
one-up everybody else. Even Super-girl and Super-boy did not quite meet his
standards. Sure, he might "team up" with Batman every now and again,
but that was only to make himself look better. After all, Batman did not
have the power and control Superman had. Superman never gave the credit
to a Higher Power, Supreme Being, or Uncontrollable Holy, because from his
point of view, he was it. Superman was too engrossed in needing to needed
and loving to be loved to really care if anyone else got the glory,
honor, or praise. He was too addicted to co-dependency to work with teams.

So, since even Superman could not effectively pastor a church as a
chaplain, why are you trying to do it?

Why I Love Snow

We awoke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white
snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the whole world?

Why I Love snow
They say that every snowflake is different, with that being true. How could we ever get up off our knees? How could we ever recover from the wonder of it? Simple answer of why we get off our knees and how we recover from the wonder of it is we don’t truly understand the love he has for us and how he desires us to know more about him.In our busy lives I think that God uses snow to help slow us down. To take a moment of time for us to hunker down and snuggle in to know more about HIM. But to often we feel we must do what we want to do rather than do what He wants us to do. We get out of the roads and slip, slide, and go slower than normal. We get angery that we cant do what we want to do. We have plans, we have events to go to, people to see and places to go. But I think that God in heaven says, hey listen up listen to me, FOLLOW Me and I will do great things in your life.

Snowflakes (the correct scientific term is really snow crystals) are born when a water molecule (that is, two hydrogen atoms and an oxygen atom) gets together with others of its kind to form a hexagonal (that is, six-sided) lattice.
Just as the snowflake’s rough and tumble journey up and down through the winter sky dictates the shape it will ultimately take when it finally falls to earth, so the ups and downs each one of us experiences in life determines the character that we too will end up with.

Like snowflakes, each of us has many facets. Not in the course of hours or days, as with the snowflake, but over the years of our life.
As scientist and snow specialist Kenneth Libbrecht points out, the tremendously symmetrical snowflakes we tend to see in illustrations are the exception rather than the rule.

“Don’t be fooled by the pictures,” writes Libbrecht on his website snowcrystals.com. “Irregular crystals are by far the most common type. If you don’t believe me, just take a look for yourself next time it snows. Near-perfect, symmetrical snow crystals are fun to look at, but they are not common.”
In fact, there probably isn’t such a thing as a 100% perfect snowflake. Somewhere, in all that wondrous crystalline perfection, a tiny flaw is always hiding. The same goes for us. We have all missed the mark, we have all sinned (Romans 3:23)

This time when we have snow is for you and I to relize that God has created each snowflake unique and special. Just like he has created you unique and special.
As white snow blankets the ground, we are reminded of God and His purity and His perfection. The complexity and beauty of each single snowflake only hints at His transcendent intelligence and creativity. We hunker down and snuggle in.

Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together. Same for believers, we are fragile and we will not be able to withstand the wiles of the adversary alone. We must depend solely on Christ. We cant think that we can do it on our own we must stick together. If we stick together on moral issues and issues that we face we can make a huge difference in the world that we live in.

There are some basic life lessons that we can learn from the snowflake. If we apply them to our lives we will no just be hears of the word but doers of the word.

Be unique
Every snowflake has it’s own shape and look. So should you! Accept yourself and be yourself. Everyone is different and should remain that way.

Work with others/Work with others
One flake doesn’t fall during a storm, millions do. As they build up and stick together, they accomplish a lot. Billions of the can become inches, maybe even feet tall and blanket miles upon miles. If you want to achieve success and change your life, you will need help from others eventually.

You can be small but powerful
Snowflakes are very small but very powerful. They’re extremely delicate but can shut down whole cities and states. You may be “weak” physically but mentally you can be strong.

Take your time
Unless wind is pushing them, snowflakes usually take their time to get to their destination. Don’t rush through life, it’s the journey that’s important, not the destination.

Divert away from your planned route
Most snowflakes are supposed to land on the ground and may be headed that way when they’re falling. But sometimes they land in trees, lakes, or the street. They go with the flow and are very flexible. It’s great if you have planned out your time and life, but events are going to throw those off course. So be flexible and let certain events take you for a ride.
Bring happiness and enjoyment to others
At times snow can be extremely dangerous, but think about how many times snow has made people happy and joyful. Kids get off from school and spend time sleigh riding, while skiers and snowboarders can hit the slopes. Just the sight of a fresh blanket of snow makes people feel good. You should do the same, make people happy to see and talk to you. Don’t be miserable because you’ll bring those around you down. A smile is contiguous. Try one on today I promise it will make you and others happy to see you. A smile is translated the same in all languages.

Life is short
Snowflakes don’t last that long. Frequently they melt the instant they hit the ground, but they’ve had a interesting journey. Cherish your life and every minute you have. Every day is a Gift from God!

I will add verses later

So the next time you see snow, I pray that you will remember that “all good and perfect gifts come from above” and the God has blessed you. Each snow flake is to remind us to depend on him even more. Now, Let it Snow, let it snow, let it snow!



Ptolemy Tompkins
Libbrecht on his website snowcrystals.com

Thought for this New Year

Deuteronomy 11:11-12 (New American Standard Bible)

11"But the land into which you are about to cross to possess it, a land of hills and valleys, drinks water from the rain of heaven,12 land for which the LORD your God cares; the eyes of the LORD your God are always on it, from the beginning even to the end of the year.

Today, dear friends, we stand upon the verge of the unknown. There lies before us the new year and we are going forth to possess it. Who can tell what we shall find? What new experiences, what changes shall come, what new needs shall arise? But here is the cheering, comforting, gladdening message from our heavenly Father, "The Lord thy God careth for it." "His eyes are upon it away to the ending of the year."
All our supply is to come from the Lord. Here are springs that shall never dry; here are fountains and streams that shall never be cut off. Here, anxious one, is the gracious pledge of die heavenly Father. If He be the source of our mer¬cies they can never fail us. No heat, no drought can parch that river, "the streams whereof make glad the city of God."
The land is a land of hills and valleys. It is not all smooth nor all downhill. If life were all one dead level of dull sameness it would oppress us; we want the hills and the valleys. The hills collect the rain for a hundred fruitful valleys. Ah, so it is with us! It is the hill difficulty that drives us to the throne of grace and brings down the shower of blessing; the hills, the bleak hills of life that we wonder at and perhaps grumble at, bring down the showers. How many have perished in the wilderness, buried under its golden sands, who would have lived and thriven in the hill country; how many would have been killed by the frost, blighted with winds, swept desolate of tree and fruit but for the hill—stern, hard, rugged, so steep to climb. God's hills are a gracious protection for His people against their foes!
We cannot tell what loss and sorrow and trial are doing. Trust only. The Father comes near to take our hand and lead us on our way today. It shall be a good, a blessed new year!
He leads us on by paths we did not know; Upward He leads us, though our steps be slow, Though oft we faint and falter on the way, Though storms and darkness oft obscure the day;
Yet when the clouds are gone, We know He leads us on.
He leads us on through all the unquiet years; Past all our dreamland hopes, and doubts and fears, He guides our steps, through all the tangled maze Of losses, sorrows, and o'er clouded days;
We know His will is done;
And still He leads us on.
N. L. Zinzendorf
Streams in The Dessert

SAYINGS NOT IN THE BIBLE: God Works in Mysterious Ways

God works in mysterious ways Though uncertain in origin and certainly not found in Scripture (the phrase may originate from William Cowper's hymn "God Moves in a Mysterious Way"), that God does work in ways curious and beyond the measure of our limited experience and conception is obvious. Deuteronomy 29:29 reminds us that: The secret things belong to the Lord our God. The final chapters of Job present God's reprimand of Job wherein He asks how Job could possibly understand or judge the reasons for God's actions (Job being so far removed from God in power, wisdom, and longevity).

And perhaps the biggest mystery is revealed us in Romans 8:28. And we know that all thing work together for the good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Though we may not understand the purpose of our circumstances in God's plan, we are assured that every detail will work for the benefit of the Redeemed

Who is Jesus

Found this thought you might be intrested ---

IN CHEMISTRY, HE TURNED WATER TO WINE.

IN BIOLOGY, HE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE NORMAL CONCEPTION;

IN PHYSICS, HE DISAPPROVED THE LAW OF GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND WHEN HE WALKED ON WATER;

IN ECONOMICS, HE DISAPPROVED THE LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURN BY FEEDING 5000 MEN WITH TWO FISHES & 5 LOAVES OF BREAD;

IN MEDICINE, HE CURED THE SICK AND THE BLIND WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS,

IN HISTORY, HE IS THE BEGINNING & THE END;

IN GOVERNMENT, HE SAID THAT HE SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE;

IN RELIGION HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM
WHO IS HE? (JESUS).

The 3 Wisemen

The Three Wisemen During the advent season it is quite common to hear people tell the story of the three wise men, who, following the Star of Bethlehem, traveled from Babylonia on camels to present gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the infant Jesus. This story, however, has just as much mythology as biblical truth.

The Gospel of Matthew is the only place in Scripture that refers to these magi. The text is as follows:

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

"'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.'"

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.

Matthew 2:1-12, 16 esv

First of all, Scripture does not designate the number of magi. Traditionally there were only three because that is the number of gifts—gold and frankincense and myrrh—presented to the Christ Child. Really there could have been any number of magi visiting Christ.

A famous hymn often sung during the advent season is "We Three Kings" by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. (1857). The first stanza goes as follows:

We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

Though this well-cherished song refers to the three "kings" there is no evidence which supports that these magi were in fact kings. These magi were wise men who were probably experts in astrology and oneirocriticism (interpretation of dreams), such as the wise men described in Daniel 2. Of twenty translations surveyed, thirteen referred to the magi as "wise men" (asv, cev, Douay-Rheims, esv, hcsb, kjv, ncv, net, njb, nkjv, nlt, nrsv, and rsv), five called them "magi" or "mages" (Darby, nasb, niv, tniv, and ylt), J.B. Phillips names them "astrologers," and the Message, "a band of scholars."

Another possible misnomer is that the wise men were present at the birth of Christ (or shortly thereafter), presenting gifts to the Christ Child in the manger. The evangelist Luke tells us that shepherds visited the Christ Child in the manger (Luk 2:8-20), but there is no mention of the magi at this point. In fact it seems that the magi could have arrived sometime later according to Matthew's account. Matthew 2:11 states that they entered a house (Gk. oikia) which is distinct from a manger (Gk. phatnê). Matthew 2:16 makes reference to Herod confiscating life from all the male children in and around Bethlehem "according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men." Therefore the magi may have arrived circa two years after Christ's birth, despite the traditional timing of twelve days later (January 6th is date that the magi arrived, however, this is working from the false premise that Christ was born on December 25th).

Some accounts of the "three" wise men are accompanied with their names: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. The earliest reference to these names is from Excerpta Latina Barbari, which is a Latin translation of an early sixth century Greek manuscript. The names seem to be purely tradition as they do not have an early witness.

Something else to consider is the origin of the wise men. Some have attributed it to Babylonia or simply Persia based on the term magi, yet Matthew leaves it ambiguous by stating that they came "from the east."

As a note of interest, Josephus, the first century Jewish historian, records several portents or omens that foretold the war with Rome and the destruction of the Temple in a.d. 70.

Thus there was a star resembling a sword, which stood over the city, and a comet, that continued a whole year. (Josephus, War 289)

This event would have occurred in a.d. 66, and it is possible that Josephus merely included this incident from the prior account of the star at Christ's birth in order to strengthen his pro-Roman argument.

When all is said and done, the only impeccable information which we can obtain regarding the magi is the very words of Scripture.