We live in a self centered society today. If you turn the television on you'll likely see a commercial that's solicited by sex or at least some form of self image (and not in a goldy manner, I might add.) Television shows and movies are about lying, cheating, getting more money, and filled with airbrushed actors in which set the standard for which we are to look. Moms are putting toddlers in pageants with their faces caked with makeup. Children are being taught younger and younger that their self worth is measured by how pretty/handsome they are, the special talents they have, how many people accept them, and how much "stuff" they own. Sure, it helps when a child is loved and nurtured at home and taught that they don't have to fall into the lie, but you nearly have to literally get things out of your life to prevent this from happening.
Now that I'm a mom to a girl and a boy, Grant and I feel double the responsibility to teach not only Raylea to love and honor her body and to be modest in this day and time; but also to teach Jack that he needs to treat women with respect and also keep both of their hearts protected from the sins the devil would love them to be involved in. I pray always not only my children will have a young salvation and have a special anointing on their lives, but that they will love the Lord their God with all of their heart, with all of their soul, and all their mind. (Matthew 22:37)
I am not one of those people who claim to know all about parenting. I have a ways to go before I am in any position to give advice past potty training and leaning the alphabet. But, one thing I have already got figured out is this- if my kids don't see God in Grant and myself on a daily basis- it won't make a lick of difference how many Bible verses Raylea memorizes, how often we pray together, or even if she has a perfect attendance at church. Those are all important things and even commanded that we do so, but what difference will it make to Raylea if she saw me wear a maxi skirt to church on Sunday and a mini skirt on a date with her daddy. It would make a huge difference- a negative one. Not only is modesty very important to me, but I believe it says a lot about the kind of relationship you have with God. I understand it's hard to find modest clothing these days, being that belly shirts are the thing, but so are chunky sweaters. I'm kind of kidding-- but not really. My point is this, you will use the brain the Lord gave you to ask yourself when you put something on, whether it's a tank top, jeans, or dress- if you feel you are drawing attention to yourself (you know the kind of attention I'm talking about..) then put something else on. Just incase you didn't know, that goes for you boys, too. You want to attract a good, godly girl, right? Well, then stop putting out bait to catch the wrong kind of girl by wearing your muscle shirts. You're welcome. Moving on now.
Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram... there are many more social media sites that YES, can be used as a great mission field by Christians. So, don't get offensive on me and think that I am anti-social media. But, I have learned this past year that my life, personally is much better without those.
Grant and I deleted our accounts we had on a social media site together, and on the same day we called our cable company and had it disconnected. Not saying we will never get cable back, but with all the time and money we've saved by not having it, (not to mention all the junk we haven't had to view-- commercials are awful these days.) I don't see us getting cable again in the near future, and maybe not ever.
There is quite a lot of negative when it comes to these sites, in my opinion.
It's an instant process of being seen by however many people follow, friend or fan you, being "liked" or "retweeted" and instantly gratified. Not all Christians and not all people in general use these sites for those purposes, but being that they are saturated with #selfie and #me I am pretty sure the main purposes for the sites have become sin stricken, just like anything does that doesn't have God in the center of it.
Grant and I deleted our accounts we had on a social media site together, and on the same day we called our cable company and had it disconnected. Not saying we will never get cable back, but with all the time and money we've saved by not having it, (not to mention all the junk we haven't had to view-- commercials are awful these days.) I don't see us getting cable again in the near future, and maybe not ever.
There is quite a lot of negative when it comes to these sites, in my opinion.
It's an instant process of being seen by however many people follow, friend or fan you, being "liked" or "retweeted" and instantly gratified. Not all Christians and not all people in general use these sites for those purposes, but being that they are saturated with #selfie and #me I am pretty sure the main purposes for the sites have become sin stricken, just like anything does that doesn't have God in the center of it.
I fully believe we are drowning in a digital, social-media sea of computer generated, retro-filtered "me" or "about me" portraits or status updates and it's a proof of the takeover of narcissistic traits: displays of pure egocentrism, inordinate self-fascination, exaggerated and excessive preoccupation with vanity. By all appearance of these sites, what's on television and what sells books and magazines, this is an era of "it's all about me." Your car, your kids, your house, your clothes, your newest possessions, your mood, all is seen and nothing is private anymore.
Freshman girl in college whose parents just bought you the 30,000 dollar car, before posting your new "baby" online, think about the girl whose parents are struggling financially and how she had to ride the school bus all through high school because they couldn't afford to buy her a used car. Mom to that toddler, before posting the status update of how frustrated you are at your kid, think of the women who physically can't have a child of their own, and continually long to. Social media is a window into our lives and often times we can hurt others without knowing it or meaning to. I had several women in my life who followed me on my account, and even though my recent pregnancy was a 100% miracle and blessing all in one from God, when I would post a photo that was pregnancy related, I didn't hardly even think about how it made my good friends feel, who couldn't conceive or who are trying to. I'm not saying you need to hide in a hole and hide your blessings, but just pray about the type of things your post and say on your sites to ensure you wouldn't hurt feelings or make anyone feel bad. God wants us to be sensitive to others, so that is a good thing, not bad.
We're losing the value of life and meaningful relationships. Instead of a friend giving you a compliment (or telling you to never wear it again, haha) in person, you either receive a like or not on social media. I've heard even (adults..) talk about not following many people because it helps the ratio of how many followers they have vs. the amount of people they follow in return. So, there's not only a number attached with how many likes or thumbs up you receive, but also how many "friends" you have.
I can't tell you how many times Grant and I have tried to have conversations with each other (when we had social media) or with others and it was hard to get the person to pay 100% attention to you because they had their nose stuck in their phone. Not many people can even carry a conversation anymore because texting is the first option they chose in communicating, which to me, is a one sided conversation, until the other person finds time to respond, if ever.
Some people place an unhealthy amount of self worth in their social media accounts, some could care less about it. How you regulate activity and how it effects you, is between you and God, not me and you.
I am simply stating my concern of the world our children are being brought up in and reminding parents that it's your job to teach your children where their true self-worth comes from--- God!
We plan on raising (and are attempting to do so now!) Raylea, Jack and any other future children to be confident daughters and sons of the King!
As always I appreciate you taking time to read what I have to say and mostly, I hope what I say challenges you to love the Lord more and remember to always allow His love to be ENOUGH. Too often we feel we need extras in our life.
It really is that simple. Phones, internet, television, they are all distractions to some extent. My motto has always been, "if this isn't helping me be a better Christian or helping me live a holy life, then why do I have it?" Whether that is a friendship, a book, a movie, a possession, a social-media site... just ask yourself about ALL of the things in your life that take up any amount of time and if they/it is helping you be better in Christ. If the answer is no, simply get rid of it. You have no time to waste.
God BLESS and make sure YOU bless God!
Freshman girl in college whose parents just bought you the 30,000 dollar car, before posting your new "baby" online, think about the girl whose parents are struggling financially and how she had to ride the school bus all through high school because they couldn't afford to buy her a used car. Mom to that toddler, before posting the status update of how frustrated you are at your kid, think of the women who physically can't have a child of their own, and continually long to. Social media is a window into our lives and often times we can hurt others without knowing it or meaning to. I had several women in my life who followed me on my account, and even though my recent pregnancy was a 100% miracle and blessing all in one from God, when I would post a photo that was pregnancy related, I didn't hardly even think about how it made my good friends feel, who couldn't conceive or who are trying to. I'm not saying you need to hide in a hole and hide your blessings, but just pray about the type of things your post and say on your sites to ensure you wouldn't hurt feelings or make anyone feel bad. God wants us to be sensitive to others, so that is a good thing, not bad.
We're losing the value of life and meaningful relationships. Instead of a friend giving you a compliment (or telling you to never wear it again, haha) in person, you either receive a like or not on social media. I've heard even (adults..) talk about not following many people because it helps the ratio of how many followers they have vs. the amount of people they follow in return. So, there's not only a number attached with how many likes or thumbs up you receive, but also how many "friends" you have.
I can't tell you how many times Grant and I have tried to have conversations with each other (when we had social media) or with others and it was hard to get the person to pay 100% attention to you because they had their nose stuck in their phone. Not many people can even carry a conversation anymore because texting is the first option they chose in communicating, which to me, is a one sided conversation, until the other person finds time to respond, if ever.
Some people place an unhealthy amount of self worth in their social media accounts, some could care less about it. How you regulate activity and how it effects you, is between you and God, not me and you.
I am simply stating my concern of the world our children are being brought up in and reminding parents that it's your job to teach your children where their true self-worth comes from--- God!
We plan on raising (and are attempting to do so now!) Raylea, Jack and any other future children to be confident daughters and sons of the King!
As always I appreciate you taking time to read what I have to say and mostly, I hope what I say challenges you to love the Lord more and remember to always allow His love to be ENOUGH. Too often we feel we need extras in our life.
It really is that simple. Phones, internet, television, they are all distractions to some extent. My motto has always been, "if this isn't helping me be a better Christian or helping me live a holy life, then why do I have it?" Whether that is a friendship, a book, a movie, a possession, a social-media site... just ask yourself about ALL of the things in your life that take up any amount of time and if they/it is helping you be better in Christ. If the answer is no, simply get rid of it. You have no time to waste.
God BLESS and make sure YOU bless God!
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