Preview of my article for this week's church bulletin

Hello, my name is Gina. And I am a Facebook Addict. I know I’m an addict, because what I wanted to write next was...”but I don’t spend as much time on Facebook as some other people!”

Don’t get me wrong, I can list many good things about social networking sites like FaceBook. I have reconnected with old friends all over the country. I am able to share daily contact with distant relatives that I would normally only see a couple times a year. And best of all, I have made closer connections with members of my church family.

I am able to catch a glimpse of my brothers and sisters daily lives. I’m connecting with members of my church family on a more personal level and learning what goes on in their lives during the week. There are opportunities every day to send some cheer, make someone smile, or say ‘you hang in there!’ I’m growing closer to them because I am spending time with them (even though it is through the internet) and learning about them. I know when they are having a good day and when they are having struggles; I know when they have had a great accomplishment. And then when I see them on Sunday, I can’t wait to greet them with a big hug because we shared something during the week.

Wednesday morning an article popped into my inbox about this very subject (Facebook) and it began with this scripture. “They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God.” Nehemiah 9:3

Wow, half a day reading God’s Word and worshiping. How much time am I spending each day reading my Bible and worshiping the Lord? Not a day goes by that I don’t check what my friends have posted on facebook. But do I let a day go by without checking what Jesus has posted in my Faith Book? Am I networking with God? How else am I going to get to know Him on a more personal level?

So, pricked in my heart I started searching through scriptures (on the internet of course!). I was reminded that my personal relationships with my church family are extremely important and necessary, but they are to come second. My personal relationship with God is first. “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” ~ Matthew 22:36-40

So, I have some work to do: some habits to break and some habits to build. Here are my challenges to myself. 1) No facebook before Faith Book – in other words – network with God before networking with friends! Psalms 145:2 ‘Every day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever. 2) Keep an eye on the scale...no, not THAT scale! – But the one that shows where I’m spending my time. I need to make sure it is tipping to the ‘right’ side! Proverbs 3:6 ‘in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.’ 3) Continue networking with my church family. 1Thessalonians 5:11 ‘Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.’

Who else want to join me in this challenge? Facebook friends please feel free to post on my wall to prod me to my goal and send me encouragement!