Facebook--Entertaining or Ensnaring?

Yesterday I saw a news report that many teenagers are becoming depressed from viewing the happy photos and reading the positive posts on their friends’ Facebook pages. Called “Facebook envy,” jealousy is emerging in both adults and children who imagine that their friends have amazing lives and perfect relationships. Although such perceptions are always more fantasy than fact, such thoughts profoundly affect many who negatively compare their own disappointing circumstances.

Facebook can reveal what’s in our hearts. It’s so easy to be ensnared by attitudes such as these:

Sleeping Air Traffic Controllers

You were likely as appalled as I am with the thought of an air traffic controller sleeping on the job. How scary to realize that there was no guidance for pilots attempting to land at Reagan National Airport in DC! Two commercial jets apparently landed without guidance after numerous attempts to contact the control tower were unsuccessful.

I saw a news report Thursday evening about a new generation of air traffic controllers in training to replace the aging group now in place. My first reaction was that I wouldn’t ever want their jobs because of the heavy responsibility involved.

God’s Spirit immediately impressed me with the reminder that our responsibility as Christians is even more critical. We alone have the good news of Jesus, the way to life. If we aren’t pointing the way, what happens to those trying to find a safe place to land?

Why are you and I often asleep on duty?

Cleansing the Soul and the Spring Equinox

Monday’s Dallas Morning News’ contained an article “Clearing the Air for Spring.” The accompanying photograph featured a woman from the Jung Society inhaling smoke while saying a cleansing and smoke prayer, described as a way to cleanse the soul. How can smoke purify something intangible and eternal?

Historically, the equinox has been associated with pagan rituals and nature worship. Instead, we might use it as a time to adore the Creator by cleaning our souls as an act of worship, particularly if we don’t do so for Lent.

The rebirth of nature reminds us of the resurrection of Christ, who died and returned to life by the power of God’s Spirit. We, too, share in his resurrection—now as we live a new life, dead to our old selves, and at Jesus’ return when our bodies will be raised. “By his great mercy he gave us new birth through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Pet. 1:3b).

As people who have risen from death to new life, let’s do some soul-cleansing, knowing that only God can wash us through the death and resurrection of Jesus. 1 John 1:9: “But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.”

Here are some questions that allow God access to areas in my life which may need cleansing. (There are too many to put them all!)

Decisions, decisions, decisions!

My recent Tapestry blog on waiting elicited a comment about decision-making. The author suggested that we must not wait to be 100% sure before making a decision. Such thinking had immobilized him in fear of making the wrong choice.

I agree—God expects us to act and not sit back out of fear. He isn’t playing a game with us to hide his will from us. He wants us to seek him in prayer, to apply his word, to act in accordance with his character, and to seek godly counsel—and then to move on, not waiting on some sign or feeling. He is capable of stopping us if we choose the wrong path after genuinely seeking his will.

However, when God sends us warnings that we ignore or when we fail to seek his guidance, we can’t expect him to stop us. People pray for closed doors, but generally he gives wisdom instead of closed doors. We must take time to listen and seek counsel from his word and his people instead of seeking a shortcut—a closed door.

Yesterday a friend asked me why I am writing a book.

Encouraging Words that Don't Encourage

Have people ever tried to encourage you but missed the mark, perhaps leaving you less encouraged?

Last week my book was rejected by a major publisher. Although I knew it was a longshot, deep inside I hoped that God would move them to accept it. Christian publishing is in crisis, and few publishers risk new authors without a built-in following (mega-church pastor, blogger with thousands of readers). My faith knows that God can overcome such obstacles but trusts his plan. His greater will is that I look like Jesus, perhaps involving a lot of rejections.

After receiving the news, I contacted people who have prayed with me about the book. Their responses varied, but my favorite was “Oh pooh!” When we experience disappointment, pain, or loss, it is validating when others mirror our feelings. Expressions of sorrow and disappointment were salve to my wounds.

Although I appreciate every heart-felt response, some of them weren’t quite as uplifting as intended. (My disappointment was minor compared to true hardships, but similar comments either encourage or not.) What kinds of remarks were less than encouraging?

God's "No"

My dog Libby has been on limited activity for eight weeks now from ACL surgery (see blog of 1-17-11, “I Don’t Always Get It”).  One of Libby’s favorite pastimes is watching TV on alert for other animals, particularly dogs. When they show up onscreen, she goes crazy, impulsively jumping up on the chair nearest the television and barking furiously at them. Right now when I have her with me and an animal appears, I scream “NO!” and grab her collar to hold her on my lap. Twice she jumped off so quickly that I was unable to stop her—not healthy for her leg!

Similarly, I can imagine God watching and saying NO to my foolish or dangerous actions.

Spring Cleaning--House and Heart

My mother’s generation believed in a season of spring cleaning, and my sister and I learned to appreciate setting aside a definite time of year for such tasks. We repapered and straightened shelves, gathered old clothes, dusted the ceilings, washed the windows, and generally spruced up the house. The end of our labor gave us a great sense of accomplishment and celebration.

Today begins a spiritual season of house cleaning known as Lent. Why practice Lent?