Apple, Taylor Guitars, Spotify and Twitter

Typically when I write a blog post, it is to inspire not only others, but myself. I write it, then read it and hopefully I myself will change.

If you were to ask my friends what I’m passionate about, they would immediately shout “Apple Products”, some would say music, and those that follow me on twitter would say “recently, spotify”. I’ve noticed that when I’m passionate about something, I tend to talk about it..... a lot. Going a step further, I tend to try and get others to be passionate about the same things. When I first came to Carterville Christian Church there was one apple user in the building..... me. Within the first year, the youth minister was buying his first mac. Soon after the administrative assistant purchased one. I’m now in my sixth year of ministry and every staff member uses a apple computer, several volunteers are flaunting the fruit sticker on their car and it all started with passion.

Unfortunately when it comes to talking about Christ, I’m not as expressive. It comes so naturally to talk about apple, but when it comes to Christ, (as my friend Matt says) “I lock up like a cheap computer”.

Maybe you’ve felt the same way.

The reasoning for this comes in many forms.

1. I don’t know how

So you don’t talk about your faith because you have trouble memorizing the “Sinner’s Prayer”? Well there’s good news! You can memorize the “Sinner’s Prayer” by looking it up in the book of..... oh wait, it is found NO WHERE in the bible. There isn’t a special incantation or poem you need to learn in order to lead someone to Christ. It is quite simple, we are to call people to “believe” in the Lord Jesus (Acts 16:31), “repent... and be immersed... for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16)

In addition to what God’s word says, if you are a Christian then you have the experience of YOUR experience. You know how you came to a relationship with Christ. Even if it was through a “Sinner’s Prayer,” at some point you came to believe in the Lord Jesus, repented and hopefully was baptized (if not we need to talk).

1. I don’t know enough

When it comes to taylor guitars and music equipment in general, I tend to be less evangelistic. Mostly it comes from my lack of knowledge. I LOVE music gear but when it comes to knowing the ins and outs of it, I fall short. You may feel this way about the Bible. You don’t feel like you can tell people about Christ because you don’t know enough. However, there is a simple remedy for this.... start reading. Instead of going to ESPN.com on your lunch break to read about the latest NFL news, go to http://eatyourbible.com and read through the book of Matthew. The only way to remedy this problem is to study. However, it is possible you will never feel like you know enough. This is a lie the enemy will continue to tell you. I once heard “you can’t lead someone where you’ve never been”. Luckily, if you are a follower of Christ, then you already know enough to get someone where you are.

1. Lack of opportunities

Some might say they don’t have opportunities to share their faith, but that has never stopped me from talking about apple like crazy. The truth is, when you are passionate about something, the opportunities will find you. When someone asks me “I need a new computer, what should I get?” I take a deep breath, smile and say.... “glad you asked”. If you are passionate about Christ, then it will be on your lips naturally. People will know your passion because it is contagious.

So there you have it!! The next time someone asks you why you are the way your are, you can take a deep breath, smile and say.... “glad you asked”.

Facebook: 5 Negatives & 5 Positives

Facebook is a interesting service. It has positives and negatives, but either are mostly up to how you choose to use it. Let me first apologize that I only blog once every four months and each post is quite lengthy.

Negatives:

1. False sense of community

example:

Joe: Hey lets go bowling and catch up on things.

Dan: Okay, but I already know that you changed jobs last week, you have two kids who's birthdays are next month, and you ate at taco bell yesterday and it gave you indigestion.

Okay so maybe not the best example, but Facebook seems to allow people to interact without actually interacting. You can feel like you are involved in peoples lives without any true relationship. I read once in a book that Air Conditioning and Garage Doors are at fault for not knowing the names of your neighbors. Let me explain. Before Air Conditioning, you would sit on the porch to catch the cool breeze and end up talking to your neighbors who were doing the same. Facebook has allowed you to know someone without ever talking to them face to face. One word…. sad.

2. Gossip

example:

Joe: Did you hear that Sandy and Chuck broke up?

Dan: Yea, I saw it a few days ago.

Joe: Yea, last week Sandy's Facebook said she's no longer in a relationship with Chuck and then she soon after changed it to "in a relationship with Philip" that is some crazy stuff.

Dan: Juicy!

Facebook has once again made it so so easy to gossip about people. Now I suppose if they wanted it kept a secret than they shouldn't put it out on Facebook for the world to see, but…. that brings me to negative number 3 ;-)

3. Public Image

No example, just an explanation. It is already happening, and soon will be the norm that employers will require you to show them your Facebook page as part of the interview process. Those pictures of "Spring Break" that you posted because you thought they were funny could possibly keep you from getting a job. Now since this is the blog of a worship minister I would assume most of you would never do such a thing…. at least I hope not. But it doesn't even have to be crazy pictures, it could simply be how you come across as a person online. Do your Facebook status updates make you look good or just that you want the world to know you have gone to the bathroom and you're proud of it?

4. Secret Relationships

This one is particularly sad. Facebook is the ultimate way to connect with old friends. It can also be the ultimate way for you to have intimate connections with someone other than your spouse. If you are communicating regularly with someone of the opposite sex that isn't your spouse then STOP! You may think it is innocent, but you are investing in a relationship that could go somewhere it shouldn't. Why don't you post a message to your husband or wife instead. Tell them how stressed you are, what is going on in your life that you can't handle. THEY are the ones you should share your life with, not your old boyfriend or girlfriend from High School.

5. Noise

This typically occurs when people use Facebook in a way it was not intended. People begin to accept friend requests from EVERYONE who asks, even if they have no clue who the person is. What this does is cause your "news" feed to be worthless. You are now seeing status updates from random strangers who think they may have met you one time at a concert. Facebook then simply becomes noise. You may try to create groups of your real friends to provide some clarity, but you have already ruined the opportunity to get the full value out of the service.

Okay, enough negatives…. now the positives.

1. Crowd Sourcing

If by chance number five on the negative list is totally you, then there is one way you can use it to your advantage. Crowd sourcing, it is the art of using the "power of the crowd" to answer questions, get help with something, or even start a poll. If this is you, then try it…. ask a multiple choice question like "Should I buy a Xbox, PS3 or Wii" and watch the commenting begin!

2. Community

If used properly Facebook can be used to assist in real community. Plan get togethers, connect with old friends and plan lunch. Facebook doesn't have to be the beginning and end of the conversation, let it be the beginning and finish it in person.

3. Reuniting Old Friends

Haven't talked to your High School choir teach since High School? Now you can. If not abused, this is a great way to link up with those you have lost communication with.

4. Communication

You can use Facebook to communicate important information about your business or family. If your family lives far away, Facebook is a great way to share pictures, videos and funny things you heard your kids say. If you are a business you can communicate sales and other important information to your customers. Individual websites are becoming less and less relevant because Facebook communication meets people where they already are without having to type in YOUR specific web address.

(Shameless Plug)

If you would like to keep up to date with things going on at Carterville Christian Church then follow us on Facebook. Simply search for Carterville Christian

5. Circle of influence

Some of you have over 800 Facebook friends. Do you realize that you have a larger circle of influence then most churches? If you have more than 800 friends, a single status update will be seen by more people than most pastors talk to on a Sunday morning. You have a "Mega Church" of influence. What are you using your status updates for?

I hope this was insightful and interesting. There are may more I could write about but five positive and five negative are plenty. I would love to know your thoughts in the comments section.

Thanks for reading

Brad