Category Archives: Musings
5 lessons from my time away from Facebook & Twitter
Back in January our church entered into a 21 day corporate fast where we intentionally gave up something, whether it was food or technology in a desire to seek after God is a special way. Part of my personal fast was 21 days away from Facebook and Twitter – which I did except for a brief moment to post about Church at the Joe. I’ve took a little time to reflect in what I learned by taking a break from social networking. Here are five lessons:
1.) Social Networking (Facebook and Twitter etc.) are great tools, but can be consuming.
When I stopped using Facebook cold turkey, I realized how attached I was to it. In my case I wasn’t and obsessive Facebook user, but I certainly spent too much time on it. I deleted both Facebook and Twitter from my phone – which in my down time I would by habit always start browsing through newsfeeds and timelines. There is nothing inherently wrong with it, except that it took time and focus away from my family when I was home that belonged to them. I didn’t realize how much I was stealing from them. I haven’t put the apps back on my phone.
2.) We managed to survive three weeks without knowing what and where each other were eating.
Seriously, is there area our lives more vanity filled than our Facebook and Twitter accounts? Whether it is our profile pictures, info sections, or our posting the play by play of the mundane of our lives – it really is a bit silly. Eating a sandwich at Subway. Ran 2 miles on the treadmill. Long line at Wal-Mart. My, that was a refreshing drink of water. Ever witnessed a “one upping” conversation where people keep trying to top each other’s stories? Facebook can be one giant “one upping” conversation. For the record – cute pictures of your kids don’t qualify as vanity 
3.) “ ________________ and you are not friends”.
The new Facebook Timeline profile has a way of unintentionally dealing out some hard news. I know I’m a grown man and all that stuff, but it still stung deeply recently when I got de-friended by someone I care about. A tough decision I made hurt them – I get it, but Facebook just says it so bluntly.
4.) Social Networking has changed everything.
Everything! The way I hear the news. They way I find out someone died. The way we market and do business. The way we communicate. The way your extended family sees your kids grow up. The way people try to persuade you to their point of view. This is just a few of the areas it has totally changed our world. Today there are over 800 million Facebook users and 200 million Twitter users. One Billion people using social networking sites changes the way everything works. It’s just integrated into my life now. Today I communicated with people by phone, e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, paper letter, text messaging and in person. Amazing how differently we interact today than just 20 years ago.
5.) Reducing my Facebok and Twitter time has been VERY healthy.
During my social media fast I spent more time talking with my wife, playing with Rylee, reading books – including the Bible. It was soul cleansing. It was great for my relationship with Julie. It helped me a better father. I spent more time with God. I wasn’t preoccupied with what was going on at 12:41pm in everyone else’s life, nor did I post what I was doing at 12:41pm. All of which was healthy for me spiritually and relationally. So, I’ve significantly reduced my interaction with both Twitter and Facebook. They are too beneficial to abandon, but they are not essential to my life. I don’t plan on putting Twitter or Facebook back on my phone anytime soon. The reduction in notifications has been a good thing. A really good thing.
- Brad
Daddy, hold my hand.
Recently I’ve been in a situation where I have to make some really big, really important decisions. The toughest decisions aren’t usually between good and bad things. The tough decisions are when you have to choose between two good things, or even more daunting – two great things.
I felt lead to do three things in this process. 1) Pray. 2) Read the books of Proverbs. 3) Journal those prayers and insights from Proverbs. I’ve been stuck in Proverbs chapter 3, meditating and praying through three relatively familiar verses, verses 5-7.
“5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes…”
This morning I was focusing on verse 6. I was writing in my journal that I need not be preoccupied with what I think, what others think, but to be tuned into what God thinks. Not what God thinks of me, but what the heart of God is concerning the tough decisions I’m wrestling with. I was making a note on how if I made God’s heart in this decision my focus, then I would be guided on the right path.
At that moment Rylee, my 2 year old daughter, walked up next to me and said, “Daddy, hold my hand.” She was putting on shoes that were too big for her to wear and needed stability so that she wouldn’t fall. Without hesitation she sat the shoes next to me and asked me to hold her hand. I held her hand, and she slipped on the high heeled shoes that were too big for her to wear without a problem. She had no stress, no worries. Why? Because she knew that all she had to do was ask daddy to hold her hand.
My 2 year old realizes a simple profound truth that this 30 year-old forgets so often. When you have a problem, when you have something in front of you that is way too big for you to deal with on your own – ask Daddy to hold your hand. After all, daddy is never too busy to hold his daughter’s hand when she asks.
Do you have something in front of you that is overwhelming? A big decision? A difficult circumstance you need help getting through? Ask your heavenly Father to hold your hand – He’s never too busy for His children.
- Brad
The proper response to the Gospel
There have been numerous occasions where I have caught Rylee, my 2 year-old, about to do something she shouldn’t do. I’ll say, “Rylee, NO – don’t touch that, or don’t do that”. To which she looks at me and does it anyway. When she rebels and disobeys me I begin walking toward her to swat her hand, or put her in timeout.
While I begin to walk to her, she usually begins to run…not away from me…but toward me with her arms held up.
After I discipline her, and she dramatically squalls, she curls up in my arms and lays her head on my shoulder. Why does she run toward me, then hold me after I’ve disciplined her instead of running away? Because she knows I love her. So she doesn’t run away from the discipline – but towards her father.
And that is exactly how we should respond to the Gospel. Are you running from God – trying to get away from Him? Then you don’t understand Gospel Love. If you understood how much God loves you, you’d run to Him.
Stop running away from God, and run toward Him – arms held high.
Yes, it will hurt in the beginning. But soon you’ll find the most loving embrace wrapped up in your Savior’s arms.
- Brad
I love you daddy
Yesterday my daughter, Rylee uttered the words “I love you daddy” for the first time. It was in the parking lot of Gatti’s pizza of all places. I kissed her and made a big deal of it, which prompted her to smile as if she had just won the Pulitzer prize…as far as I am concerned I had just won the prize. It took her a little over two years to say “I love you daddy”. She doesn’t even fully know what it means, but hears me and mommy say it enough to repeat it back to us.
It got me to thinking…
I’ve been telling Rylee I love her since before she was born. I’ve loved Rylee since the beginning – and there was nothing Rylee did to earn my love. I love her because she’s mine. She knows I love her, but has no idea as to the depths that I love her. She knows we get her food, clothing and toys – but has no knowledge of the other things we do for her. She knows to come running to daddy and mommy when she is scared or hurt. She doesn’t know that daddy and mommy would give our lives up in the blink of an eye to protect her. As she grows she’ll have the propensity to make us proud, and yet hurt us deeply too. Regardless of whether she is making us proud, or wounding us with rebellion – we’ll love her.
And that’s how your heavenly Father feels about you. He has been loving you since before you were born, “For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13 Our Father’s love has been steadfast since the beginning, “As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you.” John 15:9 Our Father was willing to give up His Son because of His love for us, “For God so love the world that He gave his one and only son…” John 3:16 Our Father has loved us despite of ourselves, “But God, who is abundant in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses.” Ephesians 2:4-5.
So tell your heavenly Father…your abba “daddy” Father you love Him today, but remember – He’s been loving you all along.
- Brad
Updates and the such
- Thank you to all who helped bring awareness to the epidemic of Human Trafficking last week. If we all do a little, we have a huge impact. Also, thanks to those who gave to help support the A21 campaign, and organizational committed to the abolition of young women. We were able to give just under $1,000 to this cause.
- I’m loving the move to weekly services at Discovery Church. We’re discussing our core values, and how they guide us in our “In Rhythm” series. You can watch the teaching and download the weekly study guides at www.thediscoverychurch.net
- I keep hearing stories of people who are unchurched, or who have been out of church for a long time, coming to Discovery Church and wanting to come back because they are accepted, they understand it, and they actually like it….imagine the that…people liking church! One guy told me, “it doesn’t feel like a chore here”.
- When you know you are following God and so many good things are happening in people’s lives, it makes the criticism roll of your back so much easier and quicker.
- I’m 30 now. I don’t feel old, but it did occur to me that I remember my parents when they were in their 30s…it seems like it was just yesterday. Time goes by so fast, we have to make the most of it. I also told God about 8 years ago that I’d like to plant a church when I was 30. I feel like He said Happy Birthday to me in a big way this month.
- My wife through a surprise party for me. She is awesome like that. Her cake was something you’d see on Ace of Cakes too.
- We have room for 2 more people in my young leaders coaching group. HERE is more information on it.
Have a Great Day!
- Brad
Today is about Freedom
Today is about answering the call to Be Freedom for someone who needs it! We’ve discussed the issue of human trafficking for several days – now is the time for action. The plan is simple:
27 Million people are in caught in the human trafficking industry today. We are going to do something about it. Partnering with the A21 campaign I’m asking 250 people to give $21 to bring freedom to young women trapped in slavery. We’re making it easy for you to BE FREEDOM today. First, You can give $21 dollars online HERE through the Discovery Church website. 100% of everything that is given will go to fight trafficking and rescue women. Second, spread the word through Facebook and Twitter. Make a difference in someone’s life today. Be freedom for someone like Lillia:
Be Freedom Video Blog
Be a part of someone’s freedom. Help spread the word about human trafficking. Give $21 this Friday. Write a note of encouragement. Join the movement.
