Thursday, February 18, 2010

Sharing my faith...

I have to admit that I have not been the most faithful blogger as of late. Believe me, I have beaten myself up at times for not spending more time here. I have so much to share and don't seem to have, or should I say take the time to write.

Fortunately this winter has proven far better work wise, so my free time during the day is more limited. Taking care of my body by keeping it in shape takes about an hour a night, then there is dinner, and relaxing of an evening. Oh... and then there is Facebook. Yes, the dreaded Facebook - that some may say is good, some may say it's a curse, some may say it's a waste of time. It might be all of those things, depending on how the person uses this form of communication. What I have found is that I am sharing my faith with more people via Facebook than through my blog. Now, that does not mean I am going to stop blogging. I love blogland, and many of my bloggy sisters are also my Facebook "friends".

I have a lot of Facebook "friends". And I have to use that term loosely as many of them are acquaintances. Many are former high school classmates and I always accept a friend request from a high school chum as I am part of our reunion committees each eyar. Many are work acquaintaces - fellow realtors, mortgage and title professionals. A lot of my cycling buds and acquaintances, church friends, our friend's kids who have "friended" me. And A LOT of relatives. It's been a great way to stay in touch w/ cousins, Aunts, Uncles, nieces and nephews.

One of the blessings that has come from Facebook is sharing my faith. I have no fear posting about my love for Jesus Christ, or how the Lord has touched my life. Yes, my faith posts are mingled in with posts about cycling, the Olympics, my family, my dog, my husband... but those posts are reaching people. And God is using these posts to glorify His name and reach those who might not otherwise seek Him or feel comfortable asking questions.

One of my FB friends... she and her husband are now coming to church with us. Another High School friend of mine sent a message asking about my church, my faith etc because he and his wife are looking for a church. I am praying they find the church where God wants them to be and continue checking in with them. I get thank you's, amens from fellow believers... but I am also getting thank you's from many who's faith is not so strong... from those who are seeking. From those who are hurting. I am getting prayer requests and I feel blessed that God is using me in this way!

Yes, there are days that I am shocked to see what people say in their status posts! Especially the younger generation. Pictures and posts that break my heart and I know break God's heart.

So friends I ask this of you... pray for those who use FB for anything that is not God-pleasing. Pray that He continues to use His people to spread the good news and share Jesus with their FB "friends". Pray that if someone reaches out to a Christian that God does the talking/typing and the work... that it's about Him!
I hope if you are using FB... .that you are finding it a blessing. That it's not something that has taken you captive and bound you in chains. I know in recent years some of my bloggy sisters have taken breaks from blogland as they were spending so much time hopping from blog to blog. I know I have been guilty of that in blogland as well as FB at times.
I pray this day finds you doing well... that you continue to seek Him above all things...
I miss being here, and miss visiting your blogs on a regular basis. Perhaps God has me sitting in FB land & absent from for a reason right now...

Much Love to all of you! You are all dear and I can say I miss posting and hearing from you. The one thing I have learned... when you stop posting in blogland - you stop hearing from your bloggy sisters. I know it's a electronic community and not like the friendships I have that are in the flesh... but you are dearly loved by me my sisters!


8 comments:

Cindy said...

I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook. Many times I have been tempted to deactivate my page and go away but I stay because I'm my kids' "friend" and it is another way for me to see what they are up to.

I hear you about what the younger people post. It breaks my heart too.

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

Awh...I LOVE seeing a blog update from you!

I count it such joy that I can connect with you here...and on fb.

Praying you are having a BLESSED week?

p.s. glad to hear work has been godo this winter. :-)

Beth Herring said...

It's always good to read a post from you - hope you are having a great week!

Paula said...

I like Facebook, but I like blogging and my Yahoo groups better. And I like seeing my friends in "real life" best of all. Hope I get to see you this summer. We'll be "home" in June for my parents' 50th anniversary!

Donna's Book Nook said...

I am on facebook, but I don't check it every day, and so I probably miss a lot. I use it mostly to stay in touch with previous co-workers and friends, many of whom do not live close.

I do miss you in blogland. I've probably missed a lot of your fb posts; do a lot of people respond by private message? Just curious.

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Well, I'll concede my fb time to you, sister. I spend very little time there, but when it's a good way to lead my "friends" over to my blog which I where I concentrate most of my time. I know more people do fb, but I just can't write as much as I would like there. I have connected with some old friends, even some of my 3rd grade students who are now in college. So, it's all a forum for communication, and when used for Jesus, then all the more!

I love keeping up with you anyway I can get you. I'm not always here, because I don't monitor the following thing. I just click around on impulse, and since you haven't been writing as much lately, I sometimes come in late.

I'm glad to hear that business is better! I've prayed for both you and Jim along these lines. Thank God for his continuing faithfulness in your lives. You are good people. Thanks for letting your light shine everyday. These are good days to be yoked alongside you for kingdom gain.

peace~elaine

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I thought I left a comment on this post already. Oh well, just checking in to say "hi." Hope you have a great week, friend.

Love you.

peace~elaine

Amanda Taylor said...

hi i ran across your blog when i was on the LPM blog. i really enjoyed this post. I have found recently that God has been using both my blog and facebook to share my faith with others. i love hearing that he is using the internet medium for his glory. thanks for sharing.

~Amanda Taylor