Inevitable accompaniments.

[faither]

Is it an inevitable accompaniment of the Spirit residing in us to sit infront of a computer day and night.? Or is our relationship with the computer, internet, social media kind of like a drug that takes up all of our time and can't get enough?

I've been taught, Christianity in a nutshell is, "deny self, take up your cross, and follow Him ." Denying self is the continually surrendered life. Taking up our cross is helping others carry their burdens. Following Him is a continual state of repeating the first two.

Your thoughts?

 

[bobinfaith]

Hello faither;

Thank you for opening your thread, Inevitable accompaniments.

I was saved when I was 9 years old in 1966 and for the next 30 years, yes to your first question. It may not have been electronics but it was another form of distraction. I have to admit many of them were fun and after my wife and I were married in 1985 we still sampled the thrills of the world. As church goers, doers and joiners of our faith we were still entertained on the outside. So yes, to your first question. We couldn't get enough.

When I think of inevitable accompaniments, I have to agree because along with my selfish attitude I feel God allowed me free will, but His protection was always there as He was building me up with the growing pains and school of hard knocks in my faith as well as my wife.

The setbacks, sudden disasters, the death of my mother and my wife's parents, temptations of sin, how did I respond to the inevitable accompaniments in my life with Christ, or without Christ?

As the years continued to pass and as we got older in our late 20s and 30s, we loved the church body, Bible studies, inreach and outreach. We aren't bad people, I didn't go looking for a fight or commit evil upon others, but I wasn't denying self for Christ.

Still, God kept my wife and me safe, we prospered in our careers and gave our time to help others and one day He will reveal this answer to my question.

It was in our mid 30s that the mix of everything in our lives came to a head, so to speak. When we go before God one day, what accountability will I give Him? Will Jesus say He knew me everytime I shouted Lord, Lord?

We began to receive some great ministering from our pastor, marriage counselor and other seasoned men and women of God. It was then we began to get a grip on surrendered life, denying self and following Christ, not just on Sundays or fellowship time but daily, hourly, minute by minute and every second.

You know what, faither, it works!

From that moment we never looked back because we received the support of other Christians to hold my wife and I, and our marriage accountable.

We still encounter the setbacks and sudden disappointments of life, but the inevitable accompaniments has given us perspective and in responding to every circumstance, knowing our Lord and Savior is with us, through it all.

In 2004 I enrolled at seminary and by 2019 I graduated 3 times, Praise His Wonderful Name!

After 26 years in the pastoral ministry I'm stepping down this Sunday as a younger, fine man of God will succeed me as the new lead pastor.
In 2022 my new role with the church has already begun in the community of outreach/evangelism.

For years my wife didn't feel competent being a "pastor's wife" but through it all she has grown with a shepherd's heart toward ministering to women.

You wrote, "deny self, take up your cross, and follow Him ." Denying self is the continually surrendered life. Taking up our cross is helping others carry their burdens. Following Him is a continual state of repeating the first two.

I couldn't agree more.

Thank you for opening this topic.

God bless you, faither, and your whole family.

 

[Major]

Hello faither;

Thank you for opening your thread, Inevitable accompaniments.

I was saved when I was 9 years old in 1966 and for the next 30 years, yes to your first question. It may not have been electronics but it was another form of distraction. I have to admit many of them were fun and after my wife and I were married in 1985 we still sampled the thrills of the world. As church goers, doers and joiners of our faith we were still entertained on the outside. So yes, to your first question. We couldn't get enough.

When I think of inevitable accompaniments, I have to agree because along with my selfish attitude I feel God allowed me free will, but His protection was always there as He was building me up with the growing pains and school of hard knocks in my faith as well as my wife.

The setbacks, sudden disasters, the death of my mother and my wife's parents, temptations of sin, how did I respond to the inevitable accompaniments in my life with Christ, or without Christ?

As the years continued to pass and as we got older in our late 20s and 30s, we loved the church body, Bible studies, inreach and outreach. We aren't bad people, I didn't go looking for a fight or commit evil upon others, but I wasn't denying self for Christ.

Still, God kept my wife and me safe, we prospered in our careers and gave our time to help others and one day He will reveal this answer to my question.

It was in our mid 30s that the mix of everything in our lives came to a head, so to speak. When we go before God one day, what accountability will I give Him? Will Jesus say He knew me everytime I shouted Lord, Lord?

We began to receive some great ministering from our pastor, marriage counselor and other seasoned men and women of God. It was then we began to get a grip on surrendered life, denying self and following Christ, not just on Sundays or fellowship time but daily, hourly, minute by minute and every second.

You know what, faither, it works!

From that moment we never looked back because we received the support of other Christians to hold my wife and I, and our marriage accountable.

We still encounter the setbacks and sudden disappointments of life, but the inevitable accompaniments has given us perspective and in responding to every circumstance, knowing our Lord and Savior is with us, through it all.

In 2004 I enrolled at seminary and by 2019 I graduated 3 times, Praise His Wonderful Name!

After 26 years in the pastoral ministry I'm stepping down this Sunday as a younger, fine man of God will succeed me as the new lead pastor.
In 2022 my new role with the church has already begun in the community of outreach/evangelism.

For years my wife didn't feel competent being a "pastor's wife" but through it all she has grown with a shepherd's heart toward ministering to women.

You wrote, "deny self, take up your cross, and follow Him ." Denying self is the continually surrendered life. Taking up our cross is helping others carry their burdens. Following Him is a continual state of repeating the first two.

I couldn't agree more.

Thank you for opening this topic.

God bless you, faither, and your whole family.

Congrats on your retirement brother. Been there and done that and I know you will be well!

It is funny you would say that about your wife. Mine said the exact same thing but did a wonderful job!

Yes........denying self and allowing Christ to work through us is the key to a Christian life.

 

[bobinfaith]

Congrats on your retirement brother. Been there and done that and I know you will be well!

It is funny you would say that about your wife. Mine said the exact same thing but did a wonderful job!

Yes........denying self and allowing Christ to work through us is the key to a Christian life.

Hello Major;

In this change I'm going through I was meaning to ask you, brother, did you have a hard time "letting go" at first?

I want to get out of his way and be there for him as he transitions. How did you handle it?

Thanks, Pastor.

 

[Major]

Hello Major;

In this change I'm going through I was meaning to ask you, brother, did you have a hard time "letting go" at first?

I want to get out of his way and be there for him as he transitions. How did you handle it?

Thanks, Pastor.

We had a very good talk. He insisted that I become "Pastor Emeritus" which I agreed to.

I warned the church to never ask me question concerning people or policy and I have been very, very conscious to never answer questions asked to me about church or a sermon and I direct all of those questions to the new pastor. That right there would be the #1 point of contention.......Jealousy!

I have been very busy filling in for our association as we have 80 churches and about 24 are with out pastors so I am gone a lot.

So far there has been no conflicts or concerns.

If you act anything like you do here on this forum, with humility and grace and compassion.......YOU will have no problems at all.

 

[Lanolin]

No
I don't know who does that unless they watching cricket on tv (a tv screen)
or doing some job that requires data entry.

With my job cataloguing books does require time in front of the computer but if I didn't do it the catalogue would be a mess and it would be hard to find anything. Records do need updating and its mostly for auditing purposes but I need to know what I have and what I don't at a glance.
Counting everything can be tedious - that's where computers can do things so much faster.

If we didn't have computerised catalgoues we'd still be using card catalogues which may even be handwrittien or typed up on pieces of card. And how long that takes when you've got thousands or millions of books.

When Paul said we will see through a glass darkly and then see face to face...he had no idea that in the future we would all be looking at screens and trying to video each other because we couldn't see face to face (though we can use face time)

Until then the way God communicated with us was through His Word, scripture and written down. When Jesus came in the flesh, that was the real thing..he laid hands on people. Touched them. Fed them. And if you are doing this...even at home, looking after your family, keeping them fed and watered, caring for your pets, your plants, keeping them safe from harm, reading them books or writing, learning how to read, praying etc then that is really all that is needed.

 

[Lanolin]

I'm supposing if you a pastor to keep track of your flock maybe you'd have a church directory and some kind of email program to keep in touch if you couldn't gather them up or visit them or post them letters.
If your congregation is very large and you feeling overwhelmed day and night then you need to delegate. Small groups or even one or two ministering to each other.

If it's a wealthy parish and they have broadband and internet connection of course it's easier but many don't. Rural areas don't have it so much.

I read in the 1900s that if you were thinking of ministering then you needed to have a good horse and be good at riding. They called them circuit riders. To be able to reach out to people. Not everyone has transport.
In India you need to be able to ride a bicycle. Don't expect people to always come to you. Sometimes they cannot. Especially when disabled/elderly.

 

[faither]

Hello faither;

Thank you for opening your thread, Inevitable accompaniments.

I was saved when I was 9 years old in 1966 and for the next 30 years, yes to your first question. It may not have been electronics but it was another form of distraction. I have to admit many of them were fun and after my wife and I were married in 1985 we still sampled the thrills of the world. As church goers, doers and joiners of our faith we were still entertained on the outside. So yes, to your first question. We couldn't get enough.

When I think of inevitable accompaniments, I have to agree because along with my selfish attitude I feel God allowed me free will, but His protection was always there as He was building me up with the growing pains and school of hard knocks in my faith as well as my wife.

The setbacks, sudden disasters, the death of my mother and my wife's parents, temptations of sin, how did I respond to the inevitable accompaniments in my life with Christ, or without Christ?

As the years continued to pass and as we got older in our late 20s and 30s, we loved the church body, Bible studies, inreach and outreach. We aren't bad people, I didn't go looking for a fight or commit evil upon others, but I wasn't denying self for Christ.

Still, God kept my wife and me safe, we prospered in our careers and gave our time to help others and one day He will reveal this answer to my question.

It was in our mid 30s that the mix of everything in our lives came to a head, so to speak. When we go before God one day, what accountability will I give Him? Will Jesus say He knew me everytime I shouted Lord, Lord?

We began to receive some great ministering from our pastor, marriage counselor and other seasoned men and women of God. It was then we began to get a grip on surrendered life, denying self and following Christ, not just on Sundays or fellowship time but daily, hourly, minute by minute and every second.

You know what, faither, it works!

From that moment we never looked back because we received the support of other Christians to hold my wife and I, and our marriage accountable.

We still encounter the setbacks and sudden disappointments of life, but the inevitable accompaniments has given us perspective and in responding to every circumstance, knowing our Lord and Savior is with us, through it all.

In 2004 I enrolled at seminary and by 2019 I graduated 3 times, Praise His Wonderful Name!

After 26 years in the pastoral ministry I'm stepping down this Sunday as a younger, fine man of God will succeed me as the new lead pastor.
In 2022 my new role with the church has already begun in the community of outreach/evangelism.

For years my wife didn't feel competent being a "pastor's wife" but through it all she has grown with a shepherd's heart toward ministering to women.

You wrote, "deny self, take up your cross, and follow Him ." Denying self is the continually surrendered life. Taking up our cross is helping others carry their burdens. Following Him is a continual state of repeating the first two.

I couldn't agree more.

Thank you for opening this topic.

God bless you, faither, and your whole family.

Whats your opinion about spending all our time on a computer, or our phones? Can we be a follower of Christ if that consumes our life?

 

[faither]

I'm supposing if you a pastor to keep track of your flock maybe you'd have a church directory and some kind of email program to keep in touch if you couldn't gather them up or visit them or post them letters.
If your congregation is very large and you feeling overwhelmed day and night then you need to delegate. Small groups or even one or two ministering to each other.

If it's a wealthy parish and they have broadband and internet connection of course it's easier but many don't. Rural areas don't have it so much.

I read in the 1900s that if you were thinking of ministering then you needed to have a good horse and be good at riding. They called them circuit riders. To be able to reach out to people. Not everyone has transport.
In India you need to be able to ride a bicycle. Don't expect people to always come to you. Sometimes they cannot. Especially when disabled/elderly.

I don't think i need to describe the difference between someone who's work depends on being online, and someone who is still plugged into the internet after work is done. Can we still fulfill the life of a Christian if we sacrifice time spent physically present with family, friends, and those we help, for an alternate relationship through technology.

 

[Lanolin]

I don't think i need to describe the difference between someone who's work depends on being online, and someone who is still plugged into the internet after work is done. Can we still fulfill the life of a Christian if we sacrifice time spent physically present with family, friends, and those we help, for an alternate relationship through technology.

well if that's you then you just need to find other stuff to do..outdoor activity, or reading or art and craft, sports, dance etc.

Why are you spending so much time online? Thats something you need to ask yourself. Bored? And what are you doing online? Research? Playing games? Are you a computer whiz? shopping? Maybe you are doing code or actually building apps I don't know.

You can connect with people all over the world online, not just in your own town or school or whatever. If there's a special interest group but none where you are, that's a way to keep in touch. I don't know WHY you spend so much time online...why not audit your screen time, and see what your websites you always go to (there's web history) and how much time you spend on them. You can block timewasting sites, like I don't shop online and I dont really bother with social media...it's full of ads. Often it's the social media ones that are the worst. I don't watch you tube mindlessly.

The only social media site I am on is Goodreads and I'm not on it all the time. I write reviews and that's kind of it. I don't buy anything from amazon. I request books from the library. It has a special interest group for the books I liked and I just joined one. Not ten!

 

[bobinfaith]

Whats your opinion about spending all our time on a computer, or our phones? Can we be a follower of Christ if that consumes our life?

Hello faither;

I'm happy to share my opinion and will add fact based on the experience of my surroundings and life which leads me to agree that I cannot be a follower of Christ when computers and phones consume my life.

The availability of the internet and wifi can open dark areas that do not align with Christ. Too much (overtime) consumption with our electronics, whether work, personal entertainment and even ministry can be a dangerous habit if we let down our guard.

Do these temptation of idols, self-absorption and other distractions take over Christ? I think of the passage in Psalm 115:4-8, 4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. 6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. 7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. 8 Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.

Do we see the correlation between the idols in this Psalm and the topic of electronics?

There is a fine place for using the computer and cell phone as a tool in ministry or constructive work. It can have it's benefits but there is a discipline as a disciple, or worker when the Lord says, "That's enough for now. Get some rest. Spend time with Me (the Lord), or wife and family. Get refreshed for the work or ministry that will be there tomorrow."

God bless you, faither, and your family.

 

[Lanolin]

If you go out in rural areas where there's no cellphone coverage, and no computers, you need to learn how to get along without them.
It was also the same with television.

Who leaves their tv on ALL Night and ALL Day? There is the OFF switch. Most people learn its not good etiquette to call during dinner or after 9pm unless it's an emergency.

Besides that...you need to pay that phone/internet/electricity bill. It's also like cars, they don't run if you don't fill them up with gas, but you don't need to go places every single day then don't. You're the one paying for the petrol...plus if people aren't aware, there are only finite sources of fossil fuels and the emissions from cars are a HUGE part of polluting our air.

 

[Siloam]

I made my living in software development and computer systems were both the tools and the object of a great deal of my mental experience. Along with that was the stress of commuting 90 to 120 minutes each way. At the same time my beloved and I were raising two sons and supported their activities (scouts, band, chess, etc).

After I retired my boys are making their own lives, we have moved to western Maryland (the part surrounded by West Virginia and Pennsylvania). Even the local town (Oakland) is over the ridge from our home. BIG difference from before. TV/Internet is not a constant presence. No wired internet comes by my house so I use a cellular hot-spot. Sometimes we have satellite TV, but the practices of the two most available companies grieve us greatly and we usually cancel as soon as the end of contract comes by.

Having lived/worked immersed in tech and moving out to the country (our home is the very home where my wife grew up) has given me much more time for contemplation. We live about a mile from a state park and I often walk there and back. With all the ravines and ridges, I get a good workout going and coming. The Lord and I have some great times of fellowship along the way.

I don't know if you would say I am denying my self to choose to live away from pervasive tech, but it is not something I truly regret, even though I sometimes chafe at what accompanies that choice.

In today's world, most of us cannot escape some internet presence. Even when my hot-spot is off (most of the time), my phone plan includes 'unlimited data'. Even there, I have no reception in my basement, where I have my old desktop computer, and a blu-ray player setup.
As Christians, we need to be able to operate within the world while remaining spiritually separate from the world. If we are to reach the unsaved, we have to interact with them, let them know whom we serve, and let them see us serve Him. This gives our witness greater credibility and fosters the unsaved to listen to out witness.

 

[faither]

Hello faither;

I'm happy to share my opinion and will add fact based on the experience of my surroundings and life which leads me to agree that I cannot be a follower of Christ when computers and phones consume my life.

The availability of the internet and wifi can open dark areas that do not align with Christ. Too much (overtime) consumption with our electronics, whether work, personal entertainment and even ministry can be a dangerous habit if we let down our guard.

Do these temptation of idols, self-absorption and other distractions take over Christ? I think of the passage in Psalm 115:4-8, 4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. 6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. 7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. 8 Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.

Do we see the correlation between the idols in this Psalm and the topic of electronics?

There is a fine place for using the computer and cell phone as a tool in ministry or constructive work. It can have it's benefits but there is a discipline as a disciple, or worker when the Lord says, "That's enough for now. Get some rest. Spend time with Me (the Lord), or wife and family. Get refreshed for the work or ministry that will be there tomorrow."

God bless you, faither, and your family.

Great post.

 

[faither]

If you go out in rural areas where there's no cellphone coverage, and no computers, you need to learn how to get along without them.
It was also the same with television.

Who leaves their tv on ALL Night and ALL Day? There is the OFF switch. Most people learn its not good etiquette to call during dinner or after 9pm unless it's an emergency.

Besides that...you need to pay that phone/internet/electricity bill. It's also like cars, they don't run if you don't fill them up with gas, but you don't need to go places every single day then don't. You're the one paying for the petrol...plus if people aren't aware, there are only finite sources of fossil fuels and the emissions from cars are a HUGE part of polluting our air.

. Television should definitely be part of this conversation.

 

[faither]

I made my living in software development and computer systems were both the tools and the object of a great deal of my mental experience. Along with that was the stress of commuting 90 to 120 minutes each way. At the same time my beloved and I were raising two sons and supported their activities (scouts, band, chess, etc).

After I retired my boys are making their own lives, we have moved to western Maryland (the part surrounded by West Virginia and Pennsylvania). Even the local town (Oakland) is over the ridge from our home. BIG difference from before. TV/Internet is not a constant presence. No wired internet comes by my house so I use a cellular hot-spot. Sometimes we have satellite TV, but the practices of the two most available companies grieve us greatly and we usually cancel as soon as the end of contract comes by.

Having lived/worked immersed in tech and moving out to the country (our home is the very home where my wife grew up) has given me much more time for contemplation. We live about a mile from a state park and I often walk there and back. With all the ravines and ridges, I get a good workout going and coming. The Lord and I have some great times of fellowship along the way.

I don't know if you would say I am denying my self to choose to live away from pervasive tech, but it is not something I truly regret, even though I sometimes chafe at what accompanies that choice.

In today's world, most of us cannot escape some internet presence. Even when my hot-spot is off (most of the time), my phone plan includes 'unlimited data'. Even there, I have no reception in my basement, where I have my old desktop computer, and a blu-ray player setup.
As Christians, we need to be able to operate within the world while remaining spiritually separate from the world. If we are to reach the unsaved, we have to interact with them, let them know whom we serve, and let them see us serve Him. This gives our witness greater credibility and fosters the unsaved to listen to out witness.

Great reply Siloam.

One of the issues I've had in the past being online, social media, television, music and such is when i make a conscious decision to accept these things into my mind, there's a cost to that choice. We as called out ones who have responded with continually surrendered lives that have been tested and grafted on, then recieve the Spirit of Christ. With the Spirit of Christ sealed into us, we also have the mind of Christ.

The mind of Christ isn't mentioned in detail in Gods word. It's something that is known by experiencing it. Once we experience a conscious contact with our creator it becomes priority one to hold onto it. We soon realize holding onto the mind of Christ is like holding water in the palm of our hand, by ourselves it's not possible. So we gravitate towards not allowing things to enter our minds that push out the mind of Christ , even for 5 or 10 minutes.

Example: I think it's kind of universal when we listen to music, a song my stick in our heads for days weeks sometimes. Whenever i have that song being replayed in my mind, I've chosen by letting that song in my mind to be a temporary replacement of the mind of Christ.( thinking about Him.) So i have to ask myself, do i want to sacrifice time thinking about Him (mind of Christ) by replacing it with music, television, my phone, the internet, etc. This should be a constant battle within ourselves, won by His Grace, through a continually surrendered life.

This is in my mind is the one thing i can do to keep the mind of Christ, not choosing to give back to Him.

 

[Major]

I don't think i need to describe the difference between someone who's work depends on being online, and someone who is still plugged into the internet after work is done. Can we still fulfill the life of a Christian if we sacrifice time spent physically present with family, friends, and those we help, for an alternate relationship through technology.

If spending time playing computer games has replaced family, one on one time then I agree 100%.

To survive in todays world we must be able to use the technology that is available to us but not to replace personal and family contact.

There was a time back in the late 70's where I saw that computers would be the coming thing. I made it a point to learn and use them and when the change over came....I was prepared. I was actually one of the 1st stores in Florida to use "Prices Off" and scanners in the late 1980's as a PILOT store. My 1st thought was ...........This is going to be the method of the Mark of The Beast" which by the way I still believe! UPC Bar Code!

Phones???? Who knew that today we would have the power of a computer in our hand.

 

[Lanolin]

Radio can also be a problem
Some people want to leave the radio on all day and night.

It is NOT healthy to do this. Plus a lot of radio is commercial and thus you are subjecting yourself to endless advertising every couple of minutes, or if it's a music station...a lot of unhealthy messages esp in popular music.

I don't have radio on hardly at all. I don't put in on in the car. When I do listen to it, it's a particular program on demand.

I know in some workplaces, like shops, you have no choice with what music they play. I really don't like the lead up to Christmas when they start playing winter songs when its summer. Just messes with your sense of time!

I have a friend who seems to get upset with what people post on twitter...but she's always on it! I'm like, if you put your opinion out there, not everyone is going to like it! Maybe...just not post on twitter? If you can't handle it. Is it essential that everyone has to know what you think on twitter? No.

 

[Decoder]

Is it an inevitable accompaniment of the Spirit residing in us to sit infront of a computer day and night.? Or is our relationship with the computer, internet, social media kind of like a drug that takes up all of our time and can't get enough?

I've been taught, Christianity in a nutshell is, "deny self, take up your cross, and follow Him ." Denying self is the continually surrendered life. Taking up our cross is helping others carry their burdens. Following Him is a continual state of repeating the first two.

Your thoughts?

Christian faith in a nutshell is not things the believer does or doesn't. It is more about objective facts that the apostles were commissioned: that Christ's resurrection was actually his enthronement; that it was also the proof that Christ's suffering had justified us from our sins; that this earth is the Lord's since creation; that the Father will smash the enemies of His Son one day.

Maybe the most useful of these is that Christ is our righteousness that justifies us from our sins.

 

[Major]

Christian faith in a nutshell is not things the believer does or doesn't. It is more about objective facts that the apostles were commissioned: that Christ's resurrection was actually his enthronement; that it was also the proof that Christ's suffering had justified us from our sins; that this earth is the Lord's since creation; that the Father will smash the enemies of His Son one day.

Maybe the most useful of these is that Christ is our righteousness that justifies us from our sins.

Amen!