Kathy Howard's Blog: Unshakeable Faith for Life, page 76

Why I’m Praying for Tim Tebow

I have been praying for Tim Tebow since he first caught America’s attention as the Heisman trophy winning quarterback for the Florida Gators. Why? Because Tim is a godly man trying to live for Christ in an industry – and culture – that is anything but “Christian.” And he’s doing it in the proverbial fishbowl. Whether he stands or falls the world will see it. And Tebow’s standing or falling will impact the name of Christ.

Larry Brown Sports photo

The last three years have been a wild ride for Tim Tebow. In 2010, he was drafted by Denver in the first round. In 2011, Tebow led the Broncos to the playoffs and “Tebowing” hit the national scene. In March 2012, he was traded to the New York Jets, but was released right after the disappointing 2012-13 season. Then Tebow was picked up by the New England Patriots, but things didn’t go well in the preseason. (For more about Tebow’s life, check out this biography.)

Now more than ever, I feel compelled to keep praying for Tebow. On Saturday, the Patriots released him from his contract after just 12 weeks. Tebow is a quarterback without a team. And the world is watching to see how he’ll respond.

Tebow’s Reaction to Adversity

Over the weekend, I was watching too. Tebow made his reaction public via a series of tweets. From @TimTebow:

I would like to thank Mr. Kraft, Coach Belichick, Coach McDaniels and the entire Patriots organization for giving me the opportunity…

…to be a part of such a classy organization. I pray for nothing but the best for you all. I will remain in relentless pursuit…

…of continuing my lifelong dream of being an NFL quarterback. 2 Corinthians 12:9: And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient…

…for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore I will rather…

…boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”

As I read through Tebow’s tweets I also read a few Twitter responses. Some supported him and others cut him down. For instance, talk show host Larry King tweeted: @TimTebow is a class act after being released by the @Patriots – I love his statement – he is quite a man. But one antagonist responded: @TimTebow enough with the Jesus quotes.

Tim Tebow – Love Him or Hate Him?

Tim Tebow is a truly polarizing figure. Many sportscasters say disagreement over his athletic ability is the cause of this phenomenon. But I side with others who argue there’s much more to it.

In a June Washington Post article, journalist Elizabeth Tenety wrote:

Over the years, NFL quarterback Tim Tebow’s Christian faith has been part of his intrigue to his supporters, and a turnoff for those who think he is too open about his personal beliefs.

In other words, Tebow’s faith either makes you love him or hate him. Hmm. There is something very biblical in these dramatic responses.

Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?

2 Corinthians 2:15-16

The message of Christ is a sweet smelling perfume to some and the smell of death to others. Those who embody this message – like Tebow – will be embraced by some and rejected by others. It is Christ shining through Tebow’s life that causes such polarization. The “world” hates Tebow because it hates Jesus (John 15:18-21).

Let’s Pray for Tim Tebow

The same people who dislike Tebow because of his faith would love to see him fall. They long to be able to point their fingers and call him a hypocrite. They’re watching closely to catch Tebow in one small slip, in one unkind word.

The pressure against Tebow is tremendous. But the opportunity for him to glorify Christ is even greater. All eyes are on Tebow. Will he capture another spot in the NFL or are his quarterbacking days over?

Honestly, that doesn’t matter in the eternal scope of things. But Tebow’s response matters a great deal. I am praying that God will help him now. Tebow’s in a tight spot and the opposition is rushing in.

I’m praying that God will give him the strength to continue to respond with grace and kindness no matter what his future holds. I’m also praying that Tebow will continue to be light that points those stumbling around in the dark to Christ.

 

Battle Against Excess – For the Long Haul

For the last seven weeks, we’ve been waging war against the excess in our lives. We’ve been “trimming the fat” to foster a healthier spiritual condition and to develop a greater sensitivity to the needs of others.

We have “fasted” in 7 areas: food, clothing, possessions, media, waste, spending, and stress. We have stayed away from treats in which we over-indulge, cleaned out our closets, tuned out the wired world, turned off the lights, closed our wallets, and cleared our calendars.

So, how did it go?

Most of us can do anything for a week. Seriously, I did without coffee and chocolate for 7 days! But what about for the long haul? What permanent changes can we stick to that will make a difference in our lives and the lives of others?

I don’t know about you, but I feel like a salmon swimming upstream, fighting the swift, cultural current of greed, materialism, and apathy that constantly flows around us. However, this 7-week journey has made me more aware of my own excess and more sensitive to the incredible need in others’ lives. I no longer want to simply go with the flow.

Baby Steps

While I’ve not made any huge, permanent changes during these 7 weeks, I have made some smaller shifts I hope will be a launching pad for more.  I’m giving more thought to my consumption in all areas and purposefully trying to reduce my footprint, make better choices, and watch for ways to help others. Here are a few of these small changes:

I bought a reusable water bottle to replace all those disposable ones I’d been buying.
I’m telling myself “no” far more often than I tell myself “yes,” more conscious of my choices and more careful about opening my wallet to spend on myself.
Starbucks is an exception now rather than the rule.
I have made connections to two charities that need my over abundance of clothes.
I put cloth shopping bags in my car. (I just have to remember to take them into the grocery store.)
I have been spending more time developing relationships.
I’m proactively looking for ways to help others in need.

As I typed these things above I realized what a puny offering this is. But I will keep fighting. Bigger changes can be made over time. This will not be a once-fought battle. Instead, it must be an ongoing war against the things that would pull our hearts away from God and sear our consciences against the desperate plight of the downtrodden.

For the Long Haul

I believe God is doing something among His people, moving hearts to join the fight against excess. I’ve heard the battle cry from singles, new moms, and grandmas. We want to make changes for the long haul. We want to:

Be good stewards of God’s good gifts
Foster gratitude in our hearts toward our Maker
Let go of our excess to help someone in need

We are still trying to figure out what this looks like in our daily lives. But we’re committed to the cause. One decision, one choice at a time, we’re seeking to trade the world’s material excess for God’s greater spiritual abundance. Want to join the fight?

Let’s talk. What changes have you made in the last 7 weeks? What other changes lay ahead for you?

Note: This post is a wrap-up to a series I wrote while working through “The 7 Experiment” by Jen Hatmaker. If you want to know more about reducing material excess in your life and finding God’s abundance, Jen’s book is a great place to start!

 

 

Don’t be a Back-Looker

I’m sure you’ve encountered one. You may even be one. They lurk in grocery stores and super stores, anywhere there are aisles and shelves and shopping carts. They are plentiful and they can be very dangerous.

I’m talking about the “back lookers.” Those shoppers who continue to push their carts forward while looking over their shoulder at items on the shelf behind them.

“Should I have gotten the larger size?”

“I was sure the canned milk was on this row.”

“I wonder what that tastes like.”

These thoughts and more run through their minds. They look behind them and think about things passed when they should be looking ahead.

The danger? Of course running into another shopper tops the list of possibilities. They might also miss the deal of the day or that one ingredient they can’t make dinner without.  The back looker would do far better if she focused her attention on where she’s going and not on where she’s been.

Hmm. “Back lookers” aren’t just a problem at Wal Mart. They’re plentiful in life too. In fact, Paul addressed the issue of “back looking” in his letter to the Christians in Philippi.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:13-14, NIV

Paul had not yet become everything Christ wanted him to be. He had not yet reached full spiritual maturity. But he had learned to not dwell on past failings and missed opportunities. Instead, he kept pushing forward, looking ahead to what God had in store for him. Paul lived forward. He was a “forward looker.”

The past can keep us from the future God has for us. Looking back accomplishes nothing. It only produces guilt, regret, bitterness, and the like.

Here are a few tips to foster a forward-looking attitude:

Deal with the past – Sometimes we can’t move ahead because something in the past genuinely needs our attention. Perhaps we need to confess a sin or ask someone for forgiveness. These things are not easy, but they must be done to move forward.
Let go of things you can’t change – All of us have things in our past we regret. It may have happened to us or we may have caused it, but no amount of rehashing will change it. Tell God how you feel about it and ask Him to help you release it once and for all.
Set a course for the future – God has plans for you! He has Kingdom work for you now and an eternal inheritance waiting in heaven. God’s plans are fulfilling and exciting. Don’t miss out on any of it by looking back. Take His hand, follow His leading, and move ahead full steam!

Have you been a back-looker? In what way? What do you need to do today to live forward?

 

Battle Against Excess – Less Stress

Do you feel stressed? Life is full of people and situations that cause us stress. Family issues, job pressures, financial strain, illness, and more press in on us, pushing us to our physical and emotional limits.

In this world, we cannot completely avoid stress. And actually, some stress is good. It gets us moving and working.

But chronic and excessive stress is dangerous. It can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse, fatigue, sleep problems, digestion issues, and more. Our bodies have limits and too much stress can push it past the breaking point.

We need to cut this area of excess! But what can we do? So many of the things that cause stress are out of our control. However, we do have power over one top stressor: Busyness.

Busyness Causes Stress in Excess

Not only is busyness accepted in our culture, it is expected and celebrated. (Check out this article in Forbes Magazine, “Busy is the New Black.”) But, lack of time and over-extension (aka “busyness”) is one of our society’s top sources of stress.

Over time, busyness takes a huge physical toll on our bodies and our relationships. Discover just how much busyness affects your health in this article “Busy is the New Sick.”
Find out more about how busyness harms our relationships with other people and with God in my post “The Sacred Cow of Busyness.”

God has a Better Way

God designed our bodies and therefore knows their limits. He knows what we need far better than we do. In Week 8 of “The 7 Experiment,” Jen Hatmaker shows readers how God created the Sabbath for people. The Sabbath is a time to cease work so we can rest, fellowship with community, and worship God.

God knew we would be prone to busyness. He knew we would over extend ourselves and fail to get the physical rest and spiritual renewal we need. God knew we would resist, so He simply commanded we take the time to rest and worship (Exodus 20:10).

Where do we go from here?

Jen Hatmaker made several suggestions for a “fast” from stress, but she emphasized two.

Rediscover the Sabbath – In “The 7 Experiment,” Hatmaker went into detail about the Scriptural basis, our need for a Sabbath rest, and how we can follow the spirit of God’s command today. I highly recommend you read this chapter or research other material on how believers can keep the spirit of God’s Sabbath rest.
Prayer pauses – Hatmaker encourages readers to purposefully stop for prayer 7 times each day. These brief pauses from the hurried routine of our day refocuses our hearts and minds on our Maker and makes time to remember the important in the heat of the “urgent.” Hatmaker set the alarm on her phone so she wouldn’t forget to stop.

Observing the Sabbath and purposefully stopping to pray throughout the day can be permanent changes for all of us! And I want to add my own suggestion to help you cut back on the excess of busyness. I cannot “stress” enough the importance of getting your calendar and clock under control. Please check out this easy-to-print PDF. I offer step-by-step suggestions for evaluating and managing the time commitments of you and your family.

I’d like to close this post with words from Jen Hatmaker:

We have to breathe. We must. The pace we are keeping isn’t sustainable… May we reject the American pace that says never stop and instead embrace the exquisite reset button God built into His holy community.

Let’s talk. Where is your life out-of-control? Have you bought into the lie that “busy” is the only way to live? What does God want you to do about it?!

Is God Still God When…

I often hear other Christians say, “God is good!” I heard it when the life of a sick child was spared. And when a biopsy returned benign. And when a job in jeopardy was saved. And when a rebellious teen turned back to God.

But what about when the child dies or it comes back “cancer” or the job is lost or the teenager never returns? Is God good then?

Yes. I believe God is good all the time. The Bible says so. God cannot be good one moment and not the next. He can’t be good in one situation and not another.

A Facebook post I read not long ago caused me to reflect on this truth. The FB friend wrote, “God is good!” And then she detailed all the recent positive happenings in her life as the proof.

This really troubled me. See, we flawed humans tend to declare God’s goodness only when things turn out the way we hope they will. This implies that we believe God is good because our circumstances are easy. But what if our circumstances are hard? Does that mean God is not good? Or that He is good only to those who don’t have trouble and difficulty?

Our circumstances do not dictate or define God’s goodness. God’s character dictates His goodness. God is good all the time. No matter the circumstances.

So what does this truth mean for us today?

God’s will for our lives is good (Romans 12:2). Sometimes – in fact, often – His will includes trials and difficulty that He uses for our refinement.
In all things, in all circumstances, our good God is working for our good. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
The assurance of God’s goodness enables us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and to declare in easy times and hard times, “God is good!”

How should these truths affect the way we live and talk and relate to others? Here are a few suggestions:

Remember that God is good all the time. Not just when things are going the way we want them to.
Be sensitive to those around you who are facing difficult and painful circumstances.
Declare His goodness in every circumstance, particularly in the hard times.

Let’s talk. Have you ever been guilty of declaring God’s goodness only in times of ease? Forgetting His goodness in times of difficulty? What are some things we can do to remind ourselves of His goodness in every situation?

 

Battle Against Excess – Spending Cuts

Have you ever asked yourself, “Where does all the money go?” I’m not talking about dollars spent on the electric bill or the mortgage. I mean those small amounts that disappear here and there, unaccounted for, like a run through Starbucks or that cute purse we really don’t need.

For instance, the average American spends almost $1,100 a year on coffee out. If I visit Starbucks 3 times a week at about $4 a time, that’s $48 a month – more than it takes to sponsor a child each month through World Vision.

The Big Spenders

In “The 7 Experiment,” Jen Hatmaker states that “20% of the world’s people in the highest-income countries account for 86% of total private consumption expenditures.” That’s us, folks. Every year, Americans and Europeans spend $17 billion on perfume. Outrageous right? Particularly when you consider that $9 billion is spent on clean water for the whole planet.

What can be done about this discrepancy? It’s the system, right? Just the way things are. What can I – or even we – do to make a difference? Do we even care?

God Cares about the Needy

From Genesis to Revelation, God clearly shows His care and concern for the poor, the needy, the hurting. If God cares, we should care. And He pulls no punches about how He feels about those who harm them, take advantage, or simply ignores them. How we respond to those in need also affects our relationship with God. (For examples, see Isaiah 58:5-8 and Matthew 25:31-46.)

It seems overwhelming! Where do we begin? Here are a few suggestions:

Honestly evaluate our “thoughtless spending” – the seemingly insignificant amounts we toss out on coffee, pedicures, meals out, and another pair of jeans.
Look for ways to cut back on monthly bills – for instance, choose a smaller cable TV plan or cut your own grass.
Reroute the savings – Use what we “save” to help someone else.

Spending Cuts

I challenge us – you and me – to try this for a week or a month. I commit to cutting my “thoughtless spending” for the next four weeks by enough to purchase “13 small farm animals” through World Vision. This farm animal package costs $101. That’s means I need to cut my thoughtless spending by about $25 a week. What does that mean for me? Less trips to Starbucks, no visits to Steinmart or Charming Charlies, more meals at home. It really isn’t a sacrifice considering the sobering truth that so many children around the world go to bed hungry every night.

What about you? Here are a few suggestions from Hatmaker and me:

Eliminate 7 well-trafficked vendors that benefit from your “thoughtless spending.”
Eliminate 7 categories of spending like restaurants, clothing stores, etc.
Make 7 “replacements” like coffee from home in your travel mug instead of Starbucks or a sack lunch rather than a restaurant.
Make at least one permanent change like downsizing your cable plan or growing your own fingernails.

I hope you hear my heart on this. I do not want to sound like I’m preaching. I struggle with this. I’ve confused “wants” with “needs.” But I want to be open to change. I want to allow God to bring my thinking in line with His and make His priorities my priorities.

What about you? What is God saying to you today? Where can you make changes?

 

 

 

When God is All We Have

People leave. Sometimes by choice; sometimes it’s out of their control. But they still leave. Close friends move away. Family members get sick. Relationships fall apart. Their absence leaves holes in our lives. Occasionally others help fill the gap. But often, no one does and loneliness rushes in.

Have you ever been lonely? Perhaps you are lonely now. Loneliness is sadness caused by the absence of companionship. That’s why it can press in on us even in a crowd. The simple presence of people cannot push away loneliness. Only a caring companion can alleviate that feeling of isolation.

Even the most loving and dependable people will eventually leave us. Death and distance separate loved ones. Trouble and time tear us apart. But there is One who will never leave us or forsake us. Absolutely nothing can separate you from Jesus and His love. If you have entered into a saving relationship with Jesus, His Spirit is always present with you.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39, NIV

These beautiful and comforting words, penned by the apostle Paul to the Christians in Rome, flowed from personal experience. The loving presence of Christ stayed close to him in difficult and lonely times. Paul acknowledged Christians will face hardship, loneliness, and a multitude of other trials. Yet, in the midst of them, we are not alone.

All others may leave us, but Jesus never will. Everyone else may be against us, but Jesus is always for us. Jesus’ presence and love is sufficient.

Are you lonely today? How can God’s truth overcome your feelings and help you to sense His presence?

Note: This post was adapted from “God Is My Refuge: 12 Weeks of Devotions and Scripture Memory for Troubled Times”

Battle Against Excess – Watch the Waste

What color are Christians? I bet “green” wasn’t the first color that popped into your mind. But maybe it should be.

I’ve never considered myself an environmentalist. Partly because I’ve linked environmental causes with liberal values and partly because I’ve gone through life with blinders on, not realizing the impact my consumption has on God’s creation.

However, in recent months, two things have prompted me to revaluate my thinking and behavior. The first is my oldest daughter. With her own family and home, Kelley gardens, composts, uses cloth diapers, and more. Her motivation is a mix of saving money, staying healthy, and caring for the planet. Sadly, I didn’t teach her any of these things.

The second thing that’s impacted my thinking is “The 7 Experiment” by Jen Hatmaker. In Week 6, Hatmaker establishes a sobering case for Christians to be leading the way in environmental matters. She lays out truth from Scripture, horrendous facts about the impact our consumption is having on the earth, and practical ways we can lesson our “footprint.”

Some Shocking Facts

Why should we care? Hatmaker shares some startling statistics:

More than ¾ of the world’s people live in nations that are ecological debtors, where national consumption has outstripped their country’s biological capacity.
Current human demands on the world’s natural resources exceeds its regenerative capacity by 30%.
China and American combined account for 40% of the earth’s depletion.
If we continue at the rate we’re going, by the mid 2030’s we’ll need the equivalent of two planets to maintain our lifestyle.

The Sober Truth

While we may not agree with every issue that falls under the environmental umbrella, I dare say most Christians can agree with this:

The earth belongs to God. “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1). He allows us to use it and enjoy it. But as His children, we must respect it and care for it in a way that protects and preserves it for the generations coming after us.

I’m not telling you to eat only what you grow or not to flush the “yellow water.” But I do think we should all educate ourselves on the impact our consumption has on God’s earth and seriously consider how even small changes can make a difference.

For instance, as I did a little research for this post, I came across a video on TheGreenChristian.org about bottled water. I learned these shocking facts:

In just the U.S. alone, we use a ½ billion water bottles every week.
Every year in the U.S., plastic water bottle production uses enough oil to fuel 1 million cars.
Eighty percent of these bottles end up in landfills or incinerators.
One third of bottled water is filtered tap water.
Bottled water costs 2,000 times more than tap water.

I have a confession to make. I have been contributing to the problem. And not just because I’ve bought lots of bottled water over the years. I’ve harmed God’s creation in other ways.

The following quote from Jenn Hatmaker sums it up nicely and calls us to action:

“I’m perplexed by the cynical dismissal of creation care by Christians who, according to our Bible, should be stewarding, valuing, and protecting this beautiful planet God took such great pains with.”

Time for a Change

It’s time for me to make some changes. But I don’t want to simply “fast” something for 7 days and then slip back into old habits. God has urged me to make two permanent changes instead. They may seem like small things, but they will mean big change for me.

Bottled Water – I will stop regularly buying bottled water and instead fill reusable bottles with our perfectly good tap water.
Shopping Bags – I will keep cloth shopping bags in my car and actually take them into the store instead of using the plastic bags because they are convenient.

I realize these are just two small changes, but it’s a beginning. I’m not done yet! And these two areas are some of my greatest “consumption” areas.

Now what about you? What change may God be leading you to make in your life. Here are a few suggestions, some from Hatmaker and some from me. You can “fast” something for 7 days or commit to making a permanent change:

Eliminate 7 convenience products that contribute to landfills/deforestation/pollution like paper towels, water bottles, plastic bags, paper plates.
Buy in bulk rather than individual packages.
Find out about recycling in your community and start!
Switch to reusable grocery shopping bags.
Cut down on your water and/or electricity consumption. (One way is to change your thermostat by a degree or two.)
Group your errands/plan ahead to save on gas.
This is not an easy topic for me. I love convenience and historically Christianity has not embraced this message. However, I want to be a good steward of God’s beautiful creation and I want my great grandchildren to enjoy it too.
Get a Kindle! If you’re an avid reader, go electronic and save some trees!

What about you? How do you feel about creation care? What do you think God would have you do to help?

 

Every Trial is an Opportunity

The call came from my Pappaw, father-in-law right, after dinner. He and Wayne’s mom had been in a car accident. He had suffered some cuts and bruises. She was with Jesus.

We had seen them two weeks earlier for Christmas when we made the 2,000 mile trek from where we lived in Alberta, Canada to their home in Louisiana. Now the distance seemed insurmountable. We would leave as quickly as possible but so many things had to be done.

First, I called my friend Susan. Twenty minutes later the house began to fill up with loving members of our church family. Our friends surrounded us, taking care of details and covering responsibilities at home. In the midst of all the activity there was prayer, hugs, and tears. Within hours we were ready to travel.

In Louisiana, my father-in-law encountered the same love and care from his church family. Friends went to the hospital to bring him home. Two men stayed with him throughout that first night. Some of the women made sure the beds were ready for us. By the time we arrived, the kitchen and refrigerator were filled with food. No need went unmet.

As we learned more about the accident we recognized God’s presence and activity even there on the street. The other driver was also a Christian and prayed with Pappaw as they waited for the responders.

A young woman who witnessed the accident had stopped and waited with them. She did what she could to comfort Pappaw and stayed with him until they left for the hospital. Later, we found out she was not a Christian, but God used the tragedy to capture her attention. She even visited Pappaw’s church with her son.

Throughout those days, God’s peace reigned, defying the circumstances. Even in grief, hope for God’s promised future gave reason for joy. His palpable presence strengthened us.

God proved Himself faithful, loving, and true.

Yesterday in the book of John, I read about another time of loss and grief. Jesus’ friend Lazarus had become ill and died, leaving grieving family and friends. When Jesus learned of his death, He told the disciples that the trial would be an opportunity for them to believe (John 11:14-15).

Sounds a little strange doesn’t it?

Every trial, difficulty, and obstacle in a believer’s life provides an opportunity to experience God’s character, power, and ways.

Jesus said we would have trouble in this life (John 16:33). We live in a fallen world. But God is bigger than any tragedy, natural disaster, illness, or loss. He adds joy to our sadness and gives peace in the midst of turmoil. He shines His light in dark places to guide us along difficult paths. He eases our fears and whispers words of comfort in our ears.

Are you in middle of a trial right now? If not, you will be in the future. Let’s look for God in the middle of it. Let’s watch for His activity and personal, loving provision. He is faithful and true.

In what ways has a previous trial been an opportunity for you to experience more of God?

Battle Against Excess – Tune Out!

I have become a bit of a recluse. The writing ministry started it and I let it happen. I spend tons of time working at home alone. I communicate with people through email, Facebook, and Facetime. I do more “relating” online than I do in real life.

For a while, God has been showing me I need to get out there and purposefully work to build relationships in real life, in real time. And this week’s lesson from “The 7 Experiment” has driven the point home. So, you want to go to lunch?

In Week 5 of “The 7 Experiment,” Jen Hatmaker calls for a fast from media. “Media” includes things like television, social media, gaming, apps, texing, and the Internet. Although the Bible doesn’t specifically address these things, the Bible does speak to the heart of the issue – anything that affects our relationship with God or other people must be addressed.

My Trouble Spots

As I read through the lesson, two things kept coming to my mind. Media excess negatively affects me – and maybe you – in two primary ways:

It wastes huge amounts of time
It hinders real relationships

There are many other ways in which too much – or any of the wrong kind – of media can negatively impact us. Here are a few other ways besides wasting time and harming relationships that media can be detrimental:

Desensitize us to sin
Transform our thinking to the world’s “wisdom”
Skew our understanding of sex, violence, body image, relationships, and more
Feed our greed for more stuff

The Big Question

So, how do we live in the world, but protect ourselves from its negative influence? Jesus never said we should sequester ourselves from the world. Instead, He said we are to go out in the world (John 17:15-18), but He prayed for our protection. (See this post for more on how to be “in the world but not of it.”)

Here are a few things we can do for the long haul:

Choose our “media” carefully – it’s simply foolish to fill our minds with things that glorify or “neutralize” sin
Saturate our mind with God’s Word so we can recognize truth from lies
Be a good steward of our time – It’s okay to relax and have fun. But when the amount of time we spend on these things begins to hinder ministry, relationships, service, and responsibility it’s time to reevaluate.
Talk through things with your kids – Sit down and show them how the things they watch and listen to seek to shape their thinking and pull them away from God’s truth.
Make the most of it- Not everything out there is “bad.” There is some great, wholesome entertainment out there. And it’s wonderful that we can stay connected, so ministry, learn, etc. Let’s just use godly discernment.

My Fast

I have chosen this week’s fast to specifically target my problem areas. Unfortunately, email and specific areas of the Internet are necessary for my work. But there are plenty of unnecessary media outlets where I waste time. Top of the list is Words with Friends. Seriously, I have 14 active games! So, no Words with Friends at all this week. And no other iPhone or Internet games either.

The second thing I will do this week is more action than fast, but I feel this is in the spirit of what we’re doing. I will purposefully plan to spend face-to-face time with people every day this week – someone that doesn’t live in my house. God has already set me up for success because I already had a few things scheduled. But I still have to fill in the holes!

Your Fast

Design your fast this week to hit your trouble spots. Yours won’t look exactly like mine because our areas of weakness are different. For instance, I don’t care for reality TV, but maybe “Real Housewives” has skewed your thinking about materialism and relationships.

Here are a few suggestions:

Limit or eliminate specific types of media, like TV or Facebook
Spend only one hour a day on any media
Go cold turkey on all media
Declare certain hours of the day as “no media”
Replace social media with face-to-face time!

Good Spiritual Policy

In “The 7 Experiment,” Jen Hatmaker referenced 1 Corinthians 10:23, “everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive.” In context, Paul was talking about whether or not to eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols, but the truth principle applies to media. What about your media consumption is “constructive” and what is “destructive?” That’s what I pray God will show us this week.

Let’s talk about this: In your own life, what about your media consumption is “constructive” and what is “destructive?”