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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Facebook lessons to live by

Do you have a facebook page? I think most people on the planet have a facebook or twitter account. I couldn't figure out the twitter thing (smiles) but I have a facebook. I've been having to use a lot of discernment on my friend requests latley. I only accept people that I went to school with or family members but latley even the people I accept aren't exactly "family friendly". I read on a blog one day about how she chooses her friends.

One day this woman was cleaning out her friend list and she decided to look at it this way: If your facebook wall were to be put on the video screen at Church for your pastor and the whole congregation to look at, what status updates would you like everyone to look at the least. What profile pictures would you least like them to see? If you can go through your list with Godly discernment and say hmm I would probably be very embarrassed for them to see what that person is saying or what picture that person posted then they probably shouldn't be on your friend list. God sees everything that goes on with your facebook page as well as others so what would He think about your friend choice? Are they Godly uplifting people full of encouragement and love or are there cussing and half naked profile pictures filling up your "wall".

I recently had to delete my Brother-in-law from my friend list because of the horrible things he was saying about Jesus. I know this may seem harsh because he's family but I love my Jesus and I would NOT want anyone seeing the things he was saying, not to mention what God thought about all of that junk. I go through at least once a week and delete people because of all the cussing. We can use facebook as a tool to spread the love of Jesus or we can use it as a sounding board for the junk of the world. What will you choose to use your facebook for?

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians 4:8

10 comments:

Debi said...

Excellent post, Mandy! I totally agree...I, too, have deleted 'friends' because of the 'junk' they put on their status updates, etc. I will continue to do so. We need to be mindful of what our relationships (on FaceBook or anywhere) portray to the world!

Phather Phil Malmstrom said...

What a great topic, and excellent advice Mandy! I've done exactly the same thing, and am very careful as to what I allow on my wall for the same reason. Unfortunately, in many cases people use Facebook to vent and not all of it is warranted or appropriate.

Great post! (And thank you for having me on your approved list! :-) )

Kelli said...

Mandy, this is a wonderful post and topic. Facebook is something I've wrestled with before too. I'm not really on it very much at all anymore. You're right. We do have to exercise good judgement when it comes to friends list. But also we have to decide just how much we need to be on it at all. That's a great way to look at it ....if you would be ashamed to put your posts up on the church wall, then you probably should avoid it all together. Hugs...:)

Jenifer Metzger said...

Mandy, great post! I recently had to delete about twenty 'friends' from my list. When I started my FB account, it was only for family and close friends. But after awhile I ended up with people I hadn't seen in years (even a few from elementary school that I don't 'know' now). I now have some of my bloggy friends on my fb and love getting to know them better. But like you said, anyone not family friendly or God friendly, DELETE!

Alida Sharp said...

Great food for thought... Thank you!

I have deleted some and others I have just blocked their posts from showing up on my wall. It is important to me though that they still be able to read what I post whether it is a scripture or an article that might be helpful. Facebook usage does call for great discernment.

Kandi said...

Great post Mandy, I have had to delete a few people from Facebook because of some of the things they have said were just way over the top, but some I have kept around. I have had a few people tell me to keep Jesus to myself, only to read on their FB wall a few months later that they were going through some tough times and they were asking for prayer. I am glad I was able to pray for them. But some people had to go, I did not want to read the filth they were writing about.

Blessings.

Unknown said...

I only put positive things on Facebook as it is a tool used for witnessing. We must live every part of our lives so those who are watching (or reading) can see our hearts.

a girl with a smile said...

We seem to be in the same spirit :)

Heidi said...

Great post! I'm not a big FB-er anymore, but I still post our blogs there and keep connected with family and friends from time to time. I've had to get rid of someone for the same reasons you've mentioned and I'm careful about what I post in my status... which is very little anymore. Blessings!

Kerry SewPizazzed.com said...

I really loved Facebook when my husband and I discovered it two years ago. I was able to get back in touch with so many friends that I lost over the years. However, I quickly learned that most of the "friends" that I have, I have nothing in common with. There are a select few that I should remove because of their words and lifestyles. Then there are those who are just plain annoying. I have blocked most everyone and only read posts from Christian blogs and other sermon-type posts.

Is removing the best answer? Do I want to keep them on just in case they will see a positive post or a link to a Christian blog? That is if they haven't blocked ME.