What to ask yourself before posting online
By Brandon Porter
Editor, Kentucky Today
Everywhere I turn, people are talking. In some places, they’re even talking about how people are talking.
Have you heard it? I hear people say things like:
- Everyone is looking for a reason to be offended.
- People are so volatile right now.
- Why are so many people angry?
Maybe it’s the stress of a pandemic and the disruption of our routines and expectations.
Another factor may be how we’re using social media. Short, direct and snippy comments seem to be common on many social media platforms I visit. I’ll admit that I rarely leave social media feeling encouraged or built up.
A 2017 article at Forbes.com called “A Run Down of Social Media’s Effects on our Mental Health” said, “The more we use social media, the less happy we seem to be.”
The article pointed to a study that showed the more a person is on social media, the more isolated he or she feels.
If you’re using social media, let me offer you a way to help people rather than hurt them before you hit send.
A short verse in the New Testament says, “… whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Phil. 4:8, ESV).
Not only should our thoughts be guided by these principles, but our words should be as well.
As you consider your next post, ask yourself these questions before posting:
- Is what I’m posting true?
- Is what I’m posting honorable to myself, God or others?
- Is what I’m posting right and fair?
- Is what I’m posting free from defilement or impurity?
- Is what I’m posting inspiring?
- Is what I’m posting something I’d recommend to others?
There are benefits to social media as we’re able to connect with distant family members and friends. But we must be mindful of the cost.
Is what you’re posting on social media helping those who will read it or contributing to the uneasiness in today’s society?
Reprinted with permission from Baptist Press (baptistpress.com), news service of the Southern Baptist Convention
Splashdown
After 45 years, astronauts landed in the drink again.
It was the first ever Gulf of Mexico space capsule landing. The event garnered lots of news coverage.
As in the old days, viewers held their breaths as the flying/floating Tesla descended.
Then a sigh of relief as the thing plopped in and bobbed in the Gulf.
What does the Lord think about the renewed hullabaloo regarding space exploration?
Possibly Psalm 8 gives a clue: “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and stars, which You have ordained. …” (v. 3).
The psalmist believed the Lord wanted humans to “consider [His] heavens.”
Astronauts do just that. Some profess faith in God.
Apollo 8 astronauts read from Genesis. Buzz Aldrin took communion. Jim Irwin became an evangelist in his post-space days. Tammy Jernigan gave a testimony from space. Shannon Lucid took a minister’s sermon to the Russians on the Mir space station.
John Glenn’s observation says it all: “To look up out at this kind of creation and not believe in God is to me impossible.”
Surely the Lord approves of humans learning all we can about His creation. He might say, “Go ahead, find out all you can about Me and My universe, and you will know Me better. And I am pleased by that.”
God wants to be known. Splashdown in the knowledge of His marvelous work. No life vest needed. He’s a rescuer.
Darryl Wood
“A Personal Word from a Retread Pastor”
Facebook blog
EDITOR’S NOTE — Find a compilation of accounts of astronauts practicing and sharing their faith in space at tabonline.org/space.
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Letters to the Editor
The July 30 Back to Campus issue is one of your best overall papers this year. Thank you for covering the topic so well and for providing it in full color. Everything from the front page to the table of contents to the various features were very appealing to the eye.
Sue Rash
Cairo, Ga.
I’ve been a longtime reader and supporter of TAB, but I am really loving it recently. You are focused on things that are relevant and applicable to us as believers. A great recent example was the article on building connections in the July 16 issue — extremely timely. What you are doing with the content in TAB is a great combination of the spiritual and the practical — an equipping of the church.
Terry Newberry
Douglasville, Ga.
Great articles about going back to school in the July 30 issue of TAB. You suggested we think about and plan intentional prayer times for “our students.” I will be praying, as my five grandchildren will all be in college this year.
Margaret Smith
Trussville, Ala.
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Even if you forget today’s date, remember to praise God for making this day available.
Karen Moore
Author, “Got 10 Minutes?”
What will be your driving purpose and legacy? Anything less than seeking and advancing God’s kingdom falls short of your divine design.
Jay Wolf, retiring pastor
FBC Montgomery
When the church sees itself as the goal, it becomes a powerless, and I would dare say an idolatrous, thing.
Pastor Jeff Christopherson
Co-founder, SEND institute
Stop spending so much of your time worrying about who doesn’t like you. God LOVES you. Stay focused on His purpose. He’ll take care of the battle.
Pastor Jarman Leatherwood
House of Hope and Restoration, Huntsville
Everyone in your church has baggage. When they come to church, they bring their problems with them.
They get sick. They have financial problems and family issues. They struggle with addictions.
Good churches and ministers recognize this and biblically address these needs to help people deal with their problems.
Daniel Wilson
Evangelism director
Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions
Grace dies when it becomes us versus them.
Philip Yancey
“What’s So Amazing About Grace?”
I believe God’s intent for the church was not to be an institution but a movement, as initiated in the opening chapters of the book of Acts.
An institution is a fixture, an established (fixed in place) organization. Or a place of confinement (as asylum). Either way, I do not believe God ever intended His New Testament Church to be an institution.
A movement is the activities of a group of people to achieve a specific goal. For the New Testament Church, would that mean every step we take is to fulfill the Great Commission as Jesus stated?
George Yates
Church health strategist
Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions
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From the Twitterverse
@EdLitton
This is a bad time to be a church weak in prayer.
@brocraigc
The distractions of the world are screaming for our attention, yet the power of the preached Word prevails. Thanks to the preachers whom God used today to proclaim the truth and drown out the world.
@MattSmethurst
If you take liberties with sin, sin will take liberties with you.
@hershaelyork
Everyone is … tired. Or worried. Or angry. Or sad. Or fearful. Or hurting. Or something. You be the one who lowers the volume and calms the situation, who smiles kindly, who says “I’m sorry” with no sarcasm, who shows them grace. You be the face of Jesus to them.
@Kathrynclang
There is a difference between conviction and guilt. #Conviction makes way for change. Guilt condemns to darkness.
@BenMandrell
Reading Nehemiah 1. Reminded that vision from God begins with an intensity in prayer. Nehemiah’s burden for change fueled his inner pursuit of the Lord.
@mljquotes
Are you a man of the world or are you a man of God? It is one or the other. — Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
@DustinBenge
God’s essence, character, and attributes cannot change. He does not develop. He does not get wiser. He does not grow holier. He does not increase. He does not decrease. God does not change.
@richardblackaby
Society keeps shouting that it doesn’t need God, yet the results suggest otherwise.
@trillianewbell
Christians: One day, we’ll see clearly. We’ll understand what was right and wrong. We’ll know Truth and understand justice. We’ll also worship together. We’ll love — true, pure, righteous love. That day will come. Until then, let’s pray for each other.
@GaryFenton07
Our motives for prayer will reveal more than the words of our prayers.
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