Repost: Saving Facebook from YOU!

Let me start by prefacing this article with a therapeutic moment. Stop what you are doing right now, run to the nearest mirror, look at yourself and repeat after me: “Get over yourself, everyone else has!” Ok, are you back yet? That wasn’t so bad now was it? Now that we have that out of the way, let us move on to some ways to help save Facebook from YOU. Enjoy this article and remember, it is not all about you…..but if it is…..get help. ;-)

Let’s start by stating the obvious; it’s not all about you! The makers of Facebook did not sit down at a computer one day and begin coding a program with you personally in mind. They had millions of people in mind. They had profit in mind. They had binary codes rambling around their heads that needed released and the only way to do that was by creating a website called Facebook. If they only had you in mind, they would not of had open registration. They would of called this site {insert your name here}book.com. Unless your name is Face, then the website is not about you.

With all that said, then you need to know that not everything on Facebook is directed at you. Quit taking everything you see personal. So what if your cow went wandering off of your farm, that doesn’t mean that someone was out to get you. Someone off’d you in Mafia Wars? It’s just a game! Someone status set you off? Did it have your name written on it? Were you tagged in it? I didn’t think so. It is not all about you!

Facebook does not revolve around you. It will survive without your every input. Photos will still be photos if they do not have your comments below them. Your friends will still go on living if your status is not on their newsfeed in the morning. Someone else will take up the slack in finding out what song they are or what President they resemble. Life will go on in the social network with or without you logged in. It does not revolve around you!

Since Facebook does not revolve around you, how about you spending some time connecting with those you are linked to. No, that does not mean pouring out your life woes onto them. It means shutting up, letting them speak and actually hearing what they have to say. It’s nothing personal, but they probably already know about the bunion on your big toe and don’t need to be reminded of it or how you are coping with it. How about stopping to find out how their day was. How about actually processing their comment in your head before you respond? How about telling them you appreciate them, which leads us to the next point of saving Facebook from you.

I call this point, ‘one upping.’ One upping is when you feel the need to be better than the other person. It is when you need to comment on everything they say with something that will ‘top’ their comment. One upping deals with a deeper psychological problem that this article will not dive into, but then again, being stuck on oneself does fall into that category. You don’t need to be better than the people you are linked to. Notice what Facebook references those people as? Yep, they are called friends. Friends are not the enemy nor are they competition, they are your friends. Constantly trying to one up them will eventually get you de-friended.

Excuse me, your arrogance is showing. Yes, you! The one with the bright yellow hat on!(For those reading this that happen to actually be wearing a bright yellow hat, forgive me…ha!) To define arrogance for this article, we will state it as an attempt to show self-importance. Everybody wants to be loved. Everybody wants to feel important. However, constantly posting statuses or comments in an attempt to show others how important you are or to garner a crowd to pat you on the back is one way to let your arrogance show. It is an attempt to satisfy your constant need or desire of being loved or wanted. Quit trying so hard to have someone acknowledge your self perceived superiority. Let the pats on the back come naturally and when it does, do not let it go to your head.

Ok, now that all of that is out of the way, turn down your Ipod for a second and listen to yourself repeat these words, “Estoy Loco!” Come on, say it,”Estoy loco!” Admit it, you are crazy! Well, not THAT type of crazy. Not the padded cell, extra long sleeve white jacket with straps kind of crazy. I am talking about the type of crazy you need to survive yourself and for Facebook to survive you.

All that paranoia, all that judgmental thinking and all that overly critical analysis of everything written on Facebook is just you. It is your inability to let go and have a little fun. It is your denial of telling yourself estoy Loco! Yes, you are being crazy. You are being silly. You are one step away from being clinically defined….Doh!

There is something to be said about being loco though. When you are able to laugh at yourself, laugh at others and laugh at yourself again, you tend to lower your shield enough to let others know that you are human. You let others know that you are not trying to build a lofty position above them. You also begin to lose the paranoia that everyone on Facebook is out to judge and destroy you. When you learn to live, have fun and get a little loco, people begin to appreciate you more. They will begin to answer your chats again. They will send that cow back to your farm. They might even join you in your “Help this straight jacket is not in style” fanpage.

I have now succeeded in rambling for a good amount of time now but I hope something in here helps somebody out or in this case, helps us all out on Facebook. But if not….if you are still suffering from being a feminist or male chauvinist or feeling mighty superior, then take my next advice and do so immediately:

GO!

Well, don’t unlink from me or delete your Facebook page. I am saying, go as in, take a sabbatical. Log off. Get away from the computer. Live in reality. Realize that though the people on Facebook are your friends, you can also get out there in the real world and see real people and be paranoid about their every comment and facial expression. I am just kidding about that last part. Nobody in the real world is out to get you, unless, well, never mind. Ha!

Get outdoors. Enjoy nature. Look at accomplishments done by people other than you. Look at the landscape. Look at the sky. Feel the wind blow. Note that someone more superior than little you created that very breeze blowing on your face. Get out in the rain. Let it drench you. Make sure you don’t have your nose to lofty though, just saying.

Finally, the last thing on helping saving Facebook from you is for you to simply shut up. Yep, shut up. I will loosely paraphrase a quote by saying, If you have nothing good to say or if your comment is going to be an unwarranted thought that is all about you, then do everyone a favor and shut up. Ok, that was a little harsh. You can still post statuses saying you just stubbed your toe on the lazy dog in your living room. You can tell us you are drinking your fifth Starbucks of the day and you are hyper. But if you feel the need to one up someone or allow paranoia to cause you to react to someone else’s status, then the best advice is to just simply, shut up.

Are you alright? Did you make it this far in the article? You hate me yet? Don’t hate the messenger; hate the game you are playing inside your head. Do Facebook a favor and save it from you. Everybody will thank you for it and who knows, they might even create a fanpage or write your name in their farmville crop!

Have a great day doing whatever you do on Facebook!

Remember What Matters...

Sunset on Jazz in the Park

Review of Be The People by Carol M. Swain, PH.D.

As a conservative Christian who feels that America has taken a wrong turn for the worse, I feel that a book like "Be the People" written by Carol M. Swain, PH.D. helps open the eyes of the unsuspecting public. With its in depth detail and facts, Mrs Swain takes you on a trip of our ancestry and the creation of this great nation.

The book takes on a lot of aspects but seems to mainly stick to the authors opinion and clear objective as a self proclaimed Conservative. As an African American, the author also takes on the topic of President Obama and the over usage of the race card in the political field today. She seems to spend a lot of time on the topic and might alienate some of the readers with her opinion which is sometimes loosely based on facts.

The author also takes on such issues such as abortion, immigration, racism, marriage, divorce, and homosexuality. Many times, Bible is brought up, the views of experts and possible theories versus her own opinion which tends to help the reader take in the depth of the information without taking too much offense.

Overall, I would let those who are followers of the political arena and/or a conservative Christian that this book is a good addition to your library. While it may not be that needle in the haystack type of reading, it still gives some insight to a topic that needs to be brought to the forefront of the American people.

God Just Remodeled for You

These past few months in my own life have been crazy. I have watched my own father go in for something minor at the hospital and come out with a triple bypass. After breathing a sigh of relief after he was released from the hospital, I learned of my grandmother’s unexpected death. Then while attending the funeral of my grandmother, I learned of one of my uncles having full cardiac arrest as he boarded a shuttle bus to pick up a rental car. Weeks later after much hoping and praying, his body gave up the fight on the same day I was filled with joy as my beautiful daughter was born.

During all these trying and emotional times, I viewed photos while my stomach knotted, the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I stood bewildered by the wildfires destroying homes in California. My heart broke as I watched in dismay all the destruction that laid a path through Arkansas and Missouri. Tornados physically thrashing homes apart, brick by brick. Families losing everything they owned. Mothers having their children ripped from their arms and having to bury them a few days later.

"Dad, God just remodeled for you..."

Recently here in Indiana, an outbreak of tornados laid a swath of damage to homes, businesses and vehicles. One man who owned a small engine shop found his heart of income to be completely leveled. "It's gone; all those years of work gone." the man stated, only to have his young daughter look up to him in response, "Dad, God just remodeled for you..."

"God just remodeled for you." Wow. At first glance, I almost did not catch that statement or come to grip the full meaning of it. I am sure the little girl was unaware of the impact her comment had. I am sure the dad probably overlooked her comment as he looked around him only to see destruction.

I am sure that even in our own lives,
we have moments in which we do not see the remodeling that God is doing....

Often times, we can become distracted by materialism or by fame and attention. We allow money or status to determine our emotions or level of contentment for life. We get sidetracked and forget about who created the very Heavens we gaze into at night or the terra firma that we walk upon each day. Then along comes a moment, an unexpected trial or disaster with no rehearsed outcome. Something that knocks you completely off your feet and brings you to the realization that everything you own, everything you know, means nothing and can be taken from you within moments.

Many people won't know Jesus is all they need until Jesus is all they got -(Warren)

It is at these types of moments, when it seems like everything is taken from you, everything that you relied upon has been shaken and turned, you find yourself with nothing but Jesus. Sadly though, in today's society, "many people won't know Jesus is all they need until Jesus is all they got." While trials persevere, and disaster or unexpected events fall on the just and unjust with no explanation, there is either going to be a remodeling of your life or a wake up moment in which you come to the realization that Jesus is all you have now, and Jesus is all you will need.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3

When a person places their focus upon the Lord and walk with Him daily, they find that whatever may come their way, whatever troubles are in their path, that Jesus is all they need. He gives us everything we need for life. He is the life giver and He is the supplier of our everyday needs. Now, that doesn't mean He caused a tornado to destroy hundreds of homes and tear apart families but it does mean that whatever comes our way, He wants our focus to be on Him. Some of the remodeling is designed by Him, other remodeling just happened. Regardless of how it happened though, a remodeling was done, and the Lord wants your attention.

In the book of Exodus chapter 3, Moses was a distracted man. In order to get his attention, God caused a bush to burst into flames. As Moses came closer to check out this phenomenon, the Lord spoke out to Him, getting his attention. After this encounter with God, Moses finds himself questioning the directions the Lord laid out for him. What if the Israelites don’t listen. What if the Israelites ask what your name is? The Lord responds to Moses. After he had remodeled Moses life, gave him an encounter that he would never forget, the Lord spoke and said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." But then, the very next scripture, the Lord tells Moses, "Say to the Israelites, The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you."

When you look at the Hebrew of that passage of scripture, a couple of things stand out. First the Lord tells Moses, "I AM" or "Yahweh." In other words, He is God all by Himself. There is no other God. The very next scripture, the Hebrew tells us that he is El Shaddai. He is God Almighty, or in one translation, it puts Him as "The God of More than enough." God got the attention of Moses, remodeled his life, and then affirmed to him that

"I AM more than enough for you."

Whether you have become distracted as of late, or do not know the Lord, there is a time that should come sooner than later in your life, in which you allow the Lord to remodel that which is around you. Either reacquaint yourself with Him or let Him introduce Himself to you, but in the end, make sure your focus is on Him. Not on the things around you, but on Him. Not on life’s problems, but on Him. When all seems shaken and life has thrown you a curve ball, make sure your trust is in Him and not in the things of this world. When God wants to remodel, let Him.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

*Indystar 5/27/11 "Bedford residents pick through shreds of their lives after tornadoes"
*Twitter RevRunWisdom Many ppl won't know Jesus is all they need until Jesus is all they got -(Warren)

Twas the night before May 21st....

Twas the night before the rapture and all through the land; a lot of creatures were stirring, even a pre-rapture band. Their Bibles in hand while looking up with great care; in hopes that Lord would come quickly with enough taxi fare. My children were dressing to crawl into bed; never thought about next week while laying down their sweet head. And Mom in her rocker with Ipad on lap; was listening to Air1 Radio while I took a nap. When out of the East there arose a great clatter; I jumped to my feet to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash; threw open the window, I thought a cat was in my trash! Then what to my wondering eyes should appear; But the neighbor outside proclaiming that Jesus was near. With a flashlight in hand like the sun changing night into day; I thought for a moment, "This man is in a drug induced haze!" The ramblings he spewed made me pull the hair from my head; because the rapture wasn’t yet occurring like he had said. And though I restrained myself in regards to my health; I cried out with concern in spite of myself. The precious Bible which He held within his very hands; Contained the Truth about the rapture that was escaping this man. I spoke not a word as he called out my name; Then he said, "You should have listened to Harold Camping, but now, what a shame." The people who were expecting Saturday probably meant it in love; but come Sunday they might be still looking upwards to Heaven above. With those who know the Truth, we need to witness abound; so no one looks foolish just standing around. , I turned back towards my bed because it was late; and thought to myself, at least this wasn’t another “Heaven’s gate.” I laid back into bed with the neighbor out of my sight; and I thought to myself, I need to witness to this man after this foolish night.

Is May 21st Just Another Day?

All across America you can see them. Billboards, RV's and people proclaiming to "Save the Date!" May 21st, 2011, Judgement Day! Thanks to a campaign effort by a man named Harold Camping and his radio program, this information is everywhere and they want you and I to take notice.

Let me state for the record though that I for one think that Harold Camping and Family Radio have already made it clear in 1994, that they are tossing darts at a calendar with their various predictions.

The date May 21, 2011 is simply a date. Any significance of that date will be determined once we walk through it.

To predict anything of Biblical significance of that date before hand is not only an ignorant thing to do but is also a disservice to Christianity. It’s ignorant in the fact that scripture makes it clear that NO man will know the day or the hour. It is a disservice to Christianity also because if the “prediction” of Mr. Camping does not occur on May 21st, then the false prophetic uttering makes the non-Christian take the second coming of the Lord even more lightly.

Now, I do believe that May 21st could be the day that the Lord comes back. I also believe that the next day, the day after that or the weeks and months to come after that are also good days for Him to come back. You see, I am not predicting the day but do know that scripture tells us that one day He WILL come back. Is May 21st a good day? Sure. Will He come back on that day like Mr. Camping says? Only God Himself knows. Mr. Camping, nor Family Radio and not even I know the true day.

So, does that mean to kick back and rest easy now? Not so. He is coming back one day soon. Regardless of what people predict, regardless of what the naysayer might say and regardless of if we are ready or not, He will be coming and one day and each and every one of us will stand face to face with Him. We can look at the signs of the times and know that His return is eminent. We can read the book of Revelations and see how it resembles current world events. We can even watch for things to unfold at the temple mount and monitor various other end time events, but in the end, we cannot predict the exact time of His coming.

Sorry Mr. Camping. While the Lord can come back on May 21st, it will not be due to any mathematical equation you came up with. It will only mean that the Lord chose to come back then in His timing. So with that said, the truly proper thing to be doing with the RV’s and Billboards that are proclaiming May 21, 2011 on them is to proclaim the Gospel and reach the lost souls. Do Christianity a service and tell people about Jesus not just a date on the calendar.