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“Staying Connected”
18-19Don't tolerate people who try to run your life, ordering you to bow and scrape, insisting that you join their obsession with angels and that you seek out visions. They're a lot of hot air, that's all they are. They're completely out of touch with the source of life, Christ, who puts us together in one piece, whose very breath and blood flow through us. He is the Head and we are the body. We can grow up healthy in God only as he nourishes us.
20-23So, then, if with Christ you've put all that pretentious and infantile religion behind you, why do you let yourselves be bullied by it? "Don't touch this! Don't taste that! Don't go near this!" Do you think things that are here today and gone tomorrow are worth that kind of attention? Such things sound impressive if said in a deep enough voice. They even give the illusion of being pious and humble and ascetic. But they're just another way of showing off, making yourselves look important. Colossians 2:18-24 (The Message)
“The number you’ve dialed is no longer in service…”
Staying connected to family and friends is often a daunting task. With other obligations and demands on our time, it may preclude us from daily, monthly or even annual communications. Thus, “the number you’ve dialed is no longer in service” may be true for some.
Upon closer examination, we live in a world where communication is instant – via the internet, email, etc. How many of us feel out of touch when our Blackberry’s or iPhone’s don’t work or if our internet provider is temporarily out of service?
In a recent article researchers were shocked at the amount of time young people spend “connected” using a smart phone, computer, television or other electronic device.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, “those ages 8 to 18 spend more than 7-1/2 hours a day with such devices. “ This doesn’t even include time spent texting or on their cell phones. Of those users, 47 percent make good grades, but heavier users make fair grades, are often bored, get into trouble, don’t get along with their parents and aren’t happy in school.
Staying connected comes with a price. The study couldn’t confirm if media use causes the problems or if troubled young people turn to heavy media use.
What we envisioned as an educational tool or a valuable resource – the internet and various games – have become problematic for some. It has changed the social dynamic as well because many individuals don’t know how to have a real conversation – a necessary component to meaningful relationships at school, at work, at home, at church, etc.
Fortunately, staying connected to the most meaningful relationship we have – with God – doesn’t require any special devices. We need a quiet place, to speak directly and honestly.
GospeLines Prayer: Father, You know our thoughts before they are formulated. We can’t hide from You or use technology to impress You. You know our hearts.
Staying connected came with a price – the death of Your beloved son at Calvary to save us from our sins. Help us to know You completely and to converse with you for a portion of those hours we designate to anything and everyone else.
I am thankful that You always answer when I call. With You at my center, I never have to worry about “the number you’ve dialed is no longer in service.”
In His Love,
Carla ˙
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