“You can’t beat something with nothing.” This is one of the underlying philosophies of the Prophecy Podcast blog.
So in order to fight the advertising industry I suggest a DVR so one can fast forward through the commercials. That way if you decide to remain connected to Hollywood the Great, at least you can eliminate the most negative aspects of it.
So you take a negative and make it as positive as you can.
Facebook has many negative attributes. How can you moderate them?
First never click on an ad, just use the free Facebook service. Be selective about which companies you “like.” Finally, use Facebook to help focus your prayer life.
What? How does that work?
I want to be the kind of person Paul talked about in 1 Thessalonians 5:1—
Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
Facebook does not help in being cheerful no matter what, just the opposite. That is its main negative trait. However, I do use Facebook as a template for prayer.
When Pam Dewey posts another of her humorous animals posts (please Pam stop!), I am reminded to pray for her eyesight. When she mentions her family, I am reminded to pray for them.
I have several Facebook friends with an absolutist way of looking at things. This can prevent them from fully being cheerful. You know who you are! When I see this attitude in a post I can pray about that. Since I too have this fault, I can pray for myself as well.
When Eric posts on economics, I can pray for his health. When Marilyn posts, I can pray for her Lupus. When a family member posts, you can pray for them.
You know your friends and family, you know their needs. Pray.
I am not saying I am some sort of prayer warrior. I am just an average guy trying to become the kind of person God wants me to be.
I bet you want that too! If so consider the advice of Paul in 1 Thess. 5.
16-18Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
19-22Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.
23-24May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it!
25-27Friends, keep up your prayers for us. Greet all the followers of Jesus there with a holy embrace. And make sure this letter gets read to all the brothers and sisters. Don’t leave anyone out.
28The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you!
Using Facebook as a prayer technique? Who’da thunk it?
As many of you know Pam Dewey edits most of the blog posts on the Prophecy Podcast. In an earlier post I had confused the origin of the phrase, “Who’d have thunk it?” I thought it was from the Disney Movie Pollyanna.
Here is the note Pam attached to the above post after editing (radio ventriloquist?).
In the early days of radio and TV, Edgar Bergen (yes, Candace’s dad) had a ventriloquist act which featured a dummy named Mortimer Snerd. Mortimer was pretty dumb, and most of the time when something was explained to him, he’d shake his head and say “Who’d have thunk it?”
You might also be familiar with another of Mortimer’s inventions - the word “DUH!”
Mortimer Snerd with Fozzie Bear
Mortimer Snerd and Harold Camping: Twins separated at birth?