TGIF
So I’m on vacation, in the back seat of a car traveling north, checking Twitter on my phone.
Twitter is blowing up over an article concerning the death of Robin Williams… of course, I have to go read this screed for myself.
I did so and it upset me and I composed a two word response to the author on my own Twitter feed.
The two words were not “thank you”.
Well, one of them was “you”.
I hit send… and nothing happened.
“NO SERVICE”
We had passed out of cell phone range.
Considering this an act of God’s good providence on my behalf I put down the phone and made some shocking discoveries.
There were other people in the car with me.
Family.
Music.
Conversation.
Out the window…gorgeous scenery.
Oddly enough, no one was angry.
I found this strangely pleasant. 🙂
The anger and sin in me needed a conduit, but God had given a way of escape.
The fellow I was angry with only existed in my iPhone.
He really wasn’t a part of my world or part of what was taking place in my life, at that moment, in that car.
I had to choose whether to be where I was or inside that device.
I had to choose whether to engage with electronics or with flesh and blood, whether to invest that moment in life or in data, whether t0 be present in joy or tweet in sin.
A while later, Trey looked at my phone…”we have service now”.
“That’s too bad”, I said…and shut off the phone.
A few hundred other people sent the Tweet I wanted to send.
I’m the only one who got to spend time being with my family.
I hope none of them missed what I almost did.
Make your own application…
Great application!
It’s always interesting when I look back at something I wanted to say or do, or an outcome I desired, and see where the Lord really protected me from myself.
Thanks be to God!
Good to see you, PN!
Thanks, you too!
Next time, if you come north & have some time…… 🙂
PN, I will…
I totally agree with #1.
Significance isn’t found on Twitter but in those with whom we share breath. This is an ongoing theme of yours Michael. Sorting out what is important an what matters from what drives us. Thanks again.
Our need to respond on the internet must always be tempered. Think of those emails that were sent and permanently regretted or the comments that caused pain and did not reflect the Spirit of God? It is an unnatural medium, soul to soul, not heart to heart.
We should all tape this to our refrigerators.
If you’re not a mobile professional, I recommend a DumbPhone.
Amen. Good word.
Oh come on Michael…that one was too obvious…too easy…
I give you a 3 out of 5 for this one…LOL 🙂
I don’t have twitter and for good reason..Counseling for anger management is to expensive.
davidsurfer51,
Your rating is probably generous. 🙂
I had to get it out though…
I have never Twittered but it does seem to me that those with a Twitter account have some sort of a god complex, where they think they have something to say and that the masses need to hear it.
On the other hand, those who follow on twitter are like idol worshipers just waiting for the next tweet, full of wisdom to fall from the god’s mouth – you read of these people with a million followers – what the heck is that all about, they could form an army..
I was watching the morning news a couple of days ago and they had Byron Scott in the studio for an interview. The news guy asked Scott “what’s your twitter address so I can follow you?” Scott said he didn’t have one because he didn’t have anything to say.
I thought his attitude was very healthy.
“The two words were not “thank you”.Well, one of them was “you”.I hit send… and nothing happened.”
—–
Michael,
I realize that you might just erase this without posting it. I get that, but I think even if just you reads this before you delete the comment, my efforts were not in vain.
…
This was sad to read. if I can ‘intuit’ the first word of your two word message… it says much about you that doesn’t recommend you as ANY kind of Pastor.
Forget the ‘divine provision’ of No Service, you should never have tried to send this in the first place. And before you cry Pharisee, I get the idea of your frustration. I understand the feelings that rise when I see or read something that I deeply don’t understand or agree with and confront someone who REALLY doesn’t give a RIP about honest and respectful discussions…I share the same kind of Blood Curdling frustration at times with many different situations (including reading many of the reactions here to other Brothers and Sisters to each other’s differences of opinion, most frustrating to me are YOURS).
But you keep them Inside and you Repent to God for your lack of Self Control and Love and Christlikeness. We are responsible and able to control our responses to others. And God in Christ and thru the Holy Spirit HOLDS us accountable for them. You DON’T send them out and you certainly don’t BRAG about having been so vulgar, base and Unchristian to actually send them out… God STILL hold you accountable though you have released your self by making light of them on your Blog.
I believe you really need DO a Vacation… from calling, considering, and acting in the capacity of a Pastor of God’s People, online or otherwise. Until you can understand how very wrong and unchristian your reactions, words and attitudes have been,and how much Damage to the cause and reputation of Christ you are doing by continuing to portay yourself as a Christian Pastor to the watching, reading World of non-believers on the WWW judging and mocking Christians by what they read here.
Step down from ALL ‘ministry’ and shutter this Blog till you get Spiritual Self Control by the Holy Spirit. You are doing more Damage than Good.
-mike
Mike,
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Michael,
thank you for allowing me to. have a great Lord’s Day
-mike
Mike and Brandy, Seriously, do you think Michael was bragging? I don’t. I think he was showing us that men (and women) who love God and love his people will sometimes say (tweet, post) things they may not be proud of, and even regret… but still feel passionate about, whilst sharing with us the importance of the people in his life. Humility, love, passion, honesty.
I guess Christian bloggers or leaders in your life must be perfect.
“I guess Christian bloggers or leaders in your life must be perfect.”
————–
I see your condescension and raise you the humility of not returning the favor. have a great Lord’s Day.
-mike
Mike and Brandy…..here ya go: http://www.keylife.org/articles/fallen-shorter
Oh, the irony.
Or should I say..
Oh, the IRONY.
Nonnie,
Mike has never been fond of me, but reads here anyway for reasons known only to himself.
I let him post the occasional rant, but I don’t take him seriously.
In the meantime, I just finished up my message for tonight and started work on a new week here.
Thank you for being here and being you. 🙂
Michael,
I read here, though I disagree, because there are some good people, thoughts and yes… even good articles from you that I DO agree with from time to time.
I see the Body as a big family that whether we agree or disagree, we can still learn from. I refuse to JUST listen to those I agree with or who agree with me. That in my opinion would be immature and stunting for my growth as a follower of Jesus.
For obvious reasons, made obvious today again, I don’t comment here often anymore. But again, I appreciate the opportunity to express, though others disagree or respond with condescension or just plain dismissive, rude comments back.
Again, thanks for allowing me to and have a great Lord’s Day
-mike
Mike, I felt you were being extremely dismissive of our host and your post was very offensive. I apologise if YOU thought I was being condescending. I was only trying to explain to you what I felt his post was about and that it seemed to me that you felt that Christian leaders and or bloggers needed to be perfect.