Brother Joshua started off by reminding us of the 3 Ds (one of which Big Jon added as we closed last week):
Decision,
Differentiate,
Discern
He then gave us an illustration. We are all like the tip of an iceberg represented by the top of the triangle below. Whatever is seen on the surface is a reflection of what's within. Check it out! :)
Ultimately, the absolute truth that defines our existence is:
Our relationship with the living God and personal encounter with JESUS the ONE who declares: I AM the TRUTH. Our identity is found in God alone.
Bearing this in mind, we moved on to learn more about the me-dia! ;)
The media has these things to offer (among many others):
And when Brother Joshua did a survey, the average number of hours spent using the media in a week was around 40 hours. That's not wrong at all but what's more important is that we control how much the media influences us.
We have to consciously
decide what we will and won't allow to take
root in our
mind. We have to
discern (tell the difference) between what's right for us to get involved with and
filter out the potentially harmful stuff in the media jungle.
CAUTION:
If our discernment button is not
ON, and if we constantly hear (& see) wrong messages through the media, we might eventually change our attitude without even thinking about it. That's why
evaluating everything we see and hear is a good idea.
Don't let our hearts decide.
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Jer 17:9
Moving on, the process below goes for everything that's in the media.
Brother Joshua focused on video games. We have to be careful with what these games promote. Beware of occult and violence.
When in
doubt, don't!
There's nothing wrong with having fun in the virtual world. Just don't lose sight of your
priorities and
responsibilities in the real world.
Coming to an end, be careful what you post online.
1-Any info you share on the web can be accessed.
2-Even if a suggestive photo of you may have been taken down, someone else may have posted it elsewhere.
3-Your work can be copied or duplicated for profit.
4-Don't just add friends. Just because someone adds you does not mean you have to add them.
5-People with wrong intentions may easily spread rumours, threaten and intimidate others or post pictures which cause embarrassment.
Remember:
The Internet makes it awfully easy to
isolate oneself for hours and end. It's true it can put us in contact with knowledge and wonders and correspondences around the world, but it cannot
replace the human touch. We need to remind ourselves that people are individual, not electronic clones.
On another note, for all of us going through exams, hang in there! The JOY of the Lord is OUR STRENGTH! Let's give it our best for His Glory!
See you all this Sat! :)
-eunice
