Coming Soon: Facebook Fast

They say it takes about 30 days to make a habit and with a new year before us what a great way to begin incorporating some positive, healthy changes. Since my 2011 word of the year is self-control I couldn't think of a better time to take advantage of a 30 Day Facebook Fast than now. Why you may ask? Well, simply put I feel like I am being robbed of one of the most precious commodities God has given me, time. I am certainly not investing it as wisely as I could be when I spend excessive amounts of time socializing in Cyber World.

So in less than 48 hours I will embark on the journey of what I like to call Social Media Deprivation along with 11 other Facebook friends. Many of which have innocently accepted a challenge that will inevitably be life changing. Solo deo gloria. To Him be the glory.

Lord, I pray for all of those friends that have publicly accepted this 30 Day Facebook Fast challenge. I am sure that not all of them signed up with the same intentions but I pray that in the midst of this you would make yourself known to each and every one of them in a tangible way. I pray that they would be able to find you with their whole heart. Lord, use this time to draw us to you and you alone. Bring us back to our first love.

In Jesus' Name,

AMEN

1 Corinthians 9:27

"No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

Confession from a Facebook Addict

Every morning when I wake up the first thing on my mind is "What will I do first?" Since I am on summer vacation, it can be easy to spend/waste my day away on Facebook.

Today I decided to grab a glass of oj, log into my Facebook account and then do my devotional. I even updated my status on Facebook to read "Devo Time" because I knew that I would be accountable to following through with my word and would not put it off until later.

Is there something wrong with the chronological order of events in my day so far? I would shout, "ABSOLUTELY!". Why am I spending time with God after Facebook? I need to be seeking God first.

I do not believe there is anything wrong with social networking on Facebook, Twitter or on blogs. However, I do believe that the time we invest in those things tells us a lot about the condition of our heart. The bible puts it this way, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21)

Sadly so, my heart is in Facebook. I can try to justify it any way I want. "It's a good way to witness, to share a wise counsel, to invite others to church." But the truth of the matter is when I do those things before seeking God, I am doing them on my own and in my own strength.

I need to spend time with the man if I want my priorities to be aligned with his plans for me. Today I commit (and want you to hold me accountable) to seeking Him first. My plan is to create a routine: 1. Prayer, 2. Bible reading and 3. Journaling. Now is the best time to start.

Here is a the devotional that God used this morning to convict me of my sin. I pray that the Lord will continue to use it in a powerful way to bring subtle sins to light. So many times, we repent of the big things and fail to see those little things that can be so destructive in our lives.

Facebook Fast

Many of you may not know but last Sunday after seeking the Lord in prayer there was something that I needed to give over to God and that was my time. Not just a portion of it but all of it and I quickly realized that there was as Pastor Lucas =) likes to call it, a "time stealer" that was robbing me of my free-time. And that was Facebook.

There is nothing wrong with Facebook in and of it's own rather the amount of time I used to spend on there posting pictures, commenting and just "chismosiando" (being nosey). So what God was calling me to do may have seemed drastic for some: no signing on for an entire week but it was well worth it. Besides I had to prove it to myself that I was not addicted and so I did.

I didn't just abstain from Facebook though I used my spare time productively. Initially I wanted to spend that time seeking God and although I was able to use a portion of that time for Him I also used some of my time to dedicate to my household duties as a wife.

You see I hate the kitchen...okay maybe hate is a strong word but I do despise the kitchen (at least when it comes to cooking...baking is a different story). And well, my husband loves to eat a good home cooked meal. Problem is that ever since we got married he's been the chef (he's quite the cook) and you can say I'm a little spoiled. However it made me feel terrible that I would always depend on him for dinner. I decided I would try something new (my love for him compelled me because it really wasn't easy for me to get creative in the kitchen). But I did just that and I think we were both surprised with the outcome. I came to the shocking realization that, "I can cook!" <--That's dangerous because now I gotta keep doing it. Although I am no longer on a "Facebook Fast" God has certainly helped me put my priorities into perspective. And like my sister so accurately says, "People before things." Now I ask you, "Is there some area in your life which you are not surrendering 100% to the Lord? What do you need to do or stop doing today to make sure He is in control?"

Lord, I pray for every single person who may stumble upon this blog. May you bring to light anything that is hidden in their lives that you may want them to surrender to you, whether it's an addiction as simple and deceiving as mine was, or perhaps a wrong attitude or maybe something that no one knows but they feel is draining them of true joy. Father God, I thank you that we can do all things with and through you. I pray that you may minister to their needs and give them the peace that surpasses all understanding that only you can give.

In Jesus' Name I do pray,
AMEN