In my inbox this morning:
“———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Janel <jsuthers100@myshephersflock.ning.com>
Date: Dec 6, 2007 2:34 AM
Subject: Come join me on myshepherdsflock.com…
Come join me on myshepherdsflock.com.
myshepherdsflock.com
This is a “Conservative” version of myspace for followers of Jesus Christ to encourage each other, keep in touch and a LOT more. You wont be exposed to offensive content, it’s safe for all ages! PLEASE INVITE EVERY CHRISTIAN YOU KNOW TO JOIN & LOG IN OFTEN!!! GAMES, SHOP, CHAT, BLOG,
Click here to join:
http://myshepherdsflock.ning.com/profiles?xgk=6f113efbb5
Thanks,
Janel”
Sigh.
Pardon me…
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
As the one dirt-pile said to the identical dirt-pile sitting next to it: “My sediments exactly.”
Why exactly aren’t you interested? Is it that Christians are trying to do the “cool” thing? Is that Christians are over-emphasizing “not of the world” while neglecting the “in the world” and “not out of it” part? Is it that you’re already part of MySpace and Facebook and–really, another social network to sign up for? Is it the confusion this creates because on the one hand we’re told don’t be like the world, but then we turn around slap a fish on something and call it Christian?
Hi Jose,
I think you’ve hit several nails on the head–yes, yes, and yes. Plus I guess I see social networks as not inherently evil like apparently these folks feel MySpace and FaceBook are. Yes, I understand they can be predatory and yes, obnoxious ads are offensive to me too. But think about it for a sec: when you drive down a street, offensive billboards can be viewed. What is the “Christian” response? To start building “Christians-only” streets? To me that’s more like being of the world but not in it.
Christian-only streets. The next step in taking the USA back for Jesus.
Nice turn of phrase: ‘being of the world, but not in it.’
I’m glad to be on Myspace…for one reason: I have had the opportunity to share the gospel with many, people, and had ‘way back in the past’ relationships be rekindled and share my (to them) newfound faith with so many folks. So, bless that other place, and all, but we are called to be fishers of men, and the other places give me a chance to do that. There are of course times for the fishermen and women of the world to get together..(or fellowship as the church) but other than that, I am out fishing baby! And me likes it!
More and more, I am discovering that the ‘sterile’ environments are also frequently lacking in spirit…which is kind of a catch 22 as ‘The Spirit’ is the only sterile environment in the first place!
I’ll choose the gutters over the plastic bubbles any day.
First of all, muchas gracias for listing me among the “blogerati” on Sites Unseen; I have you guys linked on my blog.
So often we use the “in the world, but not of the world” admonition of Jesus like it’s our personal mantra. But we tend to be sometimey about it when it’s convenient for us (the above mentioned myshepherdflock & “Christian-only” streets). This creates the relgious elitism which the Lord blasted in the Gospels. And to add to jackswords, let’s quit slapping a fish onto something and calling it “Christian” for our own devices.
If we’re to truly be in the world and not of it, let’s start by following our Lord’s example. He reached out to the marginalized of society, not waiting for them to be “saved”, but extended the Love of God to all. Second of all, Like Jesus, let us be so under the Spirit’s control that we won’t have time to worry about being “not in the world” for we’ll truly be out of the world.
That’s my two-bits for the day. Peace!