3 Warning Signs You Need a Break From Social Media

 I love social media... It is such an impactful way to communicate, connect and share with others, but it also can be detracting from communicating, connecting and sharing with those in your very presence.

 If you're like me, you find that every once in a while you just have to "unplug" and readjust things. But when do we do that? Its a busy week, we have a big event coming up, its graduation time... and so on. All these can be excuses that keep us plugged in during the very times we need to get away.

Here are 3 signs you need to take a break:

1. The first thing you do when you wake up is check your social media- Not coffee, not prayer or Bible study, the very first thing you do is open up that app and see "what's going on in the world" This is unhealthy and a sure sign that you need a break to readjust your morning routine.

2. You cannot wait to open that app with a little red notification on the top- You will be in full conversation with someone and it happens, an app updates and you have a notification. Your mind flood with thoughts: Who is it? What did they say? Did they like my pic? Then without thought you drop eye contact with a real person standing in front of you and put your attention to your social media. This dishonors that person and is a sure sign you need to take a break and readjust your priorities in relationships

3. You can't leave your phone- You get up to go do something in the kitchen and you get half way there turn around and go back to get that phone. I mean, what if someone texts me or comments on my picture (see above), I have to see it immediately! Never mind you will be back from the kitchen in about 2 minutes. If this is you, you need to re-examine not only where your self worth is coming from but also your level of contentment as well.

There are probably 100 reasons why we need to unplug, but ask your self these three questions and as Paul says in Romans 12 "take a careful examination of yourself". If this sparks something in your thoughts, Here are 3 ways to begin your time away from social media

4 Ways to Waste your Time...and Life

Time is the greatest commodity we have! It's precious and we waste so much of it!
 Below are 4 of the greatest wastes of time I have experienced in life and ministry:

1. Fear- Fear is not to be confused with worry or the "fear" that the Bible descibes as reverence for the Lord! Fear is an unrealized, presumption of what might be happening or could happen. It often is related to a circumstance of our past and has no real bearing on the present moment. However it can be crippling and rob us of precious time. We should remember that fear is NOT from God, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)

2. Worry- Worry, like fear is an unnecessary presumption, but it's more about the future than the present reality. It's a fear of the unknown and can literally rob you of the joys of the moment. Worry is also an indicator of your faith and reflects your view of who God is. Jesus reminds his disciples "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?" (Matthew 6:25 NLT) he goes on to say later in the passage "And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are"(Matthew 6:26 NLT) We tend to forget that when we worry, we simply tell God that he isn't big enough.

3. Doubt- seemingly a synonym for the latter, doubt is one of the more precarious time stealers. When we doubt, we basically do not trust in the character and provision of God. When doubting, we waste our time on the "what if's" or "can it be's" rather than relying on what we already know to be true about God. Scripture reminds us, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5, 6 NLT) You see doubt will always keep you from seeing exactly what God is doing in your life and that's time wasted!

4. Anger- Finally there is the fierce force known as anger. Scripture tells us that anger can make you look like a fool (Ecclesiastes 7:9) That in a growing relationship with Christ it should be something we are slowly moving away from (Col 3; Eph 4) And that it if not carefully addressed can lead to deeper sin (Psalm 37). More than anything, anger can be very harmful to your relationships with others, which is one of the key ways God desires for us to use our time on this earth. Anger is also another indicator of your faith and trust in God and how he is moving and working in your life and relationships. 

Time is precious, we have been entrusted with a certain amount of it, and it would be a shame to allow Fear, Worry, Doubt, or Anger to waste your time!

Camp will Kill You

 Months and months of planning, two straight weeks of final prep, the day of leaving full of last minute add & drops, the 8 hour bus ride filled with smells that shall never be described by scientists.... Camp will kill you!

The rooming woes, the Jr high kid who is hanging off the balcony, that kid who "never burns", the plans that never work, the food mishaps, the leader who never listens to instructions.... Camp will kill you!

 The lights go down, the Spirt moves, Jesus is lifted high, students meet with Jesus and are changed, the hearts of students and leaders are awakened to their kingdom purpose, a great awakening begins NOW.... Camp will kill you AND it's worth it!

Can't wait to get to camp tomorrow!!!!!!