Of Faith and Facebook by Susan L.

  There seems to be a recent trend in attention getting that has me rather disturbed. Today's example of a post was "You will die tonight unless you type Amen." This was accompanied by a sickly infant's photo. It had well over a hundred thousand responses.
  First of all, from a Christian standpoint, there is something gravely wrong with the curse, "you will die". I am assuming it was posted by a person of faith because otherwise they wouldn't have asked for an "Amen" response. This isn't the first time threats have been used to get a response. "You will have seven year's bad luck unless..." is a popular one.
  Maybe it's my own suspicious nature but I'm thinking if someone wanted to plant a virus in a computer by having a key word typed in, sick children are a heart grabber. Not that I know much about the abilities of hackers but it strikes me as being a possibility. Just saying.
  Lord, help me forgive those who would use anything related to You for nefarious purposes.
  I encourage all Christians to do this right! How about simply asking for prayers and shares if there's a desire to reach out to the global world of Facebook? To threaten, to curse, to speak hateful words is absolutely not what the love of Jesus is all about. Having these types of posts do tremendous harm to all followers of Jesus especially if they are read by those who have yet to enter into a life with Jesus as Lord. Seeing posts like this leaves me wondering why would they?
  Is this really how we want to portray a faith whose foundation is love?
  Using guilt as a motivator is a worldly tactic (read enemy's). Our Lord uses kind conviction wrapped in grace and patience to encourage, grow and change us.
  Marketers have long known how to manipulate emotions to get us to buy into something. Shame, blame and guilt are the top three...unless you do or buy or own or have, you are nothing. If your grass isn't green enough, if you have wrinkles, if your hair isn't perfect, or your teeth or nails or home or car or whatever somehow it's equated with being a failure. They are adept at having us spend money we don't have just to be accepted.
  Jesus meets us where we are at. His unending grace and patience means none of the surface stuff matters. He doesn't care if we don't drive an Audi. He doesn't care if we go out without doing our hair. He treasures every line, every wrinkle and sag because they are beautiful!
  As for the child who's picture was posted today, I offer up my prayers freely that this little one be healed. In Jesus' most precious name.
  And I will type, "AMEN!"
  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Mat 5:3-10