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Thursday, May 29, 2014

Why I'm NOT Going to Close My Facebook Account

There are lots of posts out there from women who have had enough of the negative drain that Facebook often becomes. After "lots of prayerful consideration" they decide they're done and they write up an insightful post to tell us so.

I've totally felt that way. I've gotten overwhelmed and temporarily shut down my own Facebook account a time or two. If you're feeling like it's time to let it go then, by all means, do so. However, I'd like to share why I think mine is important. While it's easy to get bogged down by the negativity, (or those attention-seeking Vaguebookers) I believe Facebook is a huge ministry opportunity for those willing to devote the time and ignore the randomness.

*Facebook is an extension of me: Since I really started serving God about 15 years ago, I've always had a heart to minister to women. In the early days, I served on WM boards, taught and facilitated classes and counseling sessions, and served as a guest speaker at more than one women's ministry event. As our family grew, my home responsibilities increased and I was able to do less and less outside my home. With Facebook, the needs are there and they're obvious. Whether it's a quick comment on a post, or a more lengthy private message, Facebook provides an excellent ministry opportunity for today's Christian woman.

*Facebook as a witnessing/encouragement tool: Every single week, without fail, someone will write me a private message and ask about homeschooling, marriage, parenting, blogging--even more personal things like how I feel about head covering, dealing with hurtful family members, and more. I've even used this as my fleece a time or two to see if God wants me to spend this extra time on FB. Those are the weeks I get inundated.  People trust me. They see Jesus in me and they see my life, more or less, working out. They want to know my secret and I’m able to point them to help, resources, and ultimately, to Jesus.

*Keeping up with the times: Face it--we are a digital society and we are a busy society. Yes, we want to have real face to face conversations, and we should definitely make time for that, but the reality is that no matter how much busyness we can eliminate from our own lives, there’s no guarantee that the people God wants us to minister to are going to eliminate it from theirs. 

If we want to be a light in the world, we’ve got to meet people where they’re at. Sometimes that means scrolling through the mundane rambles, hateful rantings, and yucky yuck to find what God has put there for us to find. Sometimes, oftentimes, we’ll find whatever “it” is within those ramblings, rantings, and yuck.

Linking with:

25 comments:

  1. You have so much knowledge for a young woman!

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    1. Well...don't know about that. But, I have been reading a lot in Ecclesiastes lately and I'm thinking wisdom is one of those things I want to go after for sure!

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  2. It all boils down to the fact all social media platforms are what we make of them. We can use them to glorify God and connect with like minded Christians or we can allow them to consume us negatively. Thank you for this post :)

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    1. Yep! I'm a no-obligation blogger, no-obligation social media girl! But, I definitely want to keep myself open for the opportunity to be an encourager! :)

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  3. Sarah,
    I actually felt like stopping blogging a while ago. I have 2 Facebooks acct.'s and both are used only in conjunction for my blogs. I do not use them for anything else. I am really not into social media because I have an unfashioned flip phone and use it only for phone calls and nothing else. I do NOT want to tex because I would rather speak on the phone to the person.
    My cell phone number is only given to a very few close friends and immediate family otherwise, no one else has that number. I do not want to be available to people 24 hours a day and sometimes I even do what is unheard of and shut my cell phone off when I go out because i do not want to be bothered. Plus the only that usually calls me is Joe any way!! LOL!
    I got off subject but what I am trying to say is that I am not a slave to social media because i really am not a beleiver in it and do not constantly have to be on those sites......

    Each person has to do what is best for them....

    Hugs,
    Deb

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    1. Absolutely! Like anything else, it's definitely whatever you make it to be. I am very much a homebody and it's hard for me to come out of that a lot of times. I do great online but I NEVER ever answer my phone! I'd much rather chat online or talk in person. Ha! Either way, I'm glad WE are good blogging friends!

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    2. I screen all my calls at home especially from work and I just don't answer it if it is work because i do not want to do extra time. They do not have my cell phone number either because we kept our land line.
      The azaleas are unfortunately, short bloomers and only bloom for about a week. I do wish they bloomed longer but they are one of the first signs of Spring and summer coming!!

      Thanks for visiting!!

      Hugs,
      Deb

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  4. I feel the same way! Facebook provides so many opportunities to share the gospel and minister to people, and that makes it all worth it. : >

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  5. I have felt the same way at times. With all the drama and negative posts it can be so overwhelming. But you are right. You have helped people and are doing a good thing. I say the good out ways the bad. Keep doing what you are doing sweet cheeks. Love ya and your posts.

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  6. This IS such a good reminder of how we have such a great opportunity to reflect Christ through social media. The world has changed so much with the digital age but yet we can still be a light in whatever capacity we reach others. Thank you for sharing so honestly. found at my creatives linky. Have a wonderful week:

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  7. I totally agree with everything you've said and Love this post! Of course, God may lead some people differently and we must all be sensitive to His leading for our lives! Sometimes I've entered into debates over moral issues on Facebook where I stood up for truth. Why? Psalm 127 says They will speak with their enemies in the Gates. I think Facebook may serve that position in our society today. It is certainly a great place to let our lights shine and to engage people in meaningful discussion on a variety of topics.

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  8. I actually really enjoy Facebook--my parents and some of my other family members and close friends live in different countries, and it is one of the easiest and fastest way to stay in touch and get to experience a little part of their daily lives. I'm certainly planning on keeping it!

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  9. I, too, hear people grumbling about social medias. I do like it for the reasons you stated. I love keeping in touch with my nieces, nephews and cousins. And I use it for a prayer list. I love how quickly prayer can be sent heavenward when there's an emergency. I've chosen to use it for a ministry.

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  10. What do they say about Facebook -- it's a mile high and a quarter inch high? Yeah. But like you, I'm still on it, with the idea that I control it, and it does not control me. I find it a great way to keep in touch with my kids (some of them, I can instantaneously get a hold of them, where I couldn't in any other way), and it's a means of communicating. Like any technology, when we are the master of it as opposed to the other way around, then good things can happen.

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  11. Just be careful not to spend more time on Facebook or any other web page than you do with the Lord. The devil loves for us to spend our time elsewhere, even if it isn't online. People can be too involved in activities, even church activities, and place that time ahead of time alone with God.

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  12. This was interesting and with some good points... and I am NOT on Facebook :) I always read about people closing their accounts so it was good to hear the reasons people keep them. Clever caption too!

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  13. Great points! I am not on fb a lot, but share a post every now and then. Seems like the same people do the ranting on my personal account. Checking in once a week or even two is plenty for me. lol! We can be a tool in the Lord hands wherever we hang out. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  14. I am sad that it is so hard for my posts to reach people. But I am glad I don't have to pay a monthly fee to post. Hello from Inspire Me Monday.

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  15. Good thoughts!! Some of the people who choose to leave FB come back, some don't. I liked all your reasons for keeping your account open. It is a ministry tool for me, like you. There are some draw backs but for the most part, it works for me.

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  16. Great points! Thanks for sharing at HSH!

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  17. I have many great friends who will pray for me via Facebook, and likewise I pray for them. People do have control over how they use Facebook, so if we choose wisely it can be a great tool.

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  18. You have very good reasons. I too have had some negativity come through. I simply set my account not to follow the person rather than unfriend them. That way I can look them up if I want to and don't offend them.

    In response to my spring bucket list post comment,

    In some shared posts, I've blocked the originator, too.

    I'm so excited Mrs. Sarah, my husband got his first paycheck in the mail today. Hurray! Thank you. Your know what it takes to make it 30 years? Stay together! ~smile~

    I'm so excited Mrs. Sarah, my husband got his first paycheck in the mail today. Hurray! Thank you. Your know what it takes to make it 30 years? Stay together! ~smile~

    Be blessed!

    I may have mentioned this before, but do you know that your comments come through to my email as a "no reply blogger"? That means I cannot respond back by email to you. If you'd like to get direct responses to your comments more often, you might like to know how to change that. I wrote about it in this blog post.

    http://harvestlanecottage.blogspot.com/2015/01/are-you-no-reply-blogger.html

    If you're like me, you don't have time to go back and check on other blogs to see if you've gotten a response to your comment. I sometimes can take time to track down commenters, but I'm usually short on time.

    ஐღLauraღஐ
    Harvest Lane Cottage
    ...doing what I can with what I've got where I am
    on a short shoestring budget!
    ~~~~~

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    1. Grrrr....thank you! I think this is the third time I'll have gone in and fixed that. What's the deal? Ha!!! :)

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  19. Enjoyed your post as always. :) I'm one of those infamous non-facebookers haha... but I've discovered like anything else, its all about seasons. There are seasons in my life that facebook is ministry, and others that its an escape and distraction. I have had seasons of my life when it worked so well for me, and others (like now) that it simply brings out the worst in me. :) Thanks for sharing, I love your blog!

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Mrs. Sarah Coller

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