What comes to mind when you think of envy?
Read the definition here – Envy
Below is a powerful 4 part series on the subject of envy from John Eldredge’s excellent podcast. I personally found it to be a fascinating discussion and also extremely convicting. Can’t imagine there is another resource on the subject that compares to this series. So take some time to listen and then share your thoughts on envy by leaving a comment below.
If you’ve read the blog post – Social Media you may find yourself with a renewed interest in books and other activities that you enjoyed before the smartphone takeover.
Randy Alcorn recently wrote about why we should be reading more. He gives a little challenge that I hope you will decide to try.
“PLEASE turn off the television and open a great book and begin to read. Tell yourself you will read a minimum of ten minutes before watching something or looking at a device. I guarantee you that if you do this every day, some days you will never turn on the TV. An hour or two will go by and you’ll realize how much better reading is than watching.” – Randy Alcorn
Read the entire post from Randy Alcorn – Make Reading a Priority—and Let Books Change You—in the Coming Year
Here are a few suggestions
Many websites and blogs have a recommended reading page. Do you have some favorite authors? Author websites often have a page with links to reading resources. LifeWay has a separate new website devoted to cultivating a greater love of books – LifeWay.books
Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments. – Paul
– 2 Timothy 4:13
We are quite persuaded that the very best way for you to be spending your leisure time, is to be either reading or praying. You may get much instruction from books which afterward you may use as a true weapon in your Lord and Master’s service. Paul cries, “Bring the books” — join in the cry.
– Charles Spurgeon
Do you have a reading suggestion or a comment about books?
Please share ♥
Last year I found benefit in taking a break from social media for a while. I’m not and have never been one of those people who is constantly looking down at their phone. But I felt like too much of my time was given to social media and wanted to see what the results would be if I just stopped it.
See these posts — Social Media Break — Returning From Social Media Break
There were those who began warning early on of the dangers of social media addiction. Remember the video – Look Up – from Gary Turk? That video is from April of 2014. In the years since that video was released many more people have fallen under the spell of constant social media. Today the consequences are becoming clear. We now know enough to conclude that too much social media is very damaging. Information is showing up in books, articles, Ted Talks and individual life experiences convincing us that we must not continue in this pattern.
Social media robs valuable time and delivers very little of worth. Instead of promoting social involvement, as the phrase, social media would suggest, it is actually an anti-social activity. Look around when you’re in public areas and you’ll notice people with their eyes locked on the screen of their cell phone.
There is good news. Take a little time to learn about the harm of social media and what can be done about it. Explore the helpful links included in the rest of this post.
What I Gained When I Lost My Social Media Addiction
Let me conclude this post about social media with a favorite quote. I always find this quote to be helpful in determining if something is beneficial or not.
“Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, takes off your relish for spiritual things, whatever increases the authority of the body over the mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may seem in itself.” ~Susanna Wesley
What do you think?
Please take a moment to share your thoughts on this subject
Becoming part of the blogosphere has been a gradual process for me. Let me tell you a little about my journey.
It actually started with an experience I had while taking part in a facebook group. When a conversation started with someone asking for opinions on a hypothetical situation, it soon became clear that all views were welcome except for Christian. I was shocked at the level of hostility toward the few of us who answered from a Christian viewpoint. Understandably, as a result of this hateful attack, a few people left the group. I prayed about it and believe that God wanted me to stay and be a light in the group.
Partly due to the unpleasant experience, I came to the realization that today’s public forum is online and as a follower of Jesus I need to be there.
Next step on the journey was starting the Facebook page Every day with the King.
It was later and with much hesitation that this website/blog began. When I first started blogging, I wasn’t completely sure if it was God calling me to do it or not. I had some pretty strong indications that I was on the right track early on but plenty of doubts at the same time. I know that is very typical and to be expected when stepping out to go where God is leading.
Next, there seemed to be a converging of events that opened my eyes and heart to what the Lord had been whispering to me for a while. I became solidly convinced that this is God’s will for me at this time. It has been a process moving from asking to blog or not to blog, to declaring I’m willing to serve in whatever way God chooses to work through me.
I pray that what happens through this blog will glorify God. Here are four questions I plan to regularly ask myself. Scriptures to help are listed below the questions.
For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. ~Galatians 1:10 NKJV
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV
When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus. ~ Acts 4:13 HCSB
In the same way, my brothers, when I came to proclaim to you God’s secret purpose, I did not come equipped with any brilliance of speech or intellect. You may as well know now that it was my secret determination to concentrate entirely on Jesus Christ and the fact of his death upon the cross. As a matter of fact, in myself I was feeling far from strong; I was nervous and rather shaky. What I said and preached had none of the attractiveness of the clever mind, but it was a demonstration of the power of the Spirit! Plainly God’s purpose was that your faith should not rest upon man’s cleverness but upon the power of God. ~ 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 J.B. Phillips
