SOS! Save our ships; save our shapes; save our sanity? If you're a shipmate, it's a worthy cause! If you're over 40, it could be a LOST cause; and if you're a mom, it IS a lost cause! Life is full of distresses and Christians have accidents, gain weight, and lose their tempers like everyone else! Thank God we can send an SOS to heaven, and Someone hears and helps us, whatever the distress!
But save our SAINTS? I thought we WERE saved....you'd better believe it. Christ has transformed sinners into saints and we are saved for all eternity--as long as we stay aboard the ship! But welcome to the 90s! Innovations, inventions--AND the Internet! It's time to sound the alarm--not to jump ship--but to "Ride the Duck" (a Branson gizmo!) onto the exciting superhighway of this a-maze-ing web with caution and carefulness, or there's trouble ahead! The Master waits to warn us at the Well....
A Helping Word...or
Two!
The Risque--Head the Other Way!
Welcome to the Web--a place where sin and simulation await every x-rated "pleasure-seeker" on the prowl. It's there and it's accessible! Sometimes it's accidental--one innocent click and you're stunned. You didn't expect a search of "world newspapers" to turn up "sexy kittens"! What do you do? Well, don't click!! Pornography, off-color humor and vice are everywhere, and many times, in the most unlikely places. Temptation abounds--and in the privacy of one's home or office, it can overcome the strongest Christian. Be aware--Satan is out to make you stumble. Be determined in your heart you will not indulge in forbidden territory. Be discerning and don't click if there's a question; ask the Lord to give you true discernment, and don't indulge--your commitment to Christ is worth far more!
The Relational--Heed the Holy Spirit!
Welcome to the Web--a place where fun and friendships abound. It's exciting to meet and fellowship with Christians from all over the world. It's fulfilling to tell someone about Jesus, to lift up the discouraged and draw the backslider back to God. It happens every day on the Web--but other things happen too--marriages are destroyed, familiies split apart, and reputations ruined. All because of indiscreet relationships, in email and in chat rooms all over the Web. How should a Christian behave? Can we enjoy Christian fellowship, within limits and boundaries, and be pleasing to Christ? Of course--but know the limits; guard the boundaries. Don't be secretive. Honor your spouse at all times--share with him or her the friends you've made on the Web and the silly and serious emails that arrive in your box daily! Have Godly relationships and enjoy Christian friendships with brothers and sisters--but be on guard. Ask the Holy Spirit to check you when something's not right--and He will. Remember, your commitment to Christ is worth far more!
The unREAL--Hold Lightly the Magnet!
Welcome to the Web--a place where fascination and fun will draw you--it's magnetic! Surf awhile, and the longer you surf, the more fun it is, so you surf longer and longer--until you're hooked-- addicted! You'd rather surf than eat or go out with your family or meet a friend. You'd rather surf that go to church--why, there's Christian fellowship and links everywhere--why not! Because it's the devil's trap to bring unbalance to your life! Hobbies are wonderful; web pages are fun to make--but there must be limits. At some point, you must discipline yourself to shut it off--and go out for chocolate ice cream! I'm kidding, but please don't make the computer your TOTAL world. Enjoy it, surf to your heart's content, but let not your heart be smothered by it! Keep it in balance and under control--ask the Holy Spirit to let you know when enough is enough. He will, so please listen--your commitment to Christ is worth far more!
So what's the secret to Christian surfing with a Christian perspective? I've got three tips for us all to remember: (1) Go with Godliness--make sure He is Lord of every corner of your heart (2) Grow in grace--make a daily re-commitment to the Lord to be pleasing to Him (3) Get on that Gospel armor! We as Christian believers of the 90s have a challenge as never before to bring Christ to the world. The Internet has given birth to a new and thrilling avenue of evangelism and we can all be a part of what God is doing in His world. We're on the cutting edge--it's exciting, but remember, it's dangerous--cutting edges can cut YOU! Don't be afraid--and don't cancel your connection, for if you love and serve the Lord, HE will give you wisdom and understanding to enter into this new field of exciting witness and fellowship. Do be cautious; remember to put on that Gospel armor every day before you hit the highway! Let the Lord be honored and pleased in all you do and say--and HAPPY SURFING!
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