A Hurting Word...
I love bears--real or stuffed! Real ones are fun to look at; stuffed ones are fun to love! And then there's the people bears--I call them the muggers and the huggers! Muggers bite--they're mean, and they hurt! Huggers love--they're warm, and they care! You can probably name one or two, of both kinds!
A society of muggers and huggers is sure to eventually show up on the biggest byte of all--the Internet. Here you will run into "bear bytes" of all brands. Flaming ones, angry ones, scary ones. Friendly ones, awesome ones, silly ones. People and places of every kind and nature!
Which kind do you want to be? I want to be a hugger--a bearer of Good News, Gospel joy, and genuine friendship--sending little "bear bytes" of God's love around the Net to each person I meet. Can I enlist you to be one of God's helpers, encouragers, ministers on the Net? It doesn't take ordination papers with any denomination; it only takes a "byte" of your time to bless another person--an e-mail bear hug in a mailbox or on a mail list to cheer up someone's hard day. Let's climb out of our own self-pity wells of worry and woes, and refresh the hurting world of the Internet with bear bytes of God's love!
A Helping Word...or Two!
Bear 'n Care!...There are REAL people on the Internet. Let's love and care for them as God brings them across our pathways. Whether you meet someone in a chatroom, through e-mail, or a discussion group, ask the Lord to help you be sensitive to the needs of others. Lonely, discouraged, disheartened people surf the NET at all hours of the day and night. You've got a message of joy and hope, a testimony of God's faithfulness to you. Don't be afraid to share it. Give someone a CARE HUG this week!
By the way, I have some wonderful Christian friends on the Net--some of you are probably reading this and grinning from ear to ear! You are sweet, sensible, spiritual, and sometimes just plain silly--some worse than others...grin...but I thank God for rare, wonderful Christian friendships--would not trade the great fun and warm fellowship we share for a million dollars! Honest! A Philly steak hoagie or New York pizza? Maybe...;-)...
Some people places on the Net!
Chatting Christians
Peggie's Christian Friends . . . Sisters . . . Race with Friends . . . Pot of Pastors
Bear 'n Share! ...There is REAL spiritual help on the NET. Have you found a special, Christian place that has uplifted and encouraged you? Then share it with a friend--Christian music, books, ministries, Bible study. Have a dream for your own home page? Ask the Lord to help you create a page of Christian ministry and outreach; He will do it! I speak from personal experience; computer-illiterate just a few short years ago, I now sit amazed at what the Lord has done. An impossible dream come true; He helped me--that's why you're reading this today! And He'll do it for you! Of course, HE will not learn the HTML codes for you, or find the neat little graphics you want--there's hard work involved, but He will be with you ALL the way! Why not give someone a SHARE HUG this week! And then go learn how to make a home page, and you can give people share hugs all day long!
Some Faith-Sharing Places on the NET!
- 10 Reasons To Believe
- Christian Answers Network
A Bear 'n a Prayer!...There are REAL spiritual needs on the NET. People with problems. They've surfed for fun, but they really need faith. Prayer requests come into "Peggie's Place" on a regular basis--I am overwhelmed by the needs of wonderful people, some at the end of their rope. Spiritual, physical, emotional needs that would break your heart. Can I, you, or anyone else solve them, or give perfect answers? Of course not. We can love, uplift, and encourage. But most of all, we can pray for them. Let God fill you with compassion for the needy people you meet on the NET. Give someone a PRAYER HUG this week! You'll be so glad you did!
Prayer Places on the Net!
The Prayer Place at Peggie's Place!
Humor flies around the NET--some of it quite raunchy, some quite funny. The good humor is enjoyable, and makes us smile, and sometimes even ROTFL (roll on the floor laughin!). It's all part of the Christian friendships and fun we share. But THAT'S not what Christian life on the NET is all about. It's about "bear bytes"--little hugs of e-mail-- love, concern, and friendship--with arms that reach around the world. Can it be done? Of course! I remember once forming a "Blessing Brigade," a group of friends I asked to welcome a new MS person on the NET. They responded with willingness and love, and that MS gal had "bear bytes" from around the world she will never forget!
You too can be a willing vessel in the hands of your Lord to reach out to a friend, an acquaintance, a stranger--someone the Lord impresses on your heart, "That person needs a hug!" Do it, in the Name of the Lord! May the Internet be busy with warm, wonderful Christian "bear bytes" around the world this week! And....here's a big Christian bear hug JUST FOR YOU......(......)! God bless!
And that's just a word...or two, from my heart to yours!
His Healing Word
"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2 KJV)."
"Lord, I reach out of my own personal well of worries and woes, and into the world of others on the NET, so needy for God's love. Send someone across my path THIS week who needs Your love, joy, and faith. Help me to care and share, to lift someone's name in prayer to You this week. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
