What CAN I post on Facebook?

 I have been in a dry spell with blogging. No ideas, no inspiration, and major writer's block. Then someone from my church blocked me on Facebook for what I consider pretty dumb reasons, and it led to a blog post. And it has also led to this one. Maybe I need to thank this person.

  The main reason this person has blocked me is because I post a lot about a certain issue. An issue I deal with. An issue that several people I am friends with on Facebook deal with. And this person is the second person to take issue with me posting about this issue. Another person from my church messaged me several months back and took me to task about it. She said some young person might be curious and it could lead them wrong. She also said she would think since I deal with this issue, I would want to get completely away from it and not talk about it at all.

  So last night, I sat there thinking about it. Do I post too much about THAT? Should I stop posting about it? Rarely post about it? Should I care?

  We are all different. There are different things that interest us, different things that are important to us, and to just post things on Facebook that interest everyone and is something everyone wants to see.... that is impossible. I have 458 Facebook friends. There is no way on this earth that I could post things that all 458 want to see and that interest them. With that many different people from different backgrounds, I am going to post things someone doesn't like, things that don't interest some of them, and things that are not important to them.

It happens to me on the other side.
I hate sports, but people post a lot about sports. So should they all stop posting because I was so traumatized as a kid because I was so bad at sports and got bullied and picked on and forced to play sports I was no good at and didn't understand? I get so tired of sports talk, especially around Super Bowl time and silently root for the opposite team that most people are rooting for, in hopes that if their team loses, there will be less talk about it.

I am not an animal lover and weary of posts of people crying about the animals. I am much more concerned about abortion and the way people are treated. Does that mean they should stop posting about animals and just focus on abortion and human trafficking? (Well it wouldn't hurt for them to post occasionally about people stuff)...... but no. They have a right to post about their concerns about animals. (Even if a dog bit me when I was a kid and instilled a life-long fear and dislike of dogs in me)

I don't drink alcohol and think we'd all be better off without it, but I have friends who post a lot about alcohol. Should they stop posting about that stuff because I oppose it and don't drink?

   I hate - really hate - motorcycles, and even did a blog post about how weary I get of being told I need to watch out for them instead of them needing to drive safer and watch out for cars and trucks. I have Facebook friends who are always talking about such things, but they have that freedom. I made the mistake once of commenting "if they are that concerned about safety, they wouldn't ride one" on a friend's post who didn't even own a bike. I immediately got cursed out and threatened to be beaten up by some guys...... it didn't make me look any more fondly on bikers....... but still..... people have a right to talk about motorcycles on Facebook if that interests them. My opinion of them will never change their mind anyway, and I have no right to tell them not to talk about it. I can just roll my eyes and scroll on by.

  Politics are important to me. Issues affecting our families are important to me. Moral issues are important to me. I like encouraging quotes and memes, jokes and humorous pictures, articles about church and relationships with God, Christian fiction and Christian fiction authors, Southern Gospel music, family. Do I expect all 458 of my Facebook friends to just post things that I like and that are important to me? No. A thousand times no. If we go deleting and/or blocking everyone who posts things that we may not like or that does not interest us, pretty soon we'd have no friends. That is what they make the scrolling feature for.... to scroll down through to see things that do interest us. You can also click that the post doesn't interest you, but by all means, scroll.

  People are important. We get so wrapped up in our busy lives and in doing what is important to us, that we overlook people. We tend to gravitate towards people that are just like us. Even churches have cliques where certain people always get together before and after church. If we just surround ourselves in life with those just like us on and off of social media, and who agree with us on everything (is that even possible?!), we will miss out on the possibly of some great friendships. We will miss out on having our ideas challenged, of meeting people who might help us on this journey of life that we are on.

  Life would be boring indeed if we all agreed on everything. Sure, it would be nice if I could scroll down through Facebook and not see post after post about Tom Brady and deflated footballs, of posts telling me how important it is to adopt a dog (you own dogs, you don't adopt them!), of posts about alcohol.... but those things are part of the people's lives and are important to them. What right do I have to expect them to stop because it is something I don't like nor am interested in? If I don't like it, I can scroll on by. Easy enough. I don't have to read those posts.

And the topic my fellow church member didn't like me posting about? I just went through my Facebook friends and counted everyone who either deals with this issue personally, or is married to or closely related to someone who deals with it. That number is up close to 60, and much over 60 if you count every family member I have on Facebook, though most of them likely have no clue what I deal with. Sixty people who that issue is important to. So should I stop posting about it because a few people don't like my posting about it? Should I do a poll on Facebook to see what people prefer me to post about and what they prefer I don't post about?

  To paraphrase a popular saying, you can make all of the people happy some of the time, you can make some of the people happy all of the time, but you can't make all of the people happy all of the time. It holds true on and off of Facebook.

Should we be careful about what we post on Facebook? Of course. Are there ever times we need to block someone? Yes. I blocked a bitter guy who was always slamming my church, and blocked a young guy who was constantly throwing the "F-word" around and defending the use of marijuana, but blocking shouldn't be a knee-jerk reaction to everyone we disagree with, or when people post things we don't like. I have had a few people delete me over my well-deserved criticisms of Barak Obama..... and that is OK...... but if I deleted everyone I disagreed with on something, I'd have a big 0 where it says how many Facebook friends I have.

  The reason we need the freedom of speech, is because not everyone agrees. If we all agreed on everything, there would be no reason for free speech.

  Ever since I found out this person from my church had blocked me, and why, I have been second-guessing myself. I have felt for a long time that God wants to use me in some way because of what I struggle with, which is one reason I have become more open and post about it a lot...... so should I let one person influence me to not do what God wants? And I am not saying God wants me to post everything I have posted about that, yet I have evidence that some of what I have posted has helped and encouraged others in the same boat as me. And others have posted about that issue and encouraged me..... hence my sharing posts.

  Everyone doesn't enjoy seeing pictures of your grandchild's vacation Bible craft, your latest macrame project,  what you had for dinner, what I think of Obama (believe me, I don't post near what I think on that!), what your opinion is of Tom Brady, what book I am reading, what CD you are listening to, why you think sugar is bad, what kind of week I am having, what I want for my birthday (cash and gift cards are always great, and it is May 26..... get to it!), not everyone is a Christian and appreciates Bible verses and Christian memes...... but there are people who do want to see that stuff, and are interested.

  Sure. I'd like to weed out the curse words, the half naked pictures, the sports, the dogs and cats...... but people have as much right to post that stuff as I do to post what I do...... and if we start saying what people can and cannot post...... we are wrong, unless it is something very offensive or wrong.

  Not everyone is going to "like" or comment positively on what we say, and it is narcissistic to want that. But we can keep posting what interests us and try to do it for the right reasons.

  And we should try not to be offensive, I am too outspoken, but I don't say near half of what I think, and it is all too easy to say on line what we would never say in person. It gives us more bravery, if you can call it that, to be more rude and outspoken. So we all need to be careful what we post, but not go to the extremes my mind has been going the last few days wondering and second-guessing. We cannot, and never will please people anywhere we are, and Facebook is no different, so I for one am going to not even try, and let God be my judge and guide. Or at least try to.

  And we could all do better at making friends in real life, and not so many on Facebook...... though I have made some great friends on there and have met them off line.

  And in closing, something to remember: The same person posting those posts about things you are not interested in and get tired of........ they most likely also post things that do interest you and encourage you and brighten your day. 

A long walk home

 

I just did something brave. A friend posted a pro-50 Shades of Grey post on Facebook, and I politely gave a very watered down opinion of why I disagreed with her that the movie and books are OK and people shouldn't have an issue with them. I think we are still friends.

  I recently had a conversation with a friend of mine who is Calvinist. We discussed Calvinism and I tossed out some reasons I don't believe that way, and we had a good discussion on it. I didn't throw everything I had at him, and he came back with his answers to my questions. We parted as friends and he assured me I did not offend him with my questions.

  The world has become a crazy place in many ways, and one way is that no one can disagree with anyone anymore. If you do, you hate them, and are a bigot.

Dare to say homosexuality is wrong, and that you believe that gay marriage is not Biblical or right, then you are  homophobic, hate gay people, and you need to be shut up.

Dare to oppose abortion and call it what it is - killing a baby - you hate women and don't believe women have rights.

Oppose a black president because his policies are so opposite yours there is no way you'd vote for him, then you are a racist and hate all blacks.

Speak up against radical Muslims, and you are accused of hating all Muslims.

  There is rarely any polite and civil disagreement anymore. From the political scene to the religious world, no one can disagree anymore without it becoming a verbal sword fight. Even those who try to be civil are attacked and shredded by those whose viewpoints they disagree with.

 Newsflash: We are all unique individuals who are raised in different backgrounds. We are not always right, nor are we always wrong (unless you're Barak Obama,,,,, can't think of anything he has been right on......). And just because someone disagrees with us, does not mean they hate us, or that we are hateful bigots.

  Do I think 50 Shades of Grey is a horrible pornographic, S&M movie that no one should see? Yes, a thousand times yes! Does that make me hateful, judgmental, or a prude? No! I have good reasons for believing that way, and I believe I am right, or I would reverse my belief.

 Do I believe homosexuality is a sin, that gay marriage should not be legal? That God's Word condemns it as a sin, and His Word only allows for marriage between a man and woman? You betcha. Does that make me a homophobic bigot? Absolutely not, though I have been accused of that, which is very, very ironic,

 Do I believe abortion is murder and should be outlawed? Man, do I. Does that make me anti-women, or anti-women's rights? No way. I am all for women's rights, but killing her baby is not a right, and I am weary of that argument.

 Do I believe Calvinism is right? No. I see a lot of holes, especially in 5-point Calvinism. Does that mean I hate Calvinists or believe they are going to hell? No way. I do believe only God knows our hearts, and there had better not be any sin there when we meet Him.

  I think it is sad that we live in a world where you can't disagree without accusations such as we get for disagreeing. I do believe some things are more important. I could hotly debate someone on abortion, and don't believe you can be a true Christian and support it, or consistently vote for pro-abortion candidates......but that doesn't give me the right to hate pro-abortion people, or refuse to be their friend.

  People CAN be Christians and disagree on stuff. It is part of the political game and agenda of the militant pro-gay people and others, to paint anyone who disagrees with them as hateful, and they use that kind of rhetoric to try to shut up those who disagree with them. While we should not let that stop us for exercising and protecting our freedom of speech and the freedom to have our own beliefs and opinions, we should never use that kind of rhetoric against those who disagree with us. It may sometimes be true. One only has to look as far as radical Muslims who do hate Christians and Jews, and there may be factions of the gay community and abortion industry who hate us for disagreeing with them, but we must always love, and never stoop to that kind of thinking, language, and rhetoric when people disagree.

  Those who truly follow Jesus need to band together. The day is coming when we will face persecution here in the USA. It is already happening to some on a small scale, usually if one doesn't agree with gay marriage, but if this country keeps sliding down the slippery slope we are on, it will worsen and it could be illegal some day here in this country to say some things are wrong, and it may be illegal to even be a Christian.

 If we Christians keep fighting among ourselves, it will be a long and lonely walk home. We need each other, and it is OK to disagree on different things, but one should never let those things split churches, families, and friendships.

  I do believe there are bigger issues where Christians may not, and should not, worship and run shoulders with others who twist Scriptures and teach a lie or false doctrine, but we should be careful in these areas. We truly need to come together and love each other and be there for each other. Christians should be known by their love, not by what we disagree on.

Long Walk Home

Verse 1

One man's trying to build a wall, one's trying to tear it down

One man hears a battle cry, the other hears a peaceful song

Some say once always saved, some say you fall from grace

But if we don't learn to love each other, listen when I say

Chorus:
It's gonna be a long, long walk home

Walking in our differences

It's gonna be a long, long walk home

If we don't walk in the love Jesus gives

If we spend all our time trying to be right

And fighting over who's been wrong

It's gonna be a long walk home

Verse 2
A local congregation singing “Just As I Am”

I hear the preacher saying “some day we''ll walk hand-in-hand”

I can't help but wonder why we don't do that now

If we don't lay aside our pride and learn to reach out

Chorus:
It's gonna be a long, long walk home

Walking in our differences

It's gonna be a long, long walk home

If we don't walk in the love Jesus gives

If we spend all our time trying to be right

And fighting over who's been wrong

It's gonna be a long walk home

Supporting Chik fil a

By now everyone should know about the Chik fil a gay controversy. In a nutshell, the owner came out and stated that he believes in the Biblical definition of marriage: one man and one woman. He faced a tremendous backlash from liberals with some mayors going so far as to say they would make sure a franchise would never open in their city, something the ACLU said they could not do (surprising from that evil organization). A day was set to support Chik fil a, and record numbers were out on that day.

This was not about people being against gay marriage - though many who showed up in support are against it. It was about free speech. I heard one man who went is a guy that regularly supports gay causes financially and is for same-sex marriage. But, he is also a business owner and he was disgusted by the attempts to hurt a restaurant chain because some people didn't agree with the owner.

I think the outpouring of support was great, but it got me to thinking. Why don't we regularly support Christian businesses. This stand by the owner of Chik fil a shouldn't surprise anyone. They are known as being Christian-owned. They are even closed on Sundays, which may not impress the countless Christians who have  shop and eat out on Sundays........ but it impresses me. They honor the Sabbath and don't force their employees to work on Sundays. They support great Christian causes and organizations. We shouldn't just turn out on one day in support, we should regularly support them.

And there are others. There used to be a publication in my area called The Shepherd's Guide. It listed Christian businesses and Christian-owned businesses in the area. A great idea. Not sure if it still exists, but it should. We need to support other Christians. We can't stop shopping at every store whose policies we disagree with, though sometimes we should when they get too outrageous (i.e. JC Penny and their gay father's day and mother's day ads). If we didn't shop anywhere that we disagreed with the policies and who they support, we wouldn't have anywhere to shop. However, we can and should support businesses that we know are Christian-owned. So what if it costs a little more or takes a little more effort. It would be a good thing.

I didn't make it to Chik fil a on the day of support. I was on vacation and the one we drove by had cars waiting to get into the parking lot, and people lined up around the building waiting to get in, and we were on a time constraint. But I plan on eating there soon on my own support Chik fil a day.

Yes, it is great to rally around a person or business like that when they are attacked for doing right, but it is also great to regularly support them. We should. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ.