By Mike Riley There’s no question in this writer’s mind that our world is a much smaller place because of the advances in technology over the past thirty years. We can now instantaneously contact individuals at one click of a computer mouse via email or one button on a cell phone. The possibilities of evangelism over the Internet are virtually endless. For example, people around the world with Internet access, had the capability of viewing the 46th Annual Memphis School of Preaching Lectureship via the OABS website. This could not have been possible just a few short years ago. The Apologetics Press website has both audio and video files that can be accessed by both students and teachers around the world, educating them about God’s truth found in the Bible, counteracting humanist teachings found in the public school libraries of our country, such as evolution and atheism. The Preacher’s Files website went online in September of 2001, and has since grown into a major resource for Bible teaching on the Internet. However, there is a downside to technology with regards to effective evangelism. While we can reach more people than ever before with technology and the Internet, the downside of that capability, is that we lose the personal aspect of one-on-one interaction with people. USA Today human behavior and relationships writer, Sharon Jayson, looks at the possibility of overusing technology to the exclusion of one-on-one interactions with people. Neuroscientist Gary Small, a brain researcher at the University of California-Los Angeles, recently made this comment regarding hand-held computers: “They give us opportunities to enhance our lives, but also to disrupt our conventional lives.” Mr. Small also makes the following observation: “Our brains are sensitive to stimuli moment to moment, and if you spend a lot of time with a particular mental experience or stimulus, the neural circuits that control that mental experience will strengthen,” he says. “At the same time, if we neglect certain experiences, the circuits that control those will weaken. If we’re not having conversations or looking people in the eye — human contact skills — they will weaken.“ The Ecclesiastes writer advises us not to go to extremes (Ecclesiastes 7:16-18 NIV – see commentary; cf. Proverbs 25:16,27), and such is the case regarding our use of technology in evangelism. The one-on-one method of teaching that Jesus used during His earthly ministry (Matthew 16:13-28; John 3:1-21; John 4:1-26; John 13), is still the most effective form of evangelism that we have today. However, using the technology tools we have at our disposal in a wise manner, can enhance our one-on-one teaching efforts.
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I received the following thoughts by an unknown author via email this morning from one of my Christian friends and wanted to share them with my blog readers. These thoughts could very well be my thoughts, as I’m entering the latter years of my life. The thoughts expressed are something to seriously think about this day and every day that God allow us to live (Acts 17:24-25):
You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all.….. And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams… But, here it is, the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise.…. How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my babies go? And where did my youth go? I remember well….seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like. But, here it is..…my friends are retired and really getting gray.…they move slower and I see an older person now. Lots are in better shape than me.…but, I see the great change.…Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant.…but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we’d be. Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore.…it’s mandatory! Cause if I don’t on my own free will….I just fall asleep where I sit! And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did….. But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I’m not sure how long it will last.…this I know, that when it’s over.…its over….Yes , I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn’t done….things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I’m happy to have done. It’s all in a lifetime…. So, if you’re not in your winter yet.…let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life, please do it quickly! Don’t put things off too long!! Life goes by very quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not!You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life.…so, live for good today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember.…and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past. “Life is a gift to you from God. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a “fantastic one!“ Live life well — Enjoy today — Do something fun — Be happy — Be thankful…..And Praise God For all He’s given you! (Psalm 150:6; James 1:17; cf. John 3:27). |
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December 2023
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