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Texting Is The New Talking

Texting wasn’t even around just a few years ago.

A few days ago, I read this article from Yahoo saying that 1/3 of teens with a cell phone send more than 100 texts a day!

For me, one that deals with teens on a daily basis, this is important information.

It tells me that teens today would much rather read my text than take my phone call.

This wasn’t so when most of you (or even I) were teens.

It seems like the days of late night phone conversations with friends are all but over.
It seems like even the days of AIM are coming to a close.

The world is changing.
The way we communicate with our world is changing.
The aspects of relationship are changing.

You – as a parent, a pastor, a teacher, a friend, a brother, or a sister can battle the changing world, or figure out how to leverage the newly adopted preferences of the world.

The question is, what are we doing to reach the current generation in a way that leverages how they choose to communicate?

How are you monitoring what your teen says in texts?
How are you using texts to reach a new generation?
How are your relationships being changed by a new form of communication?

We can fight the changes in our culture, or we can use them as leverage for our message.

What other changes are happening in our culture that we need to leverage for maximum impact?
Are these texting statistics alarming in any way?

29
Apr 2010
POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson
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Blog, Church Ministry, Featured, Leadership

DISCUSSION 7 Comments
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Your Pet Peeve

What’s that one thing that drives you crazy when other people do it?

That thing that makes you want to scream at the person for doing it.

That thing that annoys the heck out of you.

What’s your pet peeve?

28
Apr 2010
POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson
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Blog, Random Stuff

DISCUSSION 19 Comments
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Word: 4 Filters to Use Before You Speak

Words.

We used to say, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
That was a lie.
That was before we ever really got old enough to realize the impact of words.

The truth is – words hurt.
They have a way of cutting through the flesh and hurting our heart.

They can cause damage way beyond any flesh wound.

But we often just toss them around.
We throw them out without really ever stopping to think about who they may land on…
Who they may damage.

Reputations have been destroyed by them.
Livelihoods have been affected by them.
Families have been torn apart by them.

Take what you say seriously.

Here are some filters for your thoughts, before they become ammunition for your mouth…

1. Is what I’m about to say going to tear down, or build up?
2. Is this something that I should only tell to the person with whom I have a problem? (read a post on this here)
3. Is what I’m about to say something I’ve heard to be true, or something I know to be true?
4. If this were about me, would I want someone saying this without my being around?

Words.

They can be used as a great blessing, or a great weapon.
The choice is with the one that speaks them.

James 3:5 “Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.”

27
Apr 2010
POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson
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Blog, Featured, Life

DISCUSSION 9 Comments
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5 Reasons I Tweet

I dove head first into Twitter a few months ago.
Since then, I’ve really gained an appreciation for the opportunities that social media provides.

Here are the top 5 reasons  why I give my time to Twitter…

1. I’m able to impact the lives of people I would have never been able to meet without it.

Twitter has allowed me to have conversations with, email correspondance with, and phone conversations with people that are all around the world. Without Twitter, I would have never been able to give these people an encouraging word or open their curiosity to Christ.

2. I’m impacted by people that I would have never have had a chance to meet without Twitter.

The things that I learn and the insights that I gain while reading through my Twitter stream are inspiring, educational, and thought provoking. I can honestly say that I’ve learned more on Twitter than in some seminary classes. :)

3. It teaches me to write and think with clarity.

When you’re limited to 140 characters in a statement, you have to be brief and clear. The person reading my tweet probably has never met me and has no idea how I think or what I’m like. I have to be crystal clear when tweeting so I’m not misunderstood. It’s helped me think and speak clearly consistently.

4. Connecting with people helps me think through things.

Sometimes, I have to talk my way through thoughts and ideas. I’ve tweeted a brief thought and been able to get a better picture of the throught through the discussion it’s caused on Twitter.

5. The relationships I form.

I’ve met some great people on Twitter. These are people that, 5 years ago, I would have never been able to know. In fact, I sometimes begin to feel like I actually know some of the people I follow.

So, why do you tweet?

26
Apr 2010
POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson
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Blog, Featured, Random Stuff

DISCUSSION 8 Comments
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Yes, God Still Does Miracles!

I don’t usually share a lot of personal stories on this blog, but this was too good not to share.

Monday morning, I got a call from my Mother telling me that my cousin had had a heart attack that morning. She said that they had found a 100% blockage in one of his arteries and had been able to successfully remove it. The concerning part, however, wasn’t his heart, but the amount of time he had been without oxygen during the heart attack.

The doctors gave my cousin little chance of ever being able to talk or move again.
The EEG they did confirmed that there was no brain activity… It was only a matter of time before his family would have to make the decision to take him off of life support and allow him to die in his hospital bed. All signs were pointing to his two small children never seeing their Daddy again.

Two days later, my cousin responded to a visitor’s request of opening his eyes. He has regained movement in his arms and legs and is showing signs of being himself again. In fact, the EEG that was done earlier today showed normal brain activity. He is now off of his breathing device and showing full capability of breathing on his own.

We have witnessed a miracle.
The doctors have confirmed that there was little chance of him living past the week. Their only explanation…GOD! I have no idea why God allows some to survive while He takes others from us. I do know, however, that God still performs miracles. His hand is still ruling over and in control of life. He is not silent, is ever present, and is always working in our lives.

Praise God!
Praise God that He never fails.
Praise God that His ways are perfect.
Praise God that He is the same as He’s always been.
Praise God that He still performs miracles.

No matter what your day holds,
No matter what your yesterday held,
No matter what your tomorrow brings…

He is in control.
He is working in your life.
He is fully capable.

22
Apr 2010
POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson
POSTED IN

Blog, Encouragement, Featured

DISCUSSION 14 Comments
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