POSTS, PICTURES & HASHTAGS

Welcome to the world of Social Media!!! It’s the place where we get our message out through, “POSTS, PICTURES & HASHTAGS”!!! So my question for you is, “WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE”? “WHAT’S YOUR POINT”? “WHAT ARE YOU USING THIS PLATFORM FOR”?

Let me start with my message. I’ve been a minister for over 30 years. I preached my first sermon when I was 14 years old, so this is all I’ve really ever known. I not only communicate through sermons, but I’m also a song writer and my family communicates a message musically as well. For the last two years, I’ve been working on writing blogs and hopefully a book soon. To help get this message out, my family encouraged me to launch my own web-site and so I did that about 2 months ago. Between my sermons, songs and writing, this is my message. I want to do three specific things with the areas of communication I use.

1. ENCOURAGE
2. INSPIRE
3. CHALLENGE

I want to say things in a sermon, song or blog that will help people in their everyday struggle. Life is hard enough as it is and I only want to be a small voice that helps people make it. One of my mentors is my father-in-law, Bishop Spencer McCool, who has been consistently posting positive things on Facebook for over 5 years. There are the great writers on social media that I look forward to reading what they have to say, because I know it will lift me up.

I’m not going to start listing the things that I see on social media that I feel are negative and divisive, but I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. I usually have one of two reactions when I read something negative or see an embarrassing picture. I’ll ether start shaking my head left and right or I’ll lean slightly back in my seat and my big blue eyes will get even bigger. My thoughts are, “DID YOU REALLY JUST SAY THAT”? or “WHY WOULD YOU POST THAT PIC?”.

The Bible says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof”. Proverbs 18:21

What you say matters. You just have to decide if you want to bring life or death, because that’s how much power is in your words. We all have opinions and revelations on certain matters, but deliverance and interpretation is so important in how your message is received. Maybe we should all ask ourselves this question before we post: “WHY AM I POSTING THIS?”.

My wife and I try to teach our kids to be very careful with what kinds of pictures they post. Right now, only our teenagers have an Instagram account and we monitor that. We want them to learn what is inappropriate and also ungodly at a very young age. One of the lessons in advertisement is, you will attract the audience that your merchandise appeals to. So maybe before you post a pic with your middle finger sticking up, or you trying to push up what should be covered up, you’ll think about who you’re really trying to attract.

I love hashtags, but people are even using them to promote their agenda. I like hashtags that are funny or something like, #ilovemychurch #marriagerocks #mykidsaremylife

I don’t care for rude or hurtful ones. #holinessorhell #getrightorgetleft

I think you get my point #aintnobodygottimeforthat

Some things in our lives should remain private. Even if you have a dispute with someone, social media is not the place to deal with it. If you leave a church, don’t post about how much better you think your new one is and the former church shouldn’t post about how much better their church is since certain ones left. Come on!!! We’re trying to reach a world that needs Jesus and Christians acting like this will not help our efforts in spreading the gospel.

If you agree with me, let’s join together in posting things that brings people hope and encouragement. I love seeing pics of people being happy or doing fun things with their kids. That’s the part of social media I love. I want to hear about what’s going on in your church…sermon series, baptisms, salvations. I LOVE IT!!! I want to wish you a happy birthday and read about how long you and your spouse have been married. That’s a great testimony. Tell me what you need me to pray about in your life and I will do it. I’ll even fund something you’re doing for a worthy cause. Don’t get too excited about that last one…we’re broke…LOL!!!

May God bless you today and remember we need:

POSITIVE POSTS
APPROPIATE PICTURES
&
HAPPY HASHTAGS