Dear Friends,
In 2010 I wrote about my decision to use social media and why. I was not interested, before 2010, in having a Face book page. But, I was encouraged to use Fb by my son. I asked him why I should do such a thing and even prefaced my reply to him with excuses and something like: " I did not have time and that I could not keep up on e-mail". Patrick is a wise man and replied to me by only suggesting I could communicate a positive message. Then there was no way out, I made a pledge to do that, project a positive message always!
I was skeptical of the social networking way of "friending" people, but here is what I discovered...
In the time I have shared my art and thoughts through Fb, Pintrest and Youtube, I feel I have received more than I gave and I have reconnected with past students, exchanged ideas with friends and explored new dimensions of friendship. 2016 was a great time of communication with a growing family. 2017 promises to be even richer.
I know people who feel like I did, and refuse to use Face book. I know social media and new technology, like all other inventions of man, can be used for good or bad purposes. At times I just have to turn from news of the evil in the world and turn instead to friends and share in a different spirit!
Today I believe there are different spirits we can connect with. I have found it hard to conform and ever please worldly spirits. If instead, we seek a Heavenly Spirit and a Father who is never rude or imposing, but allows us to seek Him, we wil receive great rewards! I am thankful for wise men who sought Him (Matthew 2:1-12) They showed the way and we today can still show the lighted way.! I believe anyone who agrees that emotions are a matter of spirit, and agree there is a human emotion of Love, can put to rest all manner of devisive arguments about religion and just begin to love life and their fellow man. This was the primary teaching of Jesus, that we should love his Father and love others as much as we love ourselves. If one did not love one's self (their gift of life) we could not seek the Father or Him.
I also believe there is a most grievous aspect to free willed spirits who cannot or will not seek Him. The violent spirits have been around since the beginning of human spirits. We recall the Christmas story, but it included Herod and the killing of male infants because of his fear of losing a selfish rule. Tragedies have always existed, where man has dwelled. The innocent, and saved souls now departed must know how different the spiritual kingdom of Heaven is. In a spiritual way I cannot grasp heaven only ask that His salvation might show me the way there! At present I must, with help of other belivers, try most humbly in my feebly way to serve in positive ways, in whatever world, material or cyber until thy Kingdom come, Amen for beyond this dimension and at times in this dimension, Romans 8:28 is true: "All things work together for good to those who love God"
I spoke in a virtual way this morning to a brother and I recalled how my mother liked to talk to him and how we have become spiritual brothers. I shared something I wrote for her long ago and as a 2017 message to all of my brothers and sisters I share this too:
There is a long and winding road, it's path may take you far from home. But do not fear the times upon it's dark shadowed way, but instead prepare for a time to come when your spirit will live with the one's you have loved!