Scripture

“My prayer is not for the world, but for those You have given Me, because they belong to You.”

John 17:9, NLT

Quote

There is within man an innate drive for social acceptance and it is as old as human history.

~Billy Graham

Dr. Graham was having a conversation with the president of Harvard University several years ago and he ask the president of this prestigious institution this question: “What appears to be the one thing that young people are looking for?” Without hesitation, the Harvard president said, “They want to belong.” I don’t think this yen, this longing is unique with young people: I think we all want to belong, we want acceptance. I believe with all my heart that this is exactly what Paul longed for, he wanted the Jerusalem church to love and respect him and it cost him his freedom and eventually his life.

Is it a wonder that Facebook is so popular. This social media platform plays to the deep human need to be known, loved and accepted. Facebook has more than one billion participants. Basically one out of every seven people on the planet are into  Facebook. In some respects, Facebook meets this longing to belong. Those who are challenged with social skills and lack the confidence make real friends have their FB friends. The number of friends one has increases their confidence. I suppose it is a boost to their self-esteem.  In the Facebook world life is measured by how many friends you have and how many likes you get when you post.

The sad thing to me is that there is a better way to live. People who get wrapped up in social media get caught is a performance trap. Their need for acceptance is greater than their desire for integrity. Their true reality and their Facebook persona are two differnt things.

The good news is that the body of Christ, the church is inclusive. If you are willing to repent of your sins, turn from them and turn to Christ in repentance, faith and humility–you will be received into the body. Then you will know for sure that you belong.

Extra

• We will be starting a new chapter Tomorrow night, I Thessalonians 4:1-12–“Sanctification”.
• Jo Ballenger’s Gall Blader surgery in Thursday morning at 7:30 {HH}.
• CHRISTMAS DINNER Sunday after worship.
• If you want to go on Guatemala Mission trip you need to talk to Emma Sanders ASAP. The trip is filling up. The church will help some but you have to make a down payment. Emma has set that figure at $100. Once she purchases your ticket, you have to go or we lose the money.
• The Southern Baptist Convention is the second week of June and it is in Orlando. We have a good conservative running for president. If you want to be a delegate and go as a representative of GPBC, let me know. You will be obligated to attend two sessions but once the vote is final; you are free to do whatever. Orlando is a vacation spot, you could kill two birds with one stone. Sounds like a dream trip for Vickie and Teressa. Spencer Bell will help you get registered and give you instructions.

Extra/Extra

Mrs. Inman is living with a nephew and niece who have a beautiful home on Lake Lamar Bruce. It is a crappie and bass lake. There are a lot of lakes in Mississippi.The LORD blessed me. We had an excellent trip to Saltillo, Mississippi. The GPS took me through Red Bay and then dew west into Mississippi. From there I took two or three turns but hit the Natchez Trace and was only 27 miles from my destination. Coming home, I took the Trace all the way to Cherokee where we served from 1975-1979. Made two visits there before coming home. If you like no traffic, the Trace is the place to be but the speed limit is 50. They will give you 55 but you better not exceed that: it is a federally run highway. You will not talk them out of a ticket. I love to drive on the Trace: June hates it with a passion. Mrs. Inman looks great: no one would ever guess that she will be 97 in March.