I have decided that I am banning myself from Facebook.  Let me explain the details of how and why:

Recently I have discovered that I am drawn to wasting time on this social media page.  It has been such a blessing for me.  I have caught up with old friends, learned lots about people, been able to share and laugh and cry with others…the list goes on and on.

However, the other day, I noticed that the things I was posting were not necessarily the best PR for myself, my family, and my church.  I also noticed that when I was waking up in the morning, before I did anything – I checked my email, and I checked my Facebook.  How pathetic is that?

I have already deleted the Facebook app from my phone.  Its gone.  I will not use my phone to play on Facebook any longer.

However, I do want to state that I am not deleting my account, nor am I saying I will never post again or read what’s going on.

Our church, the Granny White Pike Church of Christ – has a tremendous social media presence on Facebook.  I will continue to help as the administrator of that page.

I love using my personal page to share what’s going on with our church family.  I like sharing what my sermon will be about each week.  I like sharing successes and achievements of our church family.

Also, if I write a blog post, it is automatically sent to my twitter and Facebook page for promotion purposes.  It helps generate readers.

The main thing I’m trying to get at is this:  its remarkably easy to pull out your phone, hit the Facebook app button – and spend 3 – 5 minutes scrolling through it.  Its surprisingly simple to click on Facebook on your computer and spend 10 minutes scrolling and liking things.

Its also incredibly simple to share things, post things, complain about things, gripe about things, and post inappropriate things.  While I have my share of inappropriate posts (did you see the one about the Neosporin in the nose, or the frequency of using a Q-tip) – those pale in comparison to some I see from other Christians.

What we need to understand as Christians is this – while we are not called to be, we are called to make every effort to be…perfect.  Once its out there, its out there.

So my guidelines now for Facebook use –

1.  No more iphone app for Facebook.  If I need to share something I can wait till I sit down at a computer and think about it.
2.  Pictures are okay to share, as my family likes to keep up with us this way.
3.  Church posts are okay to share as well.
4.  No more than 5 minutes a day on Facebook.
5.  I will not look at Facebook before I have – said I love you to my wife and daughter, read my Bible, pray, and worked or studied or visited.
6. I can respond to messages or questions via Facebook, whether they are on my wall or through messenger.
7.  Everything else will be on a case by case study.
8.  I will do this for at least the month of February.  I waited till the end of today since today is my birthday, and I’ve gotten lots of wonderful birthday wishes (THANK YOU!!)

Now, like anything else – if Facebook has not consumed your life, and you can look at it and maintain your Christianity and not waste time – please, continue.  This is not a judgement post – its an informative post.  Facebook can be a great tool, but not if you use it the wrong way.  Remember, once its out there, its out there.  Also remember, things that are said via Facebook are often misconstrued.

May God bless us all as we continue to do our best.