Within the first few tweets on their page, I saw tweets prompting the reader to “learn how to play poker”, to buy a specific insurance, to learn about electronic cigarettes, to team up with a beer company to buy the best T-shirts promoting beer, get a payday loans, promoting certain credit cards…etc. I understand the need to make money.  I get that churches struggle to raise funds…but, to me this smacks of leading people into financial slavery, gamboling, destructive health habits, encouraging addictions and gives a stamp of approval to activities that ought not to be encouraged.

This is a church that is “sold out” plain and simple.  If you don’t get my drift; these are paid ads that this pastor and church are condoning by putting tweets up on their page and trying to make money off of each link.  Understand, this is only my opinion; however, some of these are things that are being promoted are contrary to traditional teachings of the scriptures.

Can I tell you what I didn’t see on this Pastor’s Twitter stream?  There was no mention of God,no  Godly things, no tweeting of scripture…no building up of the spiritual nature of the readers…no encouragement to seek a relationship with God.  It upsets me…because I do believe in the power of social media to influence people; because of that, I believe that this pastor and his church are missing the mark.  Not only are they wasting the opportunity to win souls for Christ…they are in effect…leading them away from a life that is dedicated to strengthening the readers relationship with salvation and living a life of service for God.

How do you feel when you hear or see such things?  To me it feels like spiritual prostitution.  I would not want to be judged by God for erring in such a hurtful way to the Kingdom of God.  Scripture says that to those that have been given much, much is expected in return.  They have the opportunity to win souls for Christ and they had best be about the Heavenly Father’s business. It is hard to have respect for Gods values when some teachers, preachers and those in spiritual leadership make it appear as if it is ok to participate in these areas of life that God instructs us to avoid.

Do you challenge yourself to be authentic to your Christian faith online?  How do you make sure that you aren’t contrasting what you say you believe with your personal conduct and interactions online?

The Good News meaning that Jesus was born the son of God, come into the world to offer hope to a lost and dying world that they might accept him, repent of their sins and grow in their relationship with God the Father and have eternal life with him in Heaven, instead of living a sinful life of destruction and pain.

I have admiration for those who can and have witnessed in that way door to door or on the streets.  It is not for everyone however, and it is not the only way to win souls.  Society has changed and in some ways not for the better.  Personal safety issues are part of the equation.  It simply is not safe to send teens or young people into settings where they are encouraged to step foot into the homes of strangers where they may, or may not, be wanted.  Today’s secular world has little respect for life, or for Christian values.

Today, that type of witnessing still happens on some level…but, times have changed in the way that we deliver the good news.  We still need to honor and perform the great commission (the task of evangelizing) around the world; however, our approach must be different to be considered highly effective.  People’s hearts are hard and their sins are proudly displayed and openly encouraged by the misguided members of our society.

We have to bring the message to where they are; and, many people are online.

The reasons for changing how we deliver the message of Salvation to the lost are varied.  To get the word out to the masses you must take the message to where the people gather together.  The biggest arena today for ministry is the internet; not a superdome or sports arena. This could include websites, blogs, webinars, tele-seminars, social media, tele-casts,news-letters or even, advertising spots.

The opportunities are endless as people are spending untold hours online.  Getting their attention and helping them to live their lives for Jesus in a way that “sticks” is important because they are constantly being bombarded with messages in the media that conflict with a life’s goal of living in Heaven.

Just think about how the enemy, Satan, is reaching out to people online; both the Sinners and the Saints.  The temptations and the opportunities to lead them into a continual life of sin is right there at their fingertips.

There are sinful things online that become addictive and their “drug of choice” is always there waiting for them to connect.  Shouldn’t the messengers of God be there as well?  Why can’t a word, a thought/idea, a scripture or an encouragement to do what’s right in the sight of the Lord be just as available as the sinful content at the click of a mouse online?  It can be if Christian people would join this writing project to encourage people to come to know God and apply his life principles to their lives.

So it is, that the message of God’s love and his plan of Salvation is still desperately needed to be broadcast around the globe so that every ear may hear, and every eye may see, so that every tongue has the opportunity to confess Jesus is the son of God and their own personal Lord and Savior; BEFORE the rapture takes place.

Believe it or not, some have not had the opportunity to know of God’s love.  Missionaries around the world can tell you that from experience.  We must employ every means possible to reach out to a lost and hurting world so that everyone can know the love of God, experience his protective power, and the fullness of living in his service.

Whatever your circle of influence is, if you are a Christian you are called to proclaim the message that Jesus died on the cross and rose again so that each and every person who confesses their sins and sincerely repents choosing to live by God’s commandments will be allowed into Heaven when the trumpet sounds.

Not every person has the personality, the skills, or the Biblical knowledge to knock on doors or able to stand on the street corners and win souls for the Kingdom.  However, by choosing to #LiveSticky in a public way online, you have even more opportunities to have an outreach that you may not have access to otherwise.  Souls can be saved, seeds can be planted, and lives can be impacted in a very real way.

Be a witness, be an encourager, be a good listener and look for opportunities to be a lighthouse.   Lead by shining God’s light and guiding people to him through your online relationships and interactions.  Offer hope to people who have been hurt and lost or broken in life; only God can heal their lives.  Let the local churches and ministries help develop those people to a life of discipleship…but, be a vital part of opening their hearts to the call of God for their salvation.

That is what #LiveSticky is all about.  Won’t you be bold and commit to living your faith out loud online?  I’m going to try to be more bold online.  You can follow me on

Twitter  at      http://twitter.com/WritewhereUr

Twitter is not a place to be a wallflower.  You have to speak with others, comment on things that they say; break the ice with someone you may not be familiar with.  You are in charge of who you accept into your Twitter stream or conversation by who you follow and who you allow to follow you.  Choose wisely based on what you are trying to accomplish on Twitter.  In other words, choose people to interact with who interest you, don’t offend you and last but not least people who support your personal growth as a person, business owner or in an area of impact that you wish to be a part of.

The most successful people who use Twitter still understand it’s basic component and that is the power of connection whether it be connecting to other Twitter users have a social relationship or to bring people together for a common cause, interest or purpose…Twitter is a boon.  People who are already interested in your “business” aspect are predisposed to interact with you.  If your business is to get a message out on a certain subject…there are people out there who are predisposed to interact with you.  It is the same.   Most importantly Twitter is about relationships.  People who love Twitter get that.  They harness that understanding to meet, greet and connect with like-minded people.

Like any positive and productive and long-standing relationship it needs time, attention and respect.  Twitter not working for you?  Think about how you are using it.  Are you talking at people, or with people?  Are you exchanging thoughts/ideas or interactions that not only benefit you but benefit others in a way that they can appreciate you?

So whatever you are about, wanting to share, hoping to achieve, wishing to impact; let’s remember that you need to be aware of not only “minding your own business” on Twitter; but consider some other issues as well.   Take the time to support, encourage, draw out and interact with those people who you can enjoy some spending time with and be your authentic self; just like in your real, everyday offline life!  Twitter is your social network whether you use it to connect to famous celebrities, find friendship, support social causes, spotlight non-profits, proclaim your faith, or brand your business and gain customers.  Whatever you use Twitter for, just remember that your words have impact as do your connections & relationships; make the best of it.

           Every tweet I read, serves up a slice of who that person is and how they conduct both their business and their personal life…some people believe that those two things don’t necessarily have to align themselves up with one another; I disagree.   There are those, who if you read between the lines ( and some that you can plainly see, without having to look too hard), who will do, say, or act anyway that they want to, without necessarily showing a shred of integrity.  Making money is their business motto…and no amount of prodding will induce them to conduct themselves with sensitivity, with respect or, with an authentic genuine human interaction.  “It’s just business” is their claim to fame; don’t be that person.

        Success is about more than just making money…it is building something in which you can take pride in.  A business that is successful is built upon positive relationships between the business owner, their clients and their associates.  Successful relationships are build on honesty and strength of character of the individuals in the relationships.  Standing behind your business products and services shows your commitment to the customer’s satisfaction.  Let’s do our best to establish solid business practices that are long lasting and when this way of business becomes common…then and only then…let’s declare, “It’s Just Business”.

If you know of military personel overseas that could use a card of support or thanks and have their name, mailing address, and troop information please send it to this lady I am about to tell you about.  She will make sure that they receive a card that has been created to let them know how much they are appreciated.

A great lady by the name of Renita Farrall has started a program called make2tell2.  The idea behind the program is to encourage organizations, church groups, families, and individuals to make two cards and to tell two people about the card program for our military personel.   You can also contact Renita on Twitter…she is known there as: www.twitter.com/RenitaFarrall .

Think about the worst holiday you have ever spent…would a card from someone who cares have brightened your spirits?  The different branches of the service have members who are brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, grandparents, sons and daughters who are serving their country and sacrificing alot to do what they are called upon to do.  Please, can you spend a little time putting together some cards of appreciation and support?  If so send them to :

Make 2 Tell 2
991 Road 325
Harvard, NE  68944

You don’t know what these cards and notes can mean to the one who receives it.  Put some heart and soul into it.  Show them that they are not out of sight…out of mind!

       I love Twitter because it is immediate.  It is the thought process and relationship equivillant of instant gratification.  That is pretty addictive for most people.  On the other hand, blogging is the process by which a thought, a statement or an idea is presented in a deep and meaningful way.   It is the vehicle through which a post can be fleshed out.

         I like to think of it this way, Twitter is verbal shorthand.  It is clear, concise, direct and immediate.  Who doesn’t love that when time is short and people want to connect to others and not feel isolated in the midst of their day.  Blogging is more like a novel or  a streaming consciousness.  It is a full on conversational connection; if comments are encouraged, embraced and followed up on.

Or for those of you who are more visual; think on this:

        Twitter is like fast food and blogging is more like an all you can eat buffet.  Both are tasty, both meet the need and both have their fans.  But, when you combine them…you get a fullness of good food, tastiness, and service.  Both have their place and serve their purpose. 

         Twitter doesn’t have to replace blogging just because time is short and people have limited attention spans.  After all, there will be down time eventually for longer reads if they are temporarily short on time.  Blogging (or reading blogs) isn’t always possible because of demands on a person’s time.  However, Twitter can be a blogger’s best friend by simply being an immediate word of mouth referral (or an advertising)…an introduction of sorts.  It is like being invited to a party where you know no-one.  Then, the host of the party (Twitter) introduces you to people who share the same interests as you, have connections that will bless you; and maybe, just maybe, you will discover that your blog and some of Twitter’s referrals have mutual friends that you both know and love.  That also works in reverse…your Twitter stream can be enriched by the readers of your blog.  Don’t you just love it???

         For those who are addicted to Twitter either for communication, for social media purposes or for business connections these outages are frustrating.  The online traffic is mindboggling and temporary outages due to high traffic times are expected…but when the site is actually under attack…that is different.  People get nervous about their private information being taken.  Those who monitor such things have to really step up their defenses…and, there should be high consequences legally for those who are found to be behind such criminal behavior.

         I have a suggestion…after you have abused all of your willing friends and neighbors by giving away as much extra produce that you can…why not consider donating to your local food pantry or food banks, local commission/council on aging, or department of social services?  If you can’t keep up with the canning/freezing/or giving away…please do NOT let it go to waste.  Not everyone has the room or the ability to garden.  Fresh fruits and vegetables is important for health and well-being.  Many folks are having to get a big portion of their groceries from a food stamps program, a food pantry/food bank, or a commodities program.  Getting enough food to “save up or preserve” for winter isn’t always an option. 

        Due to financial situations, many elderly who live alone, and many families, will do without having access to healthy fresh fruits and vegetables because they can’t afford to purchase it.  Giving to those who are in need is a great way to give back to your community and to share the blessings that you may have been blessed with.

         I have a great friend who goes by the name of Mother Connie on Twitter (@Motherconnie).  She started up a wonderful blog to HELP people learn how to make healthy and delicious meals; with the food items that they get from a food pantry/food stamps, or commodities program.  I would like to ask you to remember during this season of harvesting that others would love to be blessed with your extras.  Please donate to your local communities pantry or program in the name of,  The Food Stamps Cooking Club Blog.  Then leave them the information to give to their clients about how to go to her site and get some great tips/recipes.   The website address is: http://foodstampscookingclub.com/blog/ . 

          Drop in and say hi to Mother Connie; it would make her day, and her night, to know that she was able to help someone out by getting something that they didn’t know what to do with from the food pantry.  She is a fountain of knowledge and she isn’t stingy with her help!  Tell her Rainy sent you!  She will make you feel right at home.  Blessings!!!

         So, on the recommendation of another person that I do follow…there was an urgent request for prayer for a baby who may or may not survive the night ( I hope he does and is a testimony to the power of God’s healing).   I believe in God and the power of prayer.  Faith is a muscle that must be exercised to grow and strengthen. 

         God says that whenever two or more agree together…he is there in the midst of it.  So, by gathering  unified people in prayer for a specific need…there is more power in that prayer.  Will the beautiful baby boy live…I do not know; but, what I do know…is that I believe by joining with other believers online, in the moment of need, that God will send the comforter there to be with the child, his family, and friends who desperately need love and support. 

          So please God, you know the need, please help them out; touch the wee one and heal him.  He needs the touch that only you can give!   Please guide the doctors, nurses, technicians, and lab people to use the skills you have blessed them with.   Help them to do what they humanly can do; and, please supply the miraculous touch that they can’t supply.  Amen!

       This isn’t the first time I have prayed for others online.  There have been many instances.  There will be more.  It actually could be a ministry to pray for those online who request it.  It is sort of like what i try to teach my children about hearing a siren…to me that means someone is in need;  and as emergency personel, police, fire fighters/engines, etc go to help…we provide a little prayer support.   Remember when you see a need posted on line asking for prayer; that  it could be you in need next time…would you want people to respond or ignore your request for prayer?  Do you believe in the power of prayer?

          People are being influenced daily by where they go and what they purchase online by these powerful effects.   It is a digital form of word- of -mouth.  It appears that the negative opinions regarding the Bruno movie… which is based on it’s gay theme of an Austrian television host, may have prevented this movie from having a repeat of it’s opening day’s financial success.   It may or may not be true, that online word of mouth prevented many people from viewing scenes that many have alleged are pornographic in nature; but, many voiced their negative comments in multi-media outlets after seeing it; including Barbara Walters who said on her show, The View, that she believes parents should keep young kids away from this movie because of the up close shots of genitals and scenes of  vividly descriptive anal sex.  However, as long as people perceive the Twitter effect as being true…it will gain in it’s ability to influence people’s behaviors.

          The ways that Twitter is being used is still in its infancy.  People are exploring the limits, the rules, the regulations, the benefits, the profitability, and the power of  Twitter.  I think you are going to see Twitter explode.  There are scoffers…mainly people who have tried to use it strictly for business purposes of direct marketing.  That doesn’t appear to be effective.  Most Twitter users are people who are connecting in a social way and for a variety of reasons.   For the most part, Twitter streams are not targeted markets, so that limits a plan to heavily promote tweets intended to make massive amounts of money.  Many hope to benefit financially in a linear kind of way…but, often people are offended and distrustful when approached in an unsophisticated business model, by people who approach them with an in-your-face, door-to-door kind of way.

         True influence is going to come by the power of recommendation or rejection.  This is done by planting seeds of approval or discontent by a peer-to-peer approach.  Big business is going to learn to hire people who will annoymously plant seeds of recommendation.  That is different than an affiliate kind of way of putting out an affiliate link which will directly connect them to a business or product.  Others, realizing the power of recommendation marketing are demanding transparency when a recommendation is underwritten by financial gain by the person doing the recommending.

          Anyone who knows anything about gardening knows that you must plan, prepare, nuture and then harvest your produce.  Part of the planning is strategy, preparing means that you need to evaluate what is needed that will allow the business person or individual or organization to achieve their goals of influence and success.  Planning what kind of seeds to plant and when to plant them is part of that planning and preparation.  Nurturing those seeds of recommendation or influence will require many things including large numbers of “seeds- or people sending out tweets”.  It will require a little psychology, a lot of personal relationships built on trust and responsibility and an awareness of when too much is too much and when there is not enough “seeding” going on. 

         The reason for that awareness is that Twitter is a volunteer thing.  Every person has the right of choice whether to follow another Twitterer back; that is crucial for a two way relationship.  If someone is offended, spammed, intruded on or direspected…they will delete or block that person from their Twitter stream.  This will end the influence or the harvest of the desired effect of the Twitter user’s “seeds of influence”.  It is all evolving as you read this. 

          Lest not forget…gardening can be destroyed by pests.  Pests in a real live garden come in all kinds of shapes and sizes.  Conditions can destroy a garden as well.  A productive garden takes all of this into consideration.  Pests online are those who have destruction in mind….those who spam or who try to destroy by hacking into accounts to steal data to be used later for financial gain.  Twitter and other online means of social networking are trying valiantly to curb such pests.   As far as conditions go, some of those can be controlled and some cannot.  The most powerful conditions that you can control as a Twitter user are respect, responsibility, trust, honesty and authenticity.  A fake person or one who operates without those conditions quickly becomes powerless and blocked!  So grow your “gardens” with care so that your harvest of influence is based on the good things that all relationships need to be healthy.  Be very careful about the fertilizer you use because it can come back to “burn” you!