I am HIS partner in mission, looking to be one of His fishers of men as I follow Jesus as Lord.
Philemon 1:6
I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective
in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share
for the sake of Christ.
~ Apostle Paul
Pondering Point
When we join into partnership with Jesus, we become part of His organization or “organism” known as the body of Christ. Being in that body creates a series of partnerships with others described elsewhere as our brothers and sisters in Christ. With Jesus serving as the head and the rest of us working together as His body, we partner with Him and each other in mission. Right, partner?
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
Do you remember the facts from J.M. Comer’s book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry shared on Monday?
Americans on average connect with a smart phone 79 times per day – spending over 3400 hours per year between social media (705) and TV (2737)?
That is over 66 hours per week – 9 hours per day!
With that in mind, here is A Psalm 16 Parody: The Smart Phone Lord. Read the original psalm 16 to enjoy the full effect of this seriously troubling parody. Then review your relationship with God and your phone.
1 Keep me safely connected, precious Smart Phone,
my life depends on You.
2 I say to my Phone, “You are so important;
apart from You, what I can do? Nothing.”
3 I say of the other Smart Phone users in the land,
“They are also so noble and smart – my likes abound.”
4 Those who run after lesser devices
will end up suffering more and more.
I will not pour out my energies on such phones
or take up their products in my hands.
5 O Sacred Phone, You give me uber access to any food
or drink I desire; You make me feel secure.
6 My internet connectivity reaches innumerable places;
surely I have inherited a tremendous network.
7 I praise Your Maker, who advises me on all matters;
even at night His algorithms instruct me.
8 I keep my eyes always on my Phone.
With You in my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body rests secure,
10 because You, my dear Smart Phone,
will not go dead on me;
11 You make known to me the keys to life;
By Your very presence You fill me with all that I need,
bringing unending pleasures through my right hand.
Psalm 16
Psalm 16
A miktam[a] of David.
1 Keep me safe, my God,
for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”
3 I say of the holy people who are in the land,
“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
or take up their names on my lips.
5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful[b] one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Footnotes:
[a] Psalm 16:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
[b] Psalm 16:10 Or holy
Review
How often do you use a smart phone? Which do you interact with more often: God or your phone? How and how often do you connect with God through the day?
Repent if necessary...
of letting your attention be distracted or stolen by this idolatrous and siren-calling cell phone and its parent and partner companies.
Return as necessary
Return your attention to God and commit to find a plan or way that keeps God in His rightful place. Tell someone your plan and put it in place.