Facebook Social or Addiction? PART ONE

"Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, "God is trying to trip me up." God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one's way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer" (James 1:13-15, The Message).

ad·dict
[n. ad-ikt; v. uh-dikt] Show IPA
noun
1. a person who is addicted to an activity, habit, or substance: a drug addict.
verb (used with object)
2. to cause to become physiologically or psychologically dependent on an addictive substance, as alcohol or a narcotic.
3. to habituate or abandon (oneself) to something compulsively or obsessively: a writer addicted to the use of high-flown language; children addicted to video games.
(Dictionary.com)
         I did not realize that when I Googled Facebook addiction that i would have access to so many pictures and websites talking about this topic.  I will be sharing from my own experience as far as what I have seen or heard about Facebook or social networks in general. I will confess, i do not have a Facebook account nor do i want one at this time. I do connect, once in a blue moon, through my wife's account to check up on my daughter's account or to communicate with people that i can not get a hold of any other way...LOL 

 
"When the Internet clicked into the public consciousness more than a decade ago, experts debated its usefulness and staying power. Now, few would argue that mobile devices and online technology have become deeply embedded in society. Millions of Americans have become dependent upon the new digital conveniences that provide them with entertainment, information, products, and content. The impact of these technologies on interpersonal relationships - a domain often called social networking - has begun to rewire the way people meet, express themselves, and stay connected..."

Borrowed from:
   (Barna Technology Study: Social Networking, Online Entertainment and Church Podcasts  May 26, 2008. 
The Barna Group of Ventura, California, www.barna.org         
      
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     OK, so do i have a beef with Facebook or MySpace or anything similar? not necessarily. When i first got into Myspace, back in the days, i quickly saw how ugly it could get if one wasn't careful.  Things were not blocked or censored as they can be now. Having a popular or common name, i had many people trying to connect with me that i never knew or did not want to know.  Myspace lasted about one month.  It was cool being able to design it the way i wanted and so forth, and i will admit that i was glued to it for a few days.
      There is a lot of issues going on right now with Social networks.  One, is that people are getting themselves into trouble and two, people cann't seem to get enough of it. 
Recently, in the state i live in, there was a Pastor of a Large church who stepped down, because of a relationship he got himself into, while being married. I know others have either connected with old boyfriends and girlfriends and have gotten themselves into or close to doing something they regret,
Why are we doing this to ourselves. 
        What i have noticed, and we all can speak to this, is that when people are stressed or under pressure or whatever, they start to look for something to get away, or if there is a void they try to fill it. Most people turn to Drinking, smoking, drugs, gambling, etc.. Now we have Facebook.  People can connect with people, and do so in a manner without anyone seeing or everyone seeing and knowing their business.  It is a quick fix.  I have seen post that say i am laying in bed doing absolutely nothing. or sitting here trying to figure out what to do.. or i am bored what should i do... wait for it.....wait for it... BAAM.... 10 people like it and another 20 comment on their post....  and then awwwweeee... i got my hit for the next 2 minutes.  2 minutes later another post, i just went to the bathroom, wow i feel a lot better....or i feel ugly... i look fat... my toes are crooked....Why don't people like me....You get the point.... I guess what i am trying to say is that i see people on the road, work, mall, in the same car or house glued to their facebook, it has become more important then paying bills or doing homework, or talking to their spouse.  People are waiting to see if anyone is paying attention to them. They use it to make themselves feel better or wanted, kind of like Drugs or maybe even sex. Now, it is not everyone, but it is a lot of people, we know who they are. and i do not want anyone to think i am talking trash about Facebook or Myspace, we can be talking about any other addictions....Stay Tuned...........!!!!!!!

I want to hear your comments on this, so PLEASE Post. this may lead int some deep stuff!!!

You can tell me i am crazy.   
"Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives"       (1 Peter 2:11-12, The MSG).

Biology and God?

This was part of my Biology Class!
AWESOME!!!
Blessinsg to everyone this week!
I pray this message touches everyone!
Pass it on!!!
Luv You!

Happy Birthday MADRE!

Before i go further, you have to say MADRE as a non-Hispanic in order for it to be funny.... Okay so its not funny!! My mom will laugh! 
What can i say about my mom? Wow, I could be here for days on end. Being my mom should be enough. She gave birth to me on a cold December day in The Bronx, and we were in the hospital for about 2 weeks cause she had to breath and push so much for me that she had an asthma attack. My dad, Cuco, came on leave from the military to see me in the hospital and the other fathers would say "wow, is that your kid?  when was he born? he would say today", after being there a week.  LOL
My mom is a beautiful woman, my sisters take after her.  She showed me how to make coffee and breakfast, at first i thought it was to help me be self sufficient, but every now and then i wonder if it was just so that she and Papi Simo could stay in bed relaxing from their busy week!!! Um?? LOL I may never know! But i can make coffee and a mean breakfast!!!! She is a smart woman, she of course married Cuco, without him i would not be here, and she later married Papi Simo who kept me in check growing up, and who helped give me my 3 sisters.. I know complicated, but awesome for me.  She has always been a hard worker and mother all at the same time. She taught me how to comb my sisters' hair and cook and care for them.  I definitely got a lot from that. I can make a killer braid and pony tail! I know i am a good father because of it. She raised me to be a man not a machista or male-chauvinist. She has always told me to be myself and yet respect others, at least in their face!! LOL She has a mean right and left hook, i deserved it though, I'll leave that story for another posting..... She has a huge heart as well as my two dads, i know where i get it from!! She always listened, when i was younger, without judging, but with a corrective ear. She loves to dance , know where i get that from as well. She is a Grandma now and has passed the same qualities to my sisters and now her grandchildren when she is not yelling at them to calm down and relax!! LOL 
Happy Birthday Mom!
I love you very much and i wish you many more!!




Happy Anniversary Papi and Mom!