Comments on: It’s a small world…or is it?

By: Philo

Philo — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:06:41 +0000

Thanks for the thoughts David. I really appreciate your comment that “the heart has to be exposed” because it requires vulnerability and when we are vulnerable, we lose control allowing the full weight of our story to be heard. When we delve below the surface of the heart and allow real exposure, a level of self-awareness occurs that provides an opportunity for deep healing.

By: david huffman

david huffman — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 01:23:53 +0000

My experience has been that Bible Study alone does not = community. Bible Study + real life honesty, transparency, not “when we or when they’s…” but with the real life “when I’s” are combined with study and the “will you walk with me in or out of this?” Then is when the truth of Scripture and transformation by Jesus occurs and that has equaled real community in my experience.

Honest, Dorm room discussion plus Bible Study=community.

It must include real pain, gut-hurting laughter, honesty with trauma, honesty about my sin, honesty about how hard cancer or divorce or parenting is or how mine were. It is celebration in the journey. It is honesty about faithfulness, honesty about successes and feelings and facts. Truth sharing regarding self reliance. It is Life on Life exposure to my friends.

My church Bible Study identity without shared life can be likened to Brad Paiseley’s song about “being so much cooler on-line”. Throw around a little Greek and Hebrew and a John MacArthur commentary or Sprouls thoughts, and I am suddenly thrust into not much more than knowledge and fancy exploratory words – Unless I start live it or share how I am not living and need help to the person next to me.

The heart has to be exposed to have real community. I too have learned from Samson Society and the sharing in my Men’s Fraternity Group. That is life on life honesty in light of the truth of scripture. Either out of balance can leave me empty and just end up being words.

Recovering Poser -

By: Philo

Philo — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:51:24 +0000

You’re hitting right on the potential weakness for the whole social networking explosion…it’s easy to be connected, but only at a “virtual” level. If we don’t discipline ourselves to be in authentic, redemptive community, all of our relationships can develop this digital dynamic that keeps us “distant, safe, and disconnected.” Well said Jon, this is an issue we all have to deal with on one level or another.

Of course there is a tremendous upside to social networking. I lost touch with my college roommate and found him on Facebook. It’s great to hear about his life, see his family, and connect with him on some level. But some will end up just watching what friends are doing and not interacting with them. I call this being a “Virtual Voyeur”, which might deserve a post of it’s own.

By: Jon

Jon — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:32:39 +0000

Point taken. You’re also making me confront another reality. Am I more willing to learn about someone’s life 3rd-party? Through an intermediary? Can Facebook tell me all I want to know about someone, without the effort and investment of conversation or getting involved in their life? I guess the tool that’s helping to connect me can also enable me to remain distant, safe, and disconnected. Thanks, Phil. The wounds of a friend…right?