I am trying (and failing) to get some of my homework and studying done right now. In doing this, I realized that I need to get my thoughts down before I try to focus on something else.
Yet again, this idea came from something that was said during my communication class today. We were discussing verbal and non-verbal communication, and how everything we do can be perceived as a means of communication. In fact, we went ahead and defined non-verbal communication as this: facial expressions, body movements, and physical appearance. So even the way you dress can be a form of communication.
Think about this: What does your non-verbal communication say about you? To me, this immediately brings up the ideals of a "good" Christian. A lot of times, we talk about not just "talking the talk" but also "walking the walk", but have you ever stopped to think about how important that truly is?
As the old adage says, "actions speak louder than words." Do your actions speak of a "good" Christian life, or do they lead people in a different direction? And whether you realize it or not, you are always communicating with someone. This sounds almost paranoid, but people really are watching you all the time, especially once they know you are a Christian. And many times, your life and your actions might be the most prominent display of Christianity that they see.
No matter how much you talk about Christianity, if your life and your everyday actions don't match up with what you are saying, people aren't going to listen to that message. They are going to "listen" to what your actions are saying. You can be the biggest verbal advocate of Christianity, but if you don't advocate that in your lifestyle, it won't matter. People will always believe your actions over your words, because they know that will be more true to who you really are.
Something else we have to realize is that we send messages through our non-verbal communication constantly, and more often than not, it is unintentional. We may not mean to come across as disrespectful, but by rolling our eyes (or some other similar action), that is the message we send out. We may not mean to come across as uncaring, but by appearing busy and distracted, that is the message we send out. It is important as a Christian to be aware of what our unintentional non-verbals are saying about us as well as our intentional actions.
So are your actions getting the message across that you want them to? Or are you being misrepresented?
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Netiquette
Today I went to my hybrid English class for the first time. (Hybrid = half online, half in class) One of the things that we talked about was something called "Netiquette", which is basically etiquette that we have to follow when we're on the discussion boards online. We named stuff like no foul language except in quotes, not attacking people personally, and a limited number of emoticons. Then my professor brought up a really good point. She said that we shouldn't say anything that we wouldn't say to someone's face or anything that we wouldn't want our parents and everyone we know reading.
So that seems straightforward enough, right? But then I started thinking more about it. How often do we use the internet, whether it be instant messaging, emails, or Facebook, to say things we really don't want to say? For that matter, how often do we use text messaging to do the same? I know that I am very guilty of that last one. And while none of these methods of communication are bad, they all have the potential to be bad. How many times have you gotten into some sort of fight over Facebook, be it in chat or through messages or on someone's wall? How often have you sent someone an email because it's easier to explain your ideas or thoughts that way than in person? How many times have you had an important conversation over text because you are too shy to talk to them in person? How many times have you confronted someone over instant messaging?
You know why we do that? (And yes, I am guilty of it just as much as the next person.) Because we are afraid. We are afraid of their reactions to whatever it is that we have to say. We are afraid that they will be mad, and it is much easier to deal with anger online or on the phone than it is in person. We are afraid that they won't like our ideas, and rejection is easier to handle online or on the phone than it is verbally. We are afraid that they might not share our feelings, and it is easier to handle disappointment online or on the phone than it is in person.
So I want to challenge anyone who actually read all of this to try something. In the next week, try to have all your important conversations face-to-face. Don't allow yourself to hide behind the computer or phone, and really allow everyone to see YOU, not just the image you present to the public on the phone or online. Now, I know that having every conversation in person is just not feasible. We are all very busy people, and sometimes there just isn't time to meet face-to-face. However, if there is any way for the conversation to take place in person, try to arrange it.
I am going to be challenging myself to this same ideal as well in the next week. Try it, and I really think things could change in how you present your ideas and truly alter your communication style. And really, even if you don't like it after you try it, what will you have lost?
So that seems straightforward enough, right? But then I started thinking more about it. How often do we use the internet, whether it be instant messaging, emails, or Facebook, to say things we really don't want to say? For that matter, how often do we use text messaging to do the same? I know that I am very guilty of that last one. And while none of these methods of communication are bad, they all have the potential to be bad. How many times have you gotten into some sort of fight over Facebook, be it in chat or through messages or on someone's wall? How often have you sent someone an email because it's easier to explain your ideas or thoughts that way than in person? How many times have you had an important conversation over text because you are too shy to talk to them in person? How many times have you confronted someone over instant messaging?
You know why we do that? (And yes, I am guilty of it just as much as the next person.) Because we are afraid. We are afraid of their reactions to whatever it is that we have to say. We are afraid that they will be mad, and it is much easier to deal with anger online or on the phone than it is in person. We are afraid that they won't like our ideas, and rejection is easier to handle online or on the phone than it is verbally. We are afraid that they might not share our feelings, and it is easier to handle disappointment online or on the phone than it is in person.
So I want to challenge anyone who actually read all of this to try something. In the next week, try to have all your important conversations face-to-face. Don't allow yourself to hide behind the computer or phone, and really allow everyone to see YOU, not just the image you present to the public on the phone or online. Now, I know that having every conversation in person is just not feasible. We are all very busy people, and sometimes there just isn't time to meet face-to-face. However, if there is any way for the conversation to take place in person, try to arrange it.
I am going to be challenging myself to this same ideal as well in the next week. Try it, and I really think things could change in how you present your ideas and truly alter your communication style. And really, even if you don't like it after you try it, what will you have lost?
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Sick and Rambling
- I hate being sick. I have a cold/sinus type thing, and it's driving me insane. I would just like to be well again.
- Comcast is being stupid. Our tv continuously messes up, and they finally fixed it today. FINALLY. However, I was sick yesterday, and I had to deal with my retarded television while all I really wanted to do was watch mindless tv and try to recover. FAIL.
- I am kinda freaking out about my hybrid English class. I don't know if I am... responsible, I guess, enough to keep up with it all on my own. But I guess I will learn, or fail. Yay.
- I am also freaking out about my psych class. The teacher seems like she's really difficult, and she's hard to keep up with when she lectures. Plus, the class is only 11 weeks long, so we're cramming a whole bunch of information into fewer weeks. Fun.
- I am super excited about what the next few weeks hold for Freedom Church. In fact, I am super excited about the next few MONTHS at Freedom. And I probably don't even know the half of what all is coming up. Just trust me on this-- you WILL not be happy with yourself if you miss it. It is going to be AWESOME. BE THERE.
- I love NCIS. NCIS and Bones are the only two shows that I keep up with any more... Does that say something about me? However, I absolutely adore them. The characters are fantastic and I really like the plots.
Rambling Done. Ta-Ta For Now!
(:
Friday, January 8, 2010
Passion 2010
So I have been planning this post since Tuesday night, and I cannot figure out what I want to say. I do not know how to describe to you how awesome this was. I could summarize what all I learned, but I know I wouldn't do it as well as the original speakers did.
I guess the best thing to do is just to run down a list of speakers and musical artists.
I guess the best thing to do is just to run down a list of speakers and musical artists.
Speakers
- Louie Giglio
- Beth Moore
- Francis Chan
- Andy Stanley
- John Piper
There were also a few people there who were just there for our so called "breakout sessions", but I didn't hear any of them.
Musical Artists
- Chris Tomlin
- Kristian Stanfill
- Matt Redman
- Steve Fee
- Charlie Hall
- David Crowder*Band
- Hillsong
Everyone except Hillsong led worship at some point or another. David Crowder*Band and Hillsong both did late night concerts after the main session. I did not get to see Crowder, however, I got to see Hillsong and they were AWESOME. My love for them has increased exponentially since I have heard and see them. They are incredible.
One of my favorite things about the whole experience was something called Community and Family Groups. There were 19 Community Groups, and we each had one leader. Then from those 19 groups, we were split into smaller Family Groups. Our Family Groups had about 8 people in them, and they servced as our small groups for the weekend. At first, it was a little bit weird at first-- being thrown in with 7 other people that you've never met to talk about really personal issues. However, it ended up being absolutely awesome. All of us in our group really really clicked and I felt like we had a lot in common even though we were all from different parts of the country and from different backgrounds. I feel very close to all of them even though I've only know them for a week. We had a ton of fun all the times we met and I really hope I get to see them again sometime.
I'm sure there are many of the main sessions available online by now, but the one that hit me the hardest was John Piper's message on Monday. It really made me think and challenged me as a Christian. To see this message written out, click here: http://ow.ly/TrfA Enjoy!
In Christ,
Amy
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