In just the past few decades, our common communication tools have gone from handwritten letters, land line phones, and face to face conversations to email, blogs, cell phones, Facebook, Twitter, and Blackberry’s, all to help us become “more connected” (or at least connect us more often). Now, these advances in technology are not inherently bad, but they do pose new challenges when it comes to maintaining balance in our life. Many of these new tools constantly draw us to connect, to be plugged in. But, in the midst of our “always on” life, we must not neglect the frequent call of Jesus to “come away”.
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
In a world in which we are constantly tempted to “log in”, we need to become even more intentional about “logging out”. Jesus taught us that in the midst of the busyness of life, we must intentionally get away to refocus, slow down, and be with God. When we make this a regular part of our routine, it helps to center us and give us clarity in life. And as we experience this rest in God, we learn to not be so attached to the many other things that grab for our attention.
Here are some practical ways we can intentionally unplug, so we can “plug in” to God.
- don’t check email after a certain time of day
- set a time limit for how long you spend online
- remember that you don’t always have to answer the cell phone
- do a “media fast” – turn off all media (TV, Internet, etc.) for a few days, learn to enjoy the silence
- when you go on vacation, go on a vacation from things like Facebook, Twitter, Myspace
- make one day a week a “log in free” day, when you don’t do things like check email, blogs, etc. – spend time engaging people face to face
- take a day and really get away with God – just you and Him
- let the last few moments of your day be spent in quietness and prayer, not in a noisy bombardment of television
Ned Kelly release
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These are just some ideas, they are not legalistic rules. However, there is discipline involved, we have to make a choice to go against our ingrained pattern and that can be difficult. But, remember that discipline brings freedom.
Jesus is inviting us to come away with him, to unplug and learn to rest in God’s presence.
So, what are some ways that you can practice the discipline of detachment (attachment to God)?buy Father of the Bride ??????? ? ????????? ????




I like the “media fast”; Diana and I read the Bible about 30min before going to sleep at night. It’s the last thing in our mind before going to sleep. When we wake up we read our daily bread. It’s the first thing in our mind and something to ponder on the rest on the day.
Having the Bible be the last thing and the first thing in your mind is a great way to end and start each day!
Take off your watch. Remember that for God all time is eternal. Don’t be in a big hurry to read Scripture and pray. Go for quality instead of quantity when praying and reading the Word. Go for a walk and meditate on How Majestic Is Your Name
To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith.(1) A Psalm of David.
[8:1]O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
[2]Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger.
[3]When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
[4]what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?
[5]Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings(2)
and crowned him with glory and honor.
[6]You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under his feet,
[7]all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
[8]the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
[9]O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Footnotes
1. [8:1] Probably a musical or liturgical term
2. [8:5] Or 'than God'; Septuagint 'than the angels'
" target="_new">Psalm 8. Those are my suggestions.