Some people just need a pat... on the head... with a hammer.

I have something else in mind to write, actually. But, I don't think I can word it now in such a way no one will have a clue am talking about this one person. Or, in a way that this person won't know it's about h--. So, I thought of writing about Facebook. *big smile*

No, am not gonna write about its early beginnings nor facts about it. Just had some observations and came up with Dos and Don'ts in using this popular social networking site. Am sort of an FB junkie as its been part of my daily life. (Like it has to be on even I am doing something else.) This is where I get information, current events and others (Twitter, as well) from since I don't have TV. (Yes, I have none. So, please donate. Oh, I have preference, btw. PM me if you have a kind, generous heart.) 

Yeah, I just felt like I should share my two cents how people should conduct themselves in the FB environment... If you find them senseless, that's your problem! Kiddin'...

Here goes my wisecracks...

Don't ACCEPT a friend invite then REMOVE them after. It's kinda rude. Especially if it's for no apparent reason.

I've heard people say, "I can do whatever I feel like doing. It's my page, anyway!" Yeah yeah...but, be considerate of other people's feelings. Imagine how they jumped in elation upon seeing a notification showing you've accepted their friend request; then, out of nowhere, you come to a decision that can devastate them forever. Guess it's much better not to ACCEPT friend invitation at all. Don't break anyone's faith and have them thinking all their life whatever they'd done wrong. And, don't ever think they won't notice you "un-friended" them. They will.

Better not keep adding people you don't personally know.

Ok, it's another way to make friends. You must be hoping to be really friends with this person. Taken. Maybe, it's proper to also send them a private message with the request and a bit of introduction how you're acquainted with them. At least, do things a little ethical. But, be ready for possible rejection.

Facebook is not a BURN BOOK, so don't post your mean, uncouth remarks about people you dislike or worse hate.

Quoting Cady from the movie "Mean Girls", "Calling somebody else fat won't make you any skinnier. Calling someone stupid doesn't make you any smarter."

Gone are the days when people are urbane. Now, everyone seems to be taking advantage of their freedom of expression. They don't anymore know what are to be kept privately. Whatever pops into mind will conveniently be broadcasted. Whoever's reputation crushed doesn't matter!

Use your own photos. Bet everyone has a face to show.

Could be a strategy to invite more friends? Just it's nothing but a desperate move. You'll rather look pitiful you hafta rob another's photo who you deem far better looking than you. Heh. Try taking gazillions of photos and try different angles til you achieve the look or pose you like. TahDah! There you have your fantastic profile photo. *wink*

I won't assume anyone would sign up to have an FB account with the intention of remaining unidentified or something. Unless, stalking a crush, maybe. Geesh!

Not everyone is interested to read updates of what's going on in your life each day. No need to narrate how you feel, where you went, what you ate, what movie(s) you watched, what color of clothes you're choosing... seriously.  

Unless you're Paris Hilton or Lady Gaga, maybe. FB is that awesome it allows its users to tweak privacy setting. You may inform your closest friends who might be sincerely interested to know what you're currently doing. Doesn't have to be EVERYONE.

Stop the solicitation of fan signs, puh-lease!

If you're someone I admire, I'd prolly do one for you without you having to request. But, I won't even do that for any celebrity or famous icon. I dunno, but it just doesn't make sense to me. Am gonna take a picture of me with someone's name on any part of my body or written in a piece of paper. Then, I'll post it and tag the person who owns the name. For what?! Like am a fan?!

Your opinion may be brilliant but it doesn't have to be advertised. And if it isn't brilliant, the more it shouldn't be circulated.

I mean, so what if you think Jessica Sanchez should've won? No matter what you think should've happened, it won't change the fact that she didn't. Expressing opinion often leads to quarrel and unnecessary misunderstanding, or worse, trouble. One throws out his opinion for the purpose of showing off what (s)he knows. To prove something... which starts friction between another person or group. Then ends in provocative statements. There are issues we need to let die for the sake of peace.

Remember this..."Intelligence [opinion] is like an underwear. It is important that you have it, but not necessary that you show it off." 

Before posting or sharing information that causes panic, first find out if the source is reliable. Validate.

We don't wanna take part in causing heart attack, right? When posting anything of great importance to the society, might as well include the source of information. This way you do not lose your credibility.

No trash-talking allowed! 

Same as, it's not a Burn Book. Might as well start a private online/offline journal (in case paper and pen aren't anymore your thing) if you really need to unleash all those negative feelings. It isn't helpful that we infect others with all the negativeness, agree? As if, it makes us any beautiful, smarter, respectable publishing nasty rumors or comments about another!

Facebook is NOT like The Jerry Springer Show!

Except those who are under 15 years old, all of us are expected to conduct ourselves as educated individuals. We are not to expose shaming details concerning our parents, siblings, relatives, friends. Whatever issues are currently happening in your household, it is your duty as member of that family to not divulge private, sensitive matters. Keep them private. If you need to communicate to anyone your innermost thoughts and feelings, there is a better way to do that: privately send them a message. Or, why not talk to them in person, in stead? The world doesn't need to know the drama inside the walls of your home. 

....................................................

...just to mention a few. Still have a lot in mind but, but and but. 

Before I conclude this entry, I'll add two things more to the list. Difference of these two, they're POSITIVE!

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  1 Corinthians 10:31

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:17

Toodle-ooh!

A time for reflection.

Night of 28th of this month, just two days ago, I was placed in a situation where the condition of my heart was revealed in full view. I was, myself, surprised. Wasn't expecting I could react that way. Where did that come from? Lotsa thoughts came into me. In my mind, I was tracing the root. There was fury, rage, and evident violence. Not that I was incapable of control. I believe twas a choice.

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. [Proverbs 29:11]

Yes, I repented and admitted to God that same night how a fool I was having given full vent to my anger. I wallowed in my emotions, that's my wrong. How many times have I given myself into excuses that it's my right to be human? "It's ok, because just like everyone else, I have feelings." "Someone wronged me and I simply reacted."

...and I know this is a battle. The injected lie has to be removed from my system. How I miss the "me" I used to know. But, I thank God for I am covered with an assurance that it's not what I can do but what Christ has already done for me that matters. Indeed, "His mercies and compassion are new every morning."

I found myself powerless left alone to myself. Without God's saving grace, I am reduced to nothing. That situation humbled me. I realized how true it is that "we are all work-in-progress". Knowledge is different from living what you know. Doesn't matter how much you know, in fact, but how involuntarily it reflects in your life -- the way you speak, act, react, etc. It's like you know first-aid and when you're brought into a situation where you need to use that knowledge, you resolve to evade. It's not how much you know of the Bible that counts. It's how you practice what you know in ANY given situation.

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. [Luke 6:45]

And how the Holy Spirit was convicting me at that very moment. My flesh was just too impervious to heed, however. I simply wanna be in that emotion. "Wait, this is my moment. Let me be." Makes me wonder why people just wanna wallow in their hurt. Why was I not able to let go right away? I was very aware that the Holy Spirit was already correcting me, but I can't understand why the pull from the flesh side was stronger.

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. [Luke 9:23]

This verse plays in mind most of the time. "Yeah, I know...deny myself, but..." I was just sooo yielding to my emotions. Excuses seem to be such justifiable rhyme or reason. For no apparent reason, I simply just wanna feel the emotion and be in it. Guess it's human nature. We know there isn't any good in staying angry. We know that we should just let go of baggage. We know things but we simply don't wanna do anything about them. I dunno if twas more convenient to let my emotions rule over me. Can't remember anything else but the time when I was already alone. How I was so disappointed with myself. How I regretted I had said so many harsh words.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. [James 3:9]

Only after everything was over that I came back to my senses. hmmmm...it shouldn't be said this way, actually. Because I was AWARE what was happening. I was fully aware that the Holy Spirit was speaking to me. Guess we all become deaf when selfishness sets in.

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry... [James 3:10]

I was too quick to listen in that situation, by the way. I was actually provoked. The argument didn't start from me. I did my part in speaking slowly by explaining my side. For whatever reason, the other person involved kept on egging me on. I was trying to keep cool until the trigger word was uttered. And, I failed to do the last instruction.

Am so tempted to say, I tried to be "slow to become angry, but..." No, am not gonna give any more excuse. I know where I failed. I shouldn't have lived in the flesh.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. [Romans 8:5-8]

To live in the spirit is not really mystical, in fact. It's more of obedience. You hear a small voice inside instructing you what to do. You either follow it or ignore it. It's a choice. A decision.

I'd often share that we are just God's vessels and our captain is not ourselves but Christ. He knows what's best for us so He guides us and tells us what to do. But, we want to be at the helm. We rather be our own captain. We want to use our autopilot. So, we often fail and crash.

My heart broke big time knowing that not only did I hurt the feelings of another person, I also offended God. I failed in that test.

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. [Romans 7:14:20]

First time I fully understood this years back, I realized that there really is a battle. Most of the time, we know. We want to do what's good. Only we can't carry it out as naturally. Often, it requires great effort. And, last Monday night I was reminded of the verses again. No matter how calm I already was within during the next few minutes of mouthing off, I simply can't drop the matter. I still can't step out of that scene. I felt like I was waiting for the feeling to totally be gone before I can fully be appeased. I know it's crazy. I was actually telling myself this. I was being ridiculous. But, there was this urge to take advantage while supplies last! As if it's anything beneficial. It's totally against my will to remain rude and harsh, yet there's this feel of redress in doing it. I can definitely relate to what the apostle Paul said, "...I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out."  

The other person may not know. It might not be obvious that there's an inner desire in me to just drop the matter. But, God sees my heart. He was witness to everything. I can only be thankful that God looks at the heart. Am sorry, though, that I failed to carry out my Christian duty.

...for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. [James 1:20]

Indeed! I was so ashamed of myself. Funny thing is, I just wrote a blog where I said, I choose to love different. I failed to do so. Geesh!

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. " [Romans 12:19]

So, next time someone incites me again... I'll make sure am wearing the full armor of God. I'll remember that I must deny myself -- my hurt, my right, my opinion... -- and not be too concerned however people take pleasure in touching me off. God alone vindicates me. He is to avenge for me as He see fit.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. [2 Corinthians 9:8]

I always forget that God has been overly gracious to me. He has already put good deposits in my heart. My duty is to cultivate them. Use them for His glory.

Still, am thankful that that night happened. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been refreshed. There wouldn't be any revelation or alarm. I would never be aware that I need to keep watch. Truly, "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." [Romans 8:28]