September 16, 2009

“TTYLIH”

2009 1526 page7 capANY PEOPLE ARE USING SOCIAL NETWORKING INTERNET SITES, instant messaging, or texting instead of traditional means of keeping in touch (such as face-to-face encounters). Think that virtual friendships don’t connect people on the most basic, human levels? This is not necessarily true. Says Andrew Zolli, “Social networking sites don’t just bring our relationships to the surface—they change them. . . . Such sites imbue our connections with an extra dimension” (“Socialize This!” American Demographics, Sept. 1, 2004). And Stanford researcher Dr. B. J. Fogg says that as people spend more time online we’ll become more sophisticated in distinguishing different forms of relationships (Maiken Scott, “How Do Social Networking Sites Affect Human Behavior?” WHYY News and Information, Mar. 11, 2009).
 
The connections made are very real, and many can benefit from the gospel message—even if they get it in cyberspace.
 
The opportunities for churches and members alike to minister to needs and help others accept their invitation to heaven exist. Former classmates of mine see the value, and the promise, of interfacing with others on Facebook. Not a day seems to go by that Regina Cox isn’t brightening people’s days with cheerful, spiritual thoughts. Jose Cortes, Jr., makes a point of spreading the news about what Adventist young adults are doing in the Greater New York area.
 
These are, I’m sure, just the tip of the iceberg. There must be many others who take the time to live their faith everywhere, including on the Internet. Are you one of them? Can you say with confidence and courage—TTYLIH? 


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Kimberly Luste Maran is an assistant editor of the Adventist Review.

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