Who will be the leader of the online world? Will Facebook move ahead of Google? Or will Google be able to maintain its powerful leadership position? And why would that matter? Why would that be important to the casual user of the internet?
The incredible number of individuals who use these online platforms make Facebook and Google the center of the virtual universe! Facebook’s growth will soon surpass Yahoo and make it third place behind Google and Microsoft.
It is hard to imagine, but soon Facebook could beat Google in page views. Think about it: Facebook is all about online relationships; Google, well, it is all about searches for information. So even in the virtual world relationships are at the center of the experience.
This is something that believers who deny that the virtual world is the new global mission field should consider.
Are you connected?
A recent Barna Group survey regarding religious themes for 2009 has been released. The report provides some interesting insights into the thinking of individuals and ministers concerning personal spiritual life. Here are some of the things that interested me in the research.
1. Faith/Spirituality, Not Christianity.
Today it is all about personal spirituality that may or may not be based on historical biblical theological principles from the Bible.
2. Customized/Individualized Faith
Many customize their own personal brand of faith with elements from many faith traditions.
3. Biblical Literacy Is Declining
The Barna report states: “Bible reading has become the religious equivalent of sound-bite journalism. When people read from the Bible they typically open it, read a brief passage without much regard for the context, and consider the primary thought or feeling that the passage provided. If they are comfortable with it, they accept it; otherwise, they deem it interesting but irrelevant to their life, and move on. There is shockingly little growth evident in people’s understanding of the fundamental themes of the scriptures and amazingly little interest in deepening their knowledge and application of biblical principles.”
4. Personal Spiritual Evaluation Is Unimportant
The Barna research says, “Our research found that a majority of churchgoing adults are uncertain as to what their church would define as a ‘healthy, spiritually mature follower of Christ’ and they were no more likely to have personally developed a clear notion of such a life.”
Have we lost any sense of spiritual priorities? What do you think? I would really like to read your thoughts on this report.
Filed under: business
Looks like Internet users are getting more comfortable with paying for a portion of their content online as noted by a recent Nielson survey.
However, not all Internet content is equal in the eyes of the consumer. Music tops the list of pay to play along with movies, games, and TV shows. It is interesting to note that online magazines and newspapers did make the list. It appears that about 50% of users would get out their credit card to read some magazines or newspapers online.
But what about online content from book publishers? The survey did not give any results on this very important content.
What do you think readers would do?
Happy New Year! It’s the time when people typically do some self evaluation and make resolutions. For the coming year, in addition to making changes to my schedule, exercise plan, and personal relationships, I have been giving some real thought to the condition of my spiritual life.
I want to pass along some questions from NavPress author Donald Whitney that I have used during this season to evaluate the condition of my spiritual life. I hope that they will help you, too, as you consider your spiritual condition. God’s plan is for us to live at full spiritual capacity! We are as spiritual as we want to be. Happy New Year!!!
1. Do you thirst for God?
2. Are you governed increasingly by God’s Word?
3. Are you more loving?
4. Are you more sensitive to God’s presence?
5. Do you have a growing concern for the spiritual and temporal needs of others?
6. Do you delight in the Bride of Christ?
7. Are the spiritual disciplines increasingly important to you?
8. Do you still grieve over sin?
9. Are you a quicker forgiver?
10. Do you yearn for heaven and to be with Jesus?
Filed under: spirituality
This week Christians celebrate the most significant event in the history of mankind–the birth of Jesus Christ, the promised one sent from God. The God Man who was born of a virgin. Jesus Christ was declared by the angel on his birth as Emmanuel, God with us (Matthew 1: 23).
As a follower of Jesus Christ, I celebrate that God through Jesus Christ is here among us! He feels our pain. He understands our limitations. He knows the pains of human existence. He is with us! He has come and identified with us. He suffered shame, rejection, humiliation, and death. He has been saddened by betrayal, abuse and rejection even by his own family. He is with us!
He died for our sins and rose from the dead and ascended to heaven. He will come again to this painful, broken world. I thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, and worship you! Emmanuel! Maranatha Come, Lord Jesus!
