Do You Need a Media Fast?

Do You Need A Media Fast?




"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these things. - Philippians 4:8

Have you ever stopped to think how many electronic toys we now have in our collections? Have you ever stopped to think how dependent we have become on technology to survive in this world we live in? We have bigger and faster computers. We have cell phones that keep us connected to the Internet 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There's email, Facebook, Twitter.

We are so connected that sometimes we find ourselves just plain overwhelmed with our connectedness. And heaven forbid that the Internet goes down. We all freak out!!!

How many times a day do you check your email? Facebook? Twitter? Do you find yourself text messaging people even during Sunday morning worship? At Keswick we laugh (not really) about how many cell phones go off during a worship service -- even at a Pastor's conference. My goodness, one Pastor's phone didn't just go off in the service ... he actually answered it!



Have you ever considered a "media fast?" Some of you might be starting to get the shakes just thinking about it, but seriously, Chuck D. Pierce, in his book, The Rewards of Simplicity (Revell) suggests six things to consider when doing a media fast:

1. If you are feeling motivated, try eliminating everything for a week. Of course, when I say everything, I do not mean you cannot check your email or use the Internet for work and essential research. But is the TV necessary? Just try life without it. You might like it.

2. If you are not ready to tackle a full week, just try one day without electronic media of any kind.



3. Choose one form of electronic media at a time and eliminate it for a day, two days, or even a week.

4. Once you choose an option, use the time normally spent on electronic media doing something completely different. For example, if you normally spend two hours watching TV in the evening, use that two hours to take a walk, prayer-walk your neighborhood or pick up a long-abandoned hobby.



5. Keep track of the time you reclaim from electronic media during your fast. I am always amazed at my options when I choose not to watch TV for an hour. Sometimes it is refreshing just to bask in the quiet for a little while!

6. Even if you return to your old habits, choose one day a week to fast from one or all types of electronic media. Many people do the same thing with a food fast for their intestinal health. It could not hurt you to give our overloaded senses a rest from all that information once a week!

Tomorrow is the Sabbath, so it might be a good day to start your fast! Even the Lord's Day has become a day of work and connectedness instead of a day of rest. Use HIS day as a day to connect with Him and your family. Try it -- you might like it! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK



DIGGING DEEPER: Proverbs 23; Exodus 7-8; Matthew 15:1-20

DIG THIS QUOTE: Give us faith that will not worry, whine, or wrangle; but watches, works, waits, and warbles. Kenneth Moyer

DETERMINED DIGGING: Level 1: Joshua 1:8; Psalm 15