Callie's First Steps

Using Technology Part 2

As I mentioned in my last post, we have been going through a series at church about controlling our TVs/the Internet. This past Sunday the sermon was focused on the dark side of the Internet. It is pretty scary to think of how evil and corrupt the Internet really can be. I dread to think of what it will be like when my girls are older.

One thing I did point out is the fact that we can use the Internet for our good. From paying bills online to save time and money, to connecting with old and new friends the Internet can be good. My pastor compared the Internet to fire and I really like this analogy. When fire is controlled it is extremely useful. When fire is allowed to run free without restraint, then watch out! If we will put measures in our life to control the Internet, then we can use it to enhance our lives. Take a blog like this for instance. I love reading friends' blogs to keep up with their lives. For family and friends that we cannot see on a regular basis, we can keep them updated on our family and even share recent photos. I also enjoy getting on Facebook to view photos, videos, and short posts from friends, family, and church members. On the flip side of this, of course, is the temptation to become wrapped up in blogging and social networking. I have to watch myself so that I don't waste time online when I could be doing something more productive. Again, technology is great when we use it for good and don't abuse it or let it take control of our lives.

Using Technology

With everything going on in our world today, I love when I am able to find something that makes life a little easier and more simple.  A college friend of mine recently enlightened me about Google Reader.  I had heard about the service before but never really checked into it.  I have been using it for a few weeks and just love it.  Instead of having to check the blogs I read for new content, Google Reader does the work for me.  I am all about using technology to make my life better.  Especially since this is a free service.  

Our church is in the middle of a sermon series about controlling technology, like our TVs, and making sure that we don't let them "think for us."  It has been astounding to hear some of the facts just related to TV watching in the average American home.  One of the best inventions for controlling our TV is utilizing our DVR.  As Emily gets older, I am more sensitive to what she sees and hears on TV.  More and more, commercials seem to have lost any kind of family-friendly filter and they are what hurt us the most when we watch live TV.  Our DVR allows us to fast-forward through commercials of shows we have taped and it allows us to watch TV on our time.  Plus, by the time you fast-forward through the commercials of an hour long program, you actually cut out about twenty minutes.  

I realize the for many of you, these two things are not ground breaking concepts.  However, anything that helps me filter out the bad and anything that gives me more time with my family is big for us.  So, what have you done in your life to free up some time for the family?  We all have the same amount of time each day and now is the time to spend it wisely.  With all of the talk right now about "going green," how about going "simple?"  

This week our Sunday sermon is going to be about Internet usage and the evils the WWW brings into our homes.  I am sure the number of hours the average teen and young adult spends online is staggering.  I will try and post after the sermon to see what else we can do with current technology.