Addicted to the Bustle

Modern Times

Sometimes, in modern times we get so caught with what we are doing that we even forget why we are doing it. We get caught up with an endless stream of tasks that lack meaning. We may start with good intentions, we may even start to do something out of service to God, but then forget to include Him in the details. We become part of a well oiled machine, always doing something, and always in a rush to go absolutely no where. Some blame the haste and the bustle on status quo or being part of a big city, when really the ablity to choose is ours!

I listened to a great sermon yesterday by Pastor Dave Lombardo about bringing focus to our lives instead of cluttering our lives with things that lack meaning. He spoke about bringing our focus to God, so that He is the first thing that we think about in the morning when we wake up, and the motivation for everything we do. He made reference to this passage in Luke 10:38-42, see it below...

At the Home of Martha and Mary

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Marthaopened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Martha got caught up in service, but she forgot that there were other important things, and how important they are. In fact, what she was doing was not the "better" choice. When we get caught up, we can be tired, stressed out, and drained. Maybe it is time for us to stop and ask, how may we live life to the fullest capacity.

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life,and have it to the full. 

Technology & Cellular Phone Addiction

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 

-1 Corinthians 10:23

New International Version (NIV)

In 2012, I got an iPhone 5, and I must say, it was a $700 investment that allowed me to do so many unnecessary and necessary things with the swipe of a finger. Some of the necessary things I do are communicating with my 'boss', paying bills, and making important phone calls. Some unnessary things I do are playing games, watching telenovelas, and browsing through screens pointlessly and direction-less-ly  for something to do. I have had several conversations about the addictive quality of advanced devices like these.  In the past, I was critical of my sister for watching TV on her phone, when I didn't have one. The television and computer screen are so much bigger, to me it just did not make sense why she would watch TV or movies on her phone. Now I understand. I take my phone to the kitchen, to bed, it is on the counter when I shower, and it is one of the first things that I touch when I wake up in the morning. 

There is one big problem here a lot of the moments that could be spent with God can be sucked away, by dependence on these types of devices. I lost my addictive device twice, once on the way from the hospital after a trip to the hospital at four o'clock in the morning (I was distracted), and later when I was moving in with a relative and carrying too many bags (I was also distracted), both times I shed tears. I lost a $700 item. Both times that I lost it I prayed. God is good. He worked in the hearts of honest people, and they returned my lost item. 

Then next question, is how can I honour him with it. I have set a daily reminder to read a devotional first thing in the morning to start my day in God's word. Sometimes I do, but I confess that more often than not I sleep in. Devices and the internet can be used for good but sometimes they can become a problem. 

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.-1 Corinthians 10:31New International Version (NIV)

I would like to share three passages from article in Psychology Today; a popular website and magazine analysing issues by experts, doctors, and scholars. Note: That technology can actually affect the chemical balance in our brain. 

(We get a)“dopamine hit” caused by the constant reinforcement we get from messages, videos and social media."

"Dr. Kimberly Young a psychologist who directs the Center for Internet Addiction says that while a problematic relationship with technology or the internet can resemble that of alcohol dependence or abuse, it isn’t as black and white. “Even with drinking, it isn’t clear how much is too much. What we focus on instead is the effects and symptoms caused by a person’s relationship to the internet.” Dr. Young recommends evaluating the impact that your dependence on your phone and other devices has on your ability to be present in other areas of your life. She recommends asking yourself if you are able to control your use of technology and not allow it to control you. It is helpful to consider how your phone impacts your personal relationships, your time with your family, your efficiency at work and even your stress load. There is no easy solution for eliminating technology from our lives, or even for reducing our use. Dr. Young suggests focusing instead on developing healthy ways to incorporate technology into your life."  

We say to ourselves, “I’m just going to check my email” or look at “that one text” and then we find that we’ve spent three hours perusing Facebook.Dr. Ned Hallowell, a psychiatrist who is an expert on technology addiction, calls (this) “Screen Sucking”. 

From reading the whole article, I find that there are problematic signs that you have a problem, but four main ones are that you have:

• Lack of peace or restful periods without technology
• Inseparability with devices 
• Lack of dependability on one's own word when trying to separate oneself from a device
• Lack of self-control with devices 

There are help sections in the article, if you want to read more click here:

http://m.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-new-you/201312/are-you-addicted-your-phone-change-technology-addiction

Let our end result be what is written in Colossians...

17 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

New International Version (NIV)

Is alcohol addiction possible in your life?

Alcohol is almost everywhere. Almost every major street has a bar, a restaurant with a liquor license or a liquor store. Is it a sin to take sip? Well, the simple answer is no, but the abuse of wine and strong  drink was strongly advised against.

But certain quotes say there is some benefit to wine. "Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses." (1 Timothy 5:23 NIV)

Okay so this substance is somewhat okay, but dangerous at the same time.

What does the bible say about it? I looked for one of the most transparent quotes and I found it in Proverbs. 

Proverbs 23:29-35 ESV says:

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.

It talks about the draw, the 'sparkle' the rich red colour. I can be enticing but painful. We will revisit this in a later post.