Sabbath

4 Ways To Beat Social Media Suck

/ Alex Doriot / 1 Comment

6a00d83451b36c69e2017615eed4b3970c-800wiI admit it – I suck at social media.

I’m not talking about the number of followers I have on Twitter or the number of likes on the new POP GOD Facebook page, although I’m always wishing I had a few more.

I’m talking about the way I use these incredible technologies.

Ever since I got an iPhone I’ve been a lot more connected to Facebook. In the back of my head I was afraid this might happen.

What was once a fun hobby has become an annoyance. I don’t even really enjoy Facebook anymore. Yet I can’t look away.

I still check it religiously, wondering if I missed something important, if someone posted something interesting, if someone tagged me in something or liked my post.

Nope – just another baby picture or irrelevant political opinion.

I used to think the problem was with all of my Facebook friends. Now I think the root of the problem is in myself.

I don’t think my friends have a problem with over-sharing on Facebook. I think I have a problem with over-consuming. Continue reading →

Monday Morning Music: Tennessee

/ Alex Doriot / 2 Comments

It’s hard to think about rest on a Monday.

Let me rephrase that:

It’s hard put rest into practice on a Monday.

Resting sounds good in theory. When God commands us to take a sabbath, we love the idea of it.

But the work comes calling.

I am terribly guilty of not putting sabbath principles into practice.

Instead of taking a full day to rest, I spend the weekend working and worrying about all manner of little things that need to get done. I think if I rest I won’t have the time to get everything done.

You may do the same thing.

Even worse, you may not have even had a day off this weekend. You may have worked double shifts. Or you may have been up all night taking care of a couple of screaming babies.

If you missed your chance at rest this weekend, maybe you could use some Monday Morning Music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkK5eHkY46o Continue reading →

What This Dog Knows How To Do Better Than You

/ Alex Doriot / Leave a comment

A viral video is floating around now with a dog that’s mastered something that a lot of humans don’t know how to do: Say No. 

(credit to Gawker)

This dog has figured out a way to say no to his owners. The dog knows what he doesn’t want.

The dog hates being put in his kennel. After being dragged into it against his better wishes too many times, the dog stands his ground.

This dog says no to what sucks the life out of him. We should do the same.

A dog is meant to be free. Dogs are made to run and jump and explore, not be confined to a kennel or a cage.

What were you made to do? Are there things that are stopping you from being who God made you to be? Why not take a lesson from this dog and Say No?

This weekend is your weekend. Instead of getting bogged down by busyness, try saying no this weekend.

Say no the projects, the activities, the relationships which suck the life out of you. Do something you’ve been meaning to do, been wanting to do, been dying to do but haven’t made the time for it.

Here’s my challenge to you this weekend: Say no to at least one opportunity that comes your way. Whether it’s an invitation to hang out, or a call in to cover someone’s shift at work, just say no.

Saying no doesn’t make you a bad person. You need to rest. You need time to do what gives you life.

When God created the world, He took a day off. He took time to rest. How quick we are to forget this!

We think we need to work to feel worth. We think a day off is a day wasted. But your soul needs to recharge. You need to fill up before you can pour yourself out.

Whatever it is that fills you up, do more of that. 

Rest looks different for everyone. For some people it’s staying in bed and bingewatching the first season of “Scandal”. For others it’s getting in the backyard and gardening. For others it might be scouring record stores in downtown Athens.

Take a day of rest. Say no to the things of life that make you feel caged in.

Happy Friday.

Get Out Of The Shower

/ Alex Doriot / Leave a comment

It’s Friday.

You need all the help you can to make it to the weekend.

You take a few extra breaks. Watch a few more funny videos than usual. Stalk a few more people on Facebook than normal.

Before you know it, it’s 5:00. The day is gone. Nothing got done.

I’ve been there. Trust me. So has Wes Welker:

(Click Here if you can’t see the video above.)

Here’s the new plan: don’t waste your day in the shower. Make Friday count. Don’t spend too much time relaxing today that you miss out on opportunities to really get stuff done.

The weekend is coming in just a few hours. You deserve your weekend after all you’ve done this week. Enjoy it. Rest.

But you have just a little bit more to do. Go do it. Level up before you head home today.

Happy Friday. Continue reading →