Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, etc.) has become a part of daily life for many. In a desire to stay connected to a faster-than-ever-paced world, many are checking in socially and even obtaining their news updates from a variety of electronic devices and an increasing number of social media outlets. Much of social media is neutral: it is neither good nor bad. How an individual participates, however, determines the moral outcome. Social media can be used in a positive way, for example, to keep Christian Youth Camp attendees connected throughout the school year, providing immediate support and spiritual encouragement even though many miles and even state—sometimes national—lines separate them. Many times, Christians will use their World Wide Web access to evangelize (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:18-20), webhost a Bible study or write a blog about developing the characteristics of the Virtuous Woman (Proverbs 31). While social media helps to connect friends and families across the miles and provides opportunities for evangelism, it also poses some difficult challenges. Without careful navigation, however, social media interactions can lead to undesired consequences and even result in sin. Sometimes it becomes difficult to maintain the in-the-world-but-not-of- the-world mentality. This common phrase is adapted from the account of Jesus praying for His disciples in John 17:14-19. In these six verses, we learn that Jesus did not want His followers to be caught up in the enticing aspects of the temporal world. This level of commitment in our lives requires tremendous focus and attention to detail which cannot be

Sin often begins as a tiny ripple of thought— an internal temptation—that swells into a tidal wave of catastrophe destroying virtually everything in its wicked wake (James 1:14-15). Many lives are swept up in the chaotic consequences created by another’s sinful choice. Because of one person’s sin, spouses and children weep while families are destroyed, friendships are rent asunder, godly influence is traded away for a selfish desire and souls are often lost for eternity. Sin always has a devastating impact upon the one who commits the action (Romans 6:23; Ezekiel 18:20). Sin creates a division between the individual and the Creator (Isaiah 59:1-3). Yet, the devastation rarely stops there. In a selfish attempt to minimize and excuse sinful actions, many will claim the transgression never hurt anyone else or never affected other aspects of their lives. The deceitfulness of sin hardens our hearts and blinds us to the reality of the utter destruction caused by our actions (Hebrews 3:13). In 2 Samuel 11-12, we see the devastation that started out as one man’s lustful thought. David allowed a tiny ripple of sin to flood his life. A moment of unrestrained lust led to adultery, lies, deception, conspiracy and murder. David’s sin devastated his relationship with God and his personal life. However, David’s sin did not only affect him. His choice to fulfill his lust impacted the lives of Bathsheba, Uriah, Joab, his own son and ultimately an entire nation. Just like David, our own sin when allowed to grow

In relationships, individuals bring particular skill sets or talents. This dynamic naturally leads to individuals taking on specific roles within the relationship. Healthy relationships have healthy roles. For example, a godly wife (Ephesians 5:22; 1 Peter 3:1-6) and mother (Proverbs 31) demonstrates healthy roles in her relationships. The God-fearing woman is able to build genuine self-worth, identity, security and achievement. In this healthy relationship, “her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her” (Proverbs 31:28), which leads to a mutually beneficial and balanced relationship. Relationships, however, can become unbalanced when individuals develop unhealthy ways to nurture their feelings of self-worth and identity based on the problems of another person in the relationship. This creates a codependent/dependent relationship, and these relationships are always unhealthy. This often occurs when one person in the relationship (the dependent) continually demands extra attention and allows someone else (the codependent) to constantly sacrifice his or her own needs to meet the other’s desires. The dependent displays negative traits, such as narcissism, addiction, manipulation or abusiveness. Consequently, the codependent always attempts to appease or enable the dependent. This overwhelming attempt to meet the dependent’s unreasonable demands causes the codependent to lose his or her individual identity and healthy value, as well as to become identified merely by one’s relationship with the dependent. The codependent places a greater value on meeting the demands of the dependent for so long that the codependent takes on the role of martyr, a role by which he

Christians may find themselves on the brink of divorce – not because of sexual immorality, but because poor communication has eroded the bonds of their marriages. Where communication is concerned, it is often not the topic that creates the tension but the behaviors exhibited during the discussion. Hurt feelings, anger, embarrassment, fears and various other emotions – and how these emotions are expressed – create opportunities for communication to break down. When the question “What were we even fighting about?” is asked during an argument, it is evident that effective communication has long since ceased. When this occurs, the greatest adversary of marriage, the devil, feasts upon these self-inflicted wounds (1 Peter 5:8). Dr. John M. Gottman, a pioneer in the Marriage and Family Therapy field, has predicted divorce in couples with 96% accuracy based upon his observation of the couples’ communication behaviors alone. His research suggests there are four common reactions exhibited in troubled marriages that Dr. Gottman has labeled, by comparison of imminent danger, “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.” These are criticism, contempt, defensiveness and stonewalling. If these four behaviors are commonplace in your discussions, you are melting the bond that holds your marriage together. Criticism is an illegitimate way to discuss a legitimate complaint. Many times a waiting spouse will say, “You always make us late for everything!” Courtesy, promptness and time management are legitimate issues worthy of discussion; however, attacking and generalizing blame are not effective methods. A legitimate complaint will address the issue, while a