It is true, if we get caught up on the internet it can take us away from our prayer time. However, if we spend the time in prayer and reading of Scriptures before we get on the internet then we can be used at instruments in a hurting world to share God's Word and his peace. We do need to be selective of where we go, where we participate, fore if we enter into a place the slanders the Triune God, then we must shake the dust off of our feet and go on.
There is a small, very 'orthodox' Catholic chat room that I use. In there, through the years, we (a group of regular chatters) have done a lot of talking and praying with people. We have seen much fruit from the time spent there. Here is the address. It has been set up as a private chat, everyone is welcome, but it allows us to control non-sence from perveyors of filth better, making it more secure.
http://www.brimsjewelry.com/Setup_ChurchBulletin.exe For example, there are two young women who had fallen into body mutilation, who have been healed. It took many besides us, but we were there at night to be with them when things were bad and temptation was great. People have come off of heavy medication for depression and really found new life. They are functioning once again and go through their lives normally, finding that just occassioanly they need something to help them bounce out. One of them just emailed me about a wedding she had been helping with and how wonderful it is. She now spends her free time working with the youth of her city for the church.
There are just so many stories I could tell you, but God puts you in these places and he makes the work get done. We are willing but God is able! So many young people have come in there who think their lives are useless. Sharing the Gospel, the teachings of the Church with them, and praying with them, they find a place of calm, a place of refuge where people care.
But, again we can only do it because we pray, because we spend time with God. A person like myself who is home and not able to get out due to health, it is a way of reaching out to a hurting world and using the gifts and talants God has given you for helping to build up the body of Christ. But, time should never be taken away from ones family, they must come first.
The chat room has voice and the room is very dedicated to the prayers of ST. Bridget, so we pray them aloud together. Which is most likely the reason we have been able to see these things. We goof around a lot, but at the same time God knows our hearts and I believe he sends folks there.
Unfortunately the computer can be used of evil, however, the internet is also used for the glory of God. Like this forum, connecting a people - a cyber family of believers - that would have never met except in heaven. Thereby, granting us grace to grow in friendships that never would exsist, at least in this age, otherwise.
PaniRose
