We all have things we are interested in, and things we are passionate about. Dad & Mom have interests that are not selfish ...they lovingly have similar interests.

Mom & Dad don't have a computer ...if they did, and if they could access Facebook, they would enjoy all the family photos. And Mom would probably copy down a bunch of recipes.  But, aside from that, they would probably keep fairly close to there regular routines ...with each other.  They would look forward to hearing from their children, five who have moved away & one who lives in a nearby town.

I like to build things ...but the result is usually near equivalent to a two year old making cookies on the back porch, and attempting to cook them in the sun.  I would not say I am much better at writing, but I like doing that too ...and it is not as messy, if I do it on the computer.  I also like art work, so blogging seems to fit me.  I do go to Facebook, but not nearly as often ...and I have witnessed Facebook getting a bit messy at times.

Why is that???

There are things we like, and things we dislike.  Facebook is user friendly, because we can press 'like'.  But, I guess that's not passionate enough for some of us.

I think some people would like more opts, such as:

• 'Hater' ...are they actually a hater, or do you hate what they say?
• 'Baiter' ...would you know if someone was trying to bait you, and if you think you know, isn't that being rather cynical?
• 'Caterer' ...serving others is a good thing, but not if we blindly cater to whatever someone wants.
• 'Gator' ...this could be a mix of 'baiter' and 'waiter', as one can bait and wait.  But, we can also be consumed with ourselves, and can unknowingly consume others.  Yes, gator breath, I know you're just flossing!
• 'Later' ...puts everything off, that could be called a procrastinator.  But, often "Later!" is a cliche for "I'm done with you!"
• 'Rater' ...this a often linked with the cynical person, but I find it a bit comical to think anyone could imply cynicism without being guilty of it themselves.  After all, who thinks they are so wise as to know with certainty someone else's motives? 
• 'Tater' ...could be a common tater, or a commentator.  But, generally, it's just a couch potato.
• 'Waiter' ...could be like a caterer, waiting on people.  Or it could be like the 'gator', lying in wait.  Then again, it could be a person who is always waiting for the other person to act ...to apologize, to make the call, drive the distance or the extra mile.  You'll have to wait for a more accurate definition.

It can get sadly worse ...just because someone hates the fact that someone has a different opinion should not be reason enough to call the other person a 'hater', yet in the same breath someone can be called cynical.  Who's judging whose motives?  

And another label is 'legalistic', where a person who has firm convictions and is not fickle about making their feelings known is accused of "just being legalistic" by one who is rather amorphous and vague within their own stance, yet readily does not hesitate to utilize labels.

I've been accused of being 'legalistic' and this is not the purpose of this blog to address that, nor defend myself personally.  I was not affected much by the time I was called names, but this time someone else was put in the hot seat.  I don't think that is entirely fair, and I just want to bring awareness to trends that appear to be very unhealthy.  

As long as I've mentioned 'legalism' ...by the definition that is addressed in the Bible, it means salvation by works.  That is not how we are given the gift of salvation.  It was through Jesus' death on the cross that we can accept that loving gift.  

It is well described in the 2nd Chapter of the Book of James, an approach to answering those who may still choose to argue the point, "You have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."  

Don't accuse someone of not being who they say they are, be pleased and encourage or lovingly challenge them to show forth their own love. 

Showing we believe in Jesus, enables us, not excuses us.  Don't aspire to excuses.  We are excused as a result of His love, because we can't be accused by the enemy.

It's true that "nobody's perfect" and we are to "look at ourselves first" ...but those should not be what comes out of our mouth as a result of not wanting to be accountable, or responsible.

So, I could say this is not what Facebook is supposed to be ...but, I didn't create Facebook, so I can't say at all what it should be. Yet, the One who created me let's me know who I am supposed to be ...and I am not making excuses when I say I'm not perfect, but I do look to the One who is.