By Paul C. Collins, M.Div. ; Th.D.
Eighteen-point type is large enough for almost everyone to see clearly. Life is not that simple. Sorry, it’s true! Life is complicated and, sometimes, like a minefield to be navigated to avoid dangerous consequences.
The foregoing paragraph was the setup for this meandering in my search for a way to help us engage the world while we avoid failure. If we can avoid failure, maybe we will at least stumble into success. Failure is easy. Success can be difficult. Either result is because of the way we engaged the world or our failure to involve ourselves in community.
Technology has made it possible for more people to reach out to most of the world’s inhabitants. The World Wide Web is continuing to develop and mature as a vital transportation link for ideas, viewpoints, and the transfer of information. The Internet is here to stay at least until the return of Christ. After that, who knows? Maybe the Internet will be replaced by telepathic communication! Until then, technology is at least a prince in the kingdom of man.
I am not an example to anyone, but I hope I can inspire most folks with my use of technology to communicate while I wait for telepathy to become a reality.
My weekly activities include writing many email messages to an extensive list of willing and waiting recipients. It is an honor for me to have many people reading my thoughts as transmitted via the Internet.
A daily activity is the use of text messaging to get as close and personal as possible outside of a phone call. Many text messages are sent daily to those who need to hear quickly but are not able to be engaged in a phone conversation. However, as you obviously know, my “smart” phone is also used multiple times each day for audible conversations.
Social media is not overlooked. I am a daily participant on Facebook, Group Chat, LinkedIn, X, etc.
Recently I have learned to record videos and “upload” them to YouTube and other platforms. I have been amazed that many people are already signing up to be regularly informed when a new video is available. Another video outlet I have recently used is Facebook. I have actually done live broadcasts, and I will be doing it on a regular basis.
OK, yes --- I’m 90 years old plus a few months. So what? I can still use technology, and I can still learn to use more technology. Bring it on!
While you are “bringing it on,” you deserve to know that I plan to be a little “retro.” Yes. I will be publishing a monthly, printed, newsletter to be mailed (by personal request) to your home via “snail mail.”
Now, here’s the “BIGGY!” I never ask for money, so it’s safe to open my email, letter, or text message, or visit my website. You can even answer your phone if you see that it’s me calling.
What a world! What an approach to ministry! Now, we are engaged!
Paul
1-417-830-4343
