Feb 11 2013

Family Time! Blog Break And My Love Hate Relationship With Social Media

Family!


Sorry about the lack of posts so far in February.  We’ve been busy travelling over 3000 miles so far.  

We’re in South Carolina with my parents for a while.  I’m going to take a break from blogging and social media.

Does social media wear anyone else out?  Or is it just me?  I’m not sure if I can really explain it… it’s emotional draining, it’s a stressor,  it’s one more thing to do.  Does that make sense?  Here’s an interesting article I read this morning about facebook entitled “Why Facebook Makes You Feel Bad About Yourself.”

Have any of you completely disconnected from Facebook?  Its so strange to me that something that didn’t exist ten years ago has become such a necessity.   I feel like facebook is pretty important in keeping in touch…

Do any of you take a weekly sabbath from social media?  That is something I’d like to implement.  Maybe making Saturdays a no social media day.  

I got off of instagram.  And I took facebook and twitter off of my ipod touch which keeps me from checking it incessantly .  I have facebook sending things to my e-mail so I don’t have to get on as often to communicate with people.  However, the e-mails usually have me ending up on the site anyway.  I’ve done a pretty good job about not really interacting much with twitter unless its directly to me.  Flickr… I use for photography… and well photography is a whole other love hate relationship:)   

Engage:  How often are you on facebook?  Do you have a love hate relationship with social media?  Let us know in the comments.  

by Jim Baker

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend
Jamie RainwaterFebruary 11, 2013 - 1:27 pm

Facebook has been a lifesaver for our adoption, we have linked with other adopting families helping each other out, keeping each other in prayer and updating each other with pictures and such when people go down.  We also use it to promote our photography, it has been the best at connecting with former/current/future clients…and then there is keeping up with long lost buddies like you guys!  :)

Jeff StanfordFebruary 11, 2013 - 4:14 pm

I would love to get off facebook.  I have it for my photography business and keeping in touch with folks.  But it is a timesink and snare foremost.

Colleen CookFebruary 11, 2013 - 4:17 pm

Truly, I actually just enjoy facebook.  Yes, I get frustrated sometimes because some of my connections don’t abide by the etiquette of social media usage, but overall, I like being so connected with people who I might have otherwise lost contact with as our lives change and grow.  But… I’m a true extrovert so I can “fill up” my energy tank interacting that way when I’m not surrounded by groups of people.  I can imagine, especially in the lifestyle you guys are living, that an introvert would feel exhausted by one more way to interact with people.

jimjessbakerFebruary 11, 2013 - 5:23 pm

that’s awesome, i’m glad that social media has been a good tool for you guys!

jimjessbakerFebruary 11, 2013 - 5:30 pm

good thoughts. thanks

jimjessbakerFebruary 11, 2013 - 5:30 pm

yeah, thanks for helping me articulate it… glad its a recharging place for you… it’s definitely not for me :)

Dan N.February 19, 2013 - 2:23 pm

Over the past several years, I’ve given up Facebook numerous times. I think a year is the longest I went without it at any one time. Facebook is the kind of thing you don’t want unless you have it – that is what I’ve realized. For the most part, I think it is primarily a dampener of spiritual acuity: we get lost in the dispersion of a personalized tabloid (see “Newsfeed”) and become alienated from actual relationships and the world around us. Consequently, we become alienated from our own self-concept and lose any inner peace that we already had. I find that the constant generation of new yet pointless information makes it impossible to pray when I want to, let alone focus on any particular task without interruption. Generally, Facebook is a tumor on my existence which I intend to remove once again come next Sunday in preparation for Lent. 

jimjessbakerFebruary 20, 2013 - 4:26 pm

i always love your thoughts dan, thanks man!

Feb 04 2013

Superbowl

I found this photo on cnn.com and thought it was funny.  

Greetings from Liberty South Carolina.  We didn’t end up watching the game last night…

We enjoyed some quiet time alone in our friends house, I did a couple loads of laundry, and watched some netflix and Jess got caught up on a few of her tv shows online too.   

I had my parents tivo the game so I can see it though, we’re headed there next.  I watched a few of the commercials online this morning.  We once submitted a Doritos commercial for the 2011 superbowl, it didn’t make it though, but it was still fun.  

Engage:  Did you watch the game last night?  Were you happy with the outcome?  Do you have any superbowl traditions?  Let us know in the comments.

by Jim Baker

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend
Michael ClarkFebruary 4, 2013 - 5:28 am

I haven’t watched the game in three years. It hasn’t appealed to me for some time. I used to only watch it for the commercials but I realized you gotta sit through a lot of football to see some good commercials. And lately you have to sit through a lot of sleazy commercials to get to the good ones.

Joanbn125February 4, 2013 - 1:29 pm

Nope! Grandpa watched the last two minutes. Guess it was exciting. Heard that the commercials left a lot to be desired!  They use to be fun to watch.

jimjessbakerFebruary 7, 2013 - 9:09 am

yeah, i wasn’t super impressed with any of the commercials i saw.

jimjessbakerFebruary 7, 2013 - 9:09 am

luckily you can see all the commercials online now.

Jan 30 2013

Quick Update From The Road

Greenville NC, My cousin Kimberlee and her family.

Greetings from Greenville North Carolina.  It’s sunny and 73 here today!  

We’ve been spending some time with Kimberlee, who is my second cousin or first cousin once removed, I can never remember which it is.  Her mom and my grandma are sisters.  That makes us?..  I don’t know.  Anyway we’re headed to Kimberlee’s brothers house this evening…

We had a great time in Maryland, it was BUSY.  We met with over 30 people in the two weeks we were there.  Some days 4 separate meetings a day.  We also did a good job of paring down the stuff we had stored in Maryland.  We donated and trashed quite a few things.  

We’re grateful to be able to take this trip and spend time with family, friends and donors.  

So far we’ve put over 2000 miles on the car in about a month.  

Check out photos from our travels here.  

Engage:  Comment and let us know WHERE you are and what the weather is like at the time of reading this.  

by Jim Baker

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend
Madge~January 30, 2013 - 12:58 pm

home, Baltimore, 57 now, with rain. It was warmer earlier, but the cold front is moving through. So glad I got to see you both… and already miss you. 😉 Continued safe travels 😉 hugs~

Kimberlee JohnsonJanuary 31, 2013 - 2:29 am

Lying in bed, Greenville, clearing rain, post extremely windy afternoon yesterday. First cousins once removed for the genealogists. Or, your mom is my cousin. But I just say… you are one of my favorite cousins, both you and Jess. :-) Definitely missing you both already. Oh, I just realized that makes Ian and Alison your “second cousins,” according to the genealogists. How exciting! Are you lost yet? Safe travels! Love the pic. And Love you both!

jimjessbakerJanuary 31, 2013 - 9:16 am

it was great to see you too!  thanks for everything!!!!  

jimjessbakerJanuary 31, 2013 - 9:17 am

:)  thanks kim!

Jan 28 2013

The Power Of Introverts [VIDEO]

I found this video interesting.  

Engage:  Are you an introvert or an extrovert?  Do you think Jess is an introvert or an extrovert?  How about me?  Let us know in the comments.  

by Jim Baker

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend
LisaJanuary 28, 2013 - 9:01 am

that is pretty interesting. I’ve never actually taken one of those tests that “tell you” what you are, but by what most people have described extroverts to me, they’ve described them by having their batteries charged by being with people, and introverts needing much alone time. While I don’t think I appear to be an extrovert, I love being with people and am normally good if I just have 10\15 minutes to myself. I have friends that appear to be extroverts though, that would much rather be alone MOST of the day.

Relb49January 29, 2013 - 5:11 am

very interesting.   There are so many personality models out there– this is a nice explanation on intro- and extrovert.  I like the comparison with shyness.  I think I am mostly extrovert, but tinged with some shyness.  Hmmmmnnnn.

jimjessbakerJanuary 29, 2013 - 3:02 pm

you should totally take the myers briggs test… its really affirming and eye opening, and it’s free online. it’s interesting that you can’t always tell who is an introvert and who is an extrovert.

jimjessbakerJanuary 29, 2013 - 3:02 pm

:) you too should take the myers briggs! i enjoyed seeing the slight difference between extrovert, introvert and shy.

themoldycannoliFebruary 17, 2013 - 2:19 pm

I think you’re both introverts, though you Jim are probably a 100% introvert. :)

themoldycannoliFebruary 19, 2013 - 5:50 am

Yep, he is!

Jan 25 2013

Friends Friday! – Guest Post From Anneli Johnson



I’m starting something new this year called “Friends Friday”  Some Friday’s I will have friends guest post.  If you’re interested in guest posting for us let me know!  

Today’s guest post is from our friend Anneli who is serving long term at an orphanage in China.  
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)

What did Jesus mean by this verse? And how does it apply to my life and your life? I was 16 years old when I felt the Lord place a desire on my heart to care for the orphans. My family had just adopted a little girl from China and I felt the “burden for China’s orphans” on my heart.  But what can you do when you 16 years old, still in high school, living under your parents roof? You put it off. Well…. at least that’s what I did. When I thought about missionaries, I had this false image of them. I felt that they were specifically chosen by God to “go.” I also believed that they were almost “super Christian” in a way. Had strong Biblical knowledge, had it all together, and never once doubted God. Wow, was I wrong! As the years went on and I kept giving God excuse after excuse as to why I couldn’t go, the Lord broke down those false images. I have learned that I had it completely backwards. 

God doesn’t use the strong. He uses the weak. He uses those of us who DON’T have it all together. He uses those that are a “work in progress.” But who are willing to be the clay and allow God to mold us and use us.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

I will be the first to tell you that I am not “qualified” to do what I do. I have spent the last 8 months of my life living and serving in a foster home for special needs orphans in southern China. How did I end up here? I ran out of excuses. I realized that if I was going to be the woman God was calling me to be, then I had to start listening to Him and obeying. And I knew without a doubt that He was calling me to China to be His hands and feet to the least of these.

Is everyone called to sell their car, quite their job, and move to the other side of the world? Probably not. But we are ALL called to do something. Whether it’s move to the other side of the world or love on the least of these in your own hometown. It may be caring for orphans in a third world country or taking someone out for coffee who may be lonely and in need of a friend.

I am not superhuman or superchristian. I’m just a 26 year old girl willing to allow my Heavenly Father use me. It is not easy. Actually this time of the year it is extremely difficult being away from my family and friends for the holidays. I don’t know what my future holds, but I’m willing to allow Him to mold me and use me in how He sees fit.

What is God calling you to do? 
Jan 18 2013

"Stuff", Christians and Minimalism

We’re in Maryland right now, and we’re sorting and getting rid of, selling, donating, throwing away A LOT of our stuff.  It’s been sitting in a friends basement untouched for over 2 years… which leads us to believe, it’s not necessary for life.

It got me thinking about a video I saw of a guy that had limited himself to 100 things, which led me to the creator of the movement, conveniently being interviewed on Christian television.  😉
Engage:  Watch the video and share with us; What your relationship with your stuff is like, or share with us as a Christian what you think our relationship with stuff should look like?  

by Jim Baker

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend
LisaJanuary 18, 2013 - 3:09 pm

Super thought-provoking. When I moved I gave a lot away, thinking it wasn’t worth it to hang on to. But even in the past 5 months, Ive given a couple decent sized boxes full of stuff away. Mainly clothes, but…for what I use on a daily basis, I have far more stuff than that…

jimjessbakerJanuary 18, 2013 - 4:05 pm

thanks for sharing your thoughts lisa!

Jan 16 2013

Everything You Ever Want To Do For God…

I heard Dan Baumann share this quote a while back and it’s really stuck with me.  

“Everything you ever want to do for God, should be the natural overflow of intimacy WITH God.”  

Engage:  What are your thoughts on that quote?  How does it apply to your own life?  Share with us in the comments.  

by Jim Baker

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend
LisaJanuary 16, 2013 - 6:33 am

By far, one of my fav blogs. :) Sometimes one sentence can have a huge impact.

jimjessbakerJanuary 16, 2013 - 6:39 am

thanks!

Jan 14 2013

5 Driving Tips

This was one of my cars which I sold in 2008 found out just got totaled a couple years after I sold it.
We’ve driven around 1300 miles so far on our road trip and we’ve still got 2.5 months to go!  Since we’re spending so much time on the road, here are some tips I wish I could share with every driver.  

1.  ALWAYS Drive With Your Lights ON 
Driving with your lights on makes your car much easier to see because it provides contrast. Bright lights are unnatural, so they look distinct on the road.  Your grey car that is covered in road salt against the snowy background is harder to see, but as soon as you turn your headlights on I know for sure you’re there.  If visibility is limited, like when it’s raining, DEFINITELY put your lights on!

2.  Don’t Drive Slow In The Left Lane 
No there is not technically a “fast lane” and the speed limit is the same in both lanes, but it’s pretty common knowledge that the left lane is used for passing.  So if you’re in the left lane and cars are passing you on the right, you’re not where you belong.  Please move over to the right lane.  

3.  Get In The Left Lane When Cars Are Merging
If you’re in the right hand lane and a car is coming onto the road from an on ramp, safely get over to the left hand lane so they can easily merge onto the highway.  Even if you’re slowing down to let that car in from the right hand lane they can not tell you are slowing down, moving over to the left hand side is an obvious way to say you are letting them in.  You won’t always be able to do this, but when you can it helps.

4.  Get In The Left Lane When Cars Are Pulled Over
If a police officer has pulled someone over or a car is stopped changing a tire, it’s really nice to move over a lane and give them even more space.  No one wants a 2 ton vehicle flying RIGHT past them when they are already having a bad day stuck on the side of the road.  

5.  Use Your HAZARDS 
Your hazard lights, or your 4 ways, or your emergency lights… the lights that make all of your blinkers blink.  Use these when there is low visibility.  Is it pouring and hard to see?  Is there fog?  Throw on your hazards, the blinking lights will provide even more contrast.  A flashing or blinking light will get peoples attention more than a constant one.  

Another good time to use your hazard lights is when you’re driving the speed limit and all of the sudden traffic slows down a lot, this way the people behind you that are still driving fast, KNOW that traffic is stopped or greatly reducing speed so they don’t slam into the back of you.  You can also tap on your brake pedal so your brake lights also “blink”.  

Engage:  What are some driving tips you would share?  Let us know in the comments.  

by Jim Baker

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend
themoldycannoliJanuary 14, 2013 - 6:46 am

Here’s a tip; don’t wait until the gas light come on to fill up your tank. I do this often and it is usually a BAD idea.

jimjessbakerJanuary 14, 2013 - 7:22 am

yeah that is a good one. i try to never let mine get below a quarter of a tank, and when its winter and I’m traveling, I try to never let it get below half.

Colleen CookJanuary 14, 2013 - 3:47 pm

Speed up to merge onto a freeway, don’t slow down!  Nothing is scarier to me than being behind a driver who doesn’t know this rule.  

AnonymousJanuary 14, 2013 - 7:45 pm

If you desire to improve your experience only keep visiting this website and be updated with the most recent
news posted here.
Feel free to surf my web page gotoui.com

jimjessbakerJanuary 16, 2013 - 2:51 am

yeah… speed up when merging anywhere pretty much.

Kimberlee JohnsonJanuary 31, 2013 - 2:37 am

I guess I should say, please read a driver’s manual, is my tip to others. You do realize that all five you listed are actually laws. If people aren’t doing those things, please tell me which states they drive in. Yikes!

Kimberlee JohnsonJanuary 31, 2013 - 2:43 am

I love number 5, part B. But they are all good.

Also… if your wipers are on, your headlights should be on. Just another way to remember what you described above.

Gently slow going into a curve and gently return to speed coming out.

For the rest of my tips, folks will just have to take my tutoring course.

KnitpickyJanuary 31, 2013 - 2:46 am

Oh. Maybe reread number two. The heading is slightly off.

jimjessbakerJanuary 31, 2013 - 9:18 am

fixed, thanks :) 

jimjessbakerJanuary 31, 2013 - 9:19 am

good point!

AnonymousMay 11, 2013 - 7:15 pm

Its such as you read my thoughts! You seem to know so much about this, such as you wrote the e-book in it or something.
I

think that you just can do with some p.c. to

force the message home a bit, however instead of that,

that is excellent blog. A great read. I

will certainly be back.

Take a look at my web site; kendrick property management

AnonymousMay 16, 2013 - 8:34 am

Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all of us you actually
know what you’re talking about!

Bookmarked. Kindly also visit my site =). We could have a link exchange contract between us!

Here is my web page – http://Www.Catralproperty.net

AnonymousMay 16, 2013 - 1:00 pm

Great info and straight to the point. I don’t know if this is

in fact the best place to ask but do you people have any ideea where

to employ some professional writers? Thanks :)

Also visit my website: sky tv spain forum Costa Tropical

AnonymousMay 21, 2013 - 11:13 pm

Wow! Thank you! I continually wanted to write on my
site something like that. Can I include a part of your
post to my

website?

my blog post http://www.Thespainforum.com

AnonymousMay 22, 2013 - 4:24 pm

I neеdeԁ to thank you for thіs excellent гead!

! I abѕolutely enjoyеd everу little bіt of it.
ӏ have got you book mаrκeԁ to lοok at neω things you post…

Also ѵisit my blog poѕt :: DiamondLinks Review

Jan 11 2013

Leader Surround Yourself With People NOT Like You

I hung out with an old friend, Chris Bell recently.  He said that he really liked my leadership blog posts.  He’s the first person who’s said that, so here’s another…

Leaders have a tendency to lead from their personality.  Obviously, it would be hard to not lead from our personality.  But it gets dangerous when we assume that everyone thinks like we think, and wants what we want.

Most likely you are leading people with a huge array of personalities and backgrounds.  Surround yourself with a team of leaders that are DIFFERENT from you and embrace and welcome their different point of view.  This won’t always be the easiest, but they will be able to give you valuable insight into other people’s perspectives, so that you do not alienate people who are not like you.

Engage:  Who is the best leader you’ve followed.  What made them a great leader?  Let us know in the comments.  

by Jim Baker

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend
AnonymousJanuary 14, 2013 - 4:38 am

After going over a handful of the articles on your blog, I seriously like your way of blogging.
I saved it to my bookmark webpage list and will be
checking back in the near future. Please visit my website as
well and tell me what you think.
Also visit my website Satellite Television