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Is this your new idol?

Published April 7, 2010 | By Shawn

iPad

Just answer me this:

Do you really need it?

Posted in jesus | Tagged ,

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  • http://intensedebate.com/profiles/levittmike levittmike

    Great post Shawn! None of us need this device, however it may make some things easier to do for some people.

    Time will tell if this device will stand the test of time.

    Blessings!

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/shawnw Shawn Wallace

      Mike, you make a great observation. Might make some things "easier." At what point do we need to realize it's not all about comfort? I'm certainly just as guilty as the next person of wanting things "easy" but, at the same time, what are we losing by having so many luxuries at our fingertips?

      • http://intensedebate.com/profiles/levittmike levittmike

        Well put Shawn. Cell phones are a good example. We tend to freak out when we leave our cell phones at home/work/etc. Before the late 90s, I didn't own a cell phone. I seem to recall going on long driving trips, vacations, etc without a cell phone.

        A friend of mine calls her cell phone her "binkie" aka soother/baby pacifier.

        Wireless Internet is the same thing. I tend to cringe when I see state parks advertise wireless Internet. We all need to unplug and disconnect every once in a while and embrace God's creation.

        I think all these tech toys have made things harder, We forget how to disconnect.

  • http://billgrandi.com Bill (cycleguy)

    Answers quick: No and No. And must add: never plan to.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Pastor_T Pastor_T

    Need? No! But do I need a blog or an iPhone or a Blackberry or a Mac or a PC or a car or a camera, etc. If we stripped down to what we "really needed," we would have close to nothing. I won't ever have an iPad cuz I don't see the point in having that, a laptop and an iPhone, not because I don't need it……and I do not :-).

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/shawnw Shawn Wallace

      Unfortunately this isn't so black and white. If you didn't need *anything* then you'd be stranded in Germany and living on the street (which, arguably, is probably what all Christians should be doing.) My point is, when is what we have "good enough?"

      I was chatting up Andy on Google Buzz yesterday where we talked about this very issue. He talked about getting rid of his iPhone. This was my response:

      "Well, hang on. Don't be so rash. You need a phone. In this day and age, you need one. BUT… are you using all of your gifts and talents to glorify Him? Are you using the full potential and power of that phone to bring awareness to the grace God gives us? The iPad, that's a luxury but all phones are headed the way of the smartphone. Get involved, get your hands and fingers deep in the culture of those in need, and use your phone to coordinate people and resources to help the needy. Make sure you plug your phone in at the end of the day with only an ounce of battery power left because you went nuts working for God.

      As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

      http://read.ly/1Pet4.10.ESV"

      • http://intensedebate.com/people/Pastor_T Pastor_T

        I hear ya man and I agree 100%. The question, unfortunately, is whether we have enough of what we "need" to survive the way we "want" to. As Brad said below, I don't need it, but I'm not gonna lie, I want it. But I know it's just like the iPhone…..I had to have the 3G, then the 3Gs came out and I had to have it. I foresee the same thing happening with the iPad, so I'll stop the process before it begins :D.

        Bought our Compassion boy some matchbox cars today :D. He doesn't need it, but he wanted it and I needed to give him something :-).

        • http://intensedebate.com/people/shawnw Shawn Wallace

          Comparing the iPad to Matchbox cars? Now *that's* funny.

    • http://www.iheartbrad.com Brad

      I definitely think there's something to be said about simplicity. I'm not going to buy an iPad this year because with an iPhone and a Mac Book Pro, I just don't need to add another device to clutter up my workspace anymore. And often, I'm distracted from the Word or my neighbors by my phone & laptop.

      I often wonder what it would be like to live without a smart phone or a laptop. Just writing letters to people, leaving my house to be social and not productive….then again, my dream life would be farming 250 acres in Montana or South Carolina. LOL!

      I don't need an iPad, but I kind of want one…the same way I want a bigger TV. I'll survive without it and I'm sure after I've had it 3 months or so, it will lose its lustre.

      Love you guys,
      brad

  • adam

    if it gets in the way of your ability to serve God then it becomes an idol. in my mind that's the only way to measure the situation. we all have our idols, and one isn't more dangerous than another – they all drive a wedge between us and Jesus. doesn't matter if it's an ipad, your car, your haircut or barack obama.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/shawnw Shawn Wallace

      Oh, I agree. Anything can be idolized. But, in regard to the websites I visit and the tweets I follow, the Christian twitterverse is rife with iPad tweets and how "awesome it is, I think I'm sold," and just like Brad says in his comment, it's going to lose its luster. Every material thing loses its luster eventually.

      Let's be honest, *really* honest here – does anyone *really* need an iPhone, a MacBook Pro and an iPad? Where does it end?

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Pastor_T Pastor_T

    I thought of this post the other day Shawn when a friend of mine over here emailed me to let me know he had just bought TWO iPads. I tried this approach, asked him how many Compassion kids he thought he could sponsor with that $$, etc. I'm certain he doesn't give a rip in the least, but I struggle wondering if I hurt for those he could help or if I'm jealous. I mean he has 6 iMacs in his house, 2 MBP's, 2 iPhones and now 2 iPads…..I dunno. Not sure why I even started typing this. I have things that cost lots of money and I have spent money that could have been better spent, but excessive excess gets to me……for what it's worth, it has motivated me to make some changes and thought you should know your post inspired that motivation…..well, that and me being PO'd!

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/shawnw Shawn Wallace

      Go Toby! :)

  • http://myinternetcorner.com Steven Sentosa

    Hi Shawn. I came across your blog while browsing through Scott Carver's blog. Nice blog you have. I was wondering how I would introduce myself, and since my last blog post was about iPad, I decided to drop a comment here.

    I think iPad is really cool, but it's nothing but a bloated size iPhone, in my opinion, and there are many alternatives to iPad. Like you said, it boils down to "do you really need it or not". Obviously, as a gadget geek, I always want to own the latest trend of technology, but like Pastor_T said, if it hinders your relationship with God, don't buy it. Plus, money is kinda an issue for me now, so I think it's wise to allocate my money somewhere else other than iPad. We'll see in couple months, it might be different :)

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