Comments on: The Internet @ Work http://www.minthegap.com/2006/11/13/the-internet-work/ Standing in the Gap in a Society that's Warring with God. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:26:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: thomas mcfall http://www.minthegap.com/2006/11/13/the-internet-work/#comment-69769 thomas mcfall Fri, 20 Apr 2007 17:10:26 +0000 http://www.minthegap.com/2006/11/13/the-internet-work/#comment-69769 icant read icant read

]]> By: DLOGAN http://www.minthegap.com/2006/11/13/the-internet-work/#comment-9684 DLOGAN Wed, 15 Nov 2006 04:19:36 +0000 http://www.minthegap.com/2006/11/13/the-internet-work/#comment-9684 Stephen, The map is from the google analytics visitor stats from my wife's website. MinTheGap, I agree there's a fine line we must walk in all of this. In most states you are allowed a 15 minute paid break each 4hr shift, a break that many of our office people rarely if ever take. As a result most worldly employers are perfectly okay with quick internet usage like this and from their standards its not an issue. I still wonder if as Christians we are called to an even higher level of accountability. I personally have virtually stopped my non-work-related web-browsing, mainly because I can't stand it when my co-workers waste company time on the net (They literally are on the net all day long). God used my frustration as a learning tool to show the areas where I am not being faithful. Yes, my co-workers waste a lot more time then I ever have... but this does not justify my sin. As my boss has promoted me and slowly been moving me into a supervisory role I have become even more aware of not only my sinful actions, but what could easily be seen as sinful actions. Someone who walks by my desk does not know if I've been on Fatwallet for 5 minutes or 5 hrs. As a result the impression of what we do is also important since it affects how we are perceived and our ability to minister. Lest us not be a stumbling block for others... Stephen,
The map is from the google analytics visitor stats from my wife’s website.

MinTheGap,
I agree there’s a fine line we must walk in all of this. In most states you are allowed a 15 minute paid break each 4hr shift, a break that many of our office people rarely if ever take. As a result most worldly employers are perfectly okay with quick internet usage like this and from their standards its not an issue. I still wonder if as Christians we are called to an even higher level of accountability. I personally have virtually stopped my non-work-related web-browsing, mainly because I can’t stand it when my co-workers waste company time on the net (They literally are on the net all day long). God used my frustration as a learning tool to show the areas where I am not being faithful. Yes, my co-workers waste a lot more time then I ever have… but this does not justify my sin.

As my boss has promoted me and slowly been moving me into a supervisory role I have become even more aware of not only my sinful actions, but what could easily be seen as sinful actions. Someone who walks by my desk does not know if I’ve been on Fatwallet for 5 minutes or 5 hrs. As a result the impression of what we do is also important since it affects how we are perceived and our ability to minister. Lest us not be a stumbling block for others…

]]> By: Stephen Kingston http://www.minthegap.com/2006/11/13/the-internet-work/#comment-9573 Stephen Kingston Tue, 14 Nov 2006 21:37:09 +0000 http://www.minthegap.com/2006/11/13/the-internet-work/#comment-9573 Well fortunately I am writing this from home, and the children are tucked up in bed, and my time is my own :) But thanks for the timely reminder about our stewardship of our time. Btw, what is the map of the world supposed to be showing in this article? Regards, Stephen Well fortunately I am writing this from home, and the children are tucked up in bed, and my time is my own :)
But thanks for the timely reminder about our stewardship of our time.

Btw, what is the map of the world supposed to be showing in this article?

Regards,
Stephen

]]> By: Mrs. Meg Logan http://www.minthegap.com/2006/11/13/the-internet-work/#comment-9494 Mrs. Meg Logan Tue, 14 Nov 2006 15:33:34 +0000 http://www.minthegap.com/2006/11/13/the-internet-work/#comment-9494 *grin* God talks to me like that oftentimes too! Meg *grin* God talks to me like that oftentimes too!

Meg

]]> By: Larry Eiss http://www.minthegap.com/2006/11/13/the-internet-work/#comment-9462 Larry Eiss Tue, 14 Nov 2006 13:33:35 +0000 http://www.minthegap.com/2006/11/13/the-internet-work/#comment-9462 Doug, Rats! Why is it that when the Lord wants to tell me something He uses multiple communication methods at the same time? Oh yeah... it's because I DON'T LISTEN VERY WELL!! This is a timely reminder and one I have to admit that I need to take to heart. Very well written, and most useful. THanks, --Larry http://www.LarryEiss.com Doug,

Rats! Why is it that when the Lord wants to tell me something He uses multiple communication methods at the same time? Oh yeah… it’s because I DON’T LISTEN VERY WELL!!

This is a timely reminder and one I have to admit that I need to take to heart. Very well written, and most useful.

THanks,
–Larry
http://www.LarryEiss.com

]]> By: Mary http://www.minthegap.com/2006/11/13/the-internet-work/#comment-9461 Mary Tue, 14 Nov 2006 13:18:44 +0000 http://www.minthegap.com/2006/11/13/the-internet-work/#comment-9461 Those are interesting statistics...I'm all for technology being able to bring fathers and mothers home to work, but in light of the way most parents are bringing up their kids (lazy and wanting instant gratification) I only see this problem getting worse and worse. Here in the mid-west, there's always been a strong work ethic, but more and more people are talking about how my generation and younger just don't have the same drive, or on-the-job respect for their boss's time. I easily identify with the lure of the net...just researching something can morph into two hours. Whether you're on the job for someone else, or a sahm mom/wife, discipline is needful in this area as in many others. I appreciate you tackling this subject, and doing such a great job of it. Looking forward to more posts from you... Those are interesting statistics…I’m all for technology being able to bring fathers and mothers home to work, but in light of the way most parents are bringing up their kids (lazy and wanting instant gratification) I only see this problem getting worse and worse. Here in the mid-west, there’s always been a strong work ethic, but more and more people are talking about how my generation and younger just don’t have the same drive, or on-the-job respect for their boss’s time.

I easily identify with the lure of the net…just researching something can morph into two hours. Whether you’re on the job for someone else, or a sahm mom/wife, discipline is needful in this area as in many others.

I appreciate you tackling this subject, and doing such a great job of it. Looking forward to more posts from you…

]]> By: Colleen http://www.minthegap.com/2006/11/13/the-internet-work/#comment-9460 Colleen Tue, 14 Nov 2006 13:00:37 +0000 http://www.minthegap.com/2006/11/13/the-internet-work/#comment-9460 As long as I'm getting my work done, the internet is fine. It's useful for me in my career as I try to keep up to date on media stories, and what other colleges and universities are doing in regards to women's issues. I do check my personal email, but try to get to work a few minutes early to do so! Great post! As long as I’m getting my work done, the internet is fine. It’s useful for me in my career as I try to keep up to date on media stories, and what other colleges and universities are doing in regards to women’s issues. I do check my personal email, but try to get to work a few minutes early to do so! Great post!

]]> By: MInTheGap http://www.minthegap.com/2006/11/13/the-internet-work/#comment-9444 MInTheGap Tue, 14 Nov 2006 03:38:02 +0000 http://www.minthegap.com/2006/11/13/the-internet-work/#comment-9444 Believe it or not, over time our policy at my day job has changed from "for work only" to "occasional surfing that does not interfere with work is acceptable." I think that you've appropriately identified the problem though-- just like anything, if you really like doing something you will tend to spend more and more time and you need to control it. Just this Sunday our pastor talked about an acronym he has for figuring out if an activity or thing is something that we should pursue if the Bible does not have any direct commands about it. One of the tests is "Could it gain power over me?" The Internet can do that. Now, I can't remove myself totally from the 'net, since I work in web development, and to some degree I have to be up on technology-- and even playing with stylesheets, etc. helps me get better at my job. I've been getting more conservative, however, in my posting schedule and the like because I could spend a lot of time writing posts-- and I refrain from doing that during the day now. It's a fine line, and I think we need to stay as far away from crossing it as we can. Believe it or not, over time our policy at my day job has changed from “for work only” to “occasional surfing that does not interfere with work is acceptable.” I think that you’ve appropriately identified the problem though– just like anything, if you really like doing something you will tend to spend more and more time and you need to control it.

Just this Sunday our pastor talked about an acronym he has for figuring out if an activity or thing is something that we should pursue if the Bible does not have any direct commands about it. One of the tests is “Could it gain power over me?” The Internet can do that.

Now, I can’t remove myself totally from the ‘net, since I work in web development, and to some degree I have to be up on technology– and even playing with stylesheets, etc. helps me get better at my job. I’ve been getting more conservative, however, in my posting schedule and the like because I could spend a lot of time writing posts– and I refrain from doing that during the day now.

It’s a fine line, and I think we need to stay as far away from crossing it as we can.

]]> By: Leticia http://www.minthegap.com/2006/11/13/the-internet-work/#comment-9378 Leticia Mon, 13 Nov 2006 22:28:13 +0000 http://www.minthegap.com/2006/11/13/the-internet-work/#comment-9378 Actually at my job we are not on the net, our computers are ancient, in fact, we are going to have to upgrade soon because our medical software has become obsolete. So in answer to your question, no I do not play on the internet at work. Great post! Actually at my job we are not on the net, our computers are ancient, in fact, we are going to have to upgrade soon because our medical software has become obsolete.

So in answer to your question, no I do not play on the internet at work.

Great post!

]]> By: Mrs. Meg Logan http://www.minthegap.com/2006/11/13/the-internet-work/#comment-9249 Mrs. Meg Logan Mon, 13 Nov 2006 16:39:20 +0000 http://www.minthegap.com/2006/11/13/the-internet-work/#comment-9249 Very well said Doug, good points and one's those in the workplace really need to consider. Often times, I fall into this same problem, and I work at home. My employer is YOU and Christ, there is no one over my shoulder making sure I complete my daily work. As a result, I frequently kill time on the internet. I am not a good steward of the time I have, I pray I will become more faithful. Thanks for this reminder, that our employer, no matter our job, is Christ Himself! Meg Very well said Doug, good points and one’s those in the workplace really need to consider. Often times, I fall into this same problem, and I work at home. My employer is YOU and Christ, there is no one over my shoulder making sure I complete my daily work. As a result, I frequently kill time on the internet. I am not a good steward of the time I have, I pray I will become more faithful. Thanks for this reminder, that our employer, no matter our job, is Christ Himself!

Meg

]]>