“More Like Guidelines, Than Rules”
Posted By Miss Jocelyn Tzahala on November 16, 2009 | Category: Homeschooling, I Follow Yeshua HaMashyiach, In The Life Of A Country Girl, Networks
When we first began blogging Mother Dear laid out some rules for us on the blogging homeschool community we were on, and over the years as I’ve grown from a 14yo to a 18yo I’ve used her guidance and wisdom to form my own personal online rules.
- I do not check my computer until I’ve said the Sh’ma, spent time in the Scriptures, gotten dressed, checked barn chores, picked up my room, cleaned up a bit.
- I do not keep any online activity a secret from my parents and those who would help keep me pure.
- I always seek my parents counsel for conflict.
- I do not read or link to sites that post sensual photos, whether it be the clothing or the models in modest clothing.
- I do not email with men, young or married, on a personal, regular basis.
- If young men would like to email me on a personal level they must get permission from my parents.
- I do not chat or private message with young men.
- I do not add men as friends on social networks without the permission of my parents.
- I only add men to my social network pages if they are friends with my parents as well.
- I do not tolerate any children being snarky or disrespectful to my parents or to any adult.
- I do not force my own beliefs or opinions on anyone’s blog. It’s your blog. This is mine, you can read mine at your own will.
- I am not angry or offended that not everyone does or will agree.
- I try not to teach those older [5years my senior] then me in a instructional manner, but rather give my beliefs and opinions in a factual manner.
- I do not allow downright opposing or confusing views on my site.
- I do not allow men to teach on my site.
- I do not teach men.
- I do not allow anyone to side-rail what my family believes, though I welcome proof for Scriptural error.
- If I’m offended by a blog or article I do not comment or read it.
- I chose to agree to disagree. We can have differing opinions. It’s alright, really.
- I do not argue or debate [with adults]. If a situation gets to this point I will have to drop it.
- I do not follow husbands or fathers [ie married men] on twitter or any social sites.
- I do not leave random comments on blogs, especially those of which I do not know, and ask for link-backs or announcements [this is rude].
- I do not give free advertisements to sites I do not know.
- I do not allow those with stalk-ish type personalities access to my private conversations [I've been stalked before, from those online that extended offline]
- I will delete comments if I feel they just aren’t necessary or I don’t have time to reply.
- I do not let something just go if I feel there is a problem. I will email to get resolved as soon as possible.
- I do not allow any shameful things before my eyes (Psalms 101:3), this include sites that have continual curse-words, worldly fashions and ways of life, bathroom humour, or complaining about children or family.
- I do not allow pagan names or words on my site.
- I do not allow comments from those who have gossiped or blasted me or my family online.
- I do not visit sites of people who I have a continuing conflict with. There is no point is getting upset from what they write or stalking them. Let Yahweh do as he will with each.
- I do not put myself up with women and act like I’m their “sistah”, but use propriety and discretion. We are called to respect and reverence older women as mothers.
- If I am not sure of what I’ve written [blog or comment] it’s best not to publish, but wait and pray.
- I do not mind being admired for what Yahweh has done with and in my life but I cannot stand copycats. I do not allow copycats in my personal email loop or conversations.
- I do not link to those who continually promote or link sites that disagree with my beliefs.
- I do not continue to promote or link to those who are not %100 truthful, even if it’s “yes, we can still be friends” and then they stop visiting and/or remove my links from their site.
- I welcome other believers to challenge me in my beliefs so I might bring all in line with the Scriptures.
- I try to extend the same love and grace Yahshua has extended to me and to love one other as he has loved me.
- “I’m not judging people, I’m judging their actions. It’s the same type of distinction that I try to apply to myself, to judge, but not be judgmental.”
- I try to use my time wisely online – that means I get on with a purpose: reply to emails, write a post, check a site, visit blogs, leave comments, research Scripture or info, etc.
- I try to keep my writing on worthy topics, such as Scripture, homeschooling, family, info, etc.
- I try to keep all online activity for the glory of Yah and not my own personal gain. If it does not glorify him, it’s not worth my time.
Comments
23 Responses to ““More Like Guidelines, Than Rules””
Leave a Reply
Thank you for visiting my site! I hope that it has encouraged and challenged you in someway. Please be aware that my blog is not intended for any debatable purposes (honestly!!), though that's not to say admonishment (via the Scriptures in context) is not welcome. This is simply just a place for me to share what YHVH-God is convicting me of and showing me in my walk with Him. Please read "You're Judgmental" before commenting if the thought strikes you.
I have comments set for moderation and I reserve the right to deny or edit out comments if I feel it necessary. I will deny comments that go against the Scriptures. If you are going to refute what I say, please use a Scripture for each belief, in context.
Also note that if you do not use a valid email address your comment will not be published, no exceptions. Your email is only seen by me so that I might clear my website of spammers. You can read My Site, My Right for more on my site rules.
Wanna a place an image next to your comment? Get yourself a gravatar.
Please make sure you sign up for comment-notifications (below) to receive reply comments in your inbox as I do answer comments on the post thread. Thank you for commenting!
Shalom, welcome to A Pondering Heart. I hope you will be challenged by what you read here and it will cause you to search deeper and deeper into the Word of YAH. My name is Jocelyn Tzahala - I am a 19yo young woman, living in Latin America, seeking to be 'set apart as YHVH is set-apart". I want my faith to resemble that Avraham because in him YHVH found a man who would trust in him with everything and act upon his Word. My hope is that my life may be a sweet fragrance unto YHVH the MOST HIGH! HalleluYAH!
I especially love and agree with that last one. I never thought of it in list form (which is surprising for me), but I have much the same guidelines. Except, I do tend (very often) to get on the computer with no purpose which is a HUGE time waster. I really need to work on that. Thanks for the enlightenment! ;)
The internet can be such a dangerous place if we don’t set serious guidelines.
There was a time I wasn’t so cautious as I am now. I am thankful for the wisdom God has imparted to me on that. :) It will be something I can pass down to my own children when it’s their turn on the internet.
Thank you so much for sharing!!
.-= Christin´s last blog ..Scripture Memorization {Memoirs of Diligence} =-.
[Reply]
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by TDTW Blogroll, Lisa. Lisa said: RT @aponderingheart: “More Like Guidelines, Than Rules” http://tinyurl.com/yh96p5d [...]
Dear One,
May I PLEASE reprint these on my blog. Of course, linking to you and giving you full credit. I love these guidelines and will print them and put them with each of our computers!!!!
.-= Auntie Christina´s last blog ..Lyn’s Baked Oatmeal =-.
[Reply]
This is well written and timely. My oldest just started her own blog and these are wonderful guidelines. They are great guidelines for anyone who is in the “cyber” world on a regular basis. I know how hard it can be to sit down at my desk to study and not peek at my e-mail real fast. Some one very wise told me once “Tithe the first fruits of everything!!” That means my thoughts, my moments, my words, my attention, my very breath is to be given as a holy offering to Yahweh. If my thoughts, moments,words, attentions are not pleasant to HIM they are useless and are strange fire. Many can give $$$ with out discomfort but how you spend your time and to whom/what you give your attention says so much more.
May we continually give Our Creator our first and best of everything to HIS glory!!
Teresa/Navah
[Reply]
Amein and Amein and Amein. You are also a very wise and humble young woman plus you speak the truth in love and and and what else can I say. I am sitting here at my computer almost in tears (yes I know) as I see you growing from strength to strength and stronger and stronger in Yahweh. What a very sensible, wise and lovely young lady you are. As I have said to Amanda in a comment on her last blog entry, you come from a wonderful and very strong family who loves Yahweh.
I can just imagine The Lord saying “well done my good and faithful servant” and this goes to each one of you in your family whom I have gotten to know quite well both online and via the telephone. You come from a family whom I have seen grow tremendously and are going from strength to strength in Yahweh – you have wonderful parents Jocelyn, you really do (but I know you know this already) :)
Love and hugs
Page
.-= Page´s last blog ..Menu Plan Monday =-.
[Reply]
thank you for posting this. I really love these guidelines. Your parents are quite wise and I respect your obedience in followin their lead and learning respect others. Most of these things I follow already myself. My children are still young and I have kept them off the internet but that obviously will not happen forever! I am going to print these out to share with my husband. Also you have convicted me look over those I link to on my blog. Since I do a lot of crafts and such I havae linked to people I know are not Christians – innocently or maybe better ignorantly – becuase of special projects, free patterns that are lovely etc. I don’t connect to those with foul language or anything obviously pagan, however, I think I will review all those links. Once again, you have given me much food for thought.
.-= Theresa´s last blog ..I Don’t Want To Be A Casual Christian =-.
[Reply]
Excellent guidelines. I especially agree with 2, 3, 9, 30, and the last three.
I learned the hard way what a tempting and bad place the internet can be, I’m afraid. We now have a program that blocks innapropiate sites, so that I can be warned beforehand when conducting an internet search and so that my younger brother does not have to learn the hard way either.
[Reply]
Very admirable!
Blessings
Mrs. White
.-= Mrs. White´s last blog ..Homeschooling Today at the White House =-.
[Reply]
What a brilliant list – in the past I really struggled with chatting to guys online, both before and after I became a believer. Fortunately Yahweh has brought wonderful online friends into my life (like you! <3) so He has helped me deal with this sin. It takes Yah-given wisdom to set yourself boundaries like this, and if only more young women did the same!
.-= Jade´s last blog ..Chapter 3 of Wingspan is up! =-.
[Reply]
Very good guidelines!! The first one is a very good one to follow! :)
To the KING be all the glory!
Rebekah
BLOG: http://www.donotgrowweary.com/blog
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
.-= Rebekah´s last blog ..Leaking =-.
[Reply]
Joc,
Those were ALL wonderful guidelines! It is such a good idea to set standards for ourselves and to stick to them! Thanks for the great reminder!
Love you! -Me
[Reply]
And I thought the 10 commandments were tough :)
.-= Allen´s last blog ..No Boundaries =-.
[Reply]
Very well written, Miss Jocelyn. You have been raised well. *Ü*
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Instant Challenge #2: Boat Race Solutions =-.
[Reply]
Very well said! I love these, and the fact that you have the maturity to know what your parents started is best for you, as well as trusting in Yehovah to guide you.
Be blessed!
.-= Stephanie Bateman´s last blog ..The Move…. =-.
[Reply]
These are excellent guidelines! I might have to borrow these for my son who is 13 and is wanting to begin blogging. I love your moms blogging for school ideas as well. It is awesome to see how your Godly character and upbrigning upholds in EVERYTHING you do – as it should.
.-= Chelsey´s last blog ..The Anti-Child Culture =-.
[Reply]
Such beautiful wisdom in one so young! I can tell you that I have struggled with some of these guidelines in my own online life. That is to say, of course, that I agree with them because they are directly addressing sin in our lives whether it be online or off. When we got our first computer I was so naive and I was a *grown* woman, a Christian wife, and a mother. There is such great wisdom here for anyone of any age.
.-= Gail´s last blog ..Homecoming 2009 =-.
[Reply]
I have never thought of writing a list of “guidelines” for computer time. I agree with what you wrote, though. I think that it would be good for me to write a list similar to this for my personal use.
Thanks for sharing, it has given me some things to think about, and that is always good!
Blessings!
–Sarah
.-= Miss Sarah Jean´s last blog ..Week seven — God is good! =-.
[Reply]
there are some very good guidelines there for all of us!
[Reply]
Amazing post, maybe the post of the year ! I’ll have to read it again and again. The christian girls should absolutely read it.
[Reply]
What wonderful guidelines. I applaud you for your sincere and forthright choices. Thank you for being an example that may of us online could follow (incl. the other folks.)
~Mrs.M
.-= Keeper of the Home´s last blog ..How CorporateStole CHRISTmas … Part 4 =-.
[Reply]
Hi!
I write a girls magazine that is called ” The Beacon” and is for Christian girls. I’d love to use this article, if that is at all possible, since I see a system of computer use that is inappropriate in the generation we live in. If it is at all possible, please let me know!
~Kate
[Reply]
What wonderful guidelines and what a delightful young lady you appear to be.
Shalom!
.-= tishrei´s last blog ..Sunday Morning Sermon – Letter to a dying teenager =-.
[Reply]
Jocelyn, like I said once I can’t stop reading this list !! I just love it and it really helped me. Better than new year resolutions !
[Reply]