@delightinlight - Getting Into Twitter

According to http://www.whendidyoujointwitter.com I joined Twitter on 1 April 2011 (hmm - April fool's day - maybe I should have waited a day!). However, until recently, it's not been something that I've really used very much - there were just a couple of users that I followed, and occasionally I would post a "tweet" that would be read by, I suspect, exactly nobody. I had, I think, 2 "followers".

However, about a week ago, I decided to really start actually, you know, using Twitter (and I already can't remember what prompted that!). So I started looking for interesting people to follow and started posting more tweets.

Here's some things that I personally have found in that week (i.e. the experience of someone who is, in effect, a newbie):

1. I've really enjoyed it. Actually, I think may be getting hooked! It's great to have a constant stream of encouraging and challenging thoughts to keep me focused on God and His purpose for my life.
2. #1 above, of course, depends on following the right people. However, it has been really easy to find great people to follow. If you do happen to follow someone who turns out to be inappropriate, then it's very easy to "unfollow" them.
3. There's a great, overriding temptation on Twitter (to add to all life's other temptations) -- joining the "number of followers" race. Seriously, it's not about how many followers you have. Really. I have to keep reminding myself of that, because it really does seem to lure one in! Actually, I think I should write a blog post with more thoughts on that subject at some point... I may need to continue to be reminded ;-)
4. Many of the people that I follow have points of view on various theological points that I don't necessarily 100% agree with. That feels really quite irrelevant. Because what I notice more is that they seem to, first and foremost, reflect God's love. So I can listen to the occasional bits that I disagree with and feel encouraged to challenge my own position without jumping to the defensive. That feels to me like the kind of unity that Jesus would like to see in His family.

Now, I'm sure that, as time progresses, unpleasantness will pop up from one corner or another (this is the web, after all). But it looks like it will be a place where I will be able to continue to get that encouragement and challenge.

If you are not a Twitter user, then I suggest you give it a try. Find some great Christians to "follow" and enjoy the spiritual feeding that they willingly and continuously send your way :)

As a suggestion of where to start, here's a list of some people who not only have had great things to say over the past week, but have also taken the time to interact with me on Twitter in some Twitterish kind of way - in spite of me being a "nobody" in Twitter terms (i.e. "a person with few followers"). That means that we can be reasonably sure that they are genuinely interested in encouraging and helping rather than just being in it to promote themselves. Here's their usernames and current profile comment:

• Michelle Castillo - @mishiroo - "In the comfort of His love"
• Kelli Trujillo - @kbtrujillo - "Author, editor. Into Christian spirituality, environment, justice. Busy mom of 3. Foodie, book-lover, indie music fan, film watcher, poet, gardener, journaler."
• Greg Holt - @writinggomer - "Love God, inspirational writer and tweeter. Need encouragement and positive change? Follow me!"
• Tiffany Barkley - @TiffanyBarkley - "I love family, diversity, missions, orphans, scenery, music, art, tattoos, holidays, Jesus & I live to make Him known--Check out my Non-Profit! @GivingOthrsHope"
• Jarrid Wilson - @JarridWilson - "Pastor, Author, Blogger. A Gospel Sharing Misfit. I yearn to share Jesus to the world. New book, 30 WORDS is NOW AVAILABLE. http://30WordsBook.com"
• Rebekah - @rebekahlynn - "If you're a southpaw and you can quote Big Daddy then I'll probably love you. COWBOYS.CUBS.MARCHMADNESS. Matthew 6:33 | thubby: @_jacobself"
• Kari Maidment - @Karimaidreal - "i love Jesus."
• Kim Montepara - @kimontepara - "A Beloved daughter of God. Have a heart for my family & friends, people, stories, children, youth & animals"

...why not stop by each of them, say "hi" and see if you would also like to follow them...?