Unfriended E-Book

Joe Battaglia

• Herausgeber: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Seitenzahl: 184

Beschreibung

We live in a hyperconnected world, and yet we're more disconnected than ever. We spend more time scrolling through Instagram than we do talking with our families. We've never had more "friends", but we have no one to meet for coffee. Joe Battaglia understands that we are wired to have community, and that smartphones cannot meet our needs for love, acceptance, touch, and connection. In Unfriended, Battaglia uses research, personal insight, and biblical truths to help you: - leave behind the anonymity of the Internet and get face-to-face with people. - go beyond the "like" button and establish meaningful relationships. - get out from behind your screen and enjoy God's creation. - avoid toxic social media debates and become a vehicle of change.Unfriended will help you shake off your digital fatigue and get back to real-life, real-world relationships with real people. Additional guest chapters by Iris C. O'Brien, Michael Guillen, Donna Rice Hughes, and Delilah.

Leseprobe

Once again Joe Battaglia has put pen to paper, this time with Unfriended, to explore another crucial piece of what makes us human. He studies an extremely complex issue that faces us today, one that has no simple answers. We all know the power of social media—the entire world of computers, smartphones, and little boxes that answer questions for us when called upon. Often, lives are saved and true change is brought forth with their invention. But like so many things, there is a dark side to technological achievement that lingers and threatens. Are we capable of knowing where the line begins and ends in our reliance on it? Which, of course, leads to the greater question, do we have the moral foundation to know where this line even is? The answer to this is yes! God has drawn that line quite clearly and placed it in each of our hearts. But what if we’re already “too far gone” by the very thing itself—by social media and its ability to disconnect as readily as connect—to reach within ourselves and know where to begin looking? This is all heavy stuff, but in the hands of Joe, a friend I will never “unfriend,” he lays it all out as only he can do in simple and easy servings that shed needed light.

—CORBIN BERNSEN, producer, director, and actorin L.A. Law, Major League, and Psych

What a timely book! What wisdom, insight, and clarity! And what a doable and necessary plan to change the world, or at least our part in it. Unfriended is a powerful, practical, necessary, and needed book. But more than that, Joe Battaglia is my friend who lives what he teaches. He’s the real deal, and one should always trust words from someone who does more than preach. Read this book and give it to everyone you know!

—DR. STEVE BROWN, author, host of Key Life Radio Network

My friend Joe Battaglia, in his new book Unfriended, aims squarely and hits the target about what’s really at the core of much of our societal angst in a social-media-driven culture—the hunger in our hearts for real community. We’ve been looking for love in all the wrong places, and Joe points us back in the right direction to describe what we are all hardwired for—a meaningful relationship with God and each other.

—RITA COSBY, Emmy-winning TV and radio host,bestselling author

Joe Battaglia’s insights about the value we find when we get face-to-face and intersect with others will have you rethinking your social-media time and reconnecting with those around you. Using research and reasoning, he shows us that stepping out of the anonymity of the social-media world and stepping into the lives of others to find community is the only way healing, hope, and purpose can be found and truly shared in our world. Joe’s writing is both thought provoking and practical, guiding us in how we can “unfriend” not only to change our habits but also the way we approach each day. In Unfriended, he shows us how Jesus intended for us to live in community.

—KIM CRABILL,founder/director of ROSESANDRAINBOWS.org

Much of what we hear and see in our news today is about darkness, fear, and disillusionment. Our world has become so distracted and disconnected that we’ve lost our way in our relationships with each other. Some turn to social media to try to find hope, but a phone or a tablet is a poor substitute for another human being who will bring you light and love in your life. In Unfriended, my dear friend Joe Battaglia gently reminds us how vital true community is more now than ever, and offers some practical and unique insights into how we can recover what our hearts so desperately need. Read it for the good of your soul.

—ROMA DOWNEY, actor, producer,New York Times bestselling author

The greatest commandments are love God and love your neighbor. In Unfriended, Joe Battaglia provides a blueprint to share the love of God by joyfully and purposefully engaging in a loving community.

—STEVE FEDYSKI, COO, Pure Flix Entertainment

My dear friend Joe Battaglia is calling for true community and a connection with God in his new book, Unfriended. In a society that heavily depends on social media to build up self-esteem and develop relationships, his book is not only necessary, but urgent. I recommend everyone put down their phones and pick up this book. You will be changed!

—DEVON FRANKLIN,producer and New York Times bestselling author

It seems like we’re angry all the time. And we’re losing our way in how to establish true relationships. My friend Joe Battaglia has written a beautiful book, Unfriended, that points us in the proper direction to restore true community in our ever-challenging time. Joe changes the way we look at the world—and ourselves.

—MIKE GALLAGHER, host of The Mike Gallagher Show,Salem Radio Network, New York

My friend, Joe Battaglia, has written a profoundly important book that uniquely encapsulates the growing national addiction to social media. He not only analyzes the current problems this generation is facing; he offers solutions too. This book is a powerful tool for understanding and navigating.

—KATHIE LEE GIFFORD, co-host of the fourth hour of Todayand the New York Times bestselling bookThe Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi

Information is a game changer and affects our choices. What if the road we initially imagined taking us toward our desired destination of “community” was, in fact, taking us in the opposite direction? Joe Battaglia’s book Unfriended explores social media and its impact on our deep longing for true community. It’s the timely read we need.

—AMY GRANT, singer/songwriter

In an era in which we have more tools than ever before to make us more “social,” humanity is remarkably the least social it has been in generations. Human beings were built for community, yet increased incivility and social chaos have made achieving true interaction increasingly difficult. Meanwhile, intolerance abounds. Joe Battaglia perfectly illustrates the problem and shows us what’s at stake if we don’t turn a corner—and fast. Truly an amazing book.

—BILLY HALLOWELL, author of Fault Lineand The Armageddon Code

Unfriended is a book that needed to be written, and I’m glad Joe Battaglia is the one who wrote it. We live in a deeply disconnected culture, and we’re not made to live like this. We’re yearning for so much more. This book acknowledges our brokenness and how annoying we humans can be. Then it proposes that we love each other anyway. It’s counter-cultural, plain spoken, and thoroughly refreshing.

—BRANT HANSEN, radio host of “The Brant Hansen Show,” andauthor of Unoffendable and Blessed Are the Misfits

“Must read” is thrown around—a lot. But here I am using it very intentionally. You must read Unfriended if you are a parent of a child under eighteen, and you ought to read it if you or anyone you love is using social media, which is just about everyone. Joe Battaglia has penned a cri de coeur about the poisons that have escaped into our world via the new platforms for connecting but not communicating, the acid on the soul that accompanies every technological advance, and the desperately needed solutions to the online chaos surrounding each and every one of us. Whether you agree with me or “hate” me because of my positions on television, radio, or the Web, trust me on this: Joe Battaglia—this son of immigrants, this long-serving, widely admired marketing professional and sincerely devoted follower of Jesus has a word for you—one you need as I did and as everyone does.

—HUGH HEWITT, host with the Salem Radio Networkand MSNBC, Washington Post columnist, New York Times bestsellingauthor, and Professor of Law at Chapman UniversityFowler School of Law

In a world where friend has become a verb, and being unfriended is little more than a click away, in his new book, Joe Battaglia shares with us how much real community means and how we can rebuild and maintain relationships with our neighbors, our friends, our family, and, most importantly, with God, our Creator. It is a wonderful trek through fond memories of how it used to be before the onslaught of social media and fake news, but Joe also offers real, practical solutions about connecting one-on-one and about sharing a common bond that unites us more than divides us! You will enjoy reading this remarkable perspective on relationships and building true community!

—JACKELYN VIERA ILOFF, author of What If You Could?and senior advisor at Joel Osteen Ministries

Joe, thanks for reminding us of the need for real, face-to-face community instead of superficial, social-media connections. Your practical, biblical insights are spot-on.

—ALEX KENDRICK, filmmaker of Fireproof, Courageous,and War Room

Unfriended: an outrageously important must-read! Joe Battaglia’s critically important work has the audacity to call out and define one of, if not the most untouchable, glaring weaknesses in society and do this simultaneously with a genuinely caring heart that gently pushes us toward a most practical solution.

—KEVIN MCCULLOUGH, author, Fox News commentator, and nationallysyndicated host of “The Kevin McCullough” show

In a culture geared toward self-absorption, Joe Battaglia offers an important reminder that God made us for one another. Unfriended will challenge you to show the same love and sacrifice for others that Jesus did for us!

—JANET MEFFERD, host of Janet Mefferd Todayand Janet Mefferd Live

True community has never been more important than it is now, so I salute my dear friend Joe Battaglia for presciently assembling these tremendous reflections on that very subject. May we all read them with joy and become part of the solution to this supremely vital aspect of our lives.

—ERIC METAXAS, New York Times bestselling authorof Bonhoeffer, Miracles, If You Can Keep It, and Martin Luther

In Unfriended, Joe Battaglia gives us fresh insights into what really may be lacking in our culture today that has led to a loss of the true sense of community we once enjoyed. We need to regain what we’ve lost and stop listening to the false prophets who have hijacked our national narrative of how we should think, feel, and respond to each other. This book will make you think. And it will speak to your heart as well. I highly recommend it!

—KEVIN SORBO, producer, actor, Hercules: The LegendaryJourneys, Andromeda, Soul Surfer, God’s Not Dead,and Let There Be Light

This is an important book. We are living in a day where we are more “connected” than ever yet more alone. True community is worth fighting for, and Joe shows us how to do it.

—SHEILA WALSH, author, speaker

BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC

Savage, Minnesota, USA

BroadStreetPublishing.com

Unfriended: Finding True Community in a Disconnected Culture

Copyright © 2018 Joe Battaglia

978-1-4245-5732-5 (softcover)

978-1-4245-5733-2 (e-book)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Unless noted otherwise, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked GNT are taken from the Good News Translation. Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188, USA. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright © 2000; 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked MSG are from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Scripture quotations taken from the Darby Translation are in the Public Domain. Scripture quotations marked NET are taken from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996–2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com. All rights reserved.

Stock or custom editions of BroadStreet Publishing titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, ministry, fundraising, or sales promotional use. For information, please email [email protected].

Interior design and typesetting by Katherine Lloyd at theDESKonline.com

Cover design by Chris Garborg at garborgdesign.com

Printed in the United States of America

18 19 20 21 22 5 4 3 2 1

To my wife LuAnn … of almost thirty-seven years. Until God decided to call her back to His community ahead of the schedule I would have preferred.

Her infectious smile was her trademark. When you were around her, it was all about you. Our contentious, self-aggrandizing world needs more LuAnns. People wanted to be around her. And that is a mark of greatness … changing the world without changing yourself.

She embodied the kind of community I describe in this book, and wish for everyone.

If I listen closely enough, I can still hear her calling my name.

Heaven may be closer than we think.

Contents

Forewordby Todd Starnes

1

“ONE FROM MANY”: The Motto of Community

2

ROOTS: The Foundation of Community

3

FLESHED OUT: The Model of Community

4

SHARED LIFE: The Character of Community

5

THE EMBEDDED LIFE: The Intersection of Community

6

ENRICHING AGENTS: The Salt and Light of Community

7

GOD’S SILENT LANGUAGE: The Community in Creation

8

FAKE NEWS: The Export of Fake Community

9

A REFUGEE’S TALE: The Transcendent Community

10

SPIRITUAL SCRUTINY: The Transparency of Community

11

FORGIVENESS: The Heavenly Example of Community

12

HANDS HELD HIGH: The Hallmark of the Heavenly Community

13

THE HIDDEN AND THE HEALED: The Disparity of Community

14

WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE: The Redemption of Community

15

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED: The Sacrifice of Community

16

THE RADICAL ENCOUNTER: The Intersection of Community

17

THE MARY AND MARTHA SYNDROME: The Servant Community

18

THE BULLY PULPIT: The Community of Cowardice

19

THE CURRENCY OF HEAVEN: A Community of Tears

20

PUPPY LOVE: The Community of God’s Creation

21

SACRIFICE: The Community of the Cross

22

FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, AND SOCIETIES: The Community of Scienceby Michael Guillen, PhD

23

GOD’S MORAL COMPASS: The Community of Educationby Iris O’Brien

24

OF SERVICE AND SACRIFICE: The Community of Hopeby Delilah

25

LOVE AND INNOCENCE LOST: The Shadow Communityby Donna Rice Hughes

Notes

Contributors

About the Author

Foreword

By Todd Starnes

Mr. Rogers asked a question at the beginning of his iconic children’s television program: “Won’t you be my neighbor?” It was a simple song with a profound message—a message about community, about friendship. And it struck a chord with youngsters taking those first steps into building a social network.

But today Mr. Roger’s neighborhood is anything but sociable or friendly, thanks in large part to social media. We live in an age where our self-worth is determined by Facebook “likes” and Instagram “hearts.” Careers and friendships can be ended in 280 characters or less. The social networks that were meant to bring us together have in fact made us less sociable. We have become a nation in search of community.

Joe Battaglia does a masterful job addressing these issues in Unfriended. And he puts us on the right path to finding true community: “Social media may establish a form of communication, but it cannot establish true community,”Joe tells us.

Unfriended is a deep dive into simple truths that can foster a community that will make a difference and impact lives for the kingdom. Along the way, Joe compels us to “unfriend” bad habits that might set up roadblocks to building community— from scapegoating to political wrangling. This book is not for the fainthearted. Joe tackles political correctness and the cultural morass that has infested our nation. And he challenges us to engage in a bit of spiritual soul searching.

All that to say, Joe has crafted a terrific book that explores a fascinating topic—how to discover true community, true friendship, by being “unfriended.”

—Todd Starnes, Fox News

1

“One from Many”

THE MOTTO OF COMMUNITY

Inscribed on the back of every coin are the Latin words E pluribus unum. That may be all someone ever sees of Latin nowadays. I suspect that most Americans know the phrase means “one from many.” The heterogeneous makeup of our population has long represented our nation’s genius in that we are one nation formed from many different people.

Simply, we are all different yet one. Not that we are all the same and one.

There is a reason why this simple phrase embodies America’s greatness, regardless of the historical revisionists, who would rewrite much about our history simply because they are either ignorant of facts or prefer to overlay their modern-day perspectives on anything that happened many years ago that does not fit their current agendas.

The wonder of the “one from many” motto was instilled in me very early in my life as the son of immigrants. My parents were born in Italy, immigrated to America in the 1930s, and never went back. My paternal grandparents lived with us as well, reinforcing the appreciation of my roots and their perspectives of the privilege of being an American. Those two sentiments were never held in tension in my family. They represented the two sides of a coin of the strength of our nation.

Unfortunately, much of our current national narrative seems to have forgotten that our strength lies in our differences—and our ability to see beyond differences for the greater good.

My father was not quite seventeen when he came to America. As such, he had vivid memories of his childhood and young adulthood in Italy, living in a small mountain town in Calabria in clear sight of the sea about eight miles down the mountain. He would tell me about his idyllic life as a child, especially during the summer months, when he and his friends would walk down the mountain and spend several days at the beach without coming home. He’d take some salami and cheese from the cellar, catch fish in the sea, and sleep under the stars on the beach. They were self-sufficient because they grew or raised everything they needed. It was their version of Mayberry. It sounded so good.

But then he would tell me stories of how hard it was in the winter when he got here to America, especially working during the Depression, how he had to go without a coat one winter because he could not afford one, and how my grandfather would get up at four a.m. to walk five miles to a neighboring town to get to work at six. I asked why he didn’t take a bus. Simple. They always walked in Italy, and it was easier on flat land with sidewalks than in the mountains. Plus, you saved the five cents it cost for the bus ride and bought some food with that nickel. Oh.

So I asked him one day why even come to America and face the hardships of living in a foreign environment—start all over, work into the evening, and all the other things that accompany an immigrant’s new life in a new land.

And his answer was simple. First, they could sense that war was coming in Europe. Plus, America was the land of opportunity. It afforded a person, through their hard work, what luxury and ease cannot afford a person—identity and self-realization. You see, there is something within the heart of each of us that yearns to realize what we are wired to be and do—and then to be free to do it.

That heartfelt yearning is exemplified best in these stirring lines of the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”1

The great experiment in establishing a new nation was based upon the understanding that since “all men are created equal” and in God’s image, people can coexist if they remain glued to that fact. This one principle was understood to be naturally observed and foundational to the universe working in sync with the Creator.

Inherent to our national motto is an understanding of the greatness of plurality and the necessity of having people who are different from each other speak into each other’s lives. We can only act upon this if indeed we believe that we are made in God’s image and are therefore equal. All of us. Everyone.

America was founded upon the realization that we must have differences to be more fully one. The universal principle to that is clearly evident by the diversity exhibited in creation. No two snowflakes are alike. Identical twins are not even identical. God’s creation is manifest in such a way that differences actually create similarities. Or they should.

America was founded upon the realization that we must have differences to be more fully one.