Instant Messaging Services

Instant messaging services provide a great way to connect with friends, family, and business associates quickly, easily, and conveniently. These applications are free, easy to download and access, and are usually very safe when used with caution and prudence. Someone might use instant messaging (IM) to keep up with old high school friends, talk to relatives who live far away, communicate with coworkers, or even meet new people online. Users can have conversations in real-time, avoiding the hassle of waiting for an e-mail response or initiating a phone call; plus, many programs allow users to share files and photos, speak voice-to-voice, and see each other over webcam technology. This is an inexpensive, fun way to keep up to date on loved one's lives and to maintain contact over long distances.

There are many different IM programs out there, giving interested persons a vast array of options, so how does a person decide which IM service is best for her particular needs and interests? The first thing to know is which instant messaging services one's friends and family members are using because downloading an application is pointless if nobody else in one's acquaintance uses the same IM service. If friends seem to be using many different services, a good solution is to download software that allows connection with multiple IM types at once, which will allow communication with most of one's online friends. This is much more convenient and simple than downloading two or more applications, which will clutter up one's tool bar and, even worse, slow down computer speed. Also, before downloading an application, one should be sure to check its compatibility with her computer capabilities to ensure that her computer meets the IM system requirements.

As social interaction becomes more and more technology based, it is becoming increasingly popular for Christians to meet each another over the Internet, with Christian instant messaging as a prominent means. Whether used by teens looking for other Christians their own age to support them in their walk of faith, adult singles hoping to form romantic connections with those of their own religious orientation, or just ordinary people wanting to talk about Christianity, these applications provide safe, anonymous means for doing so. In our global age, connecting with people of other nationalities and seeking to communicate with and understand people from all cultures and nations is important, and instant messaging services make this a real possibility. Christians can talk to those of like faith living in North America, South America, and on every other continent, which enables them to expand their cultural awareness and to see the way their religion functions in every society. This can be an excellent way to keep up with friends made at church camp, on mission trips, or in college, or to meet new Christian friends all over the world.

Online chatting can be fun and perhaps even spiritually beneficial, opening up conversations that can promote understanding, tolerance, and solidarity and can encourage, challenge, and comfort. Sometimes just knowing that someone else in a completely different part of the country or world is going through the same life situations and understands one's difficulties can be very helpful. Christian fellowship is certainly not limited to church and faith gatherings, but can happen just about anywhere--even over the Internet. However, even Christian instant messaging is not 100% safe, and users should keep in mind that just because a person says that he loves Jesus and goes to church does not mean that he is trustworthy, and users should not give out any personal information such as full names, addresses, place of work or school, phone numbers, social security numbers, or credit card numbers to a person over IM. Although most applications have some level of security, they are not entirely safe from hackers, therefore one can never be too cautious when using instant messaging services, even when communicating with a known individual.

When using Christian instant messaging or any other online chat, users should keep in mind that they will encounter a wide array of people with varying beliefs, practices, and ways of viewing faith and the world. It is tempting, when one is able to share her opinions anonymously, to be pushy, dogmatic, or even belligerent about politics, social issues, or religious conduct, but this should be strictly avoided, as it is a sure way to turn those of no faith or other faiths off to Christianity and to distort another person's image of Jesus and the church. Paul's letter to the Colossians offers wise advice for any person using an IM application: "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man" (Colossians 4:5-6). IM or chat can be a wonderful way to help those who are confused or spiritually searching to learn about God's love, but they should not be used as a personal soap box, from which one can blast everyone who is not a Christian. Persons of faith would be wise to type words of kindness, compassion, and encouragement, showing humility and respect.

It is exciting to think about all the possibilities instant messaging services offer. A person can use IM at work to discuss problems with coworkers, ask a boss a quick question, plan a meeting time, and avoid excessive interruption. Family members living far away from one another can share pictures and other files, speak voice-to-voice, and even see beloved faces over video. Long-lost friends who download the same program can find each other simply by searching for each other's names or e-mail addresses and adding one another as IM contacts. Followers of Jesus all over the world can have meaningful conversations, form new friendships, and perhaps even find a spouse by using Christian instant messaging, all of which are excellent uses for online technology.

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