What you need to know about Texting...

Texting is a totally different language with rules that break down the grammatical standards our teachers tried so hard to uphold. It’s because of this that I want to give you some common words and meanings and the proper texting etiquette.

T9 or not T9 that is the question?
Have you ever wondered how someone was able to text you back so quickly when it takes you forever to send out a simple: “how are you?” Well they either have a full QWERTY Keyboard (like a computer keyboard) or they are using T9. T9 is recognition software that most phones have that allows you to text faster. If you are not using it ask someone who is text savvy to set it up for you and show you the ropes. It will change your texting life!

Common Text Vernacular:

• LOL – laugh out loud
• U – you
• R – are
• Ur – Your
• Bout – about
• Gonna – going to
• Doin – doing
• Wats – what’s
• L8 – late used to say good-bye.
• TTYL – talk to you later
• Luv – love
• Ya – you
• Y? – Why
• 2 – to
• nm – not much
• Nbd – no big deal
• Np – no problem
• :-) , :-(, ;-) – smile, frown, wink
• K – ok
• Yup, ya – yes
• Kewl – cool
• B – be
• Sry – Sorry
• Sorta – sort of
• Kno – know
• 4 – for
• coupla – couple of
• ova – over
• BRB – be right back
• CUL – see you later
• C – see
• I <3 style="font-weight: bold;">Text etiquette or Textiquette

While there is no uniform code of ethics and etiquette for texting as someone who text’s so much I may need to wear a wrist brace for tendinitis I have come up with some personal guidelines to follow.

Beginning a textversation

Before you text figure out the purpose for the textversation. Are you asking a question, just chatting, do you need prayer? This will determine your approach.

When you want to text someone there are different protocols to follow. Use the same salutations that you would use in your verbal conversation. If you are close to someone you don’t always have to ask how he or she are doing. While it is polite it is not necessary, you can jump right to the point.

If it’s someone you are not very close to you should ask how they are doing, textversate for awhile they ask your question or chit chat.

If it’s the first time you are texting this person you should let them know who it is and proceed from there.

Replies

When you receive a text depending on the content they should be replied to as soon as possible. Now there are days where I do not return non-time sensitive texts for several hours because of my current situation, but they should be replied to.

If it’s time sensitive then the text should be replied to be for the time expires.

As soon as you reply you are saying I am available to engage in a textversation, so be ready to text back and forth until the conversation is over. Just like on the phone you don’t answer a question and then no respond to follow up questions or chitchat.

Keep reply’s brief using shorthand to communicate quickly.

Ending the Textversation

Always end the textversation with closure. A thank you if they answered your question and a goodbye, ttyl, cul, l8, luv ya or something that is appropriate lets you and the other party know this conversation is officially over and neither should expect a reply.

Plz add ur comments on what u kno bout texting. If you'd say idk n e thing bout texting let me know if this waz helpful.

Text

We recently finished our text series in TVM and it was extremely fun! We have a ton of left over questions that I will continue to answer on the Blog as we go along. As we near the end of the question we will open up the discussion again and allow for more questions to be asked and answered on the blog.

Here are today's questions:

1. do you keep a journal?
2. who thought of the idea of the TEXT series?
3. does god love bad people?
4. what time is it?
5. where do i live?

Do you keep a journal?

Not on a regular basis. When I go through something significant (good times, tragedy, new adventures) I will capture my memories and reflections in a journal, but as far as a regular journal... nope. I guess my blog is kind of a journal. I would like to discipline myself to journal more often but... maybe 2009's resolution.

Who thought of the idea of the TEXT series?

The majority of the creative ideas used in TVM are thought of and created by a team of people. While a specific person doesn't come to mind when giving credit for the TEXT series idea I'd blame Justin if you didn't like it. If you thought it was cool then give props to Josh Danskin.

Does God love bad people?

YES! Just as God created you and I who are hopefully "good" people, he also created those people we would call "bad." They weren't created to be bad, but have made choices to be who they are. I like to present it this way. God is the father of us all. In natural parenting you children will do things that are "bad," the disappoint you, hurt you, make you angry and on and on. However, just because they have chose a behavior contrary to what you'd desire, as a parent you still love them. The same is true with God. He doesn't look down and see the label; thief, murderer, molester, liar and so on, he sees a broken child of his that needs to be healed, forgiven and restored. Check out this scripture:

Romans 8:38-39 (New International Version)

38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God loves us all, good or bad. This doesn't mean he will go along with our choices and looks the other way. No he sees what is done and will discipline those who need it, but he still loves all of us, no matter what we've done or will do.

What time is it?
At the tone the time will be 4:47pm... beep! It's Christmas time! It's TIME for a word from our sponsors. Tool time? IT'S PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME, PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME! Take your pick I guess...

Where do I live?

You live at your house. Probably in Washington state or to be more specific Snohomish county.

Most of these questions were some of the funny questions we got. We will tackle some tougher ones in the next post.

Text this week...

Here are the questions we will tackle this week in our Text series:

Wednesday

• What should I do if I like someone from church?
• What’s the biggest age difference there should be in a relationship when you are younger?
• When is it okay to date? Around what get do you think it’s appropriate to start dating?
• If God told you that you were going to marry someone does that mean it’s going to happen? What if you don’t want to marry that person?
• What do you do if you really like someone who loves God and wants a relationship with that person, but they are distracting you from God?

Sunday

1st Service

• Do you know anyone that has met their wife or husband at 12? And in your opinion what are the chances of that happening?
• How should I treat a girl I like, but don’t want to pursue a relationship with them?
• How do I fix my heart after a break up when I feel like dying?
• How do I break up with someone at church?
• Can I have a boyfriend and a boo?

2nd Service

• What’s so bad about dating?
• How do you know when you’ve found that special someone?
• Is it okay to date people in the church because we are all brothers and sisters of God? Why is it so bad to date a non believer? Is it a sin if you do?
• How far can you go with your bf or gf?
• Is it bad to move in with someone you’re going to marry before u actually get married?

Everybody stop, Twitter Time

I was talking with Pastor Jeff and some of the creative team about twitter yesterday and they let us know that you can text twitter and it will update it on your blog. I saw Pastor Jeff's Twitter on his blog and was inspired to begin. I had been thinking about it for a long time and there are many times I want to text, but don't know who to send it to, so now I have an answer! Not only that but the internet is awake 24/7, so I'll never be without a texting buddy again :-)! Check back for more Twitter updates.