Tuesday, January 18, 2011

I Ditched Dish

As you must know by this point, I don't currently have a full time job.

I had an interview scheduled for earlier today with Dish TV, but I just couldn't go through with it. A few years ago Alice and I decided to do away with our cable TV subscription. It was one of the best things we have ever done. Not only do we not waste hours watching TV, but we also don't have unwanted worldly influences invading our house. No more diving for the remote for me!

I don't write this to pat myself on the back. It happened only by the grace of God. I strongly encourage you to pray about whether or not you should have cable TV.

In light of all this, how could I spend my days installing satellite dishes? The inconsistency would have been more than I could have handled.

15 comments:

Richard Swartz said...

Good for you! I've gone for years without television, and I don't miss it at all. If anything, I watch DVD's and I'm happy. Life tends to be much more sane as you don't have someone trying to sell you something all the time.

I also suggest running an ad blocker on your web browser. It's a breath of fresh air. :)

Congrats again, and God bless, Richie
Through Heavenly Eyes

Eric said...

Richie,

We watch DVDs as well. The public library has lots of good ones that we check out. I agree with you about the sanity that comes from not being addicted to TV. It has been such a blessing!

Anonymous said...

Do you feel that cable or satellite television is immoral?

Eric said...

renrutkram,

I'd say that some of what is on TV is certainly immoral. Plenty is not. Because of that, I don't want to make a black-and-white statement about it. Additionally, well-meaning Christians would probably disagree over certain specific shows.

I've found getting rid of cable to be of great benefit to our family. However, we have plenty of friends who have cable. Am I a "better Christian" than they are? No way.

I just want to encourage folks to think it over.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the response!

Anonymous said...

I hear ya Eric. I don't have cable or dish either. It's more of a financial decision for me than anything. I still watch TV over the air. The rabbit ears will never be obsolete for me! Even with only 10 channels, I still have to discipline myself to read and write every day. Keep up the good work.
Josh

Eric said...

Josh,

Self-control when it comes to TV is tough. For me the problem was sports. I could watch them all day long. I still follow online, but I'm free from giving hours to football, etc.

I've never met anyone who regrets giving up TV.

Tim A said...

I'm still praying for God to put you in a job. Putting food on the table may be more important that whether all of TV is good stuff or not. Regardless, God is going to bless your life with the fruits of righteousness.

Eric said...

Tim,

Thank you for your prayers. I greatly appreciate them.

Bethany W. said...

Good move, Friend!
Paul worked for Dish Network for a while when we first moved to MO. He was miserable! He had to install stuff that not only made him blush, but was enabling people to sin very easily. Also, he had to be alone in homes with women while he worked. This was all a big problem! He had to quit and we were without cash or insurance for a long time, but it was the right thing to do. And, I think you made the right decision as well!

Bethany

Anonymous said...

I'm looking for a job too, and have had some of the same thoughts when considering what to do, and where to apply. Thanks for the encouragement, as I have considered the same thing... doing something that would be inconsistent with who I am.

Eric said...

Bethany,

Thanks for the encouragement. It was a bit tempting to try it, but the more I heard about Dish the less I wanted any part of it. God bless you and your family.

Eric said...

Sol,

It certainly is difficult when looking for employment. There are so many opportunities to compromise. Let's just keep looking to Christ as we strive to support our families.

Unknown said...

I've been 4 years without tv and people look at me funny when I tell them that. I am so much better off without it.

Eric said...

Kirk,

Thanks for commenting. I hope you are doing well.

I agree completely about the TV. Sadly, it has become such a cultural norm that to not have one is deemed odd or strange.

I'm glad you came to similar conclusions to us. What a benefit to be free of TV!