So Kylie is launching a social networking website called KylieKonnect. See this BBC News article.



The idea is that fans who join will be able to connect with each other as well as have some sort of connection with Kylie. THey will be able to hear about latest releases and tours, etc, as well as upload personal stories, pictures and fun onto their own profile page, much like Facebook or Bebo.




But why is this type of connection important. I'm a member of facebook. I have 167 friends. Some of whom I went to school with, some college, Some are in my family. Some are in my church, and some I used to work with. On facebook I can send them messages, write on their wall, thrown virtual bananas at them, share photos and videos with them, and even play scrabble with them.




So why do I do it? It's fun, but it also lets me stay connected with people I'd previously lost contact with. This connection is not a close relationship - granted, but it's something. It's meets the basic human need of communication with others, of expressing our thoughts and jokes and feelings with others. We need other people. We want to know others and be known by others.




Every so often, people try to live a completely isolated life. Occasionally it's by choice. For example, artist Stephen Turner voluteered to spend six weeks on his own in a disused WWII watchtower, for an art project. More often, it's because people are taken hostage or prisoner. Almost always they feel damaged by the process.



Terry Waite, was once the Archbishops special envoy in hostage negotiations. He made frequent trips in the 1980's to Lebanon, and he successfully negotiatied the release of several hostages. Well, in January 1987, he was negotiating the relase of some British hostages from Lebanon and he got taken hostage himself. He was kept in solitary confinement for over 4 years.



His words: “I was kept in total and complete isolation for four years. I saw no-one and spoke to no-one apart from a cursory word with my guards when they brought the food



And one day out of the blue a guard came with a postcard. It was a postcard showing a stained glass window from Bedford showing Bunyan in jail.



“... And I turned the card over and there was a message from someone I didn't know simply saying ‘We remember, we shall not forget. We shall continue to pray for you and to work for all people who are detained around the world.'� Terry Waite



We yearn to be known and to know others. That simple postcard made all the difference to Terry - it encouraged him that he is still known and remembered. Psalm 139 tells us that there is someone who knows us intimately.





1 O Lord, you have examined my heart


and know everything about me.


2 You know when I sit down or stand up.


You know my thoughts even when I'm far away.


3 You see me when I travel


and when I rest at home.


You know everything I do.


4 You know what I am going to say


even before I say it, Lord.


5 You go before me and follow me.


You place your hand of blessing on my head.


6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,


too great for me to understand!


7 I can never escape from your Spirit!

I can never get away from your presence! (NLT)





No matter where we are, no matter what we are doing. No matter how many friends we have on facebook, there is someone who knows us intimately. We have a Father God who made us, who knows all about us, who is there for us wherever we are. We can known Him and be known by Him