With the new Harry Potter movie and the last in the book series coming out this month, my mind has turned to this phenomenon again. I have not nor will I read the books. They do not interest me in the least. My son isn't interested in them either. Some may think that is strange for a 10 year old, but he is already a veracious reader. I might also add that I feel the Lord has given him a gift of discernment for such things too. I tend not to feel the books are "harmless". I always found it strange that young people who never read much more than a comic book would devour these books in a matter of hours or days. What is the draw? I have read enough about JK Rowling to have a high index of suspicion. Are these the only books out there that kids perhaps shouldn't be reading? No not at all. But I do think that the Bible is pretty clear about being involved in witchcraft and divination. I think participating in the phenomenon is glorifying the very practice that the Lord calls ABOMINABLE That's a pretty strong sentiment that God only reserves for the most disgusting practices. Of course, that is Old Testament, but I don't think Christ died so we could be free to learn about white magic. That's taking "Grace" to the tenth degree isn't it?
This is an excerpt from an article on Christiananswers.net which is a site I trust with alot of movie reviews, etc.
But in the Potter series, the line is not so clear. The "good" guys practice "white magic", while the bad guys practice the "Dark Arts". Readers become fascinated with the magic used (explained in remarkable detail). Yet God is clear in Scripture that any practice of magic is an "abomination" to him. God doesn't distinguish between "white" and "dark" magic since they both originate from the same source.
"There shall not be found among you anyone who …practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you. You shall be blameless before the LORD your God. For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has not appointed such for you."
Deut. 18:10-14
Furthermore, if one were to use the reasoning that such objectionable material can be included in fantasy literature, then "that line of reasoning would tell you that you could include in fantasy any violence, pornography, whatever you wanted, and still defend those books by that very same statement." [11]
The problem is, witchcraft is not fantasy; it is a sinful reality in our world.
"J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, has gone through an awful lot of research. She is very accurate (otherwise we would have witches all over the country and the world saying 'this is not a true representation of our religion'.) This is a true representation of witchcraft, and the black arts, and black magic. And yet we have people that say this is merely fantasy and harmless reading for our children. Actually, what makes this more dangerous is that it is couched in fantasy language, and children's literature, and made to be humorous, and beautifully written and extremely provocative reading. and it just opens up children to want to have the next one. This is what is so harmful." [12]
Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged studies elements of Rowlings's imagery and writings, including the use of the "Potter" name in Pagan religion [13], shapechanging [14], meditation [15], human sacrifice [16], feminine power, Wicca (the religion of witchcraft) [17], the tools, spells and curses used in witchcraft [18], Christian youth and their involvement [19], communicating with the spirit world, reincarnation, situational ethics in witchcraft, the lightning bolt as a power symbol, broomsticks and witches' hats as phallic symbols, dabbling in divination and sorcery, recruitment, teaching children dark arts, Scholastic Inc.'s involvement, and more.
We can be sure that this video by Jeremiah Films, while probably the first of its kind to deal with Harry Potter from a biblical cautionary perspective, will not be the last. The Christian Booksellers Association's 13,000 member annual meeting in 2000 had a noticeable lack of anything Potter.
"Clara Sessoms, who manages Living Water Christian Books in Marion, Ind. [says] 'I don't think people fully realize what they're dealing with, and I think anyone who knows anything about spiritual warfare knows those books can open the door to spiritual bondage.' 'And I think it's worse that children are the target,' said Jessica Ruemler, a buyer for Living Water. 'It opens the doors for young minds. You put sorcery in, what do you expect to get out?'" [20]
Many concerned parents agree. According to the American Library Association, the best-selling Harry Potter series has topped the list of the nation's most frequently challenged books for two years in a row. Complaints rose 37 percent in the past year. [21] Author John Andrew Murray believes that…
"With the growing popularity of youth-oriented TV shows on witchcraft -- 'Sabrina, the Teenage Witch;' 'Charmed;' 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' -- a generation of children is becoming desensitized to the occult. But with Hollywood's help, Harry Potter will likely surpass all these influences, potentially reaping some grave spiritual consequences." [22]
Potter has caused quite a stir in many nations, with several Australian Christian schools supporting a banning of the books. "Dr. Chas. Gullo of the Christian Outreach College, a private school in Queensland state, said he read one chapter from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and was exposed to four murders. 'It was pretty gory,' Gullo said in Brisbane's Courier-Mail newspaper." [23] Rev. Robert Frisken of Christian Community Schools Ltd in Australia says: "The ordinary person is typified as being bad because they have no (magic) powers, and heroes are the people who are using the occult. Good finds itself in the occult, which is an inversion of morality for many Christian people" [24] Even many non-Christian parents have been concerned due to the greatly heightened fear that their younger children have after reading Potter's books. [25]
While some practicing Wiccans flatly deny any link between Potter's world and theirs [26], the evidence is undeniably clear that Potter promotes an interest in magic and the occult. Parents, whether Christian or not, must take an active role in what their children are being exposed to and determine what is appropriate. Christians especially should be guided by God's Word, the Bible.
Author Richard Abanes has written a book called Harry Potter and the Bible. He says that the movie and books not only teach anti-Christian lessons on the occult, but also moral relativism, and desensitize children to profanity and off-color humor.
So, what is a Christian to do? Ask, seek, and knock. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you lead your family in taking a biblical worldview of morality, seeking to please God (and not conform to man). Seek out what the Bible says about the occult (be sure to read our other articles) and how Christians are to react to it. And knock on the doors of your friends who may also be unsure what to do with Harry Potter. We highly recommend obtaining a copy of Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged to share with your family, your church, and others.
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/harrypotter.html
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
It's Not Fair!!!
I have days (more than I care to admit) that I am feeling particulary emotionally immature and feel things in my life aren't fair.
It's not fair that I have had an unsaved husband for the full 11 years of my life in Christ, when other unsaved spouses have come to know the Lord much sooner than 11 years of praying!
It's not fair that our social life is practically non existent because of that unequal yoke!
It's not fair that my child is no longer walking with the Lord when there are other young people not raised with a Christian parent that are on fire for Christ!
Periodically I invite myself to my own little pity party and cry in my milk (since I don't drink beer anymore!!) The only thing about my pity party is that I am the only one there!! It's a lonely world to get so self absorbed and feel sorry for myself. At the time I feel entirely justified in feeling that way. I get this self righteous feeling that I am the only one dealing with these challenges. Of course that is so far from the truth. Many godly Christians I know deal with a family member who is not walking with the Lord. There are other women out there that have unsaved husbands who are just as lonely as I am. God knows our pain, but He doesn't want us to wallow in it.
He is my sufficiency. He keeps that unsaved loved one close to his breast like the lost sheep that has been found. When I get into my pity party moods, I feel like Peter walking on the water towards Christ. When I take my eyes of the Lord and on to my circumstances, I sink badly! I need to hand over and give over permanently my burdens to Him. He sees the big picture. He is fair and just. He will not give me anything that I can't handle. When I cast my eyes onto Him those truths in Scripture all make sense to me both in my head and in my heart. In those days where the depths of despair and lonlieness seem more than I can handle, He cries those tears I cry along with me.
We have a Savior that has experienced the human emotions we deal with so He can identify with us and be that reassurance to our soul.
Amen
It's not fair that I have had an unsaved husband for the full 11 years of my life in Christ, when other unsaved spouses have come to know the Lord much sooner than 11 years of praying!
It's not fair that our social life is practically non existent because of that unequal yoke!
It's not fair that my child is no longer walking with the Lord when there are other young people not raised with a Christian parent that are on fire for Christ!
Periodically I invite myself to my own little pity party and cry in my milk (since I don't drink beer anymore!!) The only thing about my pity party is that I am the only one there!! It's a lonely world to get so self absorbed and feel sorry for myself. At the time I feel entirely justified in feeling that way. I get this self righteous feeling that I am the only one dealing with these challenges. Of course that is so far from the truth. Many godly Christians I know deal with a family member who is not walking with the Lord. There are other women out there that have unsaved husbands who are just as lonely as I am. God knows our pain, but He doesn't want us to wallow in it.
He is my sufficiency. He keeps that unsaved loved one close to his breast like the lost sheep that has been found. When I get into my pity party moods, I feel like Peter walking on the water towards Christ. When I take my eyes of the Lord and on to my circumstances, I sink badly! I need to hand over and give over permanently my burdens to Him. He sees the big picture. He is fair and just. He will not give me anything that I can't handle. When I cast my eyes onto Him those truths in Scripture all make sense to me both in my head and in my heart. In those days where the depths of despair and lonlieness seem more than I can handle, He cries those tears I cry along with me.
We have a Savior that has experienced the human emotions we deal with so He can identify with us and be that reassurance to our soul.
Amen
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Do We "Play the Field" or "Make a Committment"?Share
My parents taught me about committment. They married back in January of 1962 and are still married today. There were times I wondered if they should be but their relationship has grown out of challenges and good times. Imagine how I felt when my first marriage ended in divorce. I was devastated. Not so much about losing my husband, but about not living up to the standards that I had set for myself. I couldn't work on a marriage when my partner wanted nothing to do with reconciliation. The results would have been futile. My second marriage has been different in that way. There are many challenges but my husband doesn't walk away when things don't go as planned.
I'm thankful that my relationship with Christ isn't like that. He never leaves me even though there are times I don't listen to Him. He is in it for the long haul. My church family reflects that sense of committment I have to Christ and to my marriage. I pray that my children see that modelling of committment in all of my relationships. I have been with Evergreen for over 11 years now. God led me to that church and I am glad He did. There have been times where I have not been happy. Where things didn't always go my way. But it isn't all about me. There is a family to consider and to leave that family would fracture the Body. It is about what I can give to that Body and what I can learn from it as I submit to it's leadership.
Too often the 21st Century church reflects the 21st Century relationship committment trend. When things don't make us happy in a relationship, we can leave. It's that easy in a marriage and it seems to be that easy in our church affiliations. At least in evangelical circles. A Barna report suggests that evangelical church growth is less about reaching the unchurched and more about receiving church hoppers. Fatigued leadership is ready with open arms to receive "mature Christians" as a life saver of sorts. Unless these people are "new in town" perhaps these leaders need to discern whether or not there may be some unresolved conflict with these travellers.
I have an aunt who has been with four churches in the last 10 years. There always seems to be something "wrong" with the fellowship after a couple of years for her. It is coming up about 2 years for her current church, so time will tell.
When conflict has not been resolved in one church family, it will follow us wherever we go. We can't expect people to give us only what Christ can. Christ uses people to reflect His love but people are not perfect. Soon the experiene of dating a church gets old very fast and reality hits. Unless we are committed for the long haul, we will get bored and disssatisfied. Then it's time to move again.
I'm so glad that I have had a few godly friends that have kept me humble. I also thank God the one time I did seek to leave Evergreen. He was very direct at telling me I was to stay. The growth and healing that I have experienced would never have happened had I listened to my flesh.
http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_6320678
I'm thankful that my relationship with Christ isn't like that. He never leaves me even though there are times I don't listen to Him. He is in it for the long haul. My church family reflects that sense of committment I have to Christ and to my marriage. I pray that my children see that modelling of committment in all of my relationships. I have been with Evergreen for over 11 years now. God led me to that church and I am glad He did. There have been times where I have not been happy. Where things didn't always go my way. But it isn't all about me. There is a family to consider and to leave that family would fracture the Body. It is about what I can give to that Body and what I can learn from it as I submit to it's leadership.
Too often the 21st Century church reflects the 21st Century relationship committment trend. When things don't make us happy in a relationship, we can leave. It's that easy in a marriage and it seems to be that easy in our church affiliations. At least in evangelical circles. A Barna report suggests that evangelical church growth is less about reaching the unchurched and more about receiving church hoppers. Fatigued leadership is ready with open arms to receive "mature Christians" as a life saver of sorts. Unless these people are "new in town" perhaps these leaders need to discern whether or not there may be some unresolved conflict with these travellers.
I have an aunt who has been with four churches in the last 10 years. There always seems to be something "wrong" with the fellowship after a couple of years for her. It is coming up about 2 years for her current church, so time will tell.
When conflict has not been resolved in one church family, it will follow us wherever we go. We can't expect people to give us only what Christ can. Christ uses people to reflect His love but people are not perfect. Soon the experiene of dating a church gets old very fast and reality hits. Unless we are committed for the long haul, we will get bored and disssatisfied. Then it's time to move again.
I'm so glad that I have had a few godly friends that have kept me humble. I also thank God the one time I did seek to leave Evergreen. He was very direct at telling me I was to stay. The growth and healing that I have experienced would never have happened had I listened to my flesh.
http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_6320678
Monday, July 16, 2007
When Will The World See?
I love that old song by Petra.
We Need Jesus
When will the world
See that we need Jesus?
If we open our eyes
We will all realize
That He loves us
When will the world
See that we need Jesus?
When our hearts are as one
And believe that He’s the Son of our God.
That’s just the first verse but it says it all to me. I was thinking of it today when visiting a client and his wife. Their world is so uncertain now and she wept over fear of the future. Will she be alone soon or will there be a miracle? I asked them if they had a faith background they could draw from, but that door was closed. They never felt the need and not even now.
My heart aches for them as they need some kind of hope but are not finding it in this world or the people in it. Their need for Divine intervention is so obvious to me but is foreign to them. They are such wonderful people with a good sense of family, commitment and love, but apart from Him who created them. I prayed as I left them. There was no quest in their heart for Christ, but I know they have sensed His presence. They spoke of their connection to nature and their home that they claim as their sanctuary. When troubles have surfaced in the past that connection to nature in a star lit night has given answers to the days problems. Is that the Lord trying to connect on a level they can identify? I'm not sure. Creation cries out with God's workmanship. But there are so many people wandering in His creation with no direction.
Being a Christian is not about perfection or the ideal solution, but I still remember the days of feeling so uncertain about the future. It wasn't about the possibility of death but more about the uncertainty of the steps I would take and the fear that accompanied that. Fear of the future can be paralyzing and can cause anxiety that swallows your entire being. Now my steps are set by the Lord. My purpose in life is to follow Him in those steps. The future is still uncertain in so many ways, but trusting Him has taken the fear and anxiety away. I know that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose. Each moment can be a Divine appointment and how we use that time can make a difference for eternity.
I am not perfect by any means, but I have a hope that cannot be shaken no matter how hard Satan tries to shake my world apart. We all need that hope. We all need to be able to give those burdens in our heart over to Him.
I pray that for my family, my friends and my clients facing loss and tragedy.
We Need Jesus
When will the world
See that we need Jesus?
If we open our eyes
We will all realize
That He loves us
When will the world
See that we need Jesus?
When our hearts are as one
And believe that He’s the Son of our God.
That’s just the first verse but it says it all to me. I was thinking of it today when visiting a client and his wife. Their world is so uncertain now and she wept over fear of the future. Will she be alone soon or will there be a miracle? I asked them if they had a faith background they could draw from, but that door was closed. They never felt the need and not even now.
My heart aches for them as they need some kind of hope but are not finding it in this world or the people in it. Their need for Divine intervention is so obvious to me but is foreign to them. They are such wonderful people with a good sense of family, commitment and love, but apart from Him who created them. I prayed as I left them. There was no quest in their heart for Christ, but I know they have sensed His presence. They spoke of their connection to nature and their home that they claim as their sanctuary. When troubles have surfaced in the past that connection to nature in a star lit night has given answers to the days problems. Is that the Lord trying to connect on a level they can identify? I'm not sure. Creation cries out with God's workmanship. But there are so many people wandering in His creation with no direction.
Being a Christian is not about perfection or the ideal solution, but I still remember the days of feeling so uncertain about the future. It wasn't about the possibility of death but more about the uncertainty of the steps I would take and the fear that accompanied that. Fear of the future can be paralyzing and can cause anxiety that swallows your entire being. Now my steps are set by the Lord. My purpose in life is to follow Him in those steps. The future is still uncertain in so many ways, but trusting Him has taken the fear and anxiety away. I know that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose. Each moment can be a Divine appointment and how we use that time can make a difference for eternity.
I am not perfect by any means, but I have a hope that cannot be shaken no matter how hard Satan tries to shake my world apart. We all need that hope. We all need to be able to give those burdens in our heart over to Him.
I pray that for my family, my friends and my clients facing loss and tragedy.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Hard To Believe It
It's hard to believe that my little girl will be 20 years old on Friday. It seems like "yesterday" she was bouncing around the kitchen with her blonde hair waving as she moved. Hey! That was yesterday!!! All kidding aside, the years have gone by so quickly. I know that sounds like a cliche that you hear every parent say but it is so true.
It hasn't always been easy though. When I gave birth to her on that blistering hot July morning, my dreams for her were so different than how things turned out. I never thought that after two years, we would be facing the world alone. My dreams for a complete family including her father were changed beyond my control. The difficult relationships that sometimes come with split and blended families caused my daughter not to remember much of her young life. When I speak now of memories in her early years, she has to rely on my rendition and a few pictures available, as she has no recollection of the events. It saddens me that even though there were difficult times in those years, there were also times of rejoicing.
I have to believe that the Lord has blurred some of those memories as a protective mechanism. There are many decisions I wish I had made differently as I reflect on them now. Seeing the past with the eyes Christ has given me, enables me to re-evaluate and change my parenting now. In my own pain and insecurities back then I made some selfish decisions. I know I was a good parent to Jessica as I did and still love her dearly. I did the best I could with what I had back then.
The absence of her father from time to time, for weeks and months at a time was not healthy for her emotionally. It has only been recently that Mike has realized his role as a father in her life holds great value. I praise God that has changed in the last year and redemption of their relationship has been realized.
God has His hands on her. He has kept her safe in situations that should have been devastating. He is not giving up on her and will complete the good work that He began many years ago. I love my girl more than she will maybe ever comprehend. We have a bond that goes back 20 years and 9 months! That bond between a mother and child cannot be broken no matter how hard that relationship is tested.
Thank you Lord for Jessica and may you continue to hold her close to You.
It hasn't always been easy though. When I gave birth to her on that blistering hot July morning, my dreams for her were so different than how things turned out. I never thought that after two years, we would be facing the world alone. My dreams for a complete family including her father were changed beyond my control. The difficult relationships that sometimes come with split and blended families caused my daughter not to remember much of her young life. When I speak now of memories in her early years, she has to rely on my rendition and a few pictures available, as she has no recollection of the events. It saddens me that even though there were difficult times in those years, there were also times of rejoicing.
I have to believe that the Lord has blurred some of those memories as a protective mechanism. There are many decisions I wish I had made differently as I reflect on them now. Seeing the past with the eyes Christ has given me, enables me to re-evaluate and change my parenting now. In my own pain and insecurities back then I made some selfish decisions. I know I was a good parent to Jessica as I did and still love her dearly. I did the best I could with what I had back then.
The absence of her father from time to time, for weeks and months at a time was not healthy for her emotionally. It has only been recently that Mike has realized his role as a father in her life holds great value. I praise God that has changed in the last year and redemption of their relationship has been realized.
God has His hands on her. He has kept her safe in situations that should have been devastating. He is not giving up on her and will complete the good work that He began many years ago. I love my girl more than she will maybe ever comprehend. We have a bond that goes back 20 years and 9 months! That bond between a mother and child cannot be broken no matter how hard that relationship is tested.
Thank you Lord for Jessica and may you continue to hold her close to You.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Exposed!!
Facebook, can be much like a blog. I have a blog that I don't write on anymore but I used to share some thoughts that I had swirling around in my head. I have had that opportunity with Facebook too. I have also been able to talk and comment to others in a semi-anonymous way. I say, "Semi-anonymous" because much of the discourse that I have shared with others is often things I would find difficult to formulate and discuss in person. Cyberspace seems to have a little "safety net" of sorts. You can be the person perhaps you have not had to courage to be with someone face to face. That can be a good thing in many ways. You can share your inner most thoughts online that give you the avenue to vent feelings and frustrations without feeling totally exposed. This can be healthy, but it can also be confrontational. Once you press "send" in an email or "enter" in a submission, it is done. Tone of voice or explanation of points is only assumed and it can be taken in a negative way depending on the reader's present state of mind or emotion.
There are sometimes things that a person would love to share with the world but don't want to feel that exposed. It is like presenting yourself emotionally naked to the world. I can come to church meeting people on a Sunday with my smile intact and I could be screaming in severe emotional pain on the inside. Feeling lonely and so alone in a room crowded with people. We never know the pain people feel on the inside by looking at the outside (unless you are Judy Heidt!!..she knows by your eyes!) What may appear as physical and emotional perfection could effectively be well constructed walls developed over years of pain and rejection. I'm not saying that we have to open ourselves up for the world to peer in at our wounds, but perhaps if we allow some people into our lives and see the real person inside, the loneliness would be less intense.
This is a journey I am on personally. People may think I am a pretty open book, which may be true to a certain extent, but I know I have walls. I hesitate to share the "real me" with others because of my own fear of rejection. It is safe to have walls, I have felt protected, but I believe the Lord wants us to bear one another's burdens. To develop trust we need to begin to share. It's not about airing your dirty laundry but it is about developing relationships in the family of God. A family is about relationships and they only happen when we learn to bear those burdens for our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
There are sometimes things that a person would love to share with the world but don't want to feel that exposed. It is like presenting yourself emotionally naked to the world. I can come to church meeting people on a Sunday with my smile intact and I could be screaming in severe emotional pain on the inside. Feeling lonely and so alone in a room crowded with people. We never know the pain people feel on the inside by looking at the outside (unless you are Judy Heidt!!..she knows by your eyes!) What may appear as physical and emotional perfection could effectively be well constructed walls developed over years of pain and rejection. I'm not saying that we have to open ourselves up for the world to peer in at our wounds, but perhaps if we allow some people into our lives and see the real person inside, the loneliness would be less intense.
This is a journey I am on personally. People may think I am a pretty open book, which may be true to a certain extent, but I know I have walls. I hesitate to share the "real me" with others because of my own fear of rejection. It is safe to have walls, I have felt protected, but I believe the Lord wants us to bear one another's burdens. To develop trust we need to begin to share. It's not about airing your dirty laundry but it is about developing relationships in the family of God. A family is about relationships and they only happen when we learn to bear those burdens for our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
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