I would also like to note, as a part of my earlier post, that this entire experience (which finding sexual references in our teenage daughters book from the library) has made me question the genre of "Teen Supernatural Romance". I have read some supernatural books from the old "Vampire Chronicles" by Anne Rice as well as the original "Dracula" by Bram Stoker.
I also have reservations about things like "Twilight" which seem to promote not good values but that it is okay to think that you should kill yourself when your boyfriend leaves you, just as Bella entertained thoughts of suicide in the second Twilight Book.
It also had another affect. I think that having these teens focus so much on "Romance" that it made them more aware of their body and how it affects others. We had a few talks with all of the kids, that we need to dress appropriately, and not to show off ourselves to others. Jesus wants us to dress modestly, not to lure eyes.
As the Apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 2:9 - I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,
This is a call to arms by Christian parents, look at what your children read, as well as what they watch and play as far as video games. In addition, look at what they are wearing, it can be a reflection of what is going on inside their heads.
A good resource that I use for Media, is something called "Common Sense Media" - http://www.commonsensemedia.org/
Here is the review by this site, of P.C. Cast's "Marked" book which was book one in the "House of Night" series: http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/marked-house-of-night-book-1
Note what it said under the "Sex" content for the book (Please note that I not want MY CHILDREN reading bow sexual acts such as blowjobs....do you want your children to read it ?) :
Teen kissing, some passionate. Zoey says her older sister has "screwed half the football team." A girl gives a guy a blow job in the hallway, barely described but often referred to. Sexy dancing at ceremonies.
Please look up anything in Common Sense Media. It has been a good resource for us and our family. We look up books, video games, movies just to see what is going on. Our kids have Netflix and things now allowed on the list right now are (stated after are the reasons they are banned) :
TV Shows :
Charmed - Witchcraft, Sexual Content
Secret Circle - Witchcraft, Sexual Content
Vampire Diaries - Sexual Content
True Blood - Witchcraft, Sexual Content
How I Met Your Mother - Sexual Content
Scrubs - Sexual Content
Two And A Half Men - Sexual Content
Kyle XY - Sexual Content
Baby Daddy - Sexual Content
Supernatural - Degrading and Objectification of Women
Movies :
Practical Magic - Witchcraft, Sexual Content
Golden Compass - Atheism based
Now if you notice the section is small for movies, this is a great story. You notice of course there are a lot more movies which could be there. Our kids (which age from 9-17 years old) are really quite bright. After talks about what Jesus wants for them, they took it quite receptively (of course after some gounding) and they do have quite good judgement. We continue to monitor them and keep eyes on it. Right now, we have a great family life, in regards to movies, watching things from the Anime Bleach, TV show Smallville and the show Fringe. All of which, we watch it all with them, to make sure that they are very well taken care of on a continual basis. They are so excited when the new netflix comes that they leap for it dying to watch it. It is so awesome to see children seeking what is good in life and not what is corrupted.
When they ask questions, we tell them to refer to Philippians 4:8-9 :
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Warning to Keep your Children Away from "Teen Supernatural Romance" Novels
I wanted to give credit where it is due.
One of the main reasons for this Blog, is that a child in my household was recently reading a "Supernatural Romance Book" which she found in the Library. I was appalled to find things in it like sexual acts, talking of breast rubbing and filled with Wiccan and Witchcraft References.
I also found that on her website, the author said the following :
Sadly, many Christians refuse to research any other religion, this includes Jewish beliefs, Muslims, Buddhists, etc., and instead judge anything outside what they believe as not simply wrong, but evil. One of the basic themes in the HoN books is that this kind of narrow minded viewpoint is destructive.
Clearly, she is against Christianity and is using her books as a trampoline to push her own Witchcraft Philosophies into the minds and hearts of our children.
In response, I wanted to post her a note that I sent to her, asking her to cease and desist her activities. I also want her to come to know Jesus. My wife and myself started to pray for her.
I urge all parents (especially Christian families) to better filter what their children are reading. We thought the library would be safe.
Here is the Letter :
One of the main reasons for this Blog, is that a child in my household was recently reading a "Supernatural Romance Book" which she found in the Library. I was appalled to find things in it like sexual acts, talking of breast rubbing and filled with Wiccan and Witchcraft References.
I also found that on her website, the author said the following :
Sadly, many Christians refuse to research any other religion, this includes Jewish beliefs, Muslims, Buddhists, etc., and instead judge anything outside what they believe as not simply wrong, but evil. One of the basic themes in the HoN books is that this kind of narrow minded viewpoint is destructive.
Clearly, she is against Christianity and is using her books as a trampoline to push her own Witchcraft Philosophies into the minds and hearts of our children.
In response, I wanted to post her a note that I sent to her, asking her to cease and desist her activities. I also want her to come to know Jesus. My wife and myself started to pray for her.
I urge all parents (especially Christian families) to better filter what their children are reading. We thought the library would be safe.
Here is the Letter :
Ms. Cast,
I wanted to write to you after my daughter found your book
and she plowed through them. She originally was drawn to the stories and got to
book 5 recently.
Before I stopped her and made her aware of how deceptive and
manipulating your books are. It is sad that not only you are hiding you own
beliefs and exploiting the young with them...but that you do not have the
courage to say what you are.
Our family, which is a family of eight, enjoys a time rich
in spending time together, loving the Lord and enjoying the blessings which God
has given us. It was very unsettled how your books come across as very “nice”
when in fact I found references to “breasts”, making out, and sex in your
books. In fact, these books are nothing short of pornography given these references.
Also, I find it very cowardly that you have not come out as
a Witch. At least Silver Ravenwolf has the courage. As has, Starhawk. Your
books are hammered with symbols on the covers and all over your blog which show
that you are Wiccan in the least, if not a Witch in and of itself.
Being a Disciple of
Jesus Christ, I do not judge you as a person, but I do judge your beliefs. They
leading people away from God’s Light and into Darkness.
No Christian would call you a Satanist, that would be very inaccurate.
What you are, is deceived and confused. There is only one God. Anything else
that does not come from his, is from the Devil.
For years, I was a Wiccan and I practice Witchcraft for
almost a decade. I can tell you the evil spirits you draw to you (which might
seem very nice at this point) will come and lay claim to how you have opened up
yourself to them. Jesus Christ has redeemed me from this! And I pray the same
for you. Each time you cast a spell, and each person who reads you books, is
opening themselves up to evils coming to them. God himself longs to speak and
to talk to you. He is not in temples made by humans hands, nor churches. He is
in our hearts and its time that you stop doing the Devil’s work. It is time for
you to come home, to the God who created you and has mercifully allowed your
ascendance to the top of the Bestseller list. God gave you this gift.
Come out and admit what you are, be honest with these
children who read your corrupted works. Being Wiccan and being a Witch produces
sadness and bondage long term, binding you to these spirits which you know
nothing of.
Please, I plead with you, stop doing this to yourself and
others. God loves and he wants more for you…and those who naively read your
novels.
This message is to you. I posted it under this thread
because of how you misrepresented and how you have falsely portrayed Believers
of Jesus Christ.
The Lord of the Universe loves you. However, if you keep
leading his sheep astray then his wrath will be upon you.
God loves you, however there are consequences when we Sin.
-Expatriate for Jesus Christ
expatriateforjesus@gmail.com
Revelation To A Beginning
Welcome to the Scribblings of an Expatriate of Jesus Christ, living in the United States of America.
Starting with this blog, I wanted to put my actions where my mouth has been. I have been thinking lately, and been in prayer about the crime of "not speaking up". I believe that too often things go unsaid because I tell myself that I need to pray about it first, that I need to think about it for a while. There is a common expression that "Idle hands are the devil's workmanship". I believe that is true, when we do not serve others, when we do not do good in the world, we are exactly where Lucifer wants us to be. Doing nothing and he can manipulate our feelings, our thoughts and pressuring us in ways that we never imagined. This lack of imagination on our part allows the Deceiver to influence us, use our own mind against us and show us how much imagination we think we do not have.
To this point, I would like to quote something from Mark Twain (a great writer) :
"For in a republic, who is "the Country"? Is it the Government which is for the moment in the saddle? Why, the Government is merely a servant- merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them. Who, then, is "the Country"? Is it the newspaper? is it the pulpit? Is it the school superintendent? Why, these are mere parts of the country, not the whole of it; they have not command, they have only their little share in the command. They are but one in a thousand; it is in the thousand that command is lodged; they must determine what is right and what is wrong; they must decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Who are the thousand--that is to say, who are "the Country"? In a monarchy, the king and his family are the country; in a republic it is the common voice of the people. Each of you, for himself, by himself and on his own responsibility, must speak. And it is a solemn and weighty responsibility, and not lightly to be flung aside at the bullying of pulpit, press, government, or the empty catch-phrases of politicians. Each must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, and which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide it against your convictions is to be an unqualified and inexcusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let men label you as they may. If you alone of all the nation shall decide on way, and that way be the right way according to your convictions of the right, you have done your duty by yourself and by your country--hold up your head. You have nothing to be ashamed of."
Read that again, but put in place of "Country" the words "Church" or "Family" (which to meaning, could be considered almost the same words). Who is the Family ? Who is the church ?
We are. All of us. We have the right to speak up, more then speak up, we have a responsibility. If we do not see it as such, then we have committed the largest sin of all. We have submitted to evil, to our doubt, to our disbelief and most of all to our lack of faith.
If we reflect back on the lesson of Adam and Eve, when Eve spent time listening to the Devil and doubted what God said was true, that was her first act of Evil. Her first sinful act of disobedience against God. Then, Adam himself did it, when he did the same. Each doubt and submission to evil, is the sin itself. The outwardly act is only the expression of that Sin.
For me, I will sin no longer in this way. I repent, turn away from it and no longer be ashamed of this Sin.
My repentance, which literally means to "turn away" as in turning in the other direction, is to no longer be ashamed to speaking up. I do not need to wonder if I am going to say that right words. I will let God speak to other people, to guide their hearts and to shape them. That is his business.
Jesus Christ wants us to share the Gospel.
This means we love everyone. We love people for the person that God makes them to be. For how he created them to be.
This also means that we have a sacred duty to call out things which we know to be true, regardless of how people feel about it.
We have a duty to "Call to Arms" using the Bible and state the Truth as we know it to be in the Bible.
Regardless of how people feel, there is a Devil in the world who seeks to lead us away from God. His has many deceptions, including appearing as an Angel of Light. His role is to lead us a away, slowly sometimes, more abrupt in other ways. His names are Lucifer, Morningstar, Zeus, Aphrodite, Hera, Athena, Ares, Thor, Odin, and many other deities of worship. He is the "Lord", The Green Man, and "Lady" of Modern Witchcraft and Wicca. His objective is to ruin your life, by leading you away from the one who Loves you, who gave up everything for you.
our Lord God, the Great I AM, Jehoavah, Jesus Christ wants you to come home to Him. Who reaches out his hands to you and loves you everyday though you shun Him. Whatever you want to argue, whatever point of view that you come from, whatever logic pulses in your brain as you read this, remember one thing.
HE LOVES YOU
HE DIED FOR YOU, SO THAT YOU COULD HAVE A WONDERFUL LIFE OF FEELING LOVED BY THE LORD AND KING OF LOVE.
Whatever happened to you, wherever you are. Know this.
God has never given up on you. God never stopped loving you. God wants you to come home.
Come Home.
That is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Before you reject it, if you are truly open minded and a "modern" or "evolved" person, do you truly know that that Gospel is ? Or have you judged it before getting to know it ?
Food for thought.
Have a Blessed Day.
-Expatriate for Jesus
Starting with this blog, I wanted to put my actions where my mouth has been. I have been thinking lately, and been in prayer about the crime of "not speaking up". I believe that too often things go unsaid because I tell myself that I need to pray about it first, that I need to think about it for a while. There is a common expression that "Idle hands are the devil's workmanship". I believe that is true, when we do not serve others, when we do not do good in the world, we are exactly where Lucifer wants us to be. Doing nothing and he can manipulate our feelings, our thoughts and pressuring us in ways that we never imagined. This lack of imagination on our part allows the Deceiver to influence us, use our own mind against us and show us how much imagination we think we do not have.
To this point, I would like to quote something from Mark Twain (a great writer) :
"For in a republic, who is "the Country"? Is it the Government which is for the moment in the saddle? Why, the Government is merely a servant- merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them. Who, then, is "the Country"? Is it the newspaper? is it the pulpit? Is it the school superintendent? Why, these are mere parts of the country, not the whole of it; they have not command, they have only their little share in the command. They are but one in a thousand; it is in the thousand that command is lodged; they must determine what is right and what is wrong; they must decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Who are the thousand--that is to say, who are "the Country"? In a monarchy, the king and his family are the country; in a republic it is the common voice of the people. Each of you, for himself, by himself and on his own responsibility, must speak. And it is a solemn and weighty responsibility, and not lightly to be flung aside at the bullying of pulpit, press, government, or the empty catch-phrases of politicians. Each must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, and which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide it against your convictions is to be an unqualified and inexcusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let men label you as they may. If you alone of all the nation shall decide on way, and that way be the right way according to your convictions of the right, you have done your duty by yourself and by your country--hold up your head. You have nothing to be ashamed of."
Read that again, but put in place of "Country" the words "Church" or "Family" (which to meaning, could be considered almost the same words). Who is the Family ? Who is the church ?
We are. All of us. We have the right to speak up, more then speak up, we have a responsibility. If we do not see it as such, then we have committed the largest sin of all. We have submitted to evil, to our doubt, to our disbelief and most of all to our lack of faith.
If we reflect back on the lesson of Adam and Eve, when Eve spent time listening to the Devil and doubted what God said was true, that was her first act of Evil. Her first sinful act of disobedience against God. Then, Adam himself did it, when he did the same. Each doubt and submission to evil, is the sin itself. The outwardly act is only the expression of that Sin.
For me, I will sin no longer in this way. I repent, turn away from it and no longer be ashamed of this Sin.
My repentance, which literally means to "turn away" as in turning in the other direction, is to no longer be ashamed to speaking up. I do not need to wonder if I am going to say that right words. I will let God speak to other people, to guide their hearts and to shape them. That is his business.
Jesus Christ wants us to share the Gospel.
This means we love everyone. We love people for the person that God makes them to be. For how he created them to be.
This also means that we have a sacred duty to call out things which we know to be true, regardless of how people feel about it.
We have a duty to "Call to Arms" using the Bible and state the Truth as we know it to be in the Bible.
Regardless of how people feel, there is a Devil in the world who seeks to lead us away from God. His has many deceptions, including appearing as an Angel of Light. His role is to lead us a away, slowly sometimes, more abrupt in other ways. His names are Lucifer, Morningstar, Zeus, Aphrodite, Hera, Athena, Ares, Thor, Odin, and many other deities of worship. He is the "Lord", The Green Man, and "Lady" of Modern Witchcraft and Wicca. His objective is to ruin your life, by leading you away from the one who Loves you, who gave up everything for you.
our Lord God, the Great I AM, Jehoavah, Jesus Christ wants you to come home to Him. Who reaches out his hands to you and loves you everyday though you shun Him. Whatever you want to argue, whatever point of view that you come from, whatever logic pulses in your brain as you read this, remember one thing.
HE LOVES YOU
HE DIED FOR YOU, SO THAT YOU COULD HAVE A WONDERFUL LIFE OF FEELING LOVED BY THE LORD AND KING OF LOVE.
Whatever happened to you, wherever you are. Know this.
God has never given up on you. God never stopped loving you. God wants you to come home.
Come Home.
That is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Before you reject it, if you are truly open minded and a "modern" or "evolved" person, do you truly know that that Gospel is ? Or have you judged it before getting to know it ?
Food for thought.
Have a Blessed Day.
-Expatriate for Jesus
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