--- Soaring Golden Eagle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Amen!
>
> I remember going through similar struggles long ago when I was in High
> School. I didn't want to spend lots of time reading about the false gods
> of
> Greek and Roman mythology or some of the less polite literature that I
> was
> assigned to read by an unbelieving English teacher. This same teacher
> once
> rebuked me for standing up for my absolute belief in God in a classroom
> discussion, calling me unamerican for holding such a viewpoint. In the
> end,
> I read enough mythology that I could understand the many cultural
> references to it today, but was able to gain alternate reading
> assignments
> for some of the trashier books. To me, this is not so much a matter of
> absolute right and wrong, but of trying to control what I feed my
> spirit.
I applaud you for your vigilance in your care of your "spirit"
but I suspect the idea of reading Harry Potter in class is not to
undermine Josh or John's faith in Christ. I think the assingment had a
secular intent, one of openess to new ideas ect. The student is free
to do whatever he feels is needed, but *I'm noteing that he turns
to Rangernet expecting a rooting section to back him in tearing
the "Bad Professor and the secular humanist dogma" down.
I refuse.
There is a element in US Christian culture that is backward.
However, lets say that the intent of the reading assignment was to draw
out the belever for riducule, and undermine their faith, by confronting
a Christian with images of witches and secret "spells"... To provoke
a belever to action, and moral defence of his convictions.
Is this a clear trap of the enemy, or one of social insecurity?
My question today is how can the evil one steal our joy?
Haveing expressed the desire for Christ to enter our hearts, how
then can our salvation be stolen from us? Our God is greater than
that, and pledges to preserve us pure and holy. Why must we fight,
in our redeemed flesh, when we have surrended to Christ? Is not
God all powerfull?
In a backward culture, people are taught to fear many things
that are thought to represent vileness and defilement of the flesh.
This has set many Christians on the road of being social reactionaries
to main stream culture. Quickly we judge and condem, then react with
loud proclmations of rightious indignation. In kinship with the liberal
peace movement of the 60's we now tinker with public education, and
work to expand a concervitive social agenda, and use the Bible as
a bully pulpet for political power.
A entire belief system is in place that is ready to resist progressive
medical discovery, financial restructueing, global geo-political
realignment and questioning the direction of Public Law. This is preached
as a sign of the "end times" and over and over Christians are told to
suspect phantom politicians and secular ministries as being tools
of evil.
If we have in hand name of Christ.. shouldn't we wait for the true enemy
to expose themselves instead of snipping at a foot soldier?
Harry Potter is not the ultimite enemy.
> Now that I'm older and have more control over what I read, watch, and
> listen to, I take in a lot of the Bible, Christian books, good sermons,
> good Christian music, Christian movies and TV programming, and wholesome
>
> things. Because I live in the world (even though I'm not of the world),
> I
> take in some "secular" entertainment and information, too, but I never
> want
> to let that be a significant part of what I dwell on, nor do I want to
> use
> my freedom in Christ to waste time on unprofitable activities or to
> endorse
> anything that may make a brother or sister stumble.
Wise council...
I've been party to a Royal Ranger leader reading about the decline
of American culture and joining a right-wing movement linked to
the Montanna Freeman. He was excused from service to RR because
of his extreamist views about taxation and sovernty of property.
He proclaimed that the gold braid on the church flag symbolized
a sell out of American sovernty to the UN, and disrespect to
foundational principals of nationalisum.
What struck me was that even Royal Rangers is concerned about
holding a balance when it comes to social behavior<G>
We *Respond.. before we over-react.
Put it in "perspective.."
It's a childs book sold at the grocery store!
-=*=-
>
> Let love and grace abound for each other, just as God abounds in love
> and
> grace for us, not using that grace as a license to sin, but living daily
>
> for God.
>
> At 20:15 8/26/2001 -0500, Bob Triphahn wrote:
> >...
> >What really is at the heart of this matter is whether reading certain
> >material will interfere with our walk with God. It is not our place to
> >judge the individual who decides to read or listen or watch those
> things
> >we deem may harm them spiritually. If we know the brother has fallen
> into
> >sin then we are to take two or three witnesses and gentle restore the
> >brother. If our opinion is asked on a touchy subject we should be able
> to
> >give our opinion based on our knowledge of the Word of God and personal
>
> >experience. If Josh decides not to read the Harry Potter book based on
> the
> >evidence he has about the material, then he through the Holy Spirit
> will
> >have to stand up for his convictions.
> >
> >As society keeps bombarding us with the things of the world we need to
> >stand on the Word of God. If it does not bring Him glory then we need
> not
> >dwell on these things. As adults we need to make the conscience
> decision
> >to draw the line on where we stand regarding the Word of the Lord. It
> is
> >not our place as Christian brothers and sisters to point the finger and
>
> >say "you shall not...." that is God's and the Holy Spirits job.
> >
> >
> >We live by the grace that our heavenly Father has given us. Let us show
>
> >the world that grace by showing love for one another.
> >
> >God Bless,
> >
> >Bob Triphahn
> >
>
> ___
>
> Rev. Michael Paul Johnson AKA Soaring Golden Eagle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Bible translation missionary, Evangel Bible Translators
> http://EvangelBible.org
> Outpost 362, Mountain Creek Community Church, Dallas Texas
> http://mtcreek.com
> http://eBible.org/mpj/ Jesus Christ is Lord!
>
>
=====
*High MORALE is the Index of effective Leadership.
--------------********+********--------------------
Morale raises belief of the Leader in the follower,
of the follower in the Leader, of each in themself,
and both in the .....cause!
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