Just a quick note - there will be more to come - PARENT ALERT!
The Golden Compass a movie marketed for kids but is it intended to steal their souls?
This movie hits screens in December heavily marketed as a family film in the tradition of Narnia, the author's intended message, however, is very different.
Before loading up the minivan and taking your family or chatting casually with your church kids about this latest release, take time to read some of the disturbing comments from the author himself. Philip Pullman is a self-acclaimed agnostic who says, "There is a God, but he is a lair and he's mortal." Although a watered down version of his books, the movie is still full of witches and daemons (pronounced demons) with adult themes that even MTV says, "This is no mere children's story….It's more for adults."
I have checked out the website for this movie - it is crazy what it is there - for example you can find your "daemon." And learn to work the compass - like fortune telling.
I have read that the movie is a watered down version of the first book that is intended to entice purchase of this book and the other two in the trilogy where each book gets worse in the depiction of God and anti-Christian views.
Check back soon - I will be doing further postings on this topic
11.09.2007
Uniqueness
In Kid’s Church this month we will be talking about uniqueness. I always love the opportunity to share with kids that they are unique, special individuals and that God has created for them his special unique purpose. My goal then is to tell them how they are unique. Helping the kids see how they are uniquely designed to impact the world for the Kingdom is not only a true honor, but also a blessing that refreshes my heart when the light goes on. We spend too much time comparing ourselves to others that we miss the chance to be who we are and do what we were designed to do.
It really goes beyond children though. Embracing our differences can be so challenging – even as adults, but at the same time it is very freeing. Knowing that the Creator of this Universe created me different than anyone else is so cool. Don't we as adults really want to know we are unique - special? It's not until we understand that we are unique and that being unique is a great - God designed thing - that we can embrace it and stop comparing ourselves to others or at least start comparing ourselves less. We do this comparing thing in all different ways and in different areas of our lives: money, possessions, knowledge, spouses, ability and even with spiritual gifts.
We have a drive to be different, but also to fit; to be a part of something and to make a difference. As a follower of Jesus, we are different, we do fit in, and we are a part of something. That something is so much bigger than we are. Because we are different, we can accomplish different parts of the bigger God plan than others can. That is cool. It is also reassuring that we do matter and we can make a difference and more than all that - God desires that of us.
There was a large portion of my life - some 10 - 12 years where I personally struggled with who I was and who I was "supposed" to be and who got to decide the answers. I didn't feel as if I really fit in. I was different than those around me. These are still true today, but now, I embrace it. God has created me in an awesome and unique way. I am learning about my personality, my leadership style, my gifts, talents and passions, basically how God has wired me. I am gripping these things as part of God's plan and purpose for my life. Don't get me wrong, I do understand that there are aspects that are not God perfected - okay lots of areas and I am growing (Ouch - this isn't comfortable) praise God, but I am willing to grow, to be who He created me to be and to embrace my uniqueness.
Today- I challenge you to look at those around you and speak into their lives how they are unique and do it without sarcasm. Encourage them in how their uniqueness is a blessing. And lastly pray that they will embrace this truth. I have prayed that for you.
It really goes beyond children though. Embracing our differences can be so challenging – even as adults, but at the same time it is very freeing. Knowing that the Creator of this Universe created me different than anyone else is so cool. Don't we as adults really want to know we are unique - special? It's not until we understand that we are unique and that being unique is a great - God designed thing - that we can embrace it and stop comparing ourselves to others or at least start comparing ourselves less. We do this comparing thing in all different ways and in different areas of our lives: money, possessions, knowledge, spouses, ability and even with spiritual gifts.
We have a drive to be different, but also to fit; to be a part of something and to make a difference. As a follower of Jesus, we are different, we do fit in, and we are a part of something. That something is so much bigger than we are. Because we are different, we can accomplish different parts of the bigger God plan than others can. That is cool. It is also reassuring that we do matter and we can make a difference and more than all that - God desires that of us.
There was a large portion of my life - some 10 - 12 years where I personally struggled with who I was and who I was "supposed" to be and who got to decide the answers. I didn't feel as if I really fit in. I was different than those around me. These are still true today, but now, I embrace it. God has created me in an awesome and unique way. I am learning about my personality, my leadership style, my gifts, talents and passions, basically how God has wired me. I am gripping these things as part of God's plan and purpose for my life. Don't get me wrong, I do understand that there are aspects that are not God perfected - okay lots of areas and I am growing (Ouch - this isn't comfortable) praise God, but I am willing to grow, to be who He created me to be and to embrace my uniqueness.
Today- I challenge you to look at those around you and speak into their lives how they are unique and do it without sarcasm. Encourage them in how their uniqueness is a blessing. And lastly pray that they will embrace this truth. I have prayed that for you.
11.01.2007
Hello All – It is so great to share a few words with you this week. I was wondering what I should talk about – the new movie coming out in December that every parent should be warned about, new insight I gained on MySpace, hightlights from a field trip SEAL Team took to the nursing home, the two great ministry/mission projects K-5 kids are working on, new and exciting things to come in our Sunday pre-school ministry or the awesome new Upward Basketball ministry starting up. Well, I was exhausted just thinking about it and then realized what I should share with you.
If you are like me, your days are filled with a variety of things and many responsibilities and it seems to be true no matter what stage of life you are in. Days seem to be filled to the max, trying to squeeze every ounce out of the day. The down side is, that so often we get busy doing stuff and going places. Although, doing stuff and going places isn’t bad, but I have decided to ask myself, why? Why am I doing all this stuff? Why am I going all these places? Then I ask what would I rather be doing?
I ‘d rather sit and just talk and enjoy other’s more. First, I think of prayer and the time I talk with God, how often that time feels rushed. Or maybe it is the time with Randy, not only does it feel rushed, it gets boiled down to necessity because time is short as we run here and there. Does he know how much he means to me and how much I love him? Or, maybe it’s the time with Megan and Scott. Do they feel heard? Really heard? I often wonder if they leave a conversation satisfied. Do they know mommy loves them? Or maybe it’s my friends? Do I seem distracted and rushed during our time together? I realized, it is hard to shine the love of Jesus in a few seconds of running here and there and while it can be done – did I really want to do it that way? No. So I am choosing differently these days.
If you are like me, your days are filled with a variety of things and many responsibilities and it seems to be true no matter what stage of life you are in. Days seem to be filled to the max, trying to squeeze every ounce out of the day. The down side is, that so often we get busy doing stuff and going places. Although, doing stuff and going places isn’t bad, but I have decided to ask myself, why? Why am I doing all this stuff? Why am I going all these places? Then I ask what would I rather be doing?
I ‘d rather sit and just talk and enjoy other’s more. First, I think of prayer and the time I talk with God, how often that time feels rushed. Or maybe it is the time with Randy, not only does it feel rushed, it gets boiled down to necessity because time is short as we run here and there. Does he know how much he means to me and how much I love him? Or, maybe it’s the time with Megan and Scott. Do they feel heard? Really heard? I often wonder if they leave a conversation satisfied. Do they know mommy loves them? Or maybe it’s my friends? Do I seem distracted and rushed during our time together? I realized, it is hard to shine the love of Jesus in a few seconds of running here and there and while it can be done – did I really want to do it that way? No. So I am choosing differently these days.
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