Magic and the Children's Videos

[monica]

Hello,

My name is Vasile, I am Monica's husband. I am addressing especially Bro. Ben and Bro. George and I am writing about the answers given to the posts made by my wife on the forum. I wanted to take some time to think and pray about the whole situation, and this is the reason I haven't written sooner.

You have accused my wife of being proud and having a contentious spirit. I know my wife better than you do and I know very well that she was sincere, was not proud and did not have a contentious spirit in the messages she wrote. That is why your reaction seems to me totally unbalanced and inappropriately aggressive. You should not have accused her of pride. It is rather difficult to realize if someone is proud after only a couple of messages. And it is rather dangerous to take the liberty of labeling someone's heart attitudes when you actually might know nothing about them. God is the only one in a position to know somebody's heart. You have even read pride into the message she posted about homeschooling a three-year old, when all she wanted to do was to share how it could be done with no (emotional) danger at all to such a little one and even without almost any expense. This was her first year of homeschooling and she is very excited about this, especially as here in Romania there are only a few families that home school at all.

Since my wife assured you several times that she had no intention of causing disputes or of being disrespectful, you should have taken her word for it and just answered in gentleness the content of her message. If everything she wrote you considered to be wrong, even then you should have responded in gentleness and love, and not attack her. Please reread your messages - Bro. Ben and Bro. George - and you will realize there is no trace of love expressed in them. No trace of anything like 'well, at least we have this much in common, that you also want to live a pure simple life and are doing what you can at this time, based on the light you have so far, to obey God'. No trace of appreciation for any of what was good. After all, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, when addressing the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3, begins His messages appreciating the little bit of good that could be appreciated in them, and then condemning the bad. You have not done that. You just used harsh words acid comments that hurt my wife. When I came home Thursday, I found my wife very discouraged and incredulous that she was so misunderstood and so harshly answered. Had all her points been already answered in other messages that already existed on the forum, it would have sufficed to just nicely point out the link where the discussion could be read. She never claimed she read everything ever written on your forum.

I respectfully ask you to please think well about the attitude you exhibited toward my wife. It is a serious thing to unjustly accuse any child of God, man or woman of God, of attitudes which are not there. You are not infallible and in this situation you really have erred. I pray that the Lord will give you light so that you may realize this. By writing this I do not wish to stir any further controversy. It is the first and I suppose the last one message I will write here. I truly want you to believe me that I wrote it from a desire to straighten an injustice and from a desire to help you understand how damaging these kinds of responses can be to someone who is sincere and not trying to 'push' for something. May the Lord bless you,

Vasile P.

[George]

Since my wife assured you several times that she had no intention of causing disputes or of being disrespectful, you should have taken her word for it and just answered in gentleness the content of her message.

Let me point out to you that if the content of a message is truly not contentious in nature there is no need to explain that it is not meant in that way. The message(s) will speak for themselves as did the three your wife posted.

She came in here with the spirit of contention and to attmept to tell us we are wrong. According to the guidelines for posting to this forum that is not acceptable.

No personal attacks were made toward her. She was answered using Bible verses in many cases yet she continued to want to argue her point as being correct as you continue to do now. It is my belief that perhaps rather than waste God's time in responding to things said here and again trying to convince us nothing was wrong with what was posted you ought seek a place where there are people who are like minded.

You are absolutely correct in that only God knows one's heart. Since that is the case how can you come in here and judge what is in my heart? Is that not hypocritical? I shall no longer respond to anything concerning this matter, have no sense that I need to explain or defend anything I have said and believe this has gotten to the point of argument. That is not something pleasing to God.

In Christ,
George

[benshelpmeet]

Dear Reader,

For those that find this thread and read the statements from Monica and her husband, Please take the time to read all the posts from the beginning.

Notice how sister Debbie made a very big decision to get rid of her Videos and DVD's including the TV altogether!

Then I wrote encouraging Debbie in her decision, then Monica ( a new member that now one knew) posts her feelings on why educational videos are ok.

In the beginning she says she did not want to debate, then in another post she says the debate will be over when we can convince her she is in error.

The TV/ Video discussion has been discussed thoroughly on this site, many times.

She knows this site takes a strong stand on issues, she said she had a problem with this statement...."It is a waste of ones time to watch a TV and Videos." This was a statement that I made, but it was not made on this thread Magic and the Children's Videos! At least I cannot find it on this thread.

She must have read that statement on another thread, thus she should have addressed her questions on another thread, not on this thread right after sister Debbie had found victory in this area of getting rid of her TV, Videos, and DVD"s.

This could have caused sister Debbie to become discouraged. This would not have been from the Lord.

I understand her husbands concerns about her hurt feelings, but he needs to understand this site is a ministry to Gods people to help them climb up higher in their christian life and walk.

If someone is having victory in an area of weakness, it is unwise and very questionable for a stranger to come on this site and ask for us to explain our stand when we have explained our stand at length on this site.

It takes alot of time to retype all of our thoughts. I would be best for the seeker to search out the many threads on this topic or question us in a PM as to not cause others that have found victory to then stumble or become discouraged or confused.

If Bro. Ben or Bro. George seemed alittle strong, it is for a good reason, this site is a ministry we do for the Lord, ''we are concerned for the people on this site and wish them to grow in the Lord and have victory.'' The shepherd has to keep watch over the flock. I read all the posts quite a few times and I do not think they were too harsh.

I think the young lady was unwise with where she posted, and how she spoke to the Brothers in leadership on this site. We are a cyber family and we care for oneanother. Monica is welcome too. Respect for oneanother is important!

Please reread the entire thread from start to finish, taking in consideration the whole picture.

We care about Monica on this site and desire to be an encouragement and a help, she could have PM us for advice when she saw that sister Debbie had just recently found victory in this area, it would have been the wise thing to do.

I have been extremely busy so has Bro. Ben, I finally made the time to address Monica's questions, statements and concerns, I believe I did a good job at answering her questions, we do not mind answering questions on this site.

It is just very hard on us to have to rediscuss and try and explain something we have thoroughly discussed many times before here on this site.

To Vasile and Monica, May the Lord comfort your heart and encourage you, and let you know, that we love you in the Lord, and wish to be a blessing.

In Christian Love, ~ sister Darlene ~

[benshelpmeet]

Dearest sister Debbie,

Here is a post you started way back in 2004! Wow has time flown by. Our children have all grown a bit too. I found this old post and thought I would repost it because the whole thing...all 3 pages has very good helpful posts.

Maybe someone will find it a blessing, just as I did. Getting rid of TV, Videos, and DVD's is a very hard thing to accomplish because of the hold it has on people. It is a stronghold for sure.

2Cor 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Satan uses what he can to waste our time, and distract us, and to infiltrate our minds with damaging thoughts, and teachings.

He uses seemingly innocent things as tools to get us off the path God would have us on.

Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Jasmes 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Note: debelynne / Debbie is the very same sister, she had to go off line at one point because she did not have a computer, but then signed back on as Debbie, shes been with us from the beginning of this site, some have come and gone, but shes stayed with us, it has been a pleasure and a blessing to have her as a sister, she has been there for me and encouraged me time and time again over the many years. You are precious to me sister Debbie and I love your family and you are in my fondest thoughts and prayers. Blessings to you! on the cheek

I like this statement that you said in your last post on this topic Quote : You keep your good stuff and rid your home of the bad stuff...then you only watch that, then you become bored and need a little more stimulant, then you begin rationalizing other videos, then you have someone you trust tell you this movie is good wholesome family entertainment, then oops!... Here I go...Oh, that was good, I can explain away the evil, and better yet I can use it as a tool to teach my child about the evil in the world, "BEEN THERE, DONE THAT", please take my advice and the other advice from our sweet brothers and sisters, there are other ways to educate your children...you don't have to put evil before there eyes or your eyes to discern between evil and good...take a walk through town, or your local Walmart...it is a Hugh learning environment, true, but sad and there are many books with pictures that my 5 year old loves to look at and have me read, and most of them are about science and other learning topics...

In the past when we had Videos ( they are called DVD's now ), we would put on a video thinking it was pure and find many things that were compromising, even sinful, but we would justify the video because the majority was really good. Why even submit yourself and children to all that. ( these were rated G, and christian videos.)

Even the heathen know the TV represents great evil, it irritates even lost people, they would agree that there is hardly anything good on it. The lost also agree that it is a good thing not to own one ( TV ), and they also agree that Videos are a waste of time and it is a sad thing how children, teens, and adults waste their time sitting in front of the tube when they could be doing something better with their time. Now they also admit they can't get rid of theirs, but they do not deny the facts.

1Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

The TV is an Idol, everyone has one, people do not have the power to get rid of it, people have many TV's in their home, even poor people, it has a pull an attraction people cannot explain. When you go to someones house this Idol sits in everyones living room and all the furniture is set up facing it, most people leave it on at all times, some say they keep it running because they have to have noise, they do not like silence, I felt that way too when I did not have the peace of God in my life. I like silence now. It's a blessing to me.

A computer is small and used seldom, set's on a desk off to the side, you can not take in all it has to offer, even articles, because you have to read, it is not much fun so to speak. Ours is extremely slow...that is good. Sometimes it says you have to be on the Internet to view this site, I look down and I'm still on line, but it's so slow that it looks like I'm not on line.

When one watches TV or a DVD's they are just taking in.

With a Computer people are interacting with other people on discussion groups, and researching information, writing letters, and some seek to do evil, ( that's why if you choose to have a computer you should make yourself openly accountable, buy keeping it in the kitchen or living room, out in the open where your actions are seen, also get a program that will block bad things...here is one... be careful where you go, we have a couple of conservative christian sites we are members of and thats where we go. We check our e-mail, the weather, news articles, and look up safe things like gardening.

The computer does not really entertain me, it takes alot of interactive effort on my behalf, it's not relaxing, it's research, it's keeping in touch with friends, and it's ministry, it's a tool.

TV and DVD's are entertainment pleasure, it takes no effort on the watchers behalf, you just sit and take it all in.

Blessings, ~ sister Darlene ~

[nightingale]

Oh my!

A lot has happen since I first posted that post

I have some things to say about this topic...but it will have to be later, it is late

Love ya all
Sis Debbie

[George]

I went in and as Sister Darlene suggested, read the entire thread word for word. After reading it I stand by what I wrote to Monica. I also believe her husband was way out of line. If I would have done anything differently in dealing with this matter I would have been even stronger and more unmoving in the stance I took. The disrespect shown in this thread by Monica and her husband not only to Brother Ben and myself but to everyone who participates on this board was completely uncalled for.

One thing to really look at when considering the educational type videos she seems to love is the origin of them. Who produced them? Where were they produced? Who does the money go to? There are very, very few Churches that have their own video recording studios to enable them to produce such things. In that case they must use a commercial recording studio. Who operates that studio and what is their stance on things of the Lord?

Recently there has been quite a stir about a video produced or sponsored by a Baptist Church in Atlanta Georgia. I have forgotten the name of the Church but I do know the film has been widely shown in Churches all across the country. I did some research on the film and the Church and I must tell you that there is no way I would watch the film much less recommend it to anyone else because of the underlying factors surrounding its production and distribution. The monies made on this film are not all going to further the work of the Lord.

People are much better off to do as many on this board have done and just get rid of the garbage which serves no godly purpose.

In Christ,
George

[lisa]

I went through and read this entire thread. I greatly appreciate the conservative stands you all take. It is and encouragement to me to get on and read of others that believe like we do. And read how God is working in others lives.

When we first started going to IFB churches when I was around 12 all the preachers preached against TV\videos\DVDs. Now it seems every IFB church has them. I saddens me.

I know we did not always hold this stand. So I understand those that have TV and are growing. What I do not understand is how people can go from not having it and speaking against it to getting one again.

For those that are interested here is the testimony of how the Lord helped us get rid of yours.

My mom was a new Christian. My dad was still searching. We just started going to a conservative church that preached against it. Mom asked my dad if we could throw ours out. Dad's response was " You are crazy!!"
Well Mom just quietly prayed and said no more. Not too long after this our relatively new TV went out. We did not have the money to fix it or replace it. Praise God!! By the time we could have dad got saved and the TV went to the curve

[nightingale]

Hey all...
Not sure where to put this, so I will post it here since it does deal with Movies!

Has anyone heard of "Twilight" the new rave on the big screen and now a DVD
If you shop at Walmart I am sure you can't miss it The movie is suppose to be the biggest love story ever about a mortal girl and a vampire that has supposedly turned good
My point is that certain people that I work with and even members of my family are caught up in this movie. The women I work with, "confessing Christian women" have watched the movie and are even trading the book series around at work
One of the women who is pregnant has the sound track off the movie and had the headphones wrapped around her belly so her unborn child could listen to the haunting melody
Satan has a hold of many young girls with this movie, but I can't believe how many older women, older than me are caught up in the whole thing. I have to confess that I struggle in this area of my own life, but I asked myself "Debbie, do you love Jesus more than seeing this movie?" I answered yes! I do love you Jesus and I won't set my eyes before such deceitfulness!!
This verse comes to mind every time I see the stores filled with this movie playing (in the stores) and its T-shirts, posters, jewlry, purses, keychains, etc... and the chit chat over it at work....

Isaiah 5:20...Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

My goodness, this is exactly what is happening here, they have taken something as evil as the subject of "Vampire" and made it into a love story about "it" and a young 16 year old girl!!!
People have went nuts over this movie, calling evil good, and good evil!!

I will be in much prayer over this tonight that people that confess Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, that there eyes will be open to the truth! Please pray as well....

Holding on to my Saviour...
Sis Debbie

[George]

I had previously written about a film released by a Baptist Church in Atlanta Georgia and made the statement that I would not even consider viewing the film. I apologize if t his is in the wrong forum as I don't recall exactly where I made my original statement. At the time I could not remember the name of the film but one of our fellow posters reminded me of the name of the film via PM. I am grateful for that.

Let me give you the results of a small amount of research I have done on the “stars” of the film which should be more than enough for any Christian person to stay far away from this film which was supposedly ascribed to this Church yet has a tremendous amount of Hollywood influence through and through from the actors to the director to the producers.

Erin Bethea - Premiere Of Samuel Goldwyn Films' "Fireproof" – Samuel Goldwyn Films? My word, where does their money go? Not to service of or in the Lord that is for certain.

James Blackwell – Blackwell is another Hollywood personality who has been involved at various levels in a lot of films that are questionable at best including one titled: Sex Actually (2005) TV episode (first assistant director)

Bailey Cave – Another actor with Hollywood connections albeit rather new because of his young age.

The Film itself: "After its Hollywood debut on Thursday night at Arclight Theater on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood, the 112-minute saga will open on 435 screens nationwide." How on earth can a “Christian” movie debut in Hollywood? That is an oxymoron. And on Sunset Blvd. at that! Sunset Blvd is noted for its depraved lifestyle.

So the question remains that if you go and pay to see this movie where do you think the money is going? It is definitely not going to work for the cause of the Lord although some of it may get back to the Church which was responsible for this film so that they can make another one that Christian people should not watch.

This whole thing reminds me of Mel Gibson’s abomination, “The Passion of the Christ.” This film was also produced in the name of Christianity yet look at where the proceeds for the film go.

Before anyone goes marching off to watch a movie, even if it be shown in a Church (which I have a very difficult time with,) they should research it thoroughly. I know of a lot of Churches who have shown this film in the Church. It is completely wrong to turn the house of God into a movie theater.

This film, Facing the Giants, is an abomination from the get-go. How can a "Christian" movie be made with Hollywood personalities and Hollywood studios involved?

In Christ,
George

[Tammy]

Well, I went back and read this whole thread. WHEW! That was a lot to read. But I learned a lot -- many good points.

My husband decided a while back to get rid of the videos & dvd's. Yep, even the "good" ones. Our children play outside, look at books, and interact with their family.

[benshelpmeet]

Dear sister Tammy,

I think it is great that yall got rid of your TV, VCR, and DVDs! That's a big step, but one you will not regret.

~ sister Darlene ~

[Deleted]

A simple thing that I have always believed, whatever goes into our eyes and ears has some bearing on who we are as a person. Everything has an influence somewhere down the road. Nothing is so small that it cannot be used by the enemy. An old saying, but worth living today, is to guard your eyes and ears. The enemy is always at work.

Sister Debbie S.

[George]

A simple thing that I have always believed, whatever goes into our eyes and ears has some bearing on who we are as a person.

Sister Debbie S., You may not be aware of it but your observaton is scripturally correct. Witness the following:

(Rom 12:2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.


It is fact that our minds will be transformed to conform to the things it is exposed to. If we expose our minds to worldly things it will be transformed to conform to those things. If we expose our minds to things that are pleasing to God our minds will become transformed to conform to the things and thoughts of God.

In Christ,
George

[Tammy]

We all have impressionable (conformable) minds. How much more our children?

[nightingale]

I have been without a TV for sometime now, can't say I miss it!

I work the evening shift at the hospital and I don't get off until 11:30 and sometimes midnight. As I go in and out of patient rooms the TV is usually always on. As I stand there giving care, I am all too aware of what is being watched. I must say I am horrified at what is on and I am guilty of watching this trash at one time I can't believe I was so desensitized to it
Violence galore!! It is not any worse than when people use to go and watch gladiators or wild beasts kill people for pure entertainment!!
I am so glad I walked away from this cesspool called Televison

Every-time I am tempted to go and watch something, I ask myself " Do I love Jesus more than this worldly trash" So far the answer is always "YES I LOVE YOU JESUS" but I must always remember these words...

I Corinthians 10:12
"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."

But then God's word also gives us this promise.... ;D
I Corinthians 10:13
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

Love Sis Debbie