The Trouble With Harry...

I'm not one to raise my voice against something based on feeling or without having a leg to stand on. Most of the time, anyway. I guess I actually learned something in my debate classes with Mr. Krick. (he'd be shocked to read that!) So I haven't gone real public with my views on Harry Potter. I've talked to friends about the books and had some very interesting conversations with those who enjoy and read the books, but I have never made public my view....until now.

When I was living in Norfolk, NE with my Uncle Jim and Aunt Dee I was kind of the "Adult Sunday School" teacher. I say "kind of" because I think I learned more from everyone else than I think I taught...but I digress.

In the Fall of '97 I wanted to do a few lessons on Halloween. I have no issues with kids dressing up in fun and frivolous costumes and knocking on doors for candy. In fact, some of my favorite pictures are of my boys dressed in said costumes. However, as we get older Halloween can have the tendency to take on a different set of circumstances. It was with this mindset ~ as a warning to help our children understand the importance of keeping Christ first and foremost in our lives ~ that I wanted to do a series on what Halloween was about for the world....the unbelievers....and those who took it to the extreme it was originally.

When I mentioned it to my Uncle Jim and Aunt Dee they had a very interesting story for me ~ and a warning of their own. Their warning was to make sure I was spending more time in the Word of God than I was in research of Halloween. Their story told the reason why.

Evidently, my Uncle Jim did his thesis (I'm probably going to get this part wrong...the part about WHEN he did it...but the story is correct as I remember it....) about alternative religions and the occults. Maybe I should stop here and explain that my Uncle Jim is an ordained Nazarene Minister. At the time I was living wtih he and Aunt Dee they were officers in the Salvation Army and heading the church and ministry there in Norfolk. He has worked with addicts, unwed mothers, and more people than I have probably ever talked to in my life. At this writing he and Aunt Dee are serving in the Louisiana area as relief workers for those affected by the hurricane. (Side note: Aunt Dee is in the hospital with some serious medical issues...please keep them in your prayers.) All this is said to let you know my Uncle Jim is a fascinating and well-read man of God. He loves people extravagantly, but his love for people is surpassed in multiples by his love for Christ. His greatest desire is for people to know Christ's truth...which led him to study the occults and alternative religions. He wanted to understand what would draw them in....

As he studied he found that he, himself, was being drawn in. He was in The Word, but the draw of "the dark side" was very real and pulled him strongly. It was Aunt Dee's rebuke that allowed him to see that he was being pulled in and he needed to stop. Uncle Jim admits that his desire for the Word of God was dwindling, while his desire to learn more about the occult was growing. He stopped and asked a friend to keep him accountable and grounded in his study of the Word of God first...and THEN to see through eyes of TRUTH what it was he needed to know and what he needed to stay away from.

Having heard this story...and honestly being amazed that even a man of God as my Uncle Jim could find himself pulled in...I knew I had to be careful. So I did my studies with great trepidation. I learned what I needed to learn, prepared my lessons and went on with my life knowing Halloween was something I needed to have fun with when my kids were little while instilling in them the dangers of the tricky one Halloween is based on.

So you can guess that my fear, my anxious heart, kicks up when I hear of and/or see people who profess to love the Lord their God with all their hearts, souls, and minds reading and condoning the reading of Harry Potter. It is tricky (no pun intended) work of the enemy of our hearts, souls and minds that pulls people in to this series of books and movies that makes the God vs. Satan line fuzzy and, most times, absent. The enemy of our hearts, souls, and minds wants nothing more than to pull us away from the LOVER of our hearts, souls and minds...by giving us just enough truth to pull us in to the lies...by making his world of lies, hatred and deceipt look beautiful, sensual and fair. It's lies, though. He is a liar and a cheat and the killer of all things beautiful.

I know this for fact ~ when I was in High School a friend of mine got sucked in to the Wiccan lifestyle. I saw the power of the enemy in that time. It's stuck with me. And I know the line that is so easily crossed when it comes to astrology and the such. What starts out as no big deal has a tremendous ability to lead to a VERY big deal.

So, why am I writing this? Well...as a warning, sure. There really IS spiritual warfare going on in this world. And if you don't believe me, ask a soldier who's been stationed in Iraq about the evil that is alive there. Ask my friend from LA whose parents were Satanists about the evils she saw growing up. It's not some fantasy land that does not exist!! It is real.

The other reason is to get you thinking....if you read Harry Potter and anticipate the next novel's coming with great anxiousness do you read the Bible with equal zeal? Do you look forward to spending time with Christ and reading the amazing TRUE-LIFE stories of what He did on this earth as much as you look forward to knowing what happens with Harry next? (I know....do I look forward to reading my Bible as much as I look forward to the next Karen Kingsbury book or Dee Henderson book or John Ortberg book??? duly convicted....)

We all have it ~ if it' s not Harry Potter it's something else, but the Harry Potter mayhem has brought this about. Thanks for reading..and thinking...and praying with me that a desire for God's Word would overtake the desire for the things of this world.

I have a couple of links for you...one is in the title. It's an article that is well written, well thought out and well researched about the danger of Harry Potter and it's acceptance in the Christian community.

The second is a link to a gal's Xanga site that I subscribe to. I have never met her, but I enjoy her entries so much that I look forward to seeing an entry in my mailbox when they come. The entry I'll link to is her entry about Harry Potter. in it you will find links to her daughter's Xanga and to the article I have linked in the title. Here is her site (you'll have to cut and paste it): http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=thats_italian&nextdate=7%2f27%2f2007+23%3a59%3a59.999

My hope and prayer in writing this is not to put a wall up between us if you think Harry Potter is okay ~ but rather to get those who call themselves Christians...Christ-followers... to think about what you are putting into your mind. I know this goes for all things ~ and I'm guilty of finding pleasure in wrong things, too. (trust me ~ this is not a "Harry Potter Only" rant and God is bringing to mind those things in my own life that need to be let go of....) However, for now I feel the need to warn of the dangers of what a "fantasy" book carries with it.

I'd love to hear your thoughts ~ and I'm sure there are those who completely disagree with me ~ so talk to me about it! Let's start a conversation looking for truth.

Sincerely,
Trayc

PS: if you want a great fantasy book that captures your attention why not "Narnia" or "Lord of the Rings?" Excellent books of fantasy that will blow you away when God's goodness overcomes satan's wickedness! I watch the Lord of the Rings fight scene between good and evil and I stood up and cheered I was so filled with hope!

For the Beauty of the Earth

God's creation is amazing! I live in Vancouver, WA ~ right across the Columbia river from Portland, OR. We're surrounded by Mount Hood to the SouthEast, Mount St. Helen's to the NorthEast and the Pacific Ocean is only a short 2 hour trip to the West. The Columbia is the 2nd largest river in the US, and on a clear day we also have a view of Mount Adams just beyond Mount St. Helen's.

These are not hills. These are not "wow that's cool...okay move on." kind of mounds of dirt. These are powerful and amazing masses of life. Inside each one of them bubbles lava and red hot magnum. And, although they are beautiful and stunning creations of God they stand as a testament to God Himself.

Just as these mountains feed my soul when I stand in awe of them I cannot forget their power. I cannot look at Mt. St. Helen's and not see the 6 school lockers covered in ash and lava that I passed each day when I took my kids past the High School to their own schools. I cannot look at Mt. Hood and it's beautiful glacier-topped dome and not wonder how God could make something that literally is fire and ice. And once again I am reminded of the God I serve and all that I cannot forget.

I read my Bible and am awed, humbled and amazed at who He is...and continue to strive toward grasping just how much He forgives and loves me so deeply. But when I look at His creation the words of His Word come to life. I see exactly what He spoke to Job about when he asked him "did you create.....? and did YOU tell the ocean to come this far.....? and did YOU tell the....?"

Creation reflects the character of the Creator Himself. Just as the mountains are beautiful and amazing and strong I cannot forget the power of a mountain abused, scorned or taken for granted. People die when they do that...when they think the mountain can be easily conquered and they get lazy on their journey. The same is true of the Creator Himself. When we who call ourselves His begin to think He is there for our good and not His glory we become spiritually lazy and the power of God becomes more evident.

Does God forgive without question? Absolutely. Did God send Jesus to die in our place so we can know that forgiveness? Without a doubt. Do we often receive mercy and grace in the truest forms of their definitions? More than likely. And is there a natural instinct to accept them freely and expectantly? I believe so....and it is this we must guard against. Just as I stare at Mt. Hood and revel in it's beauty I stand amazed and rightly fearful of it's power. I would do well to apply that to my God and look for His gentle, but mighty reminders in His creation around me...wherever I am.

PS: here's an incredible site I found when looking for pictures for this post....just highlight, right click, copy and paste in address bar....enjoy!

http://www.counterparted.net/index.html

Tribute to America ~ Caleb & Micah style

Okay ~ so here it is...the video of the boys on Memorial Day morning. (you can tell it's morning by the sound of my voice ~ Man! I sound tired! ~ must be all that rockin' out I did at the Kutlass/TobyMac/Third Day concert on Saturday)

ANYWAY...I digress...this isn't about the awesome concert we went to on Saturday night (which also included Aaron Schust), but about the boys and their tribute to Memorial Day. Hope you enjoy it...and I hope it actually works this time!!!

If not, click on the link above in the title and it will take you to the actual youtube site ~ at which I have changed the video from private to public for your viewing pleasure. (I know...I know...you're welcome! :) )

It seems strange to say "Happy Memorial Day." It's along the lines of "Good Friday" and such....a day that, in it's foundation, is about remembering in honor those who have died so we can live in our country of freedom. The video below is one I found on Youtube ~ of all I've seen I like this one best. I think you'll understand why..... enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day!

I wanted to take the time yesterday to write a special Mother's Day message to all the Moms who have touched my life. However, since it was Mother's Day I got to be taken care of and enjoy the day myself. So....today I just want to take a moment and say HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! to all of you who have taken on the role of being a role-model, caretaker and caregiver, hospitality clerk, psychoanalyst, guest relations specialist, chef, cabbie, referee, counselor and pastor to children of any age. You are a treasure who has been commissioned by God to make this world a better place by doing your job to the best of the abilities He has instilled in you. Thank you to my own Mom ~ a beautiful lady I am proud to rise up and call blessed, and to Shelley ~ another Mom I am proud to know and share a life with. God bless you all!!

Here's a poem I found online that I think pretty much sums up Motherhood to me.... I hope you enjoy it!

When God Made Mothers

By Tricia Stertz
Couriers For Christ
Omron, Wisconsin

When God made the world He was pleased with it all,
And had sweet communion with man 'til the fall.
But when Satan's dread vict'ry that day led to sin,
God paused, and He thought, I need someone to win
The hearts of the little ones ere they grow cold,
And they yield to sin's temptings and stray from the fold.

And so God made Mothers with hearts brimmed with love.
To them He commissioned this charge from above;
To pray for their little ones, fervently, daily;
To laugh with them, cry with them, play with them gayly;
To teach them the truths from the Scriptures of old;
To be strong and gentle, to be meek and bold;
To wash little feet whenher own feet were aching;
TO mend broken hearts when her own heart was breaking.

And so God made Mothers and planned 'twould be so,
When her children were grown that she must let them go;
With eyes filled with tears, yet her heart full of joy
To know she'd done best for her girl or her boy.
And God said, when surveying His work (so I'm told)
A God-fearing Mother is worth more than gold!