Most often I just get the “it’s not Christian”. LAME reasoning. There’s a TON of cool stuff out there that’s non-Christian and to be quite honest, I prefer that over Christian produced things because it’s not as cheesy or childish. I can’t stand contemporary Christian music because it all sounds the same and it’s boring. It puts me to sleep. There are a few bands that are Christian I do enjoy but it’s stuff like Demon Hunter, Skillet, Becoming the Archetype, P.O.D. etc. Everything else is just meh. Movies too, gosh most of them grab some of the worst actors, ok yes I know your budget is small but… at least find people who can act. Special effects too… most of them are remnants from the 80′s. I know it’s not THAT hard to find someone who can work with After Effects and do it for a modest budget. There are so many noobies out there that are just trying to break in… anyways.

I see a lot of people get so worked up over something simple, like Pokemon. Ok? I’ve played the games, I find nothing wrong with them. They were a super successful gimmick, just like My Little Pony, Pound Puppies, G.I. Joe. All of these were created to market toys and other stuff to children. So why is Pokemon singled out as the “evil” one? Because someone said that Pokemon, when translated, means pocket monster and are addicting. Ok? There are other things out there just as addicting to people. I think these were singled out since they were so addicting to children, but really if you teach your children to keep things in moderation I do not see the harm. It doesn’t teach you that witchcraft is good, it doesn’t teach you magic, the characters can use moves that involve elements but that’s no worse than Avatar: The Last Airbender. I find it really silly that people were burning these cards and games.

Harry Potter is the other big one. Ok yes it’s promoting magic and wizardry, but I could say the same for A LOT of other books and movies. So why was this one targeted so much, because it become a huge success. I used to be one that stayed away from them because people said they were evil, and because it was so popular I was just sick of seeing it everywhere. I finally sat down and watched the movies and honestly, they’re not that bad. If you keep in mind it’s all a fantasy story, it’s no worse than Lord of the Rings.

It’s only when people lose touch with reality and try to immerse themselves into things like these does it become wrong. When something starts to take over your life, then it’s time to re-evaluate why you have it in your life to begin with. Nothing should ever do that. This kind of goes back to my entry about Obsessions.

I think it’s kind of sad how so many Christians are terrified to step out of their little safety bubble of Christian made media. “oh no! I might sin because I’m listening to non-Christian music!!” If you’re honestly that worried that a song is going to sway you, then maybe you need to re-evaluate your faith. Yes, things like these CAN influence you, especially when very young, so be cautious, but don’t live in a bubble. You won’t accomplish things and that’s not what God wants either. Have a stronger will, the world is going to pass you by and you’ll miss all your opportunities if you stick to the safety shelter 24/7.

Sometimes I forget to appreciate what is going on now in my life. I get swept away and distracted by money problems, job trouble, and whatever else. I sometimes forget to be happy with what I’ve got, rather I start thinking of all the things I cannot do or cannot get. For the longest time I’ve been stewing over the fact I cannot afford a car and that I’ve never been able to own one. Lately I’ve just decided it doesn’t matter anymore. I’ll buy me a bike when I can, and when it’s time to get a car, I’ll get one. I know that now is just not the right time. Sure a bike won’t work so well in the winter with icy roads, but come spring all the way through till mid-fall it can be very useful and heck I’ll get exercise to boot!

As all these negative thoughts swirl about my head, I have to stop, look around me and appreciate life for what it is. Listen to that small voice that’s trying to get through to me. And to listen to what God is trying to show me and what others are too. He doesn’t always go through the most direct route, sometimes it’s just small things, little nudges or hints. “Be content!” I am rich, not with material things or money, but with love, my family, friends and God. I may never have much money, but ya know, I’m cool with that. Heck even if I can never afford a car, at least I have two things that will last, Love and faith. Nothing can take that away.

It’s a very good message, and so true. So many do not know the true meaning of love. Love these days seem to mean lust. Most teens say they “love” someone when really they are just lusting, so they get involved with someone and a few months later break it off because the “love” is no longer there. Loving someone is being there for them even when they don’t deserve it, it means no matter what they do, how they are acting at the moment, or what they are going through, you still love them. That is unconditional love and is the type we should have. It’s hard, I won’t deny it, but that’s what I strive for. To let go of the things people have wronged you with and forgive AND forget. Which I can forgive but forgetting is the hard part, I don’t trust very well after my trust has been broken, and therefore I cannot see the person in the same way. I’m always on my guard around them. Especially if it’s a friend or acquaintance, and the way I felt about them is no longer there, I do not love them as a friend anymore. It takes a very long time to return if it returns at all. I wish I could let go of things like that easier but it’s hard. Something that still needs a lotta work.

So anyways, my little blip of the day, the whole series is really well done, I would recommend listening to it all. He puts out podcasts that automatically download. Really good stuff.

I think a lot of us get so wrapped up in the smaller less significant things in life and we lose focus. I know so many Christians that get so involved in the evolution debate that they start to get mad and rage about it.  They start getting cocky saying they ARE right absolutely beyond a shadow of a doubt.  What kind of impression does that leave on people who are not of our faith? I can guarantee it’s not a good one. It’s good to have a firm belief, and it’s good to not be swayed, but do not force it upon other people and don’t lose your cool.  Stay open to hearing the other party out otherwise they will not give you a chance to state what you believe.  Even Christians which have differing views about old earth new earth clash badly.  We need to accept that not everyone’s gonna see things exactly like you want them to.

I’ve observed many Christians that get anal over even more petty things that just revolve around church. They don’t wear the right kind of clothes, sing the right kind of music, and such things like that. It’s all so very petty but sometimes it can cause huge rifts within the body of Christ.  I think a lot of times people need to refocus on why they are Christian and why they believe in God.  Example of this in an extreme is the baptist church somewhere in the south east of the states.  They were burning Pokemon games and Harry Potter books.  They picket at military funerals saying the reason our men are dying is because there are gay people in our country.   These people are filled with hate, not love.  God IS love so when all you show is a hateful spirit you do not represent God, but Satan.  They leave a foul impression of what a TRUE Christian is.

I do not attend a church and I probably won’t return to one for a long time.  I’ve found most to be routine, they are spiritually dead, the people put up a false front.  It’s oh we go every week, we are good people, we socialize, get a does of preaching and singing and then we continue our lives.  The singing is boring and repetitive, the preaching is usually always about how to accept Christ or the most common stories, and if you’ll notice younger people tend to never attend these days.   Most churches I have been to say the same things over and over, that’s all fine and dandy but I don’t learn much that way.  I prefer more of a one on one or small group, and honestly I feel that churches today are not what God had intended in the beginning.  The mega churches, sure they do some good but they don’t give time to each individual, which I know is hard.  I had someone get annoyed with me for saying this because it’s “selfish to think someone can share all their time with everyone”.  Which wasn’t my point.  I just find small groups better, they are welcoming and you can bond with people that way.  Churches these days are the same as they have been for decades and they are losing their audience as the older ones go out the younger ones are not coming in.  The church needs a revival and a serious change.  Not all changes are bad, most churches think it is, they are stuck in their comfortable routine, their safety bubble, it needs change.

On to another thing that just annoys me to no end are arrogant Christians.  They are very common, sadly, and they force their beliefs on everyone.  They will not stand still and listen to an opposing view, they are judgmental and not open to much of anything at all.  They usually end up offending people more than leaving good impressions, by preaching at them or forcing their thoughts on people who do not want to hear them.  I find this is a horrible way to witness to people.  Maybe it worked in the decades gone by but it doesn’t work so well today.  People don’t want to hear about how they are gonna burn in hell and they’re not gonna listen if that’s how you talk.  They want to hear positive things, they don’t want to be told what they can or cannot do.  IE Catholic church with their list books they hand out of what someone should or should not wear if they wish to be a believer.  I could say more about how wrong I think this is but I think you get my point.

Christianity is not about how many times you pray a day, it’s not about how you dress, it’s not about what music you groove to, it’s not about the amount of times you go to church.  It’s about Christ, it’s about God and it’s about showing His love to others regardless of whether they agree with you are not.  It is a personal relationship, it’s not something that needs to be acquired through a man made establishment.  You don’t need to ask forgiveness through a pastor, that’s something private between you and God.  If someone is gay, so what?  God loves them just as much as anyone else, why should we be the ones to judge?  Someone who’s strung out on drugs, or a pregnant teen, yeah God loves them just as much and those are the people that need to be reached out to the most.  I think the best witness is to just show God’s love.  A true Christian will stand out from the rest of the people just by being who they are, there is just something about them that will be attractive and others will notice.  Other people won’t know why, and they will start to inquire as to why you act so differently from the rest.

So those are a few of my thoughts down in text now finally.  I hopefully didn’t give a wrong impression with them, my wording is not always the best.  haha Anyways any comments or thoughts on it, even opposing views are welcome.

If you’ll look through history across the world you’ll see something interesting.  The more a culture strays from their moral values they were founded on, reject God or just decide that they don’t need archaic rules anymore the more it degrades and eventually collapses.  A nation cannot survive without moral values, without respect and a value on life.  Once you lose those you are on a path to destruction.  Everywhere I look I see this happening in every nation of the world, save for maybe the isolated tribes, but I’m referring to the major influences of this time.  Every single one is suffering from the same thing, reliance on self and machine, crumbling morals, life losing its value and people who will not stand up for themselves, sheep.

“And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: / And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? / And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.”

Even Abraham Lincoln quoted something similar when referring to our country during the civil war. Since the United States would not be at all strong if people were always warring over slavery and other things.

Anyways back to my point, video games are especially good at making demons look like heroes and wholesome. That they are bad but deep down they do have some good. Now I have no problem with video games, I enjoy them quite a bit, they are fun, but separate reality from the fiction. Now some think demons are just fiction, I myself believe otherwise and have seen some pretty crazy crap out there to know they do exists and confirm my beliefs. Same goes for Angels. I know so many people that have such a warped view on both Angels and Demons because of how the media portrays them. To many Angels are the goody two shoes that strum harps and sit on clouds and Demons are the bad ass cool mofos. They are powerful and they can and will hurt you in any way they can. They won’t help you, they won’t suddenly come to your aid, you cannot control them. As much as you would like to, you can’t. The only one that has power over them is God and the Angels are in a constant battle with them. Angels are just as strong as Demons but are under the command of God to protect and help. Demons are the opposites and are under the command of the Fallen One who is out to get you. He wants to drag you down with him.

Now I don’t know if whoever reads this agrees with me or not. I would love feedback regardless of whether you agree or not, but do not bash please. I respect everyones opinion and I appreciate that people respect mine. Anyways I might do more blogs delving into what I believe here and there. Won’t always be like this but it’s part of who I am and I like to share. Oh and for those into heavier music that’s really pretty good check out Demon Hunter, the image above is one of their album covers. Really good music, good message.