9/11

In social studies this year, Hunter's book starts out by learning about America before learning about other countries around the world.

In the past few days, I've been able to teach him about some of the very things that make this country the best country in the world, like freedom of speech, freedom of worship, etc. For the first time, we've talked about how so many other countries don't have these same freedoms.

Today, we were learning about different symbols of our country, like the Liberty Bell, and the Great Seal of the United States. While reading about the Statue of Liberty, we came across this picture.

Hunter asked something about the height of the twin towers in relation to the Statue of Liberty, which led into a conversation about 9/11. It was so hard to have to tell my 6 year old that 9/11 happened, and to tell him that we still have to fight so that more events like that don't happen again. But then the conversation led into why we need to be telling people about God's love for them and why they don't need to do things like that. We talked about how it's so easy to get caught up in our little bubble of family and friends at church that we forget about the world around us that needs Him just like we do. We ended in prayer that we would be sensitive to when we're around people who need to hear about Him and that we would tell them what Jesus did for them.

The conversation started out so hard, but I'm so thankful for teachable moments like this where I can tell Hunter about why we're supposed to be a part of the Great Commission!

Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

And thank You, Lord, that right after You commanded us, You reminded us that You would be with us ALWAYS!

Are My Choices Pleasing to Him?

In light of Disney's children's show "Good Luck Charlie" having a lesbian couple on it (Sidenote: I've never watched the show, but here is my source) I feel the need to share some thoughts on the subject. I'm normally not one to get into political issues, let alone BLOG about one, but I just want to get these thoughts out of my head, and felt like my blog was the most appropriate place for that.

It's reminded me of shows and movies alike that I've watched myself (without my children present.) There have been more times than I'd like to admit when I've kept watching a show or movie even though it's contained something in it that was contrary to my beliefs. I tried telling myself that it was "just a show" and I'm "just watching it." Well, isn't everyone "just" watching it? All it takes to support a show (and the ideas they're supporting) is to "just" watch it. If the media sees us supporting adult shows with these same ideas, why wouldn't they include it in children's shows too? But the bottom line is that if there are things in it that are making me think on things that are not true, pure, lovely, etc (Philippians 4:8) then I shouldn't be allowing it in my life! It is impossible to watch something on tv and not think about it at all after I turn it off. God wants my mind on eternal things. (Colossians 3:2)

So...if I realize there's shows and movies that I shouldn't be allowing my kids to watch, why am I not holding myself to that same standard? I realize that their minds are impressionable, but SO IS MINE! If it wasn't, then I would think that God wouldn't have told me to be renewing my mind. It's what will transform me! (Romans 12:2) That means that every day I need to be reminding myself of His truths by staying in His Word. It's the only way to say renewed and transform into who He wants me to be. It means taking a stand on both children's and adult's programs alike and saying that it is not ok for my family. I'm supposed to be living differently. I'm not supposed to be loving things of this world. (1 John 2:15-17)

I want to make sure this passion inside of me (partially from Disney's choice) is used to live differently. Matthew 5:16 says: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." I know tv isn't the only thing I struggle with making the right choice on. But I want to work on every choice I'm making, and everything I'm participating in, to be one that would be letting my light shine so that people may see Him. What kind of signal am I sending to the world when I am supporting shows, movies, books, magazines, et cetera, that are contrary to the truths of His Word?

May everything in my life be pleasing to Him. 
"Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him."
-2 Corinthians 5:9