I haven't written a post like this in a long time, but after watching Downton Abbey this past Sunday night I had some thoughts that I would like to get out into the blogosphere, and, hopefully, influence some for good.
We sat down as a family to watch Downton Abbey. We have only let the boys watch one other episode, and even after that episode we had some situations and actions to talk about. Themes like courage, deception, etc. come to mind. This episode that we watched on Sunday had themes that I don't even feel like I can address with my little kids; in fact, we had to have them turn their heads a few times, which, although a time honored tradition among parents, is not, as it turns out, for us. In short, I think we (I) made a dreadful mistake letting the boys watch that episode, and now I think it is time to go back to our almost no TV or movies policy with them. We don't see any reason to expose them to trash at this age when we are still working on teaching them what is right.
Downton Abbey was very disappointing to me. People I had heretofore considered fairly upstanding took a dreadful turn for the immoral, and indeed, it made me recall little warning signs that had been presented earlier. I'll only mention a few of the characters.
Lord Grantham.....
He originally married for money but came to love his wife. However, when they disagreed about something, whether or not to fight the entail, who Mary should be pushed to marry, etc., he was very quick to turn against his wife. His disagreements with his wife led him eventually to be unfaithful to her. He kissed a maid. Lord Grantham did take precautions, finally, that he may not actually have sex with the maid by essentially asking her to leave, which she also was planning to do, but oh, how he wanted to.
The Dowager Lady Grantham.....
She values family above all else, even the rule of law and others' feelings. She called Lavinia's death her last 'gift to us.' She is always scheming. She is utterly prideful.
Lady Mary.....
Promiscuous, but regretful. Was she regretful because she was found out? I believe so. Although she seemed to respect Lavinia's claim on Matthew for a few episodes, in the end she kissed him. She also waffled back and forth about accepting Matthew's proposal because she wanted to be sure he was going to be rich first. She would be a great heroine for a book called Persuasion: Downton Abbey.
Lady Sybil.....
I had really liked her. I do still like her. But she who I assumed was so wonderful-- a nurse, kind, etc., was really rebellious. She wanted her own way and she insisted on it, regardless of what her father- her head- directed her to do. The Bible tells us to obey the authorities over us even if they are unreasonable, and while her family certainly was unreasonable, her father was still her head and she should have obeyed him. She was into politics, but she pursued them knowing her father didn't want her to. Indeed, she lied to him about where she was going. Then this week she told him she as going to marry who she wanted regardless if what he wanted. That is pure rebellion.
Thomas....
He sure got his just desserts! He decided to break the law and begin dealing on the black market, and he got cheated. He is another character who is always scheming, against William, Carson, Bates, etc.. He is not admirable in the slightest.
This show is beautifully presented and certainly is interesting. Just like other shows, though, it wraps sin up into a pretty package and gets us rooting for the sin to actually happen before we even realize it. Which of us wanted Lavinia to get to marry Matthew? I bet most of us wanted something to happen so that Matthew and Mary could be together after all, no matter how Lavinia or the other dude (Mary's fiancé) was hurt in the process. I bet most people were anxiously waiting for Mrs. Bates to exit, one way or another, so pretty little Anna could have her happiness. We should have been hoping Mr. Bates would be faithful to his wife, no matter how scandalous she was. And Anna is presented as a truly sweet maid, and yet, she flat out offered herself up as a mistress to Mr. Bates!
While I will not, at this juncture in my life, commit to stop watching shows like Downton Abbey, it is definitely something to consider. How much of a hypocrite does that make me?? It feels like it makes me quite a terrible hypocrite. We all have the lines we draw for ourselves regarding what we will watch or read. Perhaps it is time to reassess them according to the guidelines in Scripture instead of allowing ourselves to be sucked into worldy theology simply because something is wrapped up in a nice package with pretty cinematography and beautiful music.
Showing posts with label Life Lessons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life Lessons. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
More Christopher Logic
This post may be TMI for some people, but for others.... it may just remind them of a relative we have named Joseph Minich.... The Uncle Joseph, not the little Joey.
The other day Christopher pooped FIVE times in one day. And I bet most mothers will agree with me that that is just too much butt wiping to do in one day, especially considering you have two more kids whose butts you also wipe.
So I told him the next day as I was wiping him the first time he went, "Yesterday you pooped too many times, you've gone once today, so don't go anymore." I had told him this a million times.... just try to consolidate your poop! Get it all out at once, blah, blah, blah.
"Yes, Mommy." He responded.
The next day we were eating lunch and I offered him something else and he turned me down saying, "That might make me go poop." I told him that that was ok.
"But Mommy, you told me not to go anymore!"
"Chris! That is not what I meant! Of course you have to go poop..."
Oh my goodness. That child is so literal, just like Uncle Joe... whose similar story goes something like this: he was told by his mother not to use hot water at that time because it might burn him, and then a year or two later he came downstairs freezing after showering in the middle of winter... Because he truly thought she had told him never ever to use hot water again.
That story cracks me up every time I think about it. And apparently my Christopher thinks exactly the same way. We mommies better watch out!
The other day Christopher pooped FIVE times in one day. And I bet most mothers will agree with me that that is just too much butt wiping to do in one day, especially considering you have two more kids whose butts you also wipe.
So I told him the next day as I was wiping him the first time he went, "Yesterday you pooped too many times, you've gone once today, so don't go anymore." I had told him this a million times.... just try to consolidate your poop! Get it all out at once, blah, blah, blah.
"Yes, Mommy." He responded.
The next day we were eating lunch and I offered him something else and he turned me down saying, "That might make me go poop." I told him that that was ok.
"But Mommy, you told me not to go anymore!"
"Chris! That is not what I meant! Of course you have to go poop..."
Oh my goodness. That child is so literal, just like Uncle Joe... whose similar story goes something like this: he was told by his mother not to use hot water at that time because it might burn him, and then a year or two later he came downstairs freezing after showering in the middle of winter... Because he truly thought she had told him never ever to use hot water again.
That story cracks me up every time I think about it. And apparently my Christopher thinks exactly the same way. We mommies better watch out!
Monday, February 14, 2011
My Friend Jess and God's Truth
I've been thinking about my dear friend Jess. I've known her since 1983, and we've been buds ever since then. We've had our off times, but on the whole, we've been friends since we were 2.
We have a picture of us in 1983 or 84 with our arms around each other, and when we were 15 or 16 we had another picture taken, and voila, we were standing in exactly the same position. Even our fingers were positioned the same.
I've gone to the hospital for all her babies' births, even though for the first two I didn't think she'd ever get to return the favor. I love her very much.
This last pregnancy has been hard on her and her family. It's been high risk, but the Lord has been faithful. After a particularly difficult weekend last weekend, and then bed rest for a week, and then this past weekend, Jess and Hyde have a beautiful little baby boy, Knox. He's tiny since he's very early, but the Lord has His hand on him.
Everything Jess and Hyde went through this last week made me think of a kids' song.
What a Mighty Hand
What a mighty hand, a mighty hand has He
What a mighty hand, that calmed the raging sea
What a mighty hand, a hand protecting me
What a mighty hand has He
Humble yourselves, humble yourselves
Under God's mighty hand
Humble yourselves, humble yourselves
Under God's mighty hand (What a mighty hand!)
What a mighty hand, a mighty hand has He
What a mighty hand, that calmed the raging sea
What a mighty hand, a hand protecting me
What a mighty hand has He
For it was He who made you and me
and every creature in the sea
For it was He who made you and me
and every creature in the sea (underneath the sea!)
What a mighty hand, a mighty hand has He
What a mighty hand, that calmed the raging sea
What a mighty hand, a hand protecting me
What a mighty hand has He
What a mighty hand has He.
I don't know who wrote that song, but it got me to thinking about what we consider mighty.
I heard myself saying something on Saturday that I completely disagree with. I told someone that it could have been a really bad day. Well, emotionally, yes. If my friend or her baby had died that day, it would have been a very hard day emotionally.
But it still would have been a good day. It still would have been a day under God's Mighty hand.
Psalm 115:
"Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth. Why should the nations say, “Where, now, is their God?” But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of man’s hands. They have mouths, but they cannot speak; they have eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but they cannot hear; they have noses, but they cannot smell; they have hands, but they cannot feel; they have feet, but they cannot walk; they cannot make a sound with their throat. Those who make them will become like them, everyone who trusts in them.
O Israel, trust in the LORD ; He is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. The LORD has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless those who fear the LORD, the small together with the great. May the LORD give you increase, you and your children. May you be blessed of the LORD, Maker of heaven and earth. The heavens are the heavens of the LORD, but the earth He has given to the sons of men. The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any who go down into silence; but as for us, we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forever. Praise the LORD!"
I bolded the part about God doing whatever He pleases. At first thought, that isn't comforting at all. It certainly wasn't comforting when Tim and I were dealing with infertility. However, that doesn't reflect on God or Christianity, instead, it reflects on my own lack of faith and spiritual sight.
Now, however, I can see that it is comforting. Here's why:
John 16:27
"The Father Himself loves YOU."
God loves believers.
And here's my other proof:
Psalm 119:65-68
"You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word. Teach me good discernment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. You are good and do good; teach me Your statutes."
God does whatever He pleases, and it is good because He is GOOD.
We have a picture of us in 1983 or 84 with our arms around each other, and when we were 15 or 16 we had another picture taken, and voila, we were standing in exactly the same position. Even our fingers were positioned the same.
I've gone to the hospital for all her babies' births, even though for the first two I didn't think she'd ever get to return the favor. I love her very much.
This last pregnancy has been hard on her and her family. It's been high risk, but the Lord has been faithful. After a particularly difficult weekend last weekend, and then bed rest for a week, and then this past weekend, Jess and Hyde have a beautiful little baby boy, Knox. He's tiny since he's very early, but the Lord has His hand on him.
Everything Jess and Hyde went through this last week made me think of a kids' song.
What a Mighty Hand
What a mighty hand, a mighty hand has He
What a mighty hand, that calmed the raging sea
What a mighty hand, a hand protecting me
What a mighty hand has He
Humble yourselves, humble yourselves
Under God's mighty hand
Humble yourselves, humble yourselves
Under God's mighty hand (What a mighty hand!)
What a mighty hand, a mighty hand has He
What a mighty hand, that calmed the raging sea
What a mighty hand, a hand protecting me
What a mighty hand has He
For it was He who made you and me
and every creature in the sea
For it was He who made you and me
and every creature in the sea (underneath the sea!)
What a mighty hand, a mighty hand has He
What a mighty hand, that calmed the raging sea
What a mighty hand, a hand protecting me
What a mighty hand has He
What a mighty hand has He.
I don't know who wrote that song, but it got me to thinking about what we consider mighty.
I heard myself saying something on Saturday that I completely disagree with. I told someone that it could have been a really bad day. Well, emotionally, yes. If my friend or her baby had died that day, it would have been a very hard day emotionally.
But it still would have been a good day. It still would have been a day under God's Mighty hand.
Psalm 115:
"Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth. Why should the nations say, “Where, now, is their God?” But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of man’s hands. They have mouths, but they cannot speak; they have eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but they cannot hear; they have noses, but they cannot smell; they have hands, but they cannot feel; they have feet, but they cannot walk; they cannot make a sound with their throat. Those who make them will become like them, everyone who trusts in them.
O Israel, trust in the LORD ; He is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. The LORD has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless those who fear the LORD, the small together with the great. May the LORD give you increase, you and your children. May you be blessed of the LORD, Maker of heaven and earth. The heavens are the heavens of the LORD, but the earth He has given to the sons of men. The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any who go down into silence; but as for us, we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forever. Praise the LORD!"
I bolded the part about God doing whatever He pleases. At first thought, that isn't comforting at all. It certainly wasn't comforting when Tim and I were dealing with infertility. However, that doesn't reflect on God or Christianity, instead, it reflects on my own lack of faith and spiritual sight.
Now, however, I can see that it is comforting. Here's why:
John 16:27
"The Father Himself loves YOU."
God loves believers.
And here's my other proof:
Psalm 119:65-68
"You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word. Teach me good discernment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. You are good and do good; teach me Your statutes."
God does whatever He pleases, and it is good because He is GOOD.
Friday, February 4, 2011
What's in an apology?
There's an art to apologizing, and it seems like very few people have it down.
"I don't know why you're so mad!"
"Can't you just get over it?"
"Are you going to be mad at me all day?"
"I didn't know it would turn out that way!"
"I guess you'll just never be happy no matter what I do."
Come on, we all say those things. I know I do. Why do we feel like we need to add a defense to our apologies? (Yes, I know 'apology' means 'defense' or something like that, but we all use 'apology' to mean 'I'm sorry', so just go with me here, ok? :) )
Apology is about making the other person feel better, not about soothing your own hurt feelings, or giving a reason why you did it, or making up excuses, even if they are valid.
We have a structure for prayer, but why don't we have one for apology?
I was watching a show one time, and I was struck by how the main character apologized. She simply said, "I'm sorry! I was wrong."
Wow. That's what I need to learn, too.
Here's a structure for apology:
I was wrong.
I didn't think, but I should have.
I'm sorry I did it.
I know I hurt you.
Will you please forgive me?
It seems like an apology given in this manner definitely fulfills the "A soft answer turneth away wrath" verse from Proverbs 15:1. An 'apology' given in the first way (the way we all like to do it) fulfills the second half of the verse that no one ever quotes: "but grievous words stir up anger." Proverbs 15:1
"I don't know why you're so mad!"
"Can't you just get over it?"
"Are you going to be mad at me all day?"
"I didn't know it would turn out that way!"
"I guess you'll just never be happy no matter what I do."
Come on, we all say those things. I know I do. Why do we feel like we need to add a defense to our apologies? (Yes, I know 'apology' means 'defense' or something like that, but we all use 'apology' to mean 'I'm sorry', so just go with me here, ok? :) )
Apology is about making the other person feel better, not about soothing your own hurt feelings, or giving a reason why you did it, or making up excuses, even if they are valid.
We have a structure for prayer, but why don't we have one for apology?
I was watching a show one time, and I was struck by how the main character apologized. She simply said, "I'm sorry! I was wrong."
Wow. That's what I need to learn, too.
Here's a structure for apology:
I was wrong.
I didn't think, but I should have.
I'm sorry I did it.
I know I hurt you.
Will you please forgive me?
It seems like an apology given in this manner definitely fulfills the "A soft answer turneth away wrath" verse from Proverbs 15:1. An 'apology' given in the first way (the way we all like to do it) fulfills the second half of the verse that no one ever quotes: "but grievous words stir up anger." Proverbs 15:1
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Lessons for the Boys
One of the things we're trying to teach the boys is to obey immediately with a happy attitude as evidenced by a cheerful face. I don't know about you other parents, but I personally do not like to see a child who has a mad face while they do what their parents said. A happy heart will come out on the face, and I find that if we have the boys smile, their whole attitude changes.
Bam-Bam worked a long time this morning on saying "Yes, Mommy" with a smile instead of a frown.
Just as delayed obedience is no obedience, so is grudging obedience no obedience.
I hardly think it pleases the Lord when we serve with a hateful attitude or a frown on our face.
Neither does it make my heart glad when the boys grudgingly obey.
Bam-Bam worked a long time this morning on saying "Yes, Mommy" with a smile instead of a frown.
Just as delayed obedience is no obedience, so is grudging obedience no obedience.
I hardly think it pleases the Lord when we serve with a hateful attitude or a frown on our face.
Neither does it make my heart glad when the boys grudgingly obey.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Trial Aftermath
I have been struggling lately with guilt. I know it's all so stupid, but I still feel guilty over.....
how content I am.
For years I struggled with contentment. For years I thought God was just some big old meanie who obviously didn't care about me.
And it is so ironic that within a year of beginning to believe that God really is good no matter what, changing my attitude and loving him even though he was not giving me what I wanted, and trusting that he was being good even if it didn't feel like it, he blesses us-- not exactly the way we thought he would. So differently, in fact, that we almost said no when Covenant Kids called us about these boys. Instead of a perfect little baby, God blessed us with two incredibly perfect boys.
Tim and I were talking, and if we could go back and stay off birth control the first year of our marriage, which, maybe, just maybe, would have resulted in a baby, we still wouldn't trade these boys for that child. These boys are the blessing that God made us wait for.... for seven very long and hard years.
Looking back, I can see that God knew exactly what he was doing. He really was 'holding out on us' to give us something BETTER. A better character, more faith, a changed heart, the most wonderful children.
I wish I could have been content all those years, and I wish I always could have known that God is good. But, hahaha, then what would have been the point of having the trial? And we wouldn't have these boys.
Even though it took seven years to get it right, I did, and God knows that I was trusting and loving him the last several months, even through my depression last Christmas, even through this last horrible Mother's Day, and even through Memorial Day weekend when I cried.
And then on June 1, God forever changed my life. He changed my role, he changed my schedule, he changed how I act, because after all, two precious boys are learning from me every minute. When they say to me, "I watch you, Mommy!" they don't just mean for five minutes while I clean, even if that's what they think they mean. They mean in life. They are watching me to see how to act in life. And I don't want them to learn that it's ok to flip out if you are hot, tired, and hungry. I don't want them to learn that it is ok to get mad if I spill something (just an example; I actually don't struggle with that one.)
God changed me. It was sudden. I'm so glad I went to see Craig that day close to the end of the year. I'm so glad I reacted to his correction the way I needed to. I'm glad God gave us these years.
I remember back in youth group, my stupid melancholy self got all weepy and dumb the time we went around the room giving our testimonies. I just quietly said that I didn't have one. I didn't remember when I trusted Christ, so I couldn't have a testimony, right?
Well, I do now. My testimony spans about 7 years of hell, during which time God taught me to trust him. That doesn't mean I'll never struggle with it again, but by George, I'm determined to do all that's in my power, with God's help, to remember what he did for me.
Our boys are complete blessings. They are gifts from a gracious God, no matter how long they are here. I believe that God has given them to us to raise until they're grown, but if they leave or if they die, I am determined to arrive at that time remembering that GOD IS GOOD.
how content I am.
For years I struggled with contentment. For years I thought God was just some big old meanie who obviously didn't care about me.
And it is so ironic that within a year of beginning to believe that God really is good no matter what, changing my attitude and loving him even though he was not giving me what I wanted, and trusting that he was being good even if it didn't feel like it, he blesses us-- not exactly the way we thought he would. So differently, in fact, that we almost said no when Covenant Kids called us about these boys. Instead of a perfect little baby, God blessed us with two incredibly perfect boys.
Tim and I were talking, and if we could go back and stay off birth control the first year of our marriage, which, maybe, just maybe, would have resulted in a baby, we still wouldn't trade these boys for that child. These boys are the blessing that God made us wait for.... for seven very long and hard years.
Looking back, I can see that God knew exactly what he was doing. He really was 'holding out on us' to give us something BETTER. A better character, more faith, a changed heart, the most wonderful children.
I wish I could have been content all those years, and I wish I always could have known that God is good. But, hahaha, then what would have been the point of having the trial? And we wouldn't have these boys.
Even though it took seven years to get it right, I did, and God knows that I was trusting and loving him the last several months, even through my depression last Christmas, even through this last horrible Mother's Day, and even through Memorial Day weekend when I cried.
And then on June 1, God forever changed my life. He changed my role, he changed my schedule, he changed how I act, because after all, two precious boys are learning from me every minute. When they say to me, "I watch you, Mommy!" they don't just mean for five minutes while I clean, even if that's what they think they mean. They mean in life. They are watching me to see how to act in life. And I don't want them to learn that it's ok to flip out if you are hot, tired, and hungry. I don't want them to learn that it is ok to get mad if I spill something (just an example; I actually don't struggle with that one.)
God changed me. It was sudden. I'm so glad I went to see Craig that day close to the end of the year. I'm so glad I reacted to his correction the way I needed to. I'm glad God gave us these years.
I remember back in youth group, my stupid melancholy self got all weepy and dumb the time we went around the room giving our testimonies. I just quietly said that I didn't have one. I didn't remember when I trusted Christ, so I couldn't have a testimony, right?
Well, I do now. My testimony spans about 7 years of hell, during which time God taught me to trust him. That doesn't mean I'll never struggle with it again, but by George, I'm determined to do all that's in my power, with God's help, to remember what he did for me.
Our boys are complete blessings. They are gifts from a gracious God, no matter how long they are here. I believe that God has given them to us to raise until they're grown, but if they leave or if they die, I am determined to arrive at that time remembering that GOD IS GOOD.
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