Live, learn, be free

Dueling with the Devil

I know I am going to step on some toes with this blog post but I will not apologize.  I think this topic is so important right now that I want to share this information and I pray God helps you make the right decision for you and your children.  I have noticed a frightening trend in television programming for children.  Harry Potter, Wizards of Waverly Place, Fanboy and Chum Chum and many more have become commonplace.  Magic, witches and wizards are a regular part of many programs on Nickelodeon and Disney.

I want to alert you to the danger of just letting our children watch these programs and movies and read these books.  I have always understood the danger and kept my children away from these programs, movies and books.  Recently I have renewed my resolve to help not just my children but children everywhere. 

We are opening the door to the enemy through our children.  I want to make you aware of the fact that magic, witches and wizards are real.  Satan is in all his glory right now over the fact that so many parents are allowing their children to learn all about him and his powers through seemingly friendly programs.  We can no longer just let our children participate in these things.

Here is the danger: when we let our children watch these programs and read these books we are opening the door to spiritual warfare for them.  You may tell them it's not real, it's just pretend.  Your children talk about it with friends at school who assure them otherwise and they began to change their thinking.  Satan is happy because you have given him an in to your child's heart. 

This is a serious matter.  Our children need to understand that Satan is real and he is the source behind the power to do magic and cast spells.  Most people think it's not a big deal to let them watch this stuff and read these books.  You just tell them it's not real, it's just pretend.  Let me ask you this, if your child came to you and said they wanted to have pretend sex, would you agree to let them?  No, you would be outraged. 

By allowing them to watch these programs and read the books you are allowing them to "pretend" dabble in the occult, pretend leads to real.  Don't be fooled, your child will not be missing out.  My children understand and are alright with "missing out" on these things. 

Please understand this post is done only to alert you to this very important situation.  If you would like more information and details on the specific problems please leave your questions as comments.  You can also visit this website which has more in depth information.  Ben Alexander is a very credible man who started in the occult in a very benign way.  Let's wage war in this battle for our children, we will win and we will be victorious, because with God all things are possible.  He is stronger than the enemy.

Fearless: Book Review

I enjoy Max Lucado's writing.  His books are practical.  I started reading Fearless, expecting the same.  This book however exceeded all my expectations.  I may go as far as to say that this book is Max Lucado's best book yet.  It has changed my life and the way I live.  It should be required reading for all Christians. 

I am not one of those people who is afraid of everything.  I am usually the person who helps others with their fears.  This book shows me I am living in fear to a certain extent.  Fearless pinpoints fears that we think are just innocuous thoughts.  

I love this book because it not only shows us that we are not the only ones who battle fear, but it shows us how to overcome our fears. I like the way Max uses not only Bible illustrations but also real life illustrations, including his own fears. 

I have been recommending this book to everyone I know.  It will show you that your fears can ruin your life, if not addressed.  Max gives practical ways to overcome these fears and live our life, fearlessly. Pick up a copy of Fearless, you will not be disappointed. 

In Pursuit of God

People ask me all the time, how can I develop intimacy with God?  They want to know how to get closer to God.  It always makes me happy to know that people want to get closer to God.  He created us to want to be with Him, but we have to choose Him.  The best part is that He has already chosen us.  He wants to have a relationship with us. 

There are many things we can do to grow our relationship with God.  When we think about our best earthly relationship we realize that communication is the best part of that relationship.  God wants us to talk to Him.  He already knows what we are thinking and feeling, but he wants us to want Him to know.  Share with Him our inner most thoughts. 

We need to be honest with God.  Sometimes we are just angry about what we see happening around us.  We need to understand that it is ok to be upset with God.  He wants us to share all our concerns with Him.  Journaling is a helpful way to help us express what we are thinking and feeling towards God. 

In my new book, In Pursuit of God, I discuss all the areas we can work on to help us run after our Heavenly Father.  Don't become overwhelmed with trying to do work on all eight areas at once.  Take it one at a time and build upon that.  You will be pleased with the your relationship with God when you take the time to get to know God by working on different areas of your walk with Christ.

Fasting, praying, giving, memorizing His word, God sightings, prayer requests, time with God, and Bible reading are the things we need to focus on.  Develop discipline in these areas and you will be blessed in your walk with God. 

Everyday Greatness

I recently read the book, Everyday Greatness by Stephen R. Covey.  This book is a compilation effort with Covey and David K. Hatch.  The book is best read in portions, meaning you read some, then think about what you read.  It is broken up into sections which is helpful to the reader.  You can just go to a particular theme and read about just that if you choose.  I don't think this book was meant to be read all the way through.

Although I found the book helpful, I did not think this was Covey's best effort.  It is mostly comprised of the Reader's Digest stories.  To it's credit, they are some of the better RD stories, but not Covey's own writings.  I think it's a nice book to have around for inspiration.  It makes a nice gift for someone.  It is also a nice book to have if you are traveling. 

It Happened in Italy Review

It happened in Italy is an amazing story of how far people will go to protect other humans. Elizabeth Bettina shares a step by step story of not just what happened in Italy. This is the story of triumph in a time when people were dying a brutal unnecessary death. Elizabeth shares with us a story not familiar to many of us. In 1944 while many Jews were being murdered at the hand of Hitler many Jews were being given a new life in Italy. It is amazing to read about the courage of the people of the town of Campagna. It all started with a man who loved his neighbors as himself. Giovanni Palatucci, known as the "Italian Schindler" saved thousands from a death that he himself would later fall to. Elizabeth Bettina did a beautiful job of showing us the legnths the people in Campagna would go to save the lives of their fellow man. I was taken in by the beauty of the journey that Elizabeth takes us on.