Violence As Entertainment

What can you tell about a person by what he/she calls entertainment? I had this thought again as I finished watching the epic, The North and South. I had seen some of it many years ago and remembered it as I watched. By the time we reached the end of the second book of the DVD series, I thought the next portion would not have as much violence since the Civil War was over.

I did remember from my study of history that it was an unsettling time for our whole country. I expected to see the Klu Klux Klan and the difficult times the South would have and the North too. What I did not expect was the fact the chief villain was still alive in the third book, having survived an explosion of gunpowder ignited by a fire. What I also did not expect was how much I wanted that man dead! Now, this is only a movie, I know that, but I hated the way it made me feel. Although these emotions were brought on by manufactured visual effects, they were feeling real to me, nevertheless.

I decided I had seen enough violence and went to read a book. About 45 minutes later, I glanced at the TV once, just in time to see that cruel villain stab a woman to death. That image is still in my mind. I cannot believe what I gave my time and attention to. I was entertained by watching horrific battles and senseless abuse. And I had criticized a grandson who watches chainsaw massacres!

If people are entertained by watching violence and abuse, I would ask how can we not expect it to spill over into our culture? I know it was an old series and the violence was mild by today's standards. I also know that this method by which we seek to entertain ourselves has escalated to new lows of filth and terrifying cruelty, but what does that say about us? I understand violence is sung about as though it is praiseworthy. It is in video games all the time. But, how can we guard our thought life, from which our actions come, if we are being entertained by such violence? It makes me remember the scripture. "As a man thinks, so is he." Indeed! Doma

The Struggle to Surrender

Life is so full of contradictions. We hold tightly to things we need to release and don't always appreciate those dependable, ever present things. Dare I substitute the word people for the word things?I will never forget the day I had to surrender my three boys to the Lord. I knew I was hanging on too tightly to them. They needed to move on and become the men God intended. They were actually 7, 9 and 10 when I committed them to God's care.

I recall the moment clearly. I was making a bed with clean smelling sheets fresh from the clothes line when a question formed in my mind. "Will you give your sons to Me?"I did struggle and cry at the loss of control a true prayer of relinquishment might impose. However, in return, I just knew they would be safe in His charge. Believe me, I reminded the Lord many times of His promise to keep them close to His heart.

There was a night when the wicked one painted an image in my mind that was so horribly clear. In my mind I saw an overturned, out of control motorcycle. I saw some blood, a ditch and fear clutched at my throat. I just knew my son was involved. Turns out he was not the one who got hurt; he was the one who was able to help the injured boy. God was faithful. And He still is!

Early on, I found it very hard to let the little guys go beyond the yard. Next they went to school, and that too was very hard, all three times. I so wanted to control their world and keep them from every harm; solve every problem. This anxiety drove me to my knees many times.I still pray for the LORD to keep His covenant with me and also for Him to keep close their spouses and children. I just know He will. That's the kind of God we have! Doma

Hand Over Hand

When Special Education teachers work with children, especially those who need tremendous amounts of guidance and sensory stimulation, they will often teach tasks by using the “hand over hand” technique. In this process, the teacher puts his or her hands over the student’s hands and directs them to make the letter, or color the picture, or turn the pages of a book. Often students can be resistant and want to do it themselves right away, even though they do not know how.
I cannot help but think that sometimes we need God to do hand over hand with us. We may resist God‘s guidance because we want to do things our own way. Frustrated and weary, we have to surrender to the Master Teacher. We are so blessed that our God is a hands-on God who holds us closely and parents us even when we are supposedly grown up.

O place Your hands on mine, dear Father
Guide me to do Thy holy will
Keep me focused ever
Until Your work in me is through. Amen Doma