The Golden Compass, Harry Potter, and the like...

I know I haven't posted in forever, but an article I read today has brought me out of my seclusion and has single-handedly made me decide to post more...ha...

I saw a headline for this article and decided to check it out.
(reading it might held explain this post better)
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=
071204003305.4utrub9c&show_article=1

Basically, the article is saying how upset some prominent Christians groups are over the release of the new movie, the Golden Compass. Essentially, the short version of the movie, as I understand it, is that it is Narnia, but the Jesus figure stays dead at the end. The movie is based on a book written by an Agnostic, Philip Pullman.

I will try and keep this short and sweet (or not, it's sort of like flipping tables, ha). I am so tired of "Christian groups" making all of these "statements" and getting non-believers hating us more and making the believers who are always on edge, wanting to make sure not to have satan (lowercase "s" intentional, he doesn't capitalization) himself enter their household through any form of media.

Here's the deal: when we act like this, it solidifies the fact that we are ran by rules. This is not attractive. People do not want to join "organized religion". For goodness sakes, I don't even want to join organized religion.

When it comes to making the right choices in what you view, be smart. Not everything is beneficial, I agree, but watching this Golden Compass movie, or reading Harry Potter books is not going to send you to hell. An anti-Jesus movie should break our hearts and make us want to know Him better...not enrage us, and cause us to pick up our morality pitchforks and start calling our senators and state representatives.

The point: Christ doesn't stinking need defending...He is the Christ...the Alpha and Omega. He is the I am. He can raise people from the dead, and turn water into wine (not for getting drunk of course :-)). He is bigger than The Golden Compass, and Harry Potter. Spend your time in the Word, not defending Christ to the media...this will bring real change...and that's what we should want...not whining, but change...

My Dad's Blog

Normally I do not do this sort of thing. Almost everything that my dad posts is pretty good and interesting, but this series he is on right now is not only thought provoking, but I believe it could lead to a mass discussion on the things that need to be changed about the church in the U.S. and no matter what you believe, let me tell you, that would be a good thing.

I posted on the issue of combining politics and religion a while ago, and I only wrote a very short tangent of a piece, but my dad's series go into great lengths. The posts are very well written and the comment board is worth reading through as well.

I will put the web address at the end of this post, but for future reference, there is always a link on the right side of my page.

Also...feel free to comment on the topic on my blog, on this post, if you want to...blessings!

Beside the Point

Purpose

So, as many of you know, for the past 8 months or so, I have been just going crazy on what I should be doing with my life. Whether I should move away from State College, or stay for a little while. Well, after quite a bit of wisdom from a friend and a word from the Lord that someone gave me, I have come to these conclusions...

Purpose is not found in what you are doing at any given time, occupationally, it is about your identity in Christ and who he made you to be.

Life is about what drives you, not to please yourself, but to become who you should be, and to be who you are. So many people live their lives outside of what they were intended to be. Sitting at a desk everyday when risk and action drives them. Being a manager at a fast food restaurant when they should be touring the country singing.

Sometimes it's fear, sometimes it is people in the past who have told us we couldn't do it, but either way, it is time we live up to our potential.

If you love what you are doing, then you are living inside the design that God had for your life when He made you, on purpose the way he did.

If you have always had the desire to sing, then do it! If you want to take a job position that you are deathly afraid of, then do it! Life without an edge, whatever that looks like to you, is not much of a life at all...