Words of Warning - The Idol of Health and Fitness

 

One of the idols that has come into a major role in more recent times has been the idol of health and fitness.

A lot of the chatter and shaming on this subject centers around "honoring your temple," meaning your body. Somehow this flows into the idea that if you are taking care of your body - eating "right," exercising, lifting weights, etc. that God will honor that because you are allegedly "taking better care of His temple."

One of the first I ran across that really got my attention was a Christian vegan page on Facebook years back. The woman who was running it was boasting that being a Christian is hard enough, and being a vegan is hard, but being a Christian vegan was so difficult that apparently it was making them into some kind of super Christians because they were so spiritual in their drive to subdue the flesh.

This is where the problem really settles. The people who deny the flesh by eating and exercising a certain way believe that they are doing fleshly things that will make them "extra spiritual" and super "victorious" Christians. This is the exact wrong thinking that the Apostle Paul was writing about to the church at Colosse: Colossians 2:20-23 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Denying the flesh feels very spiritual and tempts people to think more highly of themselves than they ought. There is a show of wisdom - in other words, it looks wise because perhaps there are even benefits on the surface, and it seems humble to subdue your own will and not satisfy the flesh. However, he calls these the commandments and doctrines of men. He asks, "Why are you being subject to these things - don't touch it, don't eat it, don't handle it - when you are supposed to be dead with Christ to the rudiments of the world?" In other words, these carnal things shouldn't be your focus. You're supposed to be dead to them.

We see why as the letter continues: Colossians 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

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Halloween - More Than The Appearance of Evil

 

I decided to republish this again this year.

I didn't intend to write anything specifically about Halloween this year, but there are things I've seen and heard that make me heavy hearted. Too many Christians still don't get the fact that it is not a godly thing to be involved in. The world has worked overtime to make it attractive and cute for those who don't like the more sinister parts of it, and yet, today the evil side is much more "in your face" than it was when I was a kid. The cute and cozy facade is deceptive and enticing to people whose convictions and standards are negotiable based on whether they like something too much to give it up for the Lord.

I saw a short video on Instagram by a young mother who was basically saying, "Why can't we just tell our kids that Halloween is evil and of Satan and we don't have an alternative to it? We just don't do it."

Why indeed? 

My own family gave up Halloween fairly early, and my dad generally had no use for "alternatives to Halloween" that were popular at that time. Now, the so-called alternatives aren't even that "alternate." Some of the things that churches do are essentially just sanitizing occult and heathen practices so that they are less offensive. Whether it's a trunk or treat party, a harvest festival with pumpkin carving and bobbing for apples, or a "Reformation Day" party with costumes and the usual suspect games, many of the activities aren't essentially different from the practices that came from ancient witchcraft and the superstitions of All Hallow's Eve. They're basically just dressed up and rebranded for Christian consumption.

In addition to this, I learned recently that Halloween is also considered the LGBTQ+ "christmas." I'm not keen on linking to sources on this one, but if you don't believe it, I recommend that you do a little research for yourself. Try Googling "Halloween main LGBTQ holiday of the year". Yeah. It seems pretty clear that the homosexual and lesbian population of this country has been instrumental in increasing the popularity and social acceptability of Halloween. That they embrace it as their alternative to Christmas ought to give you pause if you desire to honor Jesus Christ with your life.

Christians who don't care what other's think of their actions and choices regarding these things need to consider carefully the scriptures about separating from evil, darkness, and the wickedness of this world.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 

What others see you doing and supporting is important. Appearances are things that other people see. And we aren't even supposed to be involved with things that appear evil - even if our motives aren't evil. In other words, it doesn't matter how you feel about it or whether or not you care for other people's opinions. It does matter if your testimony as a Christian is marred by associating with something that clearly declares itself to be a celebration of wickedness and darkness. Halloween is more than just an appearance. It is the genuine article - evil itself.

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

If Halloween and its witchy trappings are so important to you - if you love them so much - that you refuse to give them up for God, that verse basically says that the love of the Father is not in you. That's strong language, and it should scare you a bit if you are one of those Christians.

Ephesians 5:11-12 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 

No fellowship. That means you don't participate at all. Even a little. It also means that Halloween and all the sinister and dark things around it, are unfruitful. And, instead of inventing "alternatives" and sanitized substitutes, it's time for Bible loving Christians to stand up and reprove these works of darkness.

A shame even to speak of those things. At the same time, we should avoid becoming preoccupied with telling every morbid and hideous details we can dredge up. Just sayin'...

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 

Do you actually need that explained?

1 John 1:5-7 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 

All that dark, devilish stuff is not of God. If you walk in fellowship with Him you can't have fellowship with those evil things. It's either/or. Either you walk in the light with God and not in darkness, or you walk in darkness and you are a liar and are not obedient to the truth. Those are harsh words, but they are not my invention. They are the clear words of God Almighty. If you have an issue with it, take it up with Him.

Because at the end of the day, when you try to say that the darkness and evil that is the holiday of Halloween is ok for you to participate in, you aren't justifying your choices. You are, instead, telling us more about your heart than you probably wanted us to know. But, more than that, God DOES know your heart. He also KNOWS His word. He isn't fooled by your excuses and justifications. 

1 Samuel 16:7 ...for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 

Galatians 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 

What is the real alternative to participating in the works of darkness?

Titus 2:11-15  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

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Further reading:

Why We Do not Celebrate Halloween

Halloween and Other Things of Pagan Origin

What Would the Ephesian Believers Think of Halloween, Twilight, and Harry Potter In Christian Homes?

Worth Repeating - The Church Walking with the World

 
I have shared this parable in poem form before, but it seemed like it was time to share it again. It is a sobering reminder of how easy it is to be enticed away from the things of God to follow the ways of the world. It also is a reminder that this behavior isn't going unnoticed with God. Christian, beware.
1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

The Church Walking with the World

The Church and the World walked far apart
On the changing shores of time,
The World was singing a giddy song,
And the Church a hymn sublime.
“Come, give me your hand,” said the merry World,
“And walk with me this way!”
But the good Church hid her snowy hands
And solemnly answered “Nay!
I will not give you my hand at all,
And I will not walk with you;
Your way is the way that leads to death;
Your words are all untrue.”

“Nay, walk with me but a little space,”
Said the World with a kindly air;
“The road I walk is a pleasant road,
And the sun shines always there.
Your path is thorny and rough and rude,
But mine is broad and plain;
My way is paved with flowers and dews,
And yours with tears and pain.
The sky to me is always blue,
No want, no toil I know;
The sky above you is always dark,
Your lot is a lot of woe;
There’s room enough for you and me
To travel side by side.”

Half shyly the Church approached the World
And gave him her hand of snow;
And the old World grasped it and walked along,
Saying, in accents low:
“Your dress is too simple to please my taste;
I will give you pearls to wear,
Rich velvets and silks for your graceful form,
And diamonds to deck your hair.”
The Church looked down at her plain white robes,
And then at the dazzling World,
And blushed as she saw his handsome lip
With a smile contemptuous curled.
“I will change my dress for a costlier one,”
Said the Church, with a smile of grace;
Then her pure white garments drifted away,
And the World gave, in their place,
Beautiful satins and shining silks,
Roses and gems and costly pearls;
While over her forehead her bright hair fell
Crisped in a thousand curls.

“Your house is too plain,” said the proud old World,
“I’ll build you one like mine;
With walls of marble and towers of gold,
And furniture ever so fine.”
So he built her a costly and beautiful house;
Most splendid it was to behold;
Her sons and her beautiful daughters dwelt there
Gleaming in purple and gold.
Rich fairs and shows in the halls were held,
And the World and his children were there.
Laughter and music and feasts were heard
In the place that was meant for prayer.
There were cushioned seats for the rich and the gay,
To sit in their pomp and pride;
But the poor who were clad in shabby array,
Sat meekly down outside.

“You give too much to the poor,” said the World.
“Far more than you ought to do;
If they are in need of shelter and food,
Why need it trouble you?
Go, take your money and buy rich robes,
Buy horses and carriages fine;
Buy pearls and jewels and dainty food,
Buy the rarest and costliest wine.
My children, they dote on all these things,
And if you their love would win
You must do as they do, and walk in the ways
That they are walking in.”
So the poor were turned from her door in scorn,
And she heard not the orphan’s cry;
But she drew her beautiful robes aside,
As the widows went weeping by.

Then the sons of the World and the Sons of the Church
Walked closely hand and heart,
And only the Master, who knoweth all,
Could tell the two apart.
Then the Church sat down at her ease, and said,
“I am rich and my goods increase;
I have need of nothing, or aught to do,
But to laugh, and dance, and feast.”
The sly World heard, and he laughed in his sleeve,
And mockingly said, aside--
“The Church is fallen, the beautiful Church;
And her shame is her boast and her pride.”

The angel drew near to the mercy seat,
And whispered in sighs her name;
Then the loud anthems of rapture were hushed,
And heads were covered with shame.
And a voice was heard at last by the Church
From Him who sat on the throne:
“I know thy works, and how thou hast said,
‘I am rich, and hast not known
That thou art naked, poor and blind,
And wretched before my face;’
Therefore take heed that thou repent,
Lest I cast thee from thy place.”

Matilda C. Edwards
(altered)

Philippians 3:18-19 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 

Revelation 3:16-19 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

The Olympics, Dionysus, and C. S. Lewis

 

2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 

The Olympics, Dionysus, and C. S. Lewis

There was a tremendous flap this year over the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The tableau that riled up a lot of people will live in infamy to decent, God-fearing people.

The curious thing about it to me was that a number of professing Christians tried to defend or excuse it based on the painting "The Feast of the Gods" by Dutch artist Jan van Bijlert. As time moved along and information was presented, it was brought out by some that this painting was also a degraded imitation of a version of "The Last Supper" by Leonardo DaVinci. As an artist and graphics designer myself, I only needed to see a comparison of the two paintings and the photograph of the infamous tableau to clearly see which one the French artist was using as his inspiration. Other details that came to light tended to confirm this, although it was denied by the French artist and Olympic opening ceremonies committee after the fact.

Consequently, I will continue to refer to this tableau as a mockery of Christ and the last supper from this point on. Yes, the original painting was painted by a Roman Catholic. Yes, it was a very poor representation of that actual event. It is not a painting that I would want in my home. However, it is meant to be a respectful portrayal of that event, so when wicked people make a point of turning into an exultation of sex perversion and the worship of Dionysus, it is an attack on the person of Jesus Christ and the sacrifice that He made for our atonement - as represented in the last supper.

But...

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Worth Repeating - A Better Country

I had thought to repost this article earlier this month, but I didn't get to it. Still it is appropriate to this election year and worth repeating.

Hebrew 11:16 But now they desire a better country,

that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed

to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

The Trouble with Patriotism

There are a lot of people who are very caught up in patriotism. Here in the United States it is often equated with being a "good Christian." That is to say, if you are a "good Christian" you will also be patriotic, you will also "love your country," and your allegiance will be to the "good, ol' USA" (and, "of course," a specific political party). "God and country" is a common theme, though I'd say that "country and God" was a better word order judging by people's speech and actions.

This is an election year [again] in the U.S. and emotions will be running high in many churches. Politics is a BIG subject and many pastors will be openly or covertly plugging for the candidate for whom they want all "their members" to vote. (Too bad more of them don't think of the people as God's heritage, as it really is, and let Him lead the people to vote or not vote as HE sees fit. 1 Peter 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.)

Another common thing we see among American Christians is the "need," even urgency, to "rescue America" and "restore it to it's Christian foundation." These people talk, dream and try to live in the context of "restoring America" or "making it great again." I've even heard people go so far as to say that it is our responsibility to "make the leaders of this country live by the Constitution."  Some even suggest a new revolution to enforce this. (You won't find a chapter and verse to support that one, by the way.)

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A Word of Warning - Beware of AI Generated Patterns

I ran across this video talking about the problem with AI produced crochet patterns. I thought it would be good to share the information so that you all can beware of wasting time and money on things that won't work or that are actually impossible. This very likely applies to other patterns that may be showing up online - knitting, embroidery, sewing, etc. Be cautious and check things out carefully before you buy or use time and resources on these things. If you are unsure about a specific pattern, ask for advice from someone who is knowledgeable about the thing you are wanting to do.

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Does It Matter Which Bible Translation You Prefer?

Psalm 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. 

John 6:67-68 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 

Brandon Staggs, the man speaking in this video, was a friend of my brothers' years ago. He also went to high school with my husband, although they didn't know each other very well, being in different grades. It is very curious how the Lord makes connections sometimes.

I used an NASB briefly before I came to understand the issues surrounding the textual controversy - thanks to my dad's teaching. I was about 15, I think, when I made the switch permanently. I have never regretted it, and as Brandon shows a few of the significant changes that have been made in modern versions of the Bible, know that what he says is true - there are many, many more. I hope to start addressing some of these soon on The Home Makers Corner, Lord willing.

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Brother Brandon is the creator of the Bible program Sword Searcher. I have used it for my writing needs for years now, and I use it for Facetime Bible study when I can. I recommend it if you are looking for a Bible program to have on your own computer, rather than using online Bible programs.

Short Thought - Beware of the Flatterers

"Young ladies, beware of being attracted to a man because

he makes you feel pleased with yourself.

If that is his main attraction, he is doubtless a

flatterer with little to recommend him.

That is a dangerous foundation for a

relationship of any sort."

There is a lie that is sometimes told that if a guy makes you feel good about yourself, then he's a great guy. The tragedy is that this kind of relationship is based upon flattery, not a solid give-and-take that is both strengthening and challenging. 

Flattery is a dangerous tool to those who wish to control others. In Proverbs it's called spreading a net for the person who is targeted. That means it's a trap meant to ensnare and control. In Daniel chapter 11 we read that a vile person, apparently the anti-Christ, will take the kingdom peaceably through flattery. 

Flattery is a very powerful method for gaining people's confidence and allegiance. It can be used to manipulate people into doing all kinds of things. The thing is, people who are easily susceptible to flattery are usually vain and self-focused. After all, if you find people welcome and delightful because they are always making you feel bigger and better than you are, then what does that say about you? Yet, this is a common ideology in our current society. We are told often and often to look for friends and relationships that serve us, that make us feel better about ourselves, that only support our goals and ideas - no matter how unattainable or even ungodly they are. 

Beware of flatterers, but also beware of becoming a person who likes to be flattered. 

Proverbs 28:23  He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

Proverbs 29:5  A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

Psalm 36:1-3  The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful. The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.

Did You Meme That? -- Is That Biblical Humility?

 

Proverbs 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

"Humility isn't a low estimation of oneself, but a high estimation of the greatness of God."
Wendy Speake

This quote comes from a Hollywood actress named Wendy Speake, who is also an alleged Bible teacher for women. I know little about her, but having looked at a few things on her site, I see the typical lack of the Bible she is supposed to love and teach. I also see another translation of the Bible that is not faithful to the truth. While it is true that sometimes good people will say or teach things that are off, in this case I'm not surprised at this quote after seeing the fluff and stuff on her web page. We will discuss this quote here apart from its original context because that is how I found it on social media. It was basically "clipped out" and started on its journey as a stand alone thought. I don't remember exactly where I found it being shared, but someone believes it enough to keep spreading it, so let's examine it - because words mean things.

According to this definition of humility, as it stands, we don't have to humble ourselves; we only have to think highly of the greatness of God.

Do you see what she has done there? She has left pride, ego, and self-conceit intact while claiming that we need only think very highly of God's greatness in order to have humility. We are apparently given permission to have whatever high and pompous opinion of ourselves we want, as long as we have a high estimation of the greatness of God. I am not at all sure that this is what she wanted to convey, but the original graphic with this quote is on her own website. What she wrote there seemed to point in another direction, but there is an uncertain sound.

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Worth Repeating - Some Thoughts On Spiritual Warfare

Here are some short thoughts over at The Home Maker's Corner on spiritual warfare to remind us to be sober minded, to resist the devil, and to fight the good fight of faith.

Some Thoughts On Spiritual Warfare 

Letters to My Friend - Anti-Abortion Laws that Can Kill

In this Letter to My Friend I address a subject that has been a concern to me due to the recent anti-abortion laws. It may not be the most popular thing to to say in some quarters, because according to some we must never question the working of the pro-life movement in way or we'll be accused of not loving baby's lives. (Been there, done that.) This is not about disregarding the lives of babies, but it is about valuing the lives of mothers equally.

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Lately I've been reading in Genesis, and I came across a couple verses that I've thought on before. This time they struck me on a different topic, one that I've been concerned about since the Roe vs. Wade ruling was overturned. At that time I was unimpressed by the Christians who were saying that there had been a great victory for life, as if the overturning of that case automatically meant that abortion was illegal in this country. Of course, it didn't mean that at all. It only meant that the states now had the right to make their own laws based on the whims and beliefs of the "majority" in each state. As time has shown, some states will likely go farther and do more evil than even the national laws on the issue previously did.

But, that isn't the specific thing that I was thinking about in regards to these verses.

In Genesis 18, Abraham has been told by the Lord that He is about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham took it upon himself to plead for the cities because he knew his nephew, Lot, was living there and he didn't want him and his family killed. At the beginning of his pleading he starts out with this observation on the nature of God: Genesis 18:24-25 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

Let me tell a few personal stories:

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Fruit photo by an anonymous friend.

Letters to My Friend - Using Others to Avoid Your Duty

Excerpts from letter:

Are you using someone else as your enabler to avoid doing your biblical duty or what you know to be right? Do you seek relationships that provide you with support in doing your duty and following through in right things, or relationships that provide you with protection from the right things you don't want to do?...

...The truth is that duty isn't always inspiring, rewarding or enjoyable, but it is still something we have to do. When it's a biblical command this is even more essential. Making excuses and justifying our failure to do our duty by pushing someone else forward as our enabler is not only extremely tacky, it's harmful to that relationship. It often isn't fair to the enabler and it's really despicable when we take advantage of their enabling.

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The Duggar Disaster: Was the Reality Show Ever A Good Idea?

Romans 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 

1 Corinthians 5:11-13 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. 

Well, the time has come to address this subject yet again. Aside from the post about not blaming wives for their husband's sin, I have frankly been avoiding it for some time because it is simply so unsavory. But, since I had written about it before and warned readers not to defend the Duggars or put them on a pedestal, it seems like it is time to bring it up again in light of Josh's conviction for possessing and downloading CSAM (child sexual abuse material). 

My emotions are mixed. I am sad and disgusted. Sad for the family members who had to learn in a court setting about what Josh had actually done all those years ago to his sisters, and what he has been doing recently. Disgusted with Jim Bob for lying under oath in court during the pre-trial evidential hearing - lying about what happened to his daughters in order to cover for his son, thus showing the world how much he truly values his girls. Disgusted for the way some of the family behaved. Disgusted especially for how Josh's defense team was given reign to pull all kinds of tricks to try to get him off on a mistrial or exonerated without ever addressing the fact that the material was on his hard drive in a place where he had the skills and knowledge to access it. 

I was also revolted and sickened at the enormity of his crime, the horror beyond words of what had happened to those children, and that Josh was to all appearances finding enjoyment in this. Also sickened that his parents, in their statement, disassociated him from these crimes and gave only distanced sorrow to "all children" who are victims of CSAM. The children he was watching are real, mostly living people, not a generalized nebulous group.

I'm also a little hopeful. I hope that more of the Duggar kids will break loose through this and that all would learn to follow the Lord Himself and to be doers of the word of God instead of following Jim Bob and doing and believing Jim Bob's word. Again, I'm sad they had to learn all these horrible things in this public way, and that they had to learn that their dad/father-in-law is a liar in such a public manner, but maybe the Lord knows that is the only way some of them would have ever learned it and (hopefully) separated from the ungodliness. And also, I deeply hope that more of them will have the guts and determination to keep Josh away from their own children always and in every way.

So much for my feelings on the subject - for whatever they are worth.

To begin with, it seemed like a good idea to revisit the issue of whether the reality show was ever a good idea for a Christian family in the first place. I have made additions and rewritten parts of this article.

What About the Duggars?
What the Reality Show Ever A Good Idea?

L. M. Montgomery - Delightful or Dangerous?

Over the last few years I have done fresh research and rewritten this article. It does not make me happy to have to address this as I have enjoyed L. M. Montgomery's Anne books very much in the past. But, what we like or love should always be subject to the word of God and truth, so no one and nothing is above examination.

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Lucy Maud Montgomery is perhaps best known for her classic Anne of Green Gables series. While these stories have generally been accepted as sweet and decent reading for children (girls in particular) there are some serious questions that arise about this author's life and the things that she presents in her stories.

Many people who were not familiar with the books before, were exposed to the Anne of Green Gables story as it gained renewed popularity in the U.S.A. and Canada through the mini-series on T.V. in the 1980s. More recently Anne with An E on Netflix has gotten its share of attention, partly because of its heavy-handed high-jacking of an old classic to turn it into a propaganda vehicle for political correctness, especially the LGBT agenda. (This was a wide departure from Montgomery's own writings and should not be held against her personally.) The books themselves have also been embraced by the homeschool community in general which generated a lot of interest. Also, in the 1990s Road to Avonlea, a program which aired on the Disney Channel, was loosely based on a number of Montgomery's novels, including Chronicles of Avonlea and The Story Girl books; and Emily of New Moon was aired in Canada and based on her books by the same name.

Having been given my grandmother's set of the Anne books as a girl, I grew up with them and they were among my favorite childhood stories. However, as I grew older and came upon some further knowledge of the author, I realized that there were problems. It does not make me happy to have to address this, but all things must be examined by the scripture, even our favorite sources of "entertainment."

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

It was in the late 1980s that my mom and I began to collect some of the other books by L. M. Montgomery. These were books that my grandma and my mom had never read. Some of the things in them bothered me as I knew that they were very contrary to scripture. Because of this I eventually began to examine and reconsider the Anne books as well, and the Lord brought some disturbing things to my attention.

Continue Reading.

The Cult Next Door - A Documentary on Bill Gothard and the Institute of Basic Life Principles

This is a short documentary on a very large subject. Having done some of my own research on this as well as reading things others have written, listening to the experiences of others (both positive and negative), and watching the Duggar's shows and also one or two video exposes, I feel that it is an important subject to address. Bill Gothard's teachings have wormed their way into Christendom in many areas and ways that many of us are not even aware of. People from almost every Christian denomination and cult have attended his seminars at some point and carried his teachings back with them, thus spreading ideologies and beliefs that appear biblical on the surface but most definitely are not.

Clear back in the 1970s my own dad rejected the teachings of Bill Gothard because of the fact that his brother who was living in gross sexual sin assisted in writing the early materials, but when he was exposed for his sin the book(s) was not pulled back and re-examined and rewritten. Bill Gothard chose to continue using material written with assistance from a man who was living in significant defeat in the very areas that Gothard was so interested in - sexual purity, character, authority, etc.

Furthermore, while there is nothing wrong with a single man doing some teaching on the family and marriage and raising children (the apostle Paul did), it is completely unbiblical for a single man to become an expert, a spiritual authority so highly esteemed, whose words are followed so religiously. In the position into which he has pushed himself with his claims to have the "perfect plan" for having a perfect godly family ("perfect plans" dependent upon a man's teaching are always a big red flag), he absolutely should have been the husband of one wife. Based on the exposure of his sexual harassment of young women who worked for him at his headquarters, we might wonder if he had entirely honorable motives in his choosing to never marry.

1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife...

Titus 1:6-7 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless...

Mr. Gothard is disqualified on more than one point here. He is not blameless, nor is he the husband of one wife.

The Cult Next Door (Official Short Film) from Youngman Films.
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For more information on this please visit:

RecoveringGrace.org

The Wartburg Watch: Category Bill Gothard

   Specifically: Bill Gothard's Umbrella of Protection