“la la” land

By: American Decency Staff

..When your kids are younger, all can seem to be going well. It is natural to live in “la la” land. (Though it may not be “la la” land at all – some do get through unscathed.) However, children growing up are not oblivious to the entertainment messages that are all around them.  It goes without saying – it is very difficult getting our kids through this culture undamaged by the sex industry and the damaging baggage that goes along with it. Those of us parented out of the early 60s recall that much of television programming consisted of right prevailing over wrong. Sleaze was almost totally non-exist. For example, married couples like in the Dick VanDyke Show, slept in separate beds. As youth, many of us were sheltered from images of sexual indiscretions. Pornography was not easily available. Hugh Hefner came out with Playboy in 1953. In the 1960’s, Playboy was heavily marketed, but clearly it was taboo. Buying pornography was shameful and a bad reflection on a person’s character. Several generations have since been birthed, raised and being raised in days, weeks, months and years where pre-marital sex, adultery, homosexuality and lesbianism are made attractive and regular. Wicked is made to look attractive and cool. My experience has been through teaching in the public schools for eighteen years and parenting now for 31 years that I have no easy answers as to how to keep the hearts, minds and souls of our youth inclined towards our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But here are a few observations. Many are lost. The Bible tells us that will be the case. Broad is the way that leads to destruction. Narrow is the way that leads to eternal life. [Matthew 7:13] Is there anything more important to us than that our children know Christ and that they are walking with Him in their daily lives? Is there anything that grieves us more than our children walking in darkness – caught up in lifestyles that are demeaning, diminishing and destroying them and those they love? I have a loved one who is a pastor. He has devotions with his little children daily. They are loved, consistently disciplined and trained in the things of the Lord. Building and keeping relationship with their children is uppermost. “Children honor your parents. This is the first commandment with promise – that it may go well you.” [Ephesians 5:2,3] When our youth live up to this, they are kept under the protection of their parents and even more importantly their God. This is a vital goal and objective. Kept by God. Godly patterning is set. But most importantly, if they come to know Christ personally, they continue living a godly life desiring to please and honor Him daily. A side note: For others like myself, I came to Christ a little later. I am thankful for His grace and forgiveness that saw beyond my sinful ways of my late teens and early twenties. Salvation is by His grace. It is a free gift. Not by anything that we have done. [Ephesians 2:8,9] In these difficult days of such wickedness, we as parents have our work cut out for us, but God’s grace is sufficient. We need to seek His face. Minister to our children. Deuteronomy 6 provides vital principles in the training of our children. In conclusion, watching degenerates do perverse things is allowing Satan into the hearts, minds and souls of our children. See yesterday’s email regarding reprobation. As I raised my youngest, throughout the many early years, whenever we were to sit before a television screen, I would have him turn away from the screen as I found the channel we were seeking. It sent a clear message to him of my concern for his eyes and ears – moral sensibilities. However, the greater need is for him and for our children to have the heart for themselves that chooses “not to placed any wicked thing before their eyes.” [Psalm 101:3a] If they don’t have such an inclination, I fear for the natural propensity of the human heart to watch and listen to more and more and more. As stated yesterday: Regarding ourselves and those we love it is heart rending to consider what can and what is happening to those we love as they watch a little of this and then a little of that. Desperate Housewives Grey’s Anatomy Family Guy American Dad Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cosmopolitan (you could easily add to the list) What at first is repugnant, little by little becomes rationalized as okay even entertaining, real life, etc.. It’s impact upon this nation is devastating – individual by individual. Consider Roman 1 — https://americandecency.org/main.php?f=updates_new/2007/july/7.23.07 Dr. John MacArthur draws this conclusion “… The only hope for this or any society is to hear the word of the Lord and obey it – to hear the word of the Lord and obey it. MacArthur also draws this conclusion “… The only hope for this or any society is to hear the word of the Lord and obey it – to hear the word of the Lord and obey it. Donations accepted: https://secure4.afo.net/ada/main.php?f=donate/display9 American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 PH: 231-924-4050

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