Tag: Books

Control Freak

On By hawkinsm6In Christian Living, Christianity, Discipleship, Encouragement, Spiritual1 Comment

Talking to some friends yesterday and somebody said I wouldn’t let my kids read Harry Potter books.

Not true…

I know my kids (who are now all adults with families of their own).  If I would’ve said you aren’t allowed, they wouldn’t have been able to help themselves.

Chips off the old block.

What I told them is that I would rather they didn’t.  And it had very little to do with how bad the writing is.

I think there are only three powers that I can control.  Two of those my only control comes from my submission to that power.  The one remaining is me.

Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy.”

He was referring to Satan when he said this.  He tempts you with the idea that he can give you power that you can control.  It just never ends up being true.  The “power” always, ALWAYS, ends up controlling you.  No one is exempt.

Jesus went on to say, “I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Check yourself on this, does watching a movie or reading a book lead you to thinking, “I want more of God’s power.”  Or does God’s power sound kinda lame compared to casting spells and flying in a game of quidditch.

What an old fuddy-duddy!  It’s a kid’s series for entertainment.  This is a stupid argument used to justify various levels of pornography, horror/slasher media, and multiple addictions.

I would remind you that if it’s not coming from Jesus, it’s not intended to entertain you.  It is seeking to steal, kill and destroy.

Steal your identity.

Kill your passion and compassion.

Destroy your heart and soul.

Sounds melodramatic but what can I say?

He’s a control freak.

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Clear and Present Danger

On By hawkinsm6In Christian Living, Discipleship, Encouragement, Spiritual, Uncategorized, Worship4 Comments

With the phenomena of a variety of movies and literature over the years, free speech is a common theme as people argue over the merits or issues revolving around a particular theme. Free speech is touted as a catch phrase basically allowing people to say whatever they want. But there are limits on this, certain “tests” that the Supreme Court uses to determine whether a document or rhetoric is protected by the first amendment.

Now, I’m not a lawyer. I’m not a judge. I did serve once on a jury. But since most citizens are considered capable of that duty I hardly think that qualifies me to speak. Ah, but speak I shall.

When movies are made to celebrate abuse, sexual, physical abuse, I think it fails the clear and present danger test. When pornography promotes child molesting, incest, bestiality and other forms of degradation and depravity, I think it fails this test. And if it doesn’t fail it for the Supreme Court, it should for us as human beings.

We have a scriptural mandate to think on whatever is pure and holy and true and noble.

So what should our response be as movies are released, as books hit the shelves?

We worship. We sing. We speak the truth, in love, with mercy and grace. That is what sets us apart. That is what the world needs, the love that will heal its wounds.

There is a clear and present danger, and we are armed and fit to conquer it.

Flinching

On By hawkinsm6In Christian Living, Discipleship, Encouragement, Spiritual, Uncategorized, Worship1 Comment

“Two for flinching!” Bam! Bam!

Did you ever play that game when you were young?

The idea is this. I act like I’m going to punch you and, if you flinch, I get to punch you for real.

My boys tried it with me and I told them that if they punch me for flinching I get to kick them for being silly.

“But dad, it’s just a game.”

No, it’s trying to train my body to not do what it was designed to do.

Flinching is an autonomic reaction to a visual stimulus. It can be directed into various reactions of defense or offense. But to teach yourself not to react is just bad.

So gentlemen, why do we watch TV, watch a movie and then wonder why we struggle with pornography, with lust? Ladies, why do we read romance novels and then wonder why there’s a struggle to love your husband? Teens, why do you listen to popular music and struggle to find time for God?

These things will always backfire because they go against the design. We were designed to be visually stimulated, as men. Don’t put a stimulus in your path, don’t choose one that isn’t your wife. As women, you desire relationship. Don’t fill that need with the false ones in a book. As humans, our need is to be with God, spend time with Him. Don’t choose to listen to the world’s preaching, the world’s worship of money, of fame, of humanity.
It’s always best to follow the design.

Ha! Two for flinching!

To My Son

On By hawkinsm6In Christian Living, Discipleship, Encouragement, Spiritual, Uncategorized, WorshipLeave a comment

Dad
Dad (Photo credit: atkinson000)

This is dad and I just wanted to send you a note to remind you of some things, in case circumstances of late are making it unclear.

 

1.  I am your biggest fan.  Nothing you say or do changes the potential and value that I see in you.  No matter what you do, in work, in service, in life, my desire is for you to be successful, whole, joyful, peaceful.  No one, and I mean no one, wants this more for you than I do.  My rules, my words are not meant to hinder you, to hold you back, or lessen your worth.  It may be, just maybe, that I see things that you don’t, that I feel things that you aren’t aware of.  Maybe, as your father, I know your design better than you do and your focus does not allow you to see all there is, both good and bad.

 

2.  I believe in you.  I may yell at you, make things difficult, cause you problems and everything will look like I don’t trust you.  But I do.  You are kind and strong.  I love your heart and your view of people.  I am so proud of what you are doing in your life and the man you have become.  I’m so proud of the person I know you will be.  Please listen to my words, knowing that even the difficult, hurtful things that you hear are from the one person who knows you best and loves you most.

 

3.  You are young.  You don’t know everything yet.  Your history is not complete.  You haven’t done everything you were put here for. Let me help you.  Don’t fight me and make it a war of wills.  Despite your growth, your not big enough.  The things that life will throw at you are too much for you to handle alone.  I won’t always direct.  I will let you make decisions for yourself.  You are your own person too.  Just let me walk with you and guide you along the way.  I don’t want everything in you to be thoughtless, robotic.  I even want you to make mistakes, fall down and get back up, fail utterly and completely, because there are things you will never know or see unless you do.  If you let me, I can help minimize the damage, process the lessons, see the silver linings.  I just want to stay in your life, stay connected.

 

Just a couple of things I wanted to say before life steps in and gets everything buried under business and busyness.

 

I love you.

 

God

 

“Daybreak” by Matthew Hawkins is available at smashwords.com.  Click on the link below:

 

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/384362