Crossing the "Line"

I'm talking about the "Line" between okay/acceptable/moral and bad/evil. If there even is a defined line - sometimes things are quite gray. I'm thinking specifically about the media we consume. What is okay for a believer to read, watch, or listen to? 

Some things are obvious (at least to me). The Bible is a good place to start. It says, "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." (Philippians 4:8). Here's a guideline for us, but the rule-follower nature in me has trouble in determining what meets these criteria. "Thou shalt read The Chronicles of Narnia and Thou Shalt Not Read Fifty Shades of Grey" would be helpful. [I haven't read the Fifty Shades books, but I've heard enough about them from women I trust to know that they are not actually in the gray "is this okay?" area, but firmly in the "don't even go there" camp.]

Because not everything is black and white, I appreciate it when I am pointed to something both fun and safe (or clean, or acceptable, or whatever adjective you prefer). But more often I just try reading/watching something and try to make the call on my own. Which can be very hard for me to do, especially if I get pulled into the plot. Even if the Holy Spirit nudges me and says, "stop watching/reading this", I don't always listen. 

Today I made a decision to set aside a book I'm reading. It's very hard for me to intentionally stop reading a book. Even if it's boring and I don't like it, I usually try to finish just for the sake of finishing. But as I was reading this book (The Best of Me, by Nicholas Sparks), the warning flags kept flying. I hesitate to even mention it on here, because I don't feel that it's fully fair to judge a book without finishing it (you see? I have a book-finishing problem!) but I bring it up to hold myself accountable. I knew where the plot was going fairly early on - woman, already having issues in her marriage, encounters her handsome first love again after decades apart. Not that hard to predict what's going to happen. 

But this is where the enemy sneaks in and tries to blur "the line": sometimes it's good to explore real-life issues, understand how people arrived at the decisions they make, etc. I think a believing, Spirit-led author can address such issues and lead our minds (and the characters) back to the Lord's plans and purposes. But a secular author (and what I've read of Nicholas Sparks in the past is mostly secular, except a few passing references to God) doesn't have the same agenda. So in this case I've set the book aside. 

I have other options - dozens of books that I know are full of truth. And fun, at the same time. That's why I want to keep tagging things as "good clean fun" on this blog - because we can't always find good things on our own. That's the beauty of community. We can steer each other towards truth and away from lies. We're in it together. 

Yep, God + Anything = Enough...

What is this, you may ask? It's an example of God + Anything = Enough. 

As in, God + Tiny Plant, Falling-Over, Being Attacked by Neighboring Tomato Plant + Some Questionable Gardening Skills on My Part = Enough to Make Green Peppers. 

He can grow things (and people) when it seems like it shouldn't be possible. Sometimes it takes a little longer than (we) planned. But He brings about a good harvest in His season. 

Chris Tomlin's "Burning Lights" Album

I've spent most of the day at home sick. Usually this means lots of sleeping and watching Star Trek. I have done some of that (I'm midway through Into Darkness with the French audio on). But my brain isn't as fuzzy as sickness can sometimes make it, so I've also felt a bit restless. After longer than I'd care to admit, I realized that this is a perfect opportunity to spend time with the Lord. It's not like I have something better to be doing. 

I'm listening to Chris Tomlin's "Burning Lights" album. I went to his concert five months ago, and I've been listening to the album at least twice a week ever since. At first I liked the first half of the album because it has some catchy tunes and is great for an impromptu God Dance Party in my living room. But there is also great worship at the end of the album. 

God did a great job on this album (sorry to take the credit from you, Chris, but somehow I think you'd completely agree). At the concert, Chris commented that it seemed like we just wanted him to start the songs and then get out of the way so we could worship God. Got that right! Even as I sit here writing, I've had to take several "praise breaks" to lift Him high, lay me down, crown him Lord of life... Music can be such a good reminder. 

Lord, you are sovereign over my sickness, my health, my future. I worship you and trust you. Keep working on me to make me more like You. "There is no power that can come against your love. The cross was enough, the cross was enough." Thank you, thank you, thank you.