.
.
with comments by David Bruce

ACTOR PORTRAYING JESUS KILLED N A CAR ACCIDENT?
Subject: Jesus Miniseries
Date: Mon, 31 Dec 2001
From: "Linda"

Do you know or have news about an actor that played Jesus killed in a car accident? I think I heard a gossip near an office were I worked, but I was just passing by and was afraid of asking.
Linda

DISAPPOINTED BY ALL THE CURSING
Subject: The_Majestic
Date: Mon, 31 Dec 2001
From: Louise

Last night, I took four girls to see The Majestic. My own 12 and 11 year olds, and two friends aged 12 and 10. I invite someone to count the curses in the movie and report back. I apologized to the girls after the movie, because I had no idea. I had read two review on the movie, which both compared it to "It's a Wonderful Life," and claimed it to be "Capraesque." Well, Capra knew that a movie could enjoy success without the cursing which film makers now claim to be a normal part of speech. Not for everyone! Not for me and my girls! We were all very disappointed! (By the way, the "horny" comment was completely unnecessary and unappreciated, as well.) When will Hollywood get it? When the top grossing movies in theatres are Shrek, Monsters, and Harry Potter, none of which contain a single curse word or sexual innuendo, when do you think they will GET THE HINT?!?! That's what people want to see in the movies! Good, entertaining, FAMILY films! The Majestic could have been a great film, WITHOUT THE CURSING.
Louise

KRONK CARRIED THE GROOVE
Subject: The_Emperors_New_Groove
Date: Mon, 31 Dec 2001
From: Stefanie

Enjoyed this movie mainly because of Patrick Warburton's voice, his delivery for Kronk. Kronk should have his own movie!

TOOK YOUR PICTURE
Subject: dyan_cannon
Date: Sun, 30 Dec 2001
From: Michael

Hey Dyan, I just wanted to say how beautiful you look. I was at the Los Angeles Lakers game in the Second row right above you to the left of you and I just wanted to say how happy you look and you must be a fun spirited person. I just wanted to send you a pic that I scanned of you that night well take care.
Michael

CHANGE FOR CHURCHES?
Subject: Change_Is_Good_for_Churches-News31
Date: Sun, 30 Dec 2001
From: padre

Change is the only thing that never changes. We all change, but we all resist change. My baby daughter is getting married - I'm not sure I like that change. My hair is leaving me - I don't like that change. But I can't stop it. There is a better word for change when it comes to Churches - Transformation. It is not semantics. It is the root. Change says something is coming I cannot get a handle on, much less control. Transformation is seeing with new eyes. Encourage people to look beyond what they see to what they can create. Give people a vision that they can create side-by-side with God and they will embrace change. Tell them they HAVE to change and the Church will put up its walls fight until it kills itself. PEACE and JOY!
padre

Response: You are so right. Thanks. -David

JUST TWO QUESTIONS I WANT TO ASK
Subject: TV
Date: Sun, 30 Dec 2001
From: adele

I tried for a long time to see the Christain reviews on two of my favorite TV programmes, but failed. That is why I decided to ask you of your opinion on them. The two programms I revered to is Roswell High and Dark Angel. I'm a big fan of Science Fiction and I would like to know what your opnion is on these two programms.
Kind Regards
Adele Smith
(South Africa)

Response: If you have spiritual eyes, you will find good connections to your faith. If you have carnal eyes you will see something else. I have not really viewed these shows. Perhaps some day. -David

GOD'S RESPONSIBILITY AND GOD'S NON-JUDGEMENT
Subject: Newsletter 29 Revising John 3:16
Date: Sun, 30 Dec 2001
From: Chris S

David,
You disagreed with Steve Slesinger's "backdoor approach" which held God "responsible" for 9/11. If God is omnipotent, He had only two choices that day: prevent the attacks, or permit the attacks. The latter (the choice He took) did not prevent Him from reducing their damage/impact, and I believe He did a lot of that. Certainly, dragging the Pentagon plane along the ground that far dramatically reduced the damage it did. Yes, evil was responsible, but nothing happens that God doesn't allow, so yes, He is responsible. The buck stops at His throne. He's a pretty big God. (Cute. But, there is a third possibility: The cosmic struggle between good and evil is beyond human understanding. The ways of God are beyond us and rest in insolvable mystery. But what we do know is, God is love. And even though we walk through the very shadow of death itself, God goes with us. -David)

But the real difficulty I have had dealing with this tragedy has been in understanding which position to take about God's judgment. Is it possible that the God of the Old Testament is alive today? I've wrestled with my tendency to compare 9/11 with His repeated use of neighboring nations to discipline the Children of Israel. He kept trying to bring them back to Himself. Like a father who loves his child, God wasn't afraid to discipline His children, especially when love and restored relationship were His goals. (God uses all things, even evil. Evil never wins ultimately. The story of Joseph has a good lesson -Genesis 50:19-21: But Joseph told them, "Don't be afraid of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you? As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people. No, don't be afraid. Indeed, I myself will take care of you and your families." And he spoke very kindly to them, reassuring them. -David)

Why is it now considered sacred truth that God loves America better than all other countries, and would never let anything happen to us? Why can other countries be bombed and terrorized, but America is still great and free, when we know that, sadly, our freedoms are reduced every year? Our media _is_ disgusting and prurient; why does Hollywood's location in America automatically make it okay with God? (Are you saying God should destroy America because of Hollywood? What are you saying? Hollywood is like anything else. There are people there that are trying to make a difference (Roaring Lambs) and others that are in it for selfish reasons. -David)

I, too, dislike the constant attacks and naysaying from Donald Wildmon, Jerry Falwell, and all the Christian harpies, but a calm self-examination reveals that, as evil as Islam is, their criticisms of us are quite apt! We _do_ produce filth which tempts and derails minds around the world, drawing civilizations away from God and toward commercialism, materialism, and relativism. (Hmm, yes and no. We also have more mission agencies, more churches and better church attendance, etc. America is a mix, sweet and sour. -As a Democracy should be. In many Islamic countries the preaching of Jesus is forbidden. Not so in America. -David)

Please tell me where you find proof that: (1) God no longer judges, or (2) God judges others, but would never think of judging America. I'm not saying 9/11 was the judgment of God, but I want to know "why?" Not "Why did it happen?" because that's God's business and He doesn't have to tell us. But "Why is it Biblically impossible for this to have been God's judgment?" The answer has to be found in either (1) or (2), if it can be found at all. (In our culture we always ask "why." We are obsessed with the question "why." In other cultures they ask "who." --Who was hurt. --Who did this. --And who can help us. Again I do not know we can fully understand "why" -it is a mystery. But, we do who cares for us -God cares! Perhaps God will fill us in on the why question when we get to heaven. -David)

Your response to Dale indicates you have difficulty connecting the need for punishment of American sin with God's permitting of the WTC attacks. The connection is right there! (No it is not. You are wrong. You do not have God trapped within your logic. You do not have it all figured out. -David) God permitted the attacks (Did God? -David), if we may presume to know His motive, (dangerous ground here -David) because He wanted to wake America up and correct our misbehavior. (Nonsense. How can you know the mind of God? Perhaps you are placing your own frustrations on God. Perhaps you are creating God in your own image. -David) Dale wrote quite eloquently of the examples of Sodom and Gomorrah and ancient Israel. God does chasten those He loves--it's in Hebrews, (individuals -yes! The context of that passage does not speak to nations such as America. -David) the same book that says He's the same yesterday, today, and forever (The context of this passage is not about judgment as you are suggesting. The passage in context reads: Hebrews 13:5-8 "...For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never forsake you." That is why we can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?' Remember your leaders who first taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and trust the Lord as they do. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." -David) Even if you remove the direct punishment aspect (for it was not His hand which slapped America, but that of the evil one), He is God, and may stand back and allow the slap. He did it with Job, a righteous man. How much more reasonable for Him to allow a slap to a decadent nation of God-lovers such as ours? America is not such a teacher's pet that we can't be punished. Rather we may be so prized that He will hasten to the act of discipline!
Chris S

Response: You seem to have a moralistic and political agenda. Please avoid connecting it to God. Take a lesson from the disciples of Jesus when they wanted Judgment to fall on Samaria: --Luke 9:51-55 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But he turned and rebuked them.

Also in Luke 10:13-16 Jesus says God speaks to God-less nations through miracles (kind acts of God), and not through Judgments (which will come at the end of all things). Your arguments are based mostly on logic. I would recommend giving more place to wonder, and mystery. --1 Cor. 13:12-13: "We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us! [13] But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love." -David

SATANIC HYSTERIA
Subject: satanic hysteria Newsletter 30
Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001
From: Jennifer Alexander

I plead guilty to satanic hysteria. I feel so much better having read your opinions on Harry Potter, ect. For so long I have listened to dolts like John Hagee and thought that I HAD to agree because, after all, he was so much smarter than I. And the latest...Europe's conversion to a common currency leading to a one-world gov't. A sign of the end times? Of course. But what am I supposed to do, appear before Parliment with a Bible open to Revolations???

But I digress. My point is, I am tired of being afraid. As my mom (a non christian) recently pointed out to me, "If you have all this faith, what are you so worried about?!"

It was a good point. It is time for Christians to lighten up, enjoy the fact that we're leaving this place for something better, and see that our behavior, attitude, and lack of fear and anger is the strongest ministry tool there is.
Jennifer Alexander

Response: Wow! You are on the right track. Blessings on you. -David

CHURCH CHOICE
Subject: Heart Breakers
Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2001
From: "Greg

The Orthodox Church in the movie was nothing more than a set. The tidbit of a ceremony shown in the movie was not Orthodox -- there are no individual vows in an Orthodox wedding service. Also, the choir was singing "Ave Maria" in Latin, and this is very unlikely in an Orthodox Church. I'm sure they just picked the church because it appeared "grand." Another possibility -- it could be an Eastern Rite Catholic Church.
Greg

RESPONSE TO NEWSLETTER 31

QUESTION
Subject: Newsletter_31
Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001 14:47:06 -0600
From: Peter

How does your movie Lord of the rings draw people with no understanding of Gods love and salvation, When people are told the author is a christian?

Response: In itself it does not. But the themes are there for great one on one and group discussion. -David

LOVE ALL
Subject: Change_Is_Good_for_Churches-News31
Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001
From: TFTD

" We have nothing to fear, but fear itself " ( W. Churchill ) The challenge for Christians is not to agree or disagree but to love ALL, in spite of what we may all agree or disagree with . . . of course this is not very likely . . . ergo
Revelation shall come to pass,exactly as it is written!
LUV 2 ALL >

MYTH VS REALITY
Subject: JRR_Tolkien_ is_Right_On
Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001
From: TFTD

Why is the magical Harry Potter so popular? What does it mean that it's Presbyterian Christian author has become the first billionare-author in history?

All fantasies and myths are popular, it has been that way since the beginning of time, it is a way of experiencing something more than our everyday hum-drum existance, and is the building blocks of reality. As far as anyone becoming a billionaire . . . it has nothing to do with anything except creating a saleable product ( tons of successful info-mercials on the media). (It's more than marketing. The same markering groups have duds, too. -David)

Why is Lord of the Rings, a fairy tale, considered the finest book of the 20th century by literary scholars? What was the shift from just 20 years ago when no scholar would admit to enjoying it?

I'm not sure what literary scholars your talking about, the Bible is still considered the finest book of any century, and some even believe that Shakespeare had a hand in writing the King James version. (The King James and Shakespeare were not written in the 20th century. And the Bible is always the best seller. You are right. -David) Any book on dealing with witchcraft or the power of evil has been taboo by the church, there has been a progressive move toward liberalism in the world and even within the church. A perfect example would be the election of the Clintons as a representative as an icon of what we are! (Are you against LOTR and CS Lewis? And what about the election of Bush? Is liberal religion the same as liberal politics? I think you are mixing apples and oranges. -David)

Why did movie critics give the Lord of the Rings a whooping record high 96% thumbs up rating? And why did this fairy-story set the largest December weekend opening ever? **

Simply put it's a great movie, the quality of movies, thanks to the computer generated effects, is phenominal. The flying scene in Harry Potter was completely believable. All myth movies have also been popular, they are still showing Jason and the Argonaughts, The Illiad and The Oddesy, and there is also a renewed excitement and interest in myths regarding the Bible and religion in general . . There need not be any "Read Into" suggestions, it's simply entertaining! (There is more going on here than mere entertainment. LOTR hits an inner chord with people. -David)

Why has the highly mythical Star Wars captured the current generation as it has? **

Same reason

Why are Christians generally considered out of the loop? **

That's utter nonsense, Christians are as big a movie goer ( and sinners ) as anyone . . . maybe even more so! . . .Who is the one who considers them out of the loop anyway? (I did not have reference to movie going. I meant it in terms of the culture. I was at a debate at a university recently and the mention of Chiristianity brought laughs from the students. This is a post-Christian era. Only 2% or less attend church in Europe. And America's percent is beginning to slide. -David)

Welcome to the Post Modern (Post Christian) Era. **

There is no Post Modern (Post Christian) Era. !!! . . . There are those within the church that spread paranoia, and panic . . . what they doing is wrong! " My command to you is, Love one another as I have love you!" ( Jesus) . . . What's scary is they are no better than Osama bin Ladin and are fanatically mislead. There has been more abuse on mankind in the name of God than anything else . . . Christianity needs to get back to it's roots. (Are you saying that those of us who recognize that our culture is changing are "no better than Osama bin Ladin and are fanatically mislead"? Well, what can I say to you? I suggest you walk across a high school campus and listen to the current generation, Or, attend a discussion group at a university. Talk with local trashers -skate boarders. Or tune into MTV. Our culture has changed. BIG TIME. -David)

MYTH GOOD OR BAD?
Subject: Myth_Is_Good_Newsletter_31
Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2001
From: TFTD

Don't know why you have a "Good" and "Bad" newsletter . . .nothing is completely good or bad . . . face it, if there was nothing good about bad, nobody would participate in it! (So True -David)

Myth is the same as faith . . . and faith is the belief in something unproven. They both exist in a realm of those who choose to believe in what ever that is. Religion means to be tied to or bound by, and has little to do with faith or myth, it is a set of rules and traditions that a group of people decide to abide by, there are many religions and none are all bad or good . . .( That's why there are so many of them!) There is also no such thing as a Post Modern era . . that would be the end of time, and time is eternal. (There is a Post Modern time just like there was the Industrial Revolution, and the Enlightenment. Take a walk out side. Look around. Talk with those in their twenties and teens. -David)

There is a continuum of events and history that will continue until the end of time . . .what ever that may mean! Any of it, or all of it only relates to each other as a whole . . it is like a thread in the fabric of Life. The whole is equal to the sum of its parts, not the whole is equal to any one part. This dispells the theory that we are God, . . . God is the whole, we are only the parts. I was taught that God created everything from nothing, I no longer believe that . . .He created everything form Himself. Everything that reproduces in this world, does so by division ( not buy sexual intersourse ), one cell dives into two . . . those two divide into four . .those four divide into eight and so on . . . and so on. That is the way every living thing reproduces. What makes the difference between them is a thing we have now only begun to undersrand, and that is DNA. What DNA is, for all intensive purposes, is a script . . the real question is "Who wrote the script" each cell has from the beginning of time had the potential to become anything it wanted to, that is to say, it is silly for "Evolution", no creature has had to evolve into another, only adapt to its environment to survive. The intelligence that wrote that script is at a magnitude that probably is incomprehensible to almost everyone . . . unless you " Come to me, as a child" of course and have no preconceived notions or beliefs.

Unfortunately religion is repressive and controling, and sets us at odd against one another. The funny part is that all religions are rooted in Love . . but we do not profess it in Love . . there lies the problem. We do not seek to agree but disagree in finding the Truth, the Way and the Light. People do not go to the Bible to find the truth, but go to fing truth that agrees with trheir own personal truth . .and when they fing it, they slam the book closed and say "Aha!, I was right !" and go about their rest of their life in self-rightousness.

Religion, of course has the highest ideals, they feel that if they can control you and your life you will not sin and everything will be all right . . .Historically this has never been proven to be true. More harm has been done to mankind and the world in the name of religion . . and even worse Christianity has been given only one command from the Christ " My command to you is this, love one another as I have loved you!" and that would be " Uncompromising,Unconditional Love . .and if Yeshua / Jesus was truly the "Word of God, made man" then that is the command straight from God Himself . . . It doesn't get any simpler than that !
LUV 2 ALL >
( just another fish in the C . . .hrist)

I WEEP
Subject: Newsletter_31
Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2001
From: Chris

Hi there. I've only scanned your site, and already I have to write in to say "thank you." I guess that I'm a postmodern Christian - have been for years - but I have not really known what to call it, and I waver between what I believe, and the guilt of my evangelical past. It's a difficult and lonely life. I don't feel at home in the church I grew up in, and there is a real tension between me and my family.

Anyway, sorry to dump a sad story on you uninvited, but I just about wept when I saw your site, and recognized a like mind. Are there more of you out there? Where do I find other postmodern Christians? Keep up the good work, dude .
Chris
P.S. - your newsletter re: Tolkien and the LOR rocks

Response: Yes I think there are many believers just like the two of us out there. Someone suggested we start a Forum. What do you think? Should we? -David

CNANGE FOR THE SAKE OF THE KIDS
Subject: Change Is Good for the Church Newsletter_31
Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2001
From: Laura

I have to agree. I am the youth group Sunday school teacher for a small Anglican church in central British Columbia. I struggle to make church and the bible relevant (and comforting) to my youth. I did find a resource that uses clips of modern movies to teach. But I agree, we have to make church, ( or some form of associating with other god-believers), and learning about faith, an integral part of our kids' lives.

Response: Thank you for your love and concern for teaching children about Jesus. -David

DOING GOOD IN A CRUEL WORLD
Subject: The_Pledge
Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001
From: Jakob

Hi, today I went to the cinema in Copenhagen to watch this movie. Having read the comments here I was expecting a more frightening movie than the one I saw on the screen. I saw Nicholsons character not as an obsessed person but as a very nice person with a big heart.

I was more horrified by the thought of the pledge that he gave and the way he was pressured into it. I think he gave it out of his good heart, but was later haunted by it. In this way I think the movie shows how hard it can be to do good things in a cruel world. If you help some people, maybe somebody else will get hurt or you will put your (in this case newfound) relations at stake.

Well I just think that the pledge he is making is a bit too much. It's as if he has to bear the anger of the mother by making this pledge.

Response: Good points. -David

HARRY POTTER COMMENTS

HARRY POTTER COMMENT
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter_Is_Dangerous
Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001
From: Spota

Dear David:
I just stumbled upon your website today searching for reviews of the Harry Potter movie. I believe that we should be tolerant of the differences of opinion among brothers in Christ -- however, I was surprised at the "tone" and sarcasm of your answers. If you like the film -- that's o.k. -- but you seem to take it a step further, and really feel it necessary to DEFEND it. Something about your manner of response deeply bothers me. I wonder if we are reading the same Bible, because from your comments, it is difficult to see the fruits of the spirit in you.

I looked at your website because it had "Jesus" in the title and so I thought it would be from a Christian perspective. Surprisingly, you seem combative against Christians, and often "slam" them.

Response: Actual I thought the movie was weak and I do not defend it as great film making. It is reaction against it that I find curious. More specifically, it is the witch hunting by certain Christians that I dislike. Your comments are couched well, but your remark "I wonder if we are reading the same Bible" is as much a "slam" as anything I might say. Welcome to the club. -David

MOM SAYS DANGEROUS
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter_Is_Dangerous
Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001
From: Spota

I agree with your opinion that SOME Christians look for devils behind every bush -- however, I do have some reservations about introducing concepts of witchcraft to young children. As a teenager, I was very interested in the supernatural... God, as well as the occult. I read lots of astrology books, had my tarot cards read, and was interested in communicating with the dead. I think you will agree that all of these things are forbidden by God. What began as an innocent curiosity became an obsession with me -- I began to believe what my cardreader told me, and every time I had a problem or question, I couldn't wait to consult her.

As an adult, I became a born-again Christian. Based upon my background, I am alarmed to hear parents telling their kids that witchcraft and satanism is "just fantasy" or "just pretend". If you do not believe that Satan is alive and real -- you are mistaken. I don't believe he is just focused on bad people, or evil people -- he has already won them. I believe that Satan's last frontier is the Church -- and the minds of our children. That is who Satan came to kill, steal and destroy -- the children of God.

I do not want to return to the days of witchhunts; however, I believe that we, as Christian parents, must be careful to analyze the books and movies we are allowing our children to consume. There is a Black Dog and a White Dog in all of us. Whichever one you feed grows.

Response: Thank you for being a concerned mom. Harry Potter, to me, is fantasy and in no way underscores anything I know of Witch Craft in the real world. Apples and Oranges. -David

GOD JUDGING AMERICA?
Subject: Newsletter 29
Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001
From: "Tina Rae Beckstedt"

I believe the confusion about the Sept. 11 attacks on the WTC stems not from hatred, but from a lack of understanding and miscommunication. I think what the "Fundamentalist Christians" (as you call them) are trying to expose is a contradiction that many Americans have called "tolerance" Are we followers of Christ, or not?

You quoted John 3:16; here are also the verses that follow:
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved" (emphasis mine)

This passage states that there would be those who would hold their own lifestyles in higher regard than the Son of God Himself. Good and evil are known by their deeds, are they not? (Matthew 7:17-19, Matthew 12:33). The deeds of good and evil are clearly differentiated throughout the Bible, the difference of sin and holiness. Hatred, abortion, selfishness, murder, arrogance, homosexuality, indifference, greed; ALL are sins and equally unacceptable to God, (clearly outlined in the Bible). The truth is, God tolerates no sin, but rejects no person. A person can commit a sin and still be acceptable to God (read the story of David), but the sin is NEVER acceptable. But when a person refuses to acknowledge a sinful deed as sin, that person is aligning him/herself with darkness rather than light, becoming their own "moral agent" rather than agreeing with God's morality. And, like a child who refuses to walk behind his father but chooses instead to walk beside him, abandons the protection his father would provide in the event of a frontal attack.

God did not send those terrorists to attack our country, but our actions as a country have kept us from walking in the fullness of His protection. There are countless stories of those whose lives were spared due to His intervention, proving His mercy and goodness. But as a whole, our country has chosen to align itself with sin, therefore becoming subject to the law of sin and death (see Romans chapters, 6, 7 and 8). God did not bring judgment to our country, we opened ourselves up to that atrocity through our own disobedience, because we rejected His Law; we chose darkness rather than light, and became subject to the forces of darkness rather than light. We cannot accommodate sinful deeds without accepting the consequences of that sin. God has outlined sin and requires that we abandon it, when we choose not to, we abandon Him, not the other way around (see .Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:5, 1 Kings 8:57, 1 Chronicles 28:20, Nehemiah 9:31, Hebrews 13:5 )

I think perhaps the "Fundamentalists" were very clumsily trying to call our country to abandon the sin. Jesus never tolerated sin, He tolerated the sinner and through His love enabled the sinner to abandon the sin. Sin should be abandoned for the love of God; the love of God should not be an excuse to sin. "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5:3 "And this is His commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment. And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him" 1 John 3:23, 24.

Psalm 91 (among others) promises protection to those who abide in Him. How can He protect those who refuse His protection?

In other words, do we as a nation want darkness or light, protection or vulnerability, blessings or curses? (Deuteronomy chapter 28) "Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." Exodus 19:5, 6 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light" 1 Peter 2:9

Let's quit kidding ourselves....sin and holiness can never dwell in the same place. Are we followers of Jesus "who knew no sin", or followers of our own convenience? Obedience is a prerequisite for good consequences, disobedience brings calamity. A child can understand that, why can't we? Should America be known for its "tolerance" or as a holy nation? God knows the difference, and so do we, when will we admit it, take up our cross and follow Him openly?

Response: You have ancient Israel, a theocracy, and America, a democracy, all mixed together. America was designed to be a nation of religious freedom. And so it is. Ancient Israel was very different. God's protection is as much over America as it is over ancient Samaria, which, like many in America, rejected Jesus.

Luke 9:51-56 As the time drew near for his return to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. But they were turned away. The people of the village refused to have anything to do with Jesus because he had resolved to go to Jerusalem. When James and John heard about it, they said to Jesus, "Lord, should we order down fire from heaven to burn them up?" But Jesus turned and rebuked them. So they went on to another village.

Jesus protected Samaria and Jesus protects America. It is terrorist -like Adolph Hitler and Osama- that do not merit God's protection. This is a no brainer. -David

JUST SAY NO
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter
Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2001
From: Wendy Pirtle

Harry Potter is about witchcraft. The first verse I could find on God's view of the subject was Exodus 22:18, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." While we do not put witches to death in our present culture, that does not mean Christians should be ambivalent toward witchcraft. Verse 19 states, "Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death." (What does bestiality have to do with Harry Potter? And how does the fantasy "witchcraft" in Harry Potter connect with the pagan witchcraft mentioned in Exodus 22:18? The same Exodus chapter also says that we are to stone a non-virgin bride to death (verses 20-21). Further it commands a rape victim to marry to marry the rapist! (verse 28). The chapter is extremely problematic. It is especially difficult to make a direct connection such anceint Israelite laws and modern day fantasy/fairy tales. Would you advocate killing non-virgins? Would you advocate victims marrying their rapists? Of course not. I am sorry to be so blunt. But I get tired of scripture being used out of context. The verses you carefully selected and use against fairy tales and fantasy, come from a text that has a very different context and self apparent application, indeed. Apples and oranges. -David)

Deuteronomy 18 has a whole list under the heading of "Abomination to God": making children pass through fire, divination, soothsaying, observing omens, enchanter, witch, sorcerer, charmer, medium, wizard, necromancer; also man lying with man as with a woman. Seems quite clear to me. (Perhaps to you. But I say nothing of your biblical list in Harry Potter. I know Christians have a long history of taking things of paganism and turning them to the use for God's glory. But I believe Harry Potter is trying to use Christian values to make it's not-so-subtle wickedness more palatable to us. I choose not to allow it in my life or my children's lives. Just as I explained that we don't support Pokemon because it is wrong to make your pets fight. (I appreciate your motherly concerns. Bravo! Please do watch being overly protective. -David)

There are so many wonderful things in literature and film that are truly worthy that I see absolutely no reason to be entertained by questionable material. (Is Lord of the Rings and CS Lewis okay? What about the fantasy wizards in those books? Do you forbide Star Wars? Are the Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Cinderella, and Mary Poppins unfit for your children? Etc. Etc. Etc. -David)
Wendy Pirtle

I LOVE JAY HERNADEZ
Subject: Crazy_Beautiful
Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2001
From: Amber and Kristian

you should have more pictures of jay hernandez because he is soooo sexy!!
thanks. bye love
Amber and Kristian

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