Family Connection Spring 1998

Family Connection

Spring 1998

We will listen! 1-800-351-1001

Table of Contents

My Favorite Medium
The Power Connection
Family FUN Fest ’98
Who is Teaching Our Children?
Internet Pornography: Most Private, Most Lethal
Family-Friendly Media

Bottom

My Favorite Medium

by Elaine Bickel

Times have changed since I was a kid, but then so have I. A medium used to be the kind of egg my mother made me for breakfast. Now medium is the size sweatshirt I dream of wearing once again. Whenever I turn on the TV (which is seldom), some medium is always trying to tell me to get in touch with her so she can tell me about my past (as if I couldn't remember it all too well myself) and about my future (she must not know that today is plenty for me to handle).

Wherever I look through these trifocals of mine, I see a blitz of media calling for my attention—mass media, multi-media, media for the masses. But some things have not changed since I was a kid, and they never will. One of the changeless things is this: what we listen to is almost always determined by whom we listen to. That's why I spent my teen years listening to Big 600, WTAC, even though I didn't always like the songs. Everyone I hung around with listened to Big 600, and I knew if I wanted to be “big” in their sight, I’d have to listen to it, too.

My children listen to country music (where did I go wrong?). When I ride in the car with them, I sometimes listen to country music as a way for showing respect for their choice. Personally, I prefer hymns and classical music. Okay, so I turned 50 last year.

One of the things I always think about when I remember that what I listen to is determined by whom I listen to is the simple truth that Jesus always listens to me. I read that in the Bible once; in fact, I read it in the Bible twice. It is found in Psalm 34:15: The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry. I guess that's why my favorite medium is prayer. It is how I get in touch with the Spirit world, and it doesn't cost me $4.00 per minute.

Prayer is free, but priceless. It costs me nothing, but talking to Him reminds me that I cost Jesus His life. He knows my past, but He doesn't tell me about it. He forgives it. He knows my future, but He loves me so much He doesn't overwhelm me with it. He promises to walk with me through it.

Talking to Jesus isn't a one-way medium like TV and videos. It has been interactive since Adam prayed God would not find him hidden behind that fig leaf in the garden. And while Jesus listens to everyone, only those who know Him and follow Him really listen to Him. He tells us that in John 10:27: My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.

It has always been important for me to take time to get away from all the other media and just be quiet and listen to God. I got that idea from Him, too, in Psalm 46:10 and Psalm 37:7.

One day when I did this I went off by myself to a place where there was water, since I knew Jesus did that when He was on earth. First I just walked around and looked at the world He created for me. I was astounded by His creative works and His love. Then I thought of all the times I ignore Him and His will. I listen to me. I listen to others. I turn away when He wants to speak to me through His Word or through His servants.

When I was alone with God, I had a chance to listen to His heart and empty mine. I knelt in the sand and began writing my sins in the coarse powder (it's a good thing it was a big beach). When the waves came up and washed them away, I heard His forgiveness, His peace.

I roamed a bit longer and saw some early-morning fishermen casting their lines far out into the water. I heard Him speak to me through this “picture.” He helped me understand how I was like those fishermen. Every morning I would cast my cares on Him, remembering that He cared for me. But over the course of the day, the winds, the ripples, the storms seemed to return the cares back to me. I couldn't figure out why; after all, I had cast them on the Lord. But, of course, I held onto the pole.

He reminded me that instead I should be like some children I saw later in the day. They were casting skipping stones in the water, throwing them out and completely letting go.

So I found some little stones and even a couple big rocks. I wrote my problems on them with a marker (I don't think it was even waterproof), and then I threw them into the water. I have not seen them or missed them since.

I've always thought it unique that the word “heart” has the word “ear” right in the middle of it. If someone wants to know what is in my heart, he has to use his ears and listen closely. No one does that better than Jesus. He made my heart. He hears every beat. When I tune my ear away from all other media and listen to Him, I can hear His heart, and mine is cleansed, mine is changed.

What I listen to is determined by Whom I listen to and Who listens to me.

Elaine Bickel is the thankful wife of a terrific husband, Jim; the mother of two blessings, Carol (22) and Bill (19); and the child of one awesome God.

The Power Connection

by Richard W. Bimler

The Lord's presence and power in our daily lives keep us focused on what really is important—to celebrate life as we share, serve, forgive and build each other up in the faith. Often times TV shows, news reports and movies can distract us from this focus on the Lord. That is why we need to continue to be at the cross and the empty tomb to know that Christ's presence and power are always with us.

Just imagine—the Lord really does care and is caring for us right now! Regardless of how we look, how we feel or even how we act, God's presence and power assure us we are loved by Him. Talk about power! Wow!

A bumper sticker I saw recently said, “Christ is coming soon—look busy!” While that is probably worth a chuckle or two, isn't it great that we don't need to live our lives afraid of God's presence and power? Instead, we live each day knowing that the Lord has come to us in our baptism, comes to us each day in His Spirit, and will come again. We can be ready for Him, because Christ has made us ready. Nothing we did, do or will do brings God's presence and power. That's the beauty of a faith life. In a real sense, His presence is a present to us each day.

Remember the story of the little girl who was always told by her parents to wash her hands because there were germs on them? One day after a Sunday school class, her teacher said, “Rachel, it's time to wash your hands.” Rachel looked up, bewildered and bothered, and exclaimed, “Jesus and germs, Jesus and germs—they are always with me, but I can't see either of them!”

We still can't see germs, but we can see and sense the power and presence of the Lord—through His Word and at His table, through Christian communities, through relationships with those we love. We see Jesus through others. And sometimes others see Jesus through us. Perhaps there should be a hymn to go along with “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” entitled “What a Jesus We Have in Friends.”

Watch, look and listen for the presence and power of our Lord around you—right now, this day. Help others to see and hear Him alive in their lives as well. And rejoice in the power of His presence and the presence of His power. How better can we say it than with Saint Paul in Romans 15:13, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Dr. Richard W. Bimler has served as president of Wheat Ridge Ministries since 1991. Wheat Ridge seeds new ministries of health and hope in the name of the healing Christ.

Family FUN Fest ’98

“Unless the Lord Builds the House”

July 31 - August 2, 1998 - Kalispell, Montana

Celebrate God's gift of family … explore Glacier National Park …

Attend informative workshops on marriage, conflict resolution,

coping with crisis, midlife miracles, prayer, “teen talk,” and more.

Registration information available by writing or calling:

Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California, Kalispell, MT 59901; 1-406-257-LOVE (5683)

Who is Teaching Our Children?

by David Walsh

Mary, eight months pregnant, was exhausted after a long day. With dinner on the stove, she sat down to watch the evening news on TV. Her 18-month-old son, Tommy, was playing at her feet. Several minutes into the news there was a switch to a commercial break. A barrage of violent images flashed across the screen, promoting the latest action movie opening the next day “at theaters everywhere.”

It all happened so quickly. As the commercial ended, Tommy stood up, turned and punched his stunned mother in her pregnant stomach.

This true story is a perfect illustration of how children learn; they learn by watching others. They also acquire values in the same manner. By observation, imitation, and trial and error interactions, they gradually learn what is important in life and what is unimportant, what is valued and what isn't.

As we reflect on this, it becomes clear what a natural teacher television is. Nicholas Johnson, former chief of the Federal Communications Commission, said, “All television is educational. The question is, what is it teaching?” While television and other media can directly influence behavior, as they did with Tommy, their real power is in shaping attitudes and values.

Most parents care deeply about the welfare of their children. The definition of “caring,” however, has to change as we move deeper and deeper into the Information Age. Caring parents in a media-saturated culture have to make media choices as carefully as they would choose a daycare provider or a baby-sitter. May I suggest the following as a starting point?

Avoid using television as a baby-sitter.

Know what your kids are watching and watch with them whenever possible.

Practice “appointment” television. Decide in advance what's good and watch it as a family. Then talk about it.

Put the family on a TV diet, and schedule some fun alternative activities.

* From the National Institute on Media and the Family's “12 Tips to Tame the Tube.”

David Walsh, Ph.D., is president of the National Institute on Media and the Family in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For more information on helpful resources for making wise media choices, contact the Institute at 1-888-672-5437.

Internet Pornography: Most Private, Most Lethal

by Ralph Earle & Dorothy Barnes

Turning on her computer, Jan settled into her writer's mode. Surrounded by books, papers and thesaurus, she moved the mouse toward her word processing icon. But she noticed a new icon staring at her from the computer screen. Curious, she double-clicked to see what was there.

Before she had a chance to remove her two-year-old from the visual display, a torrent of pornographic video images and sounds blasted into the room. Someone in her household, who had access to her system, had downloaded pornography and had forgotten to delete it.

Jan’s story happens daily in every type of family, including Christian ones. It is tragic when young children and teens begin their sex education through such an alluring and destructive source as computer pornography. Pornography on the Internet is the most recent—and most private—source of sexually explicit material to people of all ages.

The entire spectrum of pornographic material is available on computer networks. Anyone with an Internet account or access to the Internet can view it simply by browsing through a number of sites on the world wide web. Pornography is also exchanged daily via Internet e-mail.

Safeguards to Protect You and Your Family

Never allow anyone in your family to give identifying information such as his or her name, address, phone number, age or other personal information.

When in a chat room, leave immediately if anyone suggests anything that seems questionable or makes you feel uncomfortable.

As an adult, search your computer's hard drive for files that may contain downloaded images.

Check into blocking software; but, remember, there is no foolproof answer to the Internet dilemma.

Use parental controls that allow parents to designate different levels of computer access for each child.

If you or someone you know is having a problem with pornography, has asked for God's help with this problem yet continues to participate in sexually inappropriate behaviors, please seek help through a qualified professional therapist or clergy member.

Dr. Ralph Earle is president of Psychological Counseling Services in Scottsdale, Arizona. He and Dorothy Barnes are co-authors of Healing Conversations: Therapy and Spiritual Growth, to be released this summer by InterVarsity Press.

Family-Friendly Media

A YOUNG CHILD'S GARDEN OF CHRISTIAN VIRTUES

Susan Lawrence (CPH)

Children learn best when they're actively participating in the learning process. This book offers 100 hands-on devotions that plant the seed of Scripture and godly behavior in children ages 1 to 3.

ADVENTURES IN ODYSSEY *

(Focus on the Family)

Episodes from Focus on the Family's radio drama series are available on audio cassette. School-aged children will get to know Mr. “Whit” Whittaker, Chris, Eugene and all their friends in the town of Odyssey as they learn to apply Biblical principals to real-life situations. The stories captivate children and engage the imagination since the “pictures” aren't on the small screen but in their heads.

VEGGIE TALES *

(Big Idea Productions/Word)

Join Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber for Bible stories come to life with vegetables as the characters. This popular series of animated videos uses clever modern-day parables and “silly songs” to teach Biblical values. Each video concludes with a Scripture verse that emphasizes the lesson.

CELEBRATE HOME

Angie Peters (CPH)

For women working 9-to-5 jobs, becoming a stay-at-home mom is a whole new career that requires planning and realistic expectations. These moms will find Bible-based, concrete advice and practical suggestions for enjoying their new position where the rewards are both immediate and eternal.

* Editor's Choice

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