Vigilance Required!

We have a dear-to-us family who has a teen-aged son who is showing signs of rebellion to the faith of his parents and to his parent's themselves. We've become aware of this rebellion and have had to discuss it with our sons, as this young man has been their buddy for many years and we've done much together as extended family. They communicate on a regular basis and we make effort to get our families together several times a year for fellowship and fun. We love this young man, and are worried about him. We believe we are called to be our brother's keeper, so we phoned his parents this past weekend and voiced our concerns. It was a difficult thing to do. They've had much change in the past year, and they're still reeling and trying to get their feet beneath them. We treasure their friendship and knew they needed to know about the spiritual battle they face.


I want to introduce you to some resources we've watched with our boys. They will be helpful in researching the power of music and the spirit behind certain types/sounds of music. Music is very powerful. It can more easily move one to tears than any other medium. It can inspire courage better than any other medium. It can be a tool for edification or a tool for self-exaltation or a tool for swift destruction.


Here are the resources we have watched in order to establish a standard for our home. Let me share with you we are not against contemporary music or electric guitars and drums. One of my favorite artists is Jennifer Knapp and we all appreciate Third Day and Casting Crowns and Mercy Me. We do however, have a standard of right doctrine in the lyrics and complimentary music to the message. Some groups can have sound lyrics but a disorderly, chaotic, or distorted delivery. That creates confusion - and God is not the author of confusion. The flip side is also true: the music can sound benign and the lyrics be doctrinally wrong and rebellious. We must be thinking people - we Christians. So much is riding on it!


The boys and I watched the first series a couple years ago. They still remember much of it. High impact. Very thorough information.



They Sold Their Soul for Rock and Roll - by CrossTV/WordPictures

THEY SOLD THEIR SOULS FOR ROCK N' ROLL (4 Parts ) WP0015

Qty: Price: $42.95

Qty: Price: $54.95

We know what some of you are already thinking. "Selling their souls? Come ON now." But this gripping documentary shows some of rock and roll's most celebrated artists - including Lennon, Morrison and Jagger - speaking about their ties to the occult, IN THEIR OWN WORDS. The content of this 4-hour series, chronicling the modern music industry's ties to the occult over the past 75 years, has made it one of our most widely requested programs. Written in part (and narrated) by pastor, researcher, and former hard rock musician Joe Shimmel, it is an alarming spiritual awakening for ANYONE who wants to know how violence, sexual immorality and blasphemy have been able to completely infiltrate the powerful, billion-dollar music business... AND the hearts and minds of those who listen to it! Presented by: Grant Goodeve

Sounds of War: Rock, Rap, and the Spiritual World (DVD)


http://www.amazon.com/Sounds-of-War/dp/B000ALLHLU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1201972469&sr=1-1


I ordered this above DVD this week and just yesterday the older boys and I watched it in the afternoon. It is an hour presentation that gives a preview of what the They Sold Their Soul for Rock and Roll covers.


We've also ordered Hells Bells II - it has yet to come in. We've watched many programs produced by The Apologetics Group and The Nicene Council. They produce solid, quality material to confront confused and captive minds by the washing of the Word.


Just this week, the boys and I were studying Ephesians 5:11-17 which addresses how the children of Light are supposed to live. Granted, not everyone who says, "Lord, Lord" or who identifies themselves as Christian are really Christian - we are known by what we do; even children are known by what they do - Jesus tells us we will know a good tree by it's fruit, so that's what we must go on. Ephesians 5:11-17 says, "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather EXPOSE THEM. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: 'Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.' Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."


If you see warning signs in the lives of any one of us - our sons included, please, please, please let us know. What will it profit a man to have everything yet lose his child's soul? Satan is so tricky and crafty and wants to think we are reconciled to God when we really aren't. I lived that lie for decades! Thinking I was a 'Christian' because I had prayed the sinner's prayer (sincerely - who wants to go to hell?) and knew some bible doctrine. I didn't know that the sinner's prayer is nowhere to be found in Scripture and even the demons KNOW doctrine - and tremble. We never want to give our children a false assurance of salvation. If they don't show fruit of increasing Christ-likeness, if they don't show ongoing victory over sin and maturity and wisdom, if they don't show fruit of repentance and fruit of the spirit, they are to examine themselves and see if they've been deceived. I'd rather them fear the Lord - which is the beginning of wisdom, then think of Him as the lover of them and their friend no matter how they disrespect Him and take His name in vain. The Truth will set us free and blessed is the man who beats his chest and cries out to the Lord to have mercy on his soul - a sinner like me!


"God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day." (Psalm 7:11) Truth is, God is angry with the wicked. They are not at peace with Him. Yes, God is love, but His attribute of love is not greater than His attribute of justice, righteousness, and holiness. He is lacking in nothing. Each attribute 100% completeness. "But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil." (Romans 2:5-9a)


"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (John 3:19-21)


The secret life and interests of a child exposes who they are. We parents must be vigilant in our watch for their minds, their hearts, and their souls.