Supernatural and Fantasy

[mmitch47]

Like Dean implies, this topic is a hot potato. For me, too!



We just might have to look into ourselves and decide what we really believe (accept as truth, adhere to, hang onto, act upon).



Is there really evil in our world, especially supernatural powers? Do I really believe Satan is real? Yes to both of them! Do we as brothers and sisters stand when we should for the truth? Sometimes, more and more often, I hope. Do we lay down laws for our children and friends and parishioners without educating them in the truth that our God is powerful and has gifts for us to use in establishing his kingdom on the earth? Only sometimes so, sad to say. It Is never too late to change, though, to learn and teach these important lessons.



My own background was in the supernatural arts. When Christ became Lord of my life in 1976, my eyes were opened to the difference between the deceptive gifts and the gifts given us by God. I had to rethink everything I had learned while "living on the dark side". The biggest piece that had to be removed was self-centeredness. The deceptive arts were all created for selfish ends; love spells and potions, spells for bringing people to me, mind control, revenge, violence.



We know from research that this generation is spiritually alive. Unfortunately, pastors and teachers and parents in the body do not teach them from a young age that our Papa God created us to establish His kingdom on this earth. In commanding us and expecting us to establish it, He has given us all--children included--access to the tool box filled with the gifts of healing, the gifts of wisdom and of knowledge, the gift of prophecy, and the gift of discernment, to list a few. Those gifts are not just for the pastor or for the bishops but for all of us. In fact they are not given to us for ourselves, but for those that would receive their ministry from God through us. When we get prideful and possessive about the gifts God is using in us they come very close to crossing the line. In teaching teens I have a particular point of view--when what you read, study, participate in becomes a lifestyle rather than a "fashion statement", becoming instead your persona, or an outright rebellion, then we have a problem and need to look at each thing and what the Word says to the issue.



When I arrived at my first parish assignment, the youth had already begun to talk about Halloween! It was only July!! I asked the youth leader if I could teach for 4 weeks on holiday celebrations and the scriptures. Before it was over they were doing the research and Halloween changed from having a coffin in the sanctuary to a whole weekend of giving thanks and service to our community. Christmas became very Christ-centered with a birthday bash for Jesus. Easter became a time that included carrying a cross up the mountain for sunrise service, holding an all night praise and worship service and prayer service.



Did I get them to stop reading Harry Potter? No, but because I was willing to read it with them and use the movies it opened doors where we could talk about the theology found there and what Godly things we found (and there are many, actually). Do I or did I promote looking to the dark to find the light? Absolutely not. Why go to the fake when the real is so much more powerful.