Truth and Harry Potter...

This is my response to an email sent to me about Harry Potter...


Brothers,

3 ironies: first, that, in light of the email that preceded this one, I wasn't asked to be on this mailing list. But here I am, none the less, and therefore I thank you in advance for your time and patience as I offer a few words in this general direction... Second, I happen to have just taken a class at Northland with Omar as the teacher, and so I can say I know him now, and have seen first hand a little of his line of thought, general wisdom, and his love and knowledge of the Lord. And third, just today in Home Church, we briefly hit on what I want to say now concerning God's Truth. Interesting timing. :)

And here's the jewel! I totally agree with everything BOTH of you are saying. Wow. Is it possible??

Ok. I personally think that HP goes to a place no Christian should be ok with. All of the stuff in the email below- Come on, I am the Queen of quoting those verses! I'll add some references here though for you to visit on your own: Gal. 5: 16-26, Gal. 6:7-8, Eph. 4:17-32, and Eph. 5:3-14. I'll quote from this last reference: "Obscene stories, foolish talk and coarse jokes- these are not for you!... Don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the terrible anger of God comes upon all those who disobey Him... Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them..." I guess a good thing to remember though, is that we ALL disobey God every day. Who cares if we’re good about not letting some bad stuff in, there’ll be some other vice for each of us. We are all just totally in need of the Holy Spirit to guide and convict us daily.

Ok... All that said, I totally still see what Omar is trying to say, and don't want that to be lost on people either. I don't know if this totally follows his train of thought, but here's another 2 cents: Truth is truth, no matter where it's found. Truth IS absolute, not changeable. So if there is good to be found in something worldly, I don't think we should be afraid to acknowledge it! God is a God of complete truth, and He is the author of all truth. And we can embrace truth without embracing the world or the worldly thing it was wrapped up in. Make sense? Example: Mormons have really great family values. That's like something they're known for. Now their religion is totally nuts, and they think we're all going to have millions of alien babies when we go to Heaven. But GOD mandates care for our families- honoring father and mother, taking care of widows, orphans and our family members in need, etc. THAT is true. Muslims are very committed to modesty. Their religion is totally false, and they don't worship the One True God, but again- there is TRUTH present in that practice of theirs, and that is God's truth. I'm not at all saying accept the religion, I'm only saying it's OK to acknowledge the truth because ultimately it's all God's anyway! God's truth isn't hindered by the world, sin, our backs turned to Him, etc. God's truth is everywhere! So, if Harry Potter fights against evil, demonstrates sacrificial love and redemption, those are all true things. I'm not saying read the books AT ALL. I'm just saying "ok, it's nice to know about the truth that all the pagans reading them will find".

Now, swinging from the same vine, I do not believe truth should be wrapped in lies. To me, that drains the potency of the original truth to be found in the untrue source. (a childish example of this is "the boy who cried wolf", where he might have been telling the truth, but it was disguised in the lies he'd told so often before) Therefore, overall, I can't say I think it's good to read these books in question. Have I read the books? No, just part of the first one a really long time ago. Did I think it was horribly wicked? Hard to say. Bottom line: I don't think we, as Children of the Light, should take part in things that glorify real evil. So that includes fun little kid stories about witches and spells, etc. Will any future child of mine read stuff like this? Not a chance. Any "good message" or "great literature" that can be found in them is lost to me among the other stuff.

Thank you so much for your opinions! Have a wonderful week.

Emily Parbhoo
http://losttakenback.blogspot.com
"What can we bring the LORD? What kind of offering should we give Him?... O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: do what is right, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God." -- Micah 6:6-8

-----Original Message-----
From: Ralph

Omar,

I understand that you're trying to peacefully spread your opinions to
others, but you have no idea what you're opening up. I disagree with you.
Based on your logic, anything goes! I mean heck, if you can extract "good"
from any Hollywood movie, then they're all okay to see! Right? Wrong Omar.
Your message stated nothing about "fleeing from evil", "avoiding perverse
talk", "avoiding sorcery and mediums of witchcraft", standing against what
God calls an "abomination", and just general common sense. Not to mention
the Potter movies are packed full of languages and tongues that we know
nothing about! Did you bother studying what reference books the author uses
for all of those magic words and spells? I'm willing to bet you didn't.

This is how Satan works Omar, he mixes in lies with the truth. Harry Potter
tries to teach kids that there are other kinds of "good" apart from
Christ/God. Overall, the characters conquer evil through FICTIONAL practice.
Not truth. Not through Christ.

Omar, I'm not trying to slam you here, but before you send out messages, you
should consider studying up a little further and inviting the Spirit in more
in your so called "gray areas". Otherwise your messages are just haphazard.

In love and rebuke,
Ralph




-----Original Message-----
From: Omar Gonzalez
Sent: Sunday, October 28, 2007 1:22 PM
Subject: Re: Fwd: RE: "Bella" is opening in Theatres this weekend.

I likewise would encourage all to attend Bella, but
would remind you not to be so quick to dismiss Potter.
This certainly is a grey area where Christians have
room to disagree, and for those Potter fans who don't
feel the need to avoid the next series, don't feel
like you have to, you do not. There isn't any mandate
in scripture that would prohibit viewing. The series
borrows great literary and mythical elements from many
classics in western literature, including Greek and
Roman mythology. The message is ultimately positive
with even a redemptive message in the self-sacrifice
of Potter, the victory of love and good over evil, the
master of death. The series has many biblical
reference in it as well. These are the themes that
make for great literature, including the danger of
prejudice and intolerance towards those that are
differen than us (mug-bloods). Like Star Wars,
Indiana Jones series, and Matrix, Potter is
syncrenistic (mixes different ideology) but this
should not discourage viewing. It certainly doesn't
fall into the same category as a Narnia or Lord of the
Rings, but scripture doesn't prohibit the reading of
fantasy literature. Now, if anyone is seriously
thinking about joining a coven and becoming a Wiccan,
than we have to talk.

Keep the faith! and always remember to respectfully
disagree in love!

Omar

Summer Movie

Ok, making these little "movies" has become a soft addiction for me... Good thing this one's done, and I'm not going back for a while! If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please let me know via email.

(Some) News and Prayer Requests (Update #2)

Ok, here's the thing about PNG: 1 day here can feel like multiple days. So to me, instead of being here for just 2 1/2 weeks, it feels like I've been here for about 3 months. I swear- for like 2 days now, I've been just antsy- wanting to write you, but 3 things: first- I don't like feeling like I'm "writing home from camp", second- I don't want to bug you with too many notes, and third- when I did finally check the calendar just now, I realized that it's only been a WEEK since I last wrote!! I thought for sure it'd been like 2 weeks! Too bad- I'm writing anyway!!!

And now the funny thing- there's not a whole lot to report!!! I just am really missing people today...

This week started with the totally amazing tribal visit I'd mentioned last letter, and went on to include a "staged mumu", a trip to Goroka, and a hike to the River (my favorite hike here). Good stuff!! We said goodbye to some of the girls helping with Hospitality on Thursday, and then the GI guys (film crew) left this weekend. So it's been quieting down here a bit.

Friday before GI took off, we got to see a very rough cut of what the film "might" be like, and it was amazing. I can't wait to show it to you guys back home. I got to do a lot of new and fun things on this trip because I was part of the "film crew", and I am sooooo thankful for that!! Also, God used these guys to tangibly demonstrate some very God-pleasing characteristics- wisdom, patience, compassion, servanthood, total reliance on the Lord- and I'm really grateful for that as well. ( P.S.- remind me to tell you a really cool story about the family of the camera guy!)

The students are all enjoying their taste of tribal life. This is a very young group- about half of them are 16-19. I've NEVER interacted with this age group before now, and I will say- it's a breath of fresh air. All of them are so obviously in love with the Lord, and already feel like they want to serve God thru missions- and I've just never witnessed that in people of this age group before. It's really awesome! I love the girls the most- they come into the Kitchen to ask how I'm doing, and if they can help with things, they want me to go with them to the village, and to do stuff with them after classes. They invited me to a little "all-girls-night-in-cabin-2"- complete with popcorn-which was fun until they started trying to convince me that one of the GI guys and I were "so MFEO". HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! They make me laugh a lot- it's the best. I know I shouldn't but I totally have my favorites. :) This has been a very good experience!

I'm gonna go straight to some prayer requests now, and also say that I'd love it if you'd send me some for you as well.

1. For guidance and wisdom when talking with the girls.
2. For time with Nationals- I haven't spent a lot of time with nationals here thus far, and I'd like to.
3. For Dave and Sally Cross- an amazing couple who I totally adore- they have been at Interface for 16 years- the entire time they've been married, and they will be leaving permanently just 2 weeks after I leave. So pray for packing and planning, and letting go of a long ministry, and for a smooth transition- of "the reigns" here, and back into western life.
4. For the finishing of this film project- there's been mixed reactions from staff, and I just hope and pray that clear communication results in a finished product that everyone is happy with, and that clearly represents Interface for future participants.
5. For Kara Shaylor- she is one of the ITF coordinators from back home (she and her husband live in Deltona). She has lung problems, and because of the higher altitude here, she's been very sick- to the point that she and Doug had to leave the program and go stay at Lapilo (NTM regional headquarters) so she could be close to the health clinic at all times.
6. For my heart- while I am very happy here, I'm missing people (you guys).
7. For re-connection when I come home.
8. For trip finances.

I've seen my old language helper, Joyce, and her little boy Rich a few times now, and it's been so good! Upon seeing eachother again the first time, we hugged for a good long time. I wanted to see Baby Rich immediately, and while I was holding him, she called me "susa bilong Rich" (Rich's sister), and "pikinini bilong mi" (her daughter). I'd never heard her say that before, and I wanted to cry. (it's a little funny, because she's actually younger than me, but whatever- I've got a Bena Mama)

Oh- one more very cool thing (for me): I got to see the Milky Way here! Like 3 times now! The nights here can be soooo amazingly clear at times, and the stars just stand out so brightly! No ambient/ city lights here to mute them! One night a while back now I noticed that a "cloud arch" wasn't moving- it would have been the only "clouds" in the sky- and I was told it was the Milky Way. Very cool. I see things like that, and the beauty that is every which way you can possibly turn here, and think, "who says there's no Creator? This could have happened by chance?? NO WAY!"

Thank you so much again- just for even reading this, for sending me, and for praying for me. Thank you so much for all that you do! I am so grateful for the family and friends God's put in my life.

Lukim Yu Nau.

One Amazing Day (Summer Update #1)

Hey Folks!

This isn't even a real "update"- I've been a little sick, and very busy, and haven't had time yet to write something extremely long. (Lucky you :) ) So many cool things have happened! But for now, here's a summary of today (Sunday July 15th for me- still Saturday for you).

First off, let me explain that there are some guys here working on a film project. They're making a short film about ITF, for future promotional use. Well, they need "movie stars", and I get to be part of their team. It's pretty sweet.

Today, my "big assignment" was to go on a trip to a tribe, so we could join the Believers in a worship service. I was so excited!! It was like a mini-sidetrip. So, we loaded up early, and traveled down the Highlands Highway (in the OPPOSITE direction of town- I've never been that way :) ), to a long bumpy road, over a bridge that was really scary because so much of it was missing, to the Yagaria tribe.

I didn't know this, but Yagaria was only the second work New Tribes began in PNG- back in the 1950's. Wow.

We got there, met up with the man who was "hosting" us, Iteve, and then started hiking to the church. This was like a 30 minute hike- down one steep slope and up another, complete with cliffs, water holes, and a mud pit. Waaaaay up at the top of the last ridge, there was a little village with some cool houses, and the church.

The girls and I sat down, and very soon ladies and children from the village started coming up to us and sitting with us. "Detene!" (good morning in Yagaria) I met a little girl named Darcy, and then a lady who explained (in Pidgin) that she was Darcy too- the namesake of the little girl. I got to meet Darcy's mom, and she was Eteve's wife. The ladies were fascinated with my curly hair, so they were playing with it, and I was just loving all of this! We talked and talked until it was time to go in.

So we file in, men on one side, women and children on the other. I'd brought my Pidgin Bible with me, so I could follow along with references. I tend to understand more Pidgin than I can speak, so I was able to follow along for a lot of the service. (Eteve spoke in tok ples, then would repeat what he said in pidgin for us) We sang some songs, and then listened to a message.

I tell you... being there, in that little one room church, on top of a hill, in the middle of the Highlands- it's the best thing. I WISH you could have been there with me... Because these silly typed out words don't do it justice...

Iteve said that though we're from different places, we have "one bel" (one heart), and "one lain" (we're of the same family)- we all belong to God. He said this church doesn't matter to God. The name we give ourselves, and the building- it doesn't matter. What matters is our belief in Jesus- God's son. He said the Bible will straighten your thinking, show you your sin- it's God's talk, and it's got power like nothing else. He said Jesus died on the cross, and that gives us a relationship with God. He referred to 1Peter 2:2 (I think) where it talks about spiritual food, and encouraged us to grow, and come up big- the kind of believer God wants us to be. When we do this, we'll be blessed with spiritual fruit (Gal. 5). He reminded us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8). We can do good things, but if you're doing it for other men or for yourself, you're coming short of serving God. Jesus' work makes us pleasing to God. He talked about how a new car or a big house can make people in the USA, Australia, New zealand and PNG feel like they're happy, but we need to be filled with happiness from the Holy Spirit. He said that in God's eye, our souls are more expensive than "4 billion dollars". We are priceless to God. He reminded us that we "come up clean already" (John 15:3), and that if we come close to God, He will come close to us (James 4:8).

Wow.

All this from a man in the middle of the forest, on top of a hill in the mountains of New Guinea.

At the end, the Papa of the tribe stood up, and explained that many years ago, he was the one who had invited the New Tribes missionaries to come there so they could share "God's talk" with them there in Yagaria, and he was so happy to have us there today too, to worship with them and share God's talk again. Like one of the film guys said- "we are in the presence of a saint", and really- this tiny little old man just radiated.

Friends- the church is alive. AND- it is in places you wouldn't even dream of. Today was such a sweet reminder to me that when we get to Heaven, it's not just going to be a "reunion" with just the believers we happened to be friends with. These people I met today are going to be there. The people I'll never see again in Pawaia (from Jan-Feb 2006) are going to be there. The 5 believers I met in Kaul in Feb 2007 will be there. People you and I can't even imagine will be there- from EVERY tribe, tongue and nation. And it WILL be like a reunion- we'll be so happy to see eachother- these people from times past and times still to come- that all worship the One True God. I get emotional just thinking about this- it's such a beautiful thing.

I pray every person reading this will get to MEET these people some day, because we have "One Bel". One heart. Isn't that cool?? You could meet these same people!

I gotta get going- some of the students are having a special little thing tonight and I promised I'd go. I love you, and hope you are doing well! Please write me! It took about 7 days before I started getting homesick! Share prayer requests- I'd love to pray for you!