Christian Parents Are Not Comfortable With Media But Buy Them for Their Kids Anyway

What will parents buy their children or grandchildren for Christians in 2007?

(Ventura, CA) - Billions of dollars will be spent this Christmas season on gifts for children. A new national study by The Barna Group among Christian parents shows that even though most Christian parents are not always comfortable with the content of the media-related products, they purchase some of those items as presents for their children. The born again Christian population of the U.S. is likely to spend more than $1 billion on media products such as CDs, DVDs, video games and magazines for children under the age of 18 despite parental misgivings about the moral content or developmental affects of those resources.

Past Purchases and Feelings

The Barna survey discovered that the most widely purchased media by Christian parents in the past year were DVDs of movies and TV programs. More than three out of four Christian parents (78%) had purchased such disks for their teenagers and almost nine out of ten Christian parents (87%) had purchased DVDs for their children under 13. However, one-quarter of those adults (26%) did not feel comfortable with the DVD products they purchased.

The next most popular type of media content purchased for children by Christian parents were music CDs. About six out of ten parents bought these discs for their kids, yet one out of every three of those parents (33%) had concerns about the content. This was more evident among the parents of teenagers than among those who were buying music for pre-teens.

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THE TERM "CHRISTIAN" AND "BELIEVES IN GOD"

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Christian parents! Now there is a term that is generally used to describe anyone who believes in God. The term "Christian" today in our society could mean a Catholic, a Morman, a JW, or even a Baptist. The term "believes in God" also is used in a general way. Everyone seems to have a different meaning of the phrase "I believe in God." My past articles on "Can You Know Who Is A Christian" biblically deal with this subject, and I will continue with the articles later.

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WHAT ARE THEY BUYING IN 2007?

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Christian parents live in the same culture as the unbeliever, they buy the same foods, read the same newspaper, generally have a TV in their home, they have a laptop, or Gateway Window 98, or Dell Inspiron 530s Desktop Dual-Core Processor E4300 Genuine Windows, 1GB Memory and 250GB Hard Drive and plays and creates CD's and DVD's on a 17" Widescreen flat panel. (Oh, that is what I want for Christmas, Children, Charity, or someone!)

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Kids want a Garmin "Street Pilot" c330 GPS or ilo 1GB MP3 Player that will store up to 500 songs in MP3 and WMA formates. and if they are real good children this year, maybe the Apple80GB iPod Classic, where you can have 20,000 songs, 30 hours of music and 5 hours of video, now the iTunes cards are sold separetely. Or you could get the LGVX8500 Chocolate Phone for Verzion INpuluse.

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The Abox 360 Arcade Console System has the family settings so parents can control the games and movies the kids enjoy. But parents usually do not control what their kids watch a lot.

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Then there is the Nintendo DS Lite. Metallic Rose Gaming System with Ninetendogs game or Gold with The Legend of Zelda. How about a Black & Decker Toaster?

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And, of course, they are still selling the Cabbage Patch Kids Newborns. And dolls (Prince Charming) that someone told us on Saturday they stood in line for an hour to pay for it. They asked their four year old what they wanted this Christmas. Where do you think a four year old learns what she or he wants for Christmas?

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Charity was glad that Eric and Leslie came to our house this last weekend and put up the tree that was in storage for six years!

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Christian parents...... What will they buy their children in 2007?

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-Slightly more than half of all Christian parents had purchased video games for their children in the past year, in both the pre-teen and teen categories. About four out of ten pre-teen parents (39%) were concerned about the content of those games, compared to nearly half of the parents of teen recipients (46%) who admitted to such concerns.

Similarly, about half of all Christian parents (51%) had purchased magazines for their children. Roughly three out of ten Christian parents (31%) were not very comfortable with the content of the magazines acquired for their children.

• "Millions of Christian parents want to appear to be relevant in their children’s eyes, and to provide gifts that fit within the mainstream of postmodern society," Barna noted. "The problem is that many of the entertainment products that meet those criteria conflict with the moral precepts of the Christian faith."
• Parents have to make a choice as to what is more important: pleasing their kids’ taste and sensibilities, or satisfying God’ standards as defined in the Bible. When the decision made is to keep their children happy, the Christian parent is often left with a pit in their stomach.

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POST NUMBER 300

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I have enjoyed posting articles over these fifteen months

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When Chad suggested I write down our journey in ministry in some detail, I didn't have any idea that I would be writting #300. After all I am no Jerry Falwell. I loved his book "Falwell An Autobiography: The Inside Story." He and his wife Macel gave Charity and I one month before his died.

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A quote from Jerry: "I am convinced that if we will attend to the depth of our ministry, God will attend to its breadth."

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Jerry said: "You do not determine a man's greatness by his talent or weath, as the world does, but rather by what it takes to discourage him."

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Today I can say, I don't feel so great. I rather feel a little discourage. This is my 60th year of living, and 45th year in ministry. And I am a little discourage about ministry in the local church.

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You would think 45 years of in ministry would give you some knoweldge about ministry and working with people and doing service in the local church. But in the last your years, they have been used so little in the local church.

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I find myself again on the outside of the local church ministry. My services was no longer needed. I am a little discouraged, a little down, down to nine, but not knocked out. I was amazed just how neat I was dismissed from service, you would have thought this was the best thing that happen for the church.

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My experience has been, God knows what has happen, and He will take care of everything in His time. I need to remain faithful to Him.

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I really do not serve the church, I serve the Lord.

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This is my journey and write how this journey is taking me.

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WHY DOES IT SEEM WE HAVE A HARD TIME KNOWING WHO A TRULY BORN AGAIN, REGENERATED BELIEVER REALLY IS?
Part four

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Over the last 100 years or so the church has been manifested with the manipulation of the invitation method and the man made terminologies of "let Jesus come into your hear" or "if you prayed this prayer and meant it then you can be certain that you are going to Heaven." And the mass revivals and evangelist meetings that have produced professions without fruit. One evangelist reported they had 40,000 people coming to Christ in their week revival. Only to go back the next year and couldn’t find but a hand full of people who openly admitted they were Christians.

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So our study is "Can we know if a person is truly converted from darkness of sin and unbelief to seeing the light of Christ and being born again?"

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And I say you should.

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"Now it seems every religious group has a strong desire for a fool-proof method of giving assurance of salvation" John Reisinger says. "Each group has a system that enables them to produce, package, label, and seal their converts with the assurance that they are heaven bound." Each group has different methods but they have a clearly defined system that enables them to say to anyone who goes through the prescribed course, "you are saved and safe."

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The Roman Catholic has a system, the Episcopalian have a system, the Church of Christ have a system, the Lutheran and Reformed folks have a system, the Plymouth Brethren have a system, and the Charismatics have a system. Of course the Baptist have a system. Then all the rest of the religious churches have a system that they all think is the right method of being able to know if you are saved.
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I am not going to deal with the religious group systems of knowing if you are saved by what they believe are safe ways but looking first to what does it mean to be born again, or regenerated, from what I believe is the biblical way. (Don’t we all say this)

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FIRST: We will use the term "regeneration" as the term to describe a Christian. I will list come choice quotes on regeneration:

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"Regeneration is the foundation; sanctification is the rive." Sidlow baxter

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"Faith does not proceed from ourselves, but is the fruit of spiritual regeneration" Calvin
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"When God designs to forgive us He changes our hearts and turns us to obedience by His Spirit. Calvin

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"Regeneration is a spiritual change." Stephen Charmock
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"Regeneration is the communication of the divine nature to men by the operation of the Holy Spirit through the Word." A.J. Gordon

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"Whatever man may do after regeneration, the first quickening of the dead must originate with God." A. A. Hodge
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"Spiritual life is the consequence of spiritual quickening. The baby cries because it is born; it is not born because it cries." Erroll Hulse

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"When God works in us, the will, being changed and sweetly breathed upon by the Spirit of God, desires and acts, not from compulsion, but responsively. Martin Luther
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"Just as in the beginning God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light’ so, at the moment He appointed for our new birth, He said, "Let there be light, and there was life." J. A. Motyer

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"Regeneration is inseparable from its effects and one of its effect is faith." John Murray.
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"The embrace of Christ in faith evidence of regeneration and only thus may we know that we have been regenerated." John Murray

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"Sinners cannot obey the gospel, any more than the law, without renewal of heart." J. I. Packer
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"The new creation is as much and entirely the work of God as the old creation.": C.H. Spurgeon.

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"God regenerated the Soul by uniting it to Jesus Christ." Augustus H. Strong.
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"Regeneration is the commencement of spiritual life in a essence before dead in sin, by the omnipotent medium of God; and the exercises of this life are specifically different from all the practices of an unregenerate heart. C.E.W.
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You know if you are saved if regenertion has taken place in your mind, soul, amd spirit. You are not saved because someone said you are saved. "My dad said I was saved when I was seven" is not assurance of your salvation.

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HOPE YOU WILL HAVE A NICE FAMILY THANKSGIVING
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Eric and Leslie

Becky

Chad

Heather

Kyle

Joe

Dewayne Prossor

Laura

Kay

Beverly

Don and Carole

Ellen and Hershel

Stephen

Mom

Alana

Christy

Kurt and Michele

John MacArthur, Jr.

Phil Johnson

Paul Lamey

TO ALL MY BLOGGERS

AND

READERS OF THIS

GROW BY LEARNING
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CAN I KNOW IF I AM REALLY SAVED AND IS MY FRIEND

PART THREE

John G. Reisinger states

"The doctrine of assurance of salvation has been the subject of both confusion and controversy down through the years. " CAN I REALLY BE SURE I AM GOING TO HEAVEN."


I am going to give eleven points summary of how you can know if you are saved? Then I will address each one.

A Can you know if a person is truly converted from darkness to light

1. Regeneration is the commencement of spiritual life in a soul before dead in sin, by the omnipotent agency of God; and the exercises of this life are specifically different from all the exercises of an unregenerate heart.
   
2. The strength of the principle of life in the new birth, as in the natural birth, is exceedingly various. Some are brought into the world of grace in the clear light of day, and are from the first active and vigorous, and enjoy much comfort in their dedicate exercises. Others give very obscure evidence of being in possession of life, and remain long in a state of unsteadiness.
   
3. Some experience this change so remarkably that they never can doubt of its reality, when they emerged from darkness to life. Others who are truly regenerated, remain long in doubt about their spiritual state. And can not fix the precise time that the new birth took place.
   
4. Spiritual life is progressive in its nature. Habitual growth in grace is the best evidence of its reality.
   
5. Genuine godliness, holiness, spirituality, etc. is a permanent and undying principle, and therefore it may be distinguished from transient impressions, however powerful, yet we should not suppose that the exercises of the real Christian are uniform, or that all experience equal fluctuations of feelings.
   
6. We cannot ascertain, much less describe, all the causes which may singly, or in combination, give complexion to the frames and exercises of a child of God, nor can we determine, in many cases, why one believer enjoys so much more tranquillity and cheerful hope than another
   
7. There is going to be an increasing knowledge of the sinfulness of our own heart.
   
8. The truly regenerated man hates, opposes, and endeavors to eradicate all sin. "I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to b e right, and I hate every false way." David
   
9. As the word of God furnishes both the motive and the object of all spiritual affections, it cannot but be very dear to the renewed heart, especially as it reveals Christ in all His offices as the Redeemer of His people. "O how love I thy law." is the language of his heart. His estimation of the word is above all the most precious treasure of earth. "More to be desired than gold, yea than much fine gold."
   
10. A regenerated man love the people of God. "We know that we are passed from death to life because we love the brethren." John
    
11. A soul that is born of God ardently and habitually desires to glorify God by all practicable means.
    
12. A regenerated man has his will engulfed up in the will of God "Thy will be one." Is his daily prayer from his inmost soul.

13. There is a grateful sense of the love and goodness of God. Gratitude is the soul of heart-salvation.

There is a grateful sense of the love and goodness of God. Gratitude is the soul of heart-salvation.

CAN I KNOW IF I AM SAVED, MY WIFE, MY CHILDREN, MY FRIENDS, THE ELDER OR EVEN THE PASTORS

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part two

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Those whom Christ brings to salvation are those whom He will reveal Himself as their Lord Jesus Chrsit. You could not be saved and not know it. But some think they are a "Christian" when they are not.

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Salvation is of the Lord, and He only gives the definition of who is a Christian, and how He brings sinners to Himself.

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When Christ saves us He gives us Divine Light or understanding of Himself. This understanding will enable us to see the beauty of His grace and we will have a SAVING BELIEF IN CHRIST. And will convince us of His sufficiency as our Savior.

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A TRUE SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE: Transforms the heart and has different results.

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A GENUINE EXPERIENCE OF GOD'S GRACE IN THE HEART

JAMES 2:19-20 and I JOHN 2:34

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When you see Christ, you see the ugliness of your oun soul, and God gets bigger and bigger and you get smaller and smaller.

2 PETER 1:4, HEBREWS 12:10 and FIRST JOHN 4:16

• "That by these you might be partakers of the Divine Nature."

The power of Christ works in those whom He has saved. There is a mutual indwelling of God and His people. HEBREWS 12:10 and FIRST JOHN 4:16. We share in His holiness.

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SO HOW CAN YOU KNOW IF SOMEONE ELSE IS A BELIEVER

• Asking the right questions. It is not just looking at someone is not a good evaluation. You do not set your own standards as to whom is a Christian. Outward sign could be signs but not where you affirm your opinion.

• The spirit is the most compelling evidenced, not knowledge of God or even the Bible. But the evidence will reveal his love for the Lord Jesus Christ presences in his life.

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CAN YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE SAVED AND CAN YOU KNOW IF SOMEONE ELSE IS A BELIEVER?

part one

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Should You Know If Some One Is A Believer

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GENUINE SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES HAVE DIFFERENT RESULTS.

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WHAT should we find in our hearts as a sign of God's grace?

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WHAT is the differences that show us to be from the Holy Spirit?

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• Seeing the loveliness of Christ

• Sees the excellence of the Gospel

• Senses the beauty and loveliness of the divine scheme of salvation

• Mind is convinced that it is of God

• Believes it with all his heart

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THOMAS ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH AND LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

I asked my sister Ellen to give me her opinion of the following guestions:

• Give me a perspective of your thinking about Thomas Road Baptist Church church and services and what you thought when you walked into the building.

• Give me what you thought when you meet Jerry's sons and daughter, as it would relate to their work at the church and college.

• And why do you think Stephen will do well in the church while he is in college?

Those were some thought provoking questions. I am not sure I can adequately answer them but will try.

Perhaps my first impression upon walking into TRBC brings with it a different perspective from the average visitor. History walks in with me. It felt like I was at home though I had never been there....in that particular church building. Charity and I fell in love with" Main Street", I think is what it is called, isn't it? I loved the "aroma" of days gone by as you sauntered down the "street". First, I should have mentioned the piano dedicated to Macel for her many years of ministry in music. What is it about a fine piano that draws your heart strings? You quickly take notice and I always want to "touch" those ivory keys! Too, it reminds me of my conversation with her about making a CD of her fingers dancing across those keys.

If you are asking about the auditorium, it felt like walking back in time into the original TRBC. Somehow in my mind it had stayed the very same size! I was not distracted by "things". The service itself was spiritually inviting. As always, Jerry, was amazingly ahead of his time. I remember thinking, "And how old is he???" Wow. What a mind the man had and what vision.

Having gone back since his passing, initially I wondered what it was going to be like without him? I was pleasantly blessed. His presence for one thing was evident. He had truly prepared the way. And wouldn't that be just like him being the visionary he was? Immediately it reminded me of his latest book, AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY. If you get a chance, purchase it and read pp 383-384 for a glimpse of his taking care of the future while in the present. A testimony that should challenge us all to take more time to ensure good things follow our departure on this earth.

And Jonathan as pastor of TRBC has not missed a step. I admire that he is NOT trying to be a replica of his dad, yet the principles are imprinted upon his heart. By the way, Stephen loved Jonathan and immediately connected with the praise and worship service.

Am I ever thankful that Jerry allowed his children to be who God called them to be. Too, it was good to see Sonny Moon (known to most as Jim Moon) on the platform. That was one of the best decisions TRBC made after Jerry's passing. I was afforded the opportunity to spend some time chatting with him as well. He is truly a man who loves the heart of God, TRBC, and LU.

Meeting Jerry, Jr. and his wife, Becky, was comforting as well. He is working hard to meet all the new and welcomed demands at LU. Even down to honoring his dad by wearing a suit!!!! Too, being more like his mom, he is out of his comfort zone being in the public eye. However, he is learning to wear it well.

Now I pray they stay close to the heart of God even more so than Jerry and Macel. We all need to pray for their protection.

Too, I have developed personal relationships with some of LU's staff, so I feel I have a better idea of where the heart of the school is going. Their sentiments remain constant; they greatly miss Jerry but are pressing forward to the goal he placed before them. As one staffer said to me, "While God did not choose to extend Dr. Falwell's life the 15 years he had requested (read the book for more details), we feel the next 15 years will be the best years LU has ever had!"

So how do I "feel" about my son attending LU and TRBC? BLESSED in measure! What more could a mom ask for when her child is leaving the nest? He was given to me as a gift from the Lord and merely on loan to rear him in the admonition of the Lord. Now the rest is between the two of them.

Your sister always,