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| Treasure their innocence!! |
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Innocence is such a treasure from the Lord! After all, that is how he brings each of us into the world, and that is how he intended for us to live our entire lives. That’s right, his will was not for us to even know what evil is!! Consider that in the middle of the garden of Eden he placed the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and then forbade mankind from eating of it. Clearly he wouldn’t want any of us today to eat of it either!
God wants each of us to trust him with innocent, childlike faith. Not as jaded, cynical, worldly wise followers. But we now take it for granted that innocence must be lost to live in this world. We are even afraid of being made fun of by the world if they see us as naïve! Ah, I so wish I was naïve again!!
What really saddens me is that so many parents take such a lackadaisical attitude toward the influences their children come under, even many parents in the church. Some even deliberately allow the exposure of their children to evil influences in the name of educating them in the ways of the world! To that I might point out that Prov. 22:6 says “train a child in the way he should go,” not the way they shouldn’t go!
Entertainment is just one of the biggest sources of innocence lost, at least here in the US. Be it TV, movies, music, internet, etc. But there are plenty of alternatives to what the mainstream considers entertaining. Last night our family watched some old silent movies together (Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplain). What fun!! Not only did we avoid all the filth and moral confusion of modern TV and movies, but this also showed me our kids can still be thoroughly entertained by the simple and… the innocent. How delightful!!
The purpose of this writing is not to judge anyone, but simply to underscore that innocence is such an incredible treasure. A treasure that can only be lost during our lifetime, never gained. So treasure it, and guard it jealously!! |
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| To add a comment to "Treasure their innocence!!" |
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| March 17, 2007 |
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| I wish every parent would read this blog. |
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| March 17, 2007 |
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Mike, Good words to follow. I also think that watching some of the old movies like you did allows kids to develop imaginations that are healthy...my kids know all the words to the Sound of Music, for example. Sure they are treated strangely sometimes, but they know that we are not of this world... |
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| March 17, 2007 |
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Mike, You create some of the most insiteful blogs. As a parent and now a grandparent I take seriously my responcibility to not allow the wrong things into the life of those I care for. At times we all fail but as we stay in the Word, God will give us better discernment as time goes on. Children truly are a blessing from the Lord. At times it is easy to loose sight of that. When we become frustrated with them we need to alway be respectful in how we correct them. When we derate them with verbal abuse we take away some of their innocence also. Children are another thing God places into our care to be good stewards of. Mark <>< |
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| March 17, 2007 |
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| Amen Bro! I am with you on this one. I think our kids (and us) get plenty of garbage in even when we try to keep the garbage out. I don't think it is wise to put garbage in on purpose. Nice post brother. Thanks for the reminder. |
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| March 17, 2007 |
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Hi Mike, Reading your blog, it reminds me of my 3 yr. old, sometimes you don't stop long enough to hear them , or to see who they really are , like you just don't have the time, until they get sick and then you see how precious they really are, like now with little Paul, that we call Opie, he has really bad stomach problems and has to go and see a specialist in May, to see what is wrong. All we can do is pray for him, the rest is in God's hands. i just don't like to see my son in pain. My kids also love the sound of music. God Bless all of you, Toni <>< |
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| March 18, 2007 |
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Here's another thing...we need to stop seeking after the "testimonies" of those who have lived in sin (the current Christian fad) and start seeking after those who have walked in that innocense... Not to put a gun to my head but I have received many calls from churches to come tell my "story" as if that will help young people fall to their knees and cry "Jesus save me..." I don't want my children hearing someone tell them how far off track they can get and then be restored...I want my children to hear from men and women who NEVER LEFT!!! Innocense and purity are golden and irreplacable...I wish someone would have told me. I refuse to tell my "story" now...I only speak of the immeasurable grace of God and what He has done in me and through since I've met Him...who I was is dead and gives excuse to the "he did it and look where he is, I can do what I want now too..." croud. A testimony of innocense...impressive. Mike, I have heard young people tell me that they need to go out into the world and get their testimony!!! This is the understanding the church has given our people in the last decades...that innocense is ignorance and that we should subject our children to the things of the world so they can be prepared...17 year olds ARE NOT ADULTS!!! They cannot rationalize their way past their noze...even the best of them... yes, this is important to me |
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| March 18, 2007 |
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| ps good blog |
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| April 08, 2007 |
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Very insightful blog Mike, Oh I pray we Christians encourage our children to pursue purity and holiness. Vicki |
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| March 26, 2008 |
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| innocence.... good word. running out of meaning but still... good word. |
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| March 26, 2008 |
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| Ah Tigert...yes, the world seems to be running out of innocence.... *sigh* |
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| March 26, 2008 |
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| So true!~ |
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| April 27, 2008 |
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| ahhhh if I could just go back in time.... the things I would different if I knew then what I know now. Thanks Mike n Laura.... God bless you. |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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| So true, Mike! Innocence is a most precious gift, and it grieves me to see less and less of it every year in the eyes of my students. |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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| "Guard it Jealously" I like that! very informative post |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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| I remember days of innocense as a child when life was simple, fun and much play. Then I fell to the world and there was no more fun. After God got my attention and showed me a better way I am again a child, having fun, many laughs and innoccent once again. There is an interesting point in there somewhere. Excellent Blog |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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You are so on target here Mike. We need to guard our Innocence and help our children truly know what is most important. Patrickyou are also right on with your comment. We need to show our young people that a great testimony can be claimed when we open our lives to God from the start. My oldest son often talked about being a Christian because he was raised in a Christian family, but somewhere along the road he learned that Jesus love for him was his own personal gift and that has meant the world to my wife and me. His testimony is just as valid and real in his innocence as my horror ridden empty life fall on my face before coming to understand Jesus loved me testimony.
We need to guard our children's innocence!
peace |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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| innocence.... may I never outgrow it! |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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Two quick thoughts: First off, I imagine our glorified bodies and our existence in heaven to be very childlike - not to sound overly blunt, but growing up just introduces stress and sin related to money, to sex, to things of this world. Think of the innocence of being a child and how wonderful it would be to not have to work or know of the pain of this world. That is what I feel the joy of heaven would be like - the amazement and wonder of God's creation without worry. Secondly, as someone who accepted Christ little more than a year ago, I often look at my son and pray that he never has to 'go through' what I went through in my search for faith. I also hope that he doesn't have to 'taste of this world' before he comes to Christ - that it comes early, without backsliding as he reaches adulthood, because you don't HAVE to swim in sin just to say "you've been there" |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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Oh, to be innocent. You know Mike I totally agree and I think that you will see the benefits of your censor later.
My parents did not have a TV for a good portion of my childhood, and not because we couldn't afford it. Then after we got one (Tiananmen square incident is why they bought it) it was VERY censored. There were many cartoons I was not allowed to watch. Not to mention most of the time it was turned off.
As a young adult I realized the difference that made in my life. I would watch films horrified at what I was seeing and realize that my friends had been completely desensitized to it. They didn't know what they were watching. So now I know my own limitations, typically children's movies are my thing. I can't see any scary movies and most "potty boy" humour is too crass for my taste.
I appreciate it all really. I have a vivid imagination that is not (usually) tainted by the world's images, making room for the Lord to place His imagery in my mind. |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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Mychurch has been very convicting to me lately. This blog inparticular. Thank you Mike. I feel at fault for some of the innocence lost in my own children. I want to believe I am doing a parenting job that my God would be proud of, but I am still falling short when I consider several of the points you mentioned. I know your not judging, and that is what makes this yet another beautiful revalation to me. I cant tell you how many times I have read a blog ( many times from You) that has struck a cord in my inner most being. I know the Lord is constantly opening parts of my heart that I might be ignoring, or not giving enough attention too. The innocence of my children should an utmost priority for me to preserve. Thanks again, for the reminder.. |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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Mike -- I think you're right, would you say the world is instrumental in camoflaging our desire to remain innocent? Or probably more accurate, the world out right infiltrates any innocence we were born with and converts it to itself. The faithful, however, has the willingness and power to overcome and become innocent once again.
Patrick Ha... -- I always felt that I didn't have an earth shaking testimony to share. I thought I was actually missing something. "Please", I would pray, "Help hit me with a 2x4 or something so I'll have a powerful testimony!" Speakers I heard as a young Christian, made me almost feel that I HAD TO HAVE a powerful life-surviving transformation to become a Christian. Wrong!!!!!!!!! |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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| Excellent blog Mike! |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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| Thanks for bringing out this point. My husband and I have been very convicted by The Spirit about what we put into our body via TV, movies, books, etc. We forget we are God's temple and are to treat it holy. I believe there is no such thing as "innocent fun". Just because something is funny or popular doesn't make it okay for us to waste our minds on. There are so many scriptures that tell us to stay away from things that are not of Christ and to watch what we put into our bodies. This takes living for Him on purpose. Even when we veg-out we can't allow Satan a foothold. It can be a difficult task, but if living for God didn't cost us anything we probably wouldn't hold it so precious. May God continue to help us guard and guide our little ones! Blessings! |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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Lindsay - I hope you don't mean that fun can't be innocent. Every time I get to play with my son, that's "innocent fun" and there's alot in the world that is in that category. I'm guessing what you mean is that those that saying it's "harmless fun" usually are more ironic than they think because that's usually a write-off of something harmFUL that they're justifying. :) |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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Eliza....your squishey? Interesting...  Good point too, kids do seem to learn far more far earlier nowadays!
Lindsay...amen!! Love your example- we simply cannot be too careful about what we allow into our kids!
Paul- innocence gone, purity restored...good thought!!
Thanks Deb!
Ed, good thoughts! I read your blog about your testimony -- good one. I can identify too! As for our desire to maintain our innocence, I think the world simply regards us as backwards, or unenlightened, when we shun modern forms of entertainment. I told a woman at work about how much fun our family had watching silent movies together, and all she could say was "Sounds boring." I didn't respond, I was too afraid of sounding judgmental. She doesn't have kids yet though so maybe she will eventually change her tune.
Tam, thanks so much, your comment really means a lot to me. In fact, as I read it I found myself wishing we were all in one room sitting around discussing this topic. It's an important one!!! It was great seeing you yesterday too -- what a great day it turned out to be!
Debora, your parents were careful in how they raised you.....awesome! I feel certain that you will be the same kind of parent. :-)
GIF (Paul)-- you are so wise, for such a young brother in Christ. I mean that!
Thanks Keith, Robin, Kathy, Ruth, and Denise!! I appreciate your comments!
Wow Scotty, glad to hear you've recaptured the childlike awe. That is so encouraging!!
Glenn, thanks for your comment, and yes, Patrick's point is so well taken. I've often envied those who have the spectacular testimonies, of being miraculously saved from a life of sin and self destruction....but I've always failed to see the residual difficulties that continue to impact such people even after coming to the LORD. I know several people like this now, and I see the struggles they face. I thank God for my boring testimony!!!!!!! |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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what a wonderful, heartfelt, blog! I was just meditating on the same thing... Only I was thinking about how we train our children to eat.... If we don't eat right, we train them in the same regard... It is of great importance to train our children in the way that they should go, not only for their good but for the sake of being blameless before God... Thank you so much for this blog....very inspiring!
Min. A |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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As a grandmother of 5, soon to be 6, I get the see them grow and they're all at different stages...from the precious innocence of the 2 yr old.....to the 13 year old, who is already trying to figure out who she is. My husband doesn't give them his testimony.... although when the 13 yr old questions her "Ga", who is me, about something going on in her life.....she always wants to know if I encountered it and what did I do......some of the things I would not like to answer.....but I do and then talk to her about how I regretted it and what God has to say about it.
One thing I used with my boys growing up, instead of being the bad guy LOL, when they brought before me something they wanted to do or something going on that wasn't right.....I would tell them to go get their Bibles and when they could find that Jesus said it was alright, then it was alright with me, LOLOL.....it worked! |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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Mike,
Thanks so much for this blog and for all the comments. It is not an easy road to walk out with our kids. It's easy to use the tv to "babysit" our kids. We do our best to limit the amount and content of television/video watching. When my girls do get to watch something it is a special event.
Thanks for the encouragement to keep doing things God's way.
Robin |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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| Good advice. Thanks |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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Great comments and no dissent....yahoo!!! lol (THANKS FRIENDS!!)
Robin, excellent that you haven't taken advantage of the TV broadcasters' free babysitting service!! TV teaches kids very, very little about respecting authority, and a whole lot about living to please ourselves.....which then turns into disrespect and rebelliousness.
Cindy, sounds like you are imparting quite a bit of wisdom. It also appears you have a very close relationship w/your grandkids. Cool!
Lara -- lost you? Wow. 9-10 is very young to start rebelling. But look what the Lord has done in you....amazing! As for how you're raising your boy....great job! SHELTER HIM!!! I agree strongly w/you're approach. What we give up cannot be regained!
Thank you very much Ayanna! This blog does indeed coming from the deepest reaches of my heart! |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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| Thanks for reading, Brian! |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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Excellent Mike n Laura! Patrick, yes, we should quit focusing on the negative testimonies, and focus on the ones that never left! When I was first born again, we were blessed to be friends to an older man, he was 86 then I think, and was saved he said at the age of 7 or 8? Anyways, he had devoted his entire life to serving the Lord, he died some time ago, but what really inspired me, is that his entire life he never "knew" a woman. He was pure in heart. And so strong in his walk with Christ!! |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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| Wow, an 80 year testimony. My goodness that is incredible! Thanks for that inspiring post, Gary! |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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You are soo right! Great subject and thanks for an idea of something to do with my own kids.
Stacey |
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| April 29, 2008 |
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| Mike, Jenny and I are regaining our innocence. We are just plain tired of the filthy offerings coming out from Hollywood, Toronto or anywhere else these days. These days we usually watch movies that are PG or G rated. Last week we went to the movies for the first time in a long while and chose to watch Nim's Island. It was delightful. No F-words, no sleaze, no dirty humor, no violence, just plain fun, adventure and innocent romance. Like you, we are also into the old black and white movies -- anything wholesome! |
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| April 29, 2008 |
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As I look at young children (birth-4, maybe 5), I am amazed at the innocence that each one of us possessed at one time in our lives and appalled at how rapidly we lost it. There is no malice, jealousy, envy, ugly feelings toward anyone or anything, just the wide eyed curiosity of childhood. What is even more amazing is that God, our Father wanted each and everyone of us to have that same wide eyed innocence when he put Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
In this so called modern age of ours we are the keepers of that innocence for our children for as long as possible and it is a shame that in order to protect them some of us think we should go ahead and let them get exposed to all that this world has to offer now on television, movies and just life in general as soon as possible..
I enjoy sitting down looking at TV Land and the old cartoons with my grandchildren and enjoy hearing GENUINE laughter at seeing something that is truly funny(slapstick, and just general good old fashion fun) with them. We enjoy board games, hopscotch, playing sticks, etc.
We as parents and grandparents can guide and choose what our kids are exposed to most of the time. We can also guide and instruct them as to how to choose what to participate in that is good and clean fun. When we help them decide what is fun, who their friends are, we are giving them a guide by which to follow in later years. Examples shown by us are watched closely by our kids, therefore we have to show them too....
Our Father gave us a choice, shouldn't we do the same for our young ones????? |
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| April 29, 2008 |
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Awesome, Grant!
Last night I watched "Young Sherlock Holmes" with the kids....the BBC production. Wonderful entertainment, very clean and wholesome (though admittedly low on the production budget). The best part? The kids and I spent the time together!!!
I can't remember if I've mentioned this or not in a previous comment, but one of our family's favorite "films" is Jerry Lewis' The Nutty Professor. Very funny!!! (and wholesome!) We also watched A Day at the Races, a Marx Bros. movie, over the weekend. THOSE guys are hilarious too, they totally rock! (well, we all agree, Zeppo just isn't funny at all!) |
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| April 29, 2008 |
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"God, our Father wanted each and everyone of us to have that same wide eyed innocence..." -- Amen Mary!!! ... I mourn the fact that mine is gone....but I believe it will be a different story when I reach the pearly gates! We think we're so darn "experienced" and savvy right now....but man, when we step into that vast world of eternity, I'm betting we will realize just how childlike we really are! The filth we've gotten ourselves into here is merely superficial, IMO. But nevertheless, he wants us to LOVE innocence, I am sure of it!!!
...expose our kids in order to protect them??? Mary, I agree with you, how ironic, how backwards, how dangerous! Great post!! It is so encouraging to hear that there are people like you who so carefully guard the innocence of children!!!!!!!!! Thank you!!! |
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| April 29, 2008 |
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Mike I say this because I love you Man ASK
If God restored mine ....lol |
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| April 29, 2008 |
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| Ruth, I can't simply forget things I've seen, heard, and done, unless by electro-shock therapy. Those things stored in my brain cells have changed me from the person I once was and could have been to who I am now. This is what I had in mind by "lost innocence". It's ok, the Lord allows all that happens, and he redeems and makes use of us, whatever condition we are in when we come to him. I have regrets, but I don't dwell on them. Recognizing and trusting God's sovereignty helps immensely! And I'm sure that there are many who have more to regret than me. In the end, it's all good...so I'm ok! It really sounds to me like you have a deeper discussion in mind, I look forward to hearing more...perhaps you can bless us with a blog? :-) |
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| April 30, 2008 |
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lol
be careful what you think will work
*pictures Mike getting struck by lightning* |
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| April 30, 2008 |
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| I love this one a lot. It is true that you need to treasure the innocence in your life and always have it there when you need it. |
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| May 02, 2008 |
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Where were you Mike when I was rasing my kids LOL
Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplain> love them movies still get to catch them at my parents, DVD
Awesoem post thanks so much Mile for your words of wisdom!!!!
God Bless you!!! |
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| May 02, 2008 |
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Thanks Donna! Hey, move your family to Columbia, Maryland, and we can all watch this stuff together! 
Thanks Megan! Your kind words are very appreciated!! |
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| May 02, 2008 |
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Excellent blog Mike!! Children these days grow up way too fast. I do not recall ever having a need for a cell phone at the age of 10 or 11. Heck, I didnt get my first one until I was about 25 (10 yrs ago).
If you or anyone else is interested in expanding your library of old films, there is a website that you can go to and order alot of the old films. It's www.ccvideo.com or you can email their customer service at www.vcatalog@ccvideo.com to be put on their mailing list. From what I have heard, they are fairly reasonable and they have alot of the hard to find movies. |
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| May 02, 2008 |
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Oops, I think I forgot to give you a star, Mike. Please forgive me, will ya??
Also, I wanted to correct an error in my last post. The email for the customer service is vcatalog@ccvideo.com
God Bless Ya!!! |
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| May 02, 2008 |
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Matthew, I don't hear from ya often, but when I do, you bless me with a treasure of old hard to find films??? You ROCK!!! We will be checking out ccvideo.com, that link sounds waaayyy cool!
I so agree, kids are growing up too fast these days. My own kids are certainly not in this category. We used to get criticized b/c ppl thought our kids were falling behind mentally/emotionally, since they didn't have a lot of friends outside of church, homeschool coop, and each other. Well, now I can say with all confidence that their concerns were unfounded. Our kids are just fine, having maintained a high degree of their innocence. In our house, the "s" word is stupid, not the other really bad word. Many more examples. But just suffice to say, you can't be too careful, you just can't! Protect em, people!!!!
God bless you Matthew, and thanks! |
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| May 02, 2008 |
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| Hey Donna, you see that link Matthew posted? It's for you guys too!! |
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| May 03, 2008 |
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Great post Mike! (and great to chat on the phone the other day) |
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| May 04, 2008 |
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| cool link!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| May 04, 2008 |
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I hadn't really checked out Critic's Choice Video ( www.ccvideo.com ) site yet. I hardly ever order anything over the internet. Little skeptical I guess. But I did email their customer service and requested to be placed on their mailing list. They did reply back and said that their catalog should arrive within 2 to 4 weeks and they thanked me for my interest in their company.
Mike, I hope you enjoy checking out their website and that you find lots of videos that are acceptable for your "Family Movie Nights." I am anxious to get their catalog. From what my co-worker says....."It's neat just to leaf through the pages and see movie titles from when I was a kid...." and she is in her late 50's...LOL
Enjoy!! |
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| May 04, 2008 |
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| Mike, once we loose innocence, we become corrupt. Once corrupt, we are taken down the tunnel and we need only God's Grace to come back to normal life. I only hope our children will always remain innocently. We have disconnected our TV! |
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| May 04, 2008 |
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Rag, disconnected your tv? Good for you, and GOOD FOR YOUR KIDS!!!! I'm so happy for them!
Thanks again, Matthew! I really hope they have all of Buster Keaton's flicks....they guy was pure genius!! (Check out "The General" sometime, I think you'll agree.) |
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| May 05, 2008 |
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Mike,
Another place to try for old movies might be to rent them through www.netflix.com - I'm not up on titles for old movies so someone else would have to do a search to see if they have a good selection. Buster Keaton's listed though...
Stacey |
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| May 05, 2008 |
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| I love your testimony about children and thank you. I wish I had realized what I know now about children and God then, they wouldn't be lost in the world 2 girls and 1 boy and I have 3 granddaughters and 1 grandson now and I'm trying to insteal God values in them and it is hard when you never lived those type of values before and now I'm 44 and finding out how much God loves me and what type he wants for me and not the type I think I deserve. Because to be truthful we all are living better than we deserve and thank you Lord for that. I just want to thank you for this blog about children. God Bless You All |
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| May 05, 2008 |
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Hi Becky! Thank you so much for your comment, it's wonderful!! Great to hear from you! You have a lot to say, and it seems God has taught you much from your experiences. I hope He gives you the chance to share with many people -- it's crucial that people hear! Parents must know!
Thanks again, and God bless! |
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| May 19, 2008 |
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Mike,
Another wonderful post that leaves me speechless. |
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