As a writer I have journaled (or written in my diary) for quite a long time. (Way too long!) Off and on I have turned my attentions to God within my journaling. One such time led to the conversion of my heart. I was already a Christian but struggling with what I believed and how I was living. Writing it all out allowed God to reveal Himself to me in ways I might have otherwise missed.

Thx, Whitney, for this timely article. We are so busy now, it seems, we don't take the time to see penning our thoughts and prayers and praise to God as having any significant measure.

If this life is any indication, oh, but it does!

Eva Marie Everson

The author's words ring with such truth and wisdom! I was especially moved by her view of herself both in a dream and in reality. But mostly in Christ. And I am left asking myself, "How does Christ see me? How do I see myself without Christ? How do I see myself with Christ? In Christ?"

Eva Marie Everson

From the Author:

Just a note about Type 1 and Type 2 Bipolar. I was quoting what the bipolar's mother explained to me...how it was explained to her. Forgive me if I'm off on this. Both Type 1 and Type 2 are difficult for anyone and I didn't mean to confuse the issue.

Eva Marie Everson

Please accept my apologies (as the author). The site I had for attribution to the song named Chris Tomlin (as you can see by following the link). I will do what I can to have Crosswalk correct this error.

And my apologies to Mr. Hughes.

Eva Marie Everson
Red-faced Author

FINALLY!!! Someone who has read the mail in my head! I am so dismayed at Christians who cuss like sailors, as they say. My mother always said, "Cussing is a stupid man's way of using the English language and we both know you aren't stupid."

When I hear cussing coming out of the mouths of people, I cringe. But when I hear it coming out of the mouths of Christians, I mourn. And I wonder if Jesus does too.

I love the "not his fault" response. I have asked folks not to use bad language around me. I have demanded it in my home. I chewed a young man out one time for using the f-word around my then-seven year old. I don't think he knew what hit him. :) But when Christians cuss, I hurt.

Eva Marie Everson

I've read Bottke's book...and I can only say I wish it had been written TEN years ago. This is the BEST parenting book I've ever read, namely because it hits the points Christian parents oftent don't want to admit:

1. They "got it wrong"
and
2. Their adult children--beloved tho they may be--are a MESS.

EVERY parents--especially parents of teens--should read this book. Bottke's words hit hard but she knows whererof she speaks.

Eva Marie Everson

This article resonated with me. As the coauthor of a book about media's influence on youth culture, I did extensive research into just how quickly media can infiltrate and control the behavior of our youth. But it doesn't stop there. As a woman in her 5th decade, I am quick to look at the "young and the beautiful" the media uses for advertising, for promotion, for their shows, etc. and think, "I'll never look like that again...poor me..." Then I'm depressed. What's the point in trying, I ask myself. Why bother to take care of what's "still here" or "here in abundance!" :)

But Jesus loves me just as I am and wants me to, as the title says, "Get Real!" Love who I am. Trust who HE is. Know that what the media shows us is an absolute farce and what He offers us is REAL life.

I may not be one of the "beautiful people" according to Hollywood, but His Word says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness..." (Jeremiah 31).

Eva Marie Everson

Perhaps our work (as parents)should be to point the movie out to our children, explain WHY we would not want them to see it, how it attacks the TRUTH of our faith, and--according to the age and maturity of our child/ren--engage in a discussion as to how to support and defend our faith in the face of such films. THEN, we should look at alternatives, such as the work of C S Lewis and J R R Tolkein, etc.

I agree with those who say we should not support the film by pouring money out of our wallets to take our children to see it. After all, there are so many other wonderful movies to see and better ways to spend $10/ticket. Like, on a book! :)

Eva Marie Everson
Author: Sex, Lies, and the Media
www.EvaMarieEverson.com

Thank you for the correction in that Belfast is in Northern Ireland. My trusty editor has made the correction.

Eva Marie

As the author, I'd like to comment on this. You assume that everyone walking into the church is a long-time Bible-believing Christian. Not everyone who sits in the pews or walks through the door has a history with God or their Bibles. Many are seeking God for the first time or have been recently seeking God. These songs resound within them because they've been moved by God's Holy Spirit to come, to seek, to know more. These songs resound because that same Holy Spirit inspired the words of the songs, many of the songs with lines directly out of Holy Spirit-inspired scriptures.

Sometimes, it is the songs that inspires the singer to know more about the Word. Sometimes the Word that inspires the writer of the songs. But the inspiration comes from the same place.

Eva Marie Everson