Good alternatives

I had a dream last night that I found out someone, a business, was trying to shut down a filthy song that was on the air.  I was so proud of them for standing for what was right, which doesn't happen every day in our society, so I was ready to help in any way I could.  In my dream my daughter came along, and I was updating her on the stand we were taking.  The title was so filthy I couldn't even say it, but she had heard of it.  I was shocked!  I realized how popular this song had become that it reached even over to the Christian kids.

I woke up and thought again about my dream.  In reality, we can't censor things in our nation because if we were to censor the bad, someone could censor the good.  We can have standards of what can and cannot be on certain TV stations, prime time vs. late night, etc., but as we have all seen, even those standards have declined over the years.  Pornography, swears, disobedience to parents, premarital sex, extramarital sex, unthankfulness. bad attitudes, laziness - these things are and will always be promoted out there in the media.

So what can Christians do about this?  We can offer positive alternatives.  Where evil is prevailing, we can promote good.  We can promote it and promote it and promote it.  Why do you think I have spent thousands of dollars of my hard earned money to write books and music?  Because I am trying to provide good alternatives to the evil around us.  People have to make their choices.  Are there good choices out there?  Are there enough?  I believe we should continue to put all the good out there that we can.

What are you providing for your children?  How about for your grandchildren?  How are your children or grandchildren going to remember you?  Will they remember you as someone who never stopped fighting for righteousness, for goodness, for purity, or for godliness?  Or will they see you as someone who was afraid to take a stand, or perhaps someone who didn't feel it was worth the effort.  What will they think you really believe?  Will that be obvious to them?

I have written mainly to young people, creating interactive devotionals, books to help young people defend their faith, guidelines from Scripture on how to make wise music choices, practical stories to encourage them to promote goodness in their communities, and Christian fiction which put good morals into exciting, adventurous stories they will enjoy.  I have written music that is Bible-based, that will promote good things with music that matches the words.  Not everyone will like my style, but some will.  I'm just one example of people who are putting good choices out there.

My prayer is that you will consider being active and not passive when it comes to promoting good things for your kids and teens.  Don't let the secular worldview's "village" rear your kids.  Look to the biblical worldview's "village" to help guide and direct them into godliness, which includes Sunday school, church, youth group, Christian school, church activities, personal and family Bible studies, and good reading and listening sources, including clean movies and TV shows and Christian radio.

If you agree with this, take a stand.  I'm excited about having that dream last night, because it reminded me that there is a good purpose for what I have worked hard to do the past 4-5 years.  I hope many stop by my table today at the Bristol Craft Fair and at least check out what I have to offer, and decide if these items will help their families.  God bless you as you do your best to raise up a strong and godly generation.

Deuteronomy 6:2: "That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged."

www.dawnfoss.tateauthor.com