nebula

Laroka - The only thing that really can explain it to them is for them to understand the danger and the reality of the occult, or rather of demons and demonic activity. That is really what this is all about. Mind you, demonic activity does not occur the way that is portrayed in the movies. What happens in reality is worse, I believe. I have had dreams that mirrored what is shown in the movies - what makes it worse is that you are not incomplete control of yourself or your senses in such dreams. It's hard to speak the Word and speak the name of Jesus when you lose your ability to speak! I have also experienced fear as if it were a presence; I know it was not my fear, but the fear was all in and around me. I've known other things, too, but I do not know how people here would react to what I say, because I know there are differences in opinions on such, and I don't want to be engaging in a debate here about it. I know there are Christians who have no problem or seeming consequences with reading Harry Potter or these game cards and such. But I know such things are very dangerous for me, because I have a different kind-of sensitivity to the spiritual realm and have been hit very badly with such. I have also struggled with being drawn towards the kind of spiritual power that does not come from God. The only thing that saved me from falling into it was tha fact that I did love God and did not want to involve myself in those spiritual activities His word says not to. If there is divination, sorcery, witchcraft, possession, familiar spirits, casting spells, and the like - these are things of which the LORD called "abominations." There's a reason for which the LORD commands us to not have anything to do with them. Remember what happened to King Saul when he consulted a medium. You may not see or encounter the consequences or the dangers as quickly as he did, but is it worth the risk? These are the things you need to teach your children. You may have to do some research yourself. There are Christian books that speak of the occult and the demonic realm. Then again, if nothing else, there is the issue of whether your children want to please their "having fun" or to please the Lord. They need to make their own decision in this. Ask them to seek the LORD for themselves in regards to these card games.

I've been wondering something about these. I have been a dedicated Christian since I was a little girl, so I can't relate too well to what it's like to be "not of the Lord" you might say. Anyway, for those of you who can remember those years of being alienated from Jesus, I was wanting to know if Christian t-shirts and bumper stickers had any impact on you. Did they "do their job" and "witness to you"? Did they have the opposite effect (i.e. annoy you, turn you off)? Did they have absolutely no impact on your coming to Christ one way or the other? Something in between the extremes? This is just a question I have been wondering about for a long time. P.S. That's gotta be the silliest smilie!!