Check Your Christmas Theology

Your Kids and Santa Claus

 

During the first 7 years of a child’s life their fundamental character and belief system is formed.

It’s during this time that many parents choose to indoctrinate their children with the lie of Santa Claus.

They teach their kids that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ but convince them that Santa is the one who brings them gifts.

Let’s consider Santa’s attributes:

1. He’s Omnipotent – Able to manufacture and distribute the perfect gift to billions of children
2. He’s Omniscient – He knows the exact address and directions to the home of every child on the planet
3. He’s Virtually Omnipresent – Able to be at billions of homes in one night
4. He’s an Absolute Moral Judge – He makes the final determination if kids are good or bad, naughty or nice
5. He’s Infinitely Loving, Kind, Compassionate, Joyful, Wise, Just and a genuine Miracle Worker.

So, we have conferred the fundamental attributes of God to a mythical figure and convinced our children that he is real and should be venerated.

Do you realize that this is Idol Worship in its purest form???

This is NOT harmless fun! 

Not when your kids actually believe he exists.

The concept of someone else inhabiting the attributes of God, acting like God and revered like God is embedded as a seed into the psyche of your kids during their most formative years.

This seed is nurtured by input from the education system, the media and society as a whole until it grows into a tree bearing all kinds of destructive fruit in the lives of these innocents.

It’s so easy for the ignorant to make light of this when they don’t understand that this is just one small part of a complex strategy of the enemy to infiltrate and dominate the minds of the next generation, grooming them to become secular evangelists of the doctrines of Humanism, Atheism, etc.

And YOU Christian parents are playing directly into the hands of your enemy, using Santa and Christmas to help him recruit YOUR children to his service.

I read the stories in the Old Testament and I wonder how Israel could fall away from God and worship idols in just one generation after He performed such great miracles for the generation before?

Then I look at us Christians today and see the example we’re setting for our kids … and I understand.

 

Into Joy

She touches a trembling hand to her stomach and is at once transported to another time and place, then back again. Somehow the phrase “wide awake in a dream” dances behind her closed eyelids as she becomes increasingly intoxicated with the aroma that seeps through her pores and fills her very being.

Her consciousness is heightened as she sees sounds gliding on currents of air. Colors merge forming new, impossible hues making everything infinitely bolder, brighter; more uniquely distinct. She’s aware of everything and everyone yet nothing distracts her.

One speck in a human mass, she squeezes his hand for reassurance. Is this really happening? His hug says, “Yes, I feel it too.”

Her heartbeat quickens as she senses the mounting tension and instinctively knows the time is drawing close.

He warms to the realization that he is here. This is real, no rehearsal, no going through the motions but knowing true emotions as he feels more deeply, more passionately than he’s ever felt before.

This is true life, real living.

He remembers the life before, but only just, his role in eternity’s drama and how he performed. With mounting anticipation he ponders his new role, but this present reality consumes it all. There is no anxiety, no confusion, only a profound sense of immediacy.

He wants to run yet he’s rooted with joy.

His body is stationary, his mind is ablaze. New thoughts, new insights, new modes of understanding; an invisible elixir has broadened his ken.

He’s ready.

He embraces the new and the now.

Two of them, in a sea of humanity, contained yet connected to everyone else. A common bond that welds each heart; connecting, uniting every part, a shared consciousness, a single purpose, to celebrate the One who defines “Rapturous”.

Every fiber vibrates in harmony, every member moves in synchronicity, thoughts and emotions coalesce naturally as the atmosphere silently explodes. There’s the hushed rumble of a thousand thunders as a Glory unfolds that both time and eternity has ached for. The soul of the Cosmos weeps with joy as the Son triumphantly ascends His throne.

He begins the welcome.

They stand before Him naked yet clothed, bodies covered, souls exposed. He gazes upon their form as though for the first time. Long and deep His eyes pierce through and it’s as if each tiny thought and every small nuance of emotion rises to the surface of their minds for scrutiny. Individual memories surface, they’re surveyed and purified. Every motive is examined and tried.

What He must think of us, they wonder, then He smiles and their souls launch.

They take flight as every strand of their being soars on wings of ecstasy, basking in the glow of His Glorious Presence.

He stands up and their eyes widen in awe. He descends toward them and they drop to their knees. He draws nigh and they can hear their synchronous heartbeat as though providing musical accompaniment for each footstep.

They sense the warmth of His proximity now; a warmth that is not felt by their skin as it is perceived by their spirit. They dare not look, but their hearts tug at them to steal an upward glance.

They look into His eyes and see visions; they behold a boy of twelve who spoke like an Ancient, a cheeky youth with the soul of a Mystic, a carpenter’s apprentice who taught like a Prophet. A young man who embodied innocence yet wielded the Power of God.

They worship Him.

He stretches His hands to them; they rise. He draws them close and the universe around them disappears as the beating of His heart so close to theirs become their only focus. His hands gently rest on their shoulders as He leans between them and whispers… Thank You.

Life stands still, time rewinds itself and fast forwards again. They relive their entire lives in the blink of an eye, this time with foreknowledge of purpose. Their souls once soaring on high finally alights within them. They are rooted, grounded in secret knowledge, given a new name and advanced to a higher Order.

He steps back now and they look at Him with new eyes.

They see as he sees – Nothing is hid from them! They finally understand, as every former question is answered and a new level of consciousness is attained.

“My good and faithful parents,” He says, “Well done, enter thou into the joy of the Lord.”

 

Kingdomlearning.com

 

What I Learned From Watching “The Incredibles” Movie

What I Learned About Pursuing Purpose and Family Life From “The Incredibles” Movie

The Incredibles is on my short list of the top 10 best Superhero movies ever made!

Here’s why…

Through the lives and experiences of each of the main characters I have learnt some very valuable life lessons which I will share with you.

The Husband

Through the character, Mr. Incredible I learnt the importance of being true to your purpose and following through on your dream in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

He was a superhero. That is what he was.

He wasn’t a superhero simply because he had super strength. The enhanced strength just made him super but he was already a hero on the inside.

This is evident because even when the government outlawed superheroes he and Frozone still found a way to go out there night after night and help people at their own peril.

When they stuck him in a boring day job with an Insurance company bogged down by red tape designed to curtail the efforts of good citizens trying to make good on their rightful claims he still found a way to assist them in circumventing the “evil” bureaucracy and get justice done without having to use any super powers at all.

Mr. Incredible was a hero at heart and he was driven to fulfill his destiny.

Over the past 25 years as a Bible Teacher many people have asked me the question, “How can I find my purpose in life?”

The correct answer is multifaceted, of course but one clear indication to your purpose is to identify that one thing that you cannot help but think about constantly.

What is that one thing you find yourself drawn to and find yourself doing naturally and unconsciously?

What do you day-dream about? What would you risk your life for?

If you can answer these questions you will have one clear indication as to your call in life.

Mr. Incredible found himself being a hero even when it was outlawed, and even when he couldn’t use his super strength to help someone he still found a way to lend a hand.
On the flip side there is a lesson Mr. Incredible had to learn and it is something everyone, especially us men need to learn as well.

Once you’re married, a meticulous balance must be struck between fulfilling your personal purpose and your duties and responsibilities to your home and family.

Mr. Incredible was so consumed with fulfilling his destiny as a superhero he began neglecting his marital and familial responsibilities which brought discord and the inevitable breakdown of discipline in his home.

His wife, Elastigirl felt personally neglected and abandoned with respect to parenting their kids and managing their home and her mounting resentment if left unchecked would have threatened to destroy everything they built together as a family.

Thank God because of the perils they faced together as a family, these issues were resolved by the end of the movie but not without Elastigirl going through her own metamorphosis and re-discovering her own purpose as well.

The Wife

Here is where the ladies can take note and discover something of value.

God made Adam first for a reason and specifically took Eve out of Adam’s body for a purpose.

He could have gone back to the earth and fashioned a body for Eve… Why didn’t He?

I believe God did things the way He did to give a clear indication to women that they are indeed created equal to men in every respect yet in the context of the home and family there are distinctly different offices for male and female.

The woman was made a “Help Meet” for the man, these Hebrew words simply mean a “Suitable Partner.”

They DO NOT mean a woman is less than a man… Women are equal yet different!

God created the man first and has ordained it that the man is the head of the family, he determines where the family goes but the thing most men don’t realize is that the woman determines how they get there.

Someone said it like this… The man is the head but the woman is the neck which turns the head how it wants.

This was so clearly illustrated in the movie you have to wonder if the Holy Spirit had a hand in directing it.

When the Incredibles Family left syndrome’s Lair and headed for the city to stop the “Evil” Machine from wrecking havoc, Mr Incredible decided where they were going but when the van landed and they were trying to figure out the best way to get to the heart of the city it was Elastigirl, in defiance to her husband’s will who correctly identified the most expedient route and executed it safely.

Women are NOT made subservient to men. They are made equal, qualified Partners.

Elastigirl had to discover that her own destiny was hidden within her husband’s destiny as a superhero.

Is this the reason God specifically took something from inside the man to create the woman?

Is this why the woman was hidden inside the man when God first created him? To indicate that she will perfectly fulfill her own purpose as she comes into alignment with her husband’s?

Elastigirl certainly discovered a new sense of purpose as she united with her husband in the fulfilling of his own purpose and eventually each member of the family fell into place discovering and fulfilling their own individual purpose as well.

Elastigirl was spot on when Mr. Incredible uttered those iconic words, “I’m not strong enough” and she responded with, “You don’t have to be, if we
work together.”

That’s almost the entire movie in one sentence!

Brilliantly done… Brad Bird!

The Kids

Violet discovered a confidence she never knew existed within herself and embraced it along with the mastery of her own unique powers.

She learnt how to assert herself in the world and take what was rightfully hers without crushing others in the process.

Dash learnt the balance between power and humility.

He learnt how to explore and express his own unique gift without abusing it, using it to help rather than hurt others.

And Jack-Jack, the product of two super-powered beings began to discover his own nature and potential as a force for good and justice in the universe.

The Villain

Of course, we have the negative example of Syndrome, the Villain who never discovered his own unique purpose in life but rather tried to hitch his wagon to another man’s dream and literally crash, burned and died in the process.

Tragically, Buddy originally saw himself as the hero but actually became Syndrome, the Villain of the movie instead.

A significant message here is that villainy is inevitable when one uses his gifts and talents for selfish gain rather than altruistically for the betterment of others.

The other significance is that Buddy never discovered his own personal purpose and became totally frustrated in trying to pursue his imagined role in Mr. Incredible’s life.

He then became resentful and bitter to the extent that hate filled his heart completely destroying his moral center.

He systematically murdered every superhero he could find all the while convincing himself that he was doing everyone a favor and that eventually he would be justified.

I think by every definition this would certainly qualify as a degree of insanity.

Conclusion

My final thoughts are… how many people right now are living fruitless, frustrated lives consciously or unconsciously abusing others around them all because they have never discovered and pursued their true purpose in life?

How many have allowed their failed attempts at being and doing something they were never designed for to make them bitter and resentful?

I believe when you are actively fulfilling your purpose in life the natural result is a sense of well-being and confidence.

You are naturally loving and kind to others and look for ways to bless others. You become a giver instead of a taker.

There is no tragedy greater than to die without really living.

I believe that never discovering and fulfilling your purpose in life is never to have lived at all.

These are the things I’ve learnt from watching the movie… The Incredibles!

Marriage is a Blood Covenant

“Hey, Pops!” Jennie came bounding down the stairs all excited.

“What’s up?” Her father looked up from the newspaper his glasses perched on the tip of his nose so he could read the fine print without them.

“Can you do me a solid? I need to borrow your car tonight”

“Sure. What’s the occasion?”

“Oh, just going to the movies.” Her voice sounded a little too casual and her body language was a little off. After 19 years Jen’s father could read her like the Newspaper he held in his hand.

“Going alone?” He countered with equal casualness.

The pause was pregnant.

“Look, it’s no big deal alright, I’m going with John but Suzanne and Rick will be there too.”

“Sweetheart, you’re 19 years old and your mother and I expect you to make your own decisions but remember; decisions have consequences. You know how I feel about you and John. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I think you’re getting too close too soon, you should…”

“But Dad, it’s not like we plan on having sex or anything we’re just having fun being together!”

“I understand that, Jennifer but when you spend so much time with one person you’re bound to develop feelings for them and pretty soon you’ll find that your emotions could be making the decisions for you, and then things may get out of control very quickly.”

“It’s my life and I need to make my own decisions, right? Anyway, what’s the big deal about sex before marriage anyway, I mean if two people truly love each other what’s wrong with that. Isn’t marriage just a formality, anyway?”

 James looked at his daughter silently for a while. And like most fathers, even though he was looking at a young woman he was still seeing his little baby girl.

“Come sweetheart, have a seat.” His words drew her in as only a father’s can.

She obliged, pulling a chair and sitting at the table adjacent from her dad.

“Jennifer,” he started slowly, “what we see on the TV and the Movies is not what marriage is supposed to be, it’s…”

“I know that Dad, I’m not stupid you know, I can see…”

“Wait, Babes, let me finish.” He pleaded gently. Jennifer rolled her eyes, sighed and slumped like all the air was let out of her but she remained silent.

“Here’s what you need to know about marriage.” Her father continued.

“Marriage is more than just, I love you and you love me so let’s get together and have a family.”

“Marriage is a Blood Covenant.”

“A what??!!” Jennifer blurted, staring at her father like if his mental hard-drive had just crashed.

“On the wedding night, “ he explained, “when the newlywed virgin couple consummates their marriage the blood that flows is the sign of the covenant that they’ve entered into earlier that day in the presence of God and the witness gathered at their wedding.”

She continued staring at him in silence.

“You see, Jen, marriage between a man and a woman represents the mystical union of Christ to His Church. That’s why the Church is called the Bride of Christ and in many of His parables Jesus likens Himself to a Bridegroom”

“So, that virginal blood that was shed on the wedding night will always be a sign of their marital covenant. Just like when Jesus died on the cross and He was pierced in the side with the spear, the blood that flowed over the spear is the sign of the New Covenant of salvation that Christians enjoy.”

“That’s why we can use Jesus’ Blood as a spiritual weapon and “Plead the Blood” against the Devil’s works of darkness. When we plead the Blood of Jesus we remind the Enemy of the power of the Covenant we are protected by so He has no choice but to bow to the authority of that Blood and the Covenant it represents.”

“In the same way, when you obey God and wait until you get married to have sex, the blood that’s shed on your wedding night enforces the Marriage Covenant and acts as a form of spiritual protection against the attacks of the Devil on your marriage.”

“But when you practice pre-marital sex and no blood flows when you consummate your marriage, the sign of your covenant is missing.”

“God still honors your vows but there’s no sign of the covenant for you to hold up against the Enemy, nothing for him to submit to and nothing you can use to remind him of the binding power of your covenant.”

“When the sign of your covenant is missing that’s just another chink in the armor that protects your marriage.”

“This doesn’t mean that once you’re a virgin when you get married you won’t have any problems, it just means that engaging in pre-marital sex puts you at a greater disadvantage when it comes to winning the spiritual warfare for your marriage relationship.”

“Wow, Pops, that’s some heavy sh… stuff!” Jen stammered.

“What do you think about it?” He asked, sliding the car keys across the table at her.

“I’ll get back to you on that. I need some time to process.” Jen pushed back the chair, palmed the keys and stood up to leave.

Her father gave her that particular look that said, “You’ve been warned, the ball is now in your court!” He opened the Newspaper and resumed reading.

Jen slowly started up the stairs as she muttered to herself, “A Blood Covenant… Wow!”

.

Everest John Alexander is a Bible Teacher, Author and Professional Network Marketer.

He’s been in Christian Ministry since 1992 serving as a Pastor for 4 years.

He’s been married to his High-School sweetheart, Loraine since 1988 and together they have two grown children, Ishmael and Jade.

Get Free Christian Ebooks, Videos and Other Resources at www.KingdomLearning.com

Interview With The Carpenter

I awoke at 3:20AM and began writing!

The dream was so real that at first I had to convince myself my waking state was the reality.

I dreamt I was interviewing Joseph, Jesus’ foster father in heaven.

The interview went like this:

His face was bronzed and character lined, his brown eyes reflected a deep wisdom that drew you in and set you at ease so that you relaxed in his presence without thinking about it.

The room was stark white and empty except for two chairs. We sat facing each other comfortably as the interview began.

Me: So, Joseph, tell me what prompted you to grant this interview.

Joseph: I was asked to.

Me: That’s it! That’s the only reason? You were asked?

Joseph: It’s like this, in all that we’ve been through, my wife, my family and I, no one ever seemed interested in my side of the story. Even when Luke came to the house he was more curious about what Mary had to say, so I allowed her to speak. Apart from asking me to describe the details of my dreams he didn’t seem to need much input from me.

Me: So, what is your side of the story.

Joseph: That depends. What exactly do you want to know?

Me: Well, for instance, what would you share with our readers about being a good parent.

Joseph: There are several significant lessons I learnt about being a parent, for instance; it’s very difficult to teach your children to become something that you’re not. What I mean is, you can preach from dusk till dawn about truth and righteousness but if your children don’t SEE you practice these things at home then your preaching is void.

Me: Can you elaborate on this?

Joseph: Sure! Do you know why your children disobey you?

Because there are things about you and your life that they reject, they see stuff in you that they don’t like and don’t agree with. And they don’t want to become like you so they reject your authority to tell them what to do for fear that if they follow you and your instructions they’ll turn out just like you.

Me: Wow! I’ve never heard anyone put it quite like that before. So, how do we constructively handle this problem.

Joseph: Excellent question, here’s the recipe for raising obedient kids.

You must become attractive to them as people!

You do this by modeling the virtues you want them to have. And when they see these attractive qualities in you then they’ll want to be like you and have what you have.

So now, they’ll want to follow your lead and obey your instructions.

You see, whenever a leader cannot inspire his followers to obey, then he must manipulate them. And a parent is nothing more than a leader of his/her children.

So, we find that manipulation becomes the technique of the average parent. Do as I say OR ELSE! If your child dares to ask why, your practiced response is, “Because I’m your father/mother and I said so!

This is not inspiration – This is manipulation!

From the time that child is old enough or FEELS old enough they will begin to challenge your authority. First covertly, then openly, finally, if not checked, they’ll move on to total rebellion.

Is this making any sense to you, so far?

Me: Oh yes! Your words are pregnant with truth, Joseph. As a matter of fact I remember living through such experiences with my own parents. Please do continue.

Joseph: Here’s the key: First, you need to spend time with your children. Loving is giving and the most valuable resource you have is your time. When you invest time with your kids you’re confirming your unconditional love for them and they will come to know and trust your love.

Next, you build on this trust by fostering open dialog with them about discipline and punishment, eg. “You may NOT have this right now because this is not the time and place for you to have it.”

“But why can’t I have it, Daddy?”

“Because I love you and this will only hurt you if I allow you to have it and Daddy loves you too much to allow you to hurt yourself. OK, so you can’t have it right away.”

As they grow older they will come to understand that there is always a reason for denial of something they desired and the reason is always love.

‘The reason is always love.’

I woke up with those words echoing in my head as I began to record the most profound dream I’ve ever had.

www.KingdomLearning.com