There are a few families/mommies that I follow closely because I admire how they 'do' family! Tish Pitman is definitely one of those. From the first time I met her and saw her precious family, I have watched them closely. And, what I appreciate the most is their wisdom in family decision making but their courage to go against the flow at times, as well. Their kids do come to church in flip flops in December, they do stay up late quite often and they do wear jeans to church! But, they are the most joyful and respectful children I have EVER met. And, if Justin and I can glean anything from their parenting style, I know our children will be better for knowing the Pitman family... (here's a picture to put a face with her words)
 |
| Mark, Graham, Morgan and Tish |
Here she is ladies and gentleman...Tish Pitman...
Woo Hoo, guest blogger for Mandie! If I only had a bucket list I could check that one off.
Media. Whew! Nothing can draw the ire of teen girls and women faster than a discussion of the two M’s, Media and Modesty. Don’t mess with my movies and cute clothes!
Well, having grown up in the Information Age, I have had the opportunity to be exposed to quite a bit of what we now call “media.” I’m certainly not opposed to it. I have a degree in Computer Science and actually enjoy technology and all that comes with it. I’ve learned, however, that with all of the benefits and potential blessings come hazards, pitfalls, and much opportunity to experience the God-ordained consequences of reaping what we sow. There is nothing inherently bad about ipods, DVDs, smartphones, TVs, computers, movies, the internet, etc. but the question we have to ask ourselves is: With endless access to unlimited information, mindless entertainment, and perpetual communication, are we controlling our media or is it controlling us?
A couple of years ago I spent the summer teaching teen girls at my church through a number of subjects based on the book, Lies Young Women Believe by Dannah Gresh and Nancy Leigh DeMoss. We spent four weeks on the topic, “Lies about the Media”, and came away with two major principles that will hopefully help us make wise decisions going forward regarding our consumption of all types of media.
The first principle we discussed is that our media lifestyles actually do change us whether we think they do or not. A very common idea in our media saturated culture is that we can consume whatever and as much media as we choose and it will not affect us negatively if we don’t want it to. That is just not consistent with reality. All we have to do is look at our culture and we see a mirror of the entertainment industry. Most of us think we are just being entertained, but in fact, we are also being educated. The media’s influence is so powerful for several reasons. The most obvious reason is that we become desensitized to images and language and, most importantly, ideas that previously offended our conscious. In turn, that desensitization affects what we think is normal. What was previously shocking or abnormal is not any more. The desensitization also alters what we think is entertaining and important. Communication through the media is so well-crafted , we don’t even realize that false worldviews are being set up and presented as truth in very persuasive ways. Even the design of our brain contributes to the power of media influence. The Lord obviously designed our brains to hold onto and store information. Studies have shown that music and images are processed differently than printed words and have a powerful effect on emotions, affections, and memory. It is easy to dismiss the danger because the effects are slow and subtle, but choice by choice, year upon year, they accumulate and we find ourselves and our children with ideas inconsistent with the truth of God’s Word. Of course, we all think we and our kids are the exception, but as a Christian, I have to rely on God’s Word to challenge me. “Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Galatians 6:7
The second key truth we talked about is that we all need boundaries and that established limits and self-control are good. Boundaries give us freedom and protection, and help us make intentional choices about how to use our time wisely and in a way that honors God. I gave a list of guidelines to the teen girls that we have used in our home over the years regarding phone/texting, computer and video games, internet, Facebook, e-mail, books, magazines, movies, TV, and music. If any of you are interested in those, I am happy to share. I also challenged them to a 30-day fast. Our family has taken the month of August every year as a TV-free month for the last ten years. It has been an awesome time for us to reconnect and refocus as a new school year starts, and make sure we place our relationships with each other as highest priority. Sometimes it is just best to unplug.
There is so much that can be said on this subject, but I’m sure I’ve used my allotted guest-blog space and more! The best words on this subject come from The Word itself.
Learn to discern. God has a lot to say about what we choose to put into our eyes and ears!
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 “Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.”
Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Psalm 101:3 “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.”
Psalm 101:4 “A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.”
Ephesians 5:3 “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.”
Ephesians 5:11-12 “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.”
Romans 1:32 “Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”
Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Hebrews 5:14 “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”
There are many excellent resources that reference this subject. Here are just a few:
Lies Young Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Dannah Gresh
5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter by Vicki Courtney
Logged On and Tuned Out by Vicki Courtney
Sex is Not the Problem, Lust is by Joshua Harris
Preparing Your Daughter for Every Woman’s Battle by Shannon Ethridge
Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris
Tish Pitman
Visit our family website and newsletter at www.pitmanacademy.weebly.com
No comments:
Post a Comment