Holy Spirit's Baseball bat

[Restin]

As some of you know, I've been griping this summer about burn out from running my copy machine, doing literature evangelism. Guilt and Florida heat have dogged me all summer while I do almost nothing to advance our Lord's cause to get ready for His coming.

So, enough pity party on my part. I went to the doc for my checkup; and, while in the waiting room picked up the well-known children's magazine titled "Boy's Life." Therein, I saw a full page ad for some fantasy books by famous author, Philip Pullman. I was so outraged at this Satanic attempt to reach innocent kids that my faced burned with anger. As some of you know, Pullman was C.S Lewis's antagonist who wrote fantasy stories for children SPECIFICALLY to foster doubt in that about the existence of God, Jesus, and the Gospel.

The point is, I totally failed to follow up on this by telling the receptionist or doctor (who are Adventists. The doctor there would be upset that anything by Philip Pullman was being pushed at his office). But I just went on my own selfish way,didn't think about it until my evening prayers. Suddenly it was as if the Holy Spirit hit me with a bat. How could I not do a thing to protest that magazine in his waiting room!

Next day, I made myself do it. I went back the ten miles to the doctor's office and told them at the front desk. I'm so tongue-tied and a terrible witness, and dread giving studies or stopping people to talk to them. But this I had to do. I prayed for words. As providence would have it, the administrator, record's keeper, and others just happened to be at the desk area. They attentively listened as I showed them the Boy's Life magazine with the Pullman ad in it. They seemed pleased to see that pointed out.

Yea, I've been burned out, but I'm sure the Holy Spirit struck some respect in me to go do at least that errand for Him.

I don't need or deserve any praise for doing this, ya'll. I just have to say that sometimes the Holy Spirit picks up His bat and lets you know He means business. I would disregard Him at my own peril! But I still wonder what he wants me to do next in a regular way. Please pray for me, too.

[Dottie]

I'm surprised at what you saw. I have always thought that "Boys' Life" is a publication of the Boy Scouts, who tend to be Christians. Perhaps the person in charge of accepting ads did not realize the ocntent of the books being advertised in the magazine, or perhaps, wasn't as committed to Christianity as the Boy Scouts I know.

[CoAspen]

Wiki Bio

Unless the mag is a religious magazine or supporting a particular view point, I would assume they have the right to accept what ever advertising they feel appropriate. Do young adults really look at all the ads? I would think that most any mag could be tossed out, if one were into censorship. Whether or not it was in a SDA/Christian office doesn't seem to be an issue to me. We are surrounded in a world where all types of 'things' would be disagreeable to any particular person, regardless of religious belief.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

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[ClubV12]

We all need to "look within", we also need to give the trumpet a certain sound of warning. If literiture in an Adventist doctors office is not up to appropriate standards there is nothing wrong with calling that to the attention of those who can do something about it.

I don't know the players or authors involved in this scenario but I find nothing wrong with providing an insight to the doctors office staff. I won't second guess Restin's call that this magazine was not up to appropriate standards. A job well done in my opinion.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

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[Pockey]

All good Rudywoofs I think Restin was just commenting on the Holy Spirit and the ad and not on Boy's Life itself.

Never heard of Boy's Life or Pullman, but Restin, I gotta say it took courage and effort to drive back. It sounds like He used you in a good way. Keep it up!

[phkrause]

Will be praying for God's leading in your endeavors.

[Restin]

I know I can't be the police for the world. Also, it's true that kids will be bombarded by all kinds of stuff out there and need to learn to make good choices. Could be, 90% won't read that ad for Phillip Pullman's works, but it distresses me that someone could order the fantasy books, unaware of the fact that Pullman set out to push the atheistic side of thought for children.

As a believer in God, Jesus, and the gospel I just can't sit unconcerned when I have a certain knowledge that could make a difference in someone's life.

[Restin]

Dottie, and others, I wasn't trying to dis the "Boy's Life" magazine. I've always known it's a good Boy Scout publication. I agree that maybe the editors aren't so informed about the background of Philip Pullman.

I didn't mean to put down the magazine, i just object to that particular anti-God advertisement. Children are attracted to fantasy animals and adventure stories about them, but might not be sophisticated to catch a deliberate, systematic, effort of the author to infect them with scepticism about our Creator God.

[Dottie]

I didn't think you were putting down the magazine at all. I used to read it when I went to my cousins' house in the summer. It was interesting, and at that age, I would read anything that came in front of my face. You were absolutely correct in your concern and your actions. :)