New Jersey teens arrested for plotting Columbine-like attack

By Monica Brand, 14 December, 2009, No Comment

Two New Jersey high school boys arrested for planning to bomb Bridgewater-Raritan High School.

This is just heartbreaking.

Friends, please pray for those involved: the two teen boys arrested, the high school students who were their alleged targets and for the community of teachers and parents. I grew up in the Martinsville section of Bridgewater. I graduated from one of the old high schools, before there were combined to form the one school there is today. I’m shocked and saddened that this level of evil found it’s way to my hometown.

The 14 Days of Homeschool

By Monica Brand, 13 December, 2009, No Comment

Heh heh heh. Love this. Sung to the “Twelve Days of Christmas” – this is the homeschool version. Enjoy!

Twilight discussion: Edward, the virtuous vampire

By Monica Brand, 12 December, 2009, 2 Comments

When I read popular novels, I love to find unexpected references to spiritual things. Twilight doesn’t disappoint.

In the Twilight series, beyond the teen romance and surviving the Bad Guy vampires, there is Edward, a vampire struggling to understand what will happen to him if he should die (that’s an IF because vampires are supposed to be immortal, unless destroyed, right?). Head Good Guy vampire, Carlisle, believes in redemption for their kind. Edward isn’t so sure, and spends a lot of time talking about heaven and hell with Bella. (That’s one of the reasons Edward doesn’t want Bella to become a vampire, remember? He doesn’t want her condemned to an eternity as a lost soul.)

Now THIS is a topic I can really sink my teeth into.

At first, Edward tells Bella no to her sexual advances because she is “fragile,” he’s afraid he might hurt her, but the further we get into the series, we come to learn that he is concerned with his own soul. He’s a murderer, a monster. He knows he’s done wrong, and now he’s trying to make amends with his non-human diet. Here is a vampire looking for any way to increase his odds of going to heaven. So no sex with Bella before they are wed.

Interesting, isn’t it?

What do you think?

Can Edward make it into heaven by his good intentions?

Can a vampire go to heaven or is his soul condemned forever?

Did you like the spiritual aspect of the novels or do you only like the love story?

Let’s discuss.

Next: Twilight, sex and the pre-teen

Twilight discussion: the problems with Bella

By Monica Brand, 8 December, 2009, 2 Comments

No, it’s not her romance with a blood-thirsty vampire or her inability to stay away from near death experiences. Not even her lack of coordination for basic physical activity.

Bella Swan, the 17-year-old heroine of the Twilight series, has bigger problems than vampires, a crashing car or bad guys stalking her down dark city streets, making her every parents worst nightmare for a teen-aged daughter. These are the problems I find in Bella:

1. Obsession with Edward

Bella admits it early in the first novel of her “unhealthy” preoccupation with Edward, the strange, yet beautiful boy she spies for the first time in the high school cafeteria. In the second novel, New Moon, her reaction to their break-up is over-the-top despair. I believe her father uses the term comatose. After being threatened with returning her to her mother, Bella finally decides to fake a recovery. Honestly, I had a hard time reading the first half of New Moon, Bella’s misery is so bizarre. Do 17 year olds react this way over a break-up with a first love or just the ones falling for a vampire?

2. Poor self-esteem

This may bother me more than the obsessiveness over a boy, the lack of self-worth Bella feels for herself. All four novels have many references to her perceived lack of beauty, her unworthiness to be protected and general lack of confidence on her part.

3. That sex thing

And this is one of the major reasons I read the series, to observe the relationship between Bella and Edward. Bella admits to a lack of belief in any faith in God, does have a sense of right and wrong (i.e. doesn’t like to lie), yet has no problem attempting to wear down the “old-fashioned” Edward, who refuses to give into temptation again and again. As a Bible-believing Christian, I believe Bella’s behavior is wrong and a sin. (I have a lot more to say about sex and the series, but this post is long enough. I’ll share those thoughts in the next few days.)

Sadly, I don’t care much for Bella – and I tried, I really did. She’s too clingy, obsessive. A bit whiny. Of course without those character flaws, there wouldn’t be much of a plot. I wish Bella were more independent, more strong in herself, and not crazy-obsessive with Edward. Of course, I would advise her to stop trying to have sex before marriage. At least the girl has enough sense to enjoy reading and good books.

What do you think? Do you agree with my assessment of Bella? If not, why?

Up next: Can vampires go to heaven?

For discussion: Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer

By Monica Brand, 6 December, 2009, 3 Comments

So. I’ve read the Twilight books.

I liked the writing, the story is interesting, totally unbelievable for reality, so it’s fun to lose yourself in the plot. I was surprised to find myself enjoying the vampire family, probably because they don’t really act like your typical, scary vampires. I was able to anticipate where parts of the story were going, and was completely taken by surprise in other places.Quick reads, these books.

As you know, I was reading Twilight to answer the questions: What does the Twilight series teach young people about sex and purity? Do the books promote godly behavior? I’m going to answer that question, and address other issues that pertain to the Twilight series, in several posts over the coming week. If you have read the series, or are a parent concerned about what our young people may learn from Bella and Edward, I hope you will join in the discussion.

Up next: The problem with Bella

You’ll never guess what book I’m holding right now

By Monica Brand, 21 November, 2009, 5 Comments

Twilight.

Oh, stop laughing!

I mentioned on Facebook the other day that I wasn’t going to be part of the masses descending upon a movie theater to see New Moon. Who knew from an innocent status update I would be inspired to read a series of YA novels I never, ever imagined I would read? Stranger things and all that, eh?

Joy, a dear friend, fellow homeschooling mom trying to teach her kids the same truths I am, with the good sense to live within sight of Mt. Rainier, commented that she used the Twilight books as a springboard into teaching right v. wrong, not having sex before marriage, etc.

Really, Joy? That was a first. Who has escaped all the hype surrounding Twilight? First the rage of the books, now the films, so this was the first time I knew of someone reading these books to discuss Biblical principals. I do love a good debate, especially one based on a hot book (no, that’s not a Team Jacob or Team Edward reference. Sheesh, people.)

You know me, I like to talk books. I’m not shy to speak my mind regarding my opinions. And as a mother of a pre-teen, voracious reader, I need to know what she’s picked up off the shelf. You can’t judge a book by its cover.

So I’m going to read the entire series, then blog about my findings. I’m basically interested in two questions:

What does the Twilight series teach young people about sex and purity? Do the books promote godly behavior?

I’m leaning toward posting each book separately, but I’ll see how it goes. If I suddenly have deep thoughts bursting from within, I won’t wait until I’ve finished the book.

That’s it for now. I know I’ve been usually quiet here these last few months. I just really didn’t feel much like recording thoughts here; guess I had the blog blahs, if there is such a thing. It’s been awhile since I’ve really felt fired up about writing thoughts about a book. I think Twilight is just the kick in the pants I need to get back into writing here again. Thanks for sticking with me.

Paper Bridges