Posts tagged ‘sin’

Oprah Winfrey and the Christian

By Monica Brand, 28 January, 2009, 15 Comments

Should Christians watch Oprah?

Friends, I’m having a hard time with a definite answer with this, and you know me, I’m always ready with a Yes or No. I thought I had my answer, wrote up my post to publish yesterday, then I started thinking of the people, the Christians, who may take what they read here and run with it, rather than google God*.

Whoa. That’s a sobering thought, A weighty responsibility for a mommyblogger.

So what to do? How to answer the question? Here’s what I’m thinking regarding Oprah and the Christian. We can discuss in the comments. Please understand: I’m not a theologian. I’m just a Christ follower with high speed Internet, so take this free advice for what it is – my best attempt to answer the question and to help the seeker.

Opinion 1: Christians have no business watching The Oprah Winfrey Show because she doesn’t promote the Bible as Truth.

Based on what I know about her program, I think it’s fair to say she’s not a follower of Christ. So why would a believer want to learn anything from her or expose herself to false teachings? Even watching the episodes about harmless topics like beauty and fashion is not okay because it raises the show’s ratings.

Christian, don’t watch The Oprah Winfrey Show; it will only lead you away from God.

Opinion 2: Christians can watch The Oprah Winfrey Show as long as they don’t depend on it for their spiritual guidance.

This is what I did years ago, before I had young ears in the house, and I needed a distraction while folding laundry. Today, I’d want to watch Oprah to see what she’s talking about, who the guests are, or what she’s into just for the purpose of knowing what she’s preaching. For example, I’d like to see the show with Elizabeth Gilbert as a guest, because I frequently write about her book, Eat, Pray, Love.

My regular readers know the way I think. I like to talk when I’m in a chatty mood (read: everyday!), I’ll talk to anyone, anywhere. I’m not shy. So when I say watching Oprah is okay, these are the situations I’m imaging taking place. Oprah as a cultural point of reference between two strangers.

Read this next part twice, it’s important

I admit – Opinion 2 is tricky territory, especially for the newbie Christian. Oprah is slick. She’s a good talker and even has a measure of truth mixed in with all the nonsense, so to watch Oprah means you better know your Bible well. I can understand why some Christians can be deceived.

Of course, if the Lord tells you otherwise, then you better heed His will. A check in your spirit that screams “NO!” when you tune in to her show might be a big clue that the Lord disapproves.

To the Christian Oprah fan

Friend and fellow believer, I pray what I have written here was of help to you. I know it’s helped me to formulate my answer as to what I believe regarding one of America’s most popular television personalities. There is a lot about Oprah I disagree with, but even so, we are called to love her. I do not hate Oprah. I wish her well. How wonderful it would be if she were to give her life to Christ! What a tremendous testimony she would have!

I’ve given a lot of thought to your question, “Should Christians watch Oprah?” I answered it because you asked via a Google search engine, leading you to this blog. Believer, in all honestly, I, nor the Internet, has the answer that will satisfy. Only submitting yourself to the Lord and His Word will give you peace. Please, go to Him in prayer. Read his Word.

Digging deeper into the question regarding Oprah and the Christian, it’s logical to ask, “Is watching Oprah a sin?” I think that’s the true spirit behind your question.

“Is watching the Oprah Winfrey Show a sin?”

He Who Loves Us replies -

… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthly – think about such things.

In love and humility,

Monica

____

* Google God. I like that – search the Scriptures and pray for an answer. Clever me.

Five thanks

By Monica Brand, 25 November, 2008, 2 Comments

A reflection of thankfulness…

1. Faith

$child\'s craft, handmade cross - a mommy\'s treasure$

Forever will I be thankful for the gift of forgiveness and for faith to believe.

2. Family

Four healthy children, full of life. A godly husband. My parents. Doc’s parents. Extended family near and far, all dear ones and loved. Church family, also dear. Along with my church family, I include my online friends. Faith brings us together, technology lets us connect and find each other. I’m thankful for you, readers.

3. Freedom

From sin through the power of Jesus Christ. Freedom to gather in community with other believers every Sunday, to openly proclaim Jesus is Lord. Freedom to educate my children, my way, without interference from government involvement.

4. Food

Because not everyone will sit down to turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy and pumpkin pie. God forgive us if we forget our brothers and sisters that are hungry today, here in the United States, or overseas.

5. Finances

My family has enough. We aren’t rich, we aren’t poor. I’m thankful for the abundance in my heart, that which money can’t buy.

From Psalm 136:

Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.

to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.

Now it’s your turn: Why are you thankful? Can you add to my List of Five?

You can read more thankful-blog posts here.

Feeding the beast: my take on the Miley Cyrus photo

By Monica Brand, 13 May, 2008, 4 Comments

Let’s talk about Miley.

Miley is a pretty and talented girl. A pretty, talented under age girl who is now some guy’s fantasy.

Ever hear the expression “sex sells?” Of course you have, because it’s true. Every time you turn on the TV, listen to the radio or flip open a magazine, you are exposed to a plethora of sexual images used to sell us a product. Now Miley is one image of millions, perhaps billions.

And this mommy-blogger always thought kiddie porn was illegal. With that in mind, I will not be linking to the now infamous picture.

The way I see it, Annie Liebovitz knew what she was doing when she took that picture of Miley half naked. In the picture, Miley looks a bit bedraggled, doesn’t she? Poor girl seems a bit lost, confused, maybe a little scared?

Don’t be too surprised. I’m sure that’s the way Liebovitz coached her. You know Liebovitz didn’t snap that picture with young Hannah Montana wannabees in mind or the women that usually buy Vanity Fair.

The publisher, editors and advertisers of Vanity Fair could care less who buys the magazine; as Mr. Crabs of Spongebob Squarepants would say, “Me loves me money.”

Sex sells. Annie Liebovitz knows it, the magazine people know it, Disney knows it and Miley is going to figure it out soon if she hasn’t already. At 15, Miley is still too young to be expected to stand up to the demands of a famous photographer, so if Miley felt any reservations over the pose, I can’t expect her to stick up for herself.

From what I’ve read, her parents left the shoot early, and were not there for the controversial pose. I can only imagine the conversation between the girl’s parents and those unfortunate to have approved of the photos after they left. Maybe the grandmother and teacher were too trusting?

I want to blame Liebovitz for taking advantage of the girl, but I can’t really fault her either. I guess you could argue her job is to take lovely portraits, but I would have to disagree. Ultimately her job is to sell magazines for Vanity Fair. When she told Miley to pose half covered in a bed sheet, she was just doing her job.

So who to blame? I accuse our society’s burning consumption that craves all-things sexual. Even the sexual image of a teen girl wrapped in a bed sheet.

The Billy Martin in me

By Monica Brand, 9 April, 2008, 3 Comments

Update: Mission accomplished. That wasn’t so hard.

There is this woman at church. She’s tall. Taller than I am- and that’s something, cause I’m no slouch at 5′9″. She has blond hair. And I’ve got to apologize to her.

It’s a good story I could spin with lots of soap opera like drama. But it doesn’t matter. She provoked me. And I reacted like that old Yankee manager Billy Martin when he disagreed with an umpire. When Martin got a call he didn’t like, he would unleash, get right in the umps face with his anger, kicking dirt in protest. If we had dirt at church, instead of plush carpeting, I would’ve kicked it. If I had been wearing a cap that Christmas Eve two years ago, I would’ve thrown it too. Just like Martin used to do.

So I’ve got to extend this olive branch of peace. Every time I see her in the sanctuary, or standing around during the coffee hour, I feel that nudge. Go over there. Say I’m sorry. Part of me wishes she would apologize to me. I suspect she’s not bothered about it at all.

Then there’s communion. I hold gently the tiny, plastic cup of red juice. Careful with the broken bit of cracker. I try to concentrate on Jesus and what he did and who he is and how his sacrifice is forever life changing. But all I can think of is her, sitting a few rows behind me. I’m not holy at all.

See what happens when you let your anger rule over better sense and judgment ? I hate being wrong, but this is a painful humbling. I told my CBS core leader about it, joking that I should just write her a letter. She thinks it’s a great idea. But can I do it? How can I not do it? Why do I have to be so stubbborn?

Cross

By Monica Brand, 21 March, 2008, 4 Comments

Today is Good Friday. The day when Christians around the world reflect on what our savior did for us on a Roman cross, giving us freedom from sin, death and the gift of eternal life. This is a beautiful description of Jesus taken from Isaiah 53: 4-6:

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to is own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

It’s hard to imagine the creator of the universe would be willing die for the created. That’s love. Radical love. Jesus willingly took my sin upon himself.

For his sacrifice and suffering, I will always be grateful.