Hooray for Hollywood
You may be homely in your neighbourhood
But if you think that you can be an actor, see Mr. Factor
He'll make a monkey look good
Within a half an hour you'll look like Tyrone Power
Hooray for Hollywood
That's part of the lyrics to the song "Hooray For Hollywood" which first debut in the 1937 film "Hollywood Hotel". The song was actually a kind of in fun satire of the Hollywood film industry at the time. The tune is now more recognizable than the actual lyrics themselves. Most people probably wouldn't understand the songs references today, wikipedia will be your friend if you want to know.
With out a doubt, the Hollywood of today is not the Hollywood of yesteryear. Things that were edgy then and shocking are less than that today. Numerous songs and movies about people abandoning all to move to L.A. to pursue their dreams of being actors and actress', singers and entertainers, have been made. The comedies and the tragedies, art imitating life.
Hollywood has been adept at changing lives for better or for worse. Within the last few years or so, I believe we are seeing how Hollywood is changing lives for the worse. Of course the first examples I think of are Lindsey Lohan, Britney Spears, and Miley Cyrus. But, let's consider the divorces, the deaths, the political ramblings and activism. As Christian singer Carmen put it in his song "Soap Song", gone are the days of "Leave It To Beaver, Matt Dillon and his sidekick Festus". Again, wikipedia will be your friend.
Oh, I know that Hollywood has never been perfect. Expose programs tell you that. You find out things about celebrities that you really wished you hadn't. The hedonistic this is what we all do somehow someway if you do it's ok and if you don't then go away lifestyle of the people of the silver screen and vinyl discs (wikipedia) is shown without rereservation today.
Don't get me wrong. I like movies and music, but let's not forget that those things that appeal to the flesh are those things that Satan uses to kill, steal, and destroy. Think about it. Think about Lindsey, Britney, and Miley. All have started out with fresh faced innocence only to be prostituted and marred and scarred by scandal all for the greed of someone else. Shame on their parents for letting it happen to them, shame on them for keeping it, and shame on us for buying it.
(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Philippians 3:18,19
It is sad to see older stars and celebrities hardened set in their ways and lifestyles and it equally sad to see young stars and celebrities on the road to becoming that way. I am sure if they were to be completely honest, they would say the lights of Hollywood don't shine as bright as they did on their tv screens. The god of greed, fame and fortune feed their belly's with an unsatisfying meal. Their glory comes only in the shame of scandal which have become badges of honor.
Countless people have fallen prey to the Hollywood dream and not all of them are the celebrities we adore. They are often us. In our quest for fulfillment, our need for escape, and want of a different life than what we have, we cast ourselves at the feet of entertainment. We spend our money for DVDs and Cd's and the better cable package. (raised hand) Guilty. It's not just the Lindsey's and Britney's, the Heath Ledger's and Charlie Sheen's that Satan is after with the weapon of Hollywood. He was looking for a billion souls with one shot.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:1,2
Only by the application of the Word of God to our lives can we expect to prosper in anything. Only by realizing that things have a hold on us and not us on them and choosing to break free can we avoid the enemies traps. I believe unless or until God tells you someone is unreachable their is a chance, a hope. That means there is hope for Hollywood. When we realize that Satan nor Hollywood is bigger than God or God in us, we can destroy the Hollywood Death Machine.
In Christ,
Kevin
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
To The Dearly Departed
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart form the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 1 Timothy 4:1-2
This is often a scripture used when someone is giving a sermon on prophecy and the end times. It is often used in a manner as a warning to somewhat shock or evoke a fearful wonder at what is going to happen. I myself have never really dwelt much on this scripture as this particular end time happening seemed long in coming. I was wrong. I was wrong in the fact that end time events don't just happen suddenly. They kind of sneak up on you or at least that's what it may seem like. In reality the preparations and stage settings for prophetic events begin years, decades, and even centuries earlier.
I believe this particular prophetic event is one of the absolute oldest in it's beginnings. The enemy, Satan , began the campaign of this scripture with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
In the garden of Eden, nothing was withheld from Adam and Eve save for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis chapter 3 recounts the event of the fall of man, with the deception of Eve. The serpent beguiled or seduced Eve into questioning God's command concerning the tree. He did this by using two tactics that the enemy still uses today. He questioned her in such a way as to cause doubt (or confusion ) about what God had said. Did God really say not to eat of that tree? Was that what God really meant? Eve, speaking the Word of God back to him said yes, that is what God said. It would be the Word of God, because it is what God said and commanded, just not in written form as His Word the Bible.
This is possibly the first instance of the Word being used against the enemy's deceptions. Another would be when Jesus spoke the Word back to him in the desert wilderness when Jesus was to be tempted. When Eve spoke the Word back to him, the next tactic he used was to slander God and put the seeds of doubt and mistrust in Eve's mind about God's intentions. He, the serpent, said to her out rite that God did not want them to eat of the tree because He, God, knew that if they did, they would be like Him and He didn't want them to become as He was. Basically the serpent told her that God wanted to keep them dumb so he could rule over them.
Satan has been using these two and other tactics to deceive and seduce people away from God. Many "Christians" and church denominations have fallen prey to his deceptions over the past decade. There are ministers who preach an adulterated and heretical gospel. Denominations that accept lifestyles that are blatantly contrary to God's word and His commandments. What is troubling are the individual people who have been drawn away from God by either these same type deceptions or have left because of the effects of these and other things the church and church people have messed up.
I have friend whom I have know since I was little. My friend's family were of a denomination different than mine. During our mid to late teens, my mother had an accident which prevented us from attending our church regularly. My friend invited me to come to his church for a while. The difference between our respective denominations was easy to see. I believe that God was using this as part of His plan and destiny for me. A whole new world was open to me. I had a new desire and hunger for God. I will say that where my denomination was hard lined, my friend's was open and where mine was open, his was a bit more hard lined.
To make a long story short, my friend had some hurtful experiences from some church people and from things in his home and personal life. These things I believe were the seeds of doubt and confusion being planted by the enemy. My friend entered a local collage and was then subject to the secular humanistic teachings and beliefs of his professors. These things watered the already planted seeds. Today my friend, the one who God used to lead me to a higher place in Him and start me on His path for me, no longer believes in God. He believes there is a higher power, but it is not the God that we understand created the universe and all that is in it. It would take too long to explain exactly what he believes, but that is the sum of it.
People leave the church or Christianity for many various reasons. I believe some, like my friend, mostly from hurts and lack of understanding. People will either be mad at God, not fully understanding that God did not cause what happened or that what they have seen is not how God truly is or they are not mad at God but dis-associate themselves with all things christian, which actually leads to their dis-association to God. Still, there are others who want to believe, but make God in the image that fits how they want to believe and live. Some ministers and denominations have chosen to accept, believe, and promote, ideas and lifestyles that the bible is against because of greed, fame, and the approval of men. All of these scenarios equate to having given heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.
I want to encourage you. Read, study, pray, and seek God for yourself. Build a personal relationship with Him. The Word of God admonishes us to get understanding. Seek understanding and wisdom. By these you will be able to stand when things are hurtful and not be led into error by false teachings. I say this to strengthen those who may be in such a place or have been and as lifeline To The Dearly Departed.
In Christ,
Kevin
This is often a scripture used when someone is giving a sermon on prophecy and the end times. It is often used in a manner as a warning to somewhat shock or evoke a fearful wonder at what is going to happen. I myself have never really dwelt much on this scripture as this particular end time happening seemed long in coming. I was wrong. I was wrong in the fact that end time events don't just happen suddenly. They kind of sneak up on you or at least that's what it may seem like. In reality the preparations and stage settings for prophetic events begin years, decades, and even centuries earlier.
I believe this particular prophetic event is one of the absolute oldest in it's beginnings. The enemy, Satan , began the campaign of this scripture with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
In the garden of Eden, nothing was withheld from Adam and Eve save for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis chapter 3 recounts the event of the fall of man, with the deception of Eve. The serpent beguiled or seduced Eve into questioning God's command concerning the tree. He did this by using two tactics that the enemy still uses today. He questioned her in such a way as to cause doubt (or confusion ) about what God had said. Did God really say not to eat of that tree? Was that what God really meant? Eve, speaking the Word of God back to him said yes, that is what God said. It would be the Word of God, because it is what God said and commanded, just not in written form as His Word the Bible.
This is possibly the first instance of the Word being used against the enemy's deceptions. Another would be when Jesus spoke the Word back to him in the desert wilderness when Jesus was to be tempted. When Eve spoke the Word back to him, the next tactic he used was to slander God and put the seeds of doubt and mistrust in Eve's mind about God's intentions. He, the serpent, said to her out rite that God did not want them to eat of the tree because He, God, knew that if they did, they would be like Him and He didn't want them to become as He was. Basically the serpent told her that God wanted to keep them dumb so he could rule over them.
Satan has been using these two and other tactics to deceive and seduce people away from God. Many "Christians" and church denominations have fallen prey to his deceptions over the past decade. There are ministers who preach an adulterated and heretical gospel. Denominations that accept lifestyles that are blatantly contrary to God's word and His commandments. What is troubling are the individual people who have been drawn away from God by either these same type deceptions or have left because of the effects of these and other things the church and church people have messed up.
I have friend whom I have know since I was little. My friend's family were of a denomination different than mine. During our mid to late teens, my mother had an accident which prevented us from attending our church regularly. My friend invited me to come to his church for a while. The difference between our respective denominations was easy to see. I believe that God was using this as part of His plan and destiny for me. A whole new world was open to me. I had a new desire and hunger for God. I will say that where my denomination was hard lined, my friend's was open and where mine was open, his was a bit more hard lined.
To make a long story short, my friend had some hurtful experiences from some church people and from things in his home and personal life. These things I believe were the seeds of doubt and confusion being planted by the enemy. My friend entered a local collage and was then subject to the secular humanistic teachings and beliefs of his professors. These things watered the already planted seeds. Today my friend, the one who God used to lead me to a higher place in Him and start me on His path for me, no longer believes in God. He believes there is a higher power, but it is not the God that we understand created the universe and all that is in it. It would take too long to explain exactly what he believes, but that is the sum of it.
People leave the church or Christianity for many various reasons. I believe some, like my friend, mostly from hurts and lack of understanding. People will either be mad at God, not fully understanding that God did not cause what happened or that what they have seen is not how God truly is or they are not mad at God but dis-associate themselves with all things christian, which actually leads to their dis-association to God. Still, there are others who want to believe, but make God in the image that fits how they want to believe and live. Some ministers and denominations have chosen to accept, believe, and promote, ideas and lifestyles that the bible is against because of greed, fame, and the approval of men. All of these scenarios equate to having given heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.
I want to encourage you. Read, study, pray, and seek God for yourself. Build a personal relationship with Him. The Word of God admonishes us to get understanding. Seek understanding and wisdom. By these you will be able to stand when things are hurtful and not be led into error by false teachings. I say this to strengthen those who may be in such a place or have been and as lifeline To The Dearly Departed.
In Christ,
Kevin
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