I love the mouse.

I posted a comment to a friend's blog, and she laughed at me, saying that my comment was longer than her post.

Got me wishing I had done more with my own blog.

Here's her original blog post.


And this is my response:
that sound you just heard was the straightening of my arms and the crack of my fingers...

I totally get your concern about what your girls watch, and wanting to steer clear of any kind of dark forces. Us too.

The Hubs and I have discussed it many times, and these (and by that I mean his feelings that I am submitting to because, well, you've met me right?) are our thoughts: We want our children to see good vs. evil. We want them to see characters struggle to do the right thing, but ultimately do so. We want them to see the meanness and manipulation of a villain. And we want them to see the beat down the bad guys get when the good guys win. That's our measure. Anything we allow our kids to watch has to have clear defined good guys and bad guys. And though they may have dark times, and trouble of their own, the good guys win.

Disney does a lot within this model. Yes, they use fairy godmothers and witches with spells. It's pretend. My children know that. Because we talk about it. We watch it together, and they know that no one can turn a pumpkin into a carriage. But they do see a sweet, well-mannered young girl who has been mistreated, still be respectful to her authority.

While not likely their intention, Disney has made several movies with good characters who have good character. Again, watching it with our children allows us to point out what is make believe, and what is to be admired.

The Princess and the Frog- love it. Yes it includes voodoo. Full of Black Magic. Friends from the other side. Guess what? That stuff is real. Satan is all up in it, and I am sure Disney didn't mean to portray it that way, but it's an excellent way to help children even up to teens understand how Satan tries to entice us to his ways, and gain power.

Toward the end of the movie, The Shadow Man shows Tiana a version of her dream that he wants to offer her. Remembering the values she learned from her family, she rejects him, and ultimately breaks the spell and power he has on this Earth.

Then, as he is being dragged into a grave by his "friends from the other side," his last words are "How am I ever going to pay my debt?"

If I may speak like Mama Odie here- "Lawd, some Christian done slipped a line in this here stoe-ree!"

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Folks who admonish Harry Potter, but welcome The Lord of the Rings make me squint my eyes and turn my head sideways. Granted, our children haven't watched much HP, but that's because we don't get into them as much, and some of the creatures are so scary, they might cause bad dreams. While LOTR also has some scary images, they are easily forgotten in light of that elf with a bow and arrow.

So, if you take out all of the "magic," you are left with little else to engage your children in seeing Christ modeled in others. Really, you would have to take Veggie Tales off the table too.

Talk about magic.

After that, you are left with the KJV. that's nice. Knocketh thou self out.

Know that I love you Jenn, and I don't think you have to give up your Disney magic. Disney is something that you and your family enjoys together. I think Jesus likes that.

love you and miss your precious family!
December 29, 2011 8:14 PM