POLL: It's a stormy night, and you're up late on your computer busily trolling the P&S section when...?
You notice the light from your bedroom window gradually darken as the glowing orange street lamps outside your house begin to flicker off. You pause, and then reassure yourself that it was probably caused by the rolling thunderstorms outside. Still, just for a few moments you fall silent, and listen as the raindrops drum on the roof shingles. Suddenly, you hear a subtle, yet distinct noise of glass shattering from the living room. Your first instinct is: A) "AHHHH!!" B) Freeze in shock and listen. C) Quickly find the heaviest object in the room for self-defense. D) Run to your parents' room. E) Hop out of your bedroom window and make a run for it. F) (Your own response here) Conditions: You have no feasible access to a phone or any other communicating device.
Intrusive thoughts screaming when religious content is thought about?
Nearly everyone, at some point or another, has been subject to an intrusive thought. These involuntary, unwanted images, phrases, or impulses are extremely common. Spontaneous thoughts of violence to children or animals, inappropriate sexual contact, and blasphemy can be extremely disturbing and even cause some to question their salvation. God is not surprised by intrusive thoughts. He knows all of our thoughts—intentional and otherwise (Psalm 139:2). He also knows the feebleness of the human mind—"The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are a mere breath," (Psalm 94:11). One of the biggest fears about intrusive blasphemous thoughts is that God will not forgive them. God knows the wicked will blaspheme (Psalm 10:4), but He is always prepared to forgive—"Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon," (Isaiah 55:7). Furthermore, God is well aware of the difference between the convictions of a wicked heart and the fleeting thought of someone who knows and follows Him (1 Chronicles 28:9). "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). God has given us tools to fight intrusive thoughts. Psalm 139:23-24 encourages us to submit our hearts and thoughts to God. He can determine if there is anything harmful in us that needs to be dealt with. If the thoughts truly are unbidden and spontaneous, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 explains what to do next: "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…" Blasphemous, harmful, and deviant thoughts and inclinations are part of spiritual warfare, and we need God's help to fight them. By studying Scripture, reaffirming the truth in our minds, and Bible memorization, we can greatly diminish or even vanquish intrusive thought
Should we allow our children to use internet freely for their use?
Absolutely not. No matter how many precautions I take with my email account, I'm still inundated with spam advertising sexual impotency drugs (cialis, viagra, etc), how to grow your penis, and **** sites. Social networking sites are open invitations for every perv out there to get in contact with your child, fights, arguments and bitching happen constantly, especially in pre teen and teenagers, more so between girls, because you don't need to face the person, everything has a slight air of keeping everything anonymous, even when you can see names and pictures. My two are still only babies, at 4 and 2, so no computers or internet for them yet. But when they do start, it'll be strict parental locks that will be eased gradually, from allowing only child friendly content, up to study related material, eventually social networking sites (after 'The Talk' - about perverts who want to meet up, etc, not about sex and puberty :) ), and finally, removing all parental locks at age 18. You wouldn't turn your child out the front door onto a busy street from the age of 4, you hold their hands and keep them safe, well, the internet needs to be treated with the same level of respect.