law, order, life and death

it's so funny that i came across this article because i was JUST thinking the other day that all the Law and Order and CSI that i watch is beginning to have a negative effect on me and i should probably not do it so much.

not in the way depicted in the article - flooding my mind with stories of gruesome killings, rapes, and psychos doesn't make me eat or shop more. let's face it, death isn't going to make me gain 50 lbs nor is it going to miraculously fill my wallet so that i can shop more (or go into debt).

BUT, i have noticed that after a night of marathon L&O and CSI (i absolutely love me some L&O: SVU and CSI - esp. the Vegas one with Gary Duordan - so. much. yum. oh yeah and the show is really good too), i am sometimes nervous about going to bed at night, in the dark, all alone in my apartment.

watching story after story of home invasions, rapes, murders, psycho- and sociopaths killing for "fun," turning out the light and going to sleep alone is...scary.

there have been many nights where i've indulged in marathons of these shows, but before going to bed i have to fill my mind with something jovial and lighthearted. so i'll watch an hour of cartoons or some corny TV Land sitcom, just to have the last images in my mind before i drift off to sleep be something other than blood and death.

i am convinced that if we're not careful, these types of shows, including the evening news programs, can really affect one's psyche - and in worse ways than just overeating and/or shopping.

that's exactly why i refuse to watch or read the news daily or even weekly. open the paper or turn on Fox 5 and what do i see: Suicide Bomber Attacks City, Kills 162; 7-yr old girl killed in random gunfire; body of 24 yr old woman found in apartment; 16-yr old boy killed in devastating car wreck....

yes, i know these are real events, real lives, in our real world, but i refuse to flood my mind with these sad and violent images every day. no wonder so many people have such a dismal outlook on life. so many people feel in despair about the economy, about the state of the world, live in fear of wars and attacks, are afraid to live because they're afraid to die. the news smacks you in the face with this stuff all day long, telling you to be concerned about this, worried about that, be cautious of this.

i know this world is jacked up, but i don't live my life worrying about the state of the economy, or wars and rumors of wars, or death. i don't worry about what will happen if the "wrong" candidate is chosen for the presidency.

absolutely, my heart bleeds for senseless violence and i literally cry when i hear of another beautiful child being raped or murdered; i hurt for all the people losing jobs and homes because of financial woes; i feel angry about all the useless war, bombings, and attacks going on all over the world.

but my faith in my Savior trumps ALL of that. i'm not apathetic in the least bit, but i know that my life (and death) are in His hands. whoever is elected to run this country, i know that my sovereign God is still in control. of course, i encourage voting and becoming involved (to a degree) in the issues that our nation faces. but i don't have faith that any man or woman is going to solve all or even most of our problems. Bush could get re-elected (hypothetically of course) and i wouldn't panic and flee the country. my faith is in the God of the universe. He said "if My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

my pockets STAY slim, but i don't worry about money, what will happen to me if costs continue rise, and if the economy worsens. of course, i work and continue to put away for a rainy day, and i do what i can to spend wisely. but i refuse to worry about economics - "the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures and leads me beside the still waters." (Psalm 23)

i don't worry about getting shot or someone breaking into my home and killing me. of course, i exercise Godly wisdom and i don't put myself in dangerous situations purposely - gotta use the spirit of discernment the Lord gives us. but Jesus said "And fear not them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear Him that is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28) i can't walk about in fear of who may desire to hurt me. i wasn't born to stay here, and this place is certainly not my home.

I don't worry about our country being attacked by terrorists. the Bible prophecies about all these "wars and rumors of wars" occurring before Jesus returns, so i don't fear this or worry about how politicians will counteract or protect us from this. all the presidents and homeland security in the world will not stop what the Lord has already ordained. so i don't fear it - i expect it. Jesus said, "And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be ye not troubled, for such things must come to pass; but the end shall not be yet." (Mark 13:7) hearing of all the threats of war and violence only means that Jesus is on His way soon and very soon.

instead of storing up my treasures and protective gear on this earth, i am storing my treasures in heaven, and guarding my mind and soul from deception. they can take everything i have including my life - great is my reward in heaven.