Mess to Blessed

 A lot has changed even since I was a kid. I'm in my 30's. And most of it is not for better. You can see the culture shifting with the invention of social media but you can also see it in all of our television shows and movies, most especially children's programming.  What's changed? - Satanism and witchcraft is cool and accessible to teens and kids. A way to get back at mean, stuffy adults. (This existed when I was a teenager, but to a much lesser extent.) - Witchcraft = female empowerment - Boys are bad. Especially white boys. Boooo so boring, so stale. Toxic masculinity. If there is a white male in any show now, especially on Netflix, you can be sure he's the villain. - Sexy is in. Doesn't matter your age. You can be sexy at any age. Especially children. - Fat is now in. No need to be cognizant of the risks - those people are just fatphobic!  - Christianity = bad. Other religions? Not so much. But it's totally okay to bash Christians. In fact, it's pr

I have struggled with depression since the age of 12. I have been to two psychiatrists, three therapists, have taken medication (and still currently do), and I have a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Psychology. I've studied Wicca, Satanism, Buddhism, Taoism, Shintoism, Judaism, you name it. I've meditated, tried contacting spirit guides, tried astral projection.  Let's just say - I'VE BEEN THROUGH IT YA'LL. Am I the authority on all things mental health? Of course not. But I can tell you what has worked for me. Spoiler Alert: None of the above. So keep reading 😜 This isn't going to get preachy, or at least I'll try not to. I started going to Lighthouse Church in 2018. I was baptized in 2020. And since 2020, I have not had any major depressive episodes or thoughts of suicide. Take from that what you will. What has worked for me? - Limit consumption of mass media. Media is designed to make you feel depressed and lacking. Otherwise, how could they sell yo

 For my Jewish friends:

 Since I've posted about being aware of content we consume - let's talk about GOOD content! I'm a bit of a book addict. I've just cleared my bookshelf of old books that I haven't read in 10+ years including all my vampire books (I used to be a fanatic). What are some books you recommend? They don't have to be Christian. But I'm looking for non-supernatural, non-romance books please. Any thoughts?! Please share! These are a few good ones I've read recently. My recommendations : - This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti - I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be An Atheist by Frank Turek and Norman Geisler - Church of Cowards by Matt Walsh

  Aleph Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey His laws and search for Him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in His paths. You have charged us to keep Your commandments carefully.  Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect Your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with Your commands. As I learn Your righteous regulations, I will thank You by living as I should! I will obey Your decrees. Please don't give up on me! Beth How can a young person stay pure? By obeying Your Word. I have tried hard to find You - don't let me wander from Your commands.  I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You. I praise You, O Lord; teach me Your decrees.  I have recited aloud all the regulations You have given us. I have rejoiced in Your laws as much as in riches. I will study Your commandments and reflect on Your ways. I will delight in Your dec

As I've touched on in my previous post - I steer away from things in the world that might be okay, but might not be okay that might be considered occult-ish. Examples would be horror movies (although they used to be my favorite!), horror games, Ouija boards, contacting spirit guides, astral projection, fortune telling, tarot reading, palm reading, rune reading, mysticism, etc. And especially books on these topics. Nothing under the sun is new. Many of these things, especially contacting spirits and fortune reading, are old practices that have been done throughout the ages. Modern culture treats these things as fun games. I can't tell you how many sleepovers I had as a kid that involved invoking Bloody Mary or Candyman. It sounds ridiculous, I know. These are fictional characters. What harm can it do? Kids will be kids, people are just messing around. It's all for fun, yadda yadda. And maybe that act doesn't open a gateway or a door. But you are, subconsciously, lowering