Monthly Archives: February 2009

Calling all parents

There’s a war going on in my house.  A war over a video game.  A video game that should not be on the market in the first place!  I’m tired of this argument, and I’m worn out from the length of it, but I will NOT change my mind. 

My 10 year old son wants Grand Theft Auto, because all of his friends have it.  (Not really all, I’ve talked to some moms!)  I’m sure that a few of them do have it, or their older siblings have it and they’ve played it.  But if everyone jumped off a bridge…..well, ya know what I mean!

When he first brought up the subject, I immediately had no in my head.  I’ve heard all the stories, but told him that dad and I would check it out and give him an answer.  Honestly, I was just going to tell Brian he wanted it, and then tell Zach no.  Well, Zach bugged us continually.  He wanted the game that night.  (Instant Gratification world!)  Brian said he really didn’t think it would be worse than watching TV, so he didn’t oppose, but my argument was that we have control over what we allow into this house.  If we bring it in, then we are endorsing it, and everything in it.  So Zach comes in again as I’m cooking dinner, and I tell him no because it’s an inappropriate game.  Zach goes ballistic with a huge ugly temper tantrum, which just shows him maturity level!  At that point Brian steps in and says that we’ve decided and that’s the end of it. 

It was the end of it until the next day when Zach comes home from school saying one particular game used to be rated T and they changed it to M for no reason.  He had many arguments for me, so I finally said I would talk to the people at GameStop and see what they said.  Now I was hoping to get someone honest, who truly cared about the youth of the world, but I was a little nervous that I wouldn’t.  After a few more days of bugging, we went to gamestop.  I asked the clerk, a very nice young man, and he told me he wouldn’t recommend the game to anyone.  He went on to say that they should be rated adults only, as they have prostitutes and lots of sex in them.  Once again, Zach was mad at me, because I don’t think he’s mature enough.  I told him that it has nothing to do with his age, because I don’t think a 50 year old should have the game!  I don’t think the game should be on the market.  It’s a video game, marketed to kids, with content listed as blood and gore, intense violence, strong language, nudity, strong sexual content, and use of drugs and alcohol.  WHY? 

I found two very good websites to help with the ratings decision. ESRB was an easy to navigate site, and Common Sense Media was written for parents.  I actually found this next info on common sense media. 

  • Your kid has access: 87% of boys under 17 have played an M-rated video game, and only 1% say their parents have ever stopped them from playing one. A recent investigation found that children as young as 9 were able to purchase M-rated games containing violent and sexually explicit content in nearly five out of 10 attempts. And games are everywhere: Video games are now present in 83% of homes with children. Eight- to 10-year-olds play an average of 65 minutes a day. Most games are violent; 94% of T-rated games contain violence. I was telling a friend about this encounter, and she said her son wanted the game too.  She also went to a store and asked if the game was appropriate, and was told that there’s a very easy way to pick up a girl, rape her in the back seat, beat her up and kill her graphically, and receive bonus points for doing it.  I am so appalled by this! 
  • We need to be informed about what is marketed to our kids.  M means Mature, and I don’t think 17 is mature enough for this game.  It’s marketed by Rock Star Games, and I’m going to be contacting them with my thoughts.  I urge you to be aware of what you allow to come into your home, and influence your kids.  It’s so easy to just say yes because you’re too busy. 

    • “Moore” Monday

      

    PRAYERLESSNESS IS THE MOST
    PROHIBITIVE OBSTACLE IN THE ROAD
    TO A BELIEVER’S VICTORY, NO MATTER
    WHAT OUR SPECIFIC PURSUIT MAY BE.

    I call on You, O God, for You will answer
    me.  Give ear to me and hear my prayer.  Show
    the wonder of Your great love, You who save by
    Your right hand those who take refuge in You
    from their foes.  Keep me as the apple of Your
    eye.  Hide me in the shadow of our wings (PS. 17:6-8).
    Show me Your ways, O Lord.  Teach me
    Your paths.  Guide me in Your truth and teach
    me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is
    in You all day long. 
    Remember Your great mercy and love, for
    they are from of old.  Remember not the sins
    of my youth and my rebellious ways.  Instead,
    remember me according to Your love, for You
    are good, O Lord (Ps. 25:4-7).

    Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word Day by Day

    “Moore” Monday

     WE CAN BE MISERABLY DISSATISFIED
    IF WE ACCEPT CHRIST’S SALVATION YET
    REJECT THE FULLNESS OF DAILY
    RELATIONSHIP THAT SATISFIES.

    Do not withhold Your mercy from me,
    O Lord.  May Your love and Your truth always
    protect me (Ps. 40:11).  Help me to learn how
    much Your truth protects me, Father.  Without
    it, I am vulnerable to the enemy and to my own
    flesh nature.
    O God, send forth Your light and Your
    truth into my life.  Let them guide me; let them
    bring me to Your holy mountain, to the place
    where You dwell (Ps. 43:3).
    Surely You desire truth in my inner parts.
    You teach me wisdom in the inmost place (Ps.
    51:6).  Please expose to me the deeply embedded
    lies I’ve believed, Lord, and replace them
    with permanently engraved truth. 

    Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word Day by Day

    Winter Jam

    On Friday, Brooke and I drove to Columbus Ohio.  We had a nice dinner at Applebee’s, then crashed out in our cheap motel.  Saturday brought a temperature of 24 with a wind chill of 13.  It was cold… and we stood outside the Schottenstein for 2 1/2 hours, waiting in line for good seats to see the Winter Jam artists.  It was a bonding experience as we were huddled together under a blanket, but it was soooo worth it!  We ended up with 10th row seats, so we had an awesome view.  We saw Stephanie Smith, Pure NRG, Francesca Battistelli, NewSong, Barlow Girls, Brandon Heath and TobyMac.  It was an amazing time, and over 2000 people dedicated their lives to Christ.  Brooke and I are sponsoring a little boy from Korea, through Holt International.  We were on our feet dancing the whole time, it was so much fun!! 

    When it was over, we made our way around the concourse, and Brooke got Francesca and Stephanies’ autograph, and we even took a pic with Stephanie.  We also bought Francesca’s CD, and it plays continuously in the car now. 

    We needed to be back by 3 am, as we had signed up for an hour of prayer at the church, so I took it slow coming home.  Brooke was able to sleep a little bit too.  We still got to church about an hour early, so we just went in and waited for our turn. 

    It was our first time in the Prayer Room, and it was amazing.  There’s a large wooden cross on the end wall, and pillows on the floor in front of it.  There are chairs and benches too, but I sat on the floor, right in front of the cross.  Brooke sat in the corner to my left. 

    The hour flew by.  It really seemed like it had been 10 minutes, but I could tell because my voice was hoarse from talking.  It was a wonderful experience, and it was just richer to share it with Brooke.  I can hardly wait to do it again.

    “Moore” Monday

     

    YOU DO HAVE A CHOICE. 
    YOU DON’T HAVE TO
    DO IT GOD’S WAY.  BUT
    I’LL PROMISE YOU THIS:
    THERE IS NO HIGH
    LIKE THE MOST HIGH.

    Lord, according to Your Word, after King
    Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his
    downfall.  He was unfaithful to the Lord his
    God (2 Chron. 26:16).
    Your Word also tells of the time that King
    Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart,
    as did the people of Jerusalem.  Therefore, the
    Lord’s wrath did not come upon them during
    the days of Hezekiah (2 Chron. 32:26).
    Please help me, Lord, not to allow pride
    to be my downfall.  Thank You for forgiving me
    when I repent of the pride of my heart. 
    Truly, Your eyes are on the haughty to
    bring them low, but You, my Lord and my
    God, save the humble (2 Sam. 22:28).

    Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word Day by Day