Into the Fire

“Preferred Movies: A 7-year study of the top 275 movies released each year in the U.S. by Hollywood clearly shows Americans prefer conservative, pro-American movies with traditional, Judeo-Christian values and free-market ideals rather than movies pushing anti-capitalist, socialist, atheist, Communist or anti-Christian agendas. Conservative movies on average earned more than 3 times the box office revenues of liberal movies. (Movieguide Vol. XXIV, Issue No. 05/06, 2009)”

“Books: The average American reads 1 book after they leave formal education. (Moe Girkins, President/CEO, Zondervan 3/09)”

“University students whose high school biology class covered creationism in some cases alongside evolution were more likely to accept creationist views upon entering college, finds a recent study. Those whose high school biology teachers taught evolution but not creationism were more likely to accept evolution in college. 72% to 78% of students exposed to evolution only agreed it is scientifically valid, while 57% to 59% of students exposed to creationism agreed evolution can be validated. (Bioscience 5/09)”

“Nearly 1 in 10 children and teens (3 million kids) who play video games show behavioral signs that may indicate addiction, finds a Harris poll. The study found 8.5% of those who played had at least 6 of 11 addictive symptoms, including skipping chores and homework for video games, poor test or homework performance, and playing games to escape problems. ‘This study shows there are a substantial number of kids…taking damage to multiple areas of their live,’ states Iowa State researcher Douglas Gentile. 12% of boys exhibited at least 6 symptoms vs. 3% of girls. Other symptoms included excessive thinking about games, planning the next opportunity to play, trying to play less and failing, restlessness or irritability when trying to reduce or stop playing, lying about play time, stealing a game or stealing money to buy a game. (Psychological Science 5/09)”

Father, you reach out. Some reach back. Others don’t. “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes, and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17 NIV) In the Name of Jesus, help us all.