Friday, July 8, 2011

Faithful Friday - "Taking Control of the TV"

After today's Faithful Friday post, you may decide that we are a really strange, radical, or extreme family.  But that's okay.  Because in fact, I guess in many ways, we kind of are, especially when judged from any worldview other than a Biblical one. 



Today I'm sharing what's on my heart and if you do things differently, I want you to know that I'm not being judgemental.  I know every family's convictions are different.  I'm just sharing what's on my heart for our family.   This is just what we've found works for the well being of our family as a whole.  We haven't always been this way.  It's sort of come over time, especially as Hollywood's standards and morals have declined (and society's in general too).

We can't control what movies Hollywood puts out or what TV shows the networks air, but we can control what we allow into our home.  Over the years, we've filtered what types of movies/shows we watched but as time went on, we've found it more and more difficult to find appropriate ones.  Sometimes objectional material was just right-in-your-face, and then sometimes, and more often times, more subtle, but still not what we wanted coming into our kids' minds (or ours either).    After all, whatever you think on gradually becomes the accepted and normal. 

Five years ago, we cancelled our Direct TV leaving us with local channels only.  I thought we'd really miss it, especially me and my HGTV, but we didn't.  (Well Colt might disagree a little with that).  If we could have chosen three or four channels and pay for only those, we probably would have opted for that.  We've suggested that to the company, but so far Direct TV hasn't offered that option.

For awhile, we just rented movies (that met our approval), then we tried Sky Angel, but found there wasn't enough channels on it that we really watched to warrant that monthly expense either.  So...now we get one local channel (which we basically only watch when we need weather updates).  The extent of our movie watching consists of Netflix instant views and DVD mailings of our choice.  This has worked best for us, since we are in control of what comes into our home.

We have three TVs in our home - one in our living room (behind the doors of this cabinet)....



One in our bedroom (behind those doors)....



And Colt has one in his room.  Sorry no picture of that one....it was too dusty!  :)

But honestly, we don't even put that much importance on even DVD watching either.  Luke likes a few DVDs - Bob the Builder, Barney, and Caillou, which he watches off and on.  Through Netflix, we enjoy family movies, documentaries, inspirational, and educational movies.

Unforunately, we live in a  society where we are constantly confronted and even hammered with values and issues that we don't want in our lives.  As Christians, it is important that we take charge of what we allow in our homes.  After all, if we don't decide or define our bounderies and values that we desire for our family and home, we'll fall prey to what society calls "normal" and it will be decided for us.  As Christians, we aren't supposed to conform to this world, but are to be set apart.

Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

1 Peter 3:15:  "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."


It's definitely not easy.  We have to be constantly on our toes. (At least that's how I feel).  We're always emailing or calling about issues that arise that AFA (American Family Association) calls to our attention concerning what's being aired on TV and flooding into our homes.  But it's worth the trouble and effort.  I pray for wisdom for our family and yours.  May we always strive to be set apart as Christian families living for the glory of God in all we do.

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If you have something you'd like to share for Faithful Fridays, please visit Joy's blog, Doodlebug, and let her know in a comment that you participated, so we can visit!  

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Have a great weekend!  :)

16 comments:

At Home With Amy said...

You are so right Tammy. There is so much filth on television these days. Some of the so called "Teen Shows" are down right disgusting. Its hard to watch anything with values or morals these days. I applaude you for standing firm on your choices to not have anything of this nature in your home for your family to view.
God Bless you Tammy,
Hugs,
AMY

Elle Bee said...

Tammy, I could not agree more. It is difficult to keep ourselves from being polluted by this world, but that is what we are called to do! (James 1:27) I think it is especially important when there are children in the home. I say well done, and good for you!

Simply Shelley said...

I agree with everything you shared in this post....I rarely watch T.V. anymore for the same reason you mentioned...my daughter and her family have NetFlix and I occasionally watch a movie with them.
They choose not to have Direct T.V. as well....thanks for sharing your thoughts...blessings

Karen said...

You are so right, Tammy...I agree with you 100%.It is so true--whatever you think on gradually, will become accepted and normal. That is kind of scary in itself. We have to be careful and constantly vigilant in setting ourselves apart from what the world & Hollywood calls "normal." We try to be careful about what we bring into our home to watch, too. I hope you have a great weekend:)

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Paula said...

I totally agree with your choice of keeping the filth on TV out of your house, Tammy!
We hardly ever watch anything but the news (and that's just for the weather report...) and occasionally a documentary on PBS but that's about it.

Anonymous said...

Tammy,

I commend you for sharing your thoughts on TV programming. I agree with you and wish more parents would take the stand you do. Blessings to your family and God Bless.

Rachel

Sharon said...

I agree with you.
The filth that is on TV is getting worse with each season. I don't think Hollywood knows how to make good quality shows. I am so disgusted with the sit-coms of today.We are going to drop our cable also as I hate paying for all those channels and there is nothing on.
I do admire you for what you do in your home.
Hugs

Tiff said...

We are about to cancel our cable tv again. We went without for 4 months last yr and did just fine, then the cable salesman came around and offered a good deal on the triple pack(phone, internet, and tv) so we signed up again. What a waste of hard earned money. Even the commercials need to be censured by parents!! It's just all a bunch a brainwashing filth, trying to decensitize us to certain thoughts and ways.
You are right, if we could just pay for a few select channels, it would be so nice, but unfortunately I don't know of a company that will do that.
It's nice to know that we aren't the only family feeling this way. And for us too, it happened over time. Hopefully more families will wake up and see that Hollywood and what's on TV needs to change or just be boycotted.

Annie said...

Oh Tammy, I so agree but alas my hubby does not. He doesn't want the kids watching anything inappropriate (and we disagree on what is inappropriate and what is not) but he watches things that I just think are worthless, mainly scifi and horror movies. I just wish we were on the same page with this and I am hoping the Lord will move his heart on this issue. I keep praying:) I do think that if you watch something enough, it does become the norm and based on what is on TV and movies, that is very sad and very scary!

Marie said...

Hi Tammy! I agree with you about TV. I had ours on early this morning to check out what is happening in the outside world. I then cut it off and closed the doors to the cabinet. I have enjoyed reading a book this afternoon. Our little grandson, Noah was born in CA on June 16. We visited with him via IPad2 this afternoon.
Love,
Marie

Tina said...

Tammy, I couldnt agree more! We have never had cable our 17 years of marriage!! We don't even do the local TV thing, just radio for weather. But we do the Netflix documentaries and educational dvd's! We just came home from a great conference and one of the things they talked about was losing this generation to Technology and all the garbage that is out right now.
Garbage In= Garbage out... right?

Loved your post!!
Tina

Simple Home said...

A wonderful post Tammy. We went without anything but a few local channels for years. My husband works for Verizon, installs fiber optics, and we've had T.V. for a few years now. I don't really think we're better off, and we have to be very careful about what is viewed.
I loved the verses you shared too.
Blessings,
Marcia

The Farmers Oldest Daughter said...

Good Morning Tammy -
I am so glad you do this. I would do it too but my hubby thinks he needs lots of sports in the winter time. In the summer our tv is hardly ever on.

I listen to AFR and AFA too and I love what they do.

Keep up the good work. I do wish that Hollywood and other areas would get the hint but they get paid too much money to do what they are doing. Your're not missing much anymore on HGTV. It's not nearly as good as it use to be.

Joy ~ Doodlebug ~ said...

Mama,

I have to say, I missed TV during the first little bit without it...but now, like you've said before, I think it's WONDERFUL!

Great post, mama!

I love you!

8!

God bless you,
Love,
Joy :D

jennifer768 said...

Tammy what a wonderful parent you are to take a stand to protect your children from the polluted world of tv.I commend you for it and for voicing your opinions .Big hugs,Jen