Once Upon A Faith Pt. 1

I've been watching Once Upon a Time on Netflix. Giving it, its fair shake; basically watching as much of the show as Netflix has. This shows' main message is the power of true love and faith. Which cannot help but bring me to The Bible and Christ.

There was a time in all of our lives when our faith did not exist. That other Christians running around believing in this book of stories, sounded just as crazy as Henry talking to Emma about the book. You may have felt sorry for them, or wanted to shake what you thought was sense into them; you may have even just tried to humor them. But then something happened, you found faith.

For Emma she had no faith until.. tragedy. Henry dies. But, it is his action backed faith that opens Emma's eyes. Just like The Bible says about our faith in James 2:17-18. Our faith is supported by the works that we do in obedience to Christ and what He says is right. When we obey and trust; our eyes are opened more and more. People believed Jesus when they saw His works, we now are encouraged and grow through works. Just as Henry kept his faith through trials and disbelief so must we. In the end we may lead an Emma to trust and obey and find the family they have been searching for all along.

Forbidden Warehouse

After reading Proverbs 10:22; it immediately made me think of Warehouse 13 and every other fairy tale story that I had ever read.

Proverbs 10:22 says, "The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it."

If you've seen any episodes of Warehouse 13 you know that it is expressly forbidden for any agent to use an artifact. Artifacts; no matter the good intentions or the good it appears to be doing, have down sides (usually death or dismemberment). The same, if you think about it, happens in fairy tales. When the main character tries to get a quick fix to their problem by using magic or talismans, etc. It usually has an unexpected outcome.

With Jesus, that never happens. He doesn't give you something and then slap you with a downside. He doesn't give you something and then have it back fire on you. He gives from His Love so there is no downside or unexpected outcome. Just the outcome that He says will always happen: you will know that you are Loved, that you are His, and you always will be.

Pride of the Apple Jack

Recently I've fallen victim to the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic virus that is sweeping the internet. As I watch this show I realize the reason why it entrances me to the extent it does is because they are first and foremost morality stories. In Episode 4: Apple Buck Season; you can see the lesson of humility that is also taught in The Bible. Apple Jack tries to harvest the whole farm after her brother gets hurt and can't help her. In her pride she refuses the help that is offered to her twice and refuses to listen when other ponies tell her that she should get help. At the end of the episode she basically ends up falling down and asking for help when Twilight Sparkle insists upon giving it to her.

In The Bible Proverbs 16:18 states "pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall." In this case both happen to Apple Jack. When helping Rainbow Dash with her flying she can't concentrate enough to land on the X to launch Rainbow into the air and perform her incredible feats of dare devil flying. When she goes to help Pinkie Pie create wonderful muffins, she is so tired she can't understand what Pinkie is saying and only gets half of the ingredients. What we end up with is earth worm, soda and potato chip muffins instead. When she tries to help Fluttershy with rounding up the baby bunnies, she ends up scaring them all into a stampede that devastates Ponyvilles flowers and crops.

Apple Jack tries to do it all herself and fails miserably. Proverbs 13:10, "Only by pride comes contention: but with the well advised is wisdom." During the whole episode Twilight Sparkle is trying to tell Apple Jack that she needs to let them help her and it becomes an argument between the two of them. Apple Jack standing on her pride and Twilight Sparkle trying to get her to accept what is right, and take the help.

When you rely solely on yourself you cause trouble, disaster and unrest. As Christians we should be careful we do not become like Apple Jack toward each other. 1 John 2:16 says this, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." Be careful Christian that you don't have your Apple Jack moments. When you need help, ask for it. When help is offered, take it. Just like in the end of this episode where all the ponies became closer through their work, you become closer to your Christian brothers and sisters through help and dedication to the Love found in Christ for each other.

A Little Christ in a Faerie Tale

While watching an episode of Jim Hensons' Storyteller called The Three Ravens, I heard a line that describes the Christian walk perfectly. The line was this:

"...and the girl who kept faith and had but one face for everyone was rewarded with sons and brothers and sweetheart and a crown."

The princess in story of The Three Ravens kept her faith and was rewarded with all her heart desired. She was rich in family and rich in monetary means. Her hearts desires had been met and her needs surpassed; all by keeping her faith. As Christians we have a similar promise given to us in Matthew 6:31-33 and Luke 12:31-32. They basically say, seek the kingdom of God first and all your needs will be taken care of and that it is Gods' "good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32).

Keep the faith as steadfast as the silent girl trying to free her brothers. The Great I Am sees your dedication and rewards you "with sons and brothers and sweetheart and a crown."