On Sunday morning, as I was walking with as much care as I could muster through snow and slush and the slippery combination of the two, I was quietly singing one of the many songs that had been stuck in my head this past week: joy to the world.
As I continued to dodge ice pockets and muddy slush puddles, I began to contemplate the words that I was singing:
Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare him room and heaven and nature sing...
It is an interesting moment when the familiar is illuminated anew and you see truths you never noticed before...
Sometimes the nativity story can get lost in the hustle and bustle of this busy season. There are presents to buy, meals to plan, people to see. Hidden between the snowmen, Santas, reindeer, and winter scenes can be found the iconic image of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus surrounded by reverent shepherds and sheep while the star, angel, and wisemen linger nearby. A small idyllic snapshot of a hugely significant moment in our world. A moment that can so easily be overlooked as we go about our busy days. Have we taken time to prepare our hearts for our King?
Although the world had been aching and yearning for the coming messiah for generations, his arrival was also in a time of great motion. A census required every family to return to the cities of their forefathers. A very pregnant Mary and her husband, Joseph, had to traverse a great distance to a place where there was no room for them. The inns were full. They had to improvise and stay in the stable because there simply wasn't enough space. And in that humble place was born the prophesied king. Immanuel, God with us.
Let every heart prepare him room.
While I was singing, this line struck a chord in me. Just as there was no room for Jesus in the Inns of Bethlehem, have I really made room for him in my heart this year? And what type of room would it be? Does he get the master suite or is he relegated to the stable out back? Is he just another figure in the sidelines, another stranger among the multitude, or is he the treasured and revered King? Have I really embraced the joy that has come to the world as the result of what Jesus has done or have I been swept away with all the other Christmas things? Ultimately, Jesus is the source of our great joy this season. His love, kindness, humility, and sacrifice is the wonderful gift He offers so freely if we but open the door to him...
So take a moment. Take a breath. Pause. Think. Wonder. Is your heart prepared to receive your king? Do you have room?
Saturday, 24 December 2016
Monday, 8 April 2013
An Apple Pie Education
This semester, I've had the privilege of taking a course about social issues in Education. As the final creative project, my friend Sabrina and I created an Apple Pie Education Music Video in order to address some issues within the education system while presenting a fun way to spur on dialogue about the subject.
In the music video, we used the metaphor of baking an apple pie as our canvas to address topics such as...
In the music video, we used the metaphor of baking an apple pie as our canvas to address topics such as...
- overpopulated classroom sizes
- lack of recognition for a child's individuality, learning needs and cultural background
- The lack of wiggle room for new teachers who are restrained by specific learning objectives and the resources they are given. Are teachers expected to adopt styles and ideologies that are different than they might naturally bring to the classroom? Are new ideas for improvement put aside in favour of more traditional teaching methods?
- Whether the labels students are given, such as ADHD, ESL, Conduct Disorder, Learning Disability, etc., provide students with extra help or merely lead to stigmatization and segregation from their peers.
- Whether the ingredients or subjects that students are taught are 1) the areas of most importance for students to know and 2) whether students are equally able to understand those subject areas.
- The system itself and whether it offers the best way for students to reach their potential. Is it just an old recipe or could it become something far greater than it is now? If so, how?
In the music video, We had a lot of fun creating a "recipe" for the apple pie. Here's what we put:
Old Fashioned Apple
Pie
Ingredients:
v However many apples that you need to
accommodate
v ½ cup of brown sugar.
v 1 teaspoon
of cinnamon
v a dash of
nutmeg
v 2
tablespoons of flour
v 2 pastry
shells that has been sitting in your freezer for a while.
Directions:
v Begin
promptly at 8:30 am. Do not be tardy.
v Wear apron
and put up your hair.
v Twirl
around three times and throw flour over your shoulder.
v Preheat
oven to 375 degrees.
v Peel and
dice all the apples. Discard damaged ones. Focus on the perfect apples as they
will make the pie taste the best. Make sure there is no identifying feature
from the apples.
v Thou shalt
toss the apples with thine brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and flour. Shove the
apples into one of the pastry shells and force the second of the shells over
them to shut them in. Poke a few breathing holes so they mightest glimpse
freedom from where they sit.
v Make pie
look aesthetically pleasing so no one questions it.
v Bake for 12-20
years, or rather, one hour until the crust is golden brown.
Just in case you were wondering, this does actually make a pretty decent apple pie.
And a whole lot of apple sauce.
Our goal is to get people talking, so here is your chance. What do you see as the greatest issues in education today? Was there anything in the music video that struck a chord with you? How do you think that the education system could be improved?
Some valuable information for further reading can be found in Paulo Freire's "Pedagogy of the Oppressed" and the book "Rethinking Multicultural Education".
Sunday, 6 January 2013
We are so small
The other day, I was watching a show on youtube about a man who survived 24 hours floating on the open ocean without a life jacket or boat after his plane crashed. As he struggled through the night, fear struck him in the most profound way. He expresses how vulnerable and small he felt as he floated on the dark expanse. He was scared of the unknown, of sharks lurking to attack or of drowning if he fell asleep. He didn't know if he would be rescued or see his friends and family again as he struggled to get somewhere stable, somewhere safe. It seemed like the odds were all against him. Eventually, he was rescued after enduring numerous jellyfish stings, immense dehydration and major exhaustion. The others involved in the accident were not so fortunate. He was found to be the only survivor.
There are several things that the show made me think about. They are kind of random, but I figured I'd share them anyway.
1) It's amazing what people can survive through. Life is fragile. We're so vulnerable. Yet people can be strong and brave even when things get really bad. We're resilient. If we don't panic and are determined enough; if we have a degree of common sense and God's blessing, then we have a chance to make it out ok.
2) People are so much smaller than we sometimes think. Sometimes we get caught up in life and forget the big stuff. When that man was floating in the ocean, he wasn't concerned about his figure or how much money or stuff he had. He just wanted to survive, to tell his family that he loved them and to be safe. Size is such a big thing where we live, yet I can feel my toes and the top of my head. I can see the space that I fill. It isn't that big. Compared to the room I'm in, I'm small. Compared to this building, I'm smaller yet. When you get in a plane, people are some of the first objects that disappear out of sight. Why? Because we are small. Are we then insignificant? No, I believe that God made us immensely valuable and he was willing to die to show us that. I'm not saying that you shouldn't try to be healthy either, but be real. In the ocean, you are small. In this life you are small. Just as ants seem small to us. Yet they don't ever go on extreme diets as they compare themselves to other ants... at least not so far as we know. Appreciate yourself. Live beyond your size, let it humble you and challenge you to seek something greater than the temporary and confined.
3) Life is short. We never know when we are going to die. His friends didn't make it, but he did. We should use our time and lives well because we never know when we'll need to say goodbye. Be smart, be safe, be loving, be kind.
There are several things that the show made me think about. They are kind of random, but I figured I'd share them anyway.
1) It's amazing what people can survive through. Life is fragile. We're so vulnerable. Yet people can be strong and brave even when things get really bad. We're resilient. If we don't panic and are determined enough; if we have a degree of common sense and God's blessing, then we have a chance to make it out ok.
2) People are so much smaller than we sometimes think. Sometimes we get caught up in life and forget the big stuff. When that man was floating in the ocean, he wasn't concerned about his figure or how much money or stuff he had. He just wanted to survive, to tell his family that he loved them and to be safe. Size is such a big thing where we live, yet I can feel my toes and the top of my head. I can see the space that I fill. It isn't that big. Compared to the room I'm in, I'm small. Compared to this building, I'm smaller yet. When you get in a plane, people are some of the first objects that disappear out of sight. Why? Because we are small. Are we then insignificant? No, I believe that God made us immensely valuable and he was willing to die to show us that. I'm not saying that you shouldn't try to be healthy either, but be real. In the ocean, you are small. In this life you are small. Just as ants seem small to us. Yet they don't ever go on extreme diets as they compare themselves to other ants... at least not so far as we know. Appreciate yourself. Live beyond your size, let it humble you and challenge you to seek something greater than the temporary and confined.
3) Life is short. We never know when we are going to die. His friends didn't make it, but he did. We should use our time and lives well because we never know when we'll need to say goodbye. Be smart, be safe, be loving, be kind.
Thursday, 3 January 2013
Young girls, why?
Young girl, beautiful girl
Why do you do what you do?
Why do you take those pictures
bent over just slightly to show your breasts,
showing your bikini body all over Facebook
using your "sexy" poses and "sexy" face
While your eyes look so sad, so uncertain?
What are you looking for?
The likes and comments pile up,
but do you feel beautiful now?
Young girl, beautiful girl
Why do you do what you do?
idolizing boys because they are pleasing to the eye?
What can they do?
Whether famous or up close
They aren't the answer to life's problems or questions.
They cannot fulfill you.
I know your heart yearns for love
to be cherished
told you are beautiful
desired
But taking boys into you heart again and again
is a bandaid on a deeper issue
Leaving you empty and wounded and hurting again
Young girl, beautiful girl
why do you doubt yourself so much?
The worries of insignificance
the struggles of worth
the heartache of shape
the hunger, the hurting, the tears
it's scary what you do, what others do
and what you do to become them.
Be wise my darling
There are some things that cannot be reclaimed
There are some battles that will never be over
There are some scars that don't disappear
not in this lifetime
Protect yourself
Know yourself
Know your value.
You are beautiful
You are significant
You don't need to do these things
I hope you learn, before you regret
Why do you do what you do?
Why do you take those pictures
bent over just slightly to show your breasts,
showing your bikini body all over Facebook
using your "sexy" poses and "sexy" face
While your eyes look so sad, so uncertain?
What are you looking for?
The likes and comments pile up,
but do you feel beautiful now?
Young girl, beautiful girl
Why do you do what you do?
idolizing boys because they are pleasing to the eye?
What can they do?
Whether famous or up close
They aren't the answer to life's problems or questions.
They cannot fulfill you.
I know your heart yearns for love
to be cherished
told you are beautiful
desired
But taking boys into you heart again and again
is a bandaid on a deeper issue
Leaving you empty and wounded and hurting again
Young girl, beautiful girl
why do you doubt yourself so much?
The worries of insignificance
the struggles of worth
the heartache of shape
the hunger, the hurting, the tears
it's scary what you do, what others do
and what you do to become them.
Be wise my darling
There are some things that cannot be reclaimed
There are some battles that will never be over
There are some scars that don't disappear
not in this lifetime
Protect yourself
Know yourself
Know your value.
You are beautiful
You are significant
You don't need to do these things
I hope you learn, before you regret
My house is cold
My house is cold right now.
The first indications of this are always in my feet. I wear slippers and fuzzy socks to try and combat this problem, yet here they are, being cold. Why feet, why do you do this? Stop that. The worst problem is if the feet stay cold when trying to sleep. If my feet are cold, there will be no sleep until this is remedied. So, then the fuzzy socks are essential. Sometimes a heating device speeds up the process. And loads of blankets. The socks are usually kicked off some time in the night, which takes a certain amount of skill while remaining somewhat asleep.
My windows in my room have a bit of a draft that comes though... right on my head. I could sleep the other way, but the feet problem would not be helped that way. Sleeping completely under the blankets is futile. Breathing is typically important. Then it becomes the task of covering all of my head but my mouth and noes (but not the tip of my nose, because that gets cold and who likes a cold nose?)
Sweaters are great. I should put one on.
Tea is also great. It's not so good to only be drinking tea and not water, I've found out. Dehydration is not the most pleasant feeling. I just got some new looseleaf teas. So excited to try them.
This is a random post. Short and sweet. I figure you might be cold and that's why you're reading this. Go put on a sweater and get a cup of tea. It makes me appreciate having a home and sweaters and tea and fuzzy socks... there are so many people out there who have to face being cold all the time. Sleeping bags and night. Every night when I'm trying to warm up my feet, I'm grateful that I can.
The first indications of this are always in my feet. I wear slippers and fuzzy socks to try and combat this problem, yet here they are, being cold. Why feet, why do you do this? Stop that. The worst problem is if the feet stay cold when trying to sleep. If my feet are cold, there will be no sleep until this is remedied. So, then the fuzzy socks are essential. Sometimes a heating device speeds up the process. And loads of blankets. The socks are usually kicked off some time in the night, which takes a certain amount of skill while remaining somewhat asleep.
My windows in my room have a bit of a draft that comes though... right on my head. I could sleep the other way, but the feet problem would not be helped that way. Sleeping completely under the blankets is futile. Breathing is typically important. Then it becomes the task of covering all of my head but my mouth and noes (but not the tip of my nose, because that gets cold and who likes a cold nose?)
Sweaters are great. I should put one on.
Tea is also great. It's not so good to only be drinking tea and not water, I've found out. Dehydration is not the most pleasant feeling. I just got some new looseleaf teas. So excited to try them.
This is a random post. Short and sweet. I figure you might be cold and that's why you're reading this. Go put on a sweater and get a cup of tea. It makes me appreciate having a home and sweaters and tea and fuzzy socks... there are so many people out there who have to face being cold all the time. Sleeping bags and night. Every night when I'm trying to warm up my feet, I'm grateful that I can.
Monday, 4 June 2012
How girls should treat guys
I know it has been forever, but the sequel of "how men should treat girls" is finally here with how girls should treat the men-folk. This is written as a combined effort with me and my cousins (one of which is a really awesome guy who put a lot into this list. You're allowed to disagree on this, but it's worth thinking about :)
1). Girls should allow guys to be gentlemen. Instead of getting offended when a man offers to open the door or to pay for the bill, don't shoot him down as if he's trying to say you aren't equal. Allow a guy to show you courtesy, you deserve it. According to my guy cousins, girls should demand that guys be gentlemen. If guys refuse, then they aren't worth hanging out with, especially when dating.
2) Girls should not be the initiator in a relationship. If he's shy, be obvious but let him take the lead. This allows you to find out what kind of man he is and how he will act within the relationship.
3) Don't advertise what's not for sale! If you want to be respected and not treated as an object don't dress like one. "Six-inch heels and fishnet stockings will get you a lot of attention but it won't get you anyone deeper than a puddle" according to my cousin. Guys are objective-focused, therefore make yourselves something worth achieving. The creme will rise to the top. Don't go chasing guys because the ones you will end up with aren't the type of guys that will be great husbands.
4) Guys make horrible girlfriends. Generally if you want to go knitting or dress-shopping most guys won't enjoy going with you (although there are exceptions). Recognize that he's a guy and will like guy things and that there has to be some give-and-take. He'll put up with some things you like but you also will need to put up with the occasional monster-truck rally. Do this within reason, however. If he wants to wrestle with you or take you to a strip club you should probably just walk away, maybe even run.
5) Encourage guys and don't belittle them. Respect them! Girls generally think a guy's ego is a mile high above reason, and a guy might act like it, but that's not the case. Women have the power to raise a guy up or to tear a guy apart. Guys, sometimes more than girls, can be taken down with just one negative comment and it just digs at them. Be careful with what you say and encourage them. You will get a lot more out of your guy and he'll rise up all the higher for it. Compliment him on things he is good at; if he made you a great meal, TELL HIM and he'll not only be more likely to do it again in the future, he'll feel so much better than if you complain.
6) Tell him what YOU WANT! Guys can't read your minds. Tattoo it on your arm. You might not really know what you want, but if you do tell him. Don't just expect him to know or to pick up on things you think he should know. If he's not getting it, know his brain doesn't work the same way as yours. Don't get impatient with him. Guys should know and be genuinely interested in fulfilling your needs but if he's fresh home from a long day at work and asks you if you want to go to a restaurant and you say you don't care but you really do... tell him what you really want.
7) Make sure he actually hears you. If he's doing something on the computer, a few rooms away, busy with something or just gazing off into that nothingness that men go to sometimes, he might not really be taking in that important stuff you are saying. Try to get his attention and hold his attention. Guys get annoyed like we do when he gets reminded five or six times to do something... it feels like nagging. Try to be patient and understand that guys are human and will not hear things and might forget. Be gentle and ask for help when you need it. Keep communication open, if you are frustrated with him let him know clearly but without tearing the guy apart.
8) Be confident in who you are and where your boundaries are. Make yourself clear and if you aren't interested in a guy, don't lead him on. If he is pushing you to do things you don't want to, giving in isn't helping anyone. Being clear will make him rise up and respect your boundaries, and if not he's not the kind of guy you want to be with. Also, don't go tearing yourself down just to hear him compliment you. Guys think you are beautiful and love it when you see it too.
9) Forgive but don't be a doormat. Even the best of guys will mess up and it doesn't feel nice for them if you hold it over his head. Sometimes you have to let things go. For example, if he forgot to pick up milk from the supermarket when you asked him this is probably a good time to forgive. However, there are lines to be drawn. If you allow a guy to abuse you or to make you feel unbeautiful, ditch his sorry, unworthy caboose. If you put up with those things he'll never feel the drive to do anything differently. Be clear with what is hurting you but if he doesn't take the hint don't just allow yourself to be treated like dirt. Protect yourself. Abuse isn't having to pick up a guys clothes after him but if he's hurting you physically, sexually or emotionally/mentally don't put up with it. Even if it seems "normal", don't just accept it. If it's tearing you apart get help. Tell somebody. Silence will kill you.
10) Don't compare a guy to your father or to other guys you've dated. As girls we can sometimes think that guys will make everything all right. That they will give you what your dad never did or will love you for always without mistakes. We can catch the prince-charming bug where we think a guy will be Mr. Darcy and then we find out that they have habits or quirks or problems that someone else you know didn't have. You know how bad it would feel to be compared to your mother-in-law or an ex-girlfriend? Ya, he doesn't like it much either. Of course, it depends on your dad. We will naturally be comparing but don't put a guy down for not doing things exactly like your dad.
This list was made quite a while ago and I know that there are certain parts that some girls will disagree with. I know you are all different and will have different opinions on these things. That's okay! I think the big point is to respect them, differences and all, and to think about how you would want to be treated and to treat them likewise. They struggle with a lot of the same things we do, but they also have temptations and insecurities that we can either help with or hinder. Be wise, respect the guys!
1). Girls should allow guys to be gentlemen. Instead of getting offended when a man offers to open the door or to pay for the bill, don't shoot him down as if he's trying to say you aren't equal. Allow a guy to show you courtesy, you deserve it. According to my guy cousins, girls should demand that guys be gentlemen. If guys refuse, then they aren't worth hanging out with, especially when dating.
2) Girls should not be the initiator in a relationship. If he's shy, be obvious but let him take the lead. This allows you to find out what kind of man he is and how he will act within the relationship.
3) Don't advertise what's not for sale! If you want to be respected and not treated as an object don't dress like one. "Six-inch heels and fishnet stockings will get you a lot of attention but it won't get you anyone deeper than a puddle" according to my cousin. Guys are objective-focused, therefore make yourselves something worth achieving. The creme will rise to the top. Don't go chasing guys because the ones you will end up with aren't the type of guys that will be great husbands.
4) Guys make horrible girlfriends. Generally if you want to go knitting or dress-shopping most guys won't enjoy going with you (although there are exceptions). Recognize that he's a guy and will like guy things and that there has to be some give-and-take. He'll put up with some things you like but you also will need to put up with the occasional monster-truck rally. Do this within reason, however. If he wants to wrestle with you or take you to a strip club you should probably just walk away, maybe even run.
5) Encourage guys and don't belittle them. Respect them! Girls generally think a guy's ego is a mile high above reason, and a guy might act like it, but that's not the case. Women have the power to raise a guy up or to tear a guy apart. Guys, sometimes more than girls, can be taken down with just one negative comment and it just digs at them. Be careful with what you say and encourage them. You will get a lot more out of your guy and he'll rise up all the higher for it. Compliment him on things he is good at; if he made you a great meal, TELL HIM and he'll not only be more likely to do it again in the future, he'll feel so much better than if you complain.
6) Tell him what YOU WANT! Guys can't read your minds. Tattoo it on your arm. You might not really know what you want, but if you do tell him. Don't just expect him to know or to pick up on things you think he should know. If he's not getting it, know his brain doesn't work the same way as yours. Don't get impatient with him. Guys should know and be genuinely interested in fulfilling your needs but if he's fresh home from a long day at work and asks you if you want to go to a restaurant and you say you don't care but you really do... tell him what you really want.
7) Make sure he actually hears you. If he's doing something on the computer, a few rooms away, busy with something or just gazing off into that nothingness that men go to sometimes, he might not really be taking in that important stuff you are saying. Try to get his attention and hold his attention. Guys get annoyed like we do when he gets reminded five or six times to do something... it feels like nagging. Try to be patient and understand that guys are human and will not hear things and might forget. Be gentle and ask for help when you need it. Keep communication open, if you are frustrated with him let him know clearly but without tearing the guy apart.
8) Be confident in who you are and where your boundaries are. Make yourself clear and if you aren't interested in a guy, don't lead him on. If he is pushing you to do things you don't want to, giving in isn't helping anyone. Being clear will make him rise up and respect your boundaries, and if not he's not the kind of guy you want to be with. Also, don't go tearing yourself down just to hear him compliment you. Guys think you are beautiful and love it when you see it too.
9) Forgive but don't be a doormat. Even the best of guys will mess up and it doesn't feel nice for them if you hold it over his head. Sometimes you have to let things go. For example, if he forgot to pick up milk from the supermarket when you asked him this is probably a good time to forgive. However, there are lines to be drawn. If you allow a guy to abuse you or to make you feel unbeautiful, ditch his sorry, unworthy caboose. If you put up with those things he'll never feel the drive to do anything differently. Be clear with what is hurting you but if he doesn't take the hint don't just allow yourself to be treated like dirt. Protect yourself. Abuse isn't having to pick up a guys clothes after him but if he's hurting you physically, sexually or emotionally/mentally don't put up with it. Even if it seems "normal", don't just accept it. If it's tearing you apart get help. Tell somebody. Silence will kill you.
10) Don't compare a guy to your father or to other guys you've dated. As girls we can sometimes think that guys will make everything all right. That they will give you what your dad never did or will love you for always without mistakes. We can catch the prince-charming bug where we think a guy will be Mr. Darcy and then we find out that they have habits or quirks or problems that someone else you know didn't have. You know how bad it would feel to be compared to your mother-in-law or an ex-girlfriend? Ya, he doesn't like it much either. Of course, it depends on your dad. We will naturally be comparing but don't put a guy down for not doing things exactly like your dad.
This list was made quite a while ago and I know that there are certain parts that some girls will disagree with. I know you are all different and will have different opinions on these things. That's okay! I think the big point is to respect them, differences and all, and to think about how you would want to be treated and to treat them likewise. They struggle with a lot of the same things we do, but they also have temptations and insecurities that we can either help with or hinder. Be wise, respect the guys!
Can Christians write fantasy stories that involve magic?
There's nothing quite like making up a new world and allowing the characters to express every whim of your imagination and to have their abilities follow suit. Unfortunately, making people able to move the wind or practice "magic" has been a contentious issue among Christian circles. Some of you may recall some years ago when J.K. Rowling first started producing her famous Harry Potter books, many Christian groups were outraged at the plot being so centred around witchcraft-- a practice condemned in the Bible in several parts.
For example:
For example:
Deuteronomy 18:9-11
When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery,interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead.
2 Chronicles 33:6
He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, arousing his anger.
Micah 5:12
I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells.
I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells.
Nahum 3:4
all because of the wanton lust of a prostitute, alluring, the mistress of sorceries, who enslaved nations by her prostitution and peoples by her witchcraft.
all because of the wanton lust of a prostitute, alluring, the mistress of sorceries, who enslaved nations by her prostitution and peoples by her witchcraft.
Galatians 5:19-21
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.Then the question comes out, is writing stories that contain magic a poor practice for Christians? What if those stories include Christian values and plot features geared towards pointing people to God? As a Christian writer, this is something I'm trying to figure out. After all, giving God my life in all that I do is very important to me, even if it means I have to change my stories.
Some famous writers that managed to blend the use of fantasy with Christian themes are J.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Tolkien even features a wizard as one of his key characters and yet many Christians use the imagery in The Lord of the Rings to express Christian themes such as fellowship and being willing to journey and face all odds for the call you receive.
I've read these stories and I've enjoyed them. It has been a great mission of mine to use what I write to point to God, but at the same time I also just like making up stories that deal with people and how they interact. Magic just adds a bit of spice to it.
So, here are the cons so far that I've heard for including magic:
1) if you include magic in stories, you are promoting something that the Bible condemns.
2) If you include magic, if you write anything expressly Christian afterwards, no one will respect you.
3) If you include magic, kids might read it and think that magic shown in this world is okay, such as the use of Ouija boards and the like. (Definitely do not want this!)
4) If you are spending your time writing fantasy, what are you really accomplishing for the kingdom of God? Even if you make it as though the magic is something that is given from a "God" figure, there is a lot of room for people to extract all sorts of principles that are not true in this world. For example, if I have a world where there is one God who gives people the ability to do things when they ask, this might rise the idea that God answers "yes" whenever people pray, which is not true all the time.
On the other side, I've talked to people that think it's the messages that you send in a story that are more important. What values do you express? Won't there be undertones of what you believe in whatever you write? Also, the fact that it's meant to be in a different world all together is something I've heard as a pass for writers to be at liberty to make stories of this kind. Would being recognized as a writer open up doors in the secular world to share your faith? These are all things to be considered.
So reader, what do you think? Should including magic be avoided all together? Should it be used with care and the emphasis that there is bad magic out there? Comment below :)
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