"In such an hour as you think not, the Son of Man comes..." (Mt 24:44)
I’m thankful that the God has provided me with friends who had been my prayer partners and supporters... these many years while I go about attending to the ministry that I'm being called for. In the last Malaysian Log posting, I mentioned the possible dangers of addiction through excessive abusive use of video games by our young people in the Y generation.
This Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD for short) is not new but it seems like no one has taken it seriously enough to sound a warning to parents all these years. I myself was alerted to this problem some 5 years ago when I preached about the danger of excessive video gaming to a church group in Kuala Lumpur. Soon after the service, the pastor mentioned that several of the young people were seen to have dropped their heads…being their pastor, he knew how his members were involved. That off-hand remark somehow lodged in my mind and I begun to pay attention whenever I came across information regarding IAD. After a fair period of examining this issue, I have come to the conclusion that this is a subtle but silent killer of our youths…the draining of the future church leadership, if left unchecked.
In Malachi chapter 4:4-6:
"Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."
The disintegration of the family in today’s context is a sign of moral and spiritual degeneration within our society. God sees the collapse of the family where parents are distancing themselves from their children.
Our 21st Century modern living over-rides home and family by compensating good life with material gain and comforts. All too often, parents can afford “good things” for their families but never have enough time to be with their children or enjoy each other’s company. Willy-nilly, many parents choose toys from the most expensive range for their children thinking that these things would compensate for their absence and neglect.
Well-meaning parents are known to give Game-Boy (a top-of-range Nintendo games) for Christmas or birthdays. Such a choice would be disastrous as it could spell the beginning of the problem. Don’t get me wrong that I’m anti-video games or anti-entertainment for younger generation…but I suspect these gaming consoles are used as a form of “Trojan Horse” by the evil one to entrap our children.
Someone mentioned “This post-modern generation is characterized by having families but no father…” (Henri Nouven). It doesn’t mean that their fathers are not around or dead but rather the headship of the family has been abandoned or unrealized. If we look around us we can see that to a certain extent, the fathers of today are far too busy with their own lives for them to be effective as heads of the household. The Y Generation is moving into more advanced games that may contain elements of violence and witchcraft. These video games can become addictive considering the years of silent exposure…sucking the participants into a never-ending vortex of addiction (worse than opium or cocaine).
It scares me to think of how we could have lost touch with the actuality of spiritual warfare in our very homes. Many parents are naïve to the point of being ignorant of this danger as they do not take the effort to read the small print and discover as to whether these games are really that beneficial to their children, as the manufacturers claimed them to be. Alas, we may have lost out as roles as guardians or gatekeepers to our own household.
We hear of parents hauling in companies producing “tainted milk” to court etc. but we have yet to hear of parents suing the manufacturers of video and on-line games for the loss of their children? If your child has grown up on Game Boy as a kind of entertainment, he will not be satisfied with that alone…he will graduate to other more advanced video games.
We know young people who explain away that these games help them to relax but if that were to be true, may we ask “Why after hours of playing, does the individual seem so distant and remote to others in the family (like the Body-Snatcher has done his work)? If this is true that such games will help one to relax and even revitalize oneself, one would see more communication from our young people…instead of a mental hangover!
What are the signs or symptoms of addiction, one might ask? Certain overt signs are the person seems to be more comfortable with online friends than his former friends in school, church or neighbourhood. Then there is the urge to compulsive playing into the wee hours of the morning where he loses track of time. He may even neglect his own bodily functions and needs e.g. eating and drinking etc. or defers his home assignments or his own family. His grades or performance may drop hence his teachers or superiors are not happy. He may fidget; feel anxious or depressed when he is away from the computer or his playing has been curtailed. He might also think of the computer as his only source of release whenever he faces problems or difficulties. These are some of the signs that he is “hooked to a subtle addiction” which is likened to having “a monkey on one’s back.” In the initial stages, we may wean such a person away from his computer or gaming console. Encourage him to go and enjoy himself doing some healthy outdoor sports that will help burn up calories or even develop wholesome social activities where he can relate to other people in the church or neighbourhood.
It is timely for parents to speak out on their fears of what is happening to their children. We ought to monitor such addictions in order to avoid heartaches later on. As for those already in the troll of addiction, alas, it is too late…we can confront and counsel such individuals to decrease their gaming time…like I said, the road to recovery will be a long and hard one.
Such an individual might not grow out of the addiction. I know some young men in their thirties who are still spending more time in front of their video consoles instead of spending time with their loved ones. We shouldn’t soft-pedal this danger but we should view this like any other form of addiction e.g. alcohol, opium, marijuana or amphetamines addiction. For further reading, just visit the following website for e.g. http://allpsych.com/journal/internet addiction.
Now coming on a more serious note, one may venture to ask: “Who is behind all these attacks on the family?” The evil one has sown the seeds of destruction to maim the families in order to cripple the Church. Let us pray for greater spiritual discernment so that we may know how to protect the family especially our children who are to be the future leaders in Christ’s army.
Maybe there is still time to confess to the Lord of our own inadequacies and allow Him full leverage in our family so that the tide may be turned against the evil one. We must maintain our rank and file in order to keep ourselves for Him and for His work so that this will be done before our time to return to Him. We must not be like the troops during the Sino-Indian War of 70s, where I remembered seeing a picture of an Indian soldier dreamily looking at a mountain blossom…ere not long before that the Chinese storm-troopers scaled the Himalayas and took the soldiers by surprise!
Let us be ever vigilant so that we may do the Lord’s work and be wise to all forms of attack within and without the family. How can we face our Lord when our loved ones are lost to the world or the evil one? What can be more disastrous than this…I can’t imagine. Just stop and think…so that we may consider the consequences of our negligence in becoming watchful even when the battle front is becoming a raging one for our loved ones. What will we offer for the salvation of our loved ones…maybe there is still time so let us “gird up our loin cloth” and proceed to do what is expected of us! I bid you God’s peace and wisdom to fulfil what He has placed in your heart for the days are short and numbered.
Sincerely,
Victor
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
"In such an hour as you think not, the Son of Man comes..." (Mt 24:44)
Dear Friend,
It is hope that this newsletter might become a source of encouragement to some readers. In many ways, this is a travel log for me for the last 22 years . In so many ways, this is like a photo album, where snapshots of my thoughts are shared with friends since 1988 when my family and I left for the Philippines to pursue studies at the Asian Theological Seminary. As I look back these 20 over years, I can only be grateful to God for His grace and mercies when He took care of all of us. Now on hind sight, it is so wonderful to see how our lives have been shaped for purpose of helping others in need. What more can we say, except a big “thank you” to God!
With our three girls all working and having families of their own, it would seemed that we should consider retirement; but there is no retirement as more help is needed for the coming generation. We will be retooling our lives to be of help in any way at ground zero i.e. the spiritual trenches of the families. Today’s people are assuaged on all fronts – physical, mental and particularly the spiritual front. With the advancement of IT, this battle is raging on within the hearts and minds.
What is that one thing that disturbs you most? Many would identify the global meltdown or the alarming ecological issues of our times or even the surging human population as worthy issues. Alas, in my opinion, it is the danger that stalks within our very homes that is really disturbing. Many of our young adults and teenagers are afflicted by the Trojan Invasion of the Dark Side.
In Malachi chapter 4:4-6
"Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."
The disintegration of the family is a sign of crushing moral and spiritual degeneration in our society. God sees the yawning generation gap which will result in the collapse of the family where parents distance themselves from their children. Our modern living preferences over-ride home and family by compensation of good life that material promises might bring. All too often, parents can afford “good things” for their families but never have the time to enjoy their children. Many parents would even choose toys from the most expensive range for their children thinking that it would compensate for their neglect.
Well-meaning parents are known to give Game Boy consoles and the like which is the top of range of Nintendo games for Christmas or birthdays. The result of such a choice may prove disastrous as it could be the very root of problem. Don’t get me wrong that I’m anti-video games or entertainment…but I’m suspicious of this being used as a “Trojan Horse” by the evil one to influence our children. There is the possibility of them being tempted to move into more advanced games that contain elements of violence and witchcraft. These video games will suck them into a never-ending vortex of IT addiction, robbing them of their childhood. It scares me to think of how we can lose touch with the real spiritual warfare in our very own homes as our children face a long hard road toward recovery.
Children introduced to video games at such an early age, can sit for hours playing games all by themselves, devoid of company. Of course, parents don’t mind that a bit! Many parents are totally ignorant of this danger as they do not take the effort to read and explore as to whether these games are really that educational as claimed to be. We may have messed up our roles as parents…as guardians of the gate of our homes.
We have heard of parents hauling in companies producing tainted milk to court etc. but we have yet to hear parents suing the manufacturers of video and online games for the loss of their children! If your child has grown up on Game Boy as kind of entertainment diet, he will not be satisfied with that alone. He will graduate to other more advanced games and there is no stopping him from developing into a full-blown IT addict! We are privy to cases of young people suffering from bipolar manic depression. Although more research needs to be carried out, we shouldn’t ignore the dangers these games have on our children.
We have come across young people who explain that these games help them to relax but if one were to examine the issue, one wonders why such games are usually so addictive? After hours of playing, the individual seems so distant and remote (like a body snatcher that has done his work!)! If such games do really help one to relax and even revitalize oneself, then there should be no such thing as a mental hang-over. Instead, we should encourage our children to enjoy themselves with healthy outdoor sports that will help to burn up calories or even some wholesome social activities where they can share with others.
Now is the time for parents to speak out and share their fears of what is happening to their children. Parents of preteens must monitor and control these problems from occurring to avoid heartaches later on. As for those already in the troll of addiction, it is too late. We can only confront those stricken and counsel them to decrease their playing time…like I said the road to recovery will be a long one.
There is no certainty that such an afflicted individual will grow out of it. I know some young men in their thirties who are still spending more time in front of their video consoles then spending time with their loved ones. We shouldn’t soft-pedal this danger but we should view this like any other form of addiction e.g. alcohol, drug addiction. For further reference, visit http://allpsych.com/journal/internet addiction.
On a more serious note, who is behind all these attacks on the family? Our antagonist has sown the seeds of destruction to maim the families in order to cripple the family. We, as parents should know our priorities and stand guard like the watchmen (Ps 130:6).
Let us be vigilant so that we may more watchful in protecting our family from dangers within and without the home.
Sincerely,
Victor Wong
Dear Friend,
It is hope that this newsletter might become a source of encouragement to some readers. In many ways, this is a travel log for me for the last 22 years . In so many ways, this is like a photo album, where snapshots of my thoughts are shared with friends since 1988 when my family and I left for the Philippines to pursue studies at the Asian Theological Seminary. As I look back these 20 over years, I can only be grateful to God for His grace and mercies when He took care of all of us. Now on hind sight, it is so wonderful to see how our lives have been shaped for purpose of helping others in need. What more can we say, except a big “thank you” to God!
With our three girls all working and having families of their own, it would seemed that we should consider retirement; but there is no retirement as more help is needed for the coming generation. We will be retooling our lives to be of help in any way at ground zero i.e. the spiritual trenches of the families. Today’s people are assuaged on all fronts – physical, mental and particularly the spiritual front. With the advancement of IT, this battle is raging on within the hearts and minds.
What is that one thing that disturbs you most? Many would identify the global meltdown or the alarming ecological issues of our times or even the surging human population as worthy issues. Alas, in my opinion, it is the danger that stalks within our very homes that is really disturbing. Many of our young adults and teenagers are afflicted by the Trojan Invasion of the Dark Side.
In Malachi chapter 4:4-6
"Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."
The disintegration of the family is a sign of crushing moral and spiritual degeneration in our society. God sees the yawning generation gap which will result in the collapse of the family where parents distance themselves from their children. Our modern living preferences over-ride home and family by compensation of good life that material promises might bring. All too often, parents can afford “good things” for their families but never have the time to enjoy their children. Many parents would even choose toys from the most expensive range for their children thinking that it would compensate for their neglect.
Well-meaning parents are known to give Game Boy consoles and the like which is the top of range of Nintendo games for Christmas or birthdays. The result of such a choice may prove disastrous as it could be the very root of problem. Don’t get me wrong that I’m anti-video games or entertainment…but I’m suspicious of this being used as a “Trojan Horse” by the evil one to influence our children. There is the possibility of them being tempted to move into more advanced games that contain elements of violence and witchcraft. These video games will suck them into a never-ending vortex of IT addiction, robbing them of their childhood. It scares me to think of how we can lose touch with the real spiritual warfare in our very own homes as our children face a long hard road toward recovery.
Children introduced to video games at such an early age, can sit for hours playing games all by themselves, devoid of company. Of course, parents don’t mind that a bit! Many parents are totally ignorant of this danger as they do not take the effort to read and explore as to whether these games are really that educational as claimed to be. We may have messed up our roles as parents…as guardians of the gate of our homes.
We have heard of parents hauling in companies producing tainted milk to court etc. but we have yet to hear parents suing the manufacturers of video and online games for the loss of their children! If your child has grown up on Game Boy as kind of entertainment diet, he will not be satisfied with that alone. He will graduate to other more advanced games and there is no stopping him from developing into a full-blown IT addict! We are privy to cases of young people suffering from bipolar manic depression. Although more research needs to be carried out, we shouldn’t ignore the dangers these games have on our children.
We have come across young people who explain that these games help them to relax but if one were to examine the issue, one wonders why such games are usually so addictive? After hours of playing, the individual seems so distant and remote (like a body snatcher that has done his work!)! If such games do really help one to relax and even revitalize oneself, then there should be no such thing as a mental hang-over. Instead, we should encourage our children to enjoy themselves with healthy outdoor sports that will help to burn up calories or even some wholesome social activities where they can share with others.
Now is the time for parents to speak out and share their fears of what is happening to their children. Parents of preteens must monitor and control these problems from occurring to avoid heartaches later on. As for those already in the troll of addiction, it is too late. We can only confront those stricken and counsel them to decrease their playing time…like I said the road to recovery will be a long one.
There is no certainty that such an afflicted individual will grow out of it. I know some young men in their thirties who are still spending more time in front of their video consoles then spending time with their loved ones. We shouldn’t soft-pedal this danger but we should view this like any other form of addiction e.g. alcohol, drug addiction. For further reference, visit http://allpsych.com/journal/internet addiction.
On a more serious note, who is behind all these attacks on the family? Our antagonist has sown the seeds of destruction to maim the families in order to cripple the family. We, as parents should know our priorities and stand guard like the watchmen (Ps 130:6).
Let us be vigilant so that we may more watchful in protecting our family from dangers within and without the home.
Sincerely,
Victor Wong
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