Holiness for Children: Kingdom Kids Series

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by chaotic_resolve

You don't think it has anything to do with ministers being gone too much? Seriously? That one can't be in a committed relationship, but find him/herself out on the road too much and open themselves to a tragic and sinful choice?

I'd have to disagree with the bolded statements.

Sorry, but I do not think that is the reason. I know too many missionaries and evangelists and for that matter, soldiers and doctors and other secular folks who are apart for significant amounts of time and remain faithful to one another. Show me someone who depends on their spouse as their source of morality, and I'll show you a problem in the making. You've been watching too many soaps.

I trust my husband implicitly when he's away. And he trusts me. If I didn't trust him, I'd move to Arkansas so I could keep an eye on him while he works. If there are some minister's wives who think their husbands are weak and untrustworthy, then I suggest they travel with them. If their husband objects to their presence, then that would be a big, red flag.

Again, I think the absence of a spouse is an excuse for adultery...not the cause of it.

[SDG]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Sorry, but I do not think that is the reason. I know too many missionaries and evangelists and for that matter, soldiers and doctors and other secular folks who are apart for significant amounts of time and remain faithful to one another. Show me someone who depends on their spouse as their source of morality, and I'll show you a problem in the making. You've been watching too many soaps.

I trust my husband implicitly when he's away. And he trusts me. If I didn't trust him, I'd move to Arkansas so I could keep an eye on him while he works. If there are some minister's wives who think their husbands are weak and untrustworthy, then I suggest they travel with them. If their husband objects to their presence, then that would be a big, red flag.

Again, I think the absence of a spouse is an excuse for adultery...not the cause of it.

But c'mon MB ... you must admit that the prolonged absence of a spouse can lead to temptation in many ... a very natural emotional and physical void can develop ... and I for one am a proponent of COMMITMENT.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

But c'mon MB ... you must admit that the prolonged absence of a spouse can lead to temptation in many ... a very natural emotional and physical void can develop ... and I for one am a proponent of COMMITMENT.

Must I? Define "prolonged"....

I've been apart from Jeff as long as 3 months (very short time compared to some)...and the only emotional/physical void I developed was for HIM.


Okay, I would concede that loneliness could lead to temptation. Or being apart could allow for opportunities. But tempting opportunities aren't sinful, are they? And they can be passed right up.

I Corinthians 10:13
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

You will not get me to concede that there is any good reason for adultery or that ministers should quit ministering and stay home with their wives lest their wives covet their neighbor's husband.

Perhaps men struggle with temptation more than women from a normally male standpoint (JMO...not claiming to be an expert), and if a wife believes her husband needs....ahem...assistance in resisting temptation, she should see to it. Likewise for men though...if their relationship is so bad that their wife can't be trusted alone, then they obviously need to repair the relationship before they start testing it.

If I felt my husband had a weakness in this area, I wouldn't resent him for it...I would do my best to prevent any potential problems, but in the end, his choices are his choices. Period.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

But c'mon MB ... you must admit that the prolonged absence of a spouse can lead to temptation in many ... a very natural emotional and physical void can develop ... and I for one am a proponent of COMMITMENT.

Daniel,
Only when we are "enticed" by our own lust. There are lots of ways of keeping in touch with your spouse when you are away.

It is my opinion that anyone that is weak in some areas is going to have some problems. It only stands to reason.

Temptation is going to come, no doubt about that. It's what we do with it that counts.

[SDG]

Temptation is not a sin ... do hormonal levels, gender and age play a role?

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

Temptation is not a sin ... do hormonal levels, gender and age play a role?

In temptation? Sure. In sin? No. If a person is old enough to be aware of what is right and wrong, and make decisions one way or the other, God will hold them accountable for their choices.

Who said temptation was a sin?

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

Temptation is not a sin ... do hormonal levels, gender and age play a role?

No one denies that. The thread is going past the temptation to embracing the sin. I think you do see that, right?

[SDG]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

In temptation? Sure. In sin? No. If a person is old enough to be aware of what is right and wrong, and make decisions one way or the other, God will hold them accountable for their choices.

Who said temptation was a sin?

I was agreeing with your previous statement... hold it down, Annie.

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

* I would like to thank Berkeley and H.O. for bringing to my attention some of the information I found for this thread.

Ruth Reider, now Ruth Harvey, is a reknowned Holiness writer. She has written various books on the power/value of dress standards and God's Holiness, that can be found at her website - http://positivepowerofholiness.com

In her kids section, she has introduced a series of books entitled Kingdom Kids in which her site says boys and girls will learn about God's Holiness.

Having not read the books and, only making some basic assumptions about there content, I have provided information from her site and some questions I have formulated based on the synopsis and pictures of each book.



Each story, interestingly, features one or two girls, called Angel and/or Miriam as protagonists.
{Why aren't boys featured as main characters also? Is God's Holiness primarily a female problem?}


5 out of the 6 books seemingly deal with outer standards. Only one, the last one, deals with moral purity.
{Doesn't Holiness start inward? Does it appear the Mrs. Harvey is focusing primarily on the outward?}


Here are the books in the series.

___________


ANGELS WATCHING OVER ME - Kingdom KidsSeries Book #1; For ages 5-9 years old



Do you have "Angels Watching Over You"?

Another morning of getting ready for school becomes very exciting as Miriam learns many wonderful things about being a King's Kid. She discovers how the armor of God and her uncut hair protects her every day. Find out how special every boy and girl is when they are one of God's kids.

{How does her uncut hair really give her the power of protection? Can this be substantiated by the Word?}

_______________________________

KINGDOM CLOTHING - Kingdom Kids Series Book #2; For ages 5-9 years old



Do you wear "Kingdom Clothing"? As the summer vacation comes to end, Angel goes shopping for school clothes. She learns all about Kingdom Clothing and how God's Kids should dress. Find out how special every boy and girl is when they are Kingdom Kids.

{What specific articles of clothing give witness of Kingdom Clothing?}

___________________________

MARBLE PALACES OR PAINTED BARNS - Kingdom Kids Series Book #3; For ages 5-9 years old



Are you a marble palace or a painted barn? It's Miriam's birthday and she is having a party. In the middle of the celebration she receives a very unusual present. Miriam learns how God made her perfect in every way. Find out how every Kingdom Kid is God's special masterpiece.

{Why is receiving a makeup kit unusual? Does putting on any type of makeup, including blush, make you a painted barn and not a marble palace for God to dwell in?}

__________________________________

GOD'S JEWELS - Kingdom Kids Series Book #4; For ages 5-9 years old



Are you one of God's Jewels? One afternoon the mailman brought Angel a package from California. After opening the surprise gift, she learns all about reflecting God's glory. Find out how every Kingdom Kid is one of God's Jewels!

{Who keeps on giving these young ladies such unholy presents? Does she cease being God's jewel when she eventually wears her wedding ring? Who created jewels and precious metals then?}


__________________________________

Adorned For the King - Kingdom Kids Series Book #5; For ages 5-9 years old



Are you Adorned for the King?

It’s summertime so Angel and Miriam are packing for Youth Camp. Together they learn what kind of clothes to wear so they can bring glory to God. Find out how Kingdom Kids can be Adorned for the King!

{What special clothing and adornment should a child of God take to Youth Camp that will bring Him glory?}

________________________________________


The Enclosed Garden (A Book on Moral Purity) - Kingdom Kids Series Book #6; For ages 5-9 years old



Are you like an enclosed garden?

It is time to have a special talk with Angel and Miriam about the divine plan for our lives. Together they learn about God’s standard of moral purity for boys and girls. Find out how Kingdom Kids can guard their enclosed gardens and remain pure!

{Why is the last book on moral purity? Are we to assume that moral purity is only about "sex"?}

And some folks around here worry about Harry Potter books screwing up their kids thinking, RR books by far will cause long term mental issues !




But if you need cheap fire wood this season, by all means buy her books for that reason only~

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

Here is one obviously biased opinion of a person who has read and reviewed some of these books.

Source:
http://www.spiritualabuse.org/issues...s_justine.html



The Four Children's Books

by Justine Fischbach

After having ploughed my way through the Ruth Rieder childrens books, here is my opinion...

Marble Palaces and Painted Barns
As in all her books, the illustrations show a mother with a huge wad of hair behind her head and all females wearing skirts reaching to their feet, whether it be their nightgowns or daily attire. Even the doll, that Rieder's daughter receives as a birthday gift in this book, is dressed accordingly.
Despite the UPC's claim to biblical purity, Rieder devotes an entire book to her daughter's birthday, something that cannot be found in the Bible and most certainly has pagan origins. The whole book is about "painting" and how we do not paint the rest of God's creation (e.g. animals, plants) as it would imply we do not like it as it already is.


The examples given are ludicrous and completely over the top, for example, elephants painted with pink dots and this is supposed to relate to women wearing make-up. Rieder conveniently forgets that although we do not paint trees and animals, we do prune trees and groom animals. Does this suggest that God's work was imperfect or is it not just something he has left up to us to decide upon?


When Rieder's daughter receives a make-up kit from one of the non-church kids at her party, her mother goes on to lie to her, telling her the Bible says she is a marble palace. Why would she want to cover beautiful marble with paint? The scripture referred to actually says (KJV for the UPC's sake) "that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace". It is part of a Psalm (144,12) by David who asks in the previous verse that they might be "rid of strange children" so that their daughters may be…etc.


Rieder also tells her daughter that she is perfect in every way and this is God's doing. I wonder if she would be making such statements if her child had a harelip, for example, and if she would then allow for corrective surgery or if the child would have to live with this so-called perfection.
At the end of each book, Rieder includes a "Kingdom Kids Quiz" to complete the indoctrination. All in all the book is designed to make children completely despise and mock anyone who "paints" themselves, which is of course a true reflection of Christ's character, wouldn't you say?!



Angels Watching Over Me
In this book Mom Rieder explains the wonderful and enlightening "truths" of long hair to her youngest daughter. After prayer that her daughter will put on the armor of God and be protected she then goes on to explain that her uncut hair "creates a covering of safety for us and our families" (p14). She has power on her head because of the angels; this means there are big strong angels watching over her all the time (p15).

Well, it's bad luck for the little boys then, seeing as they don't have this power on their head; I guess there's no one watching over them. Rieder goes on to explain that because of these angels "nothing can come close to harm you at any time when you are in the will of God" (p17), implying that if harm does come to you in the form of illness, accident, whatever you just are not in the Will of God! Those apostles and first martyred Christians must have really been off track.


Rieder goes on to say that her light is continually shining for Jesus when her school friends see her uncut hair. Well I guess they just fall to the floor in repentance when they see those split ends. Who could resist?

Then comes the issue of men's hair, has to be short as Corinthians says. Rieder's daughter admits she always has to laugh at men with long hair and thinks they are silly (not the hair, but the men themselves!). Mom explains that "God makes her feel that way". Once again we see Christ's love shining through. That a small child can mock adults in this way is such a great testimony for God and His Word wouldn't you agree?



God's Jewels
In this book, Rieder's oldest daughter receives a pearl necklace from their "unsaved" grandmother. Although Granny knows they don't wear jewelry, Mom explains that she doesn't understand as she is not baptized in Jesus' name and has not received the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.


Angel wants to know why she can't wear the necklace so they look at some scriptures, Ezekiel 28:13. Well, of course Lucifer became proud because he was covered in these jewels and Angel realizes if she were to wear the necklace she too would be come proud. The fact that they are already so proud of their hair and unpainted faces doesn't seem to come into it.


Jewels draw attention to us and not God and that's why God "commands" us not to wear them in 1. Tim 2.9 and 1. Pet 3.3.
Anyone spot the command cos I can't?



Kingdom Clothing
It's the end of the summer holidays and Rieder and her kids have to go and buy new school clothes. They try out a new store, which to their dismay does not seem to stock skirts. Mom explains most girls don't know they are supposed to wear dresses and explains that they should choose skirts long enough to cover their bodies. She goes on to equate this to God making the first clothes for Adam and Eve although where the Bible says that Adam wore skin pants and Eve a skin skirt to her feet, she neglects to say.


Over lunch Mom teaches more on these wonderful truths and how because of the now infamous Deut. 22:5, God feels very sick, almost like throwing up (p19) if girls don't wear skirts. What a terrible thing to tell a child!


Rieder goes on to point out the restroom signs and how they are used all over the world. This is the "proof" the kids want for their school friends. Upon returning home they tell their male cat that he can't dress like a girl because he's a boy! The cat meows in agreement (p23) despite the fact that there is no difference to be seen between a male and female cat, guess God must be throwing up already.


When Dad (a very withdrawn figure in all these books and most certainly not the head of the household if you ask me) comes home, the girls show him their new frump skirts and explain they wear dresses cos they don't want to make Jesus sick. Poor little Jesus, that a simple decision on our part can make him physically ill, guess he's not so divine after all.

Man I'm glad these books were not around when my kids were younger. *****edited by Admin.