A Day in Animal Kingdom!

In front of the "Tree of Life"
On SafariOn board the Expedition Train with their new lions

Yesterday we went to Disney's Animal Kingdom for the first time. In case you have not already figured this out... we're a little crazy about taking little trips to Disney World. I'm not sure there is anything we enjoy doing more as a family. I am noticing though (especially yesterday at Animal Kingdom) just how cult-like Disney "theology" can be. I mean, if you go to Magic Kingdom, everything is all about magic, dreams, wishes, etc. The kind of stuff that little girls (and big girls too) get sucked right into. Animal Kingdom seemed focused on the same sort of earthly sentiments, just disguised by different names - very New Age sort of stuff. So how should I keep all of this in check I'm wondering? How can we still enjoy these things, but still raise our children to understand truth? How do we live in the world, but not be of the world? It's really tough I think. Some really dark messages are hidden under the disguise of "fun" - and we truly did have fun yesterday. I know I've been trying harder to keep myself on track while being infiltrated by Disney's messages, I try to think things like "God made extremely intelligent and creative people who could make all of this - none of this would be here without Him", but at the same time I wonder why He allows all of this to be so wonderfully great, yet not for HIS own glory. I just think it is SO important to remember that we ARE called to be salt and light in a fallen world (Matthew 5). I do want my children to understand what we are up against in life, to learn to keep their eyes on Christ in the midst of really attractive deception, to see Christ shining through everything. I know that I had a great time yesterday enjoying God's beautiful weather and His beautiful animals. It's just such a commitment to be so intentional in your own thoughts, even more of a commitment to be so intentional in shepherding little hearts and minds. Even Disney World, as much as Disney would hate to hear me say this, can be used for HIS glory!

"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season

And its leaf does not whither; And in whatever he does,

he prospers."

Psalm 1:1-3

P.S. We really did have a great Day. I think Annie liked AK best out of all of the parks so far - she clapped and laughed all day! At the end of the day, we stopped byMagic Kingdom for a few hours because Evie was finally tall enough to ride Splash Mountain for the first time! She rode it 3 times in a row!!!