Whatever?

"Ideas matter. Emotions matter. Dreams and goals and values and ethics matter. And if all these things matter, then fiction -- which deals with all these things, and more besides -- most definitely matters." Gina Dalfonzo, "Fiction Matters," The POINT blog, August 26, 2008

This post has lingered in the back of my mind for a few days. It was written in reference to a series of fiction books now out and popular, especially among teens. The series is about vampires. I know many who are reading them, though right away I should say, I have not.

I really appreciate what Dalfonzo writes- and I think it's something to be mindful of as we guide our children's choices in reading and in literature, goodness- in any media, and as we make our own. A lasting memory I have is listening to a dad respond to his young teen's question of "but Dad, what's wrong with it?" with the reply of "but what is RIGHT with it?"

So then it's back to Philippians 4:8, not the worldly "whatever...," but rather,
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."