Fearful Parenting

Raoul’s Two Cents: October 31, 2025

Monster Mash

If you don’t want to ponder, move on to the Jokes.

Are you afraid of the dark? I grew up with a very imaginative family. We would watch horror movies and share stories to scare each other. We just loved to get scared. Strange human behavior. It must have something to do with endorphins. And yes, I was open to the possibility of UFOs, Abominable Snowmen, Yeti, the Loch Ness Monster, ghosts, vampires, Frankenstein, Werewolves — I was messed up …. just like everybody else.

In my early teens, I decided I had enough of this scary stuff. I decided to challenge whatever lurked in the darkness. So I locked myself in a bedroom, turned off all the lights, sat in the middle of the dark, and shouted out: “Here I am! If you are out there, come and get me!” I waited and waited for an eternity but nothing happened. I walked out of that room a changed young man. I was no longer afraid of the dark. And neither was I afraid of any silly made-up monster.

in 1974 I watched the Exorcist. I had heard so much about the it and how it was the scariest movie ever made. This film was based on real events and partly filmed in Georgetown, Washington, DC.. The reviews didn’t faze me. To prove I was “untouchable” I watched the movie alone at night. I didn’t expect the shock. For the first time, the movie opened my eyes to the existence of spiritual darkness.

So many questions: Why was the Catholic priest so helpless? Wasn’t he the expert in demonology? Can we conclude that these exorcists are fake? Why didn’t any of his incantations work? Why didn’t the crucifix do anything? Are demons really that powerful? Who can protect us?

I stepped out of the theater and into the lonely city lights. I had returned to reality … but this time I was aware of an invisible dimension. As I walked towards the bus station for my ride home, I saw a street vendor selling cigarettes. I had tried cigarettes before but it was never a friend but, to calm my nerves, I bought a stick. I recall my fingers trembling as I took my first puff. The fear was real.

Years later, I found myself in Washington, DC. I stared atop the infamous stairway in Georgetown where the priest plummeted to his death. Shivers went up my spine. The long stairway was real.

I was searching for the meaning of life, when I heard an Evangelical preacher named Chuck Swindoll over the radio dissecting the movie. Chuck put everything in proper perspective. He acknowledged that the devil and demonic forces do exist but (and this is a big BUT) they are no match against the power of Christ. The comparison isn’t even close. Sometimes it takes someone who really knows … a scholar of scripture … to explain the spiritual reality.

With my new faith, I don’t get scared anymore. I don’t enjoy horror movies. All I see are terrible makeup and ketchup. Real or not, what is there to fear? Let the unpredictables of life come. Let the monsters that hide underneath my bed come. Let the legions of demons come. Christians cannot be possessed because our confidence comes from Christ who conquered death. I know He loves me and protects me. Through Him, I fear nothing — literally, nothing! Not even death.

I respect differing opinions but this is just me. TGIF people!
If you like my emails, please do me a favor and spread them around. Thank you!

Mailchimp has been tampering with my email database so you might get cut off. If that ever happens, you can find here in travelingboy and resubscribe.

Quotes of the Week

“The monsters were never
under my bed.
Because the monsters
were inside my head.

I fear no monsters,
for no monsters I see.
Because all this time
the monster has been me.” — Nikita Gill

“What kind of monster could possibly hate chocolate?’” — Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Angel

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” — 1 Peter 5:8

“And immediately there was, in their synagogue, a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ — Mark 1: 23-28

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” — Hebrews 13:2

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, California

Parting Shots

Thanks to Fred of Long Beach, California

Thanks to Rita of Malibu, CA

Thanks to Joe of San Bernardino, CA

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Victoria of Tempe. Arizona

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Mona of New York

Thanks to Norm of Encino, CA

I found these:

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

Got any good jokes? Come share it with rest of us!
Know someone who enjoys a laugh? Share this email.

SUBSCRIBE