I must say a lot of these upcoming posts may be about movie reviews. I think it's important to be able to look at movies through a theological lens/perspective. Because, entertainment and movies are one of the most powerful ways which ideas, thoughts, lifestyles, and view points are communicated. I really honestly believe that if you want to see what a society looks like look no further than the movies they watch, the books they read, and the music they listen to. With all that being said are hope is to continue to provide our readers with honest, intentional looks at the movies in our society today.
I must be honest, I really like movies, and I really enjoyed Now You See Me. If you've been to a movie in the past few months there is a really good chance that you've seen a preview for Now You See Me, it is a movie about four rogue magicians who some how get brought together by a force/person they are unaware of. But, they all come together for one reason: they want to join The Eye one of the most sacred/prestigious accolades for a magician. (Note: The Eye is a fictional aspect of the movie) As they begin their quest to join the eye they are told they need to preform in three separate venues and conclude each evening with a MAJOR trick. The first major trick as is seen in movie trailers is the group brings a man up at the end of their first show in Vegas, they transport the man to his bank, and the man proceeds to rob the bank. Once the man returns the magicians, who are called the Four Horsemen, rain all the money from the bank's vault to all the people in the audience. The crowd is stunned that the final trick of the night was robbing a bank of three million dollars.
Needless to say this enrages the FBI, and they desire to arrest and bring down the Four Horsemen. However, the group is very evasive and that proves to be easier said than done. A very exciting plot twist is that in the audience of each of the Horsemen's shows is a magician debunker named Thaddeous Bradley (played by Morgan Freemen), and Bradley's goal throughout the movie is expose the Horsemen as frauds. Whether he does it or not you'll just have to watch the movie and see. The thrilling conclusion, and their final trick are sure to leave your jaws dropped!
In looking at the movie from a Christian perspective one will notice an obvious truth that stealing is obviously very wrong. It is important especially if you and a child go to see this movie that they understand that what the Horsemen did in robbing the bank was a very wrong thing. They did have noble intentions, you'll see when you watch the movie, but that just continues to show us a very important truth that the ends should not justify the means. The FBI are painted as the bad guys in this film, so please make sure that if you're watching the film with little ones they understand that taking something that isn't there's is always wrong.
The second aspect of the film to which I want to draw your attention is that unfortunately magic isn't real. In John 14 Jesus told all of his disciples that he was the way, the truth, and the life. Apart from Jesus there is no truth and reality. We can easily get excited about magic, because it's something new and different. It challenges us and even at times inspires us. But, please understand that magic at it's heart is just a deception, and I think the film does a very good job of reminding it's viewers about that.
In terms of family friendliness I would give this film 2.5 stars out of five. While there is very little sexual content, there are intense situations, at times foul language, and one does see smoking and alcohol. But, in terms of the overall quality of the movie I give this film 4.5 stars out of five. It is in my opinion one of the most original, unique movies I've seen in a long time.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Thursday, June 13, 2013
On Success
I am a recovering success addict. It pains me to say this, but I've lived a lot of my childhood and adult life as someone who hasn't needed drugs or alcohol or even a lot of money, as I'm writing this to you right now I can definitely tell you that's not the case. But, I've been someone who's been fueled by success. I've been someone who so earnestly desired to ride waves of success, praise, and compliments that it has hurt me from time to time. But, I'm getting better. I think one of the prescriptions that the good Lord gave me to cure this disease of always needing to be successful was he gave me a loving, caring, wife who is never afraid to speak her mind. I would say about 95% of the time that's a great thing, she does get her self in trouble, only about 5% of the time. But, she has done a very good job of keeping me grounded and focused on what's most important in life.
I will say this though, I still have a long way to go. The desire to be first, to be praised, to be right, to be highly thought of, is not an easy desire to shake. But, I'm continuing to grow and learn. Now, one thing I must say is that success doesn't fuel everyone, there are certain people in this life who do their best day in and day out and their effort is good enough for them. But, for most of us status, esteem, and praise matter. I am not here telling you that success or praise of people is in and of itself a bad thing. However, it can be a very slippery slope for a lot of people. As is well defined in all theology pride is one of the root sins that all of us struggle with, some people struggle with gambling, others with drug addiction, or temptation for lust, but those struggles often aren't universal. Pride is the universal temptation/sin. St. Augustine one of the pillars of our church said that pride was one's refusal to submit to God. Essentially saying pride is at the heart of sin, pride is making much of yourself.
The question remains though, can we do anything about it? Can we be successful without being prideful and arrogant about it? Well, I would say of course there is. As a recovering success addict, here are a few things I've learned and I hope you can as well. Balance is very key in life, while as pride and success are often about taking or getting, I would encourage you to spend some time in your life giving. Watch the neighbor's kid for free, so they can go out on a date together as a couple. Spend a few minutes a day praying for your friends and even your enemies. Give a portion of your paycheck to a local charity to benefit those less fortunate, and I think you can see there are lots of ways that you can live a life that is humble and honoring to God. Two final things to consider: first, please, please surround yourself with good people. It is so easy to fall into sin and things that we shouldn't be involved in because we surround with ungodly people. Now, I'm not saying don't have friends that aren't Christians, but be very careful how your friends and family are influencing you. Take time to develop real, deep relationships with Godly, spiritual mature men and women. Finally, know and understand who is the giver of all gifts. I hate to burst your bubble, but you're not the center of the universe. The world has been doing just fine before you came along, and it'll probably do okay after you and I leave it as well. But, spend your time making much of God. One verse I'll share as we close is found in Matthew 6:33, this is an incredible way to live and would highly encourage you to make this verse the mission of your life, "But, seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and all of his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." Next week we're talking about social media :)
I will say this though, I still have a long way to go. The desire to be first, to be praised, to be right, to be highly thought of, is not an easy desire to shake. But, I'm continuing to grow and learn. Now, one thing I must say is that success doesn't fuel everyone, there are certain people in this life who do their best day in and day out and their effort is good enough for them. But, for most of us status, esteem, and praise matter. I am not here telling you that success or praise of people is in and of itself a bad thing. However, it can be a very slippery slope for a lot of people. As is well defined in all theology pride is one of the root sins that all of us struggle with, some people struggle with gambling, others with drug addiction, or temptation for lust, but those struggles often aren't universal. Pride is the universal temptation/sin. St. Augustine one of the pillars of our church said that pride was one's refusal to submit to God. Essentially saying pride is at the heart of sin, pride is making much of yourself.
The question remains though, can we do anything about it? Can we be successful without being prideful and arrogant about it? Well, I would say of course there is. As a recovering success addict, here are a few things I've learned and I hope you can as well. Balance is very key in life, while as pride and success are often about taking or getting, I would encourage you to spend some time in your life giving. Watch the neighbor's kid for free, so they can go out on a date together as a couple. Spend a few minutes a day praying for your friends and even your enemies. Give a portion of your paycheck to a local charity to benefit those less fortunate, and I think you can see there are lots of ways that you can live a life that is humble and honoring to God. Two final things to consider: first, please, please surround yourself with good people. It is so easy to fall into sin and things that we shouldn't be involved in because we surround with ungodly people. Now, I'm not saying don't have friends that aren't Christians, but be very careful how your friends and family are influencing you. Take time to develop real, deep relationships with Godly, spiritual mature men and women. Finally, know and understand who is the giver of all gifts. I hate to burst your bubble, but you're not the center of the universe. The world has been doing just fine before you came along, and it'll probably do okay after you and I leave it as well. But, spend your time making much of God. One verse I'll share as we close is found in Matthew 6:33, this is an incredible way to live and would highly encourage you to make this verse the mission of your life, "But, seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and all of his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." Next week we're talking about social media :)
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
On the Word of God: Psalm 46:9-11
The Psalms are probably my favorite part of the Bible. I'm not going to lie the uplifting beautiful poetry and imagery as presented in the longest book of the Bible are truly things to be treasured and cherished. When I'm down and needing hope I go to the Psalms. When my heart is so joyful and jubilant I go to the Psalms, this wonderful book has something to say about every walk of life. Another great part of the Psalms is that this wonderful book is a great resource to enrich and develop a healthy, fruitful prayer life. The language in the Psalms is something that will truly take your prayer life to the next level.
On to the text we're looking at today, I'm here to discuss three verses that contain one of the most recognizable phrases possibly in all of the Psalms: "Be still and know that I am God." These verses I think center on that command, but I think it's an injustice to just look at that command, let's take just a moment to read those three verses, and then we'll come back and discuss them.
Now, looking at the passage the first thing that comes to note is that this psalm wasn't written by the most famous Psalm writer, King David. This Psalm was written by rather than the Sons of Korah, who did write many famous psalms of both praise and lament throughout the 150 Psalms in the Old Testament. This particular Psalm is a psalm of hope and assurance in the power and goodness of God. One of the main adjectives that characterized life at the time for the nation of Israel during the time that the Psalms were being written was uncertainty. There were wars and rumors of wars, the nation was small and vulnerable, but they did have the favor and power of God on their side. That's what this Psalm reflects on, God's power and might to defeat his enemies. It's a powerful reminder that even though evil and darkness can surround us, they may even do harm to us, but they will never have the last word or win the final victory.
What our passage today is reflecting on very nicely is that in the quiet moments of our life, the moments when we are still, when the noise is off, and the distractions, are kept at a distance that is when we will truly and fully be able to comprehend just how incredible and amazing God really is. The Psalmist knew that it is very easy to lose sight of the grandeur and goodness of God, trust me it's even more so easy to do that with all the noise, distraction, and busyness of our current lives. So, I encourage you to take seriously this command, be still and know that He is God. When you do you'll understand truly what's important in life, and just how great and wonderful God has been and will be in the future. Take a few moments out of each day and meditate in silence, I've been practing doing this in the car while I'm by myself. The level of intimacy you will experience with God will be great! I'd encourage you tonight to read the entirety of Psalm 46, spend a few minutes in silence as the Holy Spirit speaks to you, and then read it all again. Until next time, may God be with you!
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