part 3 in the downright creepy saga

Here is a great post that I just read regarding the Twilight Saga. Tim Challies linked to it, describing it this way, "Mary Kassian interacts with the first two Twilight movies, suggesting what it is about them that has drawn in so many girls (and women)."

In the article, Mary Kassian also gives 7 Danger Signs of a bad relationship and shows these signs in the storyline Edward and Bella's relationship. If you click through to read the article, try to pick out your favorite of the danger signs. My personal favorite is "neediness and obsession". After she points out these two signs in Bella, she also mentions how Edward shows these signs. She then says, "Edward is also needy. He stalks Bella and watches her continually. He even sneaks into her room and watches her while she sleeps. He shows up in her head in visions and speaks to her. (In my opinion, it’s downright creepy.)" I agree, downright creepy.

Anyway, click on through and read this article.

In the meantime...



"Let's go eat some people!"

Tron Legacy

I used to love the movie TRON! They are finally coming out with a sequel!

My thoughts on The Passion

I finally watched the movie, The Passion. I had been putting it off for a long time because I didn't know how I felt about it or how I could feel about it after I watched it. My wife and I had mentioned several times that we would like to view this movie, but it just isn't a Friday night with popcorn kind of movie. So, it kept getting bumped back and bumped back until two days ago when we finally watched it.

There are several different topics that I could blog about when approaching this movie, but instead of focusing on the different issues of the movie, I have decided to share with you the thoughts that persisted throughout the course of the movie. I want to do this because I can honestly say that I was deeply moved in the watching of this film. I really don't want to discuss Mel Gibson and his life or the ideas that he was trying to support through the movie. We'll save that for another day.

The first thought that kept coming back to me throughout the movie is one that, if said the wrong way, could seem trivial. I will say it anyway, knowing what I mean by it, and hoping that as you read, you will see as well. I just have to say it: Jesus is my hero. What He did... It is absolutely heroic to me. I walked away from this movie admiring who He is even more.

I will immediately jump into the second persistent thought, because it stems directly from the first persistent thought. Here it is: Jesus never claims the monopoly on suffering. Instead He, over and over again, calls us to follow Him into that suffering! There are so many great passages that support this thought that it deserves a post all to itself, but I don't want to lose any readers with an exceptionally long post, so I will only share this one: In I Peter 2:19, after talking about being submissive to earthly authority, Peter then states, "For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God." How often do we bear the "pain of unjust suffering"?!? Not often.

It goes on to say, "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps." If you look at the context of I Peter, it really ties it all together. In the next part it says, "Likewise, wives..." Then a little later it says, "Likewise, Husbands..." In other words, just like that... just like the cross... that is how you are to love and submit. It then goes on to address all of us and our submission and love and compassion for each other because of what Christ did for us on the Cross!

He is going to the cross, and He calls us to follow. This, as briefly as possible, is the second persistent thought. Just keep reminding yourself, that when He went to the cross, He didn't stop there.

I am hesitant to share the third, and final persistent thought. It is concerning others who have watched the film and/or those who participated in the making of the film. Just watching what a Roman crucifixion was like... I don't know. I was just thinking to myself, "How can you watch that and walk away without a deeper love for Jesus? ... a deeper appreciation for who He is?" I hesitate sharing that thought, simply because I can't see the heart and I don't want to be judgmental. It persisted in my mind though, and it does make me wonder.

So, there you go, and as short-winded as I can be, these are the three persistent thoughts that I had while watching The Passion. Has anyone else watched it who would like to share your thoughts on the movie? I would love to hear from you.

Fireproof

Well, we finally watched Fireproof. I absolutely loved it! It was a great movie. If you haven't seen it yet, you should. It's worth it.

Who Killed the Electric Car?

I just watched the movie, Who Killed the Electric Car.

I got it in the mail the other day from Blockbuster Online. I had selected it quite a while ago, and had almost forgotten it. Then, when it arrived, I almost decided to skip it, but I am so glad that I didn't. It was very interesting.

I am not big on conspiracy theories (I do believe that we really landed someone on the moon), but I did find many of the facts to be a little on the odd side. Especially the pictures of these cars being crushed, for no reason.

It was also odd to hear politicians speaking of trying to research the manufacture of an electric car, after they had decided to take them off the market. So, on one side of the country they are crushing these workable electric cars and on the other side of the country they are discussing how they could make these things, and funding research to do so. Weird.

Anyway, I thought it was interesting, and wanted to suggest that it was worth the time watching it.

Blogger Idol - Week 6 Movies

Movies

We are all currently attending the school of life. Everything that happens - teaches. Everything we watch - teaches. Everything that we listen to - teaches. The friends we have are our teachers. Our circumstances are our educators. Our environment is our head master. Each thing that we try to posses - possesses us. The real question is -- What is the curriculum that you are currently engaged in? What is your course of study? Where is your focus? What is your concentration? Where do you go for your electives?

What in the world does this have to do with movies?!? I mean, c'mon! Blogger Idol - week 6 is about movies!

Do you really think that you can just pour anything you want into your head and it won't affect you? Do you still have that juvenile thought that you are immune to the world?

Oh, well... I guess that some movies do have some bad stuff in it... But I have a foul language filter, and I fast forward through all of the bad scenes... And I know that there are some other topics that aren't quite appropriate...

When you stand before the throne, what will He say to that? Have you been a good steward of your ears by bleeping out the bad words? Did your "woops" reaction to the foul language fulfill His command, "Be Ye Holy, as I am Holy!"?? Was He content with the fast-forwarding of the sexual immorality, the adultery, and the fornication? (Or should I ask, do you even call it what it is? Is it just a "sex-scene" or is it still called sin?) Will He remind you of the many times that His name was spoken in an empty, vain fashion and you didn't even flinch?

But is that even the worst of it? Are your movies your teachers? Are there any ideas that movies promote, that have filtered into your thought? Is sex before marriage still a wicked thing in your mind? Is it entertainment to watch people shot and killed? Or has your view of all humans as image-bearers been slightly altered? Are rebellious children humorous to you? Is breaking the law and disobeying the authority that God has set over you sound like a good idea now, and something that is natural and mundane? Do you call adultery, a love-affair? Do you still think that sin has consequences? Do sinners still go to Hell? Is salvation something that everybody has, as long as they are good? Has is become good enough to simply acknowledge the existence of a god? Or in your little universe, is there a sovereign God that is still in control, working all things together for good, to make you more like His son, Jesus Christ?

Or has your universe changed? Maybe slightly over time... But now you view things different.

I don't know, when I watch that stuff, I know that isn't the way it really is...

You are pouring pictures and sounds and thoughts onto the palette of your mind, and it is painting your view of life! Don't be deceived! What you pour in, will come out.

Sometimes when we are young, we think that it is ok to just watch whatever our heart tells us to... But listen to the words of the Preacher - "Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment." Ecclesiastes 11:9

Everything in life teaches. Pick your school carefully!