Movies that I will never Recommend

After sixteen years of producing TV content some people are astounded when they find out that I haven't seen most of the films that have captivated them and the rest of the world. Some of these folks are other media professionals, most are Christians and I usually just respond by saying, "no, I never saw..." Now, I would like to share why I have not felt compelled to see films that are touted as "masterpieces of film making." Simply stated, holiness trumps knowledge of the world.

Unfortunately the list of films that I have seen and regret seeing is much longer then it should be. Some of the films that I include in this list may surprise you. Films like the Passion of the Christ and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and Schindler's List as well as stinkers like Buckaroo Bonzai and pointless films like the adventures of Mary Kate and Ashley. Some will argue that since many people came to know Christ after watching Passion of the Christ and many others draw spiritual truth from the Lord of the Rings that they are good movies. God does use flawed people and movies to influence people but that does not justify the use of wrong methods.

My criteria is pretty simple: If the film has no redeeming value, I'm not interested. If the film resorts to the use of excessive violence, sex, or emotional manipulation, I'm not interested. If the filmmaker operates under the illusion that they must be super realistic in order to tell a good story, I'm not interested.

About 25 years ago I read the conclusions of Malcolm Muggeridge, a long time producer for the BBC. He basically said that movies and TV did more harm then good. He was right. There are a few people who have managed to use the medium to tell meaningful stories in a wholesome way. Recent productions that have given me hope are The Ultimate Gift and Butterfly Circus. Sadly, while visiting a friend's home recently they were selecting a movie to watch. I recommended that they consider these two options but my suggestion fell on deaf ears while they proceeded to watch a horror film. There happened to be one person who expressed interest in watching The Ultimate Gift. That person does not profess to have a relationship with Christ.

Some argue that since the Bible gives the gory details and juicy tidbits it is okay for us to portray such acts vividly. Desensitization to real human travail, sorrow, ecstasy, etc. is dangerous. I have watched a young child die, attended accident victims, and experienced numerous other extreme situations - they are not neat and tidy, they are rightfully difficult to deal with. I would not have willfully chosen to experience them but God directed me into them and His grace was with me.

When we willfully choose to expose ourselves to things that God hates, i.e. violence, lust provoking imagery, proud looks, and rude speaking, it is simply wrong. What can we say to defend our tolerance of such things "hey God, cut me some slack, I need to be entertained."

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about [and view] such things. - Philippians 4:8

3 seconds of fame

Check out our family Video debut in a short by Mark Ellis (Invincible, We are Marshal, The Rookie, etc.) and his talented production team: Click on this link to watch the video http://vimeo.com/12664260 Just don't blink or you will miss us (watch closely from 50-53 seconds). Don had an opportunity to shoot an interview with Mark Ellis last week and his one of his producers, Jessi Moore recognized Don and asked if he had seen the final extended cut of a commercial that they shot at TCU last year. He hadn't and she showed it to him. We wanted to share it with you.

Walk of Faith

Many of you know that our large family has been walking a walk of faith this past year...unlike anything we've ever walked through before. Even though the circumstances are not what we would've chosen for ourselves, God has taken care of us...in many miraculous ways. God does not ask us to go through something, then leave or forsake us. He asks us to go through a particular circumstance, then he takes care of us in the process. This doesn't mean it will be easy. Our circumstances have stretched us spiritually and emotionally in ways that we needed to be stretched, and God knew that. And, it hasn't always been easy; however, we have always felt God's presence and affirmation (His peace) in the midst of it. Below, is a devotional from "Streams in the Desert" that I read today and it explains perfectly what it means to go through trials in a Godly way.

Rest on the Word of God

"I trust in thy word" (Ps. 119:42).

Just in proportion in which we believe that God will do just what He has said, is our faith strong or weak. Faith has nothing to do with feelings, or with impressions, with improbabilities, or with outward appearances. If we desire to couple them with faith, then we are no longer resting on the Word of God because faith needs nothing of the kind. Faith rests on the naked Word of God. When we take Him at His Word, the heart is at peace.

God delights to exercise faith, first for blessing in our own souls, then for blessing in the Church at large, and also for those without. But this exercise we shrink from instead of welcoming. When trials come, we should say: "My Heavenly Father puts this cup of trial into my hands, that I may have something sweet afterwards."

Trials are the food of faith. Oh, let us leave ourselves in the hands of our Heavenly Father! It is the joy of His heart to do good to all His children.

But trials and difficulties are not the only means by which faith is exercised and thereby increased. There is the reading of the Scriptures, that we may by them acquaint ourselves with God as He has revealed Himself in His Word.

Are you able to say, from the acquaintance you have made with God, that He is a lovely Being? If not, let me affectionately entreat you to ask God to bring you to this, that you may admire His gentleness and kindness, that you may be able to say how good He is, and what a delight it is to the heart of God to do good to His children.

Now the nearer we come to this in our inmost souls, the more ready we are to leave ourselves in His hands, satisfied with all His dealings with us. And when trial comes, we shall say:

"I will wait and see what good God will do to me by it, assured He will do it." Thus we shall bear an honorable testimony before the world, and thus we shall strengthen the hands of others. --George Mueller.

And the Winner Is...

And the winner is...Liz Newsome!!! Congratulations Liz! Actually I forgot to post the winner of the contest a couple of weeks ago...my mistake. Liz told me she and her family went to Disney on Ice with the free tickets and had a great time!

Coupon Code for Disney on Ice...Princess Wishes!

Photo compliments of FELD Entertainment

CALENDAR LISTING

DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS PRINCESS WISHES IS A DREAM COME TRUE FOR ALLEN!

***For Family Discount Promo Code, Please see below...

WHAT:  Believing is just the beginning in Disney On Ice presents Princess Wishes!  Ariel, Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine and Mulan all make their wishes come true in this collection of celebrated tales wonderfully told through artistic skating and acrobatics. 

Audiences will be transported to a world where dreams really can come true.  With the help of the magical pixie Tinker Bell, the Disney Princesses embark on an adventure to find their heart’s fondest wish. Ariel dreams of a life above the sea, Mulan finds her inner strength, Jasmine discovers a whole new world and Snow White finds her true love.  Cinderella, Belle and Sleeping Beauty also find happiness in this beautifully imagined ice show.

Starting one hour before each performance, families will be treated to the Disney Princess Pre-Show, an exclusive fairy tale collection of gowns and treasures from the Disney Princess stories. This bonus experience is free with ticket purchase and includes a special appearance by a live Disney Princess.

To learn more about Disney On Ice, visit www.disneyonice.com, or visit us on Facebook and YouTube.

WHERE: Allen Event Center

200 East Stacy Road, Ste. 1350

Allen, TX 75002

WHEN: Wednesday, November 24 7:30 pm

Friday, November 26 2:30 pm, 6:30 pm

Saturday, November 27 11:30 am, 3:30 pm, 7:30 pm

Sunday, November 28 1:30 pm, 5:30 pm

TICKETS: Beginning Saturday, September 18, tickets are available at www.alleneventcenter.com, the Allen Event Center box office or charge by phone at 1-866-443-8849.  Ticket prices are $75 (Rinkside), $45 (VIP) and $30.

***Great news! There is a family discount! Just use the promo code MOM, for a discount of $4 off Level 3 tickets for any performance! Here is the direct link to order tickets with the promo code: http://www.gettix.net/concert/?event_id=3287

If you like Disney on Ice, go to their Facebook page to "like" it! www.facebook.com/DisneyOnIce

Smile...It's Powerful!

Do you think of smiling as being powerful? Let me explain the power of smiling and how it had a powerful effect in our family...

One of our sons had a very bad anger problem around 5 years old...he would get angry at the drop of a hat about anything and everything! We prayed for him everyday and many people were praying for him, as well. One day as I was sitting across from him at the kitchen table, I prayed and asked God to give me wisdom as to how to handle my son's anger. Wouldn't you know it, that He gave me some of the simplest advice to follow? He simply said, "Smile." I knew immediately that He was telling me to simply smile at him more. So, I smiled and he smiled back!

Now, this may not be rocket science, and it isn't. What happens when we smile at others? They almost always smile back! Now, I'd say that's powerful, wouldn't you? Every once in awhile someone won't smile when I smile at them, but more often than not, they do! :o)

The short end to the story about our son is that now he is very pleasant and rarely shows signs of ever having an anger problem! The two things I get from this are: 1) Ask God when you encounter a situation and you need His supernatural wisdom. That's what He wants you to do! He is faithful. 2) Smile! Smiling will help you and those around you to feel good and do good too!

Two Awesome Bible Verses About the Power of Smiling

Did you know that just one single chapter in Proverbs contains two of the greatest verses on the power of smiling? I think that's so cool! :o) They are:

Proverbs 15:13  A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15:30  A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. (NIV)

God showed me something this morning that I thought was really neat! In the first verse, He says that happiness comes from the heart. In other words, if you choose to be happy on the inside, it will show on the outside!

In the other verse, it says the converse idea...that when you choose to have a cheerful look, then your heart will be joyful. In other words, put a smile on your face and you will also feel good on the inside! 

So, put a smile on your face...not only will it encourage others to do the same, but you will feel good and probably have a better attitude for doing it. ;-)

There may be times that you think "I don't have anything to smile about." When you feel this way ask God what you have to smile about. He will be faithful to show you!