Posted in christmas, encouragement, incarnation

For to us a child is born…

Posted on by elizabethprata

All of this deliverance and joy will be based upon the incarnation and the birth of Christ (“Immanuel,” 7:14), 9:6, 7. Christ will be both human (“a child is born”) and divine (“a Son is given”). He will bear five names:

(1) “Wonderful” (He will do wonderful things);
(2) “Counsellor” (He will be able to advise all men in regard to all things);
(3) “The Mighty God” (He will be the mighty “El.” “El” is contrasted with man, 31:3; Hosea 11:9);
(4) “The everlasting Father” (“the Father of eternity”); and
(5) “The Prince of peace” (He will subdue all of His enemies and give peace to all of His friends).

He will do six things:
(1) He will sit upon the throne of David;
(2) He will set the kingdom of David in order;
(3) He will establish justice in this kingdom forever;
(4) He will bear the government of the world upon His shoulder;
(5) He will keep on extending His government (rule) until it covers all men (“of the increase of His government there shall be no end.”) All who refuse to come under His rule will be destroyed; and
(6) He will keep on bestowing His peace until it has been bestowed upon all men (“of the increase of His peace there shall be no end”).

Source: Gingrich, R. E. (1993). The Book of Isaiah (pp. 16–17).

Posted in christmas, encouragement, God, incarnation

The Remarkable Exclusivity of the Babe

Posted on by elizabethprata

As a student who was blessed with a classic education, I studied the Greek and Roman gods and goddesses. The entire genealogy of gods and goddesses in the Greek and Roman mythology are hard to keep track of. However, one thing that is not hard to discern is their character. As The British Museum puts it:

The ancient Greeks believed there were a great number of gods and goddesses. These gods had control over many different aspects of life on earth. In many ways they were very human. They could be kind or mean, angry or pleasant, cruel or loving. They fell in love with each other, argued with each other and even stole from each other.

They were always angry at something or other. For example, there was Eris, goddess of discord.

ERIS was the goddess or spirit (daimona) of strife, discord, contention and rivalry. She was often represented specifically as the daimon of the strife of war, who haunted the battlefield and delighted in human bloodshed. Because of Eris’ disagreeable nature she was the only goddess not to be invited to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis (parents of Achilles). When she turned up anyway, she was refused admittance and, in a rage, threw a golden apple amongst the goddesses inscribed “To the fairest.” Three goddesses laid claim it, and in their rivalry brought about the events which led to the Trojan War. (source)

Hm, ‘the golden apple of discord’. Sounds familiar. Anyway, one would have thought that a goddess possessing great powers and knowledge would have had a bit more self-control. I guess not.

Then there’s the story of poor Arachne. Ovid wrote-

Arachne was a shepherd’s daughter who began weaving at an early age. She became a great weaver, boasted that her skill was greater than that of Athena, and refused to acknowledge that her skill came, in part at least, from the goddess. Athena took offense and set up a contest between them. Presenting herself as an old lady, she approached the boasting girl and warned: “You can never compare to any of the gods. Plead for forgiveness and Athena might spare your soul.”

“Ha, I only speak the truth and if Athena thinks otherwise then let her come down and challenge me herself,” Arachne replied. Athena removed her disguise and appeared in shimmering glory, clad in a sparkling white chiton. The two began weaving straight away. Athena’s weaving represented four separate contests between mortals and the gods in which the gods punished mortals for setting themselves as equals of the gods. Arachne’s weaving depicted ways that the gods had misled and abused mortals, particularly Zeus, tricking and seducing many women. When Athena saw that Arachne had not only insulted the gods, but done so with a work far more beautiful than Athena’s own, she was enraged. She ripped Arachne’s work into shreds, and sprinkled her with Hecate’s potion, turning her into a spider and cursing her and her descendants to weave for all time. This showed how goddesses punished those human for wanting to be equals. (source)

It’s where we get the word for the class of spiders, arachnids. The gods were always either seducing someone or their wives the goddesses were always changing someone into something for being seduced. The Titans were the first set of gods, and like all others that followed, were subject to succumbing to human sins and passions. Though the premier gods, the Titans couldn’t even hold onto their power, and were usurped by their children, the twelve Olympians. I guess they weren’t so Titanic after all.

I used to wonder, what made them gods? Why did they seem like such humans? It is the same with Hindu gods, Native American gods, Chinese gods…decidedly not…god-like.

Of course we know that this is because these gods are made-up. Because their origin came from the mind of man, they are like man. These gods either were distant and removed from the petty squabbles of mankind, or were directly involved but not usually to humankind’s good.

Preceding all these was Yahweh. After Cain wandered away from God and the faith, departing in blood after killing his brother, he founded cities and these cities held people who also were not believers in God. So they made up their own. Lots of them. Some of these false gods were mentioned in the Bible- ancient gods like Amon, Asherah, Baal, desert gods like Dagon, Roman gods like Zeus and Hermes, Artemis, Castor and Pollux. Of course, since none of these gods were real, they were all a #fail and were constantly disappointing the people who foolishly believed in them.

Since these fake gods were like man, when man looked at these gods, they felt comfortable. Looking into a mirror of mercurial, petty gods was like looking at themselves, and all was well. I can understand a god like me, goes the thinking, I can handle a god with problems.

God has always been a God of perfection, holiness, goodness, justice. If He says it, it shall be done. (Ezekiel 12:28, Psalm 33:4, & etc.) In Him there is no shadow of turning at all. He is not changeable, mercurial, petulant, angry without reason (like changing people into spiders). Man could not conceive of a God as perfect and just as our God. Man cannot look upon His holiness and live. He is decidedly a God that mans sinful man uncomfortable.

Who is like God?

Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you– majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? (Exodus 15:11)

For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD? Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings? (Psalm 89:6)

Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, (Psalm 113:5)

And then came the Incarnation. Our God, seeing the lost state of humanity and our need to be redeemed from sin’s bondage, sent His Son to be birthed into this terrible, dark world. He is King, who emptied Himself and became a baby, then an obedient boy, then a servant of men, then a sacrifice unto death. Who is like our God! Who is like Jesus, the firstborn of all creation!

Many babies grew to be kings. No king has ever become a baby. Yet God promised a Redeeeer from the beginning, and so it came to be. He is a God of promises kept.

The supremacy of our Jesus is unparalleled. His time on earth as God-man is an event which split history, reverberated through earth, heaven, and eternity, and broke sin’s bondage. Who is like our God!

No other petulant god, no other angry idol, no other petty deity exists. Only the perfection encapsulated in a baby born on earth, to the glory of God and to the praises of angels and shepherds.

Christ is born. And there is no other.

Posted in christmas, incarnation, joseph, nativity

The Christmas Story: Joseph

Posted on by elizabethprata

We rightly focus on the Incarnation at this time of year. And we rightly study the main people associated with it, Zacharias, Elizabeth, Mary, Gabriel the messenger, the Shepherds, the Wise Men…but what of Joseph? Here is a small scene which gives us much rich insight into the foster father of our Lord and Savior.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:18-21)

–v. 18: “her husband Joseph“. Betrothals in ancient Israel were different than engagements of our day. They were contracts and the betrothal was as good as the actual marriage-without the consummation. That’s why in the next verse, Joseph is recorded as considering a divorce.

Compare Mt 1:20, “Mary, thy wife.” Betrothal was, in Jewish law, valid marriage. In giving Mary up, therefore, Joseph had to take legal steps to effect the separation. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

–v. 19: Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. (ESV). The NIV says
Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

The Holy Spirit in His wisdom chose to include the word “just” here. Joseph is a just man. The Spirit didn’t inspire Matthew to write Joseph was a good man, or Joseph was a kind man, or Joseph, being a man, but notes that Joseph was “just”. What does this mean? Strong’s word definition explains that here, just, or righteous means “relates to conformity to God’s standard (justice; especially, just in the eyes of God; righteous).”

Joseph did not become angry, or run to his friends and complain about Mary, or immediately seek the rabbis. According to the Law in Deuteronomy 22:23-24, and Mary and Joseph were a couple living under the Law (Luke 2:22), this was supposed to happen:

“If there is a girl who is a virgin engaged to a man, and another man finds her in the city and lies with her, 24then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city and you shall stone them to death; the girl, because she did not cry out in the city, and the man, because he has violated his neighbor’s wife. Thus you shall purge the evil from among you.”

Yet Joseph did not want to make her a public example. Matthew Henry says,

But he was not willing to take the advantage of the law against her; if she be guilty, yet it is not known, nor shall it be known from him. How different was the spirit which Joseph displayed from that of Judah, who in a similar case hastily passed that severe sentence, Bring her forth and let her be burnt! Gen. 38:24. How good it is to think on things, as Joseph did here! Were there more of deliberation in our censures and judgments, there would be more of mercy and moderation in them. Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible.

–v. 20a: “But as he considered these things,”

Joseph was thoughtful mulling over his responsibility as a husband, as a God-fearer, as a citizen under the Law. Joseph was just in the eyes of God so he…”resolved to divorce her quietly.” One can hardly imagine the spiritual and emotional distress of those moments. Here, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown have some words:

Who would not feel for him after receiving such intelligence, and before receiving any light from above? As he brooded over the matter alone, in the stillness of the night, his domestic prospects darkened and his happiness blasted for life, his mind slowly making itself up to the painful step, yet planning how to do it in the way least offensive—at the last extremity the Lord Himself interposes. (Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D., Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible.)

–v. 20b: behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Our Lord’s timing is gracious indeed. One may have suspected Joseph of feelings of betrayal or anger. Or we may also alternately suspect Joseph of knowing Mary’s character, believing her tale of conception by Spirit to bear the Messiah and thus perhaps Joseph was fearful of marrying a woman who was bearing the Messiah, and did not want to presume himself into such an exalted event. Is that why the angel said, “Joseph, do not fear to take Mary as your wife”? The word “fear” is the word phobos, meaning “I fear, dread, reverence, am afraid, terrified” according to Strong’s. Was Joseph’s reverence of the holy event part of his fear to continue with Mary? Or was his fear of taking on a harlot and assuming her guilt and reproach for her [perceived] immoral behavior? We do not know for sure, all we do know is the angel said that proceeding in marriage with Mary is something not to fear.

Our God salved Joseph’s heart with a confirmation of the message that the Messiah is within his Mary, and Joseph knew a great, Divine work was progressing. Joseph obeyed God and continued with Mary. Matthew Henry says, “Note, It is a great mercy to be delivered from our fears, and to have our doubts resolved, so as to proceed in our affairs with satisfaction.”

–v. 21: She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew Henry again,

“He is here informed concerning that holy thing with which his espoused wife was now pregnant. That which is conceived in her is of a divine original. He is so far from being in danger of sharing in an impurity by marrying her, that he will thereby share in the highest dignity he is capable of. Two things he is told, (1.) That she had conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost; not by the power of nature. The Holy Spirit, who produced the world, now produced the Saviour of the world, and prepared him a body, as was promised him, when he said, Lo, I come, Heb. 10:5.
That she should bring forth the Saviour of the world (v. 21). She shall bring forth a Son; what he shall be is intimated,

[2.] In the name that should be given to her Son: Thou shalt call his name Jesus, a Saviour. Jesus is the same name with Joshua, the termination only being changed, for the sake of conforming it to the Greek. Joshua is called Jesus (Acts 7:45; Heb. 4:8), from the Seventy. There were two of that name under the Old Testament, who were both illustrious types of Christ, Joshua who was Israel’s captain at their first settlement in Canaan, and Joshua who was their high priest at their second settlement after the captivity, Zec. 6:11, 12. Christ is our Joshua; both the Captain of our salvation, and the High Priest of our profession, and, in both, our Saviour … he is therefore able to save to the uttermost, neither is there salvation in any other.

A righteous, kind, just, patient, thoughtful, responsible man was Joseph, foster-father to Jesus. A righteous, kind, just, patient, thoughtful, responsible God is our Jesus, a name given to Joseph by heaven and the only name under which there is salvation

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

Posted in animation, chris powers, jesus, the word of the cross

The Word of the Cross: Spoken Word Animation by Chris Powers

Posted on by elizabethprata

Chris Powers is a seminary student, husband, and animator. His website is called Full of Eyes (FOE) and is at http://www.fullofeyes.com. His goal is to create free visual resources for the global Church.

He has an account at Patreon to which you can donate, to help him continue his free-for-anybody Gospel materials. He has created animations to music, study guides, and tracts, and in several languages, too. I support him at Patreon, and I am an admirer of his work.

Now, Chris has completed a new animation called The Word of the Cross. In this new work, Chris chose to use a speaking voice reading scripture overlaid on his animations and illustrations, rather than let the lyrics of a properly acquired song to do the work. Chris says,

As you guys know, this is the first of what I hope will eventually become the norm for FOE, that is, videos set to spoken word or scripture with instrumental backgrounds….I think this allows for more pointed communication of doctrines and concepts…..but, that being said, the next two animations planned are set to lyrical songs, so, I’m not making a “hard break” from the past 😉 May the Lord use this animation and its discussion guide to open eyes and minds and hearts and hands through the gospel of the glory of His Son!

Download a study guide which also contains the scripture references, to go along with the animation here.

Posted in theology

A list of Christian/family friendly movies with reviews

Posted on by elizabethprata

I’m glad most of you enjoy Christian movies, or clean movies with positive good message. They are hard to find! I’ve watched some good ones, and I’ll share them with you. These are only some recommendations based on my personal opinion, and your tastes may vary – so no worries of none of these movies suit you.

I feel the Christian movies on the list are God-honoring and biblically sound. Those that aren’t explicitly Christian are family friendly with good themes. I searched for where these movies may be found streaming online, but did not look for where they could be rented for pay or purchased. I’m sure most of them can be rented. If I didn’t mention where a movie can be found to watch it doesn’t necessarily men it is unavailable, just that I didn’t search for paid-rentals. Be advised that if the movie is on a free site, quality may vary.

This list is not comprehensive. I’ve reviewed other films but did not include them here if the review was negative. Faith Like Potatoes, War Room, The Bible tv series, Life of Pi, Dancer & the Dame, etc and others are a few films I’ve reviewed and put in the ‘not recommended’ category.

Where I wrote my own review of the film, I’ve included a link. Happily, some of these are available to watch for free on various venues online.

Note: some of the synopses pasted below come from Internet Movie Database or the movie site itself and not written by me.

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UPDATES-

Autistic Driving School: My review here. IMDB here. Very inspiring.

Three Scandinavian movies worth watching– Hugo & Rosa, A Man Called Ove, and The Wave, all reviewed here.

I absolutely loved Midnight In Paris, with Owen Wilson. It’s a romantic movie, Owen is not silly at all (I also Loved Owen in the birding movie The Big Year). Midnight is actually one of my favorite movies ever, on a par with the Princess Bride. “While on a trip to Paris with his fiancée’s family, a nostalgic screenwriter finds himself mysteriously going back to the 1920s everyday at midnight.” It’s go time travel, literary luminaries like Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Gertrude Stein, the beautiful setting, and a sweetness. It’s also clean, (from what I remember). A kiss, one or two light profanities, overall a gentle movie with a good message.

I hear great things about Queen of Katwe, a based on the true story of a Ungandan girl who became an international chess sensation. Common Sense Media has a review, as well as IMDB. I plan to watch it soon.

The one hour documentary on the life of John Bunyan, writer of Pilgrim’s Progress, was good. It’s on Amazon Prime, called John Bunyan, The People’s Pilgrim. It might be available elsewhere too.

Do You Believe? was pretty good, with Sean Astin. “When a pastor is shaken by the visible faith of a street-corner preacher, he is reminded that true belief always requires action. His response ignites a journey that impacts everyone it touches in ways that only God could orchestrate.” I enjoyed it.

You could try Amazing Love, another one with Sean Astin. “When a confrontation occurs amongst the youth group, Stuart takes the opportunity to share with the group the touching story of the Old Testament prophet Hosea.”

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Finding Normal is a Christian movie and a very well done movie on all levels. Here is the official synopsis from Internet Movie Database.

The only thing standing between Dr. Lisa Leland (Candace Cameron Bure) and the wedding of her dreams in the Hamptons is a 2600-mile drive from Los Angeles to Long Island. However, a run in with the law in the country town of Normal, Louisiana leaves Dr. Leland with a choice–Jail or community service. Sentenced to serve three days as the town’s doctor, Lisa has her world turned upside down by a man she would never expect. Quickly, Lisa finds that there’s a lot more to Normal than she could have ever imagined.

Candace Cameron Bure is little DJ from the 1980s television show Full House. She has grown up to be a stunning young woman, and she is Christian. Lou Beatty Jr as the judge is tremendous and steals nearly every scene he’s in.

The moves along beautifully in illustrating that Christian love can melt even the most compassionless or selfish heart. Dr. Lisa sees people who have different priorities than she does, which are prayer, church, love to neighbor, and a simple lifestyle where the community comes together and shares with those in need, or just to have fun. It doesn’t involve high pay, glitzy parties, or fancy cars. It involves pastures, children, God, fireflies, and genuine care for people- including patients.

Streaming on Netflix. My review is here.

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Good Ol’ Freda

For fifty years, the untold story of Freda Kelly remained untold, until Freda herself decided to speak. Freda was the Beatles’ trusted secretary since before their rise to fame until their breakup, 11 years overall, and their friend throughout their rise to fame. Yet never then or now did she capitalize on her insider status to grab fame or money for herself. Her integrity is noted throughout the film. The movie synopsis says,

“Freda Kelly, a shy Liverpudlian teen, works for a new local band — the Beatles — hoping to make it big. As the band’s fame multiplies, Freda bears witness to music and cultural history but never exploits her insider access.”

My review is here.
On Hulu.

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Foster AKA Angel in the House

I watched a good movie, called Angel in the House, but also known as Foster. At Internet Movie Database you will find it under the name “Foster” which is a terrible name. I don’t know why this film has two names, but the film I’m talking about titled Angel in the House 2011 is not to be confused with the short film Angel in the House 1978 or the 2005 short film Foster on which the longer 2011 I’m reviewing today film is based and in which the entire first ten minutes are the same. Got it?

The name is the only thing that is terrible about this movie, however. It is a sweet, cute, sentimental, charming fairy tale of a film. Easy on the eyes, melting of the heart, it’s a light and airy meringue with great acting and a satisfying ending.

My review is here.
On Hulu.

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WWJD II: The Woodcarver

This film is not a sequel to a previous movie with called WWJD John Schneider. It stars John Ratzenberger of Cheers and Toy Story who plays a grieving widower. Meanwhile a family has disintegrated, the parents fight all the time, they are separated and thinking of divorce. Their 15 year old son has lashed out by quitting school and vandalizing the local Baptist church. The story is about the intersection of these two sets of characters. The themes are:

–power of prayer
–putting Jesus first
–the man resuming headship of his family under the guidance of Jesus via worship at church, prayer, and bible precepts
–living a sacrificial life of love for your neighbor, and your family

I am always taken by the power of watching a multiplying faith founded on shared love and personal sacrifice. These kind of movies are far better because they demonstrate what Jesus would have us do in making disciples and working out our faith in fear and trembling. Movies that show the strong, undying, persevering commitment to living a Christ-like life in mundane circumstances in your home, your work, your school – which is the real miracle.

Streaming on Netflix, Hulu, FREE on OV Guide

My review here.
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Raising Izzie

It is about two orphaned girls aged 14 and 10, who are struggling to live on their own in an apartment their dying mother set up for them. It was only a matter of time of course, before they were found out. A year later, a caring teacher of the older girl becomes suspicious when she compares parent signatures on a school paper and realizes that they differ.

The teacher’s back story is that she wants children, and she and her husband have been trying for a while and haven’t had the desired result. This causes stress on the relationship and their strong faith is tested. What is obvious to the viewer is that God is building a family between the two parties.

Issues explored:
–The teacher and her husband are black and the two girls are white. Can they make a family? Can family include adopting older kids? Can it be interracial?
–God’s people helping the orphan, what is our responsibility? (There were discussions of what should they do, call DFACS? The Police? Take the girls in?)
–The father says he wants children but the wife worries that underneath he is more committed to their child-free lifestyle.
–The wife wants children but begins to resent God for the lack
–The older girl is resentful she has to raise Izzie and is angry at God for failing to answer her prayer to cure her mother of cancer. (It is stated that the girls’ father had died just before Izzie was born)

Streaming on Netflix, Hulu, FREE on OV Guide here

My review here.
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No Greater Love

Jeff and Heather were the “lucky ones”. Best friends from childhood, high school sweethearts, and married by 22, they were inseparable soul mates. After the birth of her first and only child, Heather Baker (Danielle Bisutti) fell into a deep depression. Hopelessly lost, she did the unthinkable– she abandoned her husband and her infant son –and vanished. Jeff Baker (Anthony Tyler Quinn) was forced to raise their son Ethan as a single father. Ten years after his wife’s disappearance, Jeff is finally ready to move on and is on the verge of marrying his new girlfriend. His world, however, is dramatically rocked when Heather shockingly reappears in the most unusual place.

This movie is biblically sound especially when exploring the biblical approach to marriage and divorce.

Watch for free on iTBN.

Michelle Lesley Christian blogger reviews the movie here.
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What If…?

“What If…?” came out in 2010 and stars Kevin Sorbo, Kristy Swanson, and John Ratzenberger as the angel. 15 years ago, Ben Walker left his girlfriend and his ministry calling for a business opportunity. Now with a high-paying career and a trophy fiancé, he is visited by an angel, who gives him a glimpse into what his life would look like had he followed his calling. The director is Dallas Jenkins, son of Jerry B. Jenkins of Left Behind fame. It is a combination It’s a Wonderful Life and Family Man. It is a time warping, parallel universe kind of peek into a life that has the other answers to choices you did not make in this universe and yet (without revealing spoilers) it shows that God IS at work to the good of all that love Him.

Streaming on Netflix.

My review here.

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Angel in My Pocket

A homespun minister (Andy Griffith in his first movie post-Mayberry) and his family, pregnant wife Lee Merriwether, and Jerry Van Dyke as the ne’er-do-well brother-in-law who’s a lush, move to a small town where he tries to win the support and trust of his new congregation. The town is in Kansas and the winning has to be done because the two sets of founding families have been feuding for 60 years. This terrible cycle of blame shifting, nit-picking and anger has paralyzed the town. The school is falling apart, and the church and pastorium is a wreck. No one can make a decision, or even a comment, without a fight erupting.

Griffith is a freshly graduated ordained minister called to his first church, “Church of the Redeemer” in this town in Kansas well known for pastor turnover- 7 ministers in 10 years. Of course, no one apprises Griffith of this fact, and he loads his wife, kids, mother-in-law, brother-in-law and dog off to Wood Falls. Where Mayberry showed the best of small-town life, “Angel” is a movie that exaggerates the worst of small town life: gossip, misunderstanding, entrenched views, selfishness, pettiness, church politics, but does it all with humor and not mean-ness as the increasingly exasperated Griffith tries to win his congregation.

On Youtube free, here

My review here.
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Honor Flight

Honor Flight is not a Christian movie per se, but a tremendously moving and wonderful documentary about how volunteers honor WWII veterans. It is a 2012 documentary chronicling the efforts of Wisconsin volunteers to organize Honor Flights in the Midwest. These are special flights transporting WII veterans from their home to the WWII Memorial in Washington DC and back, all free of charge. The IMDB blurb says

Honor Flight chronicles a community coming together to honor World War II veterans. The film follows a team of Midwest volunteers as they race against the clock to send every local WWII veterans to see the memorial built in their honor and the heart of the Capitol city of a nation that they protected.

The race against the clock refers to the fact that 900 WWII vets die per day. They are all in their mid-to-upper 80s and early 90s now, and many are very ill. Within 20 years there will not be any left in which to honor or hear first-hand accounts. HONOR FLIGHT is a moving documentary about the work that can be done when a group of passionate people work toward a common goal. In this case, the goal is simple: Help WWII veterans, who die at the rate of 900 a day at the time of the documentary’s filming, visit a WWII memorial in their honor before they pass away.

It’s on Netflix, Hulu, and also can be seen for FREE on a free film site called Snagfilms.com.

My review here.
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The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry

It stars Gavin McCleod who you might remember as Captain of the Love Boat and Mary Tyler Moore Show. He is actually a Christian. Also stars Robert Guillaume who you might remember as Benson (the butler) in the 17970s television show Benson. In 1970 a 75-year-old man named Jonathan Sperry starts mentoring three boys – Dustin, Albert, and Mark – to follow the Lord. I liked the movie for its accurate depiction of persistent, compassionate, loving Christian faith and its multiplying effect on people, hearts, and even neighborhoods.

Unfortunately I can’t find it streaming anywhere, but you can buy or rent the DVD and watch

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Camp

To impress a potential client, financial advisor Ken Matthews signs up to be a counselor at a camp for kids in the foster system. He is paired with Eli, a 10 year-old determined to hate camp. However, when Ken discovers Eli’s dark past, his apathy turns to compassion. But is he to late to help the scared boy nobody wants? Inspired by true stories of ordinary people providing extraordinary help for abused and neglected kids, CAMP is a tale of hope shining in the dark places for forgotten children. For his performance in the role of Eli, actor Miles Elliot won BEST PERFORMANCE IN A FEATURE FILM by a Leading Young Actor at the 35th annual Young Artist Awards. The camp mentioned is in reality Royal Family Kids’ Camps.

This is one of my favorite movies with a Christian theme. It involves kids, and it is a true story. Can’t beat that! Very moving and true to life. If you watch it, stay watching through the credits, they interview the actual people the movie is based on and give information about the Christian Camp fir these abused kids. Incredible.

On Netflix.

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The Blind Side

Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), a homeless black teen, has drifted in and out of the school system for years. Then Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) and her husband, Sean (Tim McGraw), take him in. The Tuohys eventually become Michael’s legal guardians, transforming both his life and theirs. The Tuohys eventually become Michael’s legal guardians, transforming both his life and theirs. Michael’s tremendous size and protective instincts make him a formidable force on the gridiron, and with help from his new family and devoted tutor, he realizes his potential as a student and football player. Very well done and moving. Based on a true story

Available on Netflix DVD, free on Youtube here

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I’ll Be Me

Documentary about singer Glen Campbell’s onset of Alzheimer’s disease and he and his family’s decision to continue with his already planned final tour. Campbell was a man of faith, and in reading about him after the movie left off, one nurse taking care of him said that even in his last days when he would have a few moments of lucidity he would immediately go to the window, look up, raise his arms and say “I am a blessed man.” Very touching and movie of a Godly man and his battle with a terrible disease.

Streaming on Netflix.

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Walking Across Egypt

This is a Christian movie involving a juvenile delinquent and a lonely older woman. The ever solid Ellen Burstyn is the woman who eventually takes in the troubled teen. Also starring is Judge Reinhold, Pat Corley as Sheriff Tillman, Edward Hermann and Mark Hamill. The conclusion to the Wikipedia synopsis states, “Wesley (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), currently serving time in juvenile detention for a recent car theft. Mattie finds that this young man is just missing direction and believes that with a little insight on Christianity he can straighten up and fly right.” Themes are also Christian love, applying the bible to life, and hypocrisy. There are a few mild swears, included to show that the boy is a delinquent, lol. But that’s it, nothing else objectionable. Another good movie showing the power of a Gospel lived out and muliplying faith through sacrificial love and solid discipleship. Watch, it’s a sweet movie.

Free on Youtube here, or here

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End of the Spear

End of the Spear is a true story of Christian missionaries making first contact with the Stone Age Huaorani tribe of Ecuador not far from the Shell oil company corporate base in Shell-Mera Ecuador. It’s a good movie and I recommend it. The missionaries made the contact in 1956 in the Amazon basin. End of the Spear is a 2005 docudrama film that recounts the story of Operation Auca, in which five American Christian missionaries attempted to evangelize the Huaorani (Waodani) people of the tropical rain forest of Eastern Ecuador. Based on actual events from 1956 in which five male missionaries were speared by a group of the Waodani tribe, the movie tells the story from the perspective of Steve Saint (the son of Nate Saint, one of the missionaries killed in the encounter), and Mincayani, one of the tribesmen who took part in the attack. The two eventually form a bond that continues to this day.

Very good movie!! Available on Netflix DVD rental, free on Youtube (spoken in English with English & Spanish subtitles)

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Owd Bob

Not an explicitly Christian movie, Owd Bob is just a good ole clean movie, like Babe. It stars the same man, James Cromwell. The story is, recently orphaned in America, teenager David Roberts must spend the summer with grumpy maternal grandfather Adam MacAdam (Cromwell), whom he never met, on his sheep-farm on the Isle of Man. Both long for the end of the summer, having nothing in common but their love for dogs, notably Adam’s precious champion sheepdog Bob. David strikes a friendship with Maggie, the sassy daughter of friendly neighbor Keith Moore, but Adam hates that family on account of an old canine competition-related tragedy. Other neighbors suspect Bob and the Moore’s dog of the recent series of nocturnal sheep-kills.

Watch for free at OV Guide

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Brownstones to Red Dirt

Brownstones to Red Dirt is a 2010 documentary about children living in a violent part of Brooklyn NYC, whose middle school teacher initiated a pen pal program with children in civil war torn Sierra Leone. The unique aspect of this documentary is that there is no voice over, intoning and opining. No narrator and no narrative. The movie features the voice of the children (and parents and teachers) exclusively. The kids are the ones telling the story. And what a story it is. The movie blurb at SnagFilms.com summarizes: A sweet and lyrical documentary about a simple pen pal program, BROWNSTONES TO RED DIRT captures the growth of sixth graders from housing projects in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn and war orphans from Freetown, Sierra Leone. Though the kids know nothing about one another when they write their first letters, they learn that while their environments are vastly different, the struggles they face make them more alike than they realized. This revelation brings them closer together and teaches us all inspirational lessons about friendship, love and humanity. The kids are really incredible.

On Hulu, FREE on Snagfilms.com here

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Of interest:

Becoming Santa

is a reality TV movie-length exploration of one man’s decision to “become Santa” for a Christmas season. The film focuses mostly on Jack Sanderson, a 44-year-old LA native. When a 97-minute movie centers around one character, it’s important that the character be likable. Jack is. He is intelligent, witty, humble, self-effacing, and sweet. He is a delight to watch. The story is simple. Jack finds himself alone one Christmas, his mom having died previously and then his dad having died recently. He’s by himself, in middle age, wondering where his Christmas spirit went. He decides to try jogging his spirits alive by posing as Santa for the holiday. There is a lot more to becoming Santa than one may think. The settings differ and so do the logistics. There is Santa in a parade, Santa ringing the bell outside on the corner, Santa visiting children in hospital or orphanages, Santa on the Polar Express, and of course the Department Store Santa. Jack decides to purchase a Santa suit (which one? There’s lots!), dye his natural beard white, and attend a Santa School to learn what it’s all about. Very sweetly affecting movie.

On Hulu, FREE on OV Guide here.

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Television shows:

Hope Island

A Christian TV series that was on the old PAX channel for one season. it was the highest rated and most critically acclaimed show they ever had, so of course they immediately canceled it. 22 episodes. Daniel Cooper, a newly ordained minister, is called to the island to fix up and restart an old church that has been empty and neglected for 30 years. Upon arriving, Daniel finds the situation is not quite what he expected it to be, and he struggles knowing if he should stay or not. However, the quirky residents of the island quickly grow on him, and he soon becomes an invaluable member of the community. With a large ensemble cast, Hope Island is full of quirky and lovable characters.

On Hulu, also free on OV Guide, here

Enlisted 

An American comedy television series that premiered January 10, 2014, on Fox. Despite low ratings, the show received critical acclaim, with The Army Times writing an editorial asking Fox to give the show another chance in a better time slot. The story is, three very different brothers, each soldiers in the U.S. Army, find themselves all assigned to the same unit: the fictional A Company, 2nd Battalion, 618th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 18th Infantry Division (Mechanized), at the fictional Fort McGee, located in Florida. While the majority of the base is deployed overseas, the two younger brothers (Derrick and Randy) are assigned to rear detachment – the soldiers left behind to take care of the base. The oldest brother, Staff Sergeant Pete Hill, is returned stateside from Afghanistan after punching a superior officer. He is assigned to supervise a platoon of misfits that includes his brothers. While working together, the brothers are able to renew and strengthen their childhood bonds. It’s a show about family, loyalty, honor, and country.

Youtube, here

Posted in ISIS, peace, satan, terror

"All schools shut down in Augusta County, Virginia, over Islam homework", plus goings-on in Missouri

Posted on by elizabethprata

UPDATE: Another unexploded ordnance was found in another National Forest, this time, in Spokane WA. The following is from Spokane News, December 18-

Fairchild Air Force Base main gate, highway 2 briefly closed due to unexploded ordnance brought to base visitor center
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. – At approximately 4 p.m. base security personnel closed the main gate while Washington State Troopers later closed a small section of U.S. Highway 2 outside Fairchild AFB. A cordon was established when a civilian brought a live 60mm mortar round into the base visitor center in an apparent attempt to safely turn the ordnance over to Air Force officials. The 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team safely removed the device from the main gate area and the gate and highway were reopened to traffic at 4:50 p.m. The mortar round was reportedly discovered by a local resident while he was hunting two hours away from base. The incident is currently under investigation.

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News today, excerpt from CNN

When the world geography class at Riverheads High School in Staunton rolled around to the subject of major world religions, homework on Islam asked students to copy religious calligraphy.

It read:

“Here is the shahada, the Islamic statement of faith, written in Arabic. In the space below, try copying it by hand. This should give you an idea of the artistic complexity of calligraphy.”

The illustrative classical Arabic phrase was the basic statement in Islam. It translated to: “There is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is the messenger of Allah.”

When students took it home, it was like a spark hitting a powder keg. … Calls and emails flooded the school. Some of them demanded the teacher be fired for assigning it. … The county school system reacted. It removed the shahada from world religion instruction. “A different, non-religious sample of Arabic calligraphy will be used in the future,” it said.

Of course it was an attempt to indoctrinate students. Of ALL the Quran or Hadiths one could have asked the students to copy “as an example of calligraphy”, the workbook the teacher said she took it from had THAT particular sentence. If we translated this news story into one that said the exact same things but used a Christian example, it would go like this:

Here is the Isaiah 45:5 verse, the Biblical statement of faith, written in Hebrew, and the 1 Timothy 2:5 verse, written in Greek. In the space below, try copying it by hand. This should give you an idea of the artistic complexity of calligraphy.”

The illustrative classical Hebrew phrase was the basic statement in Christianity. It translated to: “I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; and the Greek verse reads, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”

Imagine the outcry. Read the rest of the article linked above for the security part and why the School Administrators felt the need to close all their schools for the day.

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For no particular reason, I’ll post this next graph. It struck me. From Marketwatch:

Just because the news media focuses more on a topic, doesn’t mean it is happening more. But in the case of terrorism, your eyes may not be deceiving you. New research produced by the University of Maryland’s National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism at the University of Maryland has identified a big surge in mass terror attacks. The chart here doesn’t take into account the Paris or Mali terror attacks, or indeed any that have occurred this year. [2015] (There were 11 in the first half of [2015].) The terror group that claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks, Islamic State, is also the leading perpetrator of all attacks between 2000 and 2014, accounting for 12% of the total.

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Did you know there are a series of highly suspicious and unusual events occurring in Mid-Missouri?

In and around December 10, 2015 we learned that there was a spate of suspicious bulk cell phone buys in the wee hours of the morning at various Wal-Marts. Some men of Middle Eastern aspect attempted to purchase 20 or 60 or more cell phones at a time. Cell phones of this type make tracing calls very difficult, and cell phones also are used to detonate bombs. The FBI is looking into to it.

Number of reports of mass cell phone buys grows in Missouri

We also learned that week that there was a mysterious spate of propane tank thefts in the same area. In and around December 11, 2015, we read of the thefts.

Dozens of propane tanks stolen from three different Missouri locations

KANSAS CITY, MO – Many are on edge after several law enforcement agencies notified the FBI about bulk purchases of cell phones at Missouri Walmarts. Now, another incident has some worried about terrorism. A large number of propane tanks have been stolen from several locations near Kansas City.  WDAF-TV reports that a BP gas station in Lee’s Summit had 18-20 tanks stolen from outside cages last month. A CVS reported the same crime on the same night. Two weeks later another CVS in Independence was hit and 28 tanks were stolen from that location. 

Then we learn about the man in the woods. The Conservative Tribune reports,

A viral picture of a strange man walking in the woods in Missouri — combined with a number of suspicious cell phone purchases elsewhere in the state — have many believing the two may be connected to a possible terror plot. According to KFVS-TV, residents have described odd encounters with the man, who was caught on a trail cam in Madison County, Missouri.

From what I understand, the area is rural, the entry to the national forest at that location is remote, no car was found, he was not dressed for hiking or camping, and he disappeared. Which is interesting, because of this next news item from, you guessed it, Missouri. This is from October 2015.

Explosives in Mark Twain National Forest created 2 large craters

WAYNESVILLE, Mo. -Pulaski County sheriff’s department investigators are trying to find who left explosives in the Mark Twain National Forest in. A hunter found them early Saturday. More from KY3-

The hunter is an Army combat engineer from Fort Leonard Wood. He recognized his discovery as explosives and immediately reported it to the sheriff’s department. “The first shock went off just like ba-boom! Rocked my house. And then about another 15 seconds later baboom! It was even worse than the first one, rattled the windows and stuff in my house,” said Eugene Davis, who lives near the discovery.

On Missouri 17, south of Waynesville just inside the national forest, there’s a little dirt path used by hunters and campers. In a clearing just a few hundred feet from the highway, a hunter found a box containing a significant amount of explosives. A bomb squad from Fort Wood used a robot and found commercial explosives and decided it could not be moved and had to be detonated there. The sheriff’s office warned neighbors in the area and, about 15 minutes later, two large explosions rattled windows in the area and left two craters each about two feet across. Leaves were blown off trees and the explosion set a small brush fire that was quickly put out by firefighters.

Apparently the explosives are the kind “that cannot be purchased easily.” Officials are not saying if they were homemade bombs or IEDs.

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Next up, we have this stupidity. I mean, really.

We have an adversary. He is the devil, satan, that old dragon. (1 Peter 5:8)
He has schemes. (2 Corinthians 2:11)
He is relentless, for his hatred drives him. This hatred was demonstrated at the time he entered Judas (the only human alive that the Bible records satan himself possessing) all to betray Jesus. (Luke 22:3-6).
He steals, kills, and destroys. (John 10:10)
He knows his time is short (Revelation 12:12) and thus strives to do everything possible to continue his rebellion against God (Isaiah 14:13-154) by attempting to destroy humanity’s relationship with God (remember, humans were created in God’s image. Angels weren’t).

So it should not surprise us that satan is using God’s enemies to work his will of evil and chaos and terror. We love Muslims individually as sinners in need of the Light of salvation. However we’re rightly suspicious of Islamic terror groups who have sworn our national death and are engaged in persistent, confirmed and credible attempts to fulfill their threat. Perhaps God will use the Islamic State as a hammer of judgment against America, as He used the Assyrians and the Egyptians and the Babylonians against the Israelites in their time of punishment for rebellion.

Share the Gospel – it is the only hope for most of the earth’s inhabitants. And be prepared to see acts of terror even more heinous than the ones we have seen since 9/11 and San Bernardino etc. We are not surprised that satan is alive and well and at work. But we have the mind of Christ, His promises through His word, His son’s atoning work and intercession in heaven as our priest, and the Holy Spirit to sustain and energize us in His holy work, even if (when) things get grievous in our nation.

Though the spirit of the age is at war with us Christians, and the pagans of this age war with us Americans, we have peace.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27).

Posted in isaac, Lamb, old testament, prophecy, sacrifice

Sacrifice of Isaac prefigures Christ: the grace of Old Testament symbols and acts

Posted on by elizabethprata

Genesis 22 has the story of the great test of faith of Abraham. God called to Abraham one day, and Abraham answered “Here I am!” God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, his only son, who Abraham loves. Abraham was to do this on Mt Moriah, a place God initially told Abraham would be a place I will tell you. Not even initially knowing where, Abraham hastened to obey, and the two hiked to the fateful spot.

Theologians have examined this scene and compared it to Christ’s sacrifice so I am certainly not plowing new ground. I have no deeper insights. But in this day and age, with fears and tribulations, and griefs and apostasy, it is always refreshing to keep our eyes on Christ. It is always edifying to see how in the word, the LORD God has it all under control and His plan is unfolding from that day to this in magnificent fashion, and will continue to do so.

Italian Renaissance painter Caravaggio’s depiction of the sacrifice of Isaac.

Comparison of Old Testament texts with New Testament texts. Isaac pre-figures Christ.

click to enlarge

Preparing for Christ’s death

The cross is the epitome of redemptive truth, foreshadowed in the acceptable sacrifice of Abel, foreshadowed in the ark of safety that saved Noah, foreshadowed in the sacrifice provided on Mount Moriah–a ram in the place of Isaac, prefigured in the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, where Moses said, “The Lord is my strength, and my song, and He has become my salvation.” We see the cross foreshadowed in the smitten rock in the wilderness that brought forth water to quench the thirsty people. We see the cross foreshadowed in the Levitical ceremonies, sacrifices and offerings. We see it foreshadowed in the serpent lifted up in the desert for healing. We see it even in Boaz, the kinsman redeemer. We see the cross detailed in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. We see the pierced and wounded Savior in Zechariah, chapter 12–all the way through Scripture. J. MacArthur

Scripture is amazing and wonderful. Read your Bible today.

Posted in encouragement

"Dear Sisters" : encouragement

Posted on by elizabethprata

To all my sisters who have lost a loved one and are facing the first holiday alone…

To all my sisters who have spoken up for the pure doctrine of Jesus Christ in bible study and have been kicked out because of it…

To all my sisters who have approached their pastor with concerns of false teaching and have been spiritually abused instead of comforted…or even heard…

To all my sisters who are struggling to be a good Christian wife with a non-believing husband…or an apathetic husband…

To all my sisters who have a spouse deployed overseas this holiday season…

To my lonely and hurting and grief-stricken and saddened sisters. You’re not alone.

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Kay Cude poetry & graphic design. Click to enlarge

 

Posted in death, Jesus atonement, life, resurrection

The sting of death

Posted on by elizabethprata
EPrata photo

Wen a bee stings, it shoots the stinger into the flesh, and the wound stings and hurts, it inflames and it pains. However, the bee dies.

Jesus took the sting from death when His perfect life and His sacrificial death pleased God and God resurrected Him from death.

Now, those who believe on the name of Jesus, His continued life in Heaven, and soon to return appearance in Sovereign glory, will live forever. Jesus still has the scars on His hands, but the sting of death for us who believe is removed forever. Our death is simply a passage from a world which is not our home, into permanent glory and everlasting life in Jesus’ home He pas prepared for us.

Those who do not believe however, rightly fear the sting of death. For them, death is not a passage into glory but a descent into hell. The sting of death is not removed for them, because they have not believed on the name of Jesus as Lord and Savior. Not only is the sting of death not removed from them, but they will bear the pains and scars and hurts and punishment for their sins forever in the flames.

Jesus is the most precious, most beautiful, most glorious Person in the universe. Believe in His work on earth during His life and believe in His substitutionary death for sinners, and believe in His resurrection to everlasting life. Why?

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)