Super Powers

"We saw the new super hero movie. It is a bit disturbing how much they quote scripture and misapply the Word. They have a form of godliness yet deny its power. So sad that all the answers and greater power than any superhero are right in front of them and they don't even care or recognize it."

As a kid I loved comic books. So much so that whenever I made any money from mowing my grandmother's lawn I would immediately ride my bike to the comic store and spend it on the latest copies of all my favorites. It wasn't until I grew in the Lord and understood more of the things of God that I really saw how many spiritual things are hidden in these books. Eventually I made the choice to stop reading the comic books and even burned my whole collection in four small barbecues (but that is a story for another time). 

Now these same spiritual messages are being woven into the movies that are being produced. There are spiritual themes and raging wars between good and evil. I enjoy a good action flick with explosions and well won victory. What gets to me is the exaltation of evil and the err when it comes to God's truth. 

As much as we can imagine when it comes to power and ability it still pales in comparison to the power and ability of God. The movies make these super heroes and the bad guys they protect the world from look like they are in an exalted position but none of them come close to the exalted position Jesus has at the right hand of the Father. They will never come close! 

In John 19 Jesus is face to face with Pilate. During the encounter Pilate tells Jesus that he has the power to set him free or to send him to be crucified. Jesus' response is so powerful that I have to pause and take it in when I read it. He responds by saying that Pilate would have no power unless it was given from above. Wow! We think we are so great and mighty but the only reason we are anything is because of God's sovereign plan. 

The truth is that only God is powerful. Only Jesus is exalted. Only the Holy Spirit is worth being in awe of. When we try to substitute any other it will be out of place and rob us of the true blessing of what is real. So go have fun at the movies and enjoy a good story and some awesome special effects but be sure to have more fun in church praising the God who is over all. 

How have you experienced the power of God in your life? 

Day 327 - Hallmark Movies

"In the afternoon a nap was fitting. Maybe it was the activity or the early morning, or maybe the Hallmark Christmas movie where sappiness is common place and boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back. I am getting sleepy just thinking of it."

I joke with my wife about the Hallmark movies at Thanksgiving and Christmas. They all have very similar plots and the music is a dead give away that something is happening. The funniest part is that all through the movie it is the same song. 

I've got to hand it to them though. These movies are wildly popular. Even my children are excited for the new ones each year and watch reruns of their favorites from previous years. There are some elements of these movies that I think make them successful. 

First of all they are pure. I think our society has an overload of filth. We all could use more pure thinking and pure pleasures. The innocence of the characters touches our hearts (unless they happen to be the wrong love interest who the leading lady is connected with at the beginning of the movie). 

Second they are accessible. They show them at numerous times and advertise like crazy. With DVR's you never have to miss one either and you can fast forward through the commercials. There are a ton of these movies too. Chances are if you like one you like them all. 

Finally you feel good after watching them. Even the most cynical person, myself included, will smile when the two people who should be together end up happily ever after. Sure it is cliche and life isn't like that most of the time but we all want to believe in a happy ending. The truth is that if you read the end of the Bible you will find one. 

This blog post may feel like an ad but really it isn't. It is an encouragement to put good things in your soul. What goes in will eventually come out. If it is pure, accessible and you feel good afterward then it seems like a winner in my book. Other things may be polluted and feel good beforehand but afterward you feel defiled. Wouldn't you rather feel good about life? I would. 

What are some other pure activities we can be involved in? How do we guard against polluting our minds?