Showing posts with label movie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label movie. Show all posts

Saturday, August 31, 2019

No, You Can't Do It ALL.

Catching Faith 2: The Homecoming (2019)




Directed by:John K.D. Graham  Produced by: RLJE Films

Official Website: http://www.catchingfaith.com

No, You Can’t Do It All
Here’s a film you can watch with the whole family. And you can stop it just about anywhere and commence a discussion that is bound to be beneficial to all participating. It’s the story of a family, more specifically Alexa -- a mother, wife, daughter -- who is struggling to “do it all” on her own.  As is true for many of us, while thinking she is a ‘superstar’, she starts failing miserably.

The film is a sequel and stars many of its original (2015) cast including 
Lorena Segura York (Hollywood Heights), Bill Engvall (“The Bill Engvall Show”, “Last
Man Standing”) and Garrett Westton (Buried Secrets). The lead cast does its job, but you won’t be seeing some of the supporting actors on the big screen just yet.

Promotional material claims the plot is about a family trying desperately to keep their faith afloat, but as I watched it, I could only see this, and that unexpressed, in the life of Alexa.  And even there, references to her faith were basically depicted only when she met with her girlfriends for support and the group’s leader kept taking them back to scripture for answers to life’s troubles.  While the other characters were faced with personal challenges, there was no indication that it was a spiritual battle for any of them. Some viewers might even take objection to the women’s Bible study footage. The scenes lacked credibility.

However, the production did have many redeeming features and well worth the 95 minutes it requires to watch it.  These ‘pros’ can be summarized nicely by saying the film covers areas that many of us face or have loved ones that do. We all know of someone dealing with an aged parent that makes life difficult.  Losing one’s job, or worse still a career, is something that many people experience. Having disappointed children is an experience many parents live with. Injuries are always a setback. And sooner or later many of us have to deal with the planning of a wedding – either our own or that of a child. A potential or actual in-law who doesn’t know her (his) place can test the patience of any woman (or man, for that matter).

The film, through its main character, Alexa, requires us to stop and think of others as we pursue our goals and desires, or as we try to prove we are self-sufficient. It helps us realize we are not. It forces us to realize our actions have a significant impact on those we love very much.

Catching Faith 2does an excellent job of addressing the topic of older women returning to today’s workforce after taking several years off, perhaps to raise children. That aspect of the film deserves a miniature Oscar.

The world needs productions like this that we can watch and discuss with all our family-members. And it’s a bonus when such a film makes us laugh (Alexa’s aged mother gets into some real pickles).

The movie is Available on DVD, On Demand, and Digital HD from September 3rd, 2019. 

FREE DRAW: FOR THOSE LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES, WE ARE RUNNING A DRAW -- POST A COMMENT BELOW WITH YOUR NAME, AN EMAIL WHERE YOU CAN BE REACHED, AND A MAILING ADDRESS.  WE'LL DRAW ONE NAME AND THE WINNER WILL BE SENT A FREE DVD VERSION OF THE FILM BY RLJE FILMS.  ENDS September 10th, 2019.
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n  Ken B. Godevenos, President, Accord Resolutions Services Inc., Toronto, Ontario, August 31, 2019, www.accordconsulting.com

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Sunday, September 18, 2016

Coming to Grips With Our Past

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Chasing Grace: Fooling Yourself Is Easy, Forgiving Yourself Isn’t
Starring Michael Joiner, Rusty Martin, Ashlee Payne & David Temple.
Written & Directed by David Temple.


This movie has an excellent plot that has its origin several decades earlier but gets unraveled quickly when, to the shock of the whole town, a young child is killed at her own birthday party. She is the daughter of a local pastor and his wife who have two older boys.
At the burial scene, the pastor’s brother (Carter) shows up but having been known for his extensive drinking, having to be bailed out of jail regularly, and legally carrying a concealed weapon, is not welcomed. Perceived as the modern-day equivalent of the “Prodigal son”, the family, for the most part, has rejected him. The role is played extremely well by David Temple who also wrote the script and directed the movie.
The movie is filled with great dialogue and irony including the pastor preaching a week earlier about forgiveness and saying “it’s like a hug; can’t give one without getting one in return.” But then off to the police station to bail his brother out again.
Back to the funeral, Carter’s brother (Jonathan the pastor) makes it clear Carter is not wanted at the house any longer but Carter refuses to accept the edict. Subsequently, the local sheriff tells Jonathan he has ways that can teach his brother a real lesson if the pastor wanted him to. Aware of all this animosity, one of the two boys also gets aggressive and that has its own sub-plot which in itself is most engaging. Meanwhile the mother, objects to her husband not forgiving his brother. And the conflict now spreads to several fronts.
Three months later as equilibrium starts to set in the pastor gets into a mysterious car accident with a friend’s car and the older teenage is charged with speeding and DUI – but not until he discovers something that ends up being crucial to the life of the whole family, for in one sense there’s more than one ‘prisoner’ in this story.
As the family starts to fall apart, mother plans a surprise family outing – to a psychologist and there, because she’s on to her husband’s habits, she breaks down and orders her husband to “come clean or else” begging that the negative legacy stop. Ashlee Payne (with many other movie credits to her name) does a great job in that role.
Carter who wants to be forgiven by his brother, remarks, “You’re not sounding very Christian; how can you not forgive me?”  A good question. And the answer lies in Jon’s past. That leads to the revealing of more of the history between the brothers and the family they grew up in. Still no resolve and soon Carter considers taking his own life, holding his gun to his own head.
The truth has a way of coming to the surface, and it is not long before the elders of his church ask Jonathan to take a leave of absence.  The younger son starts to think about his role in his little sister’s death and once again mother comes up with the answers he and perhaps many of us who have had similar question in our own lives, need to hear.
Brother Carter is arrested and roughed up – more than was intended and ultimately is believed to have drowned.
At long last, we are allowed to see what really happened that day at the birthday party as Jonathan starts to reflect on his role in the death of his beautiful little girl.
The rest of the story and all the suspense along the way, I’ll leave for you to watch.  Suffice it to say, that with the exception of a gun being held to one’s head, while no actual shooting or death is seen on camera, this is a great family story with lots to talk about afterward.  Highly recommended.
The movie ends with a gentle reminder as follows: Most people focus on the prodigal son when they hear that story, but we should never forget the importance of the brother.


By Ken B. Godevenos, President, Accord Resolutions Services Inc., Toronto, Ontario, September 17, 2016. www.accordconsulting.com

·      Get the movie here: http://astore.amazon.com/accorconsu-20

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Saturday, July 16, 2016

Hearts Are Well Designed To Handle Hurt -- DVD Review


When Calls the Heart: Troubled Hearts
Starring Daniel Lissing, Erin Krakow, Jack Wagner, and Lori Loughlin;
Directed by Michael Landon Jr.; 2016

This movie is number two in season three of the When Calls the Heart series and like all its predecessors, it continues to entertain, challenge and teach us. The series is inspired by the novel of the same name by Canadian author, Janette Oke.
Also like all previous episodes, Troubled Hearts has a host of sub-plots – each one somehow intertwined with the others and each one with a special lesson for viewers.  From young Cody’s hatred for school and those taking care of him as an ‘orphan’ to the women who have suffered the loss of spouses and yet again being betrayed by the men they have dared to be attracted to.  And the criminal element is also well-represented – both at the murderous gangster level (those you’d like to put away for life) and at the weasel level (those whose necks you’d like to wring and make them pay back every cent they embezzled).
Yes, of course, there’s romance.  This time I counted it developing on four fronts for sure and a possible fifth, complete with some very touching moments and the promise of more to come in the future in most cases. Throughout the movie, building trusting and nurturing relationships are paramount. And even though there are numerous characters, all the main ones are well-developed. Villains are dealt with and those that have erred have a change of heart or mind.  Wrongs are made right. But unlike the fairy tales we read as children or the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys novels we enjoyed, there is no indication that everything has ended well -- the main reason being, of course, that there’s more to come from Michael Landon, Jr.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention that both Oke and Landon, Jr. made a special effort to have some of the movie’s script sound like words from the Bible. It’s done very well and it’s very apropos, but I wonder how many would even recognize it.
We watched with our almost 11- and 13-year-old grandchildren as well as our senior neighbor – and all enjoyed it thoroughly. Highly recommended for the whole family, whether accompanied by popcorn or not.  And yes, I’m looking forward to still more – one of the few “fiction” works I allow myself these days.

By Ken B. Godevenos, President, Accord Resolutions Services Inc., Toronto, Ontario, July 16, 2016. www.accordconsulting.com

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Friday, May 22, 2015

Stand Your Ground (A Cry for Justice)


Stand Your Ground (A Cry for Justice)



I agreed to review this DVD because I believe there will soon come a time, if it has not come already, when each of us, will need to “stand our ground”.  What sane, dedicated to God and family person does not, once challenged, want to stand up for his/her family, his/her rights, and his/her faith?

This movie depicts the real life experience of Jackie Carpenter, a wife and mother who had to do just that when it seemed “the system” was taking care of itself -- at the expense of the truth and her son.

In the process, Carpenter feels she is forced to take on not only her husband who prefers not to make any trouble, her advisors, her son’s lawyer, and ultimately God Himself.  She tells God that if He won’t “fix this” when He hears the “cry for justice” [which also happens to be the movie’s sub-title], she will.

It is at this point that she may have felt as abandoned as Christ may have felt on the cross when He uttered the words, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” It was not an easy place for Jesus to have been and it is never an easy place for any of His followers to be – to feel like that. Understanding that God is still there and cares very much requires great commitment and dedication – a faith that you do not get until you have to be there. Carpenter has to come to grips with her options. She can fight this alone with her own human capabilities and knowledge or she can let God be God and participate as a child of His while still fulfilling her role as a mother and watching her son suffer.

Trusting God and accepting what He allows are two different things as Carpenter finds out. And some people handle it bette than others.

The main actors are Drew Matthews (the falsely accused son); Francine Locke (the mother); Kelsi Chandler (the daughter-in-law); and Cameron Arnett (the brilliant defense lawyer). But do not watch this movie if you insist on perfection when it comes to the films you watch. There are no Oscar nominations waiting to be announced. Some of the lines, especially those taken from the real story, sound corny and no award-seeking writer would ever have proposed them. I felt the music did not always fit the scene and was quite disjointed. But once you get over these expectations that you are accustomed to, you will find a gem from reality – and most often real life is more awkward than how Hollywood portrays it. Here is a low budget film with a great message. You can knock it or you can ask yourself, “Am I prepared to go through what Jackie Carpenter went through? And what if in my case, the results were different? Would I survive – my faith, my family, myself?”

The movie was issued in 2014 by Triple Horse Studios and distributed in 2015 by Phase 4 Films.  It is now available on DVD.  Watch it alone, with your spouse, and even with your teenagers.  

    -- Ken B. Godevenos, http://www.accordconsulting.com , Toronto, 15/05/17  

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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PRESENTS: JERUSALEM


http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/Uploads/MediaRoom/images/Jerusalem5.jpgWhen Laura Steen of the Toronto office of Allied Integrated Marketing offered me an opportunity to attend the Canadian advance media screening of Jerusalem, at the Ontario Science Centre, I readily accepted.  Jerusalem is big in our life – my wife has gone twice, I once with http://fifthgospelencounters.com/.  In many respects, the trip galvanized my love for the city.  I regret not having done a similar trip many years earlier.  However, better late than never.


http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/Uploads/MediaRoom/images/Jerusalem6.jpgI knew the film, as advertised to the press, was not going to be about Jerusalem’s pivotal role in my Christian faith.  I could not expect that of the key players that made it possible – very capable people like Director, Producer, and Writer Daniel Ferguson who has done excellent work on previous IMAX movies (yes, the film is delivered to us courtesy of four different cameras – an IMAX 15-perf 65mm; a Sony F65; a RED Epic; and a Nikon D800E); Producer George Duffield; Executive Producer Jake Eberts (who has 65 Oscar nominations, 27 of which he won; films include Gandhi, The Killing Fields, Driving Miss Daisy, Dances with Wolves, A River Runs Through It, and more); National Geographic; local film Patrons Mohammad & Najla Zaibak and Mark & Suzanne Cohon; and of course, the very public Ontario Science Centre.  No, this film was clearly going to challenge my ‘ownership’ perspective of this much-coveted part of the world that at one time was seen and acted as the centre of the known world, being well-situated geographically where Africa, Asia, and Europe meet.


The city is presented through the eyes, thoughts, lives, and hopes of three very real lovers of Jerusalem with strong ties to their beloved place of residence as well as their respective faiths – Christian, Jewish, and Muslim.

http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/Uploads/MediaRoom/images/Jerusalem7.jpgThrough these brilliant and forthright young women, the film aims to change the way people think about Jerusalem.  It certainly does that.  It is evident, as one of the ladies said in the press conference after the screening, “the beautiful ancient wall around the Old City of Jerusalem is not the only wall in the place; while that one needs to remain, the social walls inside need to be torn down.”  The reference was to the fact that all three of the residents felt their people lived alone in the city, not knowing much about their neighbors who held two other religious and cultural perspectives.  But although the need was recognized as to what had to change, all agreed this was not “yet the time”.


Ferguson also wanted the viewer to feel he/she had actually been to Jerusalem.  He wanted to achieve that in a unique way, trying to capture over 5,000 years of history in 45 minutes by putting the camera into very special places and giving us glimpses of Jerusalem most of us would never see on our own or in groups.  Getting permission for some of those shots – low aerials over the city, underground tunnels and tombs, and even the now closed to non-Muslims Dome of the Rock – took years to obtain.  But it was indeed worth the wait.
http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/Uploads/MediaRoom/images/Jerusalem3.jpg 
It took me very little time to declare the film a success from a cinematic perspective.  It took me much longer to determine just how I felt about its purpose.  I noted a couple of things in the script.  When an American archaeologist shares some of the events that took place on the famous “rock” over which the Islamic Dome of the Rock now stands, she was very careful to state that “here Abraham was tested when he was asked to sacrifice his son” with no mention the son’s name.  For the Christian and Jew it was Isaac; for many Muslims it was Ishmael.  (You can read more on this at: http://www.answering-islam.org/Shamoun/sacrifice.htm.)  I also noticed that even where all three religions were in agreement on a historical event that had significant religious, and often Christian implications such as the aspects of Christ’s existence and ministry, the script, otherwise handled excellently by all, including narrator Benedict Cumberbatch (you’ll remember him from his portrayal of Stephen Hawking, as well as the movie War Horse, The Hobbit Trilogy, Sherlock, and Star Trek into Darkness) often simply introduced it by saying “it is believed” or something similar.  The film could have benefitted both in its credibility as being capable of handling a religious topic – for as much as Jerusalem is a physical place, there is global agreement that it has spiritual significance – and in its purpose of trying to help us see it differently by not taking the “politically correct” or “scientific defense” of such facts.


In the Gospels, Jesus asks one of His close disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”  That’s a question that everyone ultimately answers, even by totally refusing to answer it or ignoring it.  As I watched Jerusalem I wondered how many might be facilitated in their attempt to provide an answer if they first considered the question, “What then is Jerusalem?”  The film goes a long way to answer that comprehensively.

http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/Uploads/MediaRoom/images/Jerusalem9.jpg
Jerusalem opens March 7th at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto (http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/imax/film/40/), but hopefully will be seen elsewhere in Canada soon.  It has already opened in other countries.  See it.  Go there.  Better late; never is not an option.
http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/Uploads/MediaRoom/images/Jerusalem2.jpg 
-- Ken B. Godevenos, Toronto.   February 26, 2014

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[Are you looking for a speaker at your church, your club, school, or organization? Ken is available to preach, teach, challenge, and/or motivate. Please contact us.]

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Saturday, April 13, 2013

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: THE MOVIE "42"

Four of us went to see the story of Jackie Robinson, the "legend", last night (opening night in our big city) based on the true story. The theater was very nicely filled but not packed. And the audience did clap at the end -- a rare occurrence these days. I found the movie starring Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford most engaging and with minor exceptions excellently presented. As a lover of baseball, it made my understanding of how the game has evolved at key times and helped mold our society and the role certain men (and women) played in that. It helped me understand why the number "42" is revered in our Rogers (SkyDome) Centre in Toronto and why on certain days all players wear it across the league. As always, change towards good for many often comes at the expense of the suffering of a few -- and sometimes only one. Which takes me to the overtones of Christianity in this movie -- from the Methodist religion of Robinson and the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, to the comments about what Robinson has to suffer for others, and finally the closing song -- those of the Christian faith could easily identify the connections to what they believe.

I was surprised that the film did not tell us more about Robinson's life as a child and teenager except one passing reference that his father walked out on the family when he was six months old. We see or hear almost nothing of his mother(one friend reminded me that she is shown very briefly taking care of the baby when Jackie & Rachel were going away).  And no other members of the family are shown or referred to. I don't know what "baby" the director wanted to use in the film to portray the birth of Robinson's son, but in my opinion he certainly wasn't a "newborn" lying there in the hospital in his glass bassinet. Continuity was also questioned by this viewer when supposedly several weeks or months later, the mother is shown cuddling what appeared to be a much smaller bundle in her arms at one of Robinson's games.

If you can forgive those minor flaws as I did, you have a very meaningful and historical movie that is highly recommended and one that you can take the entire family too. There's much there for all of us and I hope there's an oscar or two there for the cast (Harrison Ford, Chadwick Boseman, and Nicole Beharie (who plays Mrs. Rachel Robinson) are so good in this movie.

At the end, we are told what actually happens (in real life) to the main characters. And needless to say, people get their just desserts -- the prime example being the coach of the Phillies at the time. He taunted Robinson the most. A year later he was fired and never rehired again by anyone. Others who couldn't accept the change kept getting sent to "Pittsburgh" and I wouldn't be surprised if "going to Pittsburgh" becomes a phrase which means being "sent to the worse place possible" once this movie gets seen by many.

Finally the friendship of Pee Wee Reese, a Christian, is shown clearly in the movie and Mr. Reese has a story of his own that is also most interesting and worth checking out on the internet. He died in 1984; Robinson in 1972. See the movie with your kids -- the best history lesson they'll get. In one scene, one young boy at the game is a real fan (with his dad) of Pee Wee Reese. Then he hears his dad calling out racial slurs at Robinson and booing him. The kid wants to be like his dad and joins in. Then there's this great scene with Pee Wee Reese and the child is caught in a dilemma -- his hero, Reese, has just embraced the black Robinson which his father abhors. If nothing else, it points out how our children and grandchildren model us.

See the movie. You won't regret it.



You can watch the trailer of the movie here.


[Are you looking for a speaker at your church, your club, school, or organization? Ken is available to preach, teach, challenge, and/or motivate. Please contact us.]

Thanks for dropping by. Sign up to receive free updates. We bring you relevant information from all sorts of sources. Subscribe for free to this blog or follow us by clicking on the appropriate link in the right side bar. And please share this blog with your friends. Ken Godevenos, Church and Management Consultant, Accord Consulting.  And while you’re here, why not check out some more of our recent blogs shown in the right hand column.  Ken.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

The Company Men (2010)

My five year grandson uttered these words yesterday when he tried to show me a new "dance move" that I couldn't reproduce for the life of me: "Pappou, I am a professional. Don't worry if you can't do it."

Well, when it comes to critiquing movies, I am not a professional, so please don't decide about this movie on what I say. My job is simply to tell you that it may well be worth your while.

But first the "viewer and Christian beware" aspects: There is repeated profanity. There is about 2 seconds of nudity. There is one adulterous affair. But why am I still recommending this movie? Read on. . .

As a Human Resources Consultant (http://www.accordconsulting.com), I'm in the people business and this movie is definitely about people -- people who lose their jobs while others are exploiting the system for all it's worth without regard to those they kick out the door.

As an HR practitioner I have had to live through these experiences. I've watched men and women lose everything. I've watched them struggle. I've seen how it impacts peoples' spouses, their marriage, their children, relatives, and friends.

I've also seen how some who have a job do not have any clue how to deal with those that don't or who have just lost theirs. I've seen counselors not know how to handle it; I've even seen some pastors be of very little help in dealing with it.

That's why I recommend this movie to anyone who cares about people and who knows that "there but for the grace of God" goes you and I. This movie will help you rethink your relationship with those that lose their jobs (including the ones you love very much) and in case of you losing your job -- how to deal with those around you and yourself.

Recommended. Still in the theatres, but soon coming to a DVD store near you.

Enjoy and pass this on to others that may benefit.

The Company Men (2010) - IMDb





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Friday, February 04, 2011

Top (Wholesome) 100 Movies Countdown

So far they've posted numbers 71 to 100 and more will be posted in the future. Take a look at which ones you've seen. And pass this link on to others.

Top 100 Movies Countdown | Top 10 Lists



-- Thanks for dropping by. Sign up to receive updates. -- Ken B. Godevenos, Church & Mgmt. Consultant, bringing you relevant information from all sorts of sources. Subscribe free to Epistoli or follow us by clicking on the appropriate link in the right side bar. And don’t forget to “share” this blog with your friends by clicking the “Share” link on your Navigation Bar.

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Sunday, January 30, 2011

What I Saw in "127 Hours" Is Most Powerful, If You Let It Be

Recently I had the opportunity, by accident no less, to see the movie 127 Hours starring James Franco.  I say by accident as we had intended to see a different movie, but the theater was having technical difficulties with the sound and we switched over to 127 Hours.  This movie is about a mountain climber who becomes trapped under a boulder while 'canyoneering' alone near Moab, Utah and resorts to desperate measures in order to survive.  It's based on a true story that many of us may remember in the news back in 2003, I believe.  I won't give the plot and outcome away for the sake of those that don't remember the media coverage at the time.

Let me just tell you what I could not help but see as I sat there in the theater watching it.  Several scenarios came to mind.  But first let me share what was playing on the screen.  Here was a man left alone with nature.  There was no one to help him.  He wanted to live life alone, not even telling people where he was going or what he was doing.  In everything he took on to do, he ignored the advice of experts and did it his way.  Now, trapped deep in a canyon, there was precious little he could do.  His situation got worse and worse.  His body and then his mind started to become affected by the accident.  Many scenes from his life from birth to the present kept flashing through his mind and often seemed to be relived there in front of his eyes in the canyon of death.  But what was I thinking as I watched this?

The camera work was so good that even though it was not 3D, I still felt I was right there within feet of his agony, but there was absolutely nothing I could do.   Like a young male teenager who sees a beautiful movie star walk a red carpet in front of him, or like a child in a Belgian chocolates store I could watch, but could not touch, even to help in case of the star tripping or the chocolates spilling to the floor.  That feeling alone when felt in conjunction with watching someone die, was very uncomfortable.

The first off-screen scenario that came to my mind was that of my father in his hospital bed on his last day of life, December 31, 2006.  His lungs had collapsed from all the cancerous growths in his body, and the doctors had, after speaking with us, just given him what was required to ease the pain but not try to delay the inevitable.  I saw my father stretching out his hands and uttering any sounds he could, begging for help and gasping for air.  In seconds, he was gone and it was over.  There was nothing more I could do.  In thinking about it this morning as I write, I am also reminded of my mother's death, twenty-four years prior to my dad's.  It was similar.  I had taken her into the hospital in the ambulance.  She was in coma.  Only this time I was not present when she died.  I simply got the call in the middle of the night from the hospital.  When I hung up the phone, this feeling of helplessness lingered for some time.

The second scenario that came to mind as I was viewing 127 Hours was the story of The Rich Man and Lazarus found in Luke chapter 16 of the Bible.  The rich man had died and ended up in Hades but he could see the poor man Lazarus (not the brother of Mary and Martha that Jesus raised from the dead in another part of scripture).  Anyway, the rich man (who lived life his way not paying attention to the rules) was begging Father Abraham to allow Lazarus who had also died and was resting in Abraham's bosom, to "dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off" his tongue, for he was "in agony in this flame."  The main character in 127 Hours was in the same situation, progressively dying from thirst and the director had great footage of the 'need for water' image.  That alone was worth the movie.  But you need to read the rest of this story of Lazurus to better understand why I related it in my mind to the movie I was watching (click here).

The final image I kept seeing was that of my friends and loved ones who at the time of their own death could not save themselves,  No matter how smart they were, there was nothing they could.  They had lost the game they thought they were playing and winning.  Doing it their way didn't amount to anything but insects crawling over their bodies and unanswered calls to a God they had never recognized as even existing during their lives.  I was not comfortable in my seat at all.

I immediately thought of an 82 year old neighbor living alone that had suffered a stroke this past week and was found by police four days later, still alive.  I had last visited him 13 months earlier, taking him Christmas dinner and visiting briefly.  I prayed in the theater that I would have one more chance to visit him in the hospital before he died.  I resolved to do that.  At the very least I would talk to him about dying, salvation through Jesus Christ, and what happens "One Second After You. . .Die".  That is, providing he was still alive.

I also resolved to continue to seek every opportunity I get to share my own personal experience -- with this movie, my life, and my God to whomever I get an opening to do so.  I will look for those opening much more fervently.   Seeing this movie last night may have started out to be 'by accident' but as the main character in the movie suggests in the end -- 'nothing is by accident'.


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Friday, January 21, 2011

Christians You're Being Blamed For Disney No Longer Making Fairy Tale Movies

This is a sad accusation, but indirectly there may well be some truth in it. Take a look at the main reason why Disney says it is no longer following a historical tradition of making fairy tale movies.

What's important is that you be aware of what your children or grandchildren value and why.

Disney: No More Fairy Tale Movies! | Main



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Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Again Canada Shows It's Not Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf

Hooray for the Canadian Government that has stood up to threats and to Iran. Take a look at this. "Canada is indeed a free nation and will not be intimidated by threats that control what documentaries we show in our libraries -- even if they are critical of another country.

Heritage Minister orders Library and Archives Canada to show controversial film



-- Thanks for dropping by. Sign up to receive updates. -- Ken B. Godevenos, Church & Mgmt. Consultant, bringing you relevant information from all sorts of sources. Subscribe free to Epistoli or follow us by clicking on the appropriate link in the right side bar. An don’t forget to “share” this blog with your friends by clicking the “Share” link on your Navigation Bar.

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Monday, January 17, 2011

The Ground Zero Mosque Movie

It's coming to a theater near you and if not, you can arrange it. This will be another movie of interest and likely well worth seeing. Take a look at the write-up.

World Premiere of AFDI/SIOA Film at CPAC: <em>The Ground Zero Mosque: The Second Wave of the 911 Attacks</em> - Jihad Watch



-- Thanks for dropping by. Sign up to receive updates. -- Ken B. Godevenos, Church & Mgmt. Consultant, bringing you relevant information from all sorts of sources. Subscribe free to Epistoli or follow us by clicking on the appropriate link in the right side bar. An don’t forget to “share” this blog with your friends by clicking the “Share” link on your Navigation Bar.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.