"Reel" Life Discernment



Elise Jones,
author of http://www.liveonthefringe.com/


Screen your Screen.
My first post ended with this thought. My posts since then have summarized recent movies and media, and have challenged my readers to discuss  and analyze viewed movie content. But a question has been raised:

How do I decide what to watch, what to discuss, and what NOT to watch?

This is an excellent question. The author of http://www.liveonthefringe.blogspot.com/, Elise Jones, and I collaborated together and have supplied an answer for this question in an adobe presentation. The presentation is simple and easy to understand, and outlines basic tools and steps to take to use when applying discernment in our entertainment choices.

Check out the presentation here: https://mail.mbbc.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=5601ccc7ab6046cd9993bb0aca95ebbc&URL=http%3a%2f%2fmbbc.na4.acrobat.com%2fp48106432%2f

License to Kill- Rated G

   Crime shows have become widely popular across the globe. War is an issue in every part of the planet. Violence is running rampid in video games and across the television. But how can this be? Children are being taught in school not to use violence, so why has it becoming such a problem?

   The answer lies in the home. Children are indeed being taught that "violence is not the answer" in school, but then they go home and pop in Tarzan and watch the rifle weilding bad guy strangle in jungle vines. They observe Ursula, the sea witch, getting impaled with a plank of wood and then getting struck by lightening. They watch as Simba's uncle Scar gets his throat ripped out by a pack of crazed hyenas.
   How can we allow our youth to watch these scenes without explaining to them the evil of it? Without proper direction small children, as young as three years old, can latch on to the idea that "bad people must die, and bad people are the ones that go against what I want."

 If we as leaders allow this issue of violence to go undiscussed, we will without a doubt, regret it. Christ is quoted in John 14:27 saying, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you..." Revoke your child's G-rated liscense to kill! Discuss the issue and teach them about the peace Christ left for us through His violent death and vctorious resurrection.  

Friends Forever- Sealed with Sacrifice

    True Love. Its sought after all over the world and never seems to be found. But in the movies it can be found in a matter of days, or even hours! All you need is a beautiful girl, a handsome man, and some distressful situation. The script writers at Disney portray the very same concept in their movies. True love always begins with a kiss and ends in happily ever after. Right?

    I would like to take this opportunity to point out that real true love can not be found in a couple of days togather or even a kiss. However, Disney does accuratley show true love in their movies.

   It can be found in the best friend.

Think about it. Copper stepped in front of a gun to save Todd's life. Buzz and Woody risked everything, multiple times, to rescue one another. Phil mentored Hercules and returned to save him, even after Herc drove him away. Ray died protecting Tiana. McQueen put aside his dream to appease the simplicity of Mater. The list is endless, but the message is the same: True love is found in true friendship, and it is not shown through kisses and marriage. Rather it is worked at, fought through, and filled with sacrifice.

Through Different Eyes



Justin Cochran- A fresh perspective

I interviewed  fellow student, Justin Cochran, on the campus of Maranatha Baptist Bible College. Justin, like myself, enjoys watching movies produced by the Wonderful World of Disney. I thought it might be nice to get a fresh perspective on Disney today.

Q.   What was your favorite Disney movie growing up? 
A.   Aladdin... with Fox and the Hound at a close second.

Q.   What did you enjoy about them?
A.   Well I loved Aladdin because he was a nobody and all he wanted was to be a prince, so that Jasmine would like him. So he tried to be something he was not. And it turned out all he had to do was beeeee himself. Oh, and the Genie was really funny!

Q.   How do you feel that Disney has changed in the last 10 years?
A.   I think that Disney seems to have changed the way that they portray people. Heroes and heroines tend to be more rebellious and disrespectful. It seems like there is alot more action and alot less story. And I've realized there is more of an agenda now, rather then a moral or lesson.

Q.   How would you suggest that parents and/or youth leaders should approach Disney as a whole (movies, tv shows, music, icons)?

A.   I think that parents should make sure they know what their children are watching, and decide whether  a)their children are old enough to watch and understand it, and b) they want their children watching it. It seems like today parents are too loose on what they allow their children to watch. So I would say, watch it first or at least check up on the movie.

Q.   Any closing thoughts?

A.   I'd like to thank Abu and the Carpet for teaching me everything I know and making me the man I am today.













Family Forum

Watch together. Learn together.

Looking for a couple quick tips on how to make home theatre time a learning opportunity? Here are a few to get you started:

• Make every one comfortable. Kids do not want to sit down to watch a movie when they know they will be drilled with questions at the end.
• Preveiw the movie. Growing up I was not allowed to watch movies my parents had not previewed first. I now realize that they were doing that to protect me, not to make my life miserable.
• Make the point. Whether you stop the film or wait til the end, make your point quick and clear. Once again, the movie is being played for enjoyment so allow the kids to discuss if they want to, but do not wax eloquent. This may cause your children to disengage, or worse, find ways to watch movies without you.
• Use scripture and Biblical principles. No offense, but God's Word is more reputable than your opinion. Most kids will respect that. Not to mention, if they tell their friends about it it sounds better quoting King Solomon, rather than "my mom".
• Leave them with someting. If nothing else, leave your kids with something to think about. What you say may not sink in right away, but small lessons that are well taught will stick to the memory of the movie; resurfacing when the film is rewatched.

All TANGLED Up

I finally got to watch the new Disney movie "Tangled" this week. Who would have thought it would be possible to take such an old fairytale and put enough of a twist on it that an audience from the 21st century would enjoy it? I read multiple reviews on the film before actually seeing it and I must say that I agree with almost all of them. The makers at Disney just did an incredible job with this movie.
I was presently surprised to notice how clean the movie was. It seems that there are more and more innuendos and adult themes creeping into children's films these days, but "Tangled" seemed to be genuinely free of that.
The film, instead, was carried on well written songs, an adventurous storyline, and the ultimate conquering of evil. All of my emotions were touched as the plot was carried out. There were times I was on the edge of my seat in fearful anticipation, and there were other times I was laughing uncontrollably. The writers also did a good job of developing an untainted romance, while also showing the tension that life can place on relationships.
Of course there were indeed some issues brought up that parents and teachers should address with young Rapunzel followers. Was it ok for Rapunzel to runaway? Is rebellion really just a part of growing up? Why was the young princess content, for the most part, in her tower?
These, along with a few others, are good questions to discuss with your young people. Don't let Satan take a few underlying themes from an innocent movie and beginning laying the ground work for bigger issues.
As a whole, however, I believe that "Tangled" was a well-made movie. So pop some popcorn, pour some soda, and plan a family night, because this one is worth it.