Isabella Swan:  I'd rather die than to stay away from you.

~quote from Twilight (PG-13)  

I'm not much of a reader, but even I had heard about the craze Twilight has swept over those who love to read... especially those of the teenage variety ;)  With all the buzz, my interest and curiosity was heightened and while we were on a family trip to Mexico this past Christmas we took time out of an afternoon to take in this film.  Overall it was fairly interesting.  {slight spoiler} I'm not sure why, but so many people (me included) are always drawn to the whole "vampire" thing.  It just always makes for an intriguing story I guess.  It seems as though every movie maker puts their own little spin on it whether it's garlic and mirrors, or sunlight and shadow there's a slight twist... but yet the same.  Anyway, this movie had it's own little twists on the life of a vampire which is actually what makes this film interesting.  Personally I wouldn't shout of the mountaintops to run to see the movie or anything, but I certainly wasn't disappointed.  It was pretty good.

Bella was SO drawn to Edward, it's as if she was under some enchanting spell.  There was just something so interesting about him and she found herself completely devoured by his charm, she just couldn't stay away from him.  Even when she understood the risks of being with him, she couldn't stay away.  This got me thinking about God and how He couldn't stay away from us, how He couldn't allow us to continue to wander in darkness far from Him.  Instead He chose death rather than staying away.^(a)  God in the flesh, Jesus, came to the earth to live as one of us.^(b)  He ended up making a choice to accept death and bridge the gap between His Father and mankind.^(c)  This great love^{(d, e, f)} was the proof that God couldn't stay away; He would rather die.

Such a huge sacrifice... so much to give up, yet our part seems so little in comparison.  All He asks is for us to turn from our selfish ways and trust and follow Him.^(g)  He has made the way to no longer stay away, now the choice is ours.  If you've never made your choice, I can't stress enough that you should NOT take this lightly.  This choice will forever change your life.  Don't put this off; choose today!^(h)

God sent His Son, who would rather die to bridge the gap back to the Father than to leave the void between us and Him.  Jesus decided he would rather die than to stay away from you.  What will you decide?

a: John 3:16-17, b: Matthew 1:22-23, c: Romans 5:8, d: Psalm 57:10, e: Lamentations 3:22-23, f: John 15:13, g: Romans 10:9-10, h: Deuteronomy 30:19

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Father Flynn: Where is your compassion?
Sister Aloysius: Nowhere you can get at it.

~dialogue from Doubt (PG-13) 

When it comes to acting performances, Meryl Streep & Philip Seymour Hoffman deliver in Doubt.  It certainly doesn't hurt that these are two of my favorite actors.  In this film they both put forth the type of performance which reminds me why I enjoy their talents so much.  Doubt is powerful and worthy of all the awards it is being nominated for.  If you enjoy stellar acting, then I highly recommend you see Doubt.

Being as this film is in a religious setting, there are plenty of quotes to pick out and tear apart.  I chose this dialogue because I think it strikes a chord in our society today.  Certainly we all have some level of compassion within us, but far too often that compassion is buried deep within us, never to be seen by the outside world and certainly not towards someone in need.  This must change for all of us, but especially for those of us who choose to call ourselves Christians.  If we say we follow Christ, compassion must be at the forefront^(a) of our lives... if not, we are dishonoring the name that which we bear.

Our compassion should be obvious to those around us, not hidden under a bushel basket.  I don't think this really spoils the film as the previews even show this, but it's obvious the question Father Flynn asks is directed right at the heart of what I'm talking about here.  In Sister Aloysius' case, she chose to throw compassion to the wind, along with the facts, and ruthlessly went after Father Flynn.  Certainly she had her suspicions, but then... well, there were doubts... thus the film's name.  Anyway, I did not want to get to writing about her intentions, I am highlighting the fact that she admits her compassion is there, she just has chosen to keep it from Father Flynn.

You have compassion, don't keep it hidden... show it to others.^(b,c)

a: Mark 1:41, b: Ephesians 4:32, c: Colossians 3:12

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Pete:  Do you ever wonder how somebody could even like you?  The biggest problem in our marriage is that she wants me around.  And I can't even accept that?  I don't think I can accept pure love.

~quote from Knocked Up (R) 

Knocked Up, certainly not for those little ears and eyes; however, there are actually some solid lessons learned here.  By no means is this an all-time great film, must see or anything like that... but it's a fair film with an entertaining and interesting story line and several laughs thrown in along the way.

When it comes to the quote, this one shoots right to the heart of a huge issue... accepting love.  There are so many reasons to reject love, most often because of previous wounding causing lack of trust to the point where we close our hearts off to the most wonderful thing we can experience in life.  I'm sure some of it is that all of us, even if it's just a touch, are a bit cynical... we just have a hard time believing that anyone could truly love us, I mean really love... really, is that possible?  The questions summersault through our minds like a circus plane and we drive ourselves to the point of madness.  We question the motives of the other, the value of ourselves; both getting blown so much out of proportion, we wouldn't even recognize these sentiments in another light.

The classic unconditional love which many know about, and at the same time many have never heard... the pure love of Christ.  So many people mentally rip themselves to the point where they believe it's impossible for a perfect God to truly love them.  It starts with very simple belief, the bible states that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.^(a)  He LOVED the WORLD, so if you happen to be in this world, the statement is clear, God loves YOU!  His love is pure and untainted.  That's the beginning, now I urge you to trust in the Lord.^(b)  Accept His gift of love, allow His love to penetrate your heart to the point of healing and wholeness.  Do not fear, let down your guard and let His perfect love cast out all fear.^(c)  Confess, trust & believe.^(d)

a: John 3:16-17, b: Proverbs 3:5, c: 1 John 4:18, d: Romans 10:9-10

(thought history)

Harold Crick:   I may already be dead, just not typed.

~quote from Stranger Than Fiction (PG-13)  

This was a movie I was pleasantly pleased with.  Stranger Than Fiction is clever and easily worth a rental if you have not yet seen it.  I wish Will Ferrel did more like this and less films like Semi-Pro or Talladega Nights.  Emma Thompson & Dennis Hoffman also turn in solid performances; however, the story line alone is enough intrigue to spark you're interest.

Harold Crick is convinced that he's just living a story in which someone else is in control "writing" his outcome.  When he learns he is slated to die soon, he goes into panic mode; grasping for truth and some kind of explanation that would give him some control back.  Nearing his whit's end, he utters the thought, "I may already be dead, just not typed".  Without a doubt we are talking about fiction here, but this got me thinking about the dead-ness I remember being in before I came to terms with my need for Jesus and accepted Him.

Sure, I was walking the earth, living the "normal" life everyone leads.  I was going to school, working, doing my best to take care of a young dis-jointed family.  I was pretty pleased with myself, I thought I was leading a "good" life.  Much like Harold Crick going about his routine until some reality slapped him in the face, I was shaken up and realized I wasn't standing on as firm of ground as I believed.  It was then that I realized I was living on the shifting sands^(a) of my own works, my own pride, my own agenda... and that didn't stand very long when a storm of life came.  I crashed, saw that I was in deep need of a Savior^(b) and accepted to follow my Lord from that day on.  The cool part is I had the opportunity to weather an eerily similar life storm, this time with Jesus as my foundation.^(c)  It is truly amazing how much different things were that time... certainly I was shaken, but there was no crash... I was held up and held firm by the strong hands of God.^(d)

How many people know that they are already dead?  Those who have yet to accept the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ are already spiritually dead, they just might not know it yet.^(e)  These spiritual zombies lead lives without true purpose and without eternal hope^(f), shifting around on foundations of sand.  Only through knowledge, coupled with a relationship with Jesus will resurrect these dead ones.^(g)  If you're dead, here's your chance to come alive and live strong.

a: Matthew 7:24-26, b: Luke 5:31-32, c: Ephesians 2:19-21, d: Isaiah 41:10, e: Ephesians 2:1-3, f: John 3:1-21, g: Romans 10:9-10

(thought history)