Matthew 17:20. He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Movie summary: Just like the classic Ella's father marries a woman with two daughters around her age. After an accident, Ella is left in the care of her stepmother, and her role slowly changes from a lady to a servant of the household. She is belittled and mistreated. And yet she holds steadfast to her mother's last words- to have courage and be kind. With this, she is rewarded with a happily ever after.
My thoughts: With so many twists on classics, I was fearful that disney would change a classic. Cinderella was beautifully made complete with innocent Ella and Prince Charming.
The take home phrase, "Have courage and be kind". It's easier said than done. In the bible, God also asks us to "be strong and courageous" and to "love your neighbours as you love yourself". It's very easy to read about and even teach about in children's ministry. We have seen both these things on the news this week. As a religion we were attacked with guns while meeting for prayer. And as a church, what they did was to have courage and be kind. A bit amazing, but it's possible.
Movie summary: The movie follows a prisoner (played by Hugh Jackman) on the run during the period of the French revolution. The prisoner is given a second chance in life by a priest and is able to make something of himself. But each time his identity is discovered, he is on the run again. On the way, his story is intertwined with the story of Fantine who is forced into prostitution in order to pay the people looking after her daughter. After her death, we find out that her daughter Cosette is actually mistreated by the inn keepers. Fast forward and Cosette is all grown up and falls in love with a man who is determined to have a part in the French revolution.
Movie Summary: Both 007 and M are getting a bit old and their abilities are being questioned. The list of undercover agents has been stolen and the future of British intelligence and double os are threatened.
My thoughts: I loved it. I think there was an appropriate balance between action and cheesy humour that is guaranteed to entice teens to older adults. The half-naked scenes added nothing to the plot but I guess they have to conform to the Bond identity after all. But I am guilty of laughing my way through nearly the entire movie. Q was lovely, and looking forward to a new 007 and M partnership in the next movie. Honourable mentions to M and 007 - they did well in their last partnership together but they demonstrated nothing remarkable on screen. But the villain was oh so funny. I might rewatch the movie, just to see him shake his head at Bond's undying attempts to save the day.
Yet beyond the gunfire and humour, there is a message conveyed. Even though we live in the technological era where people can do a whole lot of harm in the comfort of their pjs at home, we still need someone to occasionally point the trigger. Or we need to resort to old fashioned methods in order to get the job done. As much as I love the convenience of "liking" or posting a facebook post, an ecard or text message, there is something very very special that is conveyed when you personally tell and show people you are worth the effort.
Yes it's a bit old fashioned. But pick up the phone or make a trip to share the good old christmas cheer.
Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Movie summary: This movie is based on a true story (from a book) about a white farmer in Africa. The family struggle financially as they come across issues of bad luck, political instability, drought, relationship issues, etc. And the farmer hits rock bottom as his whole crop fails and he dreads the inevitable. But he finds hope in God and miraculously his crops recover to abundance within 3 days. he also befriends the local coloured people and is able to share with them his faith. In a terrible thunderstorm, one of the locals are hit by lightning and miraculously through the power of prayer, God brings them back to life. Strengthen by God, the farmer starts to spread the gospel to others and inspires others despite ongoing struggles with his family and a major blow.
And in the end, the farmer plants potatoes in the drought. Planting potatoes is an expensive exercise. (See book exerpt: http://store.kregel.com/client/excerpt/978-0-8254-6335-8.pdf) And he puts his entire hope and livelihood on the line with faith in the Lord. And so it proves, those who sow sparing reap sparingly, but those who sow generously reap generously- and in more ways than one.
My thoughts: This is a tear jerker. The beginning of the movie was a bit difficult to sit through, it was boring. But i thought I would give it another 10 minutes, and I'm glad I did. Don't let the south african accents and over the top acting put you off. The storyline makes it all worthwhile.
It's easy to follow God when he performs miracles. Like when you pray that you would pass your exams and you pass. You pray that you will get a job and you do. You pray that your health would recover and you do. So what happens when we don't get what we ask for? I cried and cried as I watched the child pass... Although I don't always understand God's will in the things that happen to me, but you can choose to stand firm in your faith. It's easy to say, but difficult to do. In these times, I am really grateful that God never gives me more than I can handle- he puts by my side his word to inspire me, his people to encourage me, and his many gifts to get me back up.
Sometimes I find that my faith is so limited. I only pray for what I believe to be possible. I pray and give limits to my prayers. The farmer in the movie is guided by God to dream big. To pursue the impossible (in at least our eyes). Are we prepared to take these risk for God? Are we prepared to be mocked in order to live the life God has called us to live? Are we prepared to have faith like planting potatoes in a drought-- to have faith in the unseen?
At this stage of my life... there are so many things that are unseen. God tells me he has plans for me, plans that I cannot see. I am of little faith, and a lot of doubt. But over and over again, God inspires me to have faith like potatoes.
I'm a big fan of cheezy hallmark channel movies, and here's another one.
Movie summary: Guy meets girl (again). Many years after their date at high school freshmen home coming, boy meets girl again. But now girl is struggling to make ends meet and boy is less awkward. In a turn of events, girl needs more money and offers to be a dating coach to the guy.
Lesson 1. Self confidence. Being attractive means having a positive view of oneself.
So they set about making him feel more fit, buying him new clothes and getting a hair cut.
Lesson 2. Break the ice. Hi my name is xyz, I just wanted to introduce myself.
Lesson 3. The art of conversation. The basics. Listening and asking questions.
Lesson 4. Start sharing. Talking about the things that matter to you. Your passions.
Lesson 5. Make her feel special.
Lesson 6. Getting close.
Lesson 7. Compromise.
Lesson 8. Follow your heart.
My thoughts: I love a little romantic comedy. You start watching knowing that the main characters will go through some trials and eventually be together. This time, the girl is actually encouraging the guy to be a good date for other girls. The actors aren't overly convincing but it's not a hollywood blockbuster. It's suited for a nice girls night in. And the content is suitable for most teenagers but really geared towards older females.
Actually, I don't think the movie if entirely fiction. Having worked with individuals with aspergers or social anxiety, I believe the tips suggested are quite sound pieces of advice! And they even do what I do! Role plays.
But what really got to me was the fear that I would become like the main character Annie. Right now, it feels like I'm in a bit of a slump. And I'm working so hard to help those around me find their happiness, and build up other people's confidence, inspire them to pursue God more. But me, I feel stagnant. Secretly I feel like a failure as an academic. Worthless. But over the last couple of days, I feel that God has really listened to my prayers- like he always has. But he has shone a light and given me a glimpse of a future only he can see.
Indeed, if I had to pick a favourite chapter of the bible at the moment, it would be Hebrews 11. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+11&version=NIV It's about all these people in history having hope in a future, living for that hope. And most of these people died not seeing the entire promise being fulfilled. Even though I can not see God's plan for my lifestory at the moment, I have faith in the unseen.
Hebrews 11:1. Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
I heard on HK radio a lady being roasted alive by listeners because she had made a particular post on facebook. It was along the lines of "If you aren't going to contribute $500HK, don't bother attending the wedding banquet". People on the radio were voicing their disgust at such a statement saying that this person is rude and is only concerned with money. My thoughts after this review... The five year engagement (2012) Movie summary: The five year engagement follows the journey of a man and women as they become engaged to when they finally marry more than 5 years later. The movie shows how life may get in the way of wedding planning. And the couple finally discovers whats truly important in a wedding.
My thoughts: I didn't like it. The movie kept me entertained on the plane but it was long and dragged on. I knew they were going to get together and I wanted to scream- it's just a ceremony! But I was on a plane in the middle of the night and it was highly inappropriate to wake people up for that silly comment. It was a ridiculous plot and the actors were less than convincing.
Yet, as absurd as it sounds, a "wedding" (not talking about marriage here) is a big ordeal. As my friends are slowly pairing off I have noticed that massive amounts of effort, time and money that is required to make one single day "perfect". It is as if... as long as the wedding day goes well, they will live happily ever after.
And then we hear of this facebook debacle. Weddings are soooo expensive. Here in Australia, the average cost for the banquet far outweighs the gifts/money gifts people give. Who knew the per head cost of a 3 course meal is upwards of $100 a head? And that excludes little things, and the costs of little things add up. At the end of the day, the wedding ceremony is announcing to the world that a couple are married. And the banquet is a celebration. In accordance with Asian custom it is ideal for everyone to be invited. BUT you might end up sharing this meal with very very very distant relatives and having to fork out extra money to fund their meals. While I would one day like to share my happiness with as many people as possible, it really is a matter of personal choice: I believe the couple should be able to invite who they chose. The lady in the middle of this debate- I totally support her right of free speech. She can choose to invite whoever she wants.
We, as gentiles, as so fortunate. We were invited to the banquet even though we were not part of the chosen people. BUT we must first be chosen by Jesus to be guests.
Matthew 22
New International Version (NIV)
The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
22 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying:2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.3 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.
4 “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ 5 “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business.6 The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them.7 The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come.9 So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes.12 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless. 13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”
Movie summary: Hop is a story of successorship. All he wanted to do was become a drummer but he was the next in line to become the Easter rabbit. So he escapes his magical world and ends up under the care of a young man looking for a future. Both the rabbit and the man find their future paths while a menacing chick tries to take over the magical kingdom.
My thoughts: Hop is a cute animation that families can enjoy together. Not the best movie I have seen but the fact that the villan is a chubby little chicken is worth a laugh in itself. Although the characters are make-believe, there are elements that I can clearly relate to in my own life.
When I was at the end of high school I was struggling with a decision. What did I want to be. What did I want to do? Where did I want to go? I made a lot of decisions which seemed right to me at the time. I made a bunch of applications. I put myself out there. I worked up to 3 jobs at any time. I was building a future for myself. I was drive by a big capital I. Even if I prayed about my future, I was praying that God would give me success in my applications- to get what I want.
Now, some 10 years after graduating from high school, I again am thinking about my future. This time with a PhD under my belt and a lot older. I believe that I am a lot wiser than I was 10 years ago. And this time, as I am making decisions about what I am going to do, where I should go/stay, who I am going to be, I am different. It's no longer, if God is willing, let me do this or that, but a simple- Show me the way and I will go. And this change of heart is not because I am without options or freedom, but simply because God has shown me that surrendering my life to him is the wisest decision.
Jeremiah 29:11
New International Version (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 耶 利 米 書 29:11
Movie summary: Brave follows the story of a young princess as she battles tradition. She struggles to accept that her future will be arranged by her mother- her marriage and the way she is to act. Following mystical creatures, she finds a witch who casts a spell changing her mother. As always, the spell backfires, and she finds that she has turn her mother (and 3 younger brothers) into bears. As her father and the rest of her kingdom try to kill the bear, she struggles to save her mother and their relationship.
My thoughts: I'm not sure I would recommend this film to young children as it contains elements of violence and issues to do with magic. I'm not sure teaching kids about spells that can turn their parents into animals really sell for me. Nevertheless, there are quite distinctive morals in this story- it's all about forgiveness. Both mother and daughter learn to understand, accept and forgive each other's behaviours. And in doing so, learn how to love.
Today's sermon was about how to be a more loving person. And besides learning that love is a choice, a sacrifice, love is also about forgiveness and acceptance.
It's a lesson that I am learning. Through this overseas trip, I have learned to forgive more. But I'm not 100% there yet. Even as I happened across a box of old memories, I found that I am still a long way from forgetting- but now, through understanding, I don't think I hold a grudge anymore.
Movie summary: A couple married with children are used to the same routine. They go on these date nights which are also very routine. One night, they decide to do something different and they head to a chic restaurant in a city. They couldn't get a reservation and assumed the identity of a couple who did not show up in order to dine. And that is where the adventure starts as the mob and police all get involved. As they are running away, they "discuss" issues that have come up in their relationship, from the annoying habits each of them have to issues of trust and love.
My thoughts: As long as you don't expect a cinema masterpiece, you will enjoy a nice night in with Steve Carell. It's slapstick humour combined with the recognition of the daily struggles of a couple in an insane situation. I'm going to say I enjoyed it because the film touched on issues that are really real. It's a film geared at parents more than children.
Couples, once they get married, may loose the excitement and wild life in which they courted. But behind the mundane, the key to a successful relationship is a foundation on love.
My cousin passed on a website which reminds me of this movie. Love, as cliche as it sounds is essential to a relationship. http://theresurgence.com/2012/03/19/for-the-gals-8-principles-for-dating
I recently came across a 20-year-old photo of Phil and me when we were dating. I started thinking about how very little I knew about relationships, men, and marriage then.
Formulating a list of what I would tell myself back then, my advice began with a stern warning to stay away from any man with a mullet . . . but then again, it was the ’90s—every man had a mullet!
On a more serious note, these are eight principles that would have taken much confusion and heartbreak out of those tumultuous dating years. I hope they help you:
1. REPEAT AFTER ME: “YOU ARE LOVED.”
I am not kidding. Repeat. After. Me. Out loud, often, with conviction. These are such simple words to say, but they have the most deep and resounding impact on our souls if we would just believe.
God says to his daughters in Jeremiah: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." Until you have tasted God’s eternal, steadfast, redeeming love, hold off on looking for a man. You may just end up settling for a quick love that cannot fill your core heart’s longing. Even if you are not currently being pursued by a man, you are constantly being pursued by Jesus.
2. YOU ARE LESS BEAUTIFUL THAN YOU THINK AND MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN YOU BELIEVE.
Our sin makes us ugly. No amount of makeup, clothing, or confident, flirtatious façade can change that fact. It takes a humble, redeemed woman changed by God to admit the ugliness of her sin and rest in her beauty in Christ. We must repent of our pride, our shame, our obsession with our looks. We must believe and embrace who God made us to be: beautiful in his image.
True beauty emanates from a woman who boldly and unabashedly knows who she is in Christ.
3. CONSIDER WHAT CONTROLS YOU.
Is it fear, loneliness, demand for a man, seeking approval, career, money?
Let the love of Christ control you. Pay attention to what is controlling your heart as you wait for a date, are in a dating relationship, or even into marriage. We settle for lesser gods than the one who died for us and love us unconditionally.
“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who might live no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” 2 Corinthians 5:14–15
4. ADDRESS YOUR DADDY ISSUES.
Most of us have them—wounds on our hearts from our earthly fathers and their shortcomings. Whether yours was absent and uninvolved or abusive and abandoning, don’t let him define who you believe your heavenly Father to be. Even if you have a godly and protective father, he is not God.
You are not looking for a dad-duplicate or a dad-replacement in a man. You have a perfect heavenly Father.
Let Scripture reveal to you who God is as Dad and what kind of care he gives his daughters.
"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Luke 11:13
5. CHARM AND BEAUTY ARE NOT A GOOD DATING PLAN.
"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30
Often, our grand scheme for how to snag a date goes only skin-deep. We put massive pressure on ourselves to pour on the charm and look cute wherever we go, not realizing that a godly man will also be concerned about inner beauty. God certainly is.
"But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." 1 Peter 3:4
A woman who fears the Lord is one who, despite her desire for a date, fears being far away from God more than she does missing out on a man who is easily fooled by her exterior.
6. REALIZE YOU ARE ALREADY SUBMITTING—OR ARE YOU?
Submission is not only for wives. God asks for a submitted heart now, one that trusts in his provision and plan for your life, including dating. Ultimately, dating, and all of life, is about submission—waiting and trusting God and saying as Jesus does, “Not my will but yours be done.”
This does not, however, leave you helpless, hopeless, and hamstrung in the relationship department. A godly woman can express friendly interest in a brother in Christ.
It is OK to mingle—but don’t manipulate.
Peruse—but don’t pursue. Let him initiate.
Take notice of the godly men serving Jesus around you—but never stalk. It’s creepy.
Cross paths with a man who interests you—but don’t tackle him.
7. DRESS TO KILL . . .
. . . your evil desires and his. We all know what it’s like to be noticed for what we wear. Your desire to draw attention to yourself is vanity. Do not falsely advertise what is not available to anyone but your future husband. Don’t open the door for men to make assumptions about you by what you wear. Help your brothers in Christ by dressing modestly and appropriately (and by all means, neatly, cleanly, and fashionably!) Check your heart for your motives when you dress.
8. GUARD YOUR HEART.
Guarding one’s heart is still an issue even if no one is overtly vying for it. Watch out for the “might be” snare, as in, "He 'might be' flirting with me and so I’m going to get carried away thinking about every possible place [read: marriage] that could lead."
It is entirely possible to honor God, yourself, and a brother in Christ on a date. Don’t elevate him or the relationship to the place that God alone should hold in your heart. Enjoy, don’t idolize . . . and for goodness sake, relax! A cup of coffee does not necessarily mean a diamond ring is soon to follow.
As a single woman, give your heart fully, wholly, unabashedly, and devotedly to Christ alone.
Be active, vigilant, and careful about how much of your heart you give to a man. Be able to walk away from a dating relationship with your whole heart intact so that your future husband is not robbed of part of it down the road. Prayerfully consider what, when, how much to give away.
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
Movie Summary: The story follows a christian social worker as he cares for the disadvantaged on the streets of Hong Kong. He trains them and makes them into a team of soccer players.
My thoughts: You can't rate a christian gospel film the same way as a blockbuster. I think it would be unfair to compare it to Shaolin soccer or any cinema hits. The actors (although some professionals) were not entirely convincing but the storyline made up for it. I first watched this film in a cinema (in a foreign country) filled with hundreds of Asias. I laughed, I tried. I thought, I loved. I really recommend this film for youth groups and for adult fellowships.
Not long ago, I found myself in a really underprivileged part of vancouver. So I've seen homeless people before- on street corners and in asia. While unfortunate in their circumstances, they looked unthreatening. But this particular time, I felt like I was in serious danger. Many of them were not of sane mind, intoxicated or both. They were talking to themselves, their clothes were smelly, they had visible dental issues and the spoke with a gruff and threatening tone. They lugged with them all their belongings- cardboard boxes, clothes, plastic bottles. I wanted to avoid eye contact and run as far as possible.
I am really ashamed of my response to these people in need. And I have a high appreciation for those who work in social work and charity settings who help these people everyday. In fact, Jesus, when he was on Earth hangout with those we wouldn't be caught dead around. He ate with prostitutes, was friends with tax collectors, touched the dirty and diseased.
WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?
Resounding the song... forgiveness, matthew west
Show me how to love, the unloveable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
To do the impossible, forgiveness....
Movie summary: Hugo lives with his dad. His dad has a fascination of fixing things and works in a museum. He takes home a human-shaped broken robot. He and his son try to fix it but before they succeed, he dies. Hugo's custody then lies with his drunken uncle who works to keep the clocks running at a railway station. He mysteriously vanishes from the scene and Hugo is left to survive and run the clocks alone. He befriends a girl and shares with her his vision- that the world is like a machine and there are no extra parts. Each part has it's own worth and purpose. The story follows how Hugo tries to fix the machine against all odds and finds his purpose in life. In the process, the pair go on an adventure that fixes the lives of others.
My thoughts: The film is a marvel. It's beautifully shot. And attention to the detail in the film is breathtaking. It made laugh, shocked, cry. It bought out the themes of love, lost and discovery.
God also doesn't make extra parts. Each part has a purpose. We each have a purpose. I'm in the process of discovering mine.
Movie summary: Happy feet 1 was all about how someone, Mubble, who is different, rejected can be used to save a generation of dying penguins. Mubble dancing captured the attention of the world.
In Happy feet 2, there are three main storylines that become intertwined.
- Mubble is the father of Erik who is afraid to dance. His father tries his best to encourage his son. The little penguin and his friends goes on a little adventure and finds another world of penguins. They worship this "penguin" who can fly. The motto, "If you want it, you can will it, and if you will it, it will be yours". The cult like nature of the "penguin" captures little Erik's imagination.
- A krill named Will realizes that their existence is to be eaten and tries to "evolve" by moving up the food chain. He and his friend Bill go out of the swam on an adventure that would change their lives. Instead of "evolving" the characters learn to adapt.
- Bryant is a large elephant seal who is stubborn and refuses to back up to let the little penguins through. His pride causes him to be trapped in ice and he is saved by Mubble (the little penguin).
The three stories become intertwined when a giant iceberg change causes the emperor penguins to be trapped without food, waiting to die. Only others from the outside can save them. Mubble and Erik try to enlist the help of humans, but a turn of weather causes the humans to leave. The other penguins comes and hunt for food for the trapped penguins. The cult "penguin" tries his best to teach the others to fly out, but they become aware that it's not possible, because this "penguin" wasn't a penguin at all. Finally, Bryant (and the other elephant seals), the krill and all the penguin friends all work together in dance to free the emperor penguins.
My thoughts: It's amazing. I liked happy feet 1, happy feet 2 was just as good. ok, so the concepts were no longer that new. The sound track and plot made me teary and wanting to dance many times throughout the movie. It's a really good movie for all ages.
I was so touched during the movie though. It's definitely not just made for kids.
There are so many elements of the movie that made me reflect. But for my upcoming trip to the States, I have found certain inspiration from the movie.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help, and be specific in the requests
- Faith and determination can get you a long way
- You can change your destiny. But perhaps it doesn't work in the way you expect.
Like the Krill, from the moment we were born, we were crawling closer to eternal death. But we have been offered the opportunity to CHANGE. To EVOLVE. We have been offered the opportunity for ETERNAL LIFE. Our destiny is in our hands. God has already reached out to us, he has already paid the ultimate price by dying on the cross for our sins. All we have to do is to accept this amazing gift and let him be the lord over our lives.
Like Bryant, sometimes we have to "back up" some times we have to go backwards in order to go forwards. After some careful reflection of our past, we can learn from our mistakes and make giant leaps forward not only to save our own lives, but the lives of others.
Like Erik, sometimes fitting in can be hard. Living up to the expectations of greatness can be daunting. But if we try our best, in our own capacity, our earthly and heavenly parents can't ask for more!
Knock back the pride, Can you learn from tiny little penguins too?
