Dear First Pres,
 
 
Did you know that this might be one of the most unusual weekends at the movie theater?  This weekend there are three faith based films playing in theaters all around the country.  Son of God is a movie produced by Mark Burnett (yeah, the guy who produces TV shows Survivor, The Voice, and The Apprentice) and his wife, Roma Downey.  I listened to Mark talk about the film this summer. I appreciated his heart; he hoped that it would faithfully manifest the Gospel.  Another movie that starts on Friday is Noah, starring Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly.  I'm confident that both of these movies take some of artistic license, but I think we should support such efforts.  These are biblical stories being shown in our local theaters; how cool is that?!

     Another movie that is showing this weekend is God's Not Dead, which finished last weekend in the top five for box office revenue.  It's the story of a college freshman confronted with a professor who endorses Nietzshe's famous statement: God is dead. The film follows the student's journey as he struggles to articulate his Christian faith. Audrey Arce, our Front Desk Administrator, says it is an awesome movie.  The high school students are gathering on Saturday to watch it at Edwards Cinema, and I encourage you to see it, as well.

     Can you remember a time when there were three faith based movies in the theater at the same time?  I will rarely, if ever, say this again - Church, go see a movie!  We should be engaging these films with our friends.  Use them to launch conversations about faith.  Don't get caught up in arguing about biblical accuracy or how Jewish Jesus looks.  Focus on the stories. Let God speak to you through them.  Go to the movies, and pray that God works through them to proclaim the Good News that God's not dead, that His promises are true, and that He sent the Son of God to be our Savior.

P.S. Men, if you have been waiting to sign up for the Men's Conference, there isn't any more time to wait.  Get signed up this weekend. You won't regret it.

Movie Titles Are Links To Trailers