Christian Movie Review

March 6, 2017February 13, 2018

Emptied & Humbled: Spider-man 2 – Choice

This is part of Emptied & Humbled, a movie based Lenten devotional. The whole devotional can be found here.

We all make choices. Do you choose to serve yourself or do you choose to serve others?

Lent is about choice. We choose what to give up as a way to remember and observe what Jesus choose to give up for us. We choose to give something up/fast as a way to remove those things that stand between God and us.

Spider-man II is also about choice

As this movie poster shows, Spider-man II is all about choice. (FYI – spoilers…)

If you can, watch Spider-man 2. Don’t be fooled by how shallow the Amazing Spider-man movies have been. Spider-man II has a depth to it that the new ones don’t. As you watch it, pay attention to what Peter Parker wants.

Peter Parker wants:

A job (or to keep his job)
A girlfriend
Good grades in school

Peter Parker wants good things. He wants admirable things. He wants what we want for ourselves and what we want for our own kids. Pursuing these things, however, means not being Spider-man and serving others.

Getting/keeping the job means not being the hero.

Getting the girl means not helping others.

Getting good grades means not being Spider-man.

Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Philippians 2:3

Everyday we choose between serving ourselves and serving others.

Does our own selfish ambition and vanity motivate us? Or do the needs of others motivate us?

Sometimes these choices compliment each other. Sometimes they fit like a puzzle and you end up getting both.

Sometimes they do not.

Sometimes we have to give up what we want to help others get what they want.

This is the choice that Peter Parker must make. Will he pursue money (his job), a girlfriend and good grades? Or will he be the hero who saves others? He has to make a choice.

Will he chase his own desires or will he empty himself of his own selfish ambitions and be the hero?

Will he humble himself and choose to help others instead of just helping himself?

What about you? What do you want?

For what do you desire?

What would getting what you want mean for others?

Are there areas of your life that you “fill up” at the cost of other people? Are there areas of your life that you fill up when you empty them instead?

Philippians 2 says that Jesus emptied himself and humbled himself. We know the story and can easily see that this is true. Jesus gave up his own life to save my life. Jesus gave up his own life to save your life.

What would this sacrificial emptying and humbling look like in your life?

Here is my first challenge to you:

[Tweet “During Lent, examine your life for areas where you take, but should be giving.”]

This is part of Emptied & Humbled, a movie based Lenten devotional. The whole devotional can be found here.

[Tweet “Check out Emptied & Humbled, a movie based Lenten devotional.”]

Get my free e-book, How to See God’s Story in Movies. This free download will help you share God’s story with your kids and students by showing you how to see God’s story in movies.

Not only will this guarantee that you get the latest Reel Parables posts, but you will also get my most popular downloads, including “How to Time Travel.”

And be sure to check out my About page for more info on what I do around here at Reel Parables.

Until next time, God bless.

Simon L Smith

February 26, 2016

2015 Movie Awards – Best Spiritual Gifts Reel Parable

(This is Part 5 of our 1st annual Reel Parables Movie Awards. The rest of the Reel Parables Movie Awards (for 2015) can be found here. These movies – and these awards – are greatly influenced by my How to See God’s Story in Movies series. Be sure to check it out to learn how I do what I do.) 2016 Movie Awards - Spiritual Gifts

Our next award goes to the movie that is the best Spiritual Gifts Reel Parable.

And the award for best Spiritual Gifts Reel Parable goes to… The Avengers: Age of Ultron!

Avengers: Age of Ultron and Spiritual Gifts

This was an easy one! Why? Because pretty much any “super hero team” movie shows us what it’s like to use our spiritual gifts in the church!

The Incredibles – YES!
The Avengers – Duh!
Fantastic Four – Well, yes, even if the movie wasn’t that great.
Suicide Squad – I assume it will…

Here is why:

Each hero has a different gift.
No one gift can get the job done.
They use their gifts for the same purpose.
They win or lose together, in community.

This is exactly how it is with our spiritual gifts!

We see in 1 Corinthians 12 that not everyone has the same gift. There are different gifts for different people.

The church is made up of all the gifts! For a church to be healthy and vibrant, we need all the gifts, not just one.

In the church we use our gifts for the same purpose: To “be the church,” to “be the body of Christ,” to fulfill the great commission, etc.

We succeed or fail together. No christian should be a Lone Ranger. No christian can properly use their spiritual gift alone.

Our Spiritual Gifts require us to live in – work in – minister in – community!

The next time you watch a movie like this with your kids, let them know that this is how the church should be!

Avengers & Spiritual Gifts

Hey, if you don’t already own Avengers: Age of Ultron and plan to buy it, please consider using this link. It won’t cost you anything more, and it will help us out here at Reel Parables. Thanks!

Also, would you please do me a favor? Would you share this with someone you think would enjoy it? And If you haven’t already, will you please like us over at Facebook (click below) and sign up for the Reel Parables email list?

Not only will this guarantee that you get the latest Reel Parables posts, but you will also get my most popular downloads, including “How to See God’s Story in Movies,”

And be sure to check out our new Start Here and About pages!

Until next time, – God bless.

Simon L Smith

February 25, 2016

2015 Movie Awards – Best Redemption Reel Parable

(This is Part 4 of our 1st annual Reel Parables Movie Awards. The rest of the Reel Parables Movie Awards (for 2015) can be found here. These movies – and these awards – are greatly influenced by my How to See God’s Story in Movies series. Be sure to check it out to learn how I do what I do.)

2016 Movie Awards - Resurrection

Our next award goes to the movie that is the best Redemption Reel Parable.

And the award for best Redemption Reel Parable goes to… CREED!

See why CREED is the best Redemption Reel Parable of 2015

re·demp·tion: rəˈdem(p)SH(ə)n/

noun: redemption

The action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.

I try to stay positive here at Reel Parables and rarely go negative, but let’s get the obvious out of the way. Yes, CREED did indeed redeem the Rocky franchise. CREED brought a fresh – and surprisingly honest – look at the aging franchise, as well as its aging star.

Creed, Legacy, and Redemption

I know this is not a typical Redemption story, like a Schindler’s List where he literally buys back – redeems – people for a fiery death, but here me out.

Mary Anne, Apollo Creed’s widow, saves Adonis Creed, a child Apollo had from an extramarital affair years before, from the foster care system. In a very real way she saves his life.
Adonis saves (redeems) the Creed name.
Adonis redeems his story:

Adonis: “Don’t! I have to prove it!”

Rocky:”Prove what?”

Adonis: “That I’m not a mistake!”

This is a powerful scene in what could have been a cheesy movie. Adonis, who never really knew his father, wants to be more than he is. He wants purpose.

Adonis redeems his story. He is (or at least becomes) far more than the bastard child of an illicit affair.

He redeems the name, a name he feels unworthy to be called by.

Does he win the big fight? It doesn’t really matter. The real battle was for his heart. And he won that battle.

But he didn’t do it alone. He also redeemed Rocky.

Adonis did not do all of this on his own. He did it in community.

First with Mary Anne and then with Rocky. Other invested in his life. And he invested in others, specifically, Rocky.

He shows Rocky that life is worth fighting for. In the same way that Rocky shows Adonis that life – and purpose – is worth fighting for.

[Tweet “Yes, CREED is about boxing, legacy, purpose, but it is also about redemption!”]

CREED and Redemption

Hey, if you don’t already own CREED and plan to buy it, please consider using this link. It won’t cost you anything more, and it will help us out here at Reel Parables. Thanks!

Not only will this guarantee that you get the latest Reel Parables posts, but you will also get my most popular downloads, including “How to See God’s Story in Movies,”

And be sure to check out our new Start Here and About pages!

Until next time, – God bless.

Simon L Smith

February 24, 2016

2015 Movie Awards – Best Sacrificial Death Reel Parable

(This is Part 3 of our 1st annual Reel Parables Movie Awards. The rest of the Reel Parables Movie Awards (for 2015) can be found here. These movies – and these awards – are greatly influenced by my How to See God’s Story in Movies series. Be sure to check it out to learn how I do what I do.)

2016 Movie Awards - Sacrificial Death

Our next award goes to the movie that is the best Sacrificial Death Reel Parable.

And the award for best Sacrificial Death Reel Parable goes to… Inside Out!

Why Inside Out is the Best Reel Parable about Sacrifice & Sacrificial Death

As I said over on the Reel Parables Facebook page, Inside Out is an important movie. Sure, it’s entertaining, it’s funny for both kids and adults; typical Pixar. But it is an important movie because of the way that it shows us that emotions, especially sadness (grief), are not to be feared.

After all, there *is* a time to laugh and there is *also* a time to weep. (Ecclesiastes 3:4)

But I digress. Inside Out is also the best Sacrificial Death Reel Parable of 2015!

Bing Bong loved Riely the way God loves you!

Bing Bong loved Riley the way God loves us!

Even though Riley “outgrew” her imaginary friend Bing Bong, Bing Bong never outgrew – or gave up – on her.

So much so that he sacrificed himself in the Memory Dump to save her. Yes, in order to save Joy from the Memory Dump, so she can save Riley, Bing Bong sacrifices himself. He falls out of the wagon so that Joy can reach the top. In doing so he falls back into the Memory Dump and forgotten is by Riley forever.

Bing Bong loved Riely the way God loves you!

He sacrificed himself to save Riley. Just like Jesus sacrificed himself to save us.

But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Bing Bong loved Riely the way God loves you!

Hey, if you don’t already own Inside Out and plan to buy it, please consider using this link. It won’t cost you anything more, and it will help us out here at Reel Parables. Thanks!

Not only will this guarantee that you get the latest Reel Parables posts, but you will also get my most popular downloads, including “How to See God’s Story in Movies,”

And be sure to check out our new Start Here and About pages!

Until next time, – God bless.

Simon L Smith

February 23, 2016

2015 Movie Awards – Best Super Hero Jesus Reel Parable

(This is Part 2 of our 1st annual Reel Parables Movie Awards. The rest of the Reel Parables Movie Awards (for 2015) can be found here. These movies – and these awards – are greatly influenced by my How to See God’s Story in Movies series. Be sure to check it out to learn how I do what I do.)

2016 Movie Awards - Super Hero Jesus

Our next award goes to the movie that is the best Super Hero Jesus Reel Parable.

And the award for best Super Hero Jesus Reel Parable goes to… Mad Max: Fury Road!

SuperHeroMax

Yeah, yeah, I know that this is not your typical Super Hero movie, but it is a fantastic Super Hero Jesus Reel Parable!

First, Max *is* a hero. And he is pretty super. (See what I did there?)

He gives of himself to help others. He empties himself to save others. He sacrifices of himself to save others. And let’s not forget the blood!

Max is more than “blood bag.” Max is actually a universal donor. Max’s blood saves. And he gives it freely to save Furiosa.

Why? Because he is a Super Hero Jesus!

And remember the “living water.” Max’s sacrifice results in the living water being made available to everyone. Yes, his sacrifice saves everyone.

SUPERHEROJESUS

Hey, if you don’t already own Mad Max Fury Road and plan to buy it, please consider using this link. It won’t cost you anything more, and it will help us out here at Reel Parables. Thanks!

Not only will this guarantee that you get the latest Reel Parables posts, but you will also get my most popular downloads, including “How to See God’s Story in Movies,”

And be sure to check out our new Start Here and About pages!

Until next time, – God bless.

Simon L Smith

February 22, 2016

2015 Movie Awards – Best Prodigal Son Reel Parable

(This is Part 1 of our 1st annual Reel Parables Movie Awards. The rest of the Reel Parables Movie Awards (for 2015) can be found here. These movies – and these awards – are greatly influenced by my How to See God’s Story in Movies series. Be sure to check it out to learn how I do what I do.)

2016 Movie Awards - Prodigal Son

Our first award goes to the movie that is the best Prodigal Son Reel Parable.

And the award for best Prodigal Son Reel Parable goes to… The Martian!

Bring-Him-Home

This one was easy because The Martin is a fantastic retelling of the Lost Parables, especially the Prodigal Son.

Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is lost on Mars. Presumed dead, his team leaves him behind when they evacuate Mars due to a deadly storm.

Yeah, he isn’t “lost” because of his actions, but he is lost.

He is missing.

He is the prodigal.

But he is also valuable.

While the team on Earth tries to figure out a way to get him home, his crew mates decide to go rogue, return to Mars, and try to save him.

They go back to Mars to find the prodigal.

These crew mates are willing to sacrifice their wants and their desires (going home, seeing their families, etc.) to return to Mars to save him.

He is lost.

They sacrifice to find him.

That, at its core, is the story of the Lost Parables.

TheProdigalSon

Hey, if you don’t already own the Martian and plan to buy it, please consider using this link. It won’t cost you anything more, and it will help us out here at Reel Parables. Thanks!

Not only will this guarantee that you get the latest Reel Parables posts, but you will also get my most popular downloads, including “How to See God’s Story in Movies,”

And be sure to check out our new Start Here and About pages!

Until next time, – God bless.

Simon L Smith

February 21, 2016

1st Annual Reel Parables Awards

Welcome to the first annual Reel Parables Movie Awards!

With Award Season in full swing, we wanted to throw our proverbial “hat into the ring” and give our own awards for the best Reel Parables from 2015.

These movies – and these awards – are greatly influenced by my How to See God’s Story in Movies series. Be sure to check it out to learn how I do what I do.

2016 Movie Awards

As a build up to one of my guiltiest pleasures, the Oscars, we will announce one Reel Parable Movie Award a day.

Monday – Best Prodigal Son Reel Parable

Tuesday – Best “Super Hero” Jesus Reel Parable

Wednesday – Best Sacrificial Death Reel Parable

Thursday – Best Redemption Reel Parable

Friday – Best Spiritual Gifts Reel Parable

Hey, would you please do me a favor? Would you share this with someone you think would enjoy it? And If you haven’t already, will you please like us over at Facebook (click below) and sign up for the Reel Parables email list?

Not only will this guarantee that you get the latest Reel Parables posts, but you will also get my most popular downloads, including “How to See God’s Story in Movies,”

And be sure to check out our new Start Here and About pages!

Until next time, – God bless.

Simon L Smith

January 13, 2016

The Past, Present, and Future of Reel Parables! (A look back at 2015 and what’s coming in 2016)

The Past (a look back at 2015)

Reel Parables had an awesome 2015! We reached 48 different countries and continued to support our favorite missionary. Here are the top 10 posts that made that possible!

Wreck-it Ralph and Disney’s Frozen easily take the top spots accounting for 6 of my top 10 posts.

Also, I find it funny that only part 2 of a 3 part series made the top 10!

The Present (recent changes)

Because Wreck-it Ralph and Disney’s Frozen are still so popular, I’ve redesigned our Menus and gathered all their content onto one easy-to-find and use page.

Just go to Movies and then select the movie from the drop-down menu. Going forward I will add all movies that get more than a few posts here so that they are easier to find.

I’ve also added a Categories feature to the sidebar with some of the more popular or interesting Categories. Again, the idea is to make it easier for you to find what it is you are looking for.

The Future (what’s coming in 2016)

In addition to writing more about music, I also want to post more regularly. This will look like smaller/shorter, but far more purposeful and actionable, posts.

The Reel Parables Movie Awards

2016 will also be the first year of the Reel Parables Movie Awards! Like the Golden Globes and the Oscars, we will look at the year’s best movies. Unlike those awards, we will look at them through the eyes of Reel Parables and Sharing God’s Story.

I have wanted to do this for some time and am super excited!

Reel Parables TV

Possibly the thing I am most excited about…. 2016 will also see the launch of Reel Parables TV!

I enjoyed experimenting with the podcast, but we talk about movies, and movies are visual! (Besides, I always wanted to have my own TV show, not my own radio show!)

I will use the audio to feed the podcast, for those that prefer to listen, but plan to move it to a more visual presentation. I plan to interview Christian leaders in the entertainment space, and pastors and teachers who are currently using movies in their preaching and teaching.

Oh yea, I even got my favorite Christian musician and director (STEVE TAYLOR!) to record a brief into to it.

I am beyond excited.

New Devotionals

I was a bit surprised to see Finding Nemo cracking the top 10. I guess I shouldn’t be with Finding Dory coming soon. To get us ready for Finding Dory, I am finishing up my Sharing God’s Story with Finding Nemo devotional. I will let you all know when it is available. Until then check out our Store for our other movie based devotionals.

Along with Finding Nemo, I am also working on a few more Youth Group specific items and a Super Hero Summer series. I will keep you posted.

[Tweet “Check out a better kind of Christian movie review over at Reel Parables”]

Get my free e-book, How to See God’s Story in Movies. This free download will help you share God’s story with your kids and students by showing you how to see God’s story in movies.

Not only will this guarantee that you get the latest Reel Parables posts, but you will also get my most popular downloads, including “How to Time Travel.”

And be sure to check out our new Start Here and About pages!

Until next time, God bless.

Simon L Smith

Not only will this guarantee that you get the latest Reel Parables posts, but you will also get my most popular downloads, including “How to See God’s Story in Movies.”

And be sure to check out our new Start Here and About pages!

Until next time, God bless.

Simon L Smith

January 8, 2016February 14, 2018

Wreck-it Ralph Christian Movie Review – Resurrection

Sharing God’s Story with Wreck-it Ralph

This Reel Parable has major spoilers, and I mean major. Major like “did you know Old Yeller dies?” major. This movie bible study assumes that you have seen Wreck-it Ralph or don’t care if we spoil it for you. We warned you…

This is part 6 of a 6 part Christian movie review of Wreck-it Ralph. You can find all of our Wreck-it Ralph content here.

Sharing God’s story with Wreck-it Ralph

It’s no secret that I love Wreck-it Ralph. The way that it shows us what the resurrection looks like is one big reason why! Not only do we get to the a “new heaven and a new earth,” but we also get to see a resurrected/glorified body AND our true identity!

Run the Race

Because of Ralph’s sacrifice, Vanellope finished the race. She finished the race. That alone is quite biblical!

I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith! (2 Timothy 4:7)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us… (Hebrews 12:1)

With the help of her “cloud of witnesses,” her community, Vanellope was able to run the race and finish the race.

Don’t give up the race. And don’t give up on your community.

But wait, there’s more!

A New Heaven and a New Earth

By finishing the race – by crossing the finish line – the world of Sugar Rush is reset. The corrupt and counterfeit world, ruled by the counterfeit king, was made new!

Sugar Rush was made right. The old went away. The new came.

The corrupted (hacked by King Candy) world of Sugar Rush was made new and restored back to its original creation!

The fallen world of Sugar Rush was made new and restored back to its original creation!

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth… (Revelations 21:1a)

For look, I am ready to create new heavens and a new earth! The former ones will not be remembered; no one will think about them anymore. (Isaiah 65:17)

While waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God? Because of this day, the heavens will be burned up and dissolve, and the celestial bodies will melt away in a blaze! But, according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness truly resides. (2 Peter 3:12-13)

We know our “end” is not really the end, but a new beginning. Someday this painful, hurtful, vengeful world will be made new, just like Sugar Rush!

[Tweet “Yes, someday our broken world will be made new, just like Sugar Rush was made new!”]

Someday this ugly world will be made beautiful!

But wait, there is *still* more!

Princess Vanellope

Not only was Sugar Rush made new, but so was Vanellope!

The once glitchy “mistake,” the perishable little girl could not leave the game because she would die, was raised imperishable!

It is the same with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. (I Corinthians 15:42)

So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away – look, what is new has come! (II Corinthians 5:17)

Don’t miss the story here.

Ralph offers himself as a sacrifice to save not just Vanellope, but all of Sugar Rush.

Because of his sacrifice Vanellope able to finish the race and cross the finish line!

The game – the world of Sugar Rush – is made new and restored to its perfect and original creation.

Vanellope, too, is made new and raised up in her new and perfected body!

But wait, there is still even more!

Not only is Vanellope made new, but her *true* identify is revealed.

Vanellope, this glitchy nobody, is actually Princess Vanellope. Yeah, Princess. So, yeah, she is the daughter of the one true king!

The same is true for Christians!

But when the appropriate time had come, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we may be adopted as sons with full rights. And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, who calls “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if you are a son, then you are also an heir through God. (Galatians 4:4-7)

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children. And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ). (Romans 8:14-17a)

Yes, as Christians we are sons and daughters of the one true King! We are fellow heirs with Jesus Christ himself!

[Tweet “Like Vanellope, we too are sons and daughters of the one true King!”]

This should be so encouraging to you. Just like Vanellope we all have our own “glitches.” We are all fallen and broken in some way.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3″23)

But just like Vanellope we too can be royalty. She was saved by Ralph’s sacrifice, we are saved by Jesus’ sacrifice!

We, too, can be made new. When we believe in Jesus we join God’s family.

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31a)

I assume that if you are reading this then you do believe. If not, then today is the day!

Prince-and-Princess-Crown-Cut-Outs (Right click and save)

Here is a great way to share God’s story with your kid(s). Make and decorate a Prince and/or Princess crown! Be sure to write Prince/Princess and your name and your kid’s name. And wear them proudly!

[Tweet “Check out this better kind of Christian movie review of Wreck-it Ralph!”]

Get my free e-book, How to See God’s Story in Movies. This free download will help you share God’s story with your kids and students by showing you how to see God’s story in movies.

Not only will this guarantee that you get the latest Reel Parables posts, but you will also get my most popular downloads, including “How to Time Travel.”

And be sure to check out my About page for more info on what I do around here at Reel Parables.

Until next time, God bless.

Simon L Smith

Sharing God’s Story with Wreck-it Ralph

December 11, 2015February 15, 2018

Sharing God’s Story with Disney’s Frozen – Kristoff & Community

Today’s post is from the Sharing God’s Story with Disney’s Frozen bible study.

This movie based bible study uses Disney’s Frozen and therefore contains spoilers.

Be sure to check out our Frozen page for more ways to share God’s story with Disney’s Frozen.

Almost everything Anna does, she does in the community.

Early in Disney’s Frozen, Anna has her family. When her parents die, she still has Elsa, for a while. She longs for the gates to open so she can join the community outside her castle walls. She also had the company of Kristoff and Sven while she was searching for Elsa.

Anna loves community.

The same is true for Kristoff. Not only does he have Sven, but he also has the trolls.

Elsa, on the other hand, has no one.

She hides from Anna and eventually runs away. She leaves her kingdom, where she should be queen, to set up her own lonely kingdom. Instead of a community, Elsa pursues solitude.

We are made for community.

The triune God – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – live in a community. Before there was anything, before Genesis 1:1, there was God and there was a community.

God told Adam that it is not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). We are created for community.

The Bible assumes that we will live in a community.

And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works, not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

We cannot spur one another on to love and good works if we are not with one another.

We cannot encourage each other if we are not with each other.

So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness. (James 5:16)

We cannot confess our sins to one another if we are not with one another.

Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)

We cannot carry one another’s burdens if we are not with one another.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15)

We cannot rejoice with those who rejoice or weep with those who weep if we are not with those who are rejoicing and weeping.

Treat others in the same way that you would want them to treat you. (Luke 6:31)

Back to the Golden Rule – We cannot treat others the way we want to be treated if we are not with others.

[Tweet “We cannot treat others the way we want to be treated if we are not with others.”]

God – and the Bible – assume that we are in a community.

Are you currently in a community?

If not, do you miss community?

Do you avoid community?

If so, why do you avoid community?

One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires; he rejects all sound judgment. (Proverbs 18:1)

Do you isolate yourself? If so why?

Are you hiding something?

Remember, you cannot hide your actions (sins) from God. He sees everything. He knows everything. And he still loves you.

I would encourage you to find a good Christian/Church community if you are not already in one. You were made for community. You need to be in community.

If you are already a part of a good Christian/Church community, seek out someone who is not. Invite someone to join you in your faith community. Find an outsider on the fringe of your faith community and help them become a real part of it.

Live life with others.

More than likely you are in some sort of community. For some of us, it is related to our favorite sports team or college alma mater, a favorite movie or TV show (I’m looking at you Trekkies!), a favorite band, etc. Everyone, to some degree, is in a community. The community we need, however, is more than just like interests. We need a faith community. These other communities are great, but they should never replace our faith community.

Like this? Be sure to head on over to Amazon and check out Sharing God’s Story with Disney’s Frozen!

Sharing is caring! Would you please share this post? I truly appreciate it.

Also, here are some free downloads to help you share God’s story with Disney’s Frozen!

SharingGodsStorywithFrozen (Frozen and the “Romans Road”)

SharingGodsStorywithDisneysFrozenandtheWordlessBook (Frozen and the Wordless Book)

Get my free e-book, How to See God’s Story in Movies. This free download will help you share God’s story with your kids and students by showing you how to see God’s story in movies.

Not only will this guarantee that you get the latest Reel Parables posts, but you will also get my most popular downloads, including “How to Time Travel.”

And be sure to check out my About page for more info on what I do around here at Reel Parables.

Until next time, God bless.

Simon L Smith