MOVIE CORNER

I came across an interesting movie called, China Cry this month from Netflix. The critique Netflix gave made me bypass it until I read the reviews by other viewers. Here is an excerpt from one such review that caught my eye written by a woman who didn't leave her name:

As someone who is Chinese and who has had the Cultural Revolution personally impact my family, I would have to say that I actually thought this movie was a decent film. It isn't necessarily over the top dramatic but many of the scenes within this movie were things that actually took place in history and as for the acting, a lot of it was accurate to Chinese culture. It touched me and made me think about a lot of things in relation to history. As for why it did not become a hit, I think that is simply because not many people know what the Cultural Revolution even is and Asian films (besides Anime and martial arts movies) have only begun to have any renown in the United States within the last 5 yrs or so.

China Cry is the story of one woman's survival and faith in the face of Communist oppression. Growing up in Shanghai in 1941, little Nora Lam lived like a princess until bombs disrupt her paradise and the Japanese soldiers seize her home.

After the war, the Communists take over and she joins the Party as most did. However, love strikes and she marries a Hong Kong man causing persecution from the very Party she serves. The young woman turns to God for salvation as she tries to survive her horrible circumstances.

The movie had a lot of my favorite features; it was based on a true story, dealt with a part of history that isn't taught well in the U.S. and makes one ask how much persecution they could endure. Christians in the U.S. often appear weak and willing to hand over their faith just because saying Merry Christmas might insult someone but I believe that when push comes to shove, a true Christian will stand up to anyone on Earth for their right to believe in the Lord. This movie portrays that instinct.

Many [are] my persecutors and mine enemies; [yet] do I not decline from thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:157

Everyone ought to worship God according to his own inclinations, and not to be constrained by force.>br> Flavius Josephus
Jewish-Roman historian (37 AD - 100 AD)

THE POWER OF GOD

They mounted up to Heaven, They went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their calamity.
Psalm 107, v.26

Terror, sheer terror! That must have been what the mariners felt in this psalm as their boat road up and down in the huge, storm tossed waves. Otherwise brave men cowered in the force of the sea.

For us, in today's world, the nearest feeling is the first drop of the highest roller coaster. For the ancient Israelites, the sea always symbolized chaos; the world out of control. But they believed the Yahweh, their God, was a power greater than the chaos.

It makes me think that our image of God is much too small. I think we tend to imagine God more as a kindly old friend who stops by once in a while rather than the all-powerful creator of Heaven and Earth. Perhaps it's easier that way. Maybe it gives us the illusion that we are in control. However, the psalmist reminds us that we are not in control. God can toss those waves as well as still them. It's good to know we have such power on our side!

The Gospels tell us that Jesus embodies this all powerful God and teaches that the God who controls the chaos is also the God who loves us enough to die for us. Our world has been a roller coaster ride or more like that ship at sea recently. We need God in our lives now for He is greater than the chaos.

I like to pray: Almighty God, thank you for your power and even more for your great Love. Amen.

Wherefore glorify ye the Lord in the fires, [even] the name of the Lord God of Israel in the isles of the sea.
Isaiah 24:15

A few reminders of God's power: