MOVIE & BOOK CORNER

I was asked by the church librarian, Helen, to review a movie. Helen is a great librarian and friend and the church has an awesome library so when she wants a book or movie reviewed, it becomes a priority or I’m in trouble for sure.

I’m not sure how to write a good review of the movie but I want to be fair about The List, which was adapted from the book of the same title. First, here is what Netflix said about it.

Shaken by his father's mysterious death, attorney Renny Jacobson is puzzled by the conditions of the will. In his quest to learn the truth, Renny discovers that his life---and the life of the woman he loves---depends on his fulfilling a prophecy spoken in 1863. What will it take to deliver him from the curse of "the list"? (PG.) 107 minutes.

Renny is a lawyer and he is not so much “shaken” by his father’s death as he is obsessed by the amount of money he expects out of it. He unearths a closely guarded family secret when his father dies which leaves him interest in an obscure entity known as The Covenant List of South Carolina, Ltd.

Convinced that the fall of the Confederacy is at hand after the Battle of Gettysburg, a group of South Carolina plantation owners gather and hatch a plan to smuggle their fortunes into Europe. The interests of the families have been passed down through the generations, the profit margin has exploded, and with each passing year the secret grows more sinister.

The other members of The List get him swept up in a whirlwind of greed and deception cloaked in a cultish lifestyle using the occult and supernatural beliefs. They want Renny under their control or they will ruin him. Their wish is to keep the assets in a Swiss bank but Renny wants his share of the money so he can start a new life with his new love. His new love, Jo, was also there because of her father’s will but she does not get involved with the society.

I looked into this movie and it has quite a following. Many people were shaken by it and have started Bible studies based on it. I would view it as an action/love story. It has a recurring line, “Friends and enemies of God have one thing in common. They both underestimate the power of prayer.” I like that line and it is true, however I think one discussion after the movie will suffice.

It’s a fictional story of greed and power of the “Old” South and one man’s battle against evil. The love interest could have been played out more. Out of four stars, I would give it one and a half. Watch it when it comes on TV but don’t lose sleep over it. Pass the popcorn and bring on the next film.

Nothing is permanent in this wicked world - not even our troubles.
Charlie Chaplin (1889 - 1977)

PEACE IN BATTLE

We rejoice in our sufferings.
Romans 5:3

I saw a lot of combat in Vietnam and in the midst of every battle, I found peace. That may sound odd but a soldier can and often does possess peace, even in the heat of battle. The peace I’m referring to is found in the loyal Comrade next to him.

While we were still His enemies on opposing lines, this Comrade laid down His life to give us peace (Romans 5: 8-9). Since He willingly did this for us, just imagine what He will do for us now that He forgives us and inspires us to suffer, labor, and endure on the front lines for Him. These struggles occur because He has restored and reconciled us to Himself.

His devotion to us creates devotion in us. So we rejoice as we struggle for Him, because God has loved us.

Tradition states that Simon and Jude struggled together as great and close friends. They evangelized and died alongside each other in Persia. In the midst of fierce battles and attacks from the evil one, they rejoiced in the peace given them by their faithful Comrade beside them, Jesus Christ.

I found a neat little poetic prayer that fits here:

“A noble army, men and boys,
The matron and the maid,
Around the Savior’s throne rejoice,
In robes of light arrayed.
They climbed the steep ascent of heav’n
Through peril, toil and pain.
O God, to us may grace be giv’n
To follow in their train.”
-Amen.

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain.

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
Psalms 30:11

Five things you can't recover:
The stone........after the throw.
The word........after it's said.
The occasion........after it's missed.
The time..........after it's gone. Or the leap!