MOVIE & BOOK CORNER

I found a delightful surprise in a movie titled, The Children of Huang Shi in the fact that it is a true story. I won’t say why, but I guarantee you will stay for the credits.

"The Children of Huang Shi is a sweeping historical drama about a British correspondent, George Hogg who goes to China in the early years of Japan’s occupation of China in the 1930’s. He learns right away that the Japanese weren’t playing games and he must be careful for his very life.

As a victim of circumstance, he finds himself looking out for 60 war orphans. With the help of a guerilla fighter and a nurse, he leads the children across hundreds of miles of treacherous terrain, struggling to overcome one obstacle after another, while falling in love and learning what courage truly means.

I’m a sucker for movies that are based on true stories. This one has more elements of a great story than the best writers can conjure up in their wildest dreams. It is a foreign film though and not subject to the rating system in the United States so I will say that because of certain violent scenes in the beginning, it isn’t suitable for young children. However, it deals with a part of history rarely talked about and ignored by history books in the U.S. which adds greatly to the story.

In another true story I found at Netflix this past month, I learned about a controversial evangelist, Leroy Jenkins in the movie, Man of Faith. Leroy was raised in poverty and haunted by ghosts, only to find Jesus in Atlanta.

Leroy Jenkins has been touched by "The Spirit," and his mission in life is to pass on the good word to a population enraptured by sin and decadence. As Jenkins' empire rapidly evolves into the largest ministry in America, his burgeoning friendship with actress Mae West soon paves the path for the minister himself to achieve celebrity status.

Blessed with the stage presence of Elvis and imparted with a flamboyant sense of style inspired by Liberace, Jenkins' intolerance for anyone who voices descent finds his list of enemies multiplying almost as fast as his list of followers. When betrayal comes knocking at the headstrong holy man's door, Jenkins is forced to face up to his all-consuming pride and turn to The Spirit in hopes of reconciling his situation before it's too late.

We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. Set aside some of your time, make some popcorn in your convenient microwave and enjoy a good movie with the family.

Book of Life

He who conquers shall be clad thus in white garments, and I will not blot his name out of the book of life; I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.
Revelation 3:5

Secularism pervades our world. By accepting all kinds of philosophies, people can no longer decipher right from wrong, nor can they bridle their desires. They coddle and support false gods, but hate and ridicule the Christian Church. They don’t reject religion, but they reject the one true God.

This is nothing new. In a spiritual stupor, the Church in Sardis closed its eyes to the flourishing secularism in its community (Revelation 3:1-6). They had no opposition or troubles. Satan watched over their deadly slumber.

But even in Sardis, some were alive in Christ. They resisted indifference and were ever on guard against the evil of the world. Christ, the one who conquers, promised to dress them in white garments and keep their names written in His Book of Life. His robes of purity cover the faithful. His righteous blood etches the names of the forgiven in His Book of Life.

Through His Law, God calls us to repent. Through His Gospel and Sacraments, He raises us from the deadness of our sin to life in Jesus Christ. By His grace alone, we wear Christ’s holiness and ever remain in His Book of Life.

Lord Jesus, bless Your Church with sound doctrine and true faithfulness. Amen.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Matthew 18:20

My friend, Pastor Arthur and members of his ministry, Christ for Every Nation.