MOVIE CORNER

As a Vietnam vet and a fan of John Lithgow, I was automatically drawn to Resting Place. I imagine that if it had been made more recently, Morgan Freeman would have had more than a bit part, but it was cool to see him in an early role as well.

Heroism comes in many guises. For Maj. Kendall Laird (John Lithgow), it means determining why a black lieutenant (Richard Brooks) killed in Vietnam isn't allowed to be buried in his hometown's cemetery. Racism, apparently, is at the heart of it, a sad excuse made more unjust by the fact that the deceased veteran was nominated for a Silver Star. Moved to investigate further, Laird takes up the cause, which leads him to a horrifying conclusion.

There’s something about a movie with Sidney Poitier that makes you want to get out the popcorn and enjoy a movie night with the family. I’ve seen each of his movies and he always gives his best. In The Last Brickmaker in America, he does it again.

Haunted by the death of his wife an old brickmaker finds himself feeling lost and hopeless. After all, the bricks are now machine made and he is the last of his kind with no heir to the business. However, when he meets a troubled 13-year-old who feels equally lost, redemption no longer seems so far away.

Now, for an oldie but a goody; Izzy & Moe. This one came out in 1985, a time when I was recovering from cancer and missed several years of movies. It’s a shame because it was pure fun.

Two retired small-time vaudevillians, Izzy Einstein (Jackie Gleason) and Moe Smith (Art Carney), retrofit themselves into a new career as prohibition agents during the 1920s, working for a corrupt New York City police lieutenant.

In order to keep food on the table and help halt crime, Isadore and Morris begin using their unique penchant for disguise, which they leaned in vaudeville, to bust the local speakeasies and stop the mob from ruling the streets. Unfortunately for Izzy and Moe, the mob isn't willing to loosen their grip on the lucrative alcohol trade quite so easily, and the duo soon finds themselves targeted by some of the meanest criminals that the underworld has to offer.

Any or all of them will make for a great “Movie night”!

COME BACK

I will heal their backsliding.
Hosea 14:4

The people of Israel had backslidden, and God wanted Hosea to show them how much it hurt Him. So, in the first few chapters of Hosea, we read a bizarre story: God commanded the prophet to marry a prostitute named Gomer. Put on display as the faithful husband of an unfaithful spouse, Hosea experienced a pain similar to what God felt when Israel was spiritually unfaithful.

As Hosea wrote the ending of his book, he made it clear that despite the pain the people of Israel caused the living God, He still promised healing, forgiveness and fruitfulness if they would return to Him: “I will heal their backsliding,” He said. “I will love them freely… Those who dwell under his shadow shall return” (Hos. 14: 4-7).

Life for the person who turns his back on God is often characterized by guilt and dissatisfaction. The truly born again believer who has fallen into a lifestyle of sin knows deep down that spiritual unfaithfulness to God takes a toll.

But just as the God of grace offered Israel forgiveness and fruitfulness, even so today He offers restoration to the truly repentant (1 John 1:9). Have you made poor choices that have caused you to slip away? Come back. Repent and seek restored fellowship with the Lord today.

If you’ve rebelled and turned away
From what you know is true,
Turn back to God – He will forgive,
His pardon waits for you.
Sper

Top 10 Predictions for the future

The Bible will still have all the answers.
Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on Earth.
The Holy Spirit will still move.
God will still honor the praises of His people.
There will still be God-anointed preaching.
There will still be singing of praise to God.
God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
There will still be room at the Cross.
Jesus will still love you.
Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

Isn't It Great To Remember Who Is Really In Control, and that; "the Word of the Lord endures forever." - 1 Peter 1:25

“In God We Trust” is more than a motto, it’s words to live by.