50 Shades of Dishonor

I like what Andy Stanley says, "If you miscalculate in your checkbook ledger, that's a mistake. If you have an affair, that's sin." Sometimes we confuse "mistakes" with "sin"...there's a difference.

I NEVER...or almost never jump on the bandwagon and point out particulars in our culture that I disagree with. Mainly because I am sickened by the pompous "Christian" culture that so many of these issues are laced with. But today, I'm throwing caution to the wind and begging you not to support the 50 Shades...of dishonor movie.

There are many reasons that I won't see it.  There's the sultry commercials that indicate it is full of unmarried sex which Biblical and cultural statistics say is unhealthy for long-lasting marriage. There's the basis of abuse which should make every woman rise up in bold and angry disdain. There's the fact that this man would view intimacy as a game of manipulation. And so many....many many more reasons...

But as a Christian...who does go to the movies...I cannot see this movie because of this....

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. - Philippians 4:8

You see....these images will be ingrained in your mind FOREVER. Much like the scene from a popular horror film (Children of the Corn)  I saw as a child and will never ever be able to forget....the images in 50 Shades...images of sensuality that were originally meant to be a lovely, God-honoring act, will be left as cheap, erotic images in your mind. 

And it won't be a mistake....it will be sin. It's not like our whole nation doesn't know what's coming. We know. Every morning talk show is covering it. The news is antsy with anticipation. Magazines at the checkout are full of backstories and tips on spicing up your marriage. It was on the New York Best Seller list for 20 weeks...And society is sadly...excited. But as a Christian do we care about what God says about these things??....are these things true...according to scripture? are they honorable...according to scripture? are they just...according to scripture? are they pure...according to scripture? are they lovely....according to scripture? are they commendable....according to scripture? are they excellent...according to scripture? are they worthy of our praise...according to scripture?

I hope I'm hearing a resounding NO. Then why would I spend a couple of hours of my time, fully engrossed in capturing images into my mind....when they have no reason to be there. Why glorify sin? Why cheapen my marriage? Why discolor the beauty of sex in marriage by making something less that holy the standard for fulfillment? Why dishonor my husband by thinking of another man in a way that is full of lust and desire? Why allow for feelings of discontent to flood into our marriages? 

Listen....I'm not preaching to the unsaved....I'm talking to those who know better....those who for reasons of entertainment, or girls night out, or ladies night will go see this movie...and the next day or week be sitting in our churches and in our homes wondering why we feel so disconnected to our husbands. Wondering why we feel dirty. Wondering why I feel ashamed. Wondering why my heart and soul found the need to engage willfully in the pleasure of sin for a season. Don't do it. Don't allow ungodliness to be your standard. Don't allow for the devil to pervert God's gift of sex in marriage. Don't allow erotica and dishonor and abuse and impurity to cloud the beauty of what God has given you with your own husband. 

And for single girls....PLEASE....don't lose your purity over this movie...because purity is lost in way more ways than the sexual act. Save yourself...every part of you....your eyes....your ears...your body...for the one God is preparing for you. God has something pure and holy ready for you within His plan. He loves you enough to have established a standard that would both protect you, bring you great joy and satisfied your God given desire to love another person completely. He has someone waiting for you! Don't spoil yourself. Don't bring 50 Shades actors into your future marriage. 

The mind is powerful. Images stay with us forever. God knew that...and that's why He said to be careful of what we spend out time thinking about. It's for our protection and ultimately His glory. Glorify God in your marriage and your mind. Don't go see 50 Shades. Don't cheapen what God created to be beautiful.

Day #12 Beautiful Hollywood

Last weekend a friend and I took our girls to see "Grace Unplugged", a newly released moved about a worship leader and his daughter. The plot captures the tendency we all have to make performance about us instead of about worshipping the Lord. AJ Michalka's beautiful voice is heard throughout the movie and there are special appearances by Chris Tomlin and Jamie Grace. It portrays the difficult transition Christians face when brought head to head with the temptations and overwhelming worldliness that typical Hollywood offers.

The film is excellent. There's a careful innocent romance, enough father-daughter tension to make you pay attention, real thought-provoking choices to be discussed, and heart wrenching full on forgiveness and repentance. Hollywood did good this time.

And that's what is beautiful. Another movie, well done. We can add it to the list of other Christian films like Fireproof, Courageous, Chronicles of Narnia, that have renewed our hope that we might still darken the doors of a theater in this century. While "Grace Unplugged" is overtly Christian, it's also done so well that Christians need not bow their head in shame by poor acting or a small budget. Thank you.

Christian teens, music enthusiast and worshippers of all ages are giving this movie two thumbs up...5 stars...or whatever the best rating is. If you live in a major city, chances are it's showing where you are. I drove 55 miles to see it...and I'd say it was worth it!

UP- movie review

This weekend the family headed over to McKinney to see Pixar's newest flick, UP. I was hoping it would be as good as the previews looks and I wasn't disappointed!

We saw it in 3D, but the things that impressed me so much in this movie weren't really the animations and technology...although they were there...big time. I enjoyed most the sweet, tender story line between an elderly man and an insecure boy and the power that time, a good word and a kind heart still have in the world.

I give UP 2 thumbs UP! Disclosure- Bring tissues...that last scene sent the water works into full swing!

Ghosts of Girlsfriends Past- Review

If you love Matthew McConaughey as much as I do...this review is going to hurt you. I have been a fan for years....not sure which movie it was that hooked me...but by the time The Wedding Planner was out...I was a fan. So this week when Keelie -aka Red Writing- suggested a Girl's Night Out, we made plans to see Matt's latest movie.

After a delicious meal at MiCocina in Plano, we headed over to Stonebriar to see Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. We arrived in plenty of time to get top row seats and chatted away until the movie started. And then it did....

Ok...so before I write this review...please know that as an adult, I know what naked people look like, I have heard curse words and I am pretty familiar (unfortunately) with much of the world's "slang". I am not naive. I am not some wacked out Christian who can't handle it when the world throws a few of these things my way. I have sat through movies and live conversations that have left me wondering if I shouldn't have walked away...and tonight might have been another one of those occasions...except I did walk away this time.

The movie started with scantily clad women in less than appropriate positions and talking in less than lady-like language about less than appropriate topics. Here comes Mr. Matthew....touching and caressing his photography subjects in a way that any number of them would have been able to file a sexual harassment lawsuit if it were real life! He continues his inappropriate behavior for about 15 minutes...at which Keelie and I had had enough and we exited. I am sure those who sat through the entire movie might beg to differ with me, but I was terrible disappointed to have wasted money on such a sickening movie.

My main gripes with the movie:

1. I am tired of sex being portrayed in such a careless way.
2. I am tired of women being desperate to be loved by men.
3. I am tired of the "sex sells" mentality
4. I am tired of innuendos that scream "sleep with me" even if it is a movie.
...there are more...

So, I guess you could say we gave the movie two thumbs DOWN! Sorely disappointed, we licked our wounds and used the only ointment that truly remedy's such disappointment...SHOPPING. We still had a wonderful time without the movie....and one of us walked away with some great stuff from Marshall's (not mentioning names, to protect the innocent).

I'm glad we walked out. It's not that I think less of people who sat through it. For me, it's that I had an opportunity to do what was right for me...and I obeyed the still voice and walked away.

Amazing Grace- The Movie

Last night I watched the Amazing Grace movie for the first time. What an amazing story of Will Wilberforce and his calling to help abolish slavery in Great Britain. I was motivated by his level of committment and also with his own internal conflict of knowing his true calling. John Newton's overwhelming guilt, regret and sorrow over the horrible treatment of slaves on his ships, on his watch, was not only heartbreaking, but in a sort of an uncomfortable way...inspirtational...to see how far God can bring a man. If you've seen the movie, you might remember the statement John Newton makes when asked what he knows...he says, "There are only two things I know for sure in life. One, I am a great sinner. Two, He is the Great Savior." I love that statement. Isn't that what we all are. It really didn't matter that John Newton had witnessed or been party to, or even participated in the beating and killing or countless slaves, his need is the same as anyone's. He needed a Savior. It was when he found that Savior that he penned the words to Amazing Grace.

I also loved the way the movie writers paid tribute to others who Will Wilberforce. The woman, the former slave and others that shared a meal around a table and helped influence his decision to make this a life-endeavor. It shows that it really has never been about one man...except one time...on a cross. Most of the time it takes many people to make things happen. I love that teamwork concept.

Certianly, I was motivated to stay the course as I watched this movie.

HSM3 Movie Night at Casa Stinson

Tonight was family movie night at our house. Everyone snuggled in on the couch, comfy chair or in our case...the kid's bean bags. The movie of choice (not mine) was High School Musical 3 (3 guesses who picked this one?) Well, there's enough music to keep this movie mildly entertaining...especially when the kids decided to add their own dance moves. But the funniest part was at the end...when I heard sniffles from the comfy chair where Bruce was sitting...and I said...."Dad, are you crying"....and he said "This movie is so sad...they are all growing up". Boy, will he never live this one down....I was rolling - laughing so hard!!!!


On a mildly serious note. I've been thinking of all the things you can learn from that movie. Here are a few:

1. What comes around goes around (Sharpay)
2. You have to follow your true calling no matter what others think (Troy)
3. It's always nice to have a friend in your corner..but sometimes even the best of friends move away (Gabriella).
4. Do your best...it pays in the end (Ryan and Kelsy)
5. Always be prepared (understudies)

A fun night here at the Stinson house! Hope you had a good day too!

What a Day!

After a busy day going to graduation parties, visiting a family in the church and grocery shopping, I was pretty worn out from it all. Tucker missed his nap so he went to bed fairly easy and Savannah was pretty wiped out too. So, that left me with a quiet evening to watch Autumn Rush, my long awaited Netflix. I have been waiting forever to watch this! Word of mouth quickly spread that it was a music lovers movie and I wasn't diappointed. Without giving away any details, what I liked most about the movie was that it pointed to hearing music in everyday life. It reminded me how that God says nature even cries out in praise and worship to Him. On days like today, that are almost too busy to stop and hear the music or smell the roses, it was a nice gentle reminder of my responsibility in it all.