Movie Review and Scripture thought.

If you are like me and usually only watch movies especially those you know will have good morale content, then here is a movie you will enjoy. It is called, "Saving Sarah Cain". It is directed by Michael Landon Jr. and is based on a book by Beverly Lewis. It is a story about a young woman who's sister dies and she is the only living relative to or aunt to 5 amish children. It is a beautiful story of how their lives inner twine. If you are at all familiar with the Fox Faith movies, this is one of those movies. (Fox films has a branch of movies geared toward the religiously minded audiences and or those who would like to enjoy a movie with good morale overtones and positive message of faith, hope and love.) Michael Landon Jr. has a major role in directing and occasionally producing these wonderful alternative movies. If you haven't heard of these movies or are interested in seeing what else they have to offer just google fox faith films. You will find that there is lot of options to choose from for the whole family.


Here is a passage out of Luke 15: 3-32 that I have just recently read to the children. It always gets to me though when I think about the second parable and the older brother.
3. So He spoke this parable to them, saying:
4. "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?
5. "And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6. "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, `Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'
7. "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
8. "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she finds it?
9. "And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, `Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!'
10. "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.''

(I like the way Jesus leads right into his second important thought, right after he establishes with the prior parable his whole intent "All of Heaven rejoices when a sinner repents.")
11. Then He said: "A certain man had two sons.
12. "And the younger of them said to his father, `Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood.
13. "And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.
14. "But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.
15. "Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16. "And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.
17. "But when he came to himself, he said, `How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18. `I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,
19. and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.'' '
20. "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
21. "And the son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22. "But the father said to his servants, `Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.
23. `And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;
24. `for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.
25. "Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
26. "So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.
27. "And he said to him, `Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.'
28. "But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.
29. "So he answered and said to his father, `Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.
30. `But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.'
31. "And he said to him, `Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.
32. `It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive, and was lost and is found.' ''

I absolutely love this parable. I know that it is a difficult one for many to understand. I have had the pleasure to study this and hear a Christian college professor's thoughts on this very parable. I think though that for many of us we can see the older brother's side better or easier.

I have to interrupt with a story from my teen days. I was talking with the father of young boy in a youth group that I happened to be visiting with. We were discussing one another's testimonies. (One post of which I have yet to write.) After hearing how he faced many struggles and finally found the Lord and gave his life over to God as a servant and follower of Christ, I was deeply moved. I told him how wonderful a testimony he had and how it was awesome that God saved him out of all he had been involved in, abandoned after his parents died and then taken in by his sister and her boyfriend, and then later being involved in drugs and alcohol. I just saw his testimony as a power work of God. Then I shared my "boring" testimony with him about how I was raised in the church have pretty much followed the right path b/c from early on I was taught and encouraged to do so. He was deeply moved by my testimony and thought how wonderful it was that God saved me from all of what I could have gotten into. Instead he spared or protected me from having to have a "hard life". I always thought how interesting it was that both of us were intrigued with one another's testimonies. I have always appreciate his view on my testimony and thanks to him I have been more grateful to God for giving me a testimony that also shows God amazing power.

I wanted to say that, in reference to the parable and how the younger brother got in so much trouble living a wild life and then being welcomed back home by his father, who was overjoyed to see his son who was gone and in his mind dead and now he was returning and alive. Then also, how the older brother felt when he had been dependable and trustworthy for the father and serving him. All the while the younger brother lived foolishly and returned home to find his father eagerly waiting and willing to throw him a party. I can truly understand the older brother's perspective on the whole loyalty aspect. However- what we fail to see is the jealousy and haughtiness of the older brother. I know that it isn't easy feeling overlooked or unfavored b/c of situations out of your control. I certainly can feel for his need to be approved and affirmed. Which he was actually getting all the while with his father's constant involvement in his daily life.

Later in the day after reading this parable to my son's, my dh gladly put on one of the newest Veggie tales movie, " The land of Haas". (A parody of "The wizard of Oz".) In it was a cleaver story that basically depicts the whole Prodigal son parable. It was great how letting the boys watch that video reinforced what I had read to them earlier.

I always have a struggle with this parable b/c I know what it is like to not feel liked or even favored and especially when in our hearts we feel it was unjust treatment. No matter though how we are treated or how others are rewarded, we should always be happy for others and their success especially when they have been given and received a true gift of Life.

I definitely don't want to be like that older brother. I may be able to understand his feelings, but I would be up for a party for anyone who's life was changed. Simply b/c their father welcomed them after admitting and humbly returning to be a servant. Isn't that though, how each one of us have been to God and Jesus. Substituting God for the father and Jesus as the older brother, (without the attitude). We are the younger brother who comes back after living a vile life not worthy of being called sons and daughters, but instead servants. Thankfully though being welcomed and attending a banquet feast in our honor.

God is so good! Praise the Lord for he has done great things.....Thank you God for being our Father, you are wonderful beyond words.