Bible Study Jem

23 Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."

Jeremiah 9:23,24 ESV

I Hope these verses bless you as much as they did me! With a God so great, why would we need to boast in anything else?! How sad that we are so blinded by the glitter of man's praise that we can't see what really matters, what our entire lives should focus on - The greatness of our loving, just and righteous God!

Why Matrix is better than Equilibrium

Before I begin, I want to clarify that when I say "The Matrix" I mean "The Matrix" - the first movie. I have never seen and never intend to see the second and third movies. Try to only remember the first if you can. It'll help.

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After having the movie Equilibrium highly suggested to me by Kim and Brady, I forked up the cash and rented it, with the greatest of expectations after hearing that it was "Better than The Matrix."

I have just finished watching it, and have to disagree - Equilibrium is not better than The Matrix. So sorry.

Here are some of my reasons:

1. It's been done.

While this is a pretty lame excuse and I don't really care in the long run, the basic plot behind Equilibrium has been done many times - this just looks better. For example, see 1984 or Fahrenheit 451. Intriguing and terrifying ideas and possibilities, but not new.

2. The Matrix looks better.

Once again: lame excuse. There were a few times in Equilibrium that tried too hard to be like The Matrix but not copy. For example, when Preston is fighting the Librian policemen so that the sense-offenders can get away, the scene is slowed down. Whereas the bullet-time of The Matrix is cool, the slow-motion beating just feels bogged down.

3. The Perceived Underlying Message

The Matrix has a strong, if subtle, Christian theme. Whether this was intentional or not, I don't know, but it goes beyond the last city of men being named Zion. I'm not one to dig this kind of stuff out of movies, but who couldn't notice that Neo is searching for the truth, has a rude awakening to how the world really is, is "in" the Matrix, but not "of" the Matrix, and eventually dies to conquer evil? I'm not entirely comfortable with the thought of Neo being an example of Christ, but that's another discussion.

Equilibrium, however, has quite a different view. To begin, Libria's insignia is a cross. Sure it looks like a swastika, but it's still a cross.
Second, Prozium is referred to as "the opiate of the masses" - Karl Marx's view of religion.
Third, and most blatant is the "Father". In Libria, the people are to follow Father's will with an unquestioning faith - dead to all enjoyment of life in the false security of obedience. A view of Christianity?

4. Personal Scruples

I didn't like Mary O'Brien and I didn't like the way Brandt died. It was gross.

In Equilibrium's defense, it had it's good points. For one, it was a little cleaner than The Matrix. Yet despite it's being a good movie and entertaining to watch, I cannot agree that it is better than The Matrix. However, you are free to think what you like about either of the movies. This isn't Libria, you know.

~Sarah

Reepicheep Rocks!

So I saw Prince Caspian yesterday. It was pretty cool. Book lovers beware, however, as it's different than C.S. Lewis' work. The best advice I was given before watching the movie was not to read the book again - and so I'm passing it on. 

Now don't get me wrong, they basically stick to the story. I mean, they did a much better job than, say, Eragon. (yeck) I'm just warning you that some things are a little more fleshed out, some things are left out, and some things are completely new. But it's still a really good movie. I'll gladly watch it again! 

What kinda freaked me out was the violence - or lack thereof. I mean, it's a war movie. It has battles. People get killed left and right - but somehow most of it you don't see. For example, a man is beheaded right on screen, but you don't see the decapitation. I still haven't figured that one out. 

So all in all I liked it. I don't think I'll add it to my top 5 movies, but it was fun, had some good take-away moments, and had the most adorable mouse ever. 

Oh yeah - and on a final note: The Telemarines are Spaniards. It's blatantly obvious, so don't think they're supposed to be from the desert or something. They're not. Read Don Quixote. 

For Narnia!

Sarah

Just wanted to share...

This morning in my quiet time I read the first chapter of Jeremiah. I was really blessed by this chapter, and I wanted to share a few verses with you.

"Do not say, 'I am only a youth';

for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,

and whatever I command you, you shall speak.

Do not be afraid of them,

for I am with you to deliver you,

declares the LORD."

(verse 5)

"18 And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the LORD, to deliver you."

Wow! Isn't that awesome?!  Praise God!

All scripture comes from the ESV