After the Academy Awards, everyone has a opinion on the winners and losers, the best and worst dresses, the laugh lines that were funny – or not, and always the length of the entire program. Some make this annual event into a party for friends while others prefer to watch it alone. I like a good movie. In our home, we make it a point to see the non-scary action movies, comedies, musicals and historical films. If my favorite happens to be up for an award, it usually is a fluke. Hollywood chooses to produce the types of movies that it believes will sell tickets regardless of the values portrayed. Years ago when we had children living at home, we made a decision to not attend R rated movies believing that it was more important to be good models for them. And even to this day, it has to be a very special movie before I am comfortable watching it. The reason? The mind is a wonderful but complex organ that remembers what it sees – sometimes to our detriment. Some people have such vivid imaginations that they cannot escape the images seen on the silver screen. Others appear to not be affected. Yet, whatever your opinion on the awards, I wonder what our Heavenly Father thinks about all of these movies because He gives us instructions about how we should use our mind. 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 (ESV) The next time you leave the theater after watching a movie, consider His list. The God who created all the works of art in creation desires that His children think on good things. Be selective.
