#10 - Successful Relationships by Joel Osteen

Summary: This DVD series is a compilation of 4 messages by Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church in Texas, USA, :-

• How to handle criticism;
• Realistic expectations in relationships; 
• Enlarge your circle of Love
• Divine Connections

What's it all about: these 4 messages filmed probably recently & in the last couple of years, I believe to be some of the greatest teaching from Joel on dealing with these topics, wanting to help people to have the right attitude in relationships. Each message has some great teaching, which you probably won't get the 1st time you see it. Every time I watch some of these, I am always encouraged, and get something new out of it.

Notable quotes:
"How to deal with criticism"  - "Celebrate other peoples' victories. If God can do it for them, He can certainly do it for you". "Listen, I've found no matter what you do or don't do, somebody is going to talk, somebody is going to be critical. You might as well do what God has put in your heart, and just trust Him to take care of the critics".
"Realistic expectations in relationships"-  "ïf we are going to have good relationships, we have to let people off the hook. We have to give them room to make mistakes, to have a bad day once a while"."Your joy is your own personal responsibility".
"Divine connections"- "Sometimes when a door is not opening, that's because God doesn't want it to open. It may be because it's going to do us more harm than good, or its going to limit our growth". "Understand, our destiny is connected to other people. But the good news is that God already has them lined up".
"Expanding your circle of love" - "Really, what causes us to judge, is pride".""Don't make judgments, give people the benefit of the doubt. When we see other people that struggle in an area, maybe they have a negative quality. Instead of being quick to judge and complain and being critical, what we should really do is say(pray), 'Father, thank you, for giving me grace in that area. Thank you for not struggling in that."

Plus many others from each message, but I don't have room to write them all!

Highlights:

• the 1st message on 'how to handle criticism' is one of the best I've heard on this topic, similar to some that Joyce Meyer has spoken about dealing with difficult people esp. the analogy about the 'slingers' (referring to attackers of a city in Old Testament times)
• Joel's great sense of humour
• stories of Joel's father (John Osteen) and Joel's relationship with him
• touching stories of real people that illustrate truths
• seeing Joel's mother shaking her head at him after one of his family jokes

Message length: each one is between 26-28 mins 

Rating: 9 & 1/2 out of 10

Final review:

Great practical teaching that Joel shares is impacting and encouraging. You may want to get your notepad out to take notes, because there's so many good points that are worth remembering. If you are struggling in your faith and/or dealing with difficult circumstances, any of these messages is great for encouragement and gives you hope to keep hanging on. Also great to watch at the end of the night if you have seen something you wish you hadn't on TV earlier!

#9 - To Save a Life

by Pastor Matt Prater (used with permission)

When a teenager shoots a gun in the air in his school corridor, then kills himself, people react differently. Parents mourn, relatives grieve, some kids are shocked, but quickly disassociate themselves, but one kid, decided he let his friend down, and is going to make his life count.

I have a heart for young people. Teenagers have had so many battles of recent times. Addictions, Depression, Suicide, abuse, and it all stems from a generation who haven’t been loved. A generation who have no hope for the future. 'ver 80% of teenagers leave church after school has finished. I will do everything I can to see this generation of youth hear the good news of Jesus, and walk into their destiny.

Recently I saw a movie that I believe every teenager and parent needs to see! “To Save a Life.” I relate personally to this movie because my school life has a similar story line to the main character.

Cutting a long story short, I committed my life to Christ at the age of 15, and wanted to reach my school for Christ. There was a horrible shooting at my school. Where a 14 yr old kid shot 2 teachers and a student in an act of drug induced madness. No-one died, but it shook our school to the core.

Those of us that were Christians began to pray, we began to meet in the library, we invited in bands and pastors to speak into the life of our school. Because we sowed into the spiritual life of our school we saw a great harvest of Souls.

In the same way, the movie depicts the dramas and the tribulations at a U.S. high school, and the change that happens when one life is impacted by Christ, and the ripple effect that flows through an entire community.
The first thing that impressed me about the movie is the production quality. Sometimes we cringe when we see B grade “faith based” films, but I had very little cringe factor in watching this movie, acting was great too, and music choice outstanding (music including Switchfoot, Superchic and Needtobreathe etc). I had so many tears during this movie, I was so drawn on to the story, and rarely does a movie grab me with such conviction.

It tackles issues our youth face head –on. Bullying, I had flashbacks for what I saw at my school, and the fears I have for my kids as they progress through school. Popularity, this curse has been alienating the underdog forever, and this movie paints a stark contrast between the “haves” and the “have nots.” It also tackles the issue of hypocrisy in the church. 'ne of the biggest criticisms from the unchurched is that we are talking the talk but not walking the walk. So great to see a movie that gets down and dirty with the real problems teens face. 'ne of the more sensitive issues it tackles is abortion, painting a genuine struggle, and the need for support for all involved, once again, my heart broke for those characters in this movie, who I felt like I was there with them in their struggle.

We live in a changed world, one that is driven by online worlds, which for some are more of a reality than life itself. The young guy who suicided, tried to reach out for help on the net, but no-one took him seriously. In one of the ironies of this film, our hero Jake sets up a website to reach out, and thousands upon thousands are impacted.

Well done to the producers and team who put this together, I will be screening this at my church for youth and parents, and will lobby to get this in every school in our country. It’s a message we all need to get the heart of. Our youth need to be loved, to be listened to, to have something walk with them though their stuff. The church needs to wake up and sow seeds into this next generation, and the harvest we reap will change the world.

Matt Prater is Pastor at New Hope Brisbane, a dynamic outreach focussed church in Brisbane. He also hosts the weekly interview style program “History makers,” heard on over 55 radio stations internationally.

# 8 - Beyond The Gates Of Splendor

By Michelle

Summary: Five young, American guys with hearts for the Great Commission move to Ecuador with their wives and kids as missionaries. Meanwhile, the Waodani (Aucas) have become a great threat in the jungles of Ecuador, not only to foreigners, but also to themselves. What happens when these two groups of people make contact initially looks like a tragedy, but through the love and power of God becomes a story of forgiveness and transformation.

What's it all about: "Beyond The Gates of Splendor," gives a balanced view of both sides, American and Waodani, of this inspiring story. Picking up the story from a few years before the "Palm Beach" martyrdoms of Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, and Pete Fleming made famous by Life Magazine and international news media of the day, the documentary details the lives of the missionaries and their wives and also of the Waodani themselves with first hand interviews, photos, video footage, and reenactments as the story moves along. It also moves on to show how the Waodani are doing now and the affect that the death of the five men and the forgiveness and kindness shown by their wives and relatives has had on them.

Notable Quotes:

• "In an environment of killing unimaginable to the outside world, Waodani children grew up understanding they would spear and live or be speared and die." Steve Saint
• "One motivation that we had of thinking that we might be a part of reaching these people that were just known to all outsiders as killers was that we had the modern missionary mule, the airplane." Marj Saint Van Der Puy
• "They had guns with them. They had said they would never kill the Aucas even if they attacked them because they made this straight statement, "They're not ready for heaven, and we are." Frank Drown
• "Waodani were able in a period of just a few years to reduce the homicide rate by well over 90%." Clayton Robarchek

Highlights:

• Interviews with the wives (two of whom have since died) and kids of the missionaries and with the tribesmen involved in the attacks who have all since changed, which offer a great deal of insight into the people in the story. This gives a greater depth and detail than anything seen in the recent movie or even in books that have been written previously.
• Video footage and photos of the guys and of their first contact with the Waodani.
• Anthropological insight into the culture of the Waodani as well as to how it has been changed for the better.
• Humorous stories of what happens when Waodani come to America and how they view American culture.

Movie length: 96 minutes

Rating: 9 out of 10

Final review: Maybe you have heard before of the story of Jim Elliot and the four young missionaries who gave their lives in Ecuador in 1956. Maybe you watched the recent movie, "End of the Spear," which was based on the book of the same name by the son of one of the missionaries, Steve Saint.

I feel that this is probably the most balanced view presented of this story due to the fact that there are interviews with actual people on both sides who were involved. I believe it does proper justice to the memories of some very real but very great people who were prepared to give everything so that others could hear the good news about Jesus. Parents with younger children may have to use some discretion as the interviews do talk about violent acts and there are a few pictures shown of the men's bodies lying face down. If you have heard something of this story before, are interested in missions, or simply want to be inspired and challenged to do more with your life, I would highly recommend this doco. 

#7 - Every Young Man's Battle

Summary: 2003 documentary/drama about the major problem of pornography affecting young men in today's modern world. This film was based on the book, "Every Man's Battle", co-authored by Steve Arterburn, Fred Stoeker, and Mike Yorkey (USA). This film has a drama running through it in between testimonials of men that have struggled with pornography, and how it has damaged their lives. Contains interesting illustrations comparing the struggle of a young man in dealing with sexual immorality as a "battle". Also includes a revealing interview with a serial killer just before he was executed for his crimes.

What's it all about: This is mainly an informative, educational feature to help young men (really any man - the strategies to help are the same regardless of age) and perhaps gave parents some insights into the intense struggle young men esp Christians, face in maintaining a lifestyle of sexual purity. The movie is full of statistics, some of which are shocking e.g. every day, up to 30 million people log onto pornographic websites every day, 60% of all websites are pornographic. This film includes interesting testimonials (life stories shared by middle aged men) of how the lives were wrecked by their involvement with pornography e.g. destroyed relationships with family / friends, went bankrupt. The speakers from organisations that can help people in dealing with pornography are interesting e.g. "www.xxxchurch.com". The strategies to help guys in struggling with sexual temptation (from Fred Stoeker) are very good (cf ways to help guys struggling with same topic in 'Valiant Man' course). The drama weaving through the film of a young man dealing with peer pressure and dealing with sexual temptation is relatable and well acted.

Notable quotes: "There is a myth believed by many that you can do what you want as a teenager, because after you become an adult, it won't matter. The person you are as a young man, is the person you will drag into adulthood" (Steve Arterburn); "..I've lived in prison for a long time now and I've met a lot of men who were motivated to commit violence just like me, and without exception, every one of them was deeply involved in pornography without question, without exception, deeply influenced and consumed by an addiction to pornography" (Ted Bundy)

Highlights: an excerpt of the chilling interview in 1989 of James Dobson (who started  'Focus on the Family') with Ted Bundy, a serial killer who confessed to killing 28 women (this interview was on the last day before Mr Bundy was executed). The 'Extras' menu has Scripture verses of encouragement that can help Christian guys with sexual struggles, and a heartfelt interview with Fred Stoeker.

Movie length: 58 minutes

My Rating: 8 out of 10

Final review: the topic of pornography is hardly ever talked about in the church, I believe that's its time to bring it more out in the open (my pastor often says, 'what God reveals, He heals'). I would recommend this movie for anyone over 12 years old, but particularly aimed at guys aged 12 - 30 years old. Also recommend for parents of young men to understand the pressures their sons are facing today with sexual images on the Internet, advertising, TV. If you are a parent, I would suggest watching it with your child, and discussing it afterwards. Finally, the movie's major point of young men being in a battle for sexual impurity alone is a point worthy of discussion.

#6 - Faith Like Potatoes

By Michelle

Summary: Based on the amazing true story of a hot-headed farmer whose life goes from bad to worse when he buys a new farm in South Africa. He finds himself in a losing battle with the hardships on his farm and with anger and doubt. In the midst of his crisis, he finds God. Undiluted faith fuses with this wild farmer to create a potent and formidable mix as he continues to face a variety of challenges, but this time with the power of God.

What's it all about: Angus Buchan, a tempestuous Scottish farmer moves his family to South Africa after the political unrest and uncertainties in their home in Zambia. Unfortunately, he discovers that his new farm presents even harder challenges than he had before. Angus works really hard to try and get his farm going, but as much as he fights, he finds that his doubts and anger start to take over his life building a mounting tension in his family life as well. Just as Angus is reaching breaking point and his wife is coming to her wit's end, he decides to give his life to God. Now this crazy Scotsman tries to work out what to do with his new found faith and is encouraged by his pastor to start sharing his faith. As he shares and exercises his faith in the different situations that arise, he discovers that despite the opinions of others that God can do amazing things (and even the impossible) if he will only trust Him!

Notable Quotes:

• "If God can pick up a crop of broken maize, how much more can He pick up your precious broken heart, your broken life!"
• "To hell with El Nino! Put your trust in God, not in a weather phenomenon. Put your trust in the Creator of heaven and earth, not in a promise of a drought from hell. That's where El Nino comes from and that's where it belongs! That's why I say 'Trust God!'"
• "The condition for a miracle is difficulty, but the condition for a great miracle is impossiblity."
• "Feel this potato. Smell it! Your faith in God must be just like that! It must be real."

Highlights: 

• Actor, Frank Rautenbach, as the passionate Angus Buchan.
• A scene of a bush fire that gets dangerously out of control on the farm. 
• A scene of one of his female workers whom Angus tentatively prays for after she was struck by lightning.
• Angus and his family dealing with their faith after a tragic accident – very powerful.
• The daring speech that Angus makes at the prayer gathering at King's Park Stadium.
• A song during the credits called, "A New Day" by Joe Niemand, particularly in context of Angus' life - this song touches me everytime!

Movie length: 116 minutes

Rating: 8 out of 10

Final review: Older children at a parent's discretion and with their guidance could watch this movie, however I woudn't recommend this movie for little ones because of an accident scene in the second half and the occasional swear word at the beginning. While this is not exactly a big budget movie, it does have some stunning cinematography and a nice musical score as well, and the acting is also pretty decent too. However, it really is the story itself that is inspiring. The account of how God took a farmer with an anger problem and a life out of control and made him into a powerful man of faith will really challenge and build your own faith. The real Angus Buchan that the film is based on continues to inspire and challenge people all over the world to simply trust God.

#5 - The Mysterious Islands

Summary: Documentary about a group of adventurers who go to the Galapagos Islands in 2009. They seek to demonstrate an alternative to Charles Darwin's findings, as it was his observations of animals on these islands, which led him to later publish his famous book, "The Origin of Species" in 1859 (2009 was celebrated by evolutionists as the 150th anniversary of Darwin's book). The film seeks to provide a counter argument for every one of Darwin's "evidences" of evolution and his understanding of  'natural selection' for the various kinds of animals there e.g. finches, flightless cormorant.

What's it all about: these adventurers from the USA go to the Galapagos with a great deal of excitement and enthusiasm. They include a wildlife enthusiast Doug, and his son, Joshua (who narrates the movie at times), film-makers, and a PhD geology scientist. It is clear that the father, Doug (whilst not having a science degree - neither did Darwin), has done a lot of research studying Darwin's theories, and his experiences on these islands. The group travels to different locations throughout the islands, and view the animals studied by Darwin e.g. Galapagos Giant Tortoise (who the film claims can live up to 200 years old - the one Darwin saw could still be alive there!). The movie also looks at Darwin's life before coming to the islands, to see what had shaped his ''world-view". This movie explains the processes of "natural selection" and "mediative design". It also shows how the Bible's creation account provides a legitimate alternative to explain all the anomalies shown by the islands' unique animals. The last 20 minutes of the movie is also critical in showing how evolutionary theory has been applied in its extreme to justify the most horrendous acts in modern history.  

Notable Quotes: "Darwinists called these islands a laboratory for evolution, but there's another perspective - these islands are a showcase for the wisdom of the Creator"; "As Darwin had inherited a legacy of skepticism from his grandfather, Erasmus, he too would leave a multi generational legacy through advocates who would take his ideas and apply them to their logical extreme - applying the biological thesis of Darwinism to social theory".

Highlights: personal history of Darwin, explaining how his beliefs were formed; brilliant theme music (although surprisingly loud at times) that builds a sense of mystery and suspense; scene of Doug and his son running to 'catch up' to the giant tortoise; the last 20 minutes, which to me, explained well how evolutionary theory can be so dangerous when applied to humans in a social context e.g. promote selective breeding.

Movie length: 97 minutes

Rating: 9 & 1/2 out of 10

Final review: if you are struggling with the whole evolution/creation science debate, I strongly suggest that you see this movie. It should at least give you an understanding of how different 'worldviews' shape the way in which we interpret our belief systems. The first 30 minutes of this movie is a bit slow, but keep watching because I found this movie intriguing, especially towards the end (There are 2 discs available, but I haven't yet watched the bonus footage disc). Overall, a fantastic movie for the whole family (although some people/kids may find disturbing, some photos of the Holocaust). Definitely, one of those faith movies, that you can watch over and over, and gives you a feeling of hope by the movie's end.

#4 - The Pilgrim's Progress

Summary: 2008 movie adaption of John Bunyan's famous story published in 1678 which he started during his imprisonment and translated into more than 200 languages. Story of ''Christian'', a regular guy living in a modern city, who convicted of his sins, begins a journey from his city to save his family from destruction. The plot of the story and characters encountered, are an analogy - represent the journey of the Christian faith.

What it's about: Christian sets out from his city after seeing visions of his city being destroyed (after reading the Book - the Bible). His aim is to reach 'the Celestial City' (Heaven), and get rid of his ever increasing burden (conviction of his sins). He is encouraged by 'Evangelist' - a godly man, at the start of his journey, and during difficult stages. Christian is played convincingly by an experienced actor of faith movies, Daniel Kruse.  During his journey, he comes across worldly and godly characters e.g. Obstinate, Faithful, who you guessed it, who have characters that are described by their names. Christian's journey is also fraught with dangers e.g. ''Doubting Castle'', "Vanity Fair". One of the themes that come up constantly in this film, is that there are no short-cuts on the path to Heaven - you need to trust in Jesus Christ for your salvation, and have faith in His forgiveness of your sins.

Notable quotes: as Christian approaches a house, he needs to go between 2 menacing growling lions, the owner  says - "Is your faith so small? You have nothing to fear. They are here to test your faith. Stay on the path, and you'll be fine".

Highlights: Christian's battle with Apollyon (satan); trial in Vanity Fair against Christian and Hopeful; general visual effects are impressive for a faith (non-Hollywood blockbuster) movie; visions shown by godly man to Christian that represent aspects of a life of faith.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Final review: Good movie for the family with older kids - a few scary scenes and characters might give the little ones some nightmares (received a  ''Dove Foundation" award - "known for its activities of rating, reviewing and endorsing films, and for campaigning against the portrayal of sexual activity and violence in Hollywood films" - Wikipedia) for ages 12 & up. This movie makes you think about dangers and pitfalls Christian believers face in their 'spiritual' journeys. It encourages you to stay true to the Gospel -  simple faith in Him, to be forgiven, saved, and led by Christ. Definitely ''Pilgrim's Progress" is worth a look.