BRACE YOURSELF - invasion on November, 2020

[corrector]

The value I see in movies is that it gives you some common point of reference to interact with other people, having some common culture (pop or otherwise) helps people relate to each other, which is an important thing in Christian life.

The Bible says that your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. The eyes are the windows to the soul. Therefore, you are not just watching the movie, you are submitting to the director's vision, influence, and the masterminds behind the movie. These are usually godless reprobates in Hollywood. Even if there is a Christian actor, they have to end up betraying Jesus by saying His name in vain for money, such as Chris Pratt in Avenger's End-Game 2019 playing a godless Starlord. So any benefits a movie has is far outweighed by the minuses, and maybe in some cases a Christian may engage in "friendship evangelism" and watch a movie with an unsaved friend, but the end-game goal is still to influence and win someone to Christ.

It's maybe more important for someone like me, as an introvert, to find these common threads with other people, you can always talk about a movie.

I watch a tonne of movies and I can tell you it doesn't help with any social life. In fact I would avoid trying to look too hip or interested in movies in real life since I would not want to be branded as a cinephile, or be known as the go-to-guy as far as movies are concerned. Sort of undermines the Christian image right?

On another level, I guess it's like giving in to the world, although I think you can watch a movie without approving of every worldly message it might be trying to send you. I try to keep some sort of balance in my life, between work, play, social life, health, interests, etc., although I don't always succeed.

Of course its giving into the world. I can say from first hand experience that if I were to cross-off all unsavory aspects of movies from swearing, to violence to nudity, to occult or borderline occult out of a list of 100 movies, there would probably be 5 movies left out of the list and they'd probably be boring as heck and you'd fall asleep after the first five minutes. The milder movies have at least one nasty f-bomb when someone's upset.

Guess who also says the f-bomb once in a while when they are upset at someone or something? I do. I don't like doing it, and I try to make it right with the Lord, confess the sin, write-ups etc... but the reality is movies that are clean, but have that one nasty f-bomb is more damaging because it always feels like there is a "cuss" word waiting for an opportunity to just lash out at someone who crosses me the wrong way. I live with my folks and don't have a social life to learn saying these words from, so guess who is the biggest influence of such things? That's right, movies. I had to go on a movie-fast for 2 days stripping down movies that violated anything and a whole set of movies got crossed-out meaning almost every good movie out there is going to have cussing, violence, or nudity or a depiction of adultery or occult.

If you look at a movie then you are in effect part of the movie yourself whether you agree with it or not. You are entertaining what is being depicted by the movie and in essence partaking and indulging in it yourself (unless you actually stop or take the movie off or walk out the theater). That means you are indirectly responsible for supporting every cuss word, every violence, every adultery, everything on there because you are paying for it, you are spending your time and energy on it, and it's impossible to play with fire and not get burned.

Therefore, the logical goals are impossible, because they are impossible for me. However, as you have difficulty accepting what I wrote, so I do as well. Its not an easy saying. It's something that has to process and grow over time. You'll come up with other excuses like me and say it's just art, like a painting on the wall, etc... Or something more sophisticated, like I am somehow fixated on the old projector and watching the individual frames when I held the 16 mm film up in my hand, smelled the celluloid, the red tape at the end, rewinding it, holding on the reels with my hands when putting them in and off the projector, carrying bags of reels, and re-imaging this in a digital age and still see movies as something humanity has had for the past 100 years and is still a technical marvel.

 

[zekko]

you are not just watching the movie, you are submitting to the director's vision, influence, and the masterminds behind the movie.

I don't really see it as submitting to their influence. If I don't agree with something they're trying to say I will take note of it, but I'm not going to change my mind about it. I can listen to an Elton John song and it's not going to turn me suddenly gay. I can listen to an old blues song and it's not going to make me want to go out and shoot my woman. That sort of thing is more a danger for the young and impressionable. I see the moral decay seen in movies (and song) more as symptoms of the culture's sickness rather than the cause, except maybe for those who don't know any better.

I don't really watch that many movies, so I certainly wouldn't be seen as a cinephile. There are certain types of movies that appeal to me, and I'll watch those.

There's a scripture that's always fascinated me, Ecclesiastes 7:16:
"Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?"
That's not a danger for most people, obviously. But I do think if you try to cut yourself off too much, you run the risk of getting out of touch with people, that's my point. Jesus was a man of the people, he was at the Cana wedding, he dined with unpopular sorts. If you're going to love people, you have to relate to them to some extent. There is much good in God's creation - If there was no value to existing in a material world, then why are we here?

 

[7onriverI f]

The bible does talk about Christians, as evidenced by the fact they are saved, woukd be zealous for good works rather than buring their talents in the ground for the Lord to say "you wicked and slothful servant" and cast him out to outer darkness. You read Rev 2-3 and Jesus first statement is "I know thy works..." and goes on. I dont know what bible you are reading from but I think you are out to lunch. Works and fruit are talked about everywhere. The book of James says faith without works is dead and people who refuse to help someone in need do not possess the love of God and are not saved despite their cheap profession.

Can a person have works without faith? Yes, as evidenced in Matthew 7:21-23. These “workers of iniquity” (as the Lord called them) performed “many wonderful WORKS” in Jesus' name, but they went about to establish their own righteousness, instead of submitting themselves to the righteousness of God, which is through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:3-4; 2nd Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9).

Can a person have faith without works? Yes, as evidenced in John 12:42-43. The Scriptures say that “many of the chief rulers BELIEVED” (had faith) on the Lord Jesus Christ, but they “DID NOT CONFESS HIM.” They were afraid of persecution from the Pharisees. They had faith without works! Also, we see the repentant thief on the cross, who had no time to shew forth any works.

And again we see in 1st Corinthians 3:15, at the Judgment Seat of Christ, that some men will barely “be saved; yet so as by fire.” 1st Corinthians 3:15, “If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” Clearly, this man was saved but HAD NO WORKS! So if works were necessary to validate faith for salvation, then this man could not have gone to Heaven. Yet, the Bible teaches that “HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED,” despite having NO WORKS whatsoever!!! So many Christians today are living shallow lives, choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life (Luke 8:14), who never bear any fruit (no souls saved) unto the Lord. God's desire for every believer is to mature so that they “BRING FORTH FRUIT” (Luke 8:15). Fruitless believers won't shine in Heaven (Daniel 12:3). It is every believer's duty to share the Gospel with the lost. God is our co-laborer (1st Corinthians 3:8-9). The Holy Spirit speaks to people's hearts, as our words speak to their minds. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to “THEM THAT BELIEVE” (Romans 1:16).

And please consider our text verse from Romans 4:5. A man's faith is counted for righteousness, even though that man has no works. Romans 4:5-6, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.” So here again we see very clearly from the Scriptures, that God imputes (credits) RIGHTEOUSNESS WITHOUT WORKS!!! So, obviously faith can exist without works, since God accepts a man's faith apart from having any works. When the apostle James says that faith without works is dead, he is strictly speaking about justification in the eyes of man. Since a man's faith is counted for righteousness in God's sight, then why would God look for “works” to validate that man's faith? That wouldn't make any sense at all! Think about this great truth!!! Why would the same God who justifies a man BY FAITH without works, turn around and require works to validate that believer's faith? The very idea is absurd!!!


James says that “faith without works is dead.” James didn't say that faith doesn't exist without works. Dead faith is still faith in God's eyes. The smallest amount of faith saves! Concerning salvation, God is not looking for degrees of faith, He is simply looking for faith! Abram (Abraham) believed the Lord in Genesis 15:6 and it was COUNTED TO HIM for righteousness (Romans 4:5-6). This is the imputed righteousness of God, which is through faith in Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:9). By faith, God transfers our sins to Christ on the cross, and He transfers Christ's righteousness to us. We don't have to "ask" Jesus to forgive our sins, because He has already paid for them with His precious blood. God has already promised “TO SAVE THEM THAT BELIEVE” (1st Corinthians 1:21).


We are justified by faith alone in the sight of God, because he can see our heart. However, we are justified by works in the eyes of men, because they cannot see our soul. So works are necessary for faith in the eyes of men, but works are not required for justification in God's sight. Faith can exist without works for salvation. A group of people asked Jesus what “works” they should do to work the works of God. Jesus replied in John 6:28-29, “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” “Believing” is the only “work” required to be saved!

 

[7onriverI f]

I watch a tonne of movies and I can tell you it doesn't help with any social life. In fact I would avoid trying to look too hip or interested in movies in real life since I would not want to be branded as a cinephile, or be known as the go-to-guy as far as movies are concerned. Sort of undermines the Christian image right?

I watch movies from time to time to see the occult things in it. Even going to nightclubs I notice people throwing up 666 hand signs at me and devil horns signs at me. Covering one of their eyes is another you see but has a different meaning.

Talked to a woman who says she was a witch tonight. She told me she had no fear of people but later a african guy approached me on the street and she walked fastly off and stopped further up the sidewalk looking around. Later she asked ain't you worried he's going to steal your phone. I said I don't care. Really it's none of my business what that guy is going to do.

 

[corrector]

Can a person have works without faith? Yes, as evidenced in Matthew 7:21-23. These “workers of iniquity” (as the Lord called them) performed “many wonderful WORKS” in Jesus' name, but they went about to establish their own righteousness, instead of submitting themselves to the righteousness of God, which is through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:3-4; 2nd Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9).

Can a person have faith without works? Yes, as evidenced in John 12:42-43. The Scriptures say that “many of the chief rulers BELIEVED” (had faith) on the Lord Jesus Christ, but they “DID NOT CONFESS HIM.” They were afraid of persecution from the Pharisees. They had faith without works! Also, we see the repentant thief on the cross, who had no time to shew forth any works.

And again we see in 1st Corinthians 3:15, at the Judgment Seat of Christ, that some men will barely “be saved; yet so as by fire.” 1st Corinthians 3:15, “If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” Clearly, this man was saved but HAD NO WORKS! So if works were necessary to validate faith for salvation, then this man could not have gone to Heaven. Yet, the Bible teaches that “HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED,” despite having NO WORKS whatsoever!!! So many Christians today are living shallow lives, choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life (Luke 8:14), who never bear any fruit (no souls saved) unto the Lord. God's desire for every believer is to mature so that they “BRING FORTH FRUIT” (Luke 8:15). Fruitless believers won't shine in Heaven (Daniel 12:3). It is every believer's duty to share the Gospel with the lost. God is our co-laborer (1st Corinthians 3:8-9). The Holy Spirit speaks to people's hearts, as our words speak to their minds. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to “THEM THAT BELIEVE” (Romans 1:16).

And please consider our text verse from Romans 4:5. A man's faith is counted for righteousness, even though that man has no works. Romans 4:5-6, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.” So here again we see very clearly from the Scriptures, that God imputes (credits) RIGHTEOUSNESS WITHOUT WORKS!!! So, obviously faith can exist without works, since God accepts a man's faith apart from having any works. When the apostle James says that faith without works is dead, he is strictly speaking about justification in the eyes of man. Since a man's faith is counted for righteousness in God's sight, then why would God look for “works” to validate that man's faith? That wouldn't make any sense at all! Think about this great truth!!! Why would the same God who justifies a man BY FAITH without works, turn around and require works to validate that believer's faith? The very idea is absurd!!!


James says that “faith without works is dead.” James didn't say that faith doesn't exist without works. Dead faith is still faith in God's eyes. The smallest amount of faith saves! Concerning salvation, God is not looking for degrees of faith, He is simply looking for faith! Abram (Abraham) believed the Lord in Genesis 15:6 and it was COUNTED TO HIM for righteousness (Romans 4:5-6). This is the imputed righteousness of God, which is through faith in Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:9). By faith, God transfers our sins to Christ on the cross, and He transfers Christ's righteousness to us. We don't have to "ask" Jesus to forgive our sins, because He has already paid for them with His precious blood. God has already promised “TO SAVE THEM THAT BELIEVE” (1st Corinthians 1:21).


We are justified by faith alone in the sight of God, because he can see our heart. However, we are justified by works in the eyes of men, because they cannot see our soul. So works are necessary for faith in the eyes of men, but works are not required for justification in God's sight. Faith can exist without works for salvation. A group of people asked Jesus what “works” they should do to work the works of God. Jesus replied in John 6:28-29, “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” “Believing” is the only “work” required to be saved!

We will.continue this on Dec 1st. Lets see if the world ends first, if it does then the matter will settle itself anyway.

 

[corrector]

I watch movies from time to time to see the occult things in it. Even going to nightclubs I notice people throwing up 666 hand signs at me and devil horns signs at me. Covering one of their eyes is another you see but has a different meaning.

Talked to a woman who says she was a witch tonight. She told me she had no fear of people but later a african guy approached me on the street and she walked fastly off and stopped further up the sidewalk looking around. Later she asked ain't you worried he's going to steal your phone. I said I don't care. Really it's none of my business what that guy is going to do.

That sounds racist. What a Karen.

 

[7onriverI f]

That sounds racist. What a Karen.

Perhaps. I dunno she told me in the smoking area of the club she doesn't see black people as black or white people as white. She says we are all the same. Love everybody she said.

 

[zekko]

Can a person have works without faith? Yes, as evidenced in Matthew 7:21-23. These “workers of iniquity” (as the Lord called them) performed “many wonderful WORKS” in Jesus' name, but they went about to establish their own righteousness, instead of submitting themselves to the righteousness of God, which is through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:3-4; 2nd Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9).

Can a person have faith without works? Yes, as evidenced in John 12:42-43. The Scriptures say that “many of the chief rulers BELIEVED” (had faith) on the Lord Jesus Christ, but they “DID NOT CONFESS HIM.” They were afraid of persecution from the Pharisees. They had faith without works! Also, we see the repentant thief on the cross, who had no time to shew forth any works.

That's a very interesting point.

she told me in the smoking area of the club she doesn't see black people as black or white people as white. She says we are all the same. Love everybody she said.

That's what I was taught growing up, that's what the civil rights movement at the time was in favor of. It's only this year that I've seen large segments of society telling us we should see people mainly by race, which is tribalism and I'm not in favor of it.

I've known quite a few women who said they were witches, I tried to give them a wide berth. That Stevie Nicks type of supernatural superstition appeals to a certain type of female.

 

[7onriverI f]

That's a very interesting point.


That's what I was taught growing up, that's what the civil rights movement at the time was in favor of. It's only these year this I've seen large segments of society telling us we should see people mainly by race, which is tribalism and I'm not in favor of it.

I've known quite a few women who said they were witches, I tried to give them a wide berth. That Stevie Nicks type of supernatural superstition appeals to a certain type of female.

At that point of time of meeting they are not the girl you should be getting involved with to get into a relationship with. Talking to them is fine.

 

[corrector]

I watched Whiplash this last time.

I watched this too at some point earlier this year on Amazon prime video. Liked the part where he lost the music sheets. Don't know why, but that specific scene stuck on me. Other people worried he would start losing stuff and started freaking out. Miles Teller Andrew acts well here. I've seen him in the Divergent series as well as War Dogs (2016). If you like Whiplash (2014) because there is some sort of Schadenfreude with the psychological abuse suffered by the character portrayed by Miles Teller, then you would like War Dogs (2016), but it has a happy ending for his character.

 

[zekko]

If you like Whiplash (2014) because there is some sort of Schadenfreude with the psychological abuse suffered by the character portrayed by Miles Teller, then you would like War Dogs (2016), but it has a happy ending for his character.

I like Whiplash because it shows the musician/artist's dedication to his craft, I like movies about creativity. I also like JK Simmons, and his character is very interesting here although I don't agree with his approach, even if in the end he was apparently successful. But it raises the question of what it takes to succeed, and shows how failure can motivate.

I'm not a big fan of jazz overall, although I appreciate aspects of it, and I think the best drummers come from jazz. Listen to that gospel song I posted earlier, it's only a minute and a half.

 

[corrector]

I like Whiplash because it shows the musician/artist's dedication to his craft, I like movies about creativity. I also like JK Simmons, and his character is very interesting here although I don't agree with his approach, even if in the end he was apparently successful. But it raises the question of what it takes to succeed, and shows how failure can motivate.

I'm not a big fan of jazz overall, although I appreciate aspects of it, and I think the best drummers come from jazz. Listen to that gospel song I posted earlier, it's only a minute and a half.

War Dogs (2016) also portrays dedication to business contracts and making the impossible happen. If you like Whiplash then you would like War Dogs.

 

[zekko]

War Dogs (2016) also portrays dedication to business contracts and making the impossible happen. If you like Whiplash then you would like War Dogs.

It's on HBO right now, so I have access to it. Looks interesting, I'll put it on my list.

 

[stovepipe]

 

[Georgepithyou]

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