52 Paths to Heaven

I’ll be the first to admit that some family sites sometimes make movies seem worse than they are on screen.

I saw the new Hulk movie the other day and didn’t even recall the women with low-cut tops and short shorts. Maybe they were on the screen for a second - in the background.

But I have to give these sites credit - they often do provide an honest assessment of the vulgar language, sexuality, gore, etc. Many of their observations are dead on.

Before deciding on a movie, check out  a few of these resources. For example, Mike Myers and Adam Sandler have some so-called comedies out this summer. The problem is that they’re loaded with sexual jokes and sight gags. Do I really want to go to a movie with my 12-year-old son Eric (or let him go to the movies with his friends) just so he can see people cheapen and mock sexuality and intimacy?

I read and paraphrased the entire description of one movie for Eric. I think he finally got the point.

The problem is that youth don’t use enough discretion. So I have to be, well, a parent. I’m sorry he’s embarrased to tell his friends he can’t go. Well, maybe I’m not really sorry. I keep telling him to let them know he doesn’t want to see it - that would be a more mature way to address the issue.

Anyway, here is a handy list. Check out a couple before drawing conclusions. In some cases, take in a movie first and then act like a responsible parent before allowing your children to see what Hollywood suggests they view.

Focus on the Family’s Plugged In
www.pluggedinonline.com/

Kids-In-Mind
www.kids-in-mind.com

Christian Spotlight on Entertainment
http://www.christiananswers.net/spotlight/home.html

ChristianityTodayMovies.com
www.christianitytoday.com/movies

Screen It
www.screenit.com

Parent Previews
http://www.parentpreviews.com

As my book points out, one of our paths to heaven may be a scene from a movie that touches our heart. You still need to be careful about your selections.

You can’t see it, taste it or feel it. But it exists. Who cares what it looks like?

You”ll find out in the Soul chapter that we have a soul at birth. Whether it arrives at conception or a little after doesn’t matter either.

 I think the soul is our connection to God. It provides fuel, spiritual connections for our communication. God didn’t want to create  bunch of robots. But He didn’t see the point in letting us fend for ourselves. The soul was His gift to us to give us the capacity to respond to Him in a supernatural way.

It’s the soul that survives death. Is yours going to heaven or hell?