Reality

Last night, Andy and I escaped on a date night. Liam and the girls had 2 sisters/babysitters that they really enjoy over for the evening and we took advantage of our quiet driving time to and from dinner and our movie....We enjoyed it with silence! 

Sometimes, those dates are golden opportunities for great uninterrupted conversations, other times they're perfectly right for no words at all, just being able to hold hands and think. 

We grabbed a quick dinner since our movie was starting soon, and treated ourselves to a "real" theater. (We're lucky to have what we call a "cheap" theater in town, it's older and the prices reflect that) I'd forgotten that newer theater seats recline, and still have cushion in the bottoms! Ahhhh. 

Dinner was delish, our movie was quite entertaining, and thankfully, despite what I'm about to share next, Andy and I still left, finding a reason to giggle together....But the previews before our movie almost ruined the evening, they definitely are still with me today.

We don't go to movies that often, so I guess for the most part, I'm able to avoid being bombarded with many attempts to gain my attention or interest. Our first preview of the night left both of us speechless. 

I only watched the first 4 seconds or so before I knew exactly where this was going. I had to look away. This wasn't your typical dumb zombie, vampire, fake blood story. This was a murderous, demon possessed woman who was speaking out in multiple voices and with knowledge into other's lives. 

We throw around words like "evil" to describe characters such as Cruella Deville. Mischievous maybe, but a candy-coated "bad guy" none the less. 

Yet, there exists true evil, a darkness so beyond our human reckoning. 

Hollywood has nothing on the throws of Hell.

 I don't believe that we are to live in fear of evil if we have put our hope and faith in Jesus, for Christ said,

 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Nor do I believe it's something to be played with. Demon possession is not something our modern day horror film directors thought up. Sadly it's been happening since Biblical times and it's destroyed lives. 

I couldn't help but think of the people who had helped create this movie, were starring in it, perhaps even written it. Either they possess a true oblivion to the reality that is demonic activity, or they themselves are so entrenched in darkness that this seems normal to create "art" of this evil. 

I don't want this post to scare anyone....I don't fear demonic forces. I don't believe they have any rights in the life of a believer. But I believe they exist,  

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Eph 6:12

...and I do not want to give the enemy a moment of exalted glory in the devastation and horrific power that we  as a human race tend to "glamorize". 

For this film, behind Hollywood's make-up artists and digital graphics, exists a true evil that they are portraying up on that screen. 

I'm not going to be standing outside the Majestic movie theater with a big sign, I'm not going to vow to never watch another movie, and I won't be finishing my afternoon with a "Dear Editor" letter....But I will be praying. I'll be praying for anyone who does watch that movie....that their eyes would be opened to the pit that is before them, and have a desire to seek out truth and light. Remembering that Satan's power is not only short-lived, but nothing compared to Christ's redeeming, ever-lasting power over all.

 I'll also at least be writing a letter to the Majestic and suggesting that a preview of that nature was much too graphic and disturbing to be included before our movie choice.

 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 3 John 1:11

Are you guarding your heart?

 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Philippians 4:8