Art – Page 17

Horror movies for the Christian…

Published on August 8, 2017 by Mae @ RainydayinmayLeave a comment

When it comes to horror movies, there are so many perspectives. Some range from super conservative (horror movies are evil) to really obsessive about them. I grew up watching scary 80’s movies on the only semblance of family movie night my childhood home had. At 5/6/7 these movies terrified me, BUT it felt more scary to NOT watch and know it was happening in the other room. (ah, the rationale of a child.)

As a teenager and young adult I really loved a good horror movie. Chw could care less either way. Then, one day in around 2001, I read an article about people’s love of scary films being connected to their perspective on life and the horrors/traumas that they had experienced. (I do not remember the specifics about it really, other than the fact that it was really psychologically driven so it spoke my jam.) Strangely enough, after contemplating that, I did not love them so much anymore. Chw, on the other hand, began loving them more.

I pretty much avoid them now,with a few exceptions. At various stages of life my kids have loved them and it has led to dialogue. Some would judge that I am in a precarious position being a Christian and messing with such things. As a Christian I believe that doors in our spirit can be opened (and remain open) when we engage in darker activities. I know this is truth because I did some pretty stupid things as a teenager and it still affects me. There are films out there, of the horror genre, which tell this tale well. And so, as parents, we came to the decision (based on maturity levels of course) to experience some of these movies with older kids, rather than forbidding them, and then having conversations.

We really love the newer films telling the stories of Ed & Lorraine Warren. If you google them you will get an array of things that are not the heart of their story. The more I have learned about them over the years, the more I have been humbled by their life’s journeys. (I would love to have a conversation with Lorraine, face to face over a shared pot of tea. I know this isn’t possible, at least not this side of heaven, but it’s on my list none the less.)

Annabelle: Creation (not to be confused with the last Annabelle made) is one of those scary movies which illustrates to us the dangers of messing with things we don’t understand, as well as the dangers of making extreme choices when dealing with overwhelming emotion. I am sharing an article which I believes articulates what I’m trying to say MUCH better…

Lessons For Christians From Horror Movies

The popularity of horror films continue to grow, especially among teens and young adults, who flock to movie theaters on opening weekend. This Friday, August 11, for example, the movie “Annabelle: Creation,” about a possessed doll hits theaters nationwide. It seems difficult to believe that any movie created to frighten and give us nightmares might have a meaningful spiritual lesson for Christians. And yet, anyone who has been brave enough to watch “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” written by Scott Derrickson, a Christian filmmaker, knows full well that horror movies can serve us with cautionary messages and, might just inspire the audience to head to their nearest church pew.

To be clear, not all horror films are the same. The genre has different versions. There’s no takeaway from “slasher” or disturbing “torture” movies meant to provide nothing but shock. However, there are horror movies that depict spiritual warfare (which we know to be real) and the battle between good and evil. These supernatural films, oftentimes written and produced by Christians and based on real-life events, are filled with lessons about something we as people of faith have stopped discussing in an increasingly distracted secular world – that evil is real.

Here are a few other lessons from supernatural horror films:

Exorcisms are also real. Although incredibly rare, people can get possessed by evil. “The Exorcist” is based on a real-life possession of a young boy, and “Annabelle: Creation” is about a possessed girl.
God will always defeat evil. No matter how powerful the enemy may be, God will always come out on top. In the Bible, one of the most powerful miracles that Jesus performed was The Miracle of the Gadarene Swine in which Jesus cast unclean spirits out of a man. In real-life and in all supernatural films that have a faith message including “The Conjuring” and “The Rite,” evil will always be vanquished.
Ouija Boards are a big no. Perhaps one of the strongest and most valuable lessons to come from supernatural horror movies (which just as true in real life) is that those who become plagued or possessed by evil may have inadvertently invited those spirits or demon to come into their lives. This is done through certain “gateways” that many priests and Christian leaders warn us about. Christians, especially Christian parents must teach kids and teens to stay away from Ouija boards, tarot cards, fortune telling, or any sort divination. These are all means in which evil can take hold of our lives. In the second “Conjuring” movie the character becomes possessed after playing with a Ouija board. This was based on a true person and event.

Prayer is the most powerful thing in the world. Prayers protect and deliver us from evil. In horror movies, those who are plagued by evil must often turn to a person of great faith or priest to help them. That Christian leader is always portrayed as someone who believes prayer to be of utmost importance and is shown onscreen praying to God throughout the film.
Faith is the most important thing in the world. Believing in God and being baptized in the Christian community protects and strengthens us. It is a natural defense again evil. In times of weakness, we must lean on our faith and turn to God. The upcoming movie, “Annabelle: Creation,” is a cautionary tale that depicts what happens when one turns away from God and succumbs to temptation during a period of grief and weakness as opposed to leaning on God for grace and healing.

All movies, including horror movies tell stories. In the last century, before we had television and films, parents told stories and tales that were meant to alarm and even frighten children and youth from a certain place or course of action.

Now these stories, meant to be lessons, are brought to life onscreen, complete with sound effects and make-up. They are terrifying and they should be – evil is something to stay away from. But for Christians, there is a stronger message, one that should always comfort and strengthen us – that we have a savior and that he will always come to protect and fight for those of us in need.

hey, hey, it’s the weekend…

Published on August 5, 2017 by Mae @ RainydayinmayLeave a comment

The weekend is here, (Hurrah!) and I feel like, as of late, everyone has been heading to the mountains but me. It isn’t that I love the mountains more than anyone else, just that my soul is a little jealous…

Friday came and went, this week. Having Chw out-of-town with a weird schedule, and a couple of fibro flare up days, I found myself a bit behind. Thanks to my beautiful people though, I received half a dozen inquiries asking where my friday five post was. Is that what we’re calling it? ok then… You asked-

1.) I took a Tai Chi class earlier this week. It was amazing on so many levels and helped me address issues in a few key problem areas within my body. (Full discloser, I did follow a yoga class with it, back to back, which likely helped.) I went in a skeptic and with one session it won me over.

2.) A fellow K-drama loving friend (and AWESOME writer) got me turned on the series Goblin. It is unlike any K-drama I’ve watched before. Confusing at first, and now so compelling.

3.) I am reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and loving it. Really great read and I highly recommend it!

4.) Yesterday evening felt like Autumn. I had all of my windows wide open, breeze blowing my curtains. The air felt AMAZING and I just sat there wrapped in a blanket, watching Goblin and waiting for Chw to make it back to town. It was pretty perfect! I do hope, however, that this does NOT mean we are going to have an early/harsher winter.

5.) Day dreaming about vacationing here. Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Chw and I have talked about it more than once, and I’m not kidding when I say it randomly enters my mind at unexpected times throughout the day. We are just under two years away from our 25th anniversary. Maybe this will be our destination getaway? (perhaps once the change jar equals a puppy we can turn it from Project Puppy to Project Mexico???)

So there you have it… What would you like to share about the week behind us?

Still so far away…

Published on July 18, 2017 by Mae @ RainydayinmayLeave a comment

I don’t usually fancy beginning a blog post with Oh My Gosh, you guys!!!, but this might be one exception… OH MY GOSH, you guys!!! Have you watched the trailer for A Wrinkle in Time? The first time I saw this little tease, I got chills and felt the full-blown prick of tears behind my eyes. (don’t judge) It looks amazing, and yet somehow only leaves me a little bit resentful that Disney is showing us this twelve lifetimes before the release.

I have a sneaking suspicion this will not be the last time you hear me mention this film. Let us hope, together, with all of our combined positive energies that I do not grow resentful at the wait. These are the ways in which the invention of the internet is a cruel technological advance.

In all seriousness, now that you’ve seen the trailer- ARE YOU SO EXCITED???

Consider it an invitation…

Published on June 14, 2017June 12, 2017 by Mae @ RainydayinmayLeave a comment

I love Jesus.

I am pretty ok with that, and I hope that you are too. If you aren’t, just know I am ok with that too. My loving Jesus isn’t about you at all, it is about me. It’s about my heart, my life, my choices, my journey, and a lot of other large and small things which add up to equal my faith.

I cautiously consider myself a Christian. I say cautiously because, honestly, at least in America (and some perceptions of American Christianity) the name has gained a bit of a rough reputation.

My pastor spent Sunday morning talking about Detroit. This looked a little like a history lesson. It involved political bits, heart bits, hard truths and a bunch of other uncomfortable and completely relevant things which together equalled a pretty amazing talk. He challenged us to be honest with ourselves about the walls we build. Initially the topic came up because Detroit was once known to have a dividing wall. I guess pieces of this wall still exist. This wall was raised to literally divide the African-Americans and the Whites. Though the wall isn’t technically much of a thing anymore, Detroit is still ranked as the most segregated city in America. I live in the metro part of this amazing city and I have to say this announcement shocked me. Our church alone, (granted, it’s a pretty huge church) likely has multiple people from most nations, in attendance. Our neighborhood actually has a dozen flag poles sporting flags from 12 different nations because we are such a diverse little community. Then again, this is the metro area, and not Detroit itself.

He illustrated his point by having several people from different countries approach the front of the church. They looked at each other, chatted some, laughed a little and then affirmed “there are no more walls between us.” I’ll admit it- it was emotional and I totally teared up. After this, he had fans of rivaling college teams do the same thing. It was funny and laughs were had, but when he sobered and asked us what walls we put up, I was challenged. I am pretty accepting. I don’t shy away from anyone really. I love meeting people and things that are different don’t scare me. Since that service, I’ve thought a lot about this. There are off-putting things, about me, which likely cause others to put up a wall between us. Despite losing 130 lbs, I am still overweight. I have a lazy eye. I was separated from my husband for 6 months (an issue that many fellow Christians we know can’t seem to get past.) in fact, here is a list of things which have caused people I’ve known to distance themselves from me…

I voted for Hillary.

I have a diverse taste of music.

I don’t support people who discriminate against ANYONE and using their religion as an excuse.

I worked as a film critic for years.

I drink.

As a photographer I have done many boudoir sessions.

I am an adoptive parent.

I struggled with infertility.

I am pro-choice and hate abortion.

I was sexually abused.

I hate porn and believe it decomposes a person’s ability to have healthy self image/relationships/etc.

I am a feminist.

I believe in marriage.

I support equality.

I do not believe men and women are equal. I am different from my husband and my brother. I am not better, but different. I don’t want to be like them.

I do believe men and women should have equal rights, DO HAVE equal worth and value.

I love Jesus.

I will never “shove Jesus down your throat” or preach at you.

I am a person and so each of these things make up a piece of my story… Each of these things has a story and reason for it’s position in my life.

I will not bother/hurt/offend me if your stories are different and your beliefs do not match mine.

If you know me, you know that I am a party planner. Best of all are dinner parties. LOVE THEM. Upon moving back to Michigan in 2013, my party opportunities are limited, and this makes me a little sad. After that sermon though, I got to imagining a dinner party. What if we had a lovely homosexual couple over for dinner. What if, in addition to them, we had an African-American couple, a middle eastern couple and a few other diverse additions? Other than the likely fact that we would have some really interesting and unpredictable conversation, what would we have?

A dinner party.

That is literally it. It would not be an experiment. It would not be a meeting. It would not be anything other than a group of people getting together to share a meal and converse. Obviously we would all have SOMETHING in common, or the dinner party wouldn’t exist in the first place. (hence the interesting and unpredictable conversation)

I really wish this dinner party were happening. Do you know why? Because I am seriously lonely and want to host a lovely little dinner party. (That’s the only reason actually. Maybe you should come for dinner…)

When it comes to a different race, or a different class, or a different religion, I am unruffled. None of these things will hinder me from approaching someone, or befriending them, or responding to them if they approach me. The one thing that may honestly hinder me is the fact that I am a total introvert and often have much better intentions than follow through, and I get a little insecure. While I want to approach someone, those things I first mentioned (overweight, lazy eye, etc.) become the wall I throw up to save my ass from someone else’s rejection.

Recently I had the opportunity to get to know a small group of women. One of the women I shallowly pegged immediately as a little stuck up and clearly she had it all together. She was thin and honestly, gorgeous. As time progressed though, it became surprisingly obvious that this beautiful woman and I had far more in common that anyone else in the group. Ironically the fat girl with the lazy eye and the drop dead gorgeous and in shape woman became friends. Is that how she saw me? I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. I threw up a wall with my initial assessment, and what I assumed would be hers… Thankfully that wall became a gate and now it is gone completely. My point is, when pastor Bob challenged us to find our walls and why we build them, this friend instantly popped in my head. I could have missed out on so much because I jumped to conclusions. I don’t do that as a habit, but I don’t want to do it ever. I want to be better, with others and with myself.

I want to have dinner party after dinner party where my table is filled with people who contribute to great conversation, people who enjoy food and maybe an occasional game or glass of wine. Beyond that, while I don’t want to be blind to their differences, I do want to understand and appreciate them for the unique people they are. (whoever they will be)