Posted by Pastor Randy in
BlogsOur girls went to birthday parties last weekend – Torre and Taryn to one and Tatum to another. Shelly and I decided to take advantage and have a date night! Which is great, ‘cause I love going out on dates with my wife (yes that was a GBPG… a gratuitous brownie-point grab). So we went old school – like when we went out together back in high school. We spilt a plate from Gringo’s and filled up on chips and salsa (haha, JJ!) and then we went to see a movie, something we like to do. Good times, good times!
One movie preview had captured my attention because of some of the special effects in it: “Inception” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. So I checked out Rotten Tomatoes and “Inception” was getting great reviews from actual people, not critics. Tangent here: don’t you just hate how critics can be so jaded in their reviews? I know that they see something like 5 movies a week, but most normal people see 2-3 movies per month MAX. Many of us a whole lot less! We’re not bored with movies like they often are. Oh, and BTW, how they can rant and rave about some movie that has no plot, moves at a snail’s pace, and then ends without resolving anything (good or bad I can handle, but no resolution at all?)? I’m not really a big fan of most movie critics. But I digress…
To my amazement, both normal people AND critics liked it too, so we went to see it. Here’s the trailer if you aren’t sure which movie I’m talking about.
Inception Trailer on YouTube
I’ve wanted so bad to write a blog post with the words “Spoiler Alert” but I don’t think I need to. Too bad! Here’s the general plot. Leo DiCaprio plays the role of Dominic, a man who can enter into someone else’s dreams through technology. Dominic is hired to plant an idea into a subject’s mind by entering as a character in his/her dreams. But the ultimate goal is for this idea come from inside, to take root in their mind and heart, and then to inspire the subject to take action. Dominic is hired to go into their dreams and make sure that this “thought-plant” ends in a very specific action being taken which benefits the man who hired Dominic to plant this idea.
Personally, I loved this movie. It was very unique. It wasn’t just a “sit-down-and-veg-out” kind of movie. But it wasn’t so convoluted that it made your head hurt just trying to figure it out either. Just the perfect balance, IMHO. There was some violence, but not a lot, and none that seemed unnecessary. There was no sex scene. There was very little language that was offensive. Basically, the movie was just really, really good without extra trash thrown in to clutter it. Intense action, suspense, real emotion, great story, good acting… the whole package. I give it an enthusiastic thumbs up… wait, didn’t I say I disliked movie critics? Whoops, scratch that last line!
So how in the world does this connect with spiritual things? I’m glad you asked. You have been created as an amazing fact-gathering/processing machine by your Creator. Your mind is constantly taking in thoughts, ideas, images and opinions. The constant bombardment plants thoughts that eventually end in actions. For Good. For Bad. So your choices on what you take in repeatedly means something to your spiritual, emotional, relational, and even financial health. Please re-read that last sentence; I’ll wait here…
I would venture to say that your choices are a reflection of what you value. And even if you have not acted on them, they can sometimes simply dull your passion for important things… or make you more dissatisfied with your life. Think about it before you dismiss what I’m saying. I’ll wager you will find it to be true.
Before you say that I’m overstating it, tell me, if advertising doesn’t work, why is it annually a multi-billion-dollar industry? Just for fun? Hardly. I started this blog post by saying that I first decided that I would like to see “Inception” because of a movie preview, not word of mouth. Yet I would venture to guess that until this very moment, you didn’t even think that previously mentioned movie preview that I told you that I saw as an example of advertising in action, did you? Did you? Whoa, deep…
Engage your mind with me for a few minutes more. Have you noticed that modern advertising has less and less to do with the actual product? The focus of modern advertising is on advancing the connection in your mind: “product X” is associated “quality,” “like-ability,” “success” or “beauty.” Once you connect emotionally positive feelings with their shoes/clothes/jewelry/homes/cars, you will buy them. Why? Because we most often act as our heart guides us, and then find ways to justify our actions with our head. Am I right? Maybe you don’t agree. Maybe you do. Tell me what you think in your comment…
So as I end this, where does God fit in? Right HERE: Where is His Word infused into your life? Where are His values engaged and engrained? If you say “at EHC” and you come to the weekly Sunday Celebrations, that gives you about 1.5 hours MAX per week… if you are able to come every week. Most importantly, have you allowed those thoughts to become more than an often-forgotten, passing interest? Have they become enough of a heart-thing to guide your actions? Is it possible your real values are taught through another source, and your head is trying to figure out how to fit God back into the choices and lifestyle that you have already made?
We cannot grow spiritually without engaging God’s Word. We are entering into a season where at EHC we will be promoting involvement in small group, discussion-oriented Bible Studies. We will be offering them at different times, with different teachers. You are almost sure to be able to be involved if you choose to. I hope you will, because we all need to connect on a deeper level with God’s Word. And it cannot be done by only attending the Sunday Celebration. Let God plant His thoughts in your heart. Embrace them as your own. Then watch as He starts coming out in your life and affecting your lifestyle, habits, mindset and world-view. But you’ve gotta decide He’s worthy of more of your time and attention. Get connected to His way of thinking. Go deep! If you do, you’ll find…
Blessings and Peace,
RPfromEHC
PS. Have you seen Inception? Is so, did you like it? Have you ever noticed what I mentioned about modern advertising? Do you have a thought on thoughts? Let me hear from you!
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As my girls grow up, I have less and less control over their choice of friends and that is terrifying to me. We all know how friends can persuade our ideas about life, love, etc. Beyond peer pressure, the idea that friends can ‘incept’ thoughts into my girls’ minds when they are unassuming is far more daunting. I think my kiddos are mature enough to handle the bold confrontation of peer pressure, for the most part. It’s the inception of thoughts/ideas that scares me. A seedling of an idea seems less intrusive but does the most damage in the end. I pray the Lord protects them.
Nice tie in Shelly. The movie was great. As for me, I think the top kept on spinning…