It is very surprising to find out that Christian singer Britt Nicole's song
"The Sun is Rising" is featured in a very secular film
starring Cameron Diaz, called "The Other Woman."
It's PG-13, but does not cover PG-13 topics.
Although described a comedy chick-flick,
The Other Woman is a film involving marital infidelity, cheating,
heavy drinking to come up with stalking plans, manipulating, and
greed... with the end message focusing on divorce and revenge...
all shot in a humorous way.
There are none to very little Christian family values in this secular comedy movie-
that even 'Focus On the Family's Plugged in Movie review gave it
a '1 out of 5' rating for family-friendliness.
But, there is one prominent scene in the movie where Christian singer-songwriter
Britt Nicole's song plays in the background:
And it's a scene where the Lead Character throws her wedding ring into the Ocean,
to be forever lost... YIKES!!!
Any Christian who is a fan of Britt Nicole's music and hears of
this part in the movie would think:
"Why on earth would a Christian Song about Hope in Jesus be the background
song to a movie where a married woman is throwing away her vows?"
One would have to wonder the reasons Britt Nicole was OK to have her music
featured in a none-Christian movie... with non-Christian themes...
and be in THAT Specific Scene... Why???
WHY would Britt Nicole's music be playing in the background of the most
controversial scene of the movie: when the wife throws her wedding ring into the
ocean???
If you are a traditional, conservative Christian, the thought
of this - probably makes you irk.
But when you really, really think about it...
How many people who've had broken relationships perhaps saw THAT scene in that Secular movie,
and thought to themselves that they could 'relate' to sadness of divorce...
then they heard the Christian Song in the background.
Maybe later that day, they downloaded the song, or purchased a Britt Nicole album.
(Which is available by the way, in both Main stream and Christian markets)
Maybe... just maybe... God would have worked in that moment in their lives,
through a Christian Song in a Non-Christian movie, so they
could hear about the Peace of Christ in their tumultuous emotional state.
A little sneaky Evangelism when you think about it-
but pretty powerful none the less, when you look beneath the surface.
As, really, it would make No Sense for a Christian who is passionate about Jesus,
to be OK with having their music be featured in a secular Cameron Diaz Movie-
unless it was for a Greater Purpose.
At first glance, having Britt Nicole's tune "The Sun is Rising", a song about
hope in Christ, does NOT fit a movie about infidelity and divorce.
At first glance- it doesn't make sense why a Christian song that promotes
Christian values would be in a non-Christian movie in the first place.
At first glance- it would rub any church-going Christian the wrong way.
But once you look at the Greater Purpose:
This could have been - and may be - used to reach the lost.
As mentioned before in previous blogs... Jesus, although in His Life
while he walked the earth, He respected going to the temple and prayed to God-
and He had his close group of core "Godly" friends/disciples,
majority of Christ's time... he was hanging out with the sinners,
the corrupt tax collectors, prostitutes, those who were hurting and sick.
So, it would make sense for Christians to go into the world,
look for those who are lost- and do as Jesus did. Provide Hope, in God's name.
But far too many times, we Christians are too judgemental of each other.
We get caught up in a case of trying to present a flawless image,
and trying to live a life to impress other Christians,
rather than trying to impress God.
I personally think that if Britt Nicole lived to impress people in the church,
and other Christians,
to present a 'perfect' image - she would have said No - to placing
her Christian Song in a Non-Christian movie.
One would think she would stand to present the 'best image' of a Christian,
as a Christian... associating her music with only what was pure, holy, and noble.
But she did the Opposite..... a Christian song about Christ's hope is in
a movie about infidelity, divorce, and revenge. Seriously? Yes.
Any Christian who ever decides to watch The Other Woman,
will likely tell you that it is a way-of-the-world movie,
and although will likely find most scenes made them laugh,
will likely feel by the end of the movie, that it was not one that
represented values they believe in.
Their Holy Spirit will likely convict them, as most of the values portrayed
are so opposite to Christian culture.
Most None-Christians who watch the movie, however, will likely think its
your everyday average comedy chick flick.
So, if there was a non-Christian who was watching who was going through the
same drama as the lead character- and they could 'relate'...
perhaps Britt Nicole's song could inspire them for that moment in time?
Although I personally would not recommend seeing the movie The Other Woman-
as the values are questionable,
and the ending would likely leave a Christian cringing... what I DO recommend,
is listening to this Britt Nicole song that is in the movie, as its a good, inspirational one.
Happy to know both Christians and non-Christians can appreciate music that is uplifting in Christ.
What's happening this Canada Day 2014 in Central Ontario:
Newmarket
Main Street will celebrate Canada Day!
Lots of festivities for the entire family.
Bouncing castles, face painting, balloons, crafters, entertainment and more.
Fireworks start at dusk (10pm) at George Richardson Park.
Source: http://newmarketmainstreet.ca/news_calendar.php
Barrie
Capping off the annual Promenade Days,
Canada Day in Barrie features live entertainment,
family fun activities, and beautiful fireworks
over Kempenfelt Bay.
Family Fun Zone: Heritage Park, 1–9pm
•Inflatables and games
•Free face painting
•Vendors, including henna, jewelry, cupcakes,
hot food, cold drinks, clothing
•Free activities including button making,
mini golf, curiosity shop, and race car displays
Source: http://www.barrie.ca/Culture/Festivals/Pages/CanadaDay.aspx
Orillia
July 1st 2014
8:00AM – 11:00AM – Pancake Breakfast – Terry Fox Circle
9:00AM – 11:00PM – Vendors Open
11:00AM – Opening of Children’s Village
12:00PM – Parade – Starts at Albert St & Mississaga St & Proceeds to Park Entrance
12:00PM – 4:30PM – Drumming Circle & Story Time – Orillia Native Women’s Group
1:30PM – Opening Ceremonies – Terry Fox Circle on Cannon Stage
2:00PM – Birthday Cake – Pavilion by Water
3:00PM – Orillia’s Got Talent – Registration starts at 10:00AM at Information Tent
10:00PM – FIREWORKS
Source: http://canadadayorillia.ca/
Huntsville
10:00 am - River Mill Park, Downtown Huntsville
Greetings & Flag Raising with the singing of O' Canada
Canada Cupcakes and local entertainment!
FIREWORKS- 10pm- Dusk.
Launch location over Hunters Bay behind the Fire Hall
Great locations to view fireworks:
AVERY BEACH, HUNTSVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL, HUNTSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Source: http://www.huntsville.ca/en/living/CanadaDay.asp
Owen Sound
Owen Sound celebrates Canada Day with a fireworks display over the harbour,
a rocking evening concert, and lots of family entertainment,
games and attractions throughout the day.
Tuesday July 1st, 2014
Starting at 12 noon at Kelso Beach Park.
Suggested donation $2/person
PARKING: The outside lanes of the Eddie Sargent Parkway will be
closed on July 1st for public parking.
Parking also available in the outer parking areas of Kelso Beach Park.
PETS: For health and safety reasons please leave your pets at home on Canada Day.
Source: https://www.owensound.ca/play/canada-day-celebrations-owen-sound
Peterborough
Canada Day in Peterborough’s is celebrated with
a tradition that you do not want to miss.
Each year, on July 1st, thousands of residents and
tourists converge at Del Crary Park to join
in Peterborough’s Multicultural Canada Day Festival.
End the day at the Peterborough Musicfest with great music and
a spectacular fireworks display at dusk.
Source: http://www.welcomepeterborough.ca/Living/Arts_and_Culture/Festivals_and_Events/Multicultural_Canada_Day_Festival.htm
There are many religions around the globe that have various traditions surrounding food.
As Christians, many of us Pray over our food before we eat. Mainly to give Thanks, to pray for nourishment, and in the name of fellowship with other Christians.
Just as Jesus gave thanks for his food before he ate, we do the same.
And sometimes, Christians Fast... not eating, or eating a limited amount, for a certain period of time. To nourish our own spirit.
Some religions however, pray and offer up animals before they are slaughtered, as an offering to their gods. Some religions never eat certain types of meat that are considered unholy. Some religions only clean their food a certain way - and any other way of cleaning that food item is considered not in line with their beliefs. There are even some Christian traditions that abstain from eating certain foods on particular days of the week as a personal sacrifice and in honour to God.
So, knowing this.... Is it a sin if we eat a piece of food that a non-Christian friend cooked for us- that was prepared in worship to their "god"? What if the food looked delicious? What if they invited you over to supper, as a friend, do you decline and say "no thanks" just because you know they prepare their food in certain ways that are in honour of their "god"? If there is a restaurant in town that offers delicious food that was prepared in a religious way, do you refuse to become a patron of the restaurant because you are a Christian?
What if you ALREADY ate food that was offered up to another "god", and you didn't realize it till your non-Christian friend told you after, that they had prayed over the food before you at it? Have you now sinned?
Good questions.
I was recently at a restaurant that I had no idea followed strict non-Christian religious traditions in the preparation of their food. I didn't realize this, until chatting with the Restaurant Owner, and complimenting them on their delicious meal.... that's when they told me they believe the reason their food is so popular is because it was offered up to their "god" in preparation. He didn't know I was Christian. I had no idea I was eating religiously prepared food. I thought I was in an everyday-average restaurant that prepared delicious food.
I thought... did I make a mistake in eating food offered to another god other than through Christ???
But the food was soooo delicious!!!
Not so sure. So, I turned to the bible... Here's what it had to say.
1st Corinthians 8:8
"Food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do."
And also... 1st Corinthians 1-7
" Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.3 But the man who loves God is known by God.4 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one.5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. 7 But not everyone knows this."
So what should we do? What's the best way for a Christian to react if a non-Christian friend offers us a piece of food that was prepared in a religious way that doesn't align with our beliefs?
In my 'personal opinion', and you may disagree, but I say... still thank our God for the food regardless if it was offered to another god by someone else or not. Food is food. And just know that even if someone else prayed over that food- in their religion- your beliefs and their beliefs are different. So, it should have no effect on you if you ate food offered to another god, as to the Christian, there is only one true God that we believe in anyways.
And- if your non-Christian friend invited you to eat food, in fellowship, even if it may have been done in a religious way for their gods... just remember what it says in the bible. "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." So, if you can show your Christian spirit of love, and act in a 'Christ-like' manner while partaking in their food, perhaps joining your non-Christian friend could be a great opportunity for ministry.
Then again- IF the whole idea just makes you feel horrible and guilty, and that you're not doing the right "Christian" thing to do (if you eat food offered to other gods)... Don't do anything if you feel convicted... Seriously. I'm not here to tell you what to do. First off, I'm not a pastor... and only God is the final judge. And only Christ knows your True Heart as to why or why not you would partake in the food. I guess the rule WWJD (What would Jesus Do) can be applied. At the end of the day... its food that will nourish your body. If the whole thing feels wrong to you, don't do it. But if its done in the spirit of love and ministry so perhaps your friend will learn what Christ is all about, perhaps think about reconsidering.
Here's what I do know as a fact: Jesus was one of the most non-judgemental persons who ever lived. He ate meals with sinners, prostitutes, tax collectors. And he still went to worship God in the temple. He ate with imperfect people, because he knew by doing so, he was extending grace. And showing what TRUE Christianity is all about. :) Love, Peace, Fellowship, Grace. Perhaps we can all learn from Christ's example when it comes to joining our non-Christian friends for supper.
One of the best things to do when you feel like you have an "un-lovable" neighbor, or someone who doesn't deserve your grace and kindness (for whatever reason) is to PRAY for them. Ask God to bless their lives. And that, in turn, will change your heart toward them to have a more Christ-like attitude. It works! God bless you this week. :)
