Teaching Good Things

Practical Skills for Real Life

Teaching Good Things - Practical Skills for Real Life

Category Archives: Good Movies

Movieology - Helping You Choose Wisely!

I can’t tell you how many times we’ve brought home a movie only to turn it off 20 minutes into it!

Now that our children are older we tolerate a little bit more ‘junk’ than we use to, but we always talk through it and after it, tearing apart the movie and it’s world-view. Even good movies can have a totally wrong world-view.

American Vision has established Movieology to help us get the most of our entertainment choices.

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Why Books Over Movies

On the post Manly and Respectful Boys Trisha asked:

“I was wondering what makes you say that books make more of an impression than movies? I hope that’s true, but I’d love to hear what makes you think that.”

When you read a good book it will draw you into another world for hours and even days. A good writer will make you identify with the characters and everything they feel, smell and touch. When you are reading it is almost as if you are experiencing it for yourself; your brain is processing a lot of information at once. When you watch a movie it may last 2 hours at the most and it has to be fast paced. The experience may be a good one, but it cannot have the depth that a book has. This is why it is so important to read good books, not only in terms of the writer’s skills, but that the story does not take you places you should not go (into sin), that it does not call evil things good, and that in the end the good guy wins! Our boys need books (and movies) where the men are real men. They are the protectors and providers. They need to identify with men who were willing to to the hard things.

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A Great Family Movie

Last night we watched The Astronaut Farmer, from Netflix. It does have a little language in it, but overall it is a great family movie. I love how the wife stood by her husband and the kids were so supportive. Yes, the story line is fiction, but that’s OK! They encouraged Dad to follow his dream. There was no, "Your nuts!" from the kids towards the parents which is what you see in most family movies. To be honest I hate most family movies, almost all the time the kids disrespect the parents, the kids have all the answers and in the end the parents end up admitting how wrong they were. Sneaking around and lying is rewarded. And THAT is suppose to build families up? ugh!

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What Can We Learn from the Amish?

Last night we watched a neat documentary about the Amish people, The Amish: A People of Preservation. No they are not perfect and yes, they are legalistic in many ways. Say what you will about them, but we can learn a lot from them about teaching our children and enjoying our families, not to mention how they take care of others in their community.

At a young age their children are expected to help. They are given responsibilities which in turn give them a sense of worth. They are not vegged out on mindless activities, although do they have recreation. You will notice that the children in the movie look so very happy!
 
The part that impressed me the most was that they value relationships more than they do productivity and activities. Who among us does not feel the pressure of always being in a hurry, always a long list of To-Do's? Don't we often wish for a more simple life? I don't mean a primitive life, just less stuff, less activity, less bills and more relationship? I hate when I hear the term "family night", after all, shouldn't most nights be family night?
 
The Amish spend the majority of their time working together, and this is so vital in their relationships. Why do men and women have 'office affairs'? Usually because that is where the bulk of their time is being spent, sharing a common mission (work). When children are gone at school all day it is no wonder we struggle for their hearts. The majority of the day they are sharing a common mission (school work/graduation) together.
 
Toward the end of this movie they show a barn-raising after a fire. These families do not trust in their insurance companies or contractors, or a Government bail out. They are counting on each other. They organize and come to their neighbor's rescue. They are not forced to help each other, they WANT to help each other. Isn't that how it should be? And because these people were taught at a young age to work, not only how to work, but to want to work, they are well equipped to meet the needs of those around them. It is all about taking responsibility for ourselves and offering an extended hand when needed.
 
I strongly encourage you to watch this movie. Observe how their children are right along side of them, learning and taking responsibility. Do you know why our culture views children and young adults as a burden? It's because we don't require them to do their part. Identifying 20 year olds as being in "extended adolescence" is absurd!
 
Things and money do not bring us long lasting fulfillment, but relationships do. We all long for good relationships with our family members and neighbors. God did not create us to live alone and 'look out for number one'. He created us to live for others, just as Christ did. What are you doing to equip your children with the ability to give of themselves, in the home and in the community? Do they know their purpose and responsibility? Are you working along side them with joy to prove to them that life is about caring for each other?
You can watch this through Netflix. We get the cheapest subscription they have, which also allows you to watch movies instantly online. I love Netflix because they carry GOOD movies that the video store doesn't and NO LATE FEES! ;o)
UPDATE: One reader just e-mailed that she found this movie at her library! yeah!

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