Con Air

You can find God in the most unusual places. The movie Con Air is one of those places. If you've watched the first clip (above) you've seen that the film is violent and crude with lots of tension and melodrama. It's not a family film (a great deal of violence --- some adult situations and language) but it does portray some very good values in it's heroes.

Though the question about the existence of God is not a central theme of the movie it is one of the threads in the story where God makes a direct appearance (so to speak). The other threads of godliness are found in friendship, loyalty, devotion, commitment and courage in the face of overwhelming odds and circumstances.

Synopsis of the Movie: The name Con Air is a play on the airline named ComAir. The movie name refers to the fact that an airplane is being used to transport a group of dangerous criminals ("Cons" or "Convicts") by air to a high security prison facility.

Most of the passengers (all in shackles) are violent, high-risk, high-security criminals. Only a few are your average run-of-the-mill convict. One in particular --- our protagonist, Cameron Poe --- is a very low-risk prisoner who has really already served his time and is on the flight only as a means of transfering him from where he served . . . . to freedom.

But things go wrong almost immediately . . . the cons take over the plane . . . and the authorities are after them in hot pursuit to bring them down.

Poe is caught between the violent criminals on board the plane and the Feds --- trying to survive so that he can be reunited with his wife and see his daughter for the first time while at the same time trying to save the lives of the prison guards and his best friend who is first in diabetic shock and then wounded by gunfire.

It's complicated and moves fast --- but if you're paying attention you can see some very good qualities surfacing all through a very bad situation.

Con Air
1997
Touchstone Pictures
Directed by Simon West

Meet Garland Green: "He's on the right flight."

Garland Green is a serial-killing, mass-murderer who joins the cast of characters just after the Convicts take over the plane. The cons, posing as security guards, are forced to make one stop in the midst of their getaway to pick up this additional prisoner. If they fail to make this stop their cover will be blown to early in their escape.

Upon learning of this development Poe deadpans, "He's on the right flight."

That's a very dramatic attempt to see something "right" in a very "wrong" scenario!!

But sometimes with all the spin you can spin, all of the positive thinking, all of the optimism you can muster and looking for that silver lining behind that cloud there are just some situations that seem to be destined to be desolate and anything good.

And when just one more bad thing is thrown onto the pile we're not really surprised.

But here's a spoiler: good things do happen in this story . . . and it has a happy ending for our hero.

Believer's in God . . . . Christians in particular . . . . have been prophetically given the promise of good things even in bad times . . . . and a happy ending. That is a part of our faith. A part of what we are asked to anchor ourselves to.

When one bad thing after another is added to an already bad situation --- it doesn't necessarily mean that we are on the wrong flight. Not on the wrong path or out of God's will.

It is possible that, even though your life seems to have been high-jacked, you are on the right flight. You are exactly where God wants you to be.

Hang on. Don't lose hope.
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Creeps, Freaks, and "Hi, Garland."

It helps to be able to calmly size up a situation --- see through the fog, cut away the fiction, and take in a big breath of reality and then address the situation --- "Hi, Garland."

Some believers think that we can't be realists and still show great faith.

Do we have to pretend that everything is OK for everything to ultimately BE OK?

No, we don't have to be pitifully pious or have a silly "Praise God Anyway" grin on our face to face our difficulties as a believer.

We should always be willing to call a spade a spade and still believe that there is a God, He is in control, and we can trust Him even when we are surrounded by the dark and seem to have no hope. He has already proven Himself . . . we can believe that He is with us even now.
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As Good As It Gets

As Good As It Gets

1997 by TriStar Pictures

Starring Jack Nicholson as Melvin Udall

and Helen Hunt as Carol Connelly

(Jack won an Oscar that year for best Actor for this film

and Helen Hunt won the Oscar for best Actress)

*This is not a family movie nor a movie that I recommend for anyone but adults. None of the characters give any evidence of any genuine spirituality or strong moral character. You must view it with discernment. It does have the possibility of inspiring compassion in the viewer and can give the Christian viewer insight into and understanding of lives that seem to be completely without Christ.

OCD        Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Melvin Udall is a fictional character playing a fiction writer who has a very real mental disorder. An affliction (he calls it an "ailment") called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD.

Obsessives feel compelled, driven, or forced to observe or enact and/or repeat small, mundane actions or verbal phrases with great detail and emphasis.

View this clip from As Good As It Gets to see an example of the kind of behavior that might be characteristic of someone suffering from OCD.

Locking and unlocking doors repeatedly to make sure that the door is locked. Turning a light on and off and on again to emphasize it's on-ness or off-ness in the obsessive's consciousness.

One common symptom of OCD is obsessive cleanliness. Lots of hand-washing and an inordinate attention to germs and the microscopic world of disease lurking on every object.

I have a touch of this affliction . . . I use a lot of Purell Hand Sanitizer, I straighten picture frames that don't even belong to me, I place pens and brochures and cards at the bank teller's station all in neat and orderly fashion while I make my deposit.

I've always been a perfectionist (not perfect, mind you. There is a difference) and I am never satisfied with any project until it has been fiddled with to near distraction.

I don't mean to. I don't intend to. I don't even really want to. But I must. I have to. I'm never completely at peace becasue I always believe that anything that I'm working on will be absolutely perfect if I adjust it, turn it, tune it or twist it just a little bit more! Just one more tweak.

And . . . I probably often offend others by changing their work. Making adjustments to their efforts. I'm sure that it seems like a criticism of them or their work when it is really just me bowing to compulsion.

ON THE OTHER HAND . . . do you know why I serve God and His People?

Because I want to.

The Bible does have a lot of commandments . . . but I believe that there is a joyous place for the Christian where he can live without feeling under duress . . . from within . . . or from above.

That part of my life is like an island of sanity. I hope that you have it, too. That you know it and experience it. If you don't . . . ask God for it. I believe that it is a prayer that He is waiting to answer for anyone and everyone.

What if . . . .    What if this is as good as it gets?

This is the scene in the movie from which the title is taken.

Melvin storms into his Psychiatrist's office in a panic. He obviously hasn't been there in a long time. He has neglected his professional care and medication.

His doctor refuses to meet him on his terms, so Melvin storms back out again. When he bursts into the waiting room on the way out he addresses this line to the strangers in the room. He assumes that the reason that they are there is the same as his reason.

He asks them the question that is on his heart. He doesn't expect them to answer . . . or to even have an answer. But it pours out of him anyway.

"What if this is as good as it gets?"

What if we will never get better? What if we will never be cured? What if what we want most in life will never be ours? What if there is no hope?

You might miss the most important line in the scene if you're not careful. It is a simple "Oh" that escapes from the mouth of one of the patients in the waiting room. We can't tell who uttered it. But they probably expressed the feelings of everyone in the room. It is an "Oh" of despair.

"Oh," I've wondered that myself. I've had that thought. I've thought that question.

The genuine believer in Christ never has to face the possibility of utter hopelessness.

There is more to the story. There are facts that we do not presently know. God is accomplishing things --- the whole of which we are not fully aware.

Believe with me the promises of scripture and in the nature and character of God. THIS is not all that there is.

It gets better than this . . . . whatever this is for you. Trust me.

Better yet . . . trust Him.

The Compliment        The Best Compliment of My Life

This scene starts out with Melvin saying, "I have a great compliment for you." This frightens Carol but she braces herself because she knows there's no stopping what's to follow.

And what follows is one of the greatest compliments I have ever heard.

It's a little complicated (like Melvin himself) and requires some setup and explanation. But it's worth it.

"You make me want to be a better man."

Nicholson's delivery and acting is superb as he fidgets and fumbles to say the lines as Melvin would. But what is priceless . . . perfection . . . and unforgettable . . . is the speechless changing expressions on Helen Hunt's face as Melvin's meaning dawns on her.

Watch her face. The camera zooms ever so slightly. There are actually about 5 different phases to her expression. Her eyes glisten with tears and ungraspable emotion.

I can watch it (and I have) over and over again. It always touches me.

"And the winner of the award for best female actress in a leading role is: Helen Hunt!"

She has my vote.

When Melvin says, "You make me . . ." Carol knows that he is describing something that is coming from a different place than all of the other voices and demons that he is a slave to every moment of his life.

He's not talking about a compulsion . . . he's not obsessed with her . . . he loves her. And what is coming from him now is something that he genuinely wants to give to Carol.

He's saying, "You inspire me," "You stir me," "You lift me up," "You empower me."

Is there anyone or anything in your life that makes you want to be a better man, a better woman?

This is what puts every thing that I "hate" (I'm using the word "hate" here) or every thing that I don't like or every thing that I wish was different in my life or in the the world in general a proper perspective.

I can do it, I can bear it, I can withstand it, I can surpass it. Because those very things -- my troubles, trials, and tribulations . . . have the greatest possibility of making me a better man.

And I want that.

OK. Here I go . . . . Lord, I want to offer you praise. You make me want to be a better man.

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The Karate Kid

A Lesson about the Ways and Workings of God

The Karate Kid

1984 by Delphi Films

Starring: Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi

and Ralph Macchio as Daniel Larusso

*The Karate Kid is a good family movie, though there is fighting, confrontation and conflict. There is some mild profanity but nothing outrageous. The lessons and morals of the movie are about discipline, friendship, respect, loyalty and perseverance.

Daniel is a normal high school student being raised by a single Mom. He's being bullied by a pompous and arrogant classmate who is using his skills as a Karate student to reign terror on anyone who happens to catch his dislike. Daniel becomes a prime candidate for his cruelty.

Perhaps if he learns Karate himself, he can protect himself. He gives it a try but all he does is make matters worse --- he finds himself in a dangerous predicament --- until rescue comes.

Daniel is delivered from a beating at the hands of a Karate Class Gang from a new friend. An unassuming, small Japanese man named Mr. Miyagi.

Miyagi single-handedly whips the whole gang without really harming any of the bullies at all. He just embarrasses them. Those who have been only pretending at an art are shamed by a true Master.

Daniel is surprised, grateful and relieved to know that he now knows someone who can teach him how to defend himself.

With great reluctance, Mr. Miyagi agrees to teach Daniel the ancient martial art of Karate that he learned from his own Father.

Take a look at this first clip from the movie to see Daniel's first Karate Lesson.

  

It really looks more like washing and waxing Mr. Miyagi's car than a Karate Lesson. But Daniel is grateful to his deliverer and protector and owes him something for what Mr. Miyagi has done for him ---- so, wax on, wax off.

Karate Lesson number two seems to resemble sanding the floor or Mr. Miyagi's porch deck.

 

OK. So I'll "sand'a floor." Maybe we'll get to the real lesson after I get this chore done.

Karate Lesson number three is "paint'a fence."

 

Mr. Miyagi doesn't even have the decency to even show up for Karate Lesson number four --- "paint house."

Daniel's patience has worn very thin by now --- remember, he's still getting thrashed and bullied on a regular schedule. Embarrassed in front of his new girl friend -- humiliated in front of the whole school. And now he's being duped and taken advantage of by someone that he thought was sincerely offering to help him.

 

He can't pretend any more. He's hurt and angry. He's disappointed and disgusted. He's lost all respect for his benefactor. He thought that providence had presented him with an advocate --- a Father figure --- a fixer --- a friend.

He quits. He storms towards the door. He's done. Finished.

But Mr. Miyagi will not let him leave. He has to put it together for Daniel. Look at this last clip.

 

Daniel assumed that all that he was doing was serving Mr. Miyagi. How demeaning. How belittling. How humiliating.

Everything for the Master --- and nothing for the slave, the pupil, the student.

Who could have seen? Who could have known that Daniel was learning Karate . . . and much, much more.

He was learning Karate --- and he was getting stronger --- and being finely tuned and trained to grow and become a champion and most of all he as gaining character and patience. He was not just being prepared to beat someone up. He was being prepared for something more --- something better and of greater consequence.

Is God teaching you? Are you Learning?

I know that He is teaching you. Are you learning anything? Are you aware of it?

I mean the whole big picture, big lesson?

Don't you wish that God would just beat all of your bullies, defeat all of your foes? He can solve all your problems, resolve all of your conflicts, answer all of your prayers. Heal all of your diseases. Why doesn't He just do that?

Better yet . . . couldn't he just take you right to Heaven ---- right now?

The Karate Kid is a heart-warming, inspiring movie. It is entertaining and enjoyable but it also has a lesson for all of us. A moral.

Do you want to know the message that I got from God while watching this movie?

He said "Wax on, wax off. Sand my floors, paint my fence and my house. Do whatever I ask you to do --- without hesitation and without doubt and question." "Trust me." "Serve me."

"I have a plan for you --- it is my intention to do something good for you." (Jeremiah 29:11)

And here are the words that clinch this lesson for me --- and show me how to apply it --- how to live it -------- "Look eyes . . . . " "Always look eyes."

God does want you to bow to Him ---- but the main thing is ----- always keep your eyes on Him. Always.