Who needs another website devoted to reviews and analysis of new film releases?

The basic premise behind our approach is the idea that the artist’s intent matters. By contrast, the so-called “fallacy” of authorial intent, one of the byproducts of twentieth-century formalism, claims that the critic or the viewer is the sole arbiter of meaning—that the filmmaker’s intent is ultimately irrelevant.

Yet at the same time, art of any form is still communication. Film, in particular, is an attempt by an artist or group of artists to express certain ideas about beauty, meaning, or truth. To the extent that a critic overemphasizes a subjective impression of a film at the expense of what a film actually says—or what can be known of a filmmaker’s intent through interviews, the filmmaker’s body of work, or the film itself—communication has not only failed, it has been willfully disregarded. Sadly, the vast majority of film criticism, while still making valuable contributions to the understanding of any given film or culture in general, tends to undervalue the communicative power of film.

I, personally, don’t think all Christian media is good simply because it’s labeled Christian.  Nor do I think secular books, music, and movies have nothing to teach us about faith, especially when watched through the eyes of Christ.  I like that Past the Popcorn “will attempt a serious analysis of a film’s meaning, both from the audience’s point of view and from the filmmakers’, as much as is critically possible. Recognizing that all films still exist (in part) as entertainment, films will also be subjectively reviewed for “nutritainment value” and audience-appropriateness.”  

Other movie review ministries:

Plugged In Online: This site has been one of my favorite tools in regard to what I allow my son to watch.  The reviews are presented only from a conservative Christian worldview – artist value is not considered – looking at all positive and negative elements, listing anything someone may find inappropriate.  I appreciate the thoroughness, and like that I can be certain there will be no surprises if I let Jacob see a particular movie.

Hollywood Jesus: A great site that explores pop culture from a spiritual point of view.  Everything from books to movies to comic books to toys and games are reviewed.  Some rather thought-provoking questions are asked, too.

From the organization’s website:

Shoebox Ministry is located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Shoebox was founded in 1988 with a specific goal of meeting the personal hygiene needs of the homeless and working poor. We are the only agency in the greater Phoenix area that focuses on meeting this very important need. While we are not a shelter, we do distribute our toiletry kits through agencies and shelters that work directly with the homeless and working poor.

Shoebox has seen major growth and success throughout its nearly two decades in operation. The small non-profit that once only impacted the local area has now become a nation-wide program, with an outreach that has even extended beyond national borders.

What a wonderful idea.  Shoebox fills, well, shoeboxes with necessary toiletry items, which are then distributed to those in need.  You can find the “recipe” for the shoeboxes here, as well as an overview of the five other specialty events throughout the year (I particularly like the Mother’s Day purses and Undie Sundie).

You may not live anywhere near Arizona, but perhaps after reading this, you’ll be moved to contact your local homeless shelter, soup kitchen, or area working poor outreach, and ask if they’d be interested in some shoeboxes filled with toiletries.  Or, perhaps you’ll consider starting a similar ministry in your own community.

Make Way Partners is passionate about sharing the hope of the Gospel with “the least of these,” and choses places of ministry where women and children are at highest risk of human trafficking, forced prostitution and other forms of modern-day slavery, and where little to no other help is available because it is considered either “too” dangerous, “too” expensive or “too” remote for most people to go.  It’s focus is on Eastern Europe and Africa.

From its website:

Make Way Partners is a Christian mission agency committed to prevent and combat human trafficking and all forms of modern–day slavery by educating and mobilizing the Body of Christ. We build partnerships within the Body of Christ to call forth those willing to answer the Biblical call to seek justice on behalf of the oppressed through prayerful intercession, financial support, and ministry and mission service. To those who are oppressed and at high risk of trafficking, we offer indigenous ministries of counseling, discipleship, education, employment, food, medical, shelter, and transportation which offer hope and practical assistance in the fight for freedom

There are many ways to support Make Way Partners, from going on a short-term missions trip, to fundraising, to setting up a local MWP chapter.  Some easy ways to give utilize Good Search (donates money for every Internet search you make) and iGive (a portion of your online purchase is donated to MWP – or the participating ministry of your choice).

While not affiliated with Make Way Partners, Stop the Traffik (a global movement working to combat the fastest growing global crime) offers an excellent 21-day prayer diary, highlighting the stories of men, women, and children who have experienced human trafficking firsthand, and giving specific prayer requests for each of the countries represented.  Download it here for free.

Other ministries involved in the fight against human trafficking:

The Salvation Army:  Due to the inherently abusive and exploitive nature of human trafficking, the Salvation Army considers all forms of trafficking in persons abhorrent. Combined with its mission to preach the gospel of Jesus and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination, these beliefs motivate it to work diligently for the prevention of human trafficking and for the restoration of trafficking survivors.  For a free packet of information about sex trafficking, email your request along with your name and mailing address to: anti_sextrafficking@usn.salvationarmy.org. 

Nightlight: A ministry in urban Bangkok, which reaches out to women and children working in the bar areas of Nana/Sukhumvit. Located in a neighborhood with a growing sex trade, Nightlight’s vision is to share the Light of the world in both word and deed to those who live in darkness.  Donate directly or purchase jewelry made by the women who have left prostitution and are trying to support themselves and their families in other ways.

“You know what? I feel the same way,” I told him. “That’s the Holy Spirit talking to both of us. So, we need to pray together, and see what God might have us do.”

Now, Jacob is a 7-year-old man of action. He likes to do things. He likes tangible results, and wants to be directly involved. I went online, trying to find a way he could be a participant in a ministry, not just an observer or a fund raiser.

What I found was Operation Kid-to-Kid.

From the OK2K website:

Operation Kid-to-Kid is a partnership of Group Publishing, Inc., and nondenominational Christian organizations dedicated to creating hands-on service projects for children in North America. Operation Kid-to-Kid projects have impacted hundreds of thousands of kids all over the world.

Over the years, Group’s Operation Kid-to-Kid has become one of the largest forces mobilizing children in serving other children around the world. Hundreds of thousands of kids have been impacted with gifts of school supplies, Bibles, hygiene kits, Christmas gifts, Bible Coloring Books, and socks and shoes.

OK2K has has offered different projects over the years (but all seem to be on-going; you can still order the supplies from the Group store); this year’s projects are the Comfort Critters and the Prayer Bears. They’re similar – a flannel bear or turtle that children can stuff themselves. Each animal also has a pocket where kids can write a personal message to the recipient. The bears are distributed by the International Bible Society to orphans in Africa, while the turtles are given to children in the United States who have been though disasters, such as floods, wildfires, tornadoes, or hurricanes.

This was just what Jacob was looking for. We ordered 80 bears and turtles, and in April we’re having a Kid-to-Kid ministry party; Jacob sent invitations to his friends, asking the to “come help share Jesus’ love,” and we’re going to stuff animals, eat pizza, and then pack up the little critters and pray over them before shipping them off to their new homes. I’ll post photos of the project party next month.

For ordering information on the Prayer Bears, click here; for the Comfort Critters, click here.

From its website:

Living Water International exists to demonstrate the love of God by helping communities acquire desperately needed clean water, and to experience “living water”—the gospel of Jesus Christ—which alone satisfies the deepest thirst.

Access to clean water is the foundation for other forms of  development. Without easy access to water that is safe, countless hours are spent in water collection and household income is spent on purchasing water and medical treatment for water-related diseases. Safe, clean water removes the single heaviest burden from the lives of the poorest people in our world. Not having to deal with this daily crisis means time for school and work, life and health, and allows individuals and communities to plan for tomorrow. 

Living Water International lists many ways to take action and help provide pure, fresh water to those in need.  Monetary donations are one way, of course.  It costs an average of $0.98 per day to one person for one year.  The organization also provides media materials and ideas for fund raisers or “getting the word out.”  You can also volunteer to help both in the United States or be trained to get your hands dirty doing field work internationally.

Jacob and I are now taking a “$1 a day” challenge for the month – he’ll earn the money doing extra chores around the home, and I’ll match his earnings, and each night we will add gift to the giving jar, praying that our donation will quench the physical and spiritual thirst of two individuals.   

From its Web site:

Rachel’s Vineyard is a safe place to renew, rebuild and redeem hearts broken by abortion. Weekend retreats offer you a supportive, confidential and non-judgmental environment where women and men can express, release and reconcile painful post-abortive emotions to begin the process of restoration, renewal and healing.

Rachel’s Vineyard can help you find your inner voice. It can help you experience God’s love and compassion on a profound level. It creates a place where men and women can share, often for the first time, their deepest feelings about abortion. You are allowed to dismantle troubling secrets in an environment of emotional and spiritual safety.

Rachel’s Vineyard is therapy for the soul. Participants, who have been trapped in anger toward themselves or others, experience forgiveness. Peace is found. Lives are restored. A sense of hope and meaning for the future is finally re-discovered.

At the Rachel’s Vineyard site, you can also find an expert Q&A, a online forum community where people can connect with and support others who have similar experiences, and resources for understanding the impact of abortion, both physical and emotional.  There are various ways individuals can support this ministry from wherever they live – helping at a retreat, promoting the ministry, researching articles, even crafting retreat props such as bereavement dolls or angel ornaments.  Monetary donations are also accepted, and are tax deductible.

These welcome messages from ministry founder Dr. Theresa Burke and board chairman Father Frank Pavone really show the heart of Rachel’s Vineyard.

You can, of course, donate monetarily to the ministry, but the Lydia Project also lists specific needs that can be sent to them:

1. “FOREVER” Postage Stamps. These stamps are good even when postage rate increase. (One book communicates to twenty women; one roll communicates to one-hundred women.)

2. Small size hand cream (tube size, 2-4 oz, no hotel samples, please.) These are placed in every tote.

3. Note Cards (such as packages of 10 blank notes) (Lydia volunteers monthly write encouraging notes to hundreds of woman needing encouragement).

4. Ink pens – (Placed in every tote for every woman receiving a Lydia tote).

5. Packaging tape (U. S. Post office approved) (50% of totes are mailed to women outside the CSRA area and in need of support)

6. Box of 100 mailing envelopes (12” X 15 ½”) (Used for mailing totes to women nationwide and worldwide).

7. Printer Cartridges – Lexmark 82 & 83 (Replenishes Lydia office printers).

8. Cutting Mats – small/ 24 X 18 size or large 36×24 size(Loaned to church and other sewing groups for group cutting days)

9. Rotary Cutters (2 ½ blades) (Used to cut material for Lydia totes)

10. Gift cards for Wal-Mart, Target, Office Supply stores, Hancock’s, JoAnn’s (Wal-Mart, Target, and Office Supply cards are used to purchase needed office supplies; Hancock’s and JoAnn’s cards assist with sewing purchases.)

There are other ways to help, too.  If you’re crafty, the Lydia project needs people to cut fabric, sew and monogram totes – all which can be done at home – or make it a group thing! – if you have the right equipment and skills.  Go here to check out the volunteer application or to contact the office directly.

Two other ministries aiding cancer patients and/or their families:

Kids Konnected - Kids Konnected’s mission is to provide friendship, understanding, education, and support for the children who have a parent with cancer, or have lost a parent to cancer. When a parent gets cancer, the entire family is affected. Children facing the same fears and similar experiences can be helped by others in a similar situation. Kids helping Kids is what we’re all about. With “Kids Konnected” you don’t have to be alone anymore!  Our Hope the Bear Care Packages are sent to families experiencing cancer. Our packages are individually tailored to each family depending on the ages of the children, who has cancer, and what stage the cancer is in. Packages contain books, workbooks, brochures, and additional information to help the child or teen better cope with what cancer brings. Every package includes a “Hope” teddy bear for each child and our volunteers make security blankets for children under 5. Kids Konnected also has special bereavement packages for children and teens that have lost a parent to cancer.  There are several other programs to support, too.

Breast Friends: Often, breast cancer patients, especially the newly diagnosed, are in the greatest emotional pain, but are the least able to ask for help. Breast Friends teaches the friends and family of cancer patients specific ways to offer support, helps them understand what the patient is going through, and suggests useful resources for the patient and her family.  Addressing a woman’s cancer is a sensitive issue, but we all want to help. However, friends often worry about not doing it “right”. As a result, time passes, and to avoid doing it “wrong,” we often don’t do anything at all. Then, more time passes, and by then we are too embarrassed to pick up the phone and make the call. The message of Breast Friends is that it’s never too late to make contact and provide useful and appreciated support to those we love who are facing this terrible disease.  Several programs, including the First I Cry packet, H.A.T.S. (Healthy Attitude to Survive) Project, and online Chemo Cards to send to a loved one losing her hair from treatment.

Now, she’s working to raise money to build a school there.

From Lisa’s blog page about the project:

As most of you are aware, last January Ty and I had the privilege of taking a vision trip to the last true kingdom in Africa, the tiny nation of Swaziland. This country has the highest AIDS rate in the world and the orphan rate is staggering and only growing. If things don’t change, this country will be wiped out by 2050. Even if life there remains the same, the kids you see with us in the picture below have a general life expectancy of 15 years of age.  This could get to be a long letter, so I’ll try to simply cover the basics.

We were invited into one lady’s house, consisting of two rooms, where she was cooking a mix of vegetables on a paraffin stove. She left the vegetables and showed us into the other room furnished with a bed slightly wider than a single bed. She stood there with us, chatted quietly, and never went back to her vegetables. They ended up burning, but she didn’t leave her guests, or act like she was worried about the food. That’s Swazi graciousness. In that home this woman, 24 years old, lives with her mother and five children. Only one was her child. She can barely feed them and school fees are impossible.  Read the complete letter from Lisa…

Partnering with Lisa is Children’s HopeChest, an organization that believes “every orphan has the right to know God, experience the blessing of family, and have the opportunity to develop independent living skills.”  But, Lisa is spearheading this particular project, so please visit her blog for more information, and to contact her about giving.

Needed for the school:

60 chairs – $12 – $15 a chair
60 small tables – $15 – $20 a table
4 blackboards – $80 – $120 each
2 cooking pots – $150 each
cooking structure – $400
electrical work – $1500
well – $7500

Even if you can’t give right now, please still head over to http://www.lisasamson.typepad.com/sam/ and read Lisa’s letter, and pray for the project.

Alone in a prison cell, Gina cried out to the Lord for direction and purpose and He gave her a scripture verse and a vision  from Isaiah 45:3 that gave birth to God’s Treasure House. “I will give you the treasures of darkness riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel who calls you by name.”  That vision came to fruition when God’s Treasure House opened January 6, 2006.  Not without many challenges though, but Gina learned over the years that challenges are stepping stones in the kingdom of God. 

For more information on this worthwhile ministry, visit the God’s Treasure House website.

The Voice of the Martyr Action Packs program offers another tangible way children – and everyone – can serve Christ through providing for the physical needs of those suffering in persecuted countries. Currently, VOM is accepting items to be shipped to two countries: Pakistan and Sudan.

With Action Packs to Pakistan and Sudan, you can fellowship in the sufferings of faithful Christian brothers and sisters and gain new strength from their courage. This is a great project for your whole family, neighborhood or church group. You could literally clothe entire families with the love and warmth of the gospel of compassion! With each Action Pack, we will also distribute the color Gospel storybook, He Lived Among Us, printed in their native language. For each donation of $5.00 you will receive one Action Pack bag for you to fill and mail back to us.

Plans are underway to begin a program for Iraq, as well.

Sudan packs are to be filled with items such as blankets, towels, soap, flip-flops, paper and pencils, and t-shirts, while the Pakistan packs will also include winter items – gloves, hats, socks – and a light windbreaker. You can choose a child’s kit or an adult’s kit.

Oh, and if you know of any ministries you’d like to see featured on Second Tuesdays (yes, they can be local, too!), please leave a comment for me, and I’ll check it out.

UPDATE: Because of a recent hacker attack on the Voice of the Martyrs’ Web site, several of the links in this post have been changed. I’ve updated what I could, and removed other while the VOM site is being revamped and strengthened. Please pray for VOM as it does this work.

Also, the Iraq action pack program is up and running. Items needed are no longer listed on the site, but will be included when you order the vacuum bag.