Big Is The New Small

Should Christians watch or read Harry Potter is one of those questions that keeps popping up and popping up and well… popping up.  With the release of the Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows – Part II at midnight tonight, the question will continue to be asked and the subject debated.  As a matter of fact there are thousands of Christians that will be lined up at the strike of midnight to be the first to check out the movie.  so

I thought it would be a good time to take this discussion to the people, that’s right the people of BigIsTheNewSmall.com and the online community in general.  Not long ago, I was able to listen to, engage in and play devils advocate during a Harry Potter Debate amongst Christians and ministry staff.

According to an on-line Bible ministry that answers questions through a Biblical framework, they said this about Harry Potter and the debate: ”Harry Potter books and films are full of stereotypical magic. Witchcraft and wizardry are central themes, and the lead roles are played by wizards, witches, and other magical creatures. Although the characters practice casting spells, reading crystal balls, etc., they do not communicate with spiritual (supernatural) forces. While this may be considered a positive, one definite negative is that there is no higher power to answer to at all.”

I’m not sure exactly what all of that means from a contextual perspective, because I have not seen any Harry Potter Movie or read any Harry Potter Book.  I have not made the choice “to see or not to see” because of any specific reason, thought or belief.  I simply have never watched it.  I used to watch this cartoon called Hip Hop Harry with my youngest son, but I think that may be a different show.

The scripture that those arguing against indulging in Potter is Deuteronomy 18:10-12 “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you.”

Those on the other side of the argument, say “Why stop there the list could go on and on about the types of movies you should and should not watch.”

What do you think?

Should Christians Watch or Read Harry Potter?  Is it different for adults and children?  Are you going to see Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows – Part II?  Share your reasons for or against.  Ready, Set, Go!

The fam. and I went to see Step Up 3D tonight, as it was just released today.  My two boys 7 and 11 years old absolutely love these types of movies.  They enjoy watching “So You Think You Can Dance” and like “America’s Next Best Dance Crew” even better.  Any time they watch these type of shows you can count on our living room turning into their own street dance studio.  Suburban studio that is!

I really didn’t know what to expect with a dance movie in 3D, so I thought I would share my impressions of the movie overall.  Here are my bullet point impressions of Step Up 3D:

• Family friendly in my opinion and was on the more appropriate end of a PG-13.
• Predictable but still captured your attention throughout the movie.
• Love story intertwined with understanding for the passion for dance.
• 3D experience was well done, smooth, not over the top and effective.
• Featured several all-stars from “So You Think You Can Dance.”
• Best Quote - “To travel is better than to arrive.”
• The closing credit experience definitely is worth staying for.
• Overall good movie and worth the price of admission. Not amazing, but really good.

We had a good time at the movies and be warned your kids will come out of the movies wanting to do flips and dance moves.  My youngest son was flipping, spinning and jumping on the concrete in the shopping mall parking lot.  Not to mention trying out some of his new moves as soon as we got on the elevator.

My wife would have preferred to not see in 3D, however the rest of us definitely think 3D is the way to go.  My boys said it was better than The Karate Kid, however I believe that is the result of the “What have you done for me lately” syndrome.  Nonetheless, it gets a positive review form the Williams’ Family.

Are you planning on going to see Step Up 3D? If you have seen the movie, or plan on seeing it, please share your thoughts on my review or your personal thoughts on the movie.

My family and I just saw The Karate Kid this evening, as it was just released today.  I’m not going to lie, my wife and I were just as excited to see the movie as our sons were.  We made the decision not to let the boys watch the original The Karate Kid movies until after they had seen this one.  I thought I would share some highlights, without totally ruining the movie.

The Above Video is a review straight from the mouths of my 7yo and 11yo sons, immediately following the movie.

• The movie had a great story line with some great life lessons.
• A little bit of a love story twist.
• There is a lot of action and fighting kicks off early in the movie and throughout.
• Jaden Smith “Dre” did an excellent job acting and was definitely believable.
• Jackie Chan “Mr. Hahn” demontsrtaed some classsic Jackie Chan moves and did an amazing job of playing an older character than we are used to him playing.
• Taraji Henson “Sheri Parker aka Dre’s Mom” did a solid job acting; however her role was somewhat forgettable.
• Overall Theme- New Kid On The Block Meets Bullies, Has A Crush On A Girl & Plenty of Fighting Throughout.
• “Jacket On, Jacket Off” is the new “Wax On, Wax Off.”
• There are couple of instances where “Dre” uses the word a$$.  I thought they were tastefully appropriate and remember our 7yo and 11yo sons were with us.
• Favorite Quotes-  1. Being still and doing nothing are two different things.  2. Life can knock us down, but we can choose whether or not we get back up.
• Overall- I thought it was excellent, I don’t want to set expectations too high, but it was just a good solid movie.
• There are definitely enough questions and intrigue at the end to warrant a Karate Kid II.
• You will have to watch the video to find out what my son’s reviews were on a scale of 1-10.

The classic moment is that the movie ends with Jackie Chan “Mr. Han”  and Jaden Smith “Dre” giving one another a #FistBump.  So let’s end this review with a #FistBump.  Put your fist to the screen… Now blow it up!

Are you planning on going to see the new The Karate Kid? If you have seen the movie, or plan on seeing it, please share your thoughts on my review or your personal thoughts on the movie.

Tomorrow I get the opportunity to travel to Memphis, Tennessee and hang out with Black Civil Rights Leaders, Community Leaders and Ministry Leaders.   We will be watching the screening of a new documentary film, Little Town Of Bethlehem. This will hosted by Emmy Award Winning Director Jim Hanon, who happens to be my friend and a member of my church.  The screening will be co-hosted by Grammy award winning Jazz Artist Kirk Whalum.

This film deals with the Arab and Western and Christian and Muslim conflict, as it relates to the burden of non-violence.  I’m looking forward to the screening and sharing insights, right here at BigIsTheNewSmall.com.

Watch the above video of the Director’s commentary and share your thoughts.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to have a family movie day with my wife, my two boys and my in-laws.  We went to see a movie that I had great anticipation to see; The Blind Side.  In case you don’t know the details about The Blind Side I will provide an overview, a quick review and some life applicable thoughts.

The Blind Side movie is based on Michale Lewis’ book “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game.”  This remarkable true story of Michael Oher aka “Big Mike,” a homeless African-American youngster from a horribly broken home.   Michael was taken in by the Touhys, a well-to-do white family who help him fulfill his potential. At the same time, Oher’s presence in the Touhys’ lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own.

Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome, as a football player and student.  Oher works hard and with the help of his coaches and adopted family, becomes an All-American offensive left tackle. In the latest chapter of his inspiring story, Oher was a First Round draft pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, selected by the Baltimore Ravens. The Touhys were there to share the moment with him.

My Review: This movie was one of the all around best movies that I have seen in a really long time.  The movie had excellent acting, suspense, reality and it was a tear jerking inspiration.  The movie is rated PG-13 for one scene involving brief violence, drug references, mild sexual references and some language.  In my opinion the scenes were appropriately contextual.  Outside of those scenes, the movie was overall excellent and family friendly.

Sandra Bullock’s acting was superb and one of my favorite characters was S.J., the younger brother played by Jae Head.  The Blind Side is a must see and I will actually go see it again!

The Lesson: A left tackles responsibility is to protect the quarterbacks Blind Side.  Michael learned to not only protect the quarterbacks Blind side, but he showed that if you care about people you will be willing to protect their Blind Side.  In my opinion a good leader will develop a group of leaders that will not only point out his or her Blind Sides, but they will protect them from Blind Side hits.

Life is about exposing, realizing and protecting Blind Sides.

Share your thoughts on the movie “The Blind Side” and the Blind Sides of Life.

Did you watch a Movie at the Theater this weekend?  Do you have an opinion or thoughts about the movie?  Please Share!  You can share any information that you would like; however the only information that we need is: The Name of The Movie,  your Star Rating out of 5 Stars and any additional comments.  You are  now officially a Movie Reviewer… GO!

Yesterday I decided to leave the office a little early so that my wife and I could surprise the boys by taking them to see Madagascar 2.  You know we had to get there before 6:00 to get the big $3.50 matinee movie discount.  I told the boys that we were going to a furniture store (their least favorite place) nonetheless when we got to the movies they were pleasantly surprised.

I don’t know if I am the only one out there who does the following: remembers themes within the movie and takes notes of quotes that catch there attention, applies circumstances to life, applies nuances to leadership… but that’s me.  The one quote that made it to my iPhone from Madagascar 2 was in reference to  Alex the Lion (Ben Stiller) was talking to his buddy Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock).  Marty was hanging with a big herd of Zebras and Alex was telling Marty that he was different than the other zebras and unique; here is the quote “These guys are all white with black stripes and you are black with white stripes.”  A theme that made it to my iPhone “Just because you are a King/The man over there, doesnt’ mean that you will be the King/The Man over here and vise versa.  Maximize your strengths!”  Alex was able to Transcend The Isms

Life is about perspective: cup half empty or half full, white with black stripes or black with white stripes, gray hair=good or gray hair=bad, this season sucks or necessary pruning season… perception can become reality. 

Quick Madagascar 2 Review: Wife said it was cute; the boys said it was cool, funny, tight and awesome; I said it was worth the money, a little love story, had some relative leadership/king application and it was funny.  Funny Quote from Motto-Motto “Girl you so huge!”

I Like To Move It Move It, I Like To Move It Move It, I Like To Move It Move, Ya Like To (MOVE IT!)  That song was in my head all last night, so I figured it needed to be in yours all day today!

• Do you take notes or remember themes, nuances… while watching a movie? 
• Share your thoughts on Madagascar 2!

 We just kicked off our At The Movies Series this weekend and we showed one of my personal favorites from last year, Pursuit of Happyness.  We had an amazing first weekend at the N-dub; especially being that it was 4th of July weekend.  The energy was great, atmosphere exciting, 2,500 people in attendance and lives were changed.  Here is my weekend wrap-up of this weeks movie:

This is a true story of a man named, Chris Gardner, who experienced deep adversity and affliction. As a child Gardner spent many years in and out of foster homes. As an adult and in the movie Gardner is a bone density scanner salesman who splits up with his wife and ultimately ends up homeless with his son. This passage in the Book of Isaiah speaks to his situation: Isaiah 30:20-21 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Gardner developed an unwavering perseverance, endures homelessness and ends up pursuing an internship for a stockbroker position at a major Wall Street stock brokerage firm. Despite the adversity, affliction and trials Gardner went through, his hard work and perseverance pays off. This passage in the book of James speaks to this: James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

The man that you see in the picture at the top of this post was featured in the movie “Pursuit of Happyness.” They call him Larry “The Trashcan Man” Hunt and he is a bucket drummer on the streets of San Francisco. I took this picture and talked w/ Larry while my wife and I are on vacation in San Francisco. Larry’s story could be similar to the real Chris Gardner, he is pursuing his happyness and due to the break that he received by being briefly featured in the movie, happyness might just be around the corner. Of all the pan handlers and street hustlers that we saw in San Francisco, there is something different about Larry. Larry told me that he was scheduled to be on Oprah in the fall……… and the rest will be history.

In closing: Galatians 6:9-10 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

• Are you in the pursuit stage of achieving your happyness?  What area?
• Any thoughts or comments about the movie or the At the Movies Series?

Friday Drive-by (14)  Random Bullets

LifeChurch.tv Northwest Oklahoma City Campus: “N-dub”

“Something is in the Air,” you can feel it and I’m not talking about the new MacBook Air; I’m talking about our campus, “God’s about to do some big things!”  Last week was absolutely amazing at our campus (We have been open 9 months) let’s check out what God is doing.  Last weekend updates:

• We almost had record attendance, with 2,228 people. (Awesome)

• Over 100 people signed up to serve in our ministry areas (Off the hook)

• We have over 75 people getting baptized this weekend (Incredible)

• There were tons of new families and the energy has high (Sweet) 

• We had 27 people raise their hands and give their lives to Christ (Priceless)

What I’m Diggin’ right now:

• Spending some time w/ Craig, it’s always great development (It’s awesome)

• Being stretched, living in the moment & finding God moments in everything

• Leading, Appreciating and Following

• The new season of American Idol (I’m a junkie) You have to check out the next William Hung w/ the new smash hit: “I am your brother……”  LOL

Comment of the Week: on Post (Need a Quickie):  “Wonderfully and succinctly said. A good leader wants his/her followers to be greater than they are.  It was Jesus Himself who told His disciples they would have greater power than He and would do greater things.  Now that’s true leadership.” by Hope, check out her blog: “Unveiling Hope” 

Link Me and I’ll Link You Back:  If you have linked or added BigIsTheNewSmall to your blogroll let me know and I’ll link you back. 

Questions:  Do you watch American Idol, if so what was your favorite part of the first two episodes?  If you don’t watch American Idol, what’s your favorite TV program?  Share, talk, chat & discuss!

Thanks for reading…..BigIsTheNewSmall

My wife and I had the opportunity to watch Denzel Washington’s new movie this week entitled; The Great Debaters.  This movie is inspired by a true story and highlights a small Historically Black College in Texas; Wiley

 I won’t go into all the details of the movie, if you want to check it out you can visit the site here.  As you know, I always enjoy good quotes and this movie had many good ones.  I want to share a quote/exchange that Denzel would have his debate students repeat aloud; prior to initially preparing for debates.  Here it is: 

• Who is the Judge? 
• The judge is God!
• Why is it God?   
• Because HE decides who wins or looses, not my opponent.
• Who is your opponent?         
• He doesn’t exist.
• Why doesn’t he exist?         
• He is merely a dissenting voice to the truth I speak.
• Speak the truth!

That quote really caught my attention.  God decides who wins or looses period; not my opponent in any situation, not even Punk Satan!  The Truth……! 

What do you think about the quote?   What and Who are the descending voices to “The Truth” HE speaks through you?