"Enter Narnia!"
by Tom Goodman
July 12, 2006

“Aslan is on the move!”

This Sunday evening, July 16, join us in the gym at 6 p.m. to watch The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  Bring a lawn chair or a picnic blanket (or just plan on using one of our chairs at church).

This is a film adaptation of the first and most popular book in the seven-book series, The Chronicles of Narnia.  Over 100 million copies of C.S. Lewis’s beloved children’s series have been sold since they first appeared in the 1950s.  The series begins with four English school children sent to their uncle’s estate in the countryside to escape the Nazi bombing of London.  There they discover a passageway into another land where they meet talking animals, an evil witch, and the awe-inspiring Aslan.

While the book was written for children, adults have enjoyed the allegorical fantasy as well.  Aslan is an image of Christ in the mythical land of Narnia.  Readers and moviegoers were moved by his sacrifice for Edmund’s treachery, and they cheered his victorious return.  In addition to the symbolism of the cross and resurrection, the story highlights the heavy responsibility upon Christ’s followers when it comes to resisting evil and redeeming this fallen world.  If you’d like more information about Narnia, Lifeway has a helpful website.

As for the film adaptation, Tilda Swinton portrays the Witch to near perfection, James McAvoy does a great job as Mr. Tumnus, and little Georgie Henley will steal your heart as Lucy Pevensie, the girl who first stumbles into the land of Narnia through her uncle’s wardrobe.  Directed by Andrew Adamson, who directed the popular Shrek films, the Disney film was nominated for 27 awards (including 3 Oscars), and won 11 awards (including 1 Oscar).

Now the film comes to Hillcrest, and we hope you’ll bring a carload with you to enjoy this film with your Forever Family!

Have you checked out my blog, “Anchored” hosted on MySpace?  I try to make 2 or 3 brief entries every week.  In past weeks, I’ve added reaction to the newly elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and my view of the SBC resolution on alcohol.  You’ll also find encouragement about online purity and how contemporary Christian music handles the problem of suffering.  This week you’ll find my reaction to a New York skate park that was cited for human rights violations for advertising a “Christian Skate Night,” and my thoughts on the efforts of liberal political groups to reach out to evangelicals.

You can review the blog entries without having to register, but if you want to leave a comment, you have to go through the free registration process.  I encourage you to register so you can join the online discussion.  Registration also allows you to subscribe to “Anchored.”  By subscribing, you will get automatic notices sent to your e-mail address whenever there’s new content at the site.

—Tom


Important Notes:

Summer Fair.  Mark your calendars for Sunday evening, August 13.  We’ve rented the Quarries for a Summer Fair!  Get ready for an indoor Ministry Fair and BBQ, and an outdoor worship service that includes communion and lakeside baptisms!  Watch Winning Ways and your weekly worship bulletin for more information!

Links to Your World

Your daughter needs help with her self-image.  Learn how you can encourage her in the article, “Put a Confident Touch on Her Self-Esteem.”