Media related to suffering: Expanded Version

We told you on page 18 of this month’s issue to check the blog today for an expanded edition of Anna McKenzie’s article, “Music, Music, and Books about Suffering.” Well, here it is, for your reading pleasure.

Movies

AMAZING GRACE
2006/FOUR BOYS FILMS
An engaging and heartfelt drama, Amazing Grace tells the story of William Wilberforce, a member of the British parliament and a strong Christian who took on the mission of abolishing the slave trade in the United Kingdom in the early 1800s. He endured a great deal of criticism and opposition and suffered from a chronic illness which hindered his progress. This modern classic depicts Wilberforce’s persistence and reliance on God’s strength, which -carried him through the seemingly insurmountable obstacles that stood in his way.

END OF THE SPEAR
2005/EVERY TRIBE ENTERTAINMENT
This is the story of Jim Elliot and fellow missionaries who brought the gospel to a violent tribe in Ecuador. Doing so cost five of the missionaries their lives. It’s sad but also hopeful.

Songs

"IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL"
WRITTEN BY HORATIO SPAFFORD, COMPOSED BY PHILIP BLISS
Horatio Spafford underwent a great deal of suffering prior to writing this well-known hymn. His 4 year-old son died, then he lost a lot of property investments in the Chicago Fire of 1871. Two years later, in 1873, his wife and four daughters were on a ship that sank; his wife alone survived. In the midst of his grief over the loss of his children, Spafford found comfort in God’s grace and salvation. He knew that despite all that might happen to him on earth, it was well with his soul.

"OH MY GOD"
JARS OF CLAY (GOOD MONSTERS, 2006)
This powerful song describes all the kinds of people who call out to God, whether genuinely or taking His name in vain—from “liars and fools,” to “pilgrim saints and lonely widows.” It probes the depths of doubt that can accompany suffering, unabashedly questioning hope and wondering how God will respond. The song finishes with the ultimate cry of humanity, “Oh my God,” which leaves all eyes on God, our only hope of restoration in a broken world.

Also check out:
• “Faith Enough,” by Jars of Clay (Who We Are Instead, 2003)
• “Blessed Be Your Name,” by Matt Redman (Blessed Be Your Name, 2005)

Books

THE PROBLEM OF PAIN
C.S. LEWIS
In this book, C.S. Lewis tackles the great question of why God allows suffering in the world and what that means for humanity. He approaches this difficult subject logically and honestly, without trying to gloss over the issue. Instead, he addresses pain head-on with a theological and philosophical viewpoint, while his straightforward style remains accessible to the modern reader.

THE HIDING PLACE
CORRIE TEN BOOM
During World War II, Corrie ten Boom and her Christian family hid Jews until they were taken away to concentration camps themselves. In The Hiding Place, Corrie recounts her experiences of Nazi brutality and how she was able to keep her faith during even the bleakest of circumstances. Through the darkness and cruelty that she felt and witnessed, Corrie found that God was still present with her—and it gave her hope and a hard-won peace even in light of intense personal and global suffering.

Also check out:
• If God Is Good by Randy Alcorn
• Where Is God When It Hurts? by Philip Yancey

Exercise your brain this summer!

It’s summer, but that doesn’t mean your brain has to take a vacation, too. Summer is the perfect time to take a break and escape . . . into a good book.

(Yes, we want you to read. Books, mind you. Over your summer vacation! But a book isn’t necessarily homework, even if it is on your school’s summer reading list or that pesky list of books your teachers say you should have read before you go to college.)

So, go to the library, the bookstore, or grab your Kindle or iPad and read something worthwhile this summer. You’ll need something to do while you’re lounging around the pool, right?

 For people who only read the Spark Notes:
Yes, we know you’re out there. (Hint: so do your teachers!) These are some really good books you might have missed out on simply because reading it was an assignment:
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. It’s a classic for a reason and not a hard read. The subject matter—racial injustice and loss of innocence—is tough, though.
• The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. These classic tales are best read as a set, and you’ve got all summer. You can read them in order of publication or in chronological order, beginning with The Magician’s Nephew.


 For history buffs: 
So, you like history. We think that’s cool. Here are a few suggestions for you:
• Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose. This is a biography of Meriwether Lewis and depends heavily on his and William Clark’s journals from their journey through the west.
• The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge by David McCullough. If you’re interested in history or impossible engineering projects, you’ll find this book an amazing example of American courage, corruption, and, ultimately, success.

 For those who’ve only seen the movie: 
Most good books have been made into movies, but a lot of the nuances and character development gets left out when a book is condensed into a 2-hour movie. Usually, the book really is better. Be the judge and read some of these suggestions:
• Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose. You may have seen or at least heard of the HBO series of the same name. Read the whole story of E Company and the important role they played in World War II.
• Emma by Jane Austen. Maybe you’ve seen the movie (with Gwyneth Paltrow) of the same name or the movie Clueless. Both are adaptations of this classic Austen tale of a young, spoiled matchmaker who overestimates her abilities.
• The Princess Bride by William Goldman. The movie is a favorite of the entire ec staff. The book is even quirkier.
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. The 1939 movie starring Judy Garland is a classic, but it does differ from the book a little. Watch for subtle differences, like the color of Dorothy’s magic shoes.

 For fans of Christian fiction: 
We realize that there are many Christian writers who write good books. Why not give them a chance this summer? Books to consider include:
• Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. While the book is set in California during the Gold Rush, it is heavily influenced by the story of Hosea found in the Old Testament.
• When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin. A Nicholas Sparks kind of tale, this book tells the story of Annie and Reese and the intersection of their lives one fateful day. 

Book report

Today’s devotion is about transformation. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that I read two books in the last few days on that topic. If you haven’t read Same Kind of Different as Me, go get yourself a copy and read it. Be prepared to cry like a small child. (Which makes things very awkward for the person beside you on an airplane, FYI.) The other book I read was What is the What, which is about the plight of Sudanese refugees. Having met a couple of Sudanese refugees at my church several years ago, I’m now saddened by the fact that I didn’t reach out to them more, to try to get to know them and their stories. According to that book, those people have been through a literal hell on earth, and I’m sorry I didn’t know it when I met those two men.

The gentlemen in Same Kind of Different as Me allowed the love of Christ (shown by others) to transform them, permanently. A rich guy, at the prompting of his wife, reached out to a scary homeless man. The two couldn’t have been more different. But their unlikely friendship brought out the best in each other, teaching them both to trust, to rely on others, and to love.

While reading about the transformation of the guys in these two books, I came away from reading them with the stark realization that I jump to conclusions about people. I don’t know their stories. I don’t take the time to really find out about why people act the way they do. Especially if they’re dirty, smelly, or look really different from me. And I would like to change that. I can’t promise that I’ll spend hours on the street getting to know the homeless guys who hang out there, but I can promise that I will be less hasty to jump to conclusions about how they got there. I won’t be as quick to jump to conclusions about a girl simply based on the way she’s dressed. I’ll be a bit slower to assume things about someone just because they speak a certain way.

We all have a story. Are you taking the time to know the stories of the people around you? Are you allowing Christ to transform your own life so that you can point to Him when people want to know your story?

The expanded story: Movies, books, and music about suffering

In case you haven’t picked up on it in this month’s devotions or the ec cover story, suffering is a big theme in this issue. That’s why we asked Anna McKenzie to help us find some movies about true suffering that also point to the hope only our God can give. Want your faith to be encouraged? Check out her picks!

Amazing Grace
2006/Four Boys Films
Starring Ioan Gruffudd
An engaging and heartfelt drama, Amazing Grace tells the story of William Wilberforce, a strong Christian and a member of British parliament who took on the mission of abolishing the slave trade in the United Kingdom in the early 1800s. He endured a great deal of criticism and opposition and suffered from a chronic illness which hindered his progress. This modern classic depicts Wilberforce’s persistence and reliance on God’s strength, which ­carried him through the seemingly insurmountable obstacles that stood in his way.

End of the Spear
2005/Every Tribe Entertainment
This is the story of Jim Elliot and fellow missionaries who brought the gospel to a violent tribe in Ecuador. Doing so cost five of the missionaries their lives. It’s sad, but also hopeful.

“It is Well with my Soul”
written by Horatio Spafford, composed by Philip Bliss
Horatio Spafford underwent a great deal of suffering prior to writing this well-known hymn. His 4 year-old son died, then he lost a lot of property investments in the Chicago Fire of 1871. Two years later, in 1873, his wife and four daughters were on a ship that sank; his wife alone survived. In the midst of his grief over the loss of his children, Spafford found comfort in God’s grace and salvation. He knew that despite all that might happen to him on earth, it was well with his soul.

“Oh My God”
Jars of Clay (Good Monsters, 2006)
This powerful song describes all the kinds of people who call out to God, whether genuinely or taking His name in vain—from “liars and fools,” to “pilgrim saints and lonely widows.” It probes the depths of doubt that can accompany suffering, unabashedly questioning hope and wondering how God will respond. The song finishes with the ultimate cry of humanity, “Oh my God,” which leaves all eyes on God, our only hope of restoration in a broken world.
Also check out:
• “Faith Enough,” by Jars of Clay (Who We Are Instead, 2003)
• “Blessed Be Your Name,” by Matt Redman (Blessed Be Your Name, 2005)

The Problem of Pain
C.S. Lewis
In this book, C.S. Lewis tackles the great question of why God allows suffering in the world and what that means for humanity. He approaches this difficult subject logically and honestly, without trying to gloss over the issue. Instead, he addresses pain head-on with a theological and philosophical viewpoint, while his straightforward style remains accessible to the modern reader.

The Hiding Place
Corrie ten Boom
During World War II, Corrie ten Boom and her Christian family hid Jews until they were taken away to concentration camps themselves. In The Hiding Place, Corrie recounts her experiences of Nazi brutality and how she was able to keep her faith during even the bleakest of circumstances. Through the darkness and cruelty that she felt and witnessed, Corrie found that God was still present with her—and it gave her hope and a hard-won peace even in light of intense personal and global suffering.  Also check out:
• If God Is Good by Randy Alcorn
• Where Is God When It Hurts? by Philip Yancey