Best Man Holiday: Movie Review

After hearing so many rave reviews from my Facebook friends and family, I was very excited today when the hubby and I finally got the chance to steal away to go see the movie Best Man Holiday. I promise not to include any spoilers. I find myself conflicted while writing this review. The movie’s core message was unexpectedly heartwarming but the actual execution of the entire movie itself has me on edge as a Christian.

While the movie comes complete with adulterated yet comedic drama, I have to give props to the movie’s writer and director Malcolm D. Lee for not going overboard like Tyler Perry did with his melodramatic soap opera movies “Why Did I Get Married” and “Why Did I Get Married Too”.

HOWEVER, I would be remised if I didn’t say how disappointed I am in my fellow “brothers and sisters in Christ” who positively cosigned on this movie (Amos 3:3). Yes, I fought emotion during certain scenes but as a child of God and the wife of a newly ordained Pastor I cannot, in good conscience, recommend this movie for anyone to go and see. My emotions were touched but my spirit was grieved. While the life lesson in the movie is one that will probably make the majority of us all stop, think and reflect, the constant use of God’s name in vain (Exodus 20:7), vulgar profanity (especially the F bombs) (James 3:10) and the sexual references (I John 2:16) (which includes oral and anal sex) are way too explicit for any Christian too ignore. For those of you who watched the original Best Man, you know the character Lance, played by Morris Chestnut, to be the cursing-christian pro athlete who is preparing to marry his love Mia. In the Best Man Holiday, Lance is still the same cursing-christian. As long as we as a body of Christ continues to accept Hollywood’s persona of what true Christian living is all about, these examples will continue to be exhibited in the movies. Unfortunately, we have become desensitized to the enemy’s plot (John 10:10) to contaminate the minds of the people by presenting a false sense of holiness through the movie screen (Matthew 7:15). By saying nothing, we are telling the unbeliever they don’t have to totally surrender their lives to Christ. We are saying “It’s okay to be the Lance Christian”. (Galatians 1:10)

This movie would have been just as enjoyable without the vulgar language and sexual liaisons: the extremely talented cast and heart touching core message alone was enough to make this a FAMILY movie that could have broken records at the box office.

The Best Man Holiday was a pretty good movie but it could have been even better if it was kept clean and family friendly. It would be nice to see standards established in Hollywood and resumed in Christianity. And before you go there, I’m not judging. I’m standing. Matthew 16:18

Make Your Mark

Disclaimer: As I Christian, I have to start off by saying I normally try to avoid using secular artists as examples to this degree in my  blog posts.  I am not a follower of Jennifer Hudson. And while I would prefer she use her gifts and talents for the building of God's Kingdom, Jennifer's extraordinary talents simply cannot be denied... 

 

Jennifer Hudson was a Season three contestant on American Idol who to everyone's surprise was voted off during the Top 7 show. Jennifer DID NOT WIN American Idol but that did not stop her from making her MARK. Today Jennifer Hudson is known her captivating wind pipes and phenomenal acting skills. She made her film debut in Dreamgirls (2006), which won her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA Award, an NAACP Image Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. She has overcome tragedy with triumph after the murders of her mother, brother and nephew. She continues to make her MARK in a world that tried to place limitations on what they considered to be a plus sized cruise line entertaining black girl from Chicago. She defied the odds and she didn't do it by an initial win. She did it by making her MARK!

In everything you do, give it your all! If one door closes, be on the look out for that window of opportunity. Continue to work at perfecting your craft and becoming the million dollar market you were destined to be. 

 

 

Jesus Time:

Imagine what you can do by adding God to mix. We are all given gifts and talents without repentance. What we choose to with them is up to us. Whether it's pleasing in the eyes of God is up to him. I've learned TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAMWORK! Either way, I choose to make my MARK with God by my side. Mark 8:36 says For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?Do not become distracted at what's to the left or the right of you. God has your back and sides as well. A true runner stays focused on what's ahead and that's making his/her MARK!

 

Inspirational Quote:

Their No is God's Not Yet!

 

ON YOUR MARK...GET SET....GO>>>>>>>

God, Is it Me?

There are those of you who were born with the spirit of excellence and a drive to succeed. You were blessed with the mindset to dot every "I" and cross every "T". You have an eye for detail and the uncanny ability to solve the unsolvable. You say what you mean and you mean what you say. When it comes to Kingdom Business, all brakes are off. You love with the love of God and you give relentlessly. Pleasing God is your ultimate goal. People love you for your gifts still they despise you for your gifts. Your high standard intimidates them. Your days are sometimes lonely. You spend a lot of time encouraging others but who is there to encourage the encourager. After a while, the cold friendless silence begins to consume you and you begin to wonder...."God, is it me?"


I've asked myself this question many times. I was raised to live strong and according to the word of God. But after a while, I found myself extremely weary of not having close friends who were totally sold out for Christ. I wanted friends that would come over for dinner. I missed game night friends. I wanted a best friend again. I was tired of shopping alone or going for mani/pedis alone. So I thought about lowering my standard so that I could fill that void in my life. Of course being the analytical thinker that I am, I had to also consider the outcome of my decision. Lowering my standard would mean abandoning some if not all of the Christian principles on which I was raised and now live. It would mean paying less attention to the care of my husband, my children and our home. It would mean not giving 110% in ministry and my business. It would mean being less trustworthy....I couldn't become that person and so I chose to hold onto my standard.

Still, I wanted to make sure..so I asked God again..."God, is it me?" This time he quickly replied, "No daughter, it's the me in you. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10. It's not that you have been running people away . You've been trying to befriend the wrong people. I'm taking you to another level in life. It's time you surround yourself with people with the same mindset."

I never realized that with questioning myself, I was questioning the God in me. I thank God for the gifts he's placed in me and I aim to use them to the best of my ability. Yes, some days will be lonely but if you look deep inside you will find comfort in the God in you. Be the best you God made you to be!!!

ReVamp Your Work Space

I am loving my new workspace. With help from my two best men, a little creativity and only $50 I was able to turn a cramped workspace into a inspiring oasis. Click below to watch the video......(hey that rhymes LOL)

Before

After