What can I say? After our encore screening of THE TRUMAN SHOW, I was humbled and honored by everyone who came. So many blessings. First, Derek and Terri set up the room before I even arrived (thanks guys!). Second, a new plasma screen was donated to the church (thanks God!). And Third, God's people were hungry to learn (thanks everybody!). His truth swept through the room and sharpened us all. Amazing.
THE TRUMAN SHOW centers on the life of Truman Burbank, the unwitting star of an incredibly popular 24-hour reality TV show. Everyone and everything in Truman's life is fake, manipulated and controlled. His wife and best friend are actors who pretend to love him. His world is protected and perfect. And Truman is the only one who is real and genuine. But he begins to suspect a vast conspiracy to keep him from following his dreams. After a daring escape and a near-fatal voyage, Truman finally speaks with the show's Creator; and makes a choice that will change his destiny forever.
We learned about the film's director, Peter Weir, who continually revisits the theme of enclosed societies with oppressive and absent fathers. We discussed how Andrew Niccol, the screenwriter, pores over man's relationship with technology and its dehumanizing effects. And we enjoyed the marvelous score by Burkhard Dallwitz and Philip Glass. We also took note of how Jim Carrey eventually followed up this film with BRUCE ALMIGHTY, where again he talks to "God."
All of us, at some point in our lives, feel like pawns. Events in life seem orchestrated to remove our choices and keep us in a cage. Does God really care about us? Or are we just toys? Cosmic amusements?
We contrasted THE TRUMAN SHOW with the biblical account found in Genesis 3. We learned that, unlike the film, God was in constant contact with Adam, gave him choices, and truly cared about him. Adam wanted to stay in God's perfect place. But because Adam sinned, the Lord actually had to force him to leave! "He drove the man out" of the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:24), and Adam forever longed to have his relationship with God restored.
2 Corinthians 1:3 tells us God is "the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort." And 1 Timothy 6:17 reveals that He "richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." Psalm 139 says, "O Lord, you have searched me and you know me" and reminds us to request of Him, "Search me, O God, and know my heart." We have a loving and involved Creator who wants only the best for us! Let's come to Him will all our cares and concerns.
At the end of our meeting we had a time of prayer. We asked for strength that we would face life's obstacles with the knowledge that God is refining us and making us more like Him. We thanked God that He is a loving and compassionate Father. And, as always, we prayed for the cast and crew of the film, that they would be interested in stories that accurately portray God's relationship with his people.
Interested? Ready to come next time? Well, our Big Fall Kick-Off is SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 at 7:00 PM !
Join us at the Church Office for the only show in town that offers Movies and a Message, Popcorn and Prayer. Questions? Comments? Send us an email at thedecoderring@yahoo.com and we'll help you out. And check back to this website for more details. See you soon!
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