http://www.starfast.org

Congratulations on starfast being a success. According to your site you kept $620 from Lucas. Now all you gotta do is contact everyone and make sure they haven’t gone to see the movie and update your stats. I’m sure you can ask them all this Sunday in church, though.

Just so you know, I’ll be going to see it for the third time this week. I also like money and plan on getting more this friday.

See you in heaven!

I have found other sites like this one. All they do is attack the body of Christ. Very little of these sights are focused on evangelizing the lost. Instead, they spend all of their time attacking other believers because they don’t conform to their own beliefs. I don’t understand these people and IMO it is a waste of energy to try and do so.

This Malcolm, I found his ‘official’ church site. It is full of further attacks on the body. No where does it say that God loves anyone. No where is there hope. It attacks, patriotism, all religious holidays, the prayer of Jabez and pretty much anything else most of us would consider ‘christian’.

The humor in it all is most of the time, when talking about God, Malcolm spells ‘Him’ with a small “h” which basically proves he has lost track of who he is writing about.

He talks about realizing God regrets making man and man is worthless. If I am worthless then why did Jesus die? I’m sorry but God did not send Jesus to die for the worthless. He sent Jesus to die for the hopeless. Yes, man is sinful and deserves hell but God’s mercy is there for all to receive.

when i read conversations like this, i think of the verses that talk about removing the planks from our eyes…you know removing the planks from our own first, then assisting our brothers in removing theirs. there are so many things that i think we forget about planks. mainly, that they obstruct our vision, cause us pain, and need removal.

the second thought that occurs to me is this: do you have any idea how close you have to get to someone in order to remove a plank from their eye? it is a “surgery” that cannot be done from across the room. rather, you have to get as close to the person as a dentist or an optometrist. you have to be comfortable enough with a person to put your face right next to theirs- your eyes peering into theirs- in order to remove it. it’s almost an intimate experience. if you weren’t removing the plank, you would probably otherwise be kissing.

you understand what i mean here? that removing planks requires some serious movement toward one another- when what we tend to do is scatter for the polar corner- choosing sides and shooting flaming arrows at each other’s hearts.

so, what i dislike most about positions like malcolm’s (which, God bless you Malcolm, your passion for God is noteworthy. certainly we could all express our love for Christ more than we do) is that to me, it feels like the cannon fodder from a distant army that is standing far away, closed to communication and conversation. and what i want to say to them is, you probably have something to teach me, and i probably have something to teach you…so let’s start walking toward one another…let’s get comfortable enough with one another and close enough with one another to look each other in the eyes and start removing planks.

well, now. there i have done off and practically written a sermon. i swear…someday i am going to go to seminary.

Only those who hate and despise money are serving God.

Well, crap!

Q: Can I still watch Episode III as soon as it is released on DVD?

A: If it’s God’s will. But, if you’re already thinking about that, you definitely need to extend your fast.

Admit it, Malcolm, as soon as Episode 3 is released on DVD you’re adding it to your netflix account!

I didn’t get your last message to me, but found it on your weblog anyway.

In answer to your question, yes, I have read a novel. Actually, I’ve read many novels. I’ve also watched many movies, including Star Wars. I was even a fairly big Star Wars fan. And, in fact, I still like Star Wars. I would also like to see Episode III. However, I signed up for Star Fast.

I’ve now seen a lot of responses from people visiting the Star Fast site and, although most of the “flames” don’t surprise me, they are very disappointing. After all, it’s only a movie, right? If people aren’t engrossed in it, if they love God so much, and if they don’t for a minute put a movie before God, then what’s the big deal?

It’s all very well for people like you to write messages and blogs asking, essentially, “Why should I give up watching Star Wars? What’s the point? Why are you picking on Star Wars? This is just legalism, etc, etc.” But, seriously, why not turn it around. Why does there need to be any point other than loving God and wanting to show Him that you love Him by denying yourself something that you want? Is fasting from a movie the only way you should show God you love Him? Of course not! But, if you love someone, you look for any and every opportunity to show that love, right? Even if it might seem a little outlandish or extreme. After all, it’s LOVE. Right?

I mean, God is God and Star Wars is just a movie. So if you’re really not putting Star Wars before God, then why not put God before Star Wars?

Of course, people always want to turn this into an argument about legalism or false doctrines or religious fundamentalism. Why? Because it distracts attention away from the very simple point that they just don’t want to give up going to see a movie. I mean, sure, criticize our doctrine, argue about what the Scriptures say or don’t say, but why not sign up for Star Fast first? Whether we’re legalistic or not doesn’t make any difference to what’s in your heart, right? So if you love God, why not deny yourself going to see Star Wars anyway? It’s not really such a wacky idea, is it? After all, Jesus does say that anyone who wants to be His disciple will deny himself. And, of course, it’s just a move and you’re not engrossed in it or anything? Right?

Not to mention, that people accuse us of being legalistic or fundamentalist, but have you seen some of the knee-jerk judgments that are made about us, by people who don’t even know us? But, wait, if we post up some stuff challenging lukewarm Christians, we’re judgmental and legalistic? Sorry, but isn’t there a some fairly blatant hypocrisy going on here?

Bottom line: If the Holy Spirit is really telling you to go see Episode III, go see it. But if you just want to see it because you want to see it, and you’re not prepared to deny yourself one movie for God, don’t just tack on the name of God and throw out all kinds of self-righteous justifications for why God wants you to do exactly what you want. Just be honest and go do what you want. If you don’t like Star Fast, don’t sign up for it. But don’t go making all kinds of ignorant judgments about people who simply take the Bible seriously enough to want to deny themselves a movie out of love for God.

Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

in His service,
Malcolm

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

I guess your compassion for Malcolm is what made me think of it.

James’ mom talks about when they were first born again. She was very committed to the Lord, and she adopted some strict convictions. Now they are very balanced, and I respect them a lot. She still has that same commitment and passion. She has just matured. I don’t know anyone as outspoken about God as her. Women are drawn to her, because of her enthusiasm.

Good points, Carl. I enjoyed your thoughts!

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