…does that make it a good movie?

It’s definitely a complicated answer on this one.

I’m on unchartered territory here, but I HAD to post about this movie.

The Good Lie is rated PG13, so it’s not for everyone. (violence, language)

I am not going to critique the movie, per se, but I am recommending it.  My recommendation comes out of a heart that is still tender only 24 hours after watching it.  It is a movie that is hard to watch, but one that you will be glad you did.  I cried off and on throughout the whole movie.

This is a story about children from Africa who come to be known as The Lost Boys of Sudan.  These children escaped the horror in South Sudan during the civil war that started in 1983:

In the next few years, an estimated 20,000 Sudanese children fled their homeland in search of safety in what turned out to be a treacherous 1,000-mile journey to Ethiopia.

Wandering in and out of war zones, these “Lost Boys” spent the next four years in dire conditions. Thousands of boys lost their lives to hunger, dehydration, and exhaustion. Some were attacked and killed by wild animals; others drowned crossing rivers and many were caught in the crossfire of fighting forces.  [http://www.rescue.org/blog/lost-boys-sudan]

You can read more about it by clicking on the link or here.

And preview it here:

Just as it was difficult but necessary for me to visit a concentration camp when I visited Poland, this movie was one that I knew I needed to see.  It’s a part of recent history that is a testimony to the fact that sin DESTROYS.  That there are those who will murder men, women and children mercilessly.  This was, and still is the agenda of those who wish to eradicate Christianity.

We see so many atrocities on the news and internet these days that I am afraid we have become callous to the human plight.  We sit in our recliners and watch the value of human life deteriorate before our eyes.  We flip the channel because we cannot bear to watch, and cushion our hearts and minds from truth.

I know what you’re thinking… why expose myself to something that is going to break my heart, when there is nothing I can do?  As true as that might be, the glimmer of hope in this story is that they cling to God’s Word and to HOPE.  WE cling to hope and we PRAY.  Pray for peace and protection–but most of all we pray for God’s presence and power.  The testimony of many who have been persecuted for their faith is that GOD IS FAITHFUL.  Even what satan plans for evil, God can turn to good.  He brings peace in the midst of persecution and offers the hope of eternity to those who trust Him.

MILLIONS were killed in this civil war; the miracle of these stories make it as heartwarming as it is sad.  It is a clear reminder to us that there IS EVIL in this world, and God, in His Sovereignty allows man the choice for good or for evil… FOR NOW.  When sin came into this world, man (every one of us) chose to sin and Satan began his quest for dominion over man.  PLEASE don’t forget that his dominion is limited.  GOD is ALL-POWERFUL and ALL-KNOWING.  He is the righteous judge, and one day–ONE DAY HE WILL RETURN and make it all right again…

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed, but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.  However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame.” I Peter 3:1-16

You might also want to read:

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/good-lie-aims-hard-truths-casting-lost-boys-article-1.1959861

http://www.people.com/article/the-good-lie-movie-real-life-lost-boys-of-sudan-ger-duany-emmanuel-jal-reese-witherspoon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lopez_Lomong