Perks of Being a Christian – Shannon in Kansas City

Discernment

I am so grateful to know Jesus Christ and to have access to his word.  The Bible has opened my eyes to the will of God and the plans God has for my life and thereafter.  Christians are promised redemption for their sins and an eternity spent with our father in heaven.  But there are perks to being a Christian while you are living here on Earth.

The world we live in today is very confusing.  Some of the people in it will smile in your face but will have every intention of using you just like the devil will.  They will act like your friend and then take every thing you have to give and leave you with absolutely nothing.  Following God’s standard will help you sort out sweet spirits from evil ones.

I am a woman that has never been married.  Near the beginning of a relationship I tell men that I am not interested in sexual intercourse unless we marry.  Usually I stop hearing from them after that.  Sometimes if I even mention church attendance or attending a Bible study I don’t hear from these men anymore.  It is disappointing and hurtful but at least I did not allow myself to be used and it is because I decided to trust God.  God’s word spared me a relationship with a man that is selfish and only sees women as play things.

Of all the gifts that Christians are given I think that discernment is one of the greatest.  Whenever I come to a cross roads in my life I pray about it.  If I meet a man that wants to get to know me romantically I always pray about it and ask God if it is His will.  I ask God to make the relationship flourish if it is of His will or take it away if it is not.  I’m a little nervous at this point because all of my romantic pursuits have floundered but I will continue to have faith in God.  I’m still hopeful that there is someone for me.

I also pray when it comes to professional commitments.  I have had a great deal of on the job drama.  I don’t know why because I just want to do my best and make a living.  I have lost several jobs due to work place politics.  I have been slighted and forced out the door more times than I care to remember.

But I don’t think I’ve ever lost anything that was going to take me to where I want to be in life so I’m better off without it.  If something isn’t a help it’s a hindrance and we all need to know our value and fight for it.  Hopefully, God has something fulfilling and financially viable for me.  Despite my checkered professional past I’ve always been able to find another job, I pay my tithes, my bills have been paid and I have and do nice things.

When I pray over relationships and situations that I’ve been in I ask for the Holy Spirit to intervene on my behalf.  The Lord has always revealed the truth.  We just need to ask and give Him time.  I have always learned the true character of the people.  The Lord will show you who is trying to take advantage of you and make a fool of you.  He will also show you who really cares for you.  Jesus will take you right out of a negative and stressful situation that is draining your spirit.  The peace God gives is a blessing.

1 Corinthians 14:33

God isn’t a God of disorder but of peace.  Like in all the churches of God’s people,

If you are experiencing a lot of confusion you should consult the Bible and pray about it.

1 John 4:1

Dear friends, don’t believe every spirit.  Test the spirits to see if they are from God because many false prophets have gone into the world.

It is OK to test friends, romantic interests, family members and business partners.  Ask God to help you sort out who is good for your life and who isn’t.

1 Thessalonians 5

Pray continually.

Keep on praying.

#bodypositivity – Shannon in Kansas City

 

 

#bodyposi is a popular social media hash tag which encourages women to be comfortable with and love their bodies.  The hash tag is often accompanied by a photograph of a nearly naked young woman.  I am completely in favor of women feeling good about themselves regardless of their body shape, height or ethnic background.  There are many types of beauty in the world and that should be appreciated.  However, I think the body positivity movement is misguided.

The confusing thing about #bodyposi is that these women want to put as much flesh on display as they can get away with.  The women in these photographs are typically heavier set and do not have the type of bodies that are commonly featured in fashion magazines.  I’m sure any one of them would look great if they styled themselves and wore flattering clothing.  I’m not exactly sure what these women want.

A lot of thin women look awkward in bikinis as well.  Everyone isn’t going to look great in a bikini or under wear.  That’s why fashion models are well paid for their efforts.  They also work out and follow a health conscious diet.  There is a price to be paid for everything including a fit body.

I’m sure there are some women that are uplifted by the body positivity movement and there is value in that.  But we are probably just changing the beauty standard instead of helping women find real contentment and peace within themselves.  Mattel recently designed Barbie’s that have alternative body shapes.  “Sports Illustrated” is featuring a heavier (size 10) model in their swim suit issue.  Stores are using fuller bodied mannequins.

Standards of beauty have changed throughout history.  Changing the standards may help a few people feel more accepted but then someone else will feel left out.  I think that we shouldn’t give the media, the fashion industry or the entertainment industry such power over our minds that they have the ability to make anyone feel less worthy than someone else.  The power that we have given popular images is idol worship.

I was given a copy of the New Testament to read when I was nineteen.  It made a huge impression on me and I would hate to think what I would be like without God’s word in my life.  If I was not grounded in Christ I would probably be as vulnerable to media images as all the “body positive” women are.

The Bible taught me that I have a savior.  That savior was born to be a living sacrifice to save my soul.  I don’t know how anyone can hate themselves with this type of conviction.  If God loves me that much who am I to doubt myself or my worth as a woman.  The following scriptures can help anyone that is struggling with self image:

1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Have no regard for his appearance or stature, because I haven’t selected him.  God doesn’t look at things like humans do.  Humans see only what is visible to the eyes, but the lord sees into the heart.”

Try to see people, including yourself the way God sees them.  Focus on the human heart.

James 4:14

You don’t really know about tomorrow.  What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for only a short while before it vanishes.

Life is fleeting and so is youth.  Don’t drive yourself crazy over something that is guaranteed to end.

Colossians 3:11

In this image there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all things and in all people.

We’re all the same in God’s eyes.  Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

You are a vessel for the Holy Spirit when you accept Christ.

Exodus 20:3

You must have no other gods before me.

Worship our savior, not your body.

I think that people would have a better self image if they learned about the love God has for us and the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for mankind.  People would also be well served to not be so self focused.  Love yourself and treat yourself well but it seems to me that some young women and men are absolutely obsessed with their image.  None of us are perfect and we are not meant to be.  No one is perfect but Christ.

God gives us different gifts.  Some of us are artists, great in math or great singers.  Some of us are blessed with the gift of looking great in a bikini.  We all can’t have the same gifts.  Instead of coveting someone else’s blessing be grateful for your own.

 

Your body will fail you one day.  If you live to be old your youth will become a memory.  Don’t let frivolous things become an idol in your life.  Beauty and image is subjective and is often an illusion.  Focus on serving God.  I’m certain that you will become a happier, satisfied, joyful and content person.

Cam Newton – Shannon in Kansas City

 

Cam Newton de los Panthers de Carolina tras anotar un touchdown ante los Saints de Nueva Orléans el domingo 16 de septiembre de 2012. (AP Foto/Rainier Ehrhardt)

I am not a Panthers fan and I have no ties to the Carolinas but I am cheering on the Carolina Panthers in the Playoffs this year now that the Chiefs have been eliminated.  I have liked Cam Newton for a few years now.  I think he is as cute as he can be and he has a bubbly and energetic personality.  He’s had an impressive 15-1 season.  That is absolutely thrilling.  Good for Cam Newton and the Panthers squad.

Cam Newton has taken a lot of criticism this season.  Football fans seem to think that he is arrogant, cocky and some even refer to him as thuggish.  I really don’t know how they came to these conclusions.  Cam was condemned by a fan earlier this season for an end zone dance that they found offensive.  Last weekend he was chided by the public for crumbling up a team flag and throwing it on the ground.  I took both of these gestures as playful not malicious or lascivious in any way.

I think the real problem here is that Cam is a Black quarterback having a great season and he has the opportunity to win a Super Bowl title with his team.  If his team wins Super Bowl L he will defeat one of the great quarterbacks of our era which will rub a lot of fans the wrong way.

Cam is confident, stylish and has an outgoing personality, a dry wit and a sarcastic sense of humor.  He is comfortable in front of cameras and he seems to be enjoying his fame.  I think that a confident, self assured Black man that speaks his mind rubs a lot of people in America the wrong way.  They want Black men to be as humble as monks no matter how great the accomplishment.  A Black man is always suppose to keep his head bowed and be grateful for whatever opportunity a White man has allowed him to have.

Black men are socialized to not be confident in American culture.  They are taught directly and indirectly that they are stupid, violent and stoic.  America does not accept that Blacks can have a wide range of emotions or personality traits.  America teaches it’s Black men that they are not as good and don’t deserve success, respect or honor.  It’s truly heartbreaking.  Black women are fed similar message but for whatever reason there are many more self assured Black women than men.

Sports is entertainment and I like sportsmen that can put on a show.  I want to see some personality and some pizazz and flash.  I fully support end zone dances regardless of who’s doing it.  That’s what Newton provides the football viewing public, entertainment.  I think he’s doing OK if the worst things someone can say about him is that he danced in an end zone or threw down the opposing teams flag.

My advice to Cam Newton would be to ignore the naysayers but he seems to be doing that anyway.  So my advice to Cam Newton is to keep doing what he’s doing and keep being who he is.  It’s working.  Be confident and be a role model to all the little Black boys and girls across America that are taught by this racist culture that they are mean, angry, stupid, ugly and doomed to a life of poverty and frustration.  I already admire you Cam.  Win Super Bowl L and become my hero #1.

 

What’s Wrong with Being Confident? Demi Lovato

 

#oscarssowhite – Shannon in Kansas City

Gold Trophy ca. 2000

#OscarssoWhite is a trending hash tag that is meant to bring attention to the lack of diversity in the work that the film academy recognizes as excellent.  All of the nominees for acting awards that are nominated are White.  To this I say so what.  Hollywood is not special.  I think that people perceive Hollywood to be liberal and progressive but if you pay attention to the work that they put out and recognize as excellent it is clearly seen that they have a very narrow scope of how they view people of African descent.

The film industry is a vehicle that White people use to affirm themselves.  Hollywood is there to tell White stories.  Even when they tell stories about a person or group of people that are not White they still manage to make a White person the protagonist of the film.  Good examples of this are “Dancing with Wolves” starring Kevin Costner and “The Impossible” starring Naomie Watts.

Most industries that create celebrities i.e. movies, films, music, fashion are White affirming.  They put White people on a pedestal and tell the masses how beautiful, talented and brilliant they are.  This happens even when they mimic Black culture.  Sometimes the object of the admiration and attention deserves it but other times their fame is a product of social media hype and gossip magazine stories.  The only exception is athletics and that’s because it is mostly objective.

I’m sure there are Black actors that deserved to be recognized for their work this year but did not get the proper accolades.  But that is what happens to Black people in the American work force at large.  It’s happened to me more than once.  The American work force affirms White people and I am not White.  Sorry, but I don’t have time to feel bad for Idris Elba or Ice Cube’s son.  They are certainly better off than I am.

Black Americans really need to grow up and stop being so surprised by racism.  This country has never seen us as equal and it may never.  Please stopping begging for acceptance.  I feel that the desire to be validated and accepted by mainstream culture is one of the biggest burdens that Black Americans face.

Art is a subjective thing and there is no way to argue what is worthy of recognition and what is not.  To complain about the Oscars lacking diversity is a petty, first world concern.  People of African descent live with a lower quality of life than their peers in almost every category.  That is true of Blacks that live in industrialized prosperous countries as well.  Let’s set our priorities straight and let pampered actors have their evening to themselves.  My life is not going to be changed in any way if Idris Elba wins an Oscar.

http://www.tmz.com/2016/01/18/jada-pinkett-smith-academy-oscars-video/

9 to 5

This lyrics to Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” is some of the realist $#!% ever!  The movie debuted in 1980 but the lyrics are still relevant today. Just listen.

 

9 to 5

Tumble outta bed and I stumble to the kitchen
Pour myself a cup of ambition
And yawnin’, stretchin’, try to come to life

Jump in the shower and the blood starts pumpin’
Out on the streets, the traffic starts jumpin’
With folks like me on the job from 9 to 5

Workin’ 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin’
Barely gettin’ by, it’s all takin’ and no givin’
They just use your mind and they never give you credit
It’s enough to drive you crazy if you let it

9 to 5, for service and devotion
You would think that I would deserve a fair promotion
Want to move ahead but the boss won’t seem to let me
I swear sometimes that man is out to get me

They let your dream, just watch ’em shatter
You’re just a step on the boss man’s ladder
But you got dreams he’ll never take away

In the same boat with a lot of your friends
Waitin’ for the day your ship ‘ll come in
And the tide’s gonna turn an’ it’s all gonna roll you away

Workin’ 9 to 5 what a way to make a livin’
Barely gettin’ by, it’s all takin’ and no givin’
They just use your mind and you never get the credit
It’s enough to drive you crazy if you let it

9 to 5, yeah, they got you where they want you
There’s a better life and you think about it, don’t you?
It’s a rich man’s game, no matter what they call it
And you spend your life putting money in his wallet

Workin’ 9 to 5, oh what a way to make a livin’
Barely gettin’ by, it’s all takin’ and no givin’
They just use you mind and they never give you credit
It’s enough to drive you crazy if you let it

9 to 5, yeah, they got you where they want you
There’s a better life and you think about it, don’t you?
It’s a rich man’s game, no matter what they call it
And you spend your life putting money in his wallet

 

 

 

 

The Reason I’m a Sports Fan – Shannon in Kansas City

It’s time for the NFL Playoffs.  My favorite team, the Detroit Lions didn’t make the Playoffs and my second favorite team the Kansas City Chiefs lost in the second round which ended their season.  Watching sports on TV or in person has become one of my favorite past times.

Sporting events are one of only a few examples of wholesome programming on TV.  Almost everything on television these days is a vapid reality show, a show about murder or something that I consider to be demonic.  I enjoy a few of the Real Housewife shows but all of the subsequent casts have saturated the airwaves with manufactured images of selfish, mean and sometimes violent women.

There are dozens upon dozens of TV shows about murder.  “CSI”, “Forensic Files”, “Snapped”, “The First 48” are all compelling series but geez Louise don’t people get tired of stories about people killing other people.  I sure do.  And all of these shows use graphic and explicit images.  I get it.  He got his throat cut.  I don’t need the bloody visual thank you very much.

Almost everything else on TV is somehow demonic and dark sided in nature.  I don’t have much interest in zombies, vampires or people that communicate with the dead.  At least I’m not interested enough to watch a weekly series about these subjects.

So much of American television programming is devoted to the occult, violence and reality TV that glorifies people for behaving in a way that would never be accepted in day to day life.  It’s great to see a celebration of youth, strength, fitness and hard work.  That’s what sports competitions are to me.

In a largely sedentary country with an obesity problem it’s great to see physically fit people using their bodies to reach accomplishments and earn a living.  Seeing athletes on TV inspires me to get off the couch and move around.  And they all look great.  I have to say that some professional athletes are made of stardust.  Stardust is the active ingredient in all of our dreams.

I think that athletes are so glamorous.  They are young, rich and have the world by the tail.  I love it and I wish it was me.  I know that they are only human and they have personal struggles like we all do.  In fact, when you follow the careers of athletes you know that a pro career is full of struggle.  But I don’t know any of these guys personally and I only know what I see on TV and in the stadiums.  And it is absolutely lovely and inspiring.

Professional athletes are great role models for children and all the rest of us.  They are young, prosperous, athletic and in the prime of their lives.  Many of them came from disadvantaged backgrounds and now they appear before crowds of thousands and millions on TV.  The real stars are attractive, articulate and have a lot of personality.  I sure want to be like that.  I’m constantly working on it.

I’m glad for the NFL, NBA and MLB.  There would be very little worthwhile to watch on TV without it.  And they give us young stars to admire that will one day be legends that we remember with fondness and pride.  In a world filled with divisions the camaraderie amongst fans transcends race and economic background.  It is a thrill to watch a man fight for his pride and childhood dreams.  There is nothing else like it.  I love it!

#ChiefsKingdom #OnePride

 

Night Life Dress Code – Shannon in Kansas City

One of my new year resolutions was to practice and improve my Latin dance skills.  There is a dance club in a casino in my area that has a Latin themed night every few weeks.  I decided to go last night.  I was in a festive mood because the Kansas City Chiefs won their first round playoff game.

When I got dressed for the club I decided to show my Kansas City Chiefs spirit and wear my Chiefs jersey, skinny black pants and high heeled black leather boots.  It was feminine, cute and appropriate for that day in history.  You’ll just have to take my word for it there are no pictures.

I showed up to the dance club and the bouncer said that they don’t allow sports jerseys.  I turned and walked away without saying anything even though I was very offended and upset by this.  I have been to this club before.  It is not a high fashion crowd nor is Latin Night at the Voo Doo Lounge at Harrah’s Casino a black tie affair.

I later called the VooDoo Lounge and spoke with a supervisor about their policy.  I asked what they assumed about me because I was wearing a sports jersey.  He said he didn’t assume anything and that many people were turned away that night for wearing sports jerseys.  He apologized and I believe he was sincere.  I’m sure he’s not the person that makes these rules.  But that did not make me feel any better about what happened.

I am African American, youngish (people think I’m a lot younger than what I am.) and I had on a sports jersey.  I felt as if I had been profiled as a gang banger or some type of criminal.  I’ve managed to live a pretty straight laced and somewhat accomplished life so far so this was pretty insulting to me.

I don’t exactly have a problem with night clubs having dress codes.  I wouldn’t mind if they required men to wear suits and ties and women wear dresses or dress slacks and blouses.  The problem that I have with night club dress codes is that they tend to be racist.

Night club dress codes tend to read as follows:

  • No jerseys
  • No plain white tees
  • No scarves or bandanas
  • No gym shoes

I even read about a dance club once having a policy that read:

  • No dreadlocks

All of these things are what some call urban culture and urban is synonymous with Black.  They are pretty much saying that Blacks should stay away unless you conform to the mainstream norm.  In their mind they are saying Blacks can come in as long as you act more White.

I have never heard of a night club with a policy that reads:

  • No tattoos
  • No body piercings
  • No unnaturally colored hair
  • No Doc Martins
  • No motorcycle related wear

I’ve never heard of a policy such as that and I couldn’t even imagine one like it being made or enforced.  No business establishment wants to insult potential White patrons like that.  The same establishments don’t extend the same respect to it’s potential Black clientele.  Night club dress codes are just an indirect way to discriminate against Blacks.

 

Use Your Voice – Shannon in Kansas City

I was a child of the 1980s.  I feel blessed to have grown up in that era.  I am an only child so I may have spent more time in front of a TV than most.  A lot of my fond childhood memories  involve TV shows that were popular at the time.  One of my favorites is “The Cosby Show”.  It is very disappointing and sad to hear about the accusations against Bill Cosby.  It’s always sad when heroes fail.

I don’t know Bill Cosby or his accusers and I have no information on the rape accusations other than what I’ve seen in the media.  I don’t have any strong opinions on Bill Cosby’s guilt or innocence.  I know that if he had been faithful to his wife he wouldn’t be in all this trouble.  In that regard I don’t have much sympathy for him.

I’m also not convinced about the intentions of the women that are accusing him of rape.  If justice under the law was really their goal why didn’t they report their rapes to the police like the women in Oklahoma City who put away police officer Daniel Holtzclaw?  It’s very hard for me to understand why more that fifty women claim to be raped or assaulted by Bill Cosby but not one of them made a complaint that turned into a trial and conviction.  But several decades later they come forward with their stories all around the same time.  That seems like quite the coincidence to me.

They claim they couldn’t talk to the police and some claim they couldn’t confide in a family member or friend.  If they are really that shy, timid and ashamed it is really surprising to see them on TV programs, in magazines and giving press conferences.  To me all of this seems orchestrated by the media and the legal system.  I don’t believe that all of these women coincidentally decided to speak their mind without being prompted by someone.

The Cosby rape allegations have me thinking a lot about rape and sexual assault.  People that rape, molest or take advantage of people in other ways count on their victims to be silent.  They prey on those that are perceived as weak.  They rule through intimidation, manipulation and shame.

I have experienced rape and I know how difficult it is to speak up for yourself.  I know that there is a fear of judgment and there is shame.  But I was the person that was violated.  So I had to speak up for myself.  I knew that no one else could do it for me.

If you have been raped, molested, violated, taken advantage of or been the victim of violence please speak up for yourself.  Your voice is as good as anyone else’s.  If you tell your story of what your abuser has done some of their power will be taken from the abuser.  These people need silence and secrecy to operate.  Don’t give it to them.

I think the pity party that is being given to Bill Cosby’s accusers in the media and on social media is a little sexist.  They are treating these women as if they are children, elderly or have developmental disabilities.  Aside from fame which is only perceived power and money I don’t see how Bill Cosby could have controlled these women.

Adult women need to speak against any type of abuse or mistreatment.  Period.  Sometimes you need to be the person that saves yourself.  The first step is exposing the abuse.  If you don’t want to tell friends and family, make a police report or tell your story to an acquaintance that will listen.  Do not allow yourself to be intimidated, bought or manipulated.

People teach children not to speak to strangers.  If I had them I would teach them the opposite.  Speak to strangers if you need help or are in trouble.  Be assertive.  How else are they going to get assistance if they are lost or being lured away by a stranger?  I think that children need to learn sooner rather than later how to speak on their own behalf and be independent, empowered little people.

So if you need help, are being abused or have been violated please do not remain silent and allow this person to continue to have power over you.  Do not be afraid.  Do no negotiate with them.  Do not continue to interact with them.  You need to help yourself before anyone can help you.

 

Robocops – Shannon in Kansas City

I think it’s time for the U.S. to invest in technology to make robotic police officers.  In the 80s and 90s there was a movie franchise called Robocop that was very popular.  At the time it seemed far fetched and a science fiction fantasy but I think that in the near future robotic law enforcement could and should become a reality.

We interact with machines so much that we take it for granted.  Most of us use ATM machines and if you call a business like an insurance or credit card company you will be assisted by a machine before you encounter a human being.  Many industries employ the help of robots to make themselves more efficient and cost effective.

I feel that robotic police officers would be an asset to the United States because I hear of a police misconduct or shooting every other month if not more.  Citizens have protested, rioted and the Attorney General has gotten involved to make police officers more accountable for their actions but nothing has improved the situation.  I do not accept that police violence and killing should be the norm for American citizens.

Police violence becomes a problem for all of us because the officers are often not prosecuted of any crime and when they are they are rarely convicted.  But the victim or their family usually sues the city and wins millions.  The taxpayers pay for police misconduct, not the officers or the police department themselves.

I can remember well publicized incidents of police brutality and police killing as far back as the 1980s.  When I was growing up near Detroit the Malice Green murder was big news.  When I was a teenager I vividly recall the Rodney King beating and the L.A. riots.  While I was a young adult Amadou Diallo was murdered on the East coast.  In recent years these types of stories have become common place because of cell phone technology and social media.  This issue has been with me my entire life and I am sick of it.

Most of the victims of police violence that I’ve learned about are Black.  But Black people are only about 13% of the United States population.  It is very difficult to not suspect the police of being deeply racist when you consider the relationship that American has had with African Americans.  The U.S. has always been violent and callous towards Black people.  America has always felt the need to control the Africans within its borders.

The police rarely seem contrite in these situations.  They didn’t even show remorse when ten year old Tamir Rice was killed for playing with a toy gun at a public park.  They only justified what happened.  Police departments often make themselves out to be victims when they shoot and kill citizens.  If someone speaks out against them they threaten some type of work stoppage and make a statement about how officers are entitled and deserving of respect.

There is no doubt that police work is dangerous.  There is no doubt that law enforcement is necessary.  So why not take some of the burden from flesh and blood human beings and use nuts and bolts machines to take care of traffic violations or even city patrols?  Police officers will be safer and citizens will be treated more objectively.

No one can accuse an officer of racism if the officer is a machine.  It would be simple for a camera to clock cars as they speed by or check license plates for expired stickers.  The person in violation of the law will receive a ticket in the mail.  It’s happened to me.

If robots performed the more menial tasks such as writing tickets that would give officers more time to investigate and prevent crimes.  Everyone would win.  Citizens will have a more efficient police force.  The police would be safer.  Law enforcement would be more objective.  Robotic police officers would pay for themselves because of the decrease in lawsuits to the police departments which citizens pay for with their tax dollars.  The lawmakers of this country should be progressive and begin to research how they can make robot technology work for law enforcement.

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/news/robotics/2008-03-01-robots_N.htm

 

 

War Room – Shannon in Kansas City

I’m off from work for a week for Holiday vacation.  One of my plans for my break is to catch up on a few movies that I’ve been wanting to see.  One of those movies is “War Room” which  I watched last night on Movies on Demand.

The film was pretty good but I didn’t like it as much as a lot of other people did.  “War Room” has a great Christian message about the power of prayer that a lot of people that has encouraged many.  I would describe the film as a love story minus the sappiness.  It also has a great message about mentorship and family values.

I have enjoyed other Christian movies such as “Fireproof” and “Remember the Giants” more.  There were parts of “War Room” that are a bit dull but it is definitely worth seeing.  It finishes strong.

I also like that the movie features a mostly Black cast but the film is not about what Hollywood seems to think are typically Black subject matters.  i.e. picking cotton, organizing marches, playing basketball, gang banging  or break dance competitions just to name a few.  I have thoroughly enjoyed movies that cover all of these subject matters but it’s a shame that Hollywood has such a narrow view of African Americans.  It’s great to see something different.

I would recommend “War Room” if you haven’t seen it yet.

 

 

war-room