June 7, 2015 – Smriti "Simmi" D. Isaac

So, she’s funny. There’s no taking away from that well-established fact, and yet, a funny woman and a host of great actors does not a great movie make. And perhaps the intent was never to make a great movie (that is just my expectation of every movie that I go to see!), but as far as I am concerned, they did succeed in delivering a spoof of a James Bond-esque story with action galore that technically falls into the “action-comedy” genre, I would say.

But if identifying the movie by genre is my great opener for a review, you know that doesn’t bode too well for the critique to come. And quite frankly, I don’t think I have the interest to nitpick a movie just for its excessive, nay, obsessive use of profanity throughout. That seems like too flimsy a reason, and yet, I can’t seem to jump on the bandwagon that is showering praises for the actors and the movie in general. As far the actors go — and they’re a few well-known ones — they’re all quite funny, just like Melissa McCarthy, but the fact remains that the script was written solely with Ms. McCarthy in mind, and Ms. McCarthy does not disappoint in that she has a flair for the slapstick as much as the understated.

If you’ve ever wondered how movie franchises are born, look no further. I’ll bet good money there’ll be more where this came from. But when the next one does, I won’t be seeing it on opening night; perhaps not until it comes out on Netflix. Or something.

Posted on June 7, 2015 by Simmi D. Isaac — Leave a comment

June 7, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“But don’t let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers—why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 MSG – A verse of the day from the Bible presented in Eugene Peterson’s contemporary version called The Message. Accompanied by a personal reflection below.

Paul’s letters to Timothy are treasures word-for-word. With care and patience, Paul explains, advises and encourages Timothy in the Christian life. Keep going back to the drawing board, is what Paul is saying here. Don’t forget why you do what you do. Don’t forget why you believe what you believe. And hold fast to those truths. In Timothy’s day, the four gospels (penned by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, disciples of Jesus) must have been the core of the account of Jesus’ life and words, as was the book of Acts. And to the new Jewish believer it was a big leap of faith to go beyond the Judaic scriptures to understand and practice this new life in Christ. Today, two millenia later, Paul’s letter to Timothy is as fresh and relevant to the new believer as it was in his day. I hope and trust you will give this some thought, gentle reader!