Thursday, March 3, 2016
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Willie Brown's Journey Of Faith: A Movie Review Response for the Film "Straight Out...
Willie Brown's Journey Of Faith: A Movie Review Response for the Film "Straight Out...: This is a movie review response that was prepared for a class that I am taking called Mission in the Western World. This class deals with t...
A Movie Review Response for the Film "Straight Outta Compton".
This is a movie review response that was prepared for a class that I am taking called Mission in the Western World. This class deals with the condition of this world that we live in which is made up of a postmodern cultural mindset. How can the body of Christ effectively communicate the gospel to those they do not understand or to those who simply do not believe in Christ, God, or the creation of man has recorded in the Holy Bible.
I decided to do my review on the movie "Straight Outta Compton." I thought that was a very interesting film and here is my take along with some methods in which we may have been able to introduce the gospel of Jesus Christ to the men in the film.
I decided to do my review on the movie "Straight Outta Compton." I thought that was a very interesting film and here is my take along with some methods in which we may have been able to introduce the gospel of Jesus Christ to the men in the film.
Movie
Review Response
The
following exercise is a movie review response for the film “Straight Outta Compton.” This response will first identify and
describe elements from the movie (scenes, dialogue, situations, or thought
processes) that are symptomatic of the “postmodern condition”. Next, there will be an identification and
description of one or two elements (scenes, dialogue, situations, or thought
processes) that could present an obstacle for presenting the Gospel. Finally, there will be an identification and
description of one or two elements (scenes, dialogue, situations, or thought
processes) that could present an opportunity for presenting the Gospel. An analysis of what need was expressed and
the questions which were foremost will be recorded as well.
Symptomatic Signs of the
“Postmodern Condition”
The
movie “Straight Outta Compton” depicts the lives of three young African
American males from Compton , California Compton home with
hopes of collecting money, but is confronted with opposition as his drug
dealing cohorts refuse to pay him what they owe. In the scene we hear graphic language as they
argue and curse at each other through the failed transaction. Easy-E refers to a woman who is there as a
“B” and we see guns, alcohol, and drugs present. Finally the police raid the home with a tank
like apparatus which busts the door down while violently slamming one of the
women into the wall. Easy-E runs and kicks out the bathroom window while the
others scramble to hide drugs and exit the best way they can. The very use of profane language, illegal
drugs, and activity depict the postmodern culture that we live in today. We notice a people so desperate to exist that
they must sell illegal drugs and are involved in gangs in order to
survive.
In
scene two we see kids on a school bus throwing up gang signs to a car full of Crips. The gangsters then pull in front of the bus
on a busy street, board it, and begin to scold and threaten the young kids who
were making the gang signs. This is the
kind of life that people are living in the streets of America
today. Gang life is void of Christian
beliefs, true love, and sanctification.
In fact it is a life that is full of people longing for love and
affiliation in the wrong places. It is a
life filled with despair, violence, death, and a need to belong. The very music that NWA and groups like it
promote is said to show what real life is like in the hood and on the urban streets
of America . Producers
of this brand of music claim that basically they are just a mirror of society. A whole culture of what is known as hip-hop
has been invaded by this brand of hardcore rap music that is filled with
braggadocio, misogyny, and the glamorization of drugs and violence. We’ve gone
from Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five to Niggas With Attitudes
(NWA). We’ve gone from “Rappers Delight” to “ F the Police”. Every
generation seems to push the envelope a little farther. Sadly enough this is
the reality of many people in our postmodern culture today. An attitude of
tolerance and acceptance is a breeding ground for anti-Christian beliefs and
theology.
In another scene we notice examples of police
corruption as Ice Cube and his parents are referred to as “niggers” and called
other derogatory terms by members of the LAPD.
Throughout the movie there are instances where the police harass these
young African American males for what seems like nothing. Fear and abuse of power along with racial
profiling are also evident in a culture that is lacking faith and righteous
consciousness. On one hand we see a much
needed, but corrupt authority, and on the other hand we see an oppressed people
who are searching for a way out of their misery. Unfortunately when the group members actually
begin to progress financially and are able to move from the hood to Beverly
Hills and beyond they still bring their hood-like
attitudes and gangster lifestyle with them.
Obstacles for Presenting the
Gospel
In
one respect you feel for the young men who are fighting to better their
economic situation and move from a life of have-nots, but what good is it if
their money just allows them to have bigger parties, more drugs and alcohol,
mixed with sexual orgies. In the movie there is a very important scene where
the group is being told what they can say and not say on stage. In order to voice their opinion of police
brutality they exercised their right to record the song “F the Police.” This song caused a major uproar throughout
the country, but it brought light to the subject of police brutality that our
young African Americans are facing every day in this country. When told not to perform the song at a
concert, Ice Cube leads them into it regardless. A riot seemed to break out as the police
tried to stop the music and finally ended up arresting the group. Because of
the First Amendment right to freedom of speech it seems that the law could be a
hurdle for presenting the Gospel. An
attempt could have been made to tell the group (NWA) not to use foul language,
or try to tell your message in a more positive light, or instead of saying “F
the Police” can we find a way to somehow get along with the police? Laws and rights make it hard in a postmodern
culture to present the Gospel. When the
government makes things that are immoral legal then people feel that they are
well within the law to exercise their rights.
When a downtrodden people believe that money is the answer to all of
their problems then it is still difficult to teach them how to behave with
respect and dignity. You can move the
boy out of the hood, but you can’t move the hood out of the boy. People who have lots of money tend to feel
that they can do whatever they can afford to do whether it is right or wrong.
A Chance to Present the Gospel
There
are a number of opportunities where we could have presented the gospel to our
main characters in this movie. We could
have presented Christ to the young men when they were first forming the record
label. Instead of them leaning towards
gangster rap perhaps they could have leaned more towards positive,
Inspirational, or Christian rap. Maybe
we could have explained to them that “Life and death is in the power of the
tongue and those who love it will eat the fruit thereof” (Proverbs 18:21 ).
There are consequences that we must face with the words that we
speak. Perhaps the gospel could have
been introduced to the men when they were jailed for inciting a riot at the
concert by performing the song “F The Police.” While they were in
bondage and could hear a word spoken from a man or women of God there may have
been a chance to get their attention.
One may have said to them “See where your music and expression has
gotten you”? “You are locked up behind
bars in a country that is supposed to have free speech.” “The only freedom is a life with a loving and
forgiving God.” “It is our faith in God
and not our money that provides true freedom.”
The word says “Now the Lord is the spirit, and where the spirit of the
Lord is there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17 ). One final opportunity to present the gospel
could have been in the scene where Easy-E died from AIDS. In this scene we see
one of the members of the group not even able to go into the hospital room to
see Easy-E in his present condition.
Perhaps this would have been a great time to offer the salvation of
Jesus in the remission of all of their sins.
A Man of God may have said something like this “let not your friend
Easy-E’s death be in vain. Although he
fought for a better life free from selling drugs and being involved with gangs,
his choices which were fueled by his beliefs and money, led him to sickness and
death.” “God wants more for your life
than just an opportunity to get on stage, curse, make lots of money and then
party afterwards.” “God wants your soul
to be saved. He loves you and forgives you for all unrighteousness.” “Do you
know where you will spend eternity if you are to die today”? “Easy-E died, but do you know that Jesus
Christ died for you so that you could have ever lasting life.”
Needs and Questions
The
need for our young rappers to express themselves in a world where they felt
victimized and oppressed was definite.
There was also a need for our people of authority to see that you cannot
profile a whole generation simply by the color of their skin and where they are
from. Also, young artists need to know
that there is a responsibility when getting on the microphone in front of
people, and you will be held accountable for your words and actions. Finally, the only true freedom in this world
comes from a loving God, and through the blood of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of
Christ and his word is the one that should be spread throughout the world, and
not that which seeks the gain of money, and fame. The most foremost questions
are 1) what God do you serve? 2) Do you serve God or mammon? 3) What profit is
there to gain the whole world and lose your soul?
In
conclusion a movie review response was conducted which identified many
elements, situations, and thought processes that are symptomatic of the
“postmodern condition.” An
identification of an element or two which could provide an obstacle to
presenting the Gospel, as well as an element or two which could provide an
opportunity to present the Gospel was provided, along with an analysis of needs
that were expressed and the foremost questions which might be asked.
Please provide your feedback. I'd like to hear your comments on what you think about the paper, the movie, and your thoughts on our post modern society as a whole.
Thank you.
Get the new "Willie Brown and Friends Gospel Comedy Live" DVD Volume 2. It's available through PayPal
on The Clean Comedy Clinic site at www.cleancomedyclinic.com. It's hilarious and will keep you and your family laughing the entire time.
Get the new "Willie Brown and Friends Gospel Comedy Live" DVD Volume 2. It's available through PayPal
on The Clean Comedy Clinic site at www.cleancomedyclinic.com. It's hilarious and will keep you and your family laughing the entire time.
Friday, January 8, 2016
Willie Brown's Journey Of Faith: Spiritual Discipline Comes From Repetition
Willie Brown's Journey Of Faith: Spiritual Discipline Comes From Repetition: Friday, January 08, 2016 Good Morning Saints. I got up early and hopped on the 6 AM prayer call with Pastor T.J. McBride a...
Spiritual Discipline Comes From Repetition
Good
Morning Saints. I got up early and
hopped on the 6 AM prayer call with
Pastor T.J. McBride at Tabernacle of Praise International www.topci.org.
This ministry is on fire! I’m
finding that spiritual discipline comes from repetition. If you want to accomplish something great or
make a change in your life you have to keep doing the new activity each and
every day. I’ve heard it said that it
takes three weeks to change a habit.
Maybe that’s why the Daniel Fast is for twenty-one days. I don’t know for sure, but I do know that if
you want to have a positive change in your life then you need to be focused and
persistent. Keep doing the daily
activity whether it be praying, reading your Bible, exercising, writing,
practicing, or whatever it is that you’re trying to accomplish. Stick to it!
The word of God tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore my beloved
brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
for ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” It is through constant repetition and
availing ourselves to the things of God where our transformation takes
place. We must be transformed by the
renewing of our minds through Christ Jesus.
Hey yall I’m expecting great things for my life on this day and you
should do the same. Be blessed!
Godspeed!BE SURE TO ORDER YOUR COPY OF THE NEW "WILLIE BROWN AND FRIENDS GOSPEL COMEDY LIVE" DVD EPISODE 2. You can order it now through PayPal at www.cleancomedyclinic.com or www.williebrownandwoody.com. You can also book Willie Brown to perform or speak at your church or event along with a cast of many other great and talented clean comedians. Call today (310) 663-9228 or (770) 871-1197
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Willie Brown's Journey Of Faith: It's A Fact That We Have Feelings But Feelings Are...
Willie Brown's Journey Of Faith: It's A Fact That We Have Feelings But Feelings Are...: Thursday, January 07, 2016 This is the day that the Lord has made. May we be glad and rejoice in it (Psalm 118-24). Satan is really con...
It's A Fact That We Have Feelings But Feelings Aren't Factual
This is the day
that the Lord has made. May we be glad
and rejoice in it (Psalm 118-24). Satan is really conniving and slick. He will try to attack you in your sleep,
and make you dream of things that you
use to do, and then bring you before your accusers. I rebuke every attempt that he has tried to
make on my life and on the life of my wife, children, and family. What a trick to have you in your dream
smoking cocaine cigarettes and acting out of sorts, and then he puts certain
people there to accuse you of what you’re doing. I feel a need to be candid
here. I hope my testimony helps someone
out there. If you are battling with
substance abuse or any type of addiction whatever it may be I pray that you
would have the strength to turn it over to God right now in Jesus name! I pray that Satan has no power or authority
over your life, and that he can no longer use drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, or any
mind altering, or mood changing substances to keep you in bondage. This I pray in Jesus name.
I woke up this morning feeling
tired and out of it a bit. I’ve often
heard that it’s a fact that we have feelings, but that our feelings aren’t
factual. I’ve been told not to get
caught up in my feelings and emotions.
Feelings and emotions can lead you astray or distract you from what God
really has intended for you. Sometimes
we have to know that he is near even when we don’t feel his presence. We have to trust in his word that he will do
all that he said he will do. Sometimes I
fall back into fear and doubt about financial matters and all that is before
me. I don’t know what it was today, but
I was feeling uneasy a bit. We got up for the 6 AM prayer with TOP and it was
good, but I didn’t open my mouth as much as I would like to, because my wife
said that it was distracting when I prayed out loud while Pastor McBride was
praying out loud. But I find a need to
open my own mouth and speak to God myself.
I appreciate Pastor leading us in prayer, but I have to make it personal
sometimes. I realize that I’m the one who
needs the breakthrough. I’m the one who
needs the power of the Holy Spirit each and everyday. So after the prayer I got up and still felt
like I was in some kind of a funk. I
tried to express myself to my wife, and I could see that it was making her recoil
and feel a certain way so I began to think in my mind that it was a waste of
time for me to even say anything. If
what I am thinking or letting off my chest makes my wife feel uncomfortable, or
makes her not want to hear it then maybe I should keep it to myself. I was kind of tired an irritable, and it
could be because of the fast that we are on. I don’t know what it was. At times
I can be a real ball of emotions. So I decided to get dressed and go to the gym
to work out. I’m on a new regiment and I need to take care of myself
first. When I went downstairs to get my
jacket out of the closet my dog Spirit was whimpering and trying to get me to
take her for a walk. Unfortunately for
Spirit I wanted to take myself to the gym.
Sometimes a man feels bogged down with so many things to do and he gets
frustrated because it seems like he can’t get anything done. Anyway I went to the gym and had a good
workout. I listened to some gospel music
as I worked out on the elliptical machine.
I then did some crunches, walked around the track, and jumped rope. The
exercise helped to clear my mind. Now
I’m ready to take on the day.ORDER THE NEW "WILLIE BROWN AND FRIENDS GOSPEL COMEDY LIVE" DVD EPISODE 2 TODAY. Go to www.williebrownandwoody.com or www.cleancomedyclinic.com and order it through Paypal. It's great for the entire family. You can also book your favorite comedians at www.cleancomedyclinic.com or call (310) 663-9228
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Willie Brown's Journey Of Faith: All In a Days Work
Willie Brown's Journey Of Faith: All In a Days Work: Tuesday, January 5, 2016 This was an extraordinary special day for me. My wife and I woke up at 5:45 AM to pray with Pastor T.J. Mc...
All In a Days Work
This was an extraordinary special
day for me. My wife and I woke up at 5:45 AM to pray with Pastor T.J. McBride of
Tabernacle of Praise International. We
are in season of consecration and will be fasting and praying for the first
twenty one days in January. I am feeling
the power from the commitment that we are making. I knew in my spirit that it was time for a
fast and consecration. I seek to be
closer to God and the things that he wants for me. After praying I got up and
took my dog Spirit for a walk. It was
rather cold out this morning, but I pressed through anyway. Spirit was happy that she was able to get her
daily walk. I then left for Gold’s Gym
to get a much needed morning workout. I hadn’t been to the gym in a week or
so. I use to workout three to four times
a week and I’m planning to get back to that.
After my workout I hurried home and got dressed. I received a call from a Pastor Bernard
Miller who is the Georgia State Chaplain over prisons asking me to come to Jackson ,
Georgia
So when the time came for me to minister I started out by playing a little Byron Cage “I Can’t Hold It.” This is an uptempo praise song that gets people going. I use it to come out to when I’m performing comedy. I let most of the song play and the inmates loved it. Many of them got up and begin to clap their hands with praise and thanksgiving. Some even broke out into dance. I’m so glad that I let that music play because I really was not sure how I was going begin my presentation. After the song I introduced Woody and did about fifteen minutes of comedy. The men loved it. It was great seeing them laugh so heartily. Laughter is such a great medicine especially in a pressurized environment like prison. Once I finished with Woody I put him away and they brought forth the podium for me to begin my sermon. I spoke about the importance of reading scriptures and studying the Bible. The title for my sermon was “Where is Your Playbook”? I gave an analogy of being a football player and the importance of knowing your playbook, as followers of Christ should know the Bible. How can you execute proper plays when you don’t know what’s in the playbook? 2 Timothy 2:15 says that we should “Study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” That means that we should apply ourselves to learning God’s word and playbook for our lives. How can we properly execute in this game of life which we did not create? I would suggest that we learn God’s playbook so that we can be successful and win. The men seemed to enjoy the sermon and I gave them some goal setting tips for the beginning of the year. Before leaving I gave the offer to Salvation and three men gave their lives to Christ. Glory to God! It was a great day.
DON'T FORGET TO ORDER YOUR NEW "WILLIE BROWN AND FRIENDS GOSPEL COMEDY LIVE"EPISODE 2 DVD TODAY AT www.cleancomedyclinic.com or www.williebrownandwoody.com through PayPal. It's hilarious and great for the entire family!
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Willie Brown's Journey Of Faith: The First Day of Worship in the New Year
Willie Brown's Journey Of Faith: The First Day of Worship in the New Year: Sunday, January 03, 2016 This is the first Sabbath day of the new year. My wife Sherry and I woke up early and begin our prayer and devo...
The First Day of Worship in the New Year
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Willie Brown's Journey Of Faith: Starting the New Year in Silence and Solitude
Willie Brown's Journey Of Faith: Starting the New Year in Silence and Solitude: Well we can say goodbye to 2015 and hello to 2016. I must say that the year went by in a blur. The older we get the faster time goes by. ...
Starting the New Year in Silence and Solitude
Well we can say goodbye to 2015 and hello to 2016. I must say that the year went by in a blur. The older we get the faster time goes by. 2015 was a very strong building year for me. A lot was accomplished in the academia world, and in the spiritual realm. I overcame some big hurdles and ended up looking pretty good in the end. I have been journaling pretty steady for the past three months due to school. Our Spiritual Disciplines class makes journaling part of our daily assignment. I can see my growth from writing and having to complete this daily exercise. I've been writing, but I have not found it necessary to share all of my feelings in this blog. However, today I will do just that. As I begin this new year I hope to find more peace and serenity through spending time alone with God in silence and solitude. The world is so noisy and the volume keeps getting louder and louder in my head. I have to quiet things down if I'm going to be productive in this new year. I know that I have been involved in too many activities and my organizational skills need some work. My wife and I had a lot going on in 2015 with me being in school full-time, running two businesses, and being caregivers for my mother. Thank God we have been able to get my mother situated where she can have the twenty-four hour care that she needs and deserves. Having my mother at a top notch assisted living facility really helps to take the edge off. Sherry and I can now focus on doing some of the other tasks that have been overlooked. We can move forward in this new year towards the things that God wants us to do. I can finish school, work on The Clean Comedy Clinic Inc., build our Karatbars Business, and work on our television ministry. With God's help we are going to do a major work in the Kingdom by bringing Christian Arts and Entertainment to the forefront. The Clean Comedy Clinic Inc. will be one of the biggest platforms for clean and Christian Comedians worldwide. With focused marketing and execution we will create a household brand that will enhance family entertainment and comedy as we know it.
We are also growing a huge wealth building team with Karatbars International Gold. I thank God for this awesome opportunity. I was not looking for it, but I am glad that it found me. We are saving in gold and saving more money than we ever have in our lives. The simple wealth building program that Karatbars outlines is making a world of difference for us and others. If you have not taken a good look at this program I urge you to do so. We are simply building our wealth by saving a gram of gold at a time. By paying ourselves first we are building generational wealth and showing others how to do the same. Gold is real money. We are preparing for the next recession or famine. Like Joseph we are storing up for the future. If you would like to know more about it just email me at williebwoody20@gmail.com and visit www.therealmoney.info and watch the short videos. The videos will explain the whole program. Many people who take a quick glance think that this is like something else that they were involved in, but I'm here to tell you that it's not. We are not selling coffee, tea, vitamins, juice, legal services, travel, Amway, Mary Kay or none of that. There is nothing wrong with those products, but what we are offering is gold, 999.9 Bullion 24 Karat. We are teaching people how to save and get out of debt. We don't sell and we don't convince. We simply sort and look for the people who see it like we do. Everyone knows that they need to save money, and everyone knows that gold is a valuable commodity that increases in value. That's all I'm going to say about that.
Now here is my journal for today. I hope this inspires someone to write or think introspectively in this new year.
Saturday, January 2, 2016 5
AM and begin to pray. I thought my wife was going to join me, but
she didn’t sleep well last night. She was very restless throughout the
night. Part of the problem was that we
went to bed around 8:45 PM , and I was watching the
movie “Bad Boys” with Martin Lawrence and Will Smith for the millionth time. Actually
the movie was kind of on in the background as I was skimming through a book. I think the noise from the television was
keeping my wife from getting a good sleep. I’m going to have to do better in
this new year. I believe that I will
watch television downstairs and when I come to bed I will come quietly. As I prayed this morning I asked God to be
with me and to purify me. I asked him to
help us to be strong during our fast, and to help us to do his will. As I sit here in my office I began to read
the section in Calhoun’s “Spiritual Disciplines Handbook” about silence. I feel a strong yearning for silence and
meditation on God’s word. Just before
writing in my journal I stopped again for ten minutes and was completely
silent. I want to experience this more
for myself. I know that I need to shut
down all of the noise so that I can focus on God. I don’t even need to hear my own thoughts
sometime. I have so much running through
my mind each and every second of the day.
There is so much that I want to accomplish and do for the Kingdom of God
Oops don't forget that we have our latest Comedy DVD available titled "Willie Brown and Friends Gospel Comedy Live" Volume 2. You can order it now at www.cleancomedyclinic.com through PayPal
It's funny and is great for the entire family. Support our ministry to provide positive images to families worldwide.
ORDER YOUR COPY OF "WILLIE BROWN AND FRIENDS GOSPEL COMEDY LIVE DVD" Episode 2 TODAY! Go to www.cleancomedyclinic.com or www.williebrownandwoody.com
We are also growing a huge wealth building team with Karatbars International Gold. I thank God for this awesome opportunity. I was not looking for it, but I am glad that it found me. We are saving in gold and saving more money than we ever have in our lives. The simple wealth building program that Karatbars outlines is making a world of difference for us and others. If you have not taken a good look at this program I urge you to do so. We are simply building our wealth by saving a gram of gold at a time. By paying ourselves first we are building generational wealth and showing others how to do the same. Gold is real money. We are preparing for the next recession or famine. Like Joseph we are storing up for the future. If you would like to know more about it just email me at williebwoody20@gmail.com and visit www.therealmoney.info and watch the short videos. The videos will explain the whole program. Many people who take a quick glance think that this is like something else that they were involved in, but I'm here to tell you that it's not. We are not selling coffee, tea, vitamins, juice, legal services, travel, Amway, Mary Kay or none of that. There is nothing wrong with those products, but what we are offering is gold, 999.9 Bullion 24 Karat. We are teaching people how to save and get out of debt. We don't sell and we don't convince. We simply sort and look for the people who see it like we do. Everyone knows that they need to save money, and everyone knows that gold is a valuable commodity that increases in value. That's all I'm going to say about that.
Now here is my journal for today. I hope this inspires someone to write or think introspectively in this new year.
Oops don't forget that we have our latest Comedy DVD available titled "Willie Brown and Friends Gospel Comedy Live" Volume 2. You can order it now at www.cleancomedyclinic.com through PayPal
It's funny and is great for the entire family. Support our ministry to provide positive images to families worldwide.
ORDER YOUR COPY OF "WILLIE BROWN AND FRIENDS GOSPEL COMEDY LIVE DVD" Episode 2 TODAY! Go to www.cleancomedyclinic.com or www.williebrownandwoody.com
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