Signs with Paul McDonald and Steve Kent
Coming up on the Men at the Movies podcast, I sit down with Steve Kent to talk about the movie Signs. The aliens represent fear for us, and we dive into the different responses to fear in our lives. Do we run to the basement, focusing on protection and control? Or do we grow stronger through our fear, learning to hear the words of our Father? Slow down, Breathe, I’m here with you. Swing away Merril, and let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.
Quotes
It’s easy to say, “God is good and everything happens for a reason,“ from a position of comfort.
It’s not a matter of if we fall, but rather, when we fall, how fast do we get back up.
Being still for too long results in being stuck.
Their answers are found in the book, and we can find our answers in the Book.
When we get stuck in anger, it causes our fear to grow.
We get afraid to take our fear to God, but God responds with a smile because we are being honest.
When fear attacks will we retreat to the basement or go out into the yard?
Themes
How do we respond to fear?
Aliens represent fear.
Fear challenges our faith, disengages us from who we are. Is God still God?
Try to control and manipulate the situation.
Lose the ability to think.
Two responses to fear
No one is looking out for us, we are all alone. Shrink and hide in fear. Victimized. In it for ourselves, hoarding. Withdrawal from identity, community. Runs to the basement. Turns to control, rationalize the situation. Ridicule other responses until you run out of options.
We are not alone, part of a larger story, higher purpose. Everything happens for a reason. Grows from fear. Engages with identity, realizes it more. Open to wonder, become childlike. Open to learn.
Father’s response when his children are afraid
“Fear is feeding it…slow down…breathe…I’m here with you.” Instructions from God when we are in fear.
Took the time to reaffirm their identity.
Shows the interpretation of the signs.
Resources
Perfect Gentleman website
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.” - Genesis 50:20 (NLT)
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” - Romans 8:28 (NLT)
“Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate.” - Matthew 25:24 (NLT)
Questions
When have you felt afraid?
Where did you feel it? Stomach? Chest? Throat? Other?
What are fearful events occurring in the world? Global? National? Local? Within your house?
What is your default response when fearful things occur?
How would you like to respond?
More info
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Edited and mixed by Grayson Foster
Logo and episode templates by Ian Johnston
Audio quotes performed by Britt Mooney, Paul McDonald, and Tim Willard, taken from Epic (written by John Eldredge) and Song of Albion (written by Stephen Lawhead).
Southerly Change performed by Zane Dickinson, used under license from Shutterstock
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