Are you plugged in?

 

If you are like me, watching television and movies leave me a bit wary. Shows and movies today view little resemblence to the healthy, family oriented shows that once provided a little entertainment for families. Watch movies for the first time have become like Forest Gump and the box of chocolates–you never know what you’re going to get.  Between home, school, church, and sports–I am  not quite up on the latest movies, shows etc. So by the time our family does settle in to purchase or rent a dvd, it can be a bit daunting. Initially my husband and I previewed movies, before watching together with the family.  I would sit on the edge of my seat with my hands at the ready to fast forward some inappropriate word or action  that came on screen. It is amazing some the the material and content the ratings deem appropriate for small children. Previewing the movies worked great–except many times we were so tired we fell asleep on the preview and our kids were anxiously awaiting to see if the movie was going to make it in the dvd for them to see.  We found this gave us the opportunity to become proactive in our movie watching–rather than running damage control after the fact. However, it was a bit time consuming previewing the movies beforehand–and if the movies weren’t appropriate for our smaller children, we could not get that time back. Recently we came upon a great website of Focus on the Family, in which plugged in reviewers phave viewed movies, television shows, cds, video games etc for you. The website is called Plugged In, and the plugged in reviewers preview the movie, cd, video game etc. and gives you the reader the whole scoop. I was delighted to see several reviews of movies that my children were interested in watching, and even more delighted to see the plugged in reviewers covered every angle. I also appreciated that they did not dress the movie up or down–but told it like it was. 

Focus on the family encourages, nurtures, and defends God’s institution of the family and biblical truths of His Word. “We believe that children are a heritage from God and a blessing from His hand. Parents are therefore accountable to Him for raising, shaping and preparing them for a life of service to His Kingdom and to humanity.” Focus on the Family helps equip parents in rearing godly children, and Plugged In is a website that educates parents on exactly what their child will watch for that 1-2 hour movie.  Plugged In also prepares parents for topics and discussions to address that the movie, cd, video game etc. might raise–it is a great teachable moment for parents and children.

The website is www.pluggedinonline.com and their mission….

” to help equip parents, youth leaders, ministers and teens with the essential tools that will enable them to understand, navigate and impact the culture in which they live. Entertainment is a potent influence on our culture for both good and evil. Through our reviews and discussions of that entertainment, we hope to spark intellectual thought, family discussion, spiritual growth and a strong desire to follow the command of Colossians 2:8. “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”

The movies are reviewed for positive elements, spiritual content, sexual content, violent content, crude or profane language, drug and alcohol content, other negative elements, other negative elements, and the conclusion or the review.  By the end of the review, parents are fully informed–the only decision left is if your child will watch that particular movie or not. If so, then perhaps it is a great leadway into God’s word. Best of all, there is no need to sit through a bad movie–thanks Plugged In Online!I hope that you take advantage of this resource and the other great links on the site, as a parennt we can never be too informed or too interested in those things that involve our children.

Be blessed!

 

View more movies, television, music, video games and information on the mission of Plugged In at www. pluggedinonline.com.

Gospel Dream 2009

Season four of Gospel Dream, Gospel Music Channel’s talent search, premieres on June 24th at 10:00 p.m, exclusively on GMC.  This season’s celebrity judges will be J. Moss, Mitchell Soralek and Michelle Williams (formerly of Destiny’s Child).

Last year’s winner, Melinda Watts will release her debut album, People Get Ready, on July 28th.  Take a look at a clip from last year’s competition below.