I worked in, owned and operated theatres from 1945 until 1971 and again in '04 and '06 and am familiar with Walt Disney's attitude and policies.  The Walt Disney company today is nothing like Walt would want it.  I also spent 28 years in radio broadcasting writing and producing commercials and know that some other line could have been deleted if they needed to include a plug for the distributor.  However, nothing surprizes me in the day in which we now live.   Just a sign of the times.       

Exciting news indeed!

Now what we need are exhibitors willing to show the finished product.  My dream has been to return to the theatre (something I did for 25 years) with a "family friendly" and evangelical cinema (and perhaps one day a chain of such theatres).  But the lack of financing has stopped me.

God bless their efforts.

This may well have been discussed already over the years, but I would like to see what others think.

I have a writing called JESUS OR SANTA.
In it, I say that Satan created santa and the Easter bunny to take away from what these holy days really stand for. And I state that no Christian should teach their child that santa is real, for first, they are lying to their child...(thou shalt not lie)...and they are perpetuating the lie that satan put forth to deceive people....but you would be surprised how many tell me that it is no big deal.

So, what think you all about this?

God bless you all.....Roy.

Neither Christmas nor Easter are Biblically mandated "holy days".  Jesus never told us to celebrate His birth or resurrection.  They are nothing more than Christian religion traditions created by man.   Little wonder they are subject to perversion.   Those who celebrate either or those who include the image of Santa or the Easter Bunny as part of their celebration are not in violation of any Biblical principle.  Rather than accusing people of worshipping those images (and in turn Satan) we who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ would better spend our time sharing with other why we celebrate those days.

Before you get all worked up about this you need to understand that neither Christmas nor Easter are Biblically endorsed "holy days".  Jesus never told us to celebrate His birth or His resurrection.  They were created by man as part of the Christian religion created by man (not Jesus) with all its traditions, doctrine, dogma, rules and regulations apparently because man needed something more tangible than an invisible God.  So little wonder that the days are perverted by man.  Basically I see it as a non-issue and suggest that at those times of the year we share the love of God with people rather than belly-ache about people destroying our "holy days".

The church should not be "promoting" marriage at all.  A couple who want to marry should consult GOD before they take that step to determine if it's HIS will for them.  The reason the divorce rate is as high among Christians as it is in the rest of the community is because many Christians decide to marry without consulting God FIRST.  Getting married in a church does not make it God's marriage.  And illicit sex will not be cured by encouraging marriage but by better parenting.

Whether or not all the details are accurate I don't know but I do know this story is well known to us in the "older generation" and is a source of inspiration each Christmas season.

Let's hope we spend this Christmastime sharing with people Who it is we honor and not moan and grown about the "commercialism", "pagan origins", accuracy of Jesus' birthdate, Santa or any other "anti-Christian" trappings of the holiday.  We can find opportunities to share the Lord in every aspect of Christmas.  He is, after all, the greatest Gift.

Yes indeed he is but does that mean that we are not to do so also.

Not when it accomplishes the opposite of what we want.  We should use it as a launching pad for sharing the Gospel.

So, I'll have to stand against it. I'll stand against anything that blasphemes JESUS CHRIST.

Given what the Bible has predicted we can expect nothing less in these last days.  IMO Jesus is perfectly capable of defending His own reputation. 

Well gosh, guess what church doormat belongs to.

I think too much has been made of icons (including the cross) in the Christian church.  Just one of a number of things man has adopted into the Christian religion he created that are not supported by any Biblical mandate.

There have been many films made in recent years that attempt to discredit Jesus Christ and His followers and none of them have done as much damage as some Christians who "major in minors" like protesting a film based on a fictional book.  While "The DaVinci Code" made seem to put the Roman Catholic Church in a bad light it is not an attack on Christianity.  And the more controversy Christians create about it the more people will buy tickets.  As a former theatre owner I can tell you the protest is only helping the boxoffice.

So if the 10 Commandments was "done away with at the Cross", then I suppose I can lie, curse, cheat, kill, covet, and blaspheme all I want and be fine as a Christian??

Not if you have read the New Testament which prohibits these things.  Methinks thou art being a bit silly.

This is true, but those that have stated outright to me that they belive in the higher power, just not the bible............

I pray they get it figured out soon.

Don't try to get them to buy all the trappings of the Christian religion.  It is Jesus to which you want to lead them.  While you and I realize the Bible is our "guide book"  accepting everything written in there is not required for salvation.  Share with them what Jesus has done in your life.  Perhaps you have friends that can do the same.  After all a "witness" is one who testifies to what he has seen or experienced.

Don't be too quick to judge guys.  Remember, we don't know their hearts. 

[In this verse "believe" means "put your trust in" or "cling to" not believe something about Jesus.]

When I look at the scripture, I seem to find different things said about salvation. For instance, look at these verses:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." ~John 3:16

In this verse "believe" means "put your trust in" or "cling to" not believe something about Jesus.

"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." ~John 3:18

These are the people who reject God's plan of salvation after being presented with the Gospel

These verses seem to suggest that the only requirement for salvation is belief in Jesus. It offers no other specific conditions. Then I take a look at verses like these:

"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." ~John 6:44

It is the Spirit of God who draws people to accept salvation whether they have heard the Gospel or discovered God through His creation

"Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father." ~John 6:65

Ultimately it is God who causes our hearts to turn to Him when we hear the Gospel of see Him in His creation.

These verses seem to suggest that a person cannot be saved simply by believing in Jesus. It offers the condition that a person must be drawn by God in order to achieve salvation.

What can we make of this? Is it simply a belief in Jesus that saves, or is it required that we are drawn by God first, then we can be saved through this belief?

Not drawn by God FIRST - drawn by God AFTER we hear the Gospel or see Him in His creation

Now I don't mean to expose my preacher's business in a bad light, but he did tell us (the church) a story that is relevant to this issue. He said that before he was truly saved, he came to Jesus and asked for salvation. According to him, Jesus said no!  He was mistaken.  Back to John 3:16   Apparently, he was not yet drawn by God, or the Holy Spirit. Why would Jesus have rejected him? It might have been because he wasn't willing to completely surrender to God, but I can't remember the real reason (if he even told it to us).

He says that Jesus has to accept us before we are saved. Now I have been drawn by the Spirit, I did go to the alter, and I did confess my sins and ask for forgiveness. Even after all of this, how do I know that Jesus has accepted me?  Because the Bible says He has.   After I left church that day, it still felt like something was wrong. I don't know what exactly. Was it because Jesus didn't accept me? I don't feel the peace that I have heard others speak of. I sometimes feel like I'm going crazy because I constantly wonder whether I have been thinking a particular bad thought long enough for it to be considered a sin. I end up asking for forgiveness for everything 24/7. It's very stressful.

Relax.  You're saved if you have repented (turned from your old ways) and chosen to follow God.  The blood of Jesus paid for your sins past, present and future. 

Dear All,

Jesus never gives up on us beleivers.  I have experienced it umpteen number of times in my life.  But my question is will He do so with those who tarry or keep shifting or keeps moving towards and away.

I come across many times, where i have presented Jesus to people and they dont say no.  But they do not seem to have accepted Him and continue to live the same.  I am put in circumstances where I have to present gospel afresh (in different manner, clearly everytime!)again and again.  Though I dont show it, it irks (and amazes) me, why Jesus would continually want them to come into the flock!!

So my question is how long should one keep presenting gospel to one person?  In other words, How long will Jesus wait?  Will he ever give up on a non-beleiver?

p.s Moderator - Please place this topic in a relevant section as you may see it
RKJ

God holds you responsible only for "delivering the message".  It is not your job to see to it that those to whom you present the Good News are saved.  That's between them and God.  You are the "planter" and the Spirit is the "waterer".  Repeated "preaching" could actually drive people away from the Lord.