By: D. Scott Phillips

My day started off, well, off.

Too little sleep, too much to do, and a vague sense that I was forgetting something important. I went dreamlike throughout the day, caught dinner with some friends after work, and made my way to the Cinemagogue showing of Sweeney Todd.

I have to admit, this movie is also off. Maybe it’s because the film is a musical about eating people; or maybe it’s because of the throat-cutting montage; maybe it’s as simple as the director’s stark use of color throughout the film: dirty grays, off white’s, and endless black. I suppose it’s probably all of these things, but it’s something more, too. There is an off-ness to the film that reminds you how awful like can be, especially for those who don’t know Christ.

And this is what my day needed: an exhortation via film and teaching that there is something off about life this side of eternity, reminding me to wait in hope, and in faith, for the kingdom that is to come.

If you missed this exhortation, given from Pastor James, the audio file is available, and we got it for you here.

A Cinemagogue Infomercial

My name is D. Scott Phillips, and I approve this message.

Hello, my friends.

First of all, I want to thank you for your interest in movies.

My opponents are going to tell you that I hate the movies, but that’s just not true. In fact, I love the movies - I saw Iron Man twice in the theater, but that’s something my opponents aren’t going to tell you. In fact, they are going to tell you to go bowling, or play ping-pong, or watch Saturday Night Live…

Let me give you some straight talk, my friends:

When you hear, “Robert Downey Jr.,” I want you to think, “Iron Man.”
When you hear, “Iron Man,” I want you to think, “Lake City Campus.”
When someone asks, “What should we do on Friday, November 21st at 7:00pm?” I want you to say, “Go to Cinemagogue.”