Into the Fire

Almost everyone recognizes a bad movie or a bad novel. However, even with bad movies and bad novels, somebody ends up thinking they're "the greatest". And, as we've discussed here, oftentimes those who are self-ordained decision-makers as to what's good and what's not determine that bad stuff is really good stuff and vice versa.

Some of you might've watched The Academy Awards last night. I did not. Many years ago I used to watch them faithfully. Bob Hope was the greatest emcee ever. No one's come close to his schtick since. And sometimes the glam is marvelous. Sometimes it's laughable and embarrassing.

Make believe on the big screen can be a wonderful experience. Thrilling, chilling, sorrowful, meaningful, hysterical, or melancholy – there's usually a movie playing that can fill the bill for engaging the senses. As with novels, there are plenty, perhaps even the majority, of mediocre or bad ones. Multi-millions of dollars to produce a film or landing on the New York Times Bestsellers List doesn't guarantee you're going to view or read a "good" film or novel. It means someone had the big bucks to make a film they thought would work or someone sold a bundle of books with a story that got mass attention.

Your tastes might not mesh with the Academy's choices or with those who purchased the NYTB's novels. Oscars and novels share the same positives and negatives. They invariably gain somebody's attention. In the end it's the paying customer who makes the real difference in the success of either.

Father, all my "success" is in you. That I belong to you is my greatest claim to success. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.