The movie "Orphan"

First, I would like to highly encourage you to visit
http://openheartsopenhomesministry.blogspot.com/2009/06/secret-joy.html
It contains a very powerful devotional.

Secondly, I thought you might be interested in a letter from our pastor regarding the movie "Orphan":

Dear Bethany Community Church,

Are you grieved by how our culture sometimes views children?

Next month, Warner Brothers will release a movie entitled Orphan. It is a horror movie and the general premise is that a family adopts a nine-year old girl named Esther who is apparently very troubled. After bringing her into their home, the typical “slasher movie” insanity ensues. The tagline for the movie is “There is something wrong with Esther.”

I have obviously not seen the movie, so I can’t comment on the specific content of it. After facing a fierce negative backlash from their advertising campaign, Warner Brothers hinted that the movie contains a twist that will make the underlying premise less offensive.I found myself deeply saddened as I read about this movie. It grieves me that some find the prospect of bringing a child into their home so frightening that it provides a pretext for a horror movie. I understand that it is just a movie, but I think it represents deep-seated fears that some have regarding adoption. At the very least, the movie serves to reinforce negative stereotypes that people have regarding adoption—especially the adoption of older children.

Our church is passionate about adoption. Our care of children manifests the glory of God to the world around us. My prayer is that the Lord allows our attitude towards children—especially orphans—to demonstrate to others our love for little ones. I pray that we can be part of transforming the world’s view of children. May our church be a beacon of light in a dark world! Let us acknowledge that pursuing the path that God has called us to travel may often lead to difficult days. Caring for orphans—especially adoption—is not a fairy tale, any more than any aspect of life is a fairy tale. But as believers we have the opportunity to be joyfully obedient for His glory.

By His Grace,

Pastor Daniel