Frankenweenie, Tim Burton’s feature-length adaptation of his 1984 stop-motion animation short film of the same name, opened in theaters last week to critical acclaim. The movie tells the story of a boy named Victor who uses his scientific know-how to bring his beloved dog, Sparky, back to life. Anyone who has experienced loss can identify with Victor’s refusal to let go of Sparky. As Christians we believe in eternal life through Christ. But this hope doesn’t make our grief following the death of a loved one any less painful. LinC talks about grief and mourning and what it means for us to serve One who is God not “of the dead but of the living.” Key Scriptures: 1 Samuel 28:3-19; Luke 20:37-38; John 11:17-44. In Wreck-It Ralph, the latest movie from Walt Disney Animation Studios, the title character is a videogame villain who has grown weary of being the bad guy. So he leaves his video game (through the power cord) and travels to other games, in hopes of finding ways to use his abilities for good. We all have unique gifts and talents, but discerning how God calls us to use them isn’t always easy. Next week we’ll talk about call and vocation. How do we know when God is calling us to do something? And how do we determine how to make faithful use of the abilities, opportunities, and passions that are God’s blessings to us.
