Impact Magazine December 2009

Volume 1 Issue #4 Hollywood Impact Magazine December 2009 and more... EDITORIAL As I searched for articles to include Contents in this month’s issue, I came across an interesting movie of the week, based on a true story, which aired this past Sep- Tinseltown Ministries 3 tember on cable. However, after much prayer and good counsel, I chose not to run this article in Hollywood Impact Artist Spotlight 5 Magazine at this time, as I am held ac- countable by God and responsible for Ingrid Chun, Los Angeles Philharmonic all who read and accept as truth what Violinist releases new CD is communicated and endorsed by its presence within the pages that follow. For many read and accept truths because they are on the printed page, while “Songs For My Father” 5 others naively believe that just because by Ingrid Chun - her testimony someone calls themselves a Christian, they are a true follower of Christ. This editor chooses to not follow the crowd, Behind The Scenes 6 but my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Disney Animator Mark Henn Not all Christians follow Christ, not all Christian denominations are Christ followers, though they may appear so. Film Festivals 10 Therefore, I must use discernment with Christian Film Festivals Explored every article, every story and every en- dorsement, and this is not an easy task Musician’s Corner 13 for as C.H. Spurgeon says, “Discern- Education Through Music - Los Angeles ment is not a matter of simply telling the difference between right and wrong; rather it is telling the differ- The Risk of a Lifetime 14 ence between right and almost right.” Professional Violinist, As I sought wise counsel over this issue, I prayed that God would help me Victoria Lanier inpacting LA’s youth communicate to you, as readers, just how important it is to be discerning Hollywood Impact Studios 18 in everything we do, see, read, and believe. My prayer was answered through Film School Behind Bars a sermon recently given by our senior pastor entitled, “The Young Prophet Star Trivia 20 Standing For God’s Truth : I Kings 13.” Come, I invite you to join me as we listen together to God’s truth as communicated by Pastor David Hegg, Senior Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Santa Clarita, California. Cynthia Hall Sermon Link Editor in Chief Tinseltown Ministries materials that normally lie unseen a the base of the grass plants. Although a certain amount of dead plant matter decomposing in the grass is actually beneficial to the grass because it feeds it organically, too much dead matter will eventually prevent oxygen from get- ting to the bottom layers. When that happens, the healthy process of decomposition slows or stops, and the grass becomes stunted. Martin was struck by the fact that in front of the thatcher the grass was lush and beautiful and seem- ingly healthy, yet, and I am quoting Martin here, “-- behind the thatcher trails a path of complete dead- ness that couldn’t be seen, but now had been brought to light. There’s some serious metaphor in that as to the great amount of spiritual junk there can be in our lives lurking unawares. My grass feels much better after a good thinning out. Access to oxygen is critical. Father, help me to breathe.” Martin’s recognition of the metaphor intertwined in his lawn project caused me to think about what kind of “spiritual junk” there might be in my life. I hope it has the same effect on you also. We need to ask ourselves what kinds of empty rituals, what kinds of mindless traditions, what kinds of false teachings, what kinds of hidden spiritual junk of any sort might be smothering us, and thereby hindering our ability to worship our God and enjoy Him? Paul speaks to this kind of thing in Colossians chap- ter 2: 2:18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, tak- ing delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 2:19 and not artin, the music pastor at our church, was holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, dethatching his lawn recently. If you’re nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, not familiar with that process, it involves grows with the increase that is from God. 2:20 There- Mmowing your lawn shorter than usual, and then going fore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles over it with a machine that pulls all of the dead grass of the world, why, as though living in the world, do and other dead or rotting materials to the surface, you subject yourselves to regulations— 2:21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 2:22 which all So let me ask you again - what kind of “spiritual junk” concern things which perish with the using— ac- are you hanging on to, that might be hindering your cording to the commandments and doctrines of relationship with your Lord? Is there some kind of men? 2:23 These things indeed have an appearance rebellion against the things of God because of some- of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, thing forced upon you at some earlier point in your and neglect of the body, but are of no value against life? Is there some kind of empty religious ritual, or the indulgence of the flesh. (NKJV) false teaching hidden down near the roots of your life that might be smothering you in some way, whether Adherents to religion are invariably absorbed with emotionally or spiritually? some set of required works meant to show their “spirituality”, or outline what they believe to be Ask God to help you determine if there is some- the path to eternal life, or both. That’s what Paul thing way down deep inside that needs to be pulled is describing here. But that is foolishness, noth- up into the light and dealt with, in turn enabling you ing more than “spiritual junk”, as Martin described to breathe in the fullness of God in some fresh new such things. Paul goes on to say: 3:1 If then you way ..? Thank you Martin. were raised with Christ, seek those things which Pastor Gary Swanson are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 3:4 When Christ If you would like to attend Tinseltown Bible Study who is our life appears, then you also will appear or would like more information about it, you may with Him in glory. (NKJV) contact: [email protected]. Vocal Image Discover the Power of Your Voice Click picture Vocal Performance - Singing - Dialects Accents - Voice over Artist Spotlight Ingrid Chun “Songs for My Father” is a new CD released by the Los Angeles Philharmonic violinist, Ingrid Chun. It is a collection of well- known hymns and contemporary worship songs arranged for clas- sical instruments. Songs includ- ed “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, “In Christ Alone”, and “Jericho”. Click below or visit Ingrid at Ingridchun.com www.Ingridchun.com “Songs For My Father,” by Ingrid Chun “Songs for My Father” is dedicated to my father for Being the big fish in the small pond it was not sur- the glory of my heavenly Father. My father was a prising that I compared myself to others. However, church organist for 40 years of his life. He truly when I went to college at Juilliard, I found myself modeled for me what J.S. Bach said, “The aim and surrounded by many, very talented people, so my self final end of all music should be none other than the esteem suffered since the thing that had made me glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” It has feel unique, my musical talent, no longer had the been a lifetime lesson for me in my musical journey. power to give me identity. At a very young age, I was trained to play and to In my discouragement, I cried out to God and turned compete in music competitions. As a result, my self to the Bible. I was reminded that while man judges esteem was not always based on my relationship with by appearances and performances, God looks at the God, but also became deeply rooted in my musical person inside. His love is not dependent on how ability. I felt love and approval based on how well I talented or ordinary I am. As I considered how Jesus performed. demonstrated his love completely for me on the Artist Spotlight cross, I grew confident in his unfailing love for me is nothing wrong with that, but I’ve found that and he became my rock and my foundation. It didn’t the ultimate satisfaction of music comes when we matter how well I play the violin or how many con- take this gift of music God has given us and di- tests I win. There was no more love or approval to rect it back to him in worship. Then the cycle of win! God also confirmed his calling for my life as fellowship is complete: He blesses and we bless a musician. He showed me that all the training and opportunities I was blessed to have were provided him back with our voices and instruments! I’m by his perfect plan to make me an instrument of his still learning this every time I sit on stage with glory.

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