Family Friendly Films

After reviewing several online sites, including The Dove for Family Approved Films, and the Rotten Tomatoes site, where they list up to 100 films for family viewing, it turns out there’s quite a diverse selection with some movies appearing on multiple lists. In fact, there's almost too many to sort through! Here are some helpful hints.

Most families will know of the classic films to see, many are shown every year around the holidays. There’s Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase, Elf  with Will Ferrell, and the classic black & white It’s a Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart.

Let me just interject a point of privilege regarding black and white films. Please do not consider all black and white films so out of date that they are unwatchable. That is truly not the case for many classic black and white films, and especially for those who are seeking films the whole family can watch together and enjoy.

Some of the best film series are well known: The Star Wars series, Harry Potter & Shrek. But there are a few films that may not be as well known and are suitable for family viewing.

Some of the older Disney films include Pollyanna with Hayley Mills, the original Love Bug, the original Jungle Book animated film as well as Disney’s Pinocchio are all timeless in their content and have strong messages that still resonate today.

There’s some well known stars in the family friendly films list. The Princess Bride from 1987 with Robin Wright, as well as Big with Tom Hanks, Field of Dreams with Kevin Costner, and for animal lovers, the original National Velvet starring a young Elizabeth Taylor.

Other family films with animals include The Black Stallion, Secretariat, and the 101 Dalmations films, recommended in both the animated and live action versions.

Some movies not shown as frequently on television are Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with Dick Van Dyke and the version of Heidi with Shirley Temple.  

Films that are much more recent and deemed family friendly include Chicken Run from 2000, Akeelah & the Bee from 2006, and most recently The Peanuts Movie from 2015.


Some films are surprisingly spiritual, with messages of redemption and faith although they may not be listed or thought of as being family friendly. And other films may just “try too hard” to be wholesome and end up looking either contrived or, to put it in my father’s vernacular, “corny”. The best thing to do is to keep an open mind and if possible, review the film alone or with other adults to decide for yourself what is appropriate viewing for your children’s age level and individual personality.

From a previous list of Spiritual films, the list includes the ever-popular The Sound of Music and The Wizard of Oz, (also a more recent version called Oz the Great and Powerful from 2013), The Nativity Story from 2006, and the most recent Risen, released in 2015. 



The holidays are always a good time for families to bond and to find films to watch together; creating holiday traditions as familiar as trimming the tree and caroling and sharing favorite scriptures. Make a plan during the holidays to check out some of the less familiar Family Friendly films listed here, and start your new holiday traditions!

Spiritual Films List: to watch and record

For some, modern films have less meaning and less deeply spiritual content than films of old. Although there are many recent films that do convey deeply meaningful messages, the great films of the past  have the benefit of time to preserve their spiritual themes. But too often, these classics are seen as just old movies with little to say to milennials and they don't connect with our lives today. As with great classic books, these messages are timeless and not to be over-looked, and the spiritual content of the films endures. Here is a list of ten films-some of them familiar to us, some that are shown on television frequently, some fairly recent, but all with some spiritual message that still speaks to us.


The 3 Godfather’s from 1948  -  This John Wayne film is one of his most spiritual.  John Wayne stars as one of three outlaws who are transformed through the act of love. They become Godfathers by accident, as they are charged with watching over an innocent baby whose dying mother pleads with the men to protect and care for her infant. The three men, against all odds, facing sure death and agonizing hardships as they cross a desert and battle outlaws, are changed by their unselfish love for the child.

The Wizard of Oz-1939-Not at first seen as spiritual, but notable for many of us from the moment the audience sees the door open from a black & white landscape of Kansas into a new color-filled world of Oz. The transformation is a kind of metaphor for the realization of Christ. It's a spiritual awakening we all take part in as our eyes are opened to a new life filled with the spirit and mindfulness of being. The message is carried throughout that what lies within each of us is the only true way to our salvation…and to discover it, we need to step outside of ourselves and look within, and be grateful for the lives we have been given

The Sound of Music-1965-Take note that the film was directed by Robert Wise, who was a noted Film Noir director from the forties and fifties. The back shots of the scenes in the Abbey give a spiritual aspect to this film that has often been dismissed as light and fluffy family entertainment. As the Mother Superior sings her song “Climb every Mountain”, it serves as a metaphor for the film.

 We all must endure the mountains of want and hardship, of suffering and loneliness, and we must scale them to achieve our dream. For Christians, it is an act of faith in life itself, and the promise of eternal Salvation. The Baroness is depicted as so materially grounded, and such an obvious contrast to  Maria, who literally has to give up everything to climb a mountain in the end, that many may dismiss this as simple light family fare. But we can look back at the spiritual moments of this film and reflect that it does leave us uplifted and feeling there is a deeper meaning here.

LadyHawke-1985-Matthew Broderick and his talks with God set this film apart. He is introduced as a thief, and we see him as the Everyman and a flawed hero. He’s the one we can identify with in this story. The spiritual nature is shown as we see there are two parts to every man, portrayed as the wolf and the hawk in the characters of Michelle Pfeiffer as the LadyHawke and her lover, played by Rutger Hauer. The two combine to illustrate that we are both the sinner and the redeeming healers, and the two parts are combined in each of us.

The Harry Potter series-2001 through 2011- Good vs Evil are often very obvious symbols in the battle between Harry Potter and the evil Voldemort. But the theme running through the story of Harry Potter-of nothing is as it seems-found in all of the books and films, is a deeply Spiritual message. The message throughout is to be careful of things that seem too good to be true. We must look beneath the surface to find the true treasure within. The treasure in Harry Potter ends up being the friendships forged and the magic of Love, and final message that Love triumphs over Evil.

Groundhog Day-1993-The theme is that the Ultimate Power of Redemption can change everything; it brings true love and meaning to our otherwise empty lives. We see this in the character of a broken and shallow man, portrayed in one of the best roles Bill Murray has ever brought to the screen, and the life that he must forge as he begins to awaken to this new way of living. He has lived as an invisible man, choosing a non- existence and he is forced to confront his life and transform it into a richer and more fulfilling path. It is a path where he must help others and find the meaning of true love. This is the Ultimate Redemption film, and one with deep Spiritual overtones.

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back-1980-Not only is the Star Wars mythology of all the films deeply embedded with the symbolism of Good vs Evil; but this particular film highlights the redeeming power that comes from within; when we reject our own dark side even at a great cost.
The message is that we will prevail and come out a better person, and perhaps a different one than we were-in Luke Skywalker’s case, he even has a new limb! The Dark Side is within us all; the power of evil and darkness is all around us, a powerful force throughout the universe, but love will prevail, even with great hardships that we endure


Risen, from 2016- with Joseph Fiennes starring as the Roman Soldier. Risen is more than just a “puff-piece” regarding the nature of the Resurrection. This film explores the idea that someone can witness a miracle such as the resurrected body of Jesus, returned in the flesh; and have a transformative experience of faith, and use that power to reject the glory and the material wealth of their lives to follow the true way.

The Nativity Story -2006- This is the story of the birth of Christ shown warts and all, meaning it reveals the historic timeline that puts us into the scene of where Christ was born and the harsh reality of life for those under Roman rule. The beauty of the story is captured and the simple purity of the tale of the Holy Family comes through in this version.

Marvin’s Room-1996-We see three great actors, Diane Keaton, Leonardo Di Caprio and Meryl Streep, combine to tell the story of our own lives. It shows us the selfish nature of our existence in the character of Meryl Streep; the capricious and angry emotions that we carry in DiCaprio’s role and the burdens and the joys of love in its purest form found in Diane Keaton’s part.
We are witness to all of this with the themes of love and redemption. There is love for others, in the caregivers role that Keaton has taken on, and the love for family and the love that is willing to sacrifice all in the end. It comes full circle as Meryl Streep eventually redeems herself and learns the meaning of real love.
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PCPC Back to School Recipes

It's that time of year! For the busy families who are looking for some fun and fairly easy recipes to make. Here are a few ideas from some of our own PCPC Members:

Charmel Dodd likes these No Bake Rice Krispy Roll ups-

1/2 cup Peanut Butter
5 1/2 cups Rice Krispies

1 1/2 cup Milk Choc Chips
1/4 cup Butter
10 1/2 oz  mini Marshmallows

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Melt butter in a large stock pot or kettle, add marshmallows and melt them over low heat.  Then add Rice Krispies. Mix well. Spread evenly into a greased 10 x 15 baking sheet. Combine Chocolate Chips and Peanut Butter. Melt in a microwave safe bowl, 1 minute for each ingredient, stirring between minutes. Spread mixture on top of the Rice Krispy mixture.

Let stand till mixture sets. Don't let chocolate get too hard, then loosen the mix with a spatula. Starting on the long side, roll the pan mix up into a log. Sprinkle the roll with  sprinkles, if desired.
Slice the roll and enjoy!

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From Robin Simmons- here are

Lettuce Wraps:

Burgers:

2 lbs Ground Chuck
2 Avocados, whole
1 head Iceberg Lettuce
1/4 Red Onion, whole
1 Tomato, whole
1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
1/4 cup Mayo
7 dashes WOrchestshire Sauce
1/2 tsp Black Pepper
1 tsp Kosher Salt
2 tsp Butter
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In skillet,  add butter then mix  Ground Chuck with onion,, Tomato, Worcestshire, & SPices. Cook till done, about 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently.
Take the Lettuce head and strip the outer leaves. Spread the Mayo lightly on the lettuce, then scoop about 2 Tbsp to fill the leaf and wrap tightly. Enjoy!

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Charmel Dodd also found this classic:

Hot Ham & Cheese Sandwich Casserole

1 lb Virginia Ham
2 tsp Onions, dried
2 tsp Dijon Mustard
2 tsp Worcestshire Sauce
2 tsp Poppy Seeds
2 packs Kings Hawaiian Rolls
1 1/2 Stick of Butter
24 slices Swiss Cheese
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Slice the Kings Rolls in half. Line the bottom of 2 9 x 11 baking pans with the bottom half of rolls- there should be 24 to a pan. Spread the ham over the rolls, then layer the Swiss Cheese on top. Place the other half of the rolls on top of this. Set aside

In small sauce pan, combine butter mustard, Worcestshire & dried onions. Over medium heat, stir until butter melts. Pour sauce in equal parts over top of rolls, then sprinkle the tops
with poppy seeds. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight-or at least 3 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the 2 pans in the oven for 20 minutes. Uncover, bake an additional 5 minutes or till cheese melts. Serve warm. Makes 48 mini sandwiches.

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Nancy Calfee shares these Breakfast Sliders:

2 slices Deli Ham
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 Egg
3/4 tsp Mustard, spicy
1/2 tsp Worcestshire sauce
3/5 tsp Poppy seeds
1 Dinner roll
5 Tbsp Butter
1 piece of cheese

Scramble eggs.  Add the onion powder.Slice the rolls in half and add Mustard and Worcestshire Sauce. Set bottom half in baking pan -greased. Add Scrambled Egg layer on bottom
half of the roll. Add the cheese slice. Brush with Butter. Top with Poppy seeds.  Refrigerate or bake at 350 degrees until the cheese melts, just 5 minutes or so.

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And Emalee DeBevoise likes this classic:
Peanut Butter & Banana Smoothie

1 Banana, medium
10 oz skim or soy milk
1 tsp Peanut Butter, Natural,

Put all ingredients in blender and mix till smooth. Use 6 ice cubes for thickness, if desired.

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Stay tuned next time for more members recipes: Comfort foods for Fall!

Christians in Crisis Part II: On Blessings and Healing and Hope

The devotions found here are about Blessings and Healing and Hope. These are the cornerstones of our religious faith, and the things that we depend upon in times of trouble in our own lives. Charlotte Elliot, the author of the poem, Just as I Am, was herself an invalid, and her work speaks to us through these many years.

John Donne, a brilliant man who was also a devout Christian and a unique wordsmith, wrote on the subject of Hope, which is what we all struggle to embrace whenever the world begins to tumble around us with chaos and despair. Here are three offerings for those of us who seek blessings for our own lives, who pray for healing for ourselves and those whose lives have been torn apart, and hope, which is found in each Christian who accepts the message of love from Jesus Christ.

The first devotion comes from a story told by Charles Spurgeon, the great English preacher who was Calvinist in doctrine, though Baptist in denomination. He wrote about a poor minister who received one hundred pounds in five pound increments sent to him with the same message attached each time, "More to follow". Spurgeon wrote:

"Every blessing that comes from God is sent with the same message, 'And more to follow." I forgive you your sins, but there's more to follow." "I justify you in the righteousness of Christ, but there's more to follow."

I adopt you into my family, but there's more to follow. I educated you for heaven, but there's more to follow. I give you grace upon grace, but there's more to follow. I will uphold you in the hour of death, and as you are passing into the world of spirits, my mercy shall still continue with you, and when you land in the world to come there shall still be more to follow."

Joshua 14:9

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This is a poem from Charlotte Elliot, an invalid herself, and a minister's daughter; Elliot wrote over 100 hymns in The Invalid's Hymn Book, published in 1854. Here is one of her devotions:

Just as I Am

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that thy blood was shed for me,
And that thou bidd'st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt;
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind.
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now to be thine, yea, thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Scripture: Mark 14:12; 1 Corinthians 5:7

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One of my favorite poets is John Donne. His work was largely forgotten after his death in 1631, but it was revived in the twentieth century after the distinguished poets T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound cited Donne as influences on their own work. Here's one of his devotions which includes the wonderful line: "Faith is the foundation on which hope rests".
Ezra: 10:2

Hope Expects…

"..In sum, hope is nothing else than the expectation of the things that faith has believed to be truly promised to God. Thus faith believes God to be truthful: Hope expects that he will show his veracity at the opportune time. Faith believes God to be our Father: Hope expects that he will always act as such towards us. Faith believes eternal life to be given to us: Hope expects that it shall at some time be revealed. Faith is the foundation on which hope rests: Hope nourishes and maintains faith. For, just as no one can expect and hope anything from God, except he who will have first believed his promises, so, on the other hand, it is necessary that our feeble faith (lest it grow weary and fail) be sustained and kept by patient hope and expectation."

Book Review: On the Spiritual aspects of "To Kill a Mockingbird"

The Spiritual message to be found in Harper Lee’s beloved bestseller “To Kill a Mockingbird” is, I believe, one of the main reasons this book has endured for generations. The uplifting message is one that not only appeals to young adults, but also to those who remember the book from their own childhood. It contains a timeless message encapsulated in the most appealing of messengers, children who are coming of age in small-town America.

I’ve written several essays in the past on the film version of Mockingbird, which closely follows the book in style and tone. However, there are some key distinctions that set the book apart from the film. The book introduces us to the Finch children, Jem and Scout. As their names attest, Jem is the jewel in the family, one who is prized by all. Scout is the lookout, as she is always alert for any changes that come their way. And the father, Atticus, is the abacus, he is the great leveler, who can make all things right.

The other characters have similar spiritual overtones. While Dill is as his name implies, tart and comical, Jim Robinson, the Negro handyman who has been wrongfully accused of rape, is a kind of sacrificial lamb in this story.

One key difference that sets the book apart is the character of Mrs. Dubose. In the book, an entire chapter is devoted to her story. Where we see her simply as a crabby old lady in the film version, we hear a great deal more to flesh out her story in the book. Atticus explains that she was terminally ill and had become addicted to morphine. Yet she decided to die on her own terms, without drugs, and therefore she becomes an example of moral courage and illustrates the power of free will in conquering her addiction. This also gives a spiritual and moral aspect to the idea of conquering our baser instincts and using our free will to overcome our human frailties and failings.

In the book, as in the film, the two pivotal events surround the coming-of-age of Scout and the trial of Jim Robinson. In both, Atticus is seen as the wise man and the judge, both guiding his children with wisdom and seeking justice for those who are in peril.

Atticus is often seen as a Christ-like figure, although he bears more resemblance to the angels of the Lord who were sent to guide us and to bear witness as well as deliver God’s message to his people. In essence, by taking on the case of Jim Robinson and working to deliver God’s justice, he is “getting his hands dirty”, so to speak, meaning he is paving the way for others to follow suit as they work to uncover prejudice and to seek justice for those who are wrongfully accused.

The figure who represents the idea of Christ is Boo Radley. Boo is shunned and misunderstood, and he’s only fully appreciated long after the events of the story unfold. In the book, he protects and watches over the children, and this can be seen as a metaphor for Christ who is watching over us, his children. It was decided that to destroy a creature such as Boo, it would be like “killing a Mockingbird”; the thing that was created only to bring us joy and happiness.

It’s a sin to kill a Mockingbird, as it was a sin to kill Christ. Therefore, we must do our best to protect the weak, and those among us who are innocent and pure spirits. That is the core message of the book and the key takeaway for Christians who seek a spiritual message in the text.

Whether there is a deeper meaning felt, or simply one taken at face-value of selfless love, innocence, and the triumph of good over evil, we still can revere the book as one for the ages with a timeless message of enduring faith and love.

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The Truest Balm

 In the ever-changing landscape of crisis and fear that we navigate all too often these days, the overwhelming love of God and the message of love embodied in Christ are the truest balm we may apply to our wounded spirits.

Here are three different messages, with passages from Scripture to correlate with the themes of Atonement, Blessings and Balm.  In these passages, we may take heart that Jesus loves us and cares for us. In Christ we are healed.

·    The first is Blessings: Unceasing Dependence-Continual Peace

Leviticus 25.21

“ Do not dwell upon remote events; this anxiety about the future is contrary to a religious state of mind. …A life of faith produces two things. First, it enables us to see God in everything. Secondly, it holds the mind in a state of readiness for whatever may be his will…"

"This continual, unceasing dependence, this state of entire peace and acquiescence of the soul in whatever may happen, is the true, silent martyrdom of self.” - Francois Fenelon

·   The second is Atonement: Not without Blood

From Leviticus 17.11

“God has made more than one covenant with man, but ever, not without blood!..This is the wondrous note that rings through all Scripture, from Abel’s sacrifice at the gate of paradise to the songs of the ransomed in Revelation…There can be no fellowship with God, but in the blood, in the death, of his blessed Son.”-Andrew Murray

· The third is Balm: A Balm in Gilead

Jeremiah 8.22

There is a balm in Gilead

To make the wounded whole,

There is a balm in Gilead

To heal the sin-sick soul.

Sometimes I feel discouraged

And think my work’s in vain,

But then the Holy Spirit

Revives my soul again.

If you can’t preach like Peter,

If you can’t pray like Paul,

Just tell the love of Jesus,

And say he died for all.

-African American Spiritual