Earth: The movie

All things bright and beautiful

All creatures great and small

All things wise and wonderful

Our Lord God made them all

It probably isn't breaking news that Disney's new nature movie, Earth, is now playing in theaters. What might be considered slightly breaking news (at least around here) is I'm planning to shell out carefully budgeted grocery money to take my kids to see it this weekend.

When I first saw the movie's trailer, I was instantly amazed. I love really well-done nature movies; I love them even more on the big screen. I've taken my kids to see some 45-minute films at our local Omnimax, and those were neat, but this looks to totally knock our socks off. I can't wait.

The number one critique conservative families will probably have with a film like Earth is the predictable evolution assumption or man-made global warming warnings sure to be strewn throughout the film. To this I simply say let it go.

Instead, why not use this opportunity to discuss with our kids what other worldviews teach and believe, as well as reinforce what we do? We don't have to shy away from theories or propaganda in fear; we just need to honestly interact with these ideas and teach our kids how to think critically about them.

The wonder of creation, the beauty of God's handiwork, the amazement of how he has so perfectly orchestrated it all---if we can't see it all up close and personal, then seeing God's creation in its wide-screened wonder is the next best thing. This weekend, why not remind yourself of what God did, does, and continues doing in holding it all together?

Regardless of who captures the art, the art itself belongs to God. Since we belong to him, let's not let our kids miss his greatest show in Earth.