ARE WE THERE YET?

Now it happened that as He was praying alone, the disciples were with
Him. And He asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” And they
answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one
of the prophets of old has risen.” Then He said to them, “But who do you
say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” And He strictly
charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son
of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief
priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (Luke
9:18-22)

Jesus wants to know what people think of His identity because that
will tell Him how much time He has left in His mission. Jesus knows
He’s headed to the cross; and the more people start talking publicly
about Him being the Messiah—well, the quicker that trip is going
to be. The religious and political leaders are bound to be upset, and
they will join forces to destroy Him.
And so Jesus puts the brakes on—“Don’t tell anybody who I am.”
Why? Because Jesus still has stuff to do before that happens. He is
teaching and healing and preaching; He is training the future leaders
of the church, and He has all too short a time to do it in.
Even when we’re talking about suffering and death, Jesus is in
control. Nothing will happen against His Father’s will. This is true for
us, too. When we go through grief and trouble and fear and sadness,
Jesus is with us, helping us, walking with us through it. He knows the
road; He has been down it before, to save us. And because of God’s
mercy, it ends in resurrection—first Jesus’, then ours.

Lord, when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, be with me.
Amen.

Our discussion begins at the 12 minute mark***

Reflect & Discuss
• Why do you think people hate being out of control?
• Think of a time when your life felt out of control. Who helped
you?
• Did it comfort you to know Jesus was with you, and had been
down that road before?

Email us as: [email protected]

Grant and Stephanie continue their journey through James. 

Scriptures:

"4:13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them."

Have a great week and remember to be present!

Email us with any scriptures on your heart at: [email protected]

Grant and Stephanie continue their journey through the Book of James. 

Scriptures:

James 1:13 " No one should say 'God is tempting me' for God cannot be tempted by evil nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own personal evil desire and enticed."

James 1:17 "Every good and perfect gift is from above."

James 1:22 "Don't merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves." 

James 1:26 "Keep a tight rein on your tongue."

James 2:14 "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?"

James 4:11 "Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it."

Have a great week and remember- you are NOT alone!

Grant and Stephanie start their faith walk with guidance from the book of James.

Let us know which scriptures have been impactful in your life by emailing our previous address at: [email protected].

Grant and Stephanie close the book on their movie review podcast, but lay the ground work for something new...

From us to you: Thank you for following us on this journey until now and we hope to see you on our next project!

Let us know what you think by emailing us at [email protected]!

This week we review the first two episodes of Marvel's first animated MCU show: What if...? as well as 20th Century Studios new film: Free Guy staring Ryan Reynolds. 

Follow us on Instagram at: Yourcouchcritics
and email us your questions at: [email protected]

This week we ask: If you could be an NPC in any video game, which one would it be and why?

HBOMAX’s The Suicide Squad directed by James Gunn is the breath of fresh air that the DC universe needed. The movie brings together some of DC’s more ridiculous super villains as they uncover an enormous government conspiracy. The couch critics also answer a listener question from their most loyal fan and quickly review Despicable Me as we ask the question: Are the minions cute or annoying?

Email us your thoughts and questions:

[email protected]

IG: @yourcouchcritics 

Time Stamps:

0-12mins: Intro, Summary, Cast
12-25 mins: Spoiler Free Review of The Suicide Squad
25-27 mins: Brief Review of Despicable Me
27-30 mins: Listener Question
33-45 mins: Spoiler Review for The Suicide Squad

Amazon Prime's The Tomorrow War stars Chris Pratt and Yvonne Strahovski. Dan Forester is wormholed into the future to fight a relentless alien race hell bent on destroying all human life. Along the way we learn the real war is battling our own inner demons...

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We're back and with lots to review!

Time Stamps:

0-13: Covid, Olympics, Listener Question
13-23: Spoiler Free Review for Loki episodes 4-6
23-33: Spoiler Free Review for Black Widow
33-44: Complete Review for Space Jam 2
44-49: Quick Reviews for the Shrek Movies and All Dogs go to Heaven
49-51: Movies/TV Shows we are looking forward to
51-60: Spoiler Review of Loki
60-67: Spoiler Review of Black Widow
67-69: Future of the MCU
69-71 Closing

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Grant and Stephanie review episode three of the Disney+ series Loki. They go over Asgardian astrological signs, answer listener questions, and give a spoiler free and spoiler review. Listen to find out what they rated this episode. 

Next week, the Couch Critics will review episode 4 of Loki.