Our Top Picks for Thoughtful Summer Entertainment

Media influences the way we see the world around us. It can shed light on our current cultural moment in a meaningful way. It has the power to spur us on to be people who seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our Creator God. With summer here, there’s more time to watch movies, read and enjoy music. We put together a list of great content that will help you and your family meaningfully incorporate compassion and justice into your summer entertainment list.

Movies*

Family-Friendly and Inspirational

• “Queen of Katwe” (PG)
  The inspiring true story of a young girl from the slums of Uganda who becomes a chess champion.
• “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” (PG)
  The true story of young boy from Malawi, Africa, who creates a device to restore the land and save his village from famine.

Romantic Drama

• “I Still Believe” (PG)
  The story of Christian music star Jeremy Camp and his journey of love and loss that looks to prove there is always hope in the midst of tragedy.

Intense and Thought-Provoking

• “Just Mercy” (PG-13)
  The story of a young lawyer and his history-making battle for justice for those wrongly condemned on death row.

* Visit pluggedin.com to make sure this content is a right fit for your family.

Books

Faith and Culture

• “On the Road with Saint Augustine” (2019) by James K.A. Smith
  Learn from Saint Augustine how to find peace for our restless hearts.

Technology and Rest

• “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” (2019) by John Mark Comer
  Pastor John Mark Comer will help you find spiritual and mental health in a very busy world.

Justice and the Gospel

• “The Shrewd Samaritan” (2019) by Bruce Wydick
  This book will help us learn how to love our neighbors well in our 21st century globalized world.

Worship  and Devotion

• “Beholding and Becoming: The Art of Everyday Worship” (2019) by Ruth Chou Simons
  Simons will help us set our hearts and minds on Christ in our everyday lives in a way that will shape who we are becoming.

Music

Epic and Powerful

• Kirk Franklin, “Long Live Love” (2019)
• Elle Limebear, “Lost in Wonder” (2020)
• for KING & COUNTRY, “Burn the Ships” (2019)
• Michael W. Smith, “Awaken: The Surrounded Experience (Live)” (2019)

Contemplative and Worshipful

• Audrey Assad, “Peace” (2019)
• Amanda Lindsay Cook, “House on a Hill” (2019)
• Jonathan McReynolds, “People” (2020)
• We the Kingdom, “Live at the Wheelhouse” (2019)
• Tasha Cobbs Leonard, “Smile (Live)” (2019)

Fun and Road-Trip Worthy

• Tauren Wells, “Citizen of Heaven” (2020)
• Dan Bremnes, “Wherever I Go” (2019)
• Phillipa Hannah, “Come Back Fighting” (2017)
• Jordan Feliz, “Future” (2018)
• Land of Color, “Land of Color” EP (2018)

Did We Miss Any?

Let us know what books, movies, music or podcasts are challenging and inspiring you this summer!

This article was originally published by Compassion Canada.