Here’s today’s dispatch from the crossroads of faith, media and culture.

Son of God a theatrical hit. The first weekend is in March is now history with Mark Burnett and Roma Downey’s Son of God movie posting a strong $26 million at the box office. Per Variety, the film also “scored an above average 80% rating among auds who would definitely recommend the film, a composite of polling done over two days.”

Oscar’s missing nominee. Meanwhile, at the Oscars, 12 Years a Slave copped the Best Picture prize while Let it Go (from Disney’s Frozen) was named Best Song.

A nice song, of course. But I can’t help lament that Alone Yet Not Alone — from the Christian-themed film of the same name — wasn’t even allowed to compete after its nomination was revoked – unjustifiably, in my view. It’s exclusion just makes Hollywood seem somewhat less inclusive than it strives to be.  Here’s one more shout out for a very nice song that deserved better treatment by the Academy. It’s performed by Joni Eareckson Tada, a quadriplegic with limited lung capacity due. Her husband Ken reportedly pushed on her diaphragm while she recorded the song to give her enough breath to hit the high notes. The song is available on iTunes and the movie (which had a limited Oscar-qualifying release last year) is gearing up for a wider release on June 13.

In any event, as the winning song suggests, it’s time to let whatever residual anger we may feel at the Academy’s snub go.

And, on a really positive note, props to Matthew McConaughey (who received the Best Actor prize for Dallas Buyers Club) for a really gracious acceptance speech. In a business that can seem excessively ego-driven, it’s refreshing to see someone who’s enjoying success acknowledge where talent and opportunity comes from.

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11