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In Waiting for Ronald, a developmentally disabled man leaves the institution where he has lived for years to join his friend Andy, who is also developmentally disabled, in the outside world. The short story is a touching look at the struggles and fears each man must overcome to connect with the other. Also of note: Ronald is played by Jody Clark, a developmentally disabled actor in his debut, while Andy is played by autistic actor Patrick Cooper.

The Visits, another of the short films, offers a look at one man's grief and efforts to let go after loved ones have passed on. The most disappointing of this particular volume, it is cliché d and somewhat confusing; director Geno Andrews would have been wise to remember the screenwriting axiom, "Show, don't tell."

The final selection of the July DVD was The Yogis of Tibet, a feature-length documentary about the history and rituals of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Yogis. It is a fascinating inside glimpse inside their world, and is presented sans Michael Moore-esque tone or agenda.

When Simon and his co-founders conceived the Spiritual Cinema Circle, they were confident their new service would tap a huge and hungry audience. Based on the club's explosive growth, their hunches were correct.

Mamie Potter, an SCC member in Raleigh, North Carolina, agrees wholeheartedly. "[The Circle] is just such a great idea, I don't know why anybody didn't think of this before," she said. "I think people are hungry for spiritual literature and spiritual movies. I am really excited about it."

While Potter has not yet met any other Circle members in her area, she is so excited about the concept that she has asked several local churches and bookstores to host viewing parties or discussion groups.

"The movies are excellent fodder for discussion," said Potter, who leads a religion and ethics discussion group and learned about the Circle from a brief article in a magazine. "People just want to talk about their life and spirituality without denominational interference."

Over the next few months, Simon is focusing on expanding the Circle's awareness and subscriber base. The service's co-founders are also working to deepen their relationships with film festivals, which are the source of most Circle selections. In addition, the Circle encourages filmmakers to submit "feature, short, and documentary films that have terrific production value, are entertaining, and most importantly, have a redeeming message that is in some way uplifting to the viewer."

Future plans include a Spiritual Cinema Film Festival, tentatively scheduled as a cruise in the Spring of 2005. Simon also hopes the Circle will one day become its own theatrical distribution company.

While the Spiritual Cinema Circle does not attempt to present only movies with a pro-Christian worldview, neither are its selections deliberately anti-Christian. The discerning viewer will enjoy the production quality, universal truths, and discussion potential of each film, while recognizing the need to examine all media in light of biblical truths.

For more information on the SCC, click here.

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