If you are the father of a daughter, see this movie.

If you are the wife of a husband you want to know better, see this movie.

If you are a parent who has lost a child, see this movie.

If you are a mother to a child who’s father is checked out or absent, see this movie.

If you want to stop living life by default, paycheck to paycheck, wondering about the purpose, see this movie.

And, if you are a dad to a son, see this movie.

I love Christ.  I love his heart.  I’m all-in.  But I’m the last guy to push an overtly “Jesus-saves” flick.  I just don’t think that’s how he himself reached people.  I was apprehensive that the “Courageous” movie trailer would give the impression of a fast-paced, emotional drama and then just turn into a pulpit pitch.

As I write this after a short nap from 1am to sunrise (the early show was sold out…all weekend) I realize that my sleep was restful for the first time in several weeks.

Maybe it was the beautiful sushi dinner Judy and I shared for nearly two hours.  Maybe it was just unplugging from the Matrix with her for the evening.  Or maybe it was the tears and laughter for over two hours watching Courageous.

What REALLY surprised me was how hard I laughed!  The dialogues were hysterical.  No exaggeration.

And maybe I’m a bit emotionally raw from fatigue right now, but this movie hit some serious chords for me and I found tears very near the surface all through the second half.  Perhaps the most poignant question from the movie for me was “I just want to know what God expects from me?”.

My heart was filled by this movie.  I was so impressed.  So blessed by it.

If this is still opening weekend when you read this (Oct. 1/2), go see this movie.  For all the obvious reasons of wanting to put more life-giving movies into theatres but mostly because it will do your heart good.  I’m certain of that.

P.S. “Courageous” is centered around 4 men and their families and their walk with God.  They talk about God.  They talk about Jesus.  They talk about accepting him.  And that’s OK.  Don’t be afraid to get into this conversation with a friend, a spouse or even with your own heart.  Yes, take a non-believer to this film.  No hesitations there.

As I was leaving for a BBQ, my very good friend Melissa shared that I was precious to her and she would always have time for me. Well, let me tell you, the waterworks opened up! I hadn’t realized the depth of that statement. I had been feeling anything but precious that day and that spoke to my heart like nothing I had ever heard. As I reflected on that statement, I thought of how God was also telling me:

“Judy, you are precious to me and I will always have time for you.”

“Wow! Really God, you do?”

“YES”

Then the God moments started happening. First,I found an Easter reflection that talked about the precious gift of time. In the same moment, a devotional book sharing that we, as members of a family, are jewels to our Father and are precious. I then found a card given by a lovely friend of ours, written years ago that called each of the children precious. It was so cool! I then came to the third layer of this gift in that not only had my friend called me precious, and God called me precious but I now need to find the preciousness in others around me, my husband, children, friends and even strangers. That is our calling as Christians, is it not? Keep the hearts first, those precious hearts!

This morning I was given yet another layer to this gift (when will it end ) I was given a powerful YouTube video by my Mom for Mother’s Day. It talked of the preciousness of every day. Yesterday, the day flew by with me living in what I wished to be and what had been done wrong, losing all sight of the preciousness of the everyday. Now I look back. “Why did I not stop and enjoy that moment? That was a good moment.”

I vow today to live in the moment and enjoy its preciousness. For one day the ordinary will be no longer.

The power of a word…

You are precious. God thinks you are precious. The people around you are precious. This moment is precious.

The Gift Of An Ordinary Day from Katrina Kenison on Vimeo.

Join us on Sunday nights for the next 8 weeks or so as the men and women share together and separately, just what God is after in our lives.  For more, click here: Sunday night gatherings.

Good morning! Oh my Lord. There is SO much in my little ol’ pea brain right now! Right now, I wanted to share with you that if your group, company, church or other organization is in need of some renewal, focus, vision or bonding, Judy and I are available for a very limited number of speaking and facilitation engagements in the next year!

We want to hear from you and see if there is a place we can serve you and your mission. From one hour consultations to three day retreats.

Please contact us and book early!

We can cover any number of topics. Have a look around the blog and you’ll get an idea of our vision and mission.

E-mail me at intothewilderness@gmail.com.

Looking forward!

Doug and Judy