My whole family and I went to see it together. It is great for preparing people for the struggles that can take place in a marriage; especially when a spouse becomes selfish. If you plan to get married one day, are engaged, or have been married for years...go see it. I highly recommend this movie!
I am very thankful that the movie was a positive option for families to enjoy; without the fear of blasphemous language, nudity, and things that are offensive to God and those who follow Christ. Knowing that Kirk Cameron, who met his real wife on the set of Growing Pains, came to Christ, and has a ministry that proclaims the biblical gospel… I decided to see the movie.
Kirk Cameron plays the leading role, where much of the plot was focused, his professional experience and quality acting made “Fireproof’s” overall a quality movie. Once the story line “grabbed” me… I was sucked in and enjoyed the movie and the lesson they were teaching the audience. There were several very good action scenes, and one that really shocked me. The seriousness was also broken up at the right times with some well-placed moments of humor. There were several twists and turns in the movie which made me realize in the end, that there were actually several plots taking place all along in many of the earlier scenes. This aspect makes me want to see it again so I can see those plots in more detail in the early parts of the movie.This movie hit on more serious and theological elements than other Christian movies out there. The most obvious was the scene where the gospel message was presented. Leading up to this scene, credibility was given to the gospel by having true Christian character being witnessed by others. In one previous scene, Kirk says to one firefighter, about the faith of another, “You may not agree with him, but you and I both know he is the ‘real deal’.” A comment that all Christians should hope others would say about them.
In the scene where Kirk hears the gospel - I was most impressed. The gospel was presented to him in the correct biblical way (as someone who has violated the commandments of God and is in need of redemption). In a great play on words, after hearing the gospel, Kirk vents to his dad about his wife and their problems, and the words he uses to describe his wife are the very words God uses to describe a sinner’s attitude toward God. The holiness of God and the desperation of man in need of a Savior were clearly articulated in this scene. It gave me goose-bumps to be honest. I prayed that any man in the audience who was not saved and treated his wife as Kirk’s character did, (or a man who claims to be a Christian and yet treats his wife that way), would fall to his knees before Jesus Christ in prayer repenting of his attitude and behavior towards his wife, get right with God, and without any pre-requirements he may think of for his wife… put those aside and be the husband he was created and called to be in Christ.
Another Biblical aspect of the movie that I really liked was the clear demonstration of how the gospel truly changes someone. Paul says that we are “new creations” when we are “in Christ” (2 Cor. 5:17). Contemporary evangelical Christianity often promotes the idea that Christians should behave like the world in order to be “relevant.” The attitude of “You’re cool, and I’m cool, and I like Jesus, so you probably would like Jesus too, why don’t you try Jesus and see how cool He is,” has become a common false “gospel” of our day. This often leads to professing Christians continuing in sin and being a part of the world, when in reality the Bible teaches us to be holy, forsaking sin, and be among the world but not like those in this evil world.
In “Fireproof” the message is very clear that sinners are expected to act like sinners, but that the gospel changes one’s desires from loving their sin to hating their sin, and from hating righteousness to hungering and thirsting after righteousness. It achieves this. The reality of how hard the Christian life can be comes out and brings more Biblical credibility to the story. The movie demonstrates well that “the way of the transgressor is hard” (Proverbs 13:15) and that “obeying God often prevents sinful consequences”, and it does it without insinuating that becoming a Christian will fix all the problems that person has or will have in life (as the false gospel does).
Biblical messages are highlighted throughout the movie in the wisdom of mature Christians. The Biblical idea that “love” is not a feeling or an emotion, but is a decision, is demonstrated both in the gospel presentation, as what Christ has done for us, as well as in how we should love others. Forgiveness also is demonstrated Biblically, not as simply forgetting what others have done to us, but as a decision to not hold anything against others or use the things from the past to harm the relationship; just as Christ has done for us.
“Fireproof” succeeds in showing that the gospel is powerful in killing sinful desires and wrong motives, and in saving sinners for the glory of God. While the movie adequately moved me unto the end, I felt like I had been in a Biblically-centered two-hour counseling session when I left. That may sound negative to some, but I don’t mean that in a negative way. The messages were very clear and Biblically sound and demonstrated how powerful the true gospel of Christ is in repairing relationships as well as in saving lost souls.
I would highly recommend the movie to anyone, as well as the “Love Dare” bible study materials for church study groups. Besides the new movies “The Gospel of John” and “Time Changer”, Fireproof is now one of my top favorite Christian movies. May the messages in it reach the hearts and minds of spouses in this country, and world, as well as in Christian homes –for the saving of souls and the complete transformation of personalities and mind frames within the family unit.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Seeds and Souls
Tonight started out slow, there were hardly any people around. Doug and his son began playing the guitar and singing hymns along the store front. Some friends would arrive soon and join us. I ran into some members from my old street team who came to visit at our fishing hole. It was nice to see them again. I didn’t get much time to spend with them because I was waiting for my group to arrive, and because I was tracting and starting some conversations. There would be some great one on one’s to happen this evening.
Before they all arrived, I tracted and had a couple conversations. First, I spoke some youth wearing black clothing and metal music slogans on them. One didn’t believe in what I was saying, but because of “IF”, he listened. His girlfriend seemed to be the most open in the group, and another girl who apparently goes to church several times a week was a little flippant about the things I was talking about in a “not interested” way, but still being polite, and so her friends could talk to me if they wanted to. I know it wasn’t the best conversation, but I hope the things I said 1) planted seeds and 2) wasn’t too much information for them to process.
Next I spoke with a huge group of preteen girls in the middle of the plaza. I handed each of them a YourMomentOfTruth gospel tract and started to talk with them about their ultimate moment before God. I didn’t go into it because they were all in conversation when I walked up to them, and they looked like they were about to head off somewhere. So since this tract is very thorough I knew it would do the talking for me. As I got ready to walk away, one of the girls tried to give the tract back to me, and another one said one of their friends (in the group) was a Christian. I said “that’s great, go ahead and read it anyway” in a nice way.
Then I walked over to two 20ish guys on a bench. They were into their ipod music. I handed them one of the tracts each and said I had just given some to the girls over there. I asked them if they had seen the show. We ended up talking about the good person test. One of the guys is sort of a leader among young people in their catholic church. So I was glad to be reaching out to this guy, who could have an important role in the lives of other youth. We went through the Law, they realized they were in trouble with God. We talked about the courtroom, about Heaven and Hell, about the need to Repent and only trust in Jesus. He paid the fine, and only God deserves the credit/glory for our salvation. Nothing we can do to earn it, it’s a gift.
Then I walked around looking for others and couples to talk to, but the place was pretty bare. When I did see some people they were all coming or going somewhere, so I simply handed out tracts. I think I gave out over 75 of them tonight. At one point, I had to take a break for a while and get something to eat as I had hardly ate all day today.
When others from our group arrived, I took them around with me to talk to others. I took Doug’s son with me to get a feel for personal witnessing. He hung back when I talked to people and just listened. I explained before I started how we start in the Natural and swing to the Spiritual, that we talk about the 10C and the gospel. At one point they were so candid with each other, trying to discuss something when I asked them to “think about it before you answer” and they thought and came to the conclusion that if they did not go to confession before they died they would be in trouble for those things they did. I told them that it is more serious then that, because you cant just ask a judge to forgive you and expect that you wont be held accountable for your crimes. The law must punish sin, and nothing anyone does after that crime could ever make up for what they have done. After discussing it they realized it made sense. I did get to talk about the courtroom analogy and one guy said he would be “grateful”, and I explained how that illustration showed what Christ did for us, while we were his enemies. I said in life you may find someone whom you just cant stand, you wouldn’t warn them if a truck was headed their way and the person would collide with the truck and die. But we are greater enemies towards God, always in rebellion to Him and his Law, yet God did something wonderful to us. Instead of giving us what we deserve, he offers something we don’t deserve – through Jesus.
We had a great conversation with them. We didn’t get to the full ending because his parents were calling them into the shop. They were wanting to stay and finish the conversation, but also had to go into the store to close up with their parents. So I just encouraged them to read the information I gave them, because it would tell them what to do. I also told the mother that I was holding them up, because I was, and I didn’t want them in trouble for it. She smiled at them as they walked into the door. I hope they read the tract tonight and don’t let another day pass before they turn to Jesus for salvation.
I went back to our meeting spot in the plaza and another couple from the group, who had not been on the streets in years, came along with me, and some of the others headed home for the evening. We had a time of prayer before I took off with the other couple. I explained to them, as we walked around searching people to talk to, that since they weren’t familiar with the WOTM training, I didn’t want any “well intentioned” but disastrous situations when I was witnessing… so I told them we talk about Sin and explain what it is and how it is about the Law of God, we talk about judgment and Hell and then share the gospel news of Jesus as Savior. They were used to the Evangelism Explosion methods, which are slightly different. But they were “onboard” with what I was going to say. I asked them to just hang back and let me talk, but if there was something I couldn’t answer and they could (should a question come up and I forget the answer), that they could jump in and help. It would be a blessing! We had a nice time together tonight, praise God!
Well, we walked around and finally met an asian couple, probably in their 20’s. We had a great conversation with them. I did most of the talking, they were really receptive, and seemed to understand their need for God. Even though they, also, had a catholic background. I was amazed that I was able to share some additional things with them, as well as about the court room and our need for Jesus to pay our fine. If my recording is decent quality I might upload it so you can hear it. My battery was running low so I know there was a point in the evening when it shut down, but I am sure this one was recorded. Sometimes its not close enough to the interviewees and therefore background noise overwhelms the audio. The couple with me talked a little after I was done and then I again encouraged them to not let the evening pass before they talk to God and get right with him. There was a little more conversation and then we headed out. I had hoped that all the additional information didn’t overwhelm them, I felt like we stayed too long. It seemed like they were ok with it, because when I talked to the girl before we left I basically said “I hope we didn’t take up too much of their time.” She seemed like it wasn’t a problem, and seemed glad we stopped to talk. So praise God for that!
I handed out more tracts as we walked around. We decided to look for one more group to speak to before we ended the night. We would end up leaving a little after 10pm, and I had got there around 7. I didn’t want to keep them if they were ready to head home. So we headed off, but there were not many left in the area. We walked a little further and I noticed someone waiting at the bus stop around the corner. I said, let’s go talk to them. *I didn’t even think their bus would be arriving soon, but I suppose that is because the Lord had this divine appointment set up for it to arrive after our conversation. I cant remember all that happened, but it was a great conversation…
I handed them a million dollar bill. I told them there was a gospel tract on the back of it, and asked if they had a Christian or religious background. One of them said “catholic”. I then asked them if they remember the 10 commandments, and then how many could they name. I mentioned it could be like a trivia thing. They named several. I told them that it is rare that anyone can think of that many and that they did pretty good with it. We had a candid conversation. I talked about the fact that if they were on the metro bus and some drunk driving person in a truckers rig plowed into them, and they later died in the hospital, or if they died normally sometime in life, they would end up standing before God, and asked if they would be innocent or guilty of breaking God’s law. They realized they would be guilty and in trouble. We talked about it for a while and they realized they would go to hell. We talked more, and then I asked them if they have ever repented and trusted in Christ. They said no. I asked them if they planned to, they said “yes” in a sincere tone, so I knew it was genuine because of all that took place and the looks on their faces. They said that “they agree life is short and that a metro bus accident could really happen”. They were really open and seemed humbled before the Lord. I asked them if they would consider getting right with God before the night was over. Encouraging them to “just talk to God” tonight, before they go to bed. Tell him that they had broken God’s laws, and that they want to turn from their sins and turn to trust in Jesus for their salvation. One guy said “I don’t know how to pray”, it was so sweet to see such sincerity and honesty in a vulnerable kind of way. We talked to them and said that prayer is just talking to God. I encouraged them to talk to God from their heart and encouraged them to do it before the night was over. The couple that was with me, asked if we could pray for them.
I did so, and simply asked the Lord to lead the boys to turn from their sins, give them the strength and help to not do those things again, that they want forgiveness and a right relationship with God. I asked that God help live from now on in a way that pleases God and is according to what they learn in the Bible. I said that they want to place their trust in Jesus for their salvation, in the work he did on their behalf. And mentioned that while they will grow in their faith and make mistakes sometimes as they learn how to become more like the person God wants them to be, more like Jesus, that God would be with them and help them. After the prayer, they prayed with the boys too, and afterwards mentioned to them that Satan would come after them because they are aligning themselves with Jesus. I said that is true, Jesus tells us in the Bible that the world hated him because it didn’t understand him and because they do not care if they offend God by sinning, and while their friends and family may be used by satan to try and get them to not trust in Jesus, they can simply stand strong in their faith, and seek strength from God and guidance, and he will be with them.
It seems two souls have been won to the Lord tonight, and while like Philip and the Ethiopian, we don’t do follow up with them, but do provide information for them to begin their relationship with the Lord on a good foot, as they embark on this eternal journey with the Lord. The internet is a great tool for evangelism, most youth have internet at home these days and can learn about “what now” as they start out in their new life at peace with God, and desire to know how to follow him. So we offer information online to help them get started; which also encourage them to get plugged into a church near them. If their parents are in a religion, then they have access to discipleship courses and bible studies online through our sites that will help them grow in their faith, while living under their parents’ roof.
We chatted on the way back to our cars and “rejoiced over the seeds sown and the souls won”. Imagine, what souls could have missed the gospel and better understanding of their need for Jesus had we not come out to reach souls tonight. I thank God that we all came out; tired or energized…we were there, and may the Kingdom grow because of our faithfulness in planting seeds. Glory to God!
Closing notes: It’s important to pray for good conversations when you are getting other believer’s feet wet in evangelism. Tonight, I tried to find young people who seemed nice (and probably open to talk to people they don’t know) so they could experience a good gospel conversation. I am so grateful to the Lord for the conversations tonight. I really was blessed to be part of the Lord’s work in all those young people’s lives.
It is interesting that most of the catholics I spoke to tonight made the distinction that they were catholic not Christian. You will always hear that with catholics outside of America, but in America they usually think they are Christian. The westernized version of it is pretty watered down, but influenced by Christians in some way, but still false religion with many false teachings and works.
Thank You Lord! There were a few good conversations. And we got tracts into the hands of people who wouldn’t have been touched by God tonight had, we not been there. Please pray for all those who got tracts; that they read them and consider what is in it soberly and sincerely. That those whom we talked to have a better understanding of why they need Jesus… and pray that they will get right with God because of its clarity and their need for Jesus. Pray for the two boys (one was named Kevin and the other was Erling ?) who made professions tonight and desired to be right with God. Pray that their hearts desire was genuine and that they did indeed repent and trust in Christ. Pray for their strength as Satan comes to try and destroy their new faith, and that they will seek strength and assistance from God to get through those situations and be faithful to the Lord.
Before they all arrived, I tracted and had a couple conversations. First, I spoke some youth wearing black clothing and metal music slogans on them. One didn’t believe in what I was saying, but because of “IF”, he listened. His girlfriend seemed to be the most open in the group, and another girl who apparently goes to church several times a week was a little flippant about the things I was talking about in a “not interested” way, but still being polite, and so her friends could talk to me if they wanted to. I know it wasn’t the best conversation, but I hope the things I said 1) planted seeds and 2) wasn’t too much information for them to process.
Next I spoke with a huge group of preteen girls in the middle of the plaza. I handed each of them a YourMomentOfTruth gospel tract and started to talk with them about their ultimate moment before God. I didn’t go into it because they were all in conversation when I walked up to them, and they looked like they were about to head off somewhere. So since this tract is very thorough I knew it would do the talking for me. As I got ready to walk away, one of the girls tried to give the tract back to me, and another one said one of their friends (in the group) was a Christian. I said “that’s great, go ahead and read it anyway” in a nice way.
Then I walked over to two 20ish guys on a bench. They were into their ipod music. I handed them one of the tracts each and said I had just given some to the girls over there. I asked them if they had seen the show. We ended up talking about the good person test. One of the guys is sort of a leader among young people in their catholic church. So I was glad to be reaching out to this guy, who could have an important role in the lives of other youth. We went through the Law, they realized they were in trouble with God. We talked about the courtroom, about Heaven and Hell, about the need to Repent and only trust in Jesus. He paid the fine, and only God deserves the credit/glory for our salvation. Nothing we can do to earn it, it’s a gift.
Then I walked around looking for others and couples to talk to, but the place was pretty bare. When I did see some people they were all coming or going somewhere, so I simply handed out tracts. I think I gave out over 75 of them tonight. At one point, I had to take a break for a while and get something to eat as I had hardly ate all day today.
When others from our group arrived, I took them around with me to talk to others. I took Doug’s son with me to get a feel for personal witnessing. He hung back when I talked to people and just listened. I explained before I started how we start in the Natural and swing to the Spiritual, that we talk about the 10C and the gospel. At one point they were so candid with each other, trying to discuss something when I asked them to “think about it before you answer” and they thought and came to the conclusion that if they did not go to confession before they died they would be in trouble for those things they did. I told them that it is more serious then that, because you cant just ask a judge to forgive you and expect that you wont be held accountable for your crimes. The law must punish sin, and nothing anyone does after that crime could ever make up for what they have done. After discussing it they realized it made sense. I did get to talk about the courtroom analogy and one guy said he would be “grateful”, and I explained how that illustration showed what Christ did for us, while we were his enemies. I said in life you may find someone whom you just cant stand, you wouldn’t warn them if a truck was headed their way and the person would collide with the truck and die. But we are greater enemies towards God, always in rebellion to Him and his Law, yet God did something wonderful to us. Instead of giving us what we deserve, he offers something we don’t deserve – through Jesus.
We had a great conversation with them. We didn’t get to the full ending because his parents were calling them into the shop. They were wanting to stay and finish the conversation, but also had to go into the store to close up with their parents. So I just encouraged them to read the information I gave them, because it would tell them what to do. I also told the mother that I was holding them up, because I was, and I didn’t want them in trouble for it. She smiled at them as they walked into the door. I hope they read the tract tonight and don’t let another day pass before they turn to Jesus for salvation.
I went back to our meeting spot in the plaza and another couple from the group, who had not been on the streets in years, came along with me, and some of the others headed home for the evening. We had a time of prayer before I took off with the other couple. I explained to them, as we walked around searching people to talk to, that since they weren’t familiar with the WOTM training, I didn’t want any “well intentioned” but disastrous situations when I was witnessing… so I told them we talk about Sin and explain what it is and how it is about the Law of God, we talk about judgment and Hell and then share the gospel news of Jesus as Savior. They were used to the Evangelism Explosion methods, which are slightly different. But they were “onboard” with what I was going to say. I asked them to just hang back and let me talk, but if there was something I couldn’t answer and they could (should a question come up and I forget the answer), that they could jump in and help. It would be a blessing! We had a nice time together tonight, praise God!
Well, we walked around and finally met an asian couple, probably in their 20’s. We had a great conversation with them. I did most of the talking, they were really receptive, and seemed to understand their need for God. Even though they, also, had a catholic background. I was amazed that I was able to share some additional things with them, as well as about the court room and our need for Jesus to pay our fine. If my recording is decent quality I might upload it so you can hear it. My battery was running low so I know there was a point in the evening when it shut down, but I am sure this one was recorded. Sometimes its not close enough to the interviewees and therefore background noise overwhelms the audio. The couple with me talked a little after I was done and then I again encouraged them to not let the evening pass before they talk to God and get right with him. There was a little more conversation and then we headed out. I had hoped that all the additional information didn’t overwhelm them, I felt like we stayed too long. It seemed like they were ok with it, because when I talked to the girl before we left I basically said “I hope we didn’t take up too much of their time.” She seemed like it wasn’t a problem, and seemed glad we stopped to talk. So praise God for that!
I handed out more tracts as we walked around. We decided to look for one more group to speak to before we ended the night. We would end up leaving a little after 10pm, and I had got there around 7. I didn’t want to keep them if they were ready to head home. So we headed off, but there were not many left in the area. We walked a little further and I noticed someone waiting at the bus stop around the corner. I said, let’s go talk to them. *I didn’t even think their bus would be arriving soon, but I suppose that is because the Lord had this divine appointment set up for it to arrive after our conversation. I cant remember all that happened, but it was a great conversation…
I handed them a million dollar bill. I told them there was a gospel tract on the back of it, and asked if they had a Christian or religious background. One of them said “catholic”. I then asked them if they remember the 10 commandments, and then how many could they name. I mentioned it could be like a trivia thing. They named several. I told them that it is rare that anyone can think of that many and that they did pretty good with it. We had a candid conversation. I talked about the fact that if they were on the metro bus and some drunk driving person in a truckers rig plowed into them, and they later died in the hospital, or if they died normally sometime in life, they would end up standing before God, and asked if they would be innocent or guilty of breaking God’s law. They realized they would be guilty and in trouble. We talked about it for a while and they realized they would go to hell. We talked more, and then I asked them if they have ever repented and trusted in Christ. They said no. I asked them if they planned to, they said “yes” in a sincere tone, so I knew it was genuine because of all that took place and the looks on their faces. They said that “they agree life is short and that a metro bus accident could really happen”. They were really open and seemed humbled before the Lord. I asked them if they would consider getting right with God before the night was over. Encouraging them to “just talk to God” tonight, before they go to bed. Tell him that they had broken God’s laws, and that they want to turn from their sins and turn to trust in Jesus for their salvation. One guy said “I don’t know how to pray”, it was so sweet to see such sincerity and honesty in a vulnerable kind of way. We talked to them and said that prayer is just talking to God. I encouraged them to talk to God from their heart and encouraged them to do it before the night was over. The couple that was with me, asked if we could pray for them.
I did so, and simply asked the Lord to lead the boys to turn from their sins, give them the strength and help to not do those things again, that they want forgiveness and a right relationship with God. I asked that God help live from now on in a way that pleases God and is according to what they learn in the Bible. I said that they want to place their trust in Jesus for their salvation, in the work he did on their behalf. And mentioned that while they will grow in their faith and make mistakes sometimes as they learn how to become more like the person God wants them to be, more like Jesus, that God would be with them and help them. After the prayer, they prayed with the boys too, and afterwards mentioned to them that Satan would come after them because they are aligning themselves with Jesus. I said that is true, Jesus tells us in the Bible that the world hated him because it didn’t understand him and because they do not care if they offend God by sinning, and while their friends and family may be used by satan to try and get them to not trust in Jesus, they can simply stand strong in their faith, and seek strength from God and guidance, and he will be with them.
It seems two souls have been won to the Lord tonight, and while like Philip and the Ethiopian, we don’t do follow up with them, but do provide information for them to begin their relationship with the Lord on a good foot, as they embark on this eternal journey with the Lord. The internet is a great tool for evangelism, most youth have internet at home these days and can learn about “what now” as they start out in their new life at peace with God, and desire to know how to follow him. So we offer information online to help them get started; which also encourage them to get plugged into a church near them. If their parents are in a religion, then they have access to discipleship courses and bible studies online through our sites that will help them grow in their faith, while living under their parents’ roof.
We chatted on the way back to our cars and “rejoiced over the seeds sown and the souls won”. Imagine, what souls could have missed the gospel and better understanding of their need for Jesus had we not come out to reach souls tonight. I thank God that we all came out; tired or energized…we were there, and may the Kingdom grow because of our faithfulness in planting seeds. Glory to God!
Closing notes: It’s important to pray for good conversations when you are getting other believer’s feet wet in evangelism. Tonight, I tried to find young people who seemed nice (and probably open to talk to people they don’t know) so they could experience a good gospel conversation. I am so grateful to the Lord for the conversations tonight. I really was blessed to be part of the Lord’s work in all those young people’s lives.
It is interesting that most of the catholics I spoke to tonight made the distinction that they were catholic not Christian. You will always hear that with catholics outside of America, but in America they usually think they are Christian. The westernized version of it is pretty watered down, but influenced by Christians in some way, but still false religion with many false teachings and works.
Thank You Lord! There were a few good conversations. And we got tracts into the hands of people who wouldn’t have been touched by God tonight had, we not been there. Please pray for all those who got tracts; that they read them and consider what is in it soberly and sincerely. That those whom we talked to have a better understanding of why they need Jesus… and pray that they will get right with God because of its clarity and their need for Jesus. Pray for the two boys (one was named Kevin and the other was Erling ?) who made professions tonight and desired to be right with God. Pray that their hearts desire was genuine and that they did indeed repent and trust in Christ. Pray for their strength as Satan comes to try and destroy their new faith, and that they will seek strength and assistance from God to get through those situations and be faithful to the Lord.
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