Fireproof!

Last night, some friends and I went to see the movie, Fireproof. It's about a young couple who are having serious problems in their marriage and are contemplating divorce. Kirk Cameron plays the husband, who also happens to be a firefighter by trade. His wife works full time in a hospital, while also running the home and caring for her elderly parents. Basically after years of marriage and busy lives, this couple has grown distant and instead of loving each other, they complain and nag and walk through their home as if they are complete strangers. The husband has turned to porn to satisfy his needs and the wife is flirting with a doctor at work. The set up was done so well, I felt like I was reliving a bad moment in my own marriage.

On the verge of divorce, Kirk's father hands him a book called The Love Dare, and asks him to follow the instructions within it for 40 days. Kirk balks at first. He's ready for a divorce, but men cannot resisit a challenge so he accepts.

I'll tell you no more about the plot, except to say that this was a well done Christian film. If this is any indication of better-made Christian films coming down the road, I'm excited. This movie made me scream, laugh, and cry and at the end the audience was left with a powerful message.

Love is not a "feeling". It is a choice. And marriage is not a contract. It is a convenant.

And if we would put aside our selfish needs and start loving our spouse whether they deserve it or not, then we would find the happiness we are looking for in marriage.

I offer a warning about this movie, however. This is a blatant Christian film. They use the "J" word in it. And if the name of Jesus offends you in any way, you may want to avoid this film. Personally, I found it refreshing sitting in a theater in one of the most anti-Christian parts of the country and see the gospel presented on the big scream. There is hope for this country, yet.