Courageous

Dad and I have had some great father/son time this weekend—and the weekend is really just getting started! Due to a Christian educator’s convention happening in Detroit, it was just the two of us at home for a while. After a nice meal eating out, we spent some time last night going through his old memorabilia—stuff he saved from his childhood. I got to read letters and postcards his father wrote and enter a little bit into the relationship they shared in my dad’s early years. My grandfather died before I was born, so these kinds of memories are the only tangible things I have of him. He was a pastor and his love and care for his flock was evident through the letters left behind.

Our father/son time continued today through watching the new film “Courageous” together. What a film! Sherwood Pictures has done it again in creating a poignant illustration of a timeless message that fatherhood must be taken seriously. There will come moments of putting one’s life on the line, tragedies requiring going to God for grace to get through, situations for making tough decisions to stand up for convictions, and the time to own up to past failures and shoulder the responsibility. Honor begins in the home, and this is where a lifelong impact on a child’s life is formed. I’ll not give away the plot any further, but the film is riveting and is packed with both action and emotion.

What does God have to say about being courageous? “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, ESV). That’s pretty clear isn’t it? Go live courageously!