National groups such as Focus on the Family, Outreach, FamilyLife, The Marriage CoMission, America's Family Coaches, AMFM, Marriage Alive Communications, and MarriageToday endorse the movie and are urging their constituencies to see it. Influencers such as marriage expert Gary Smalley and Bubba Cathy of Chick-fil-A are also working to spread the word.
It's no secret that U.S. marriages are in crisis. The U.S. Census Bureau and marriage organizations vary on the stats but agree that nearly half of all weddings lead to divorce--with rates highest in the Bible belt. Some 25 percent of U.S. adults divorce at least once; and given the abundance of poor marriages, many couples skip it outright.
"Fireproof" mirrors the problems of many marriages, in this case through a firefighter whose high-stress job spills into his home life. Hitting on pain points common to married life--from indifference to insults to emotional affairs and internet porn--the story opens with a couple's disintegration.
"Most movies are about relationships that lead to marriage," Michael Catt, of Sherwood Pictures said. "'Fireproof' picks up seven years into a marriage headed for divorce. And the question is: Can a cold marriage revive? Why stay together?"
Given that firefighters have one of the nation's highest divorce rates, "Fireproof" also has the support of many firefighters and related organizations. John White, former head of the Los Angeles Fire Department's Search & Rescue Team, is urging firefighters across the country to see it.
Bubba Cathy of Chick-fil-A doubles as movie promoter to every audience he addresses: "Since visiting the 'Fireproof' set, I've been Fireproof's biggest fan," he says. "On top of a powerful message and the potential to change lives and marriages, this is one great movie!"
People like Bob Waliszewski, director of Focus on the Family's Plugged in and Scott Evans, founder and CEO of Outreach, Inc., are excited about the movie's potential to inspire people to want to heal their marriages and actually show them how. "The clips have me excited about the potential of this film to give hope to struggling marriages," Waliszewski said.
"We all know marriages are in trouble," Evans said. "[What] a powerful and relevant way to address the need and provide hope for healing."
Dr. Jeff S. Fray, chair of The Marriage CoMission, echoes Evans and Waliszewski: "Fireproof's challenge to 'never leave your partner behind' brings to us a dramatic experience of the power of sacrifice and forgiveness. I expect this film to give viewers more confidence that great marriages can be a reality."
Dennis Rainey, president of FamilyLife, sees this one movie's impact far beyond weekend movie- going. "'Fireproof' is going to do more than entertain and stir hearts when it comes to movie theaters," he said.
"This movie is about fireproofing your most important earthly relationship," Executive Producer Jim McBride says on behalf of the filmmakers. "Our hope and prayer is that people will be touched by the story of Caleb and Catherine and commit to fireproofing their marriages--no matter what state those marriages are currently in."
Sherwood's aim to "reach the world from Albany, GA" rides on first-rate entertainment packing powerful messages. Its first movie, "Flywheel," explored business integrity. "Facing the Giants" tackled personal fear and failure. Now "Fireproof" asks what makes a true hero.
(Source: Christian Newswire)
For more information about "Fireproof," how individuals and organizations can get involved, and in what theaters the movie will open, stay current with www.FireprooftheMovie.com.
April 5, 2008
April 1, 2008
Don't Be An April Fool
Today is April Fool's Day. Though not a holiday in its own right, is a notable day celebrated in many countries on April 1. The day is marked by the commission of hoaxes and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends, enemies and neighbors, or sending them on fools' errands, the aim of which is to embarrass the gullible.
Here are a few famous hoaxes:
The Swiss Sphaghetti Hoax:
In 1957 the respected BBC news show Panorama announced that thanks to a very mild winter and the virtual elimination of the dreaded spaghetti weevil, Swiss farmers were enjoying a bumper spaghetti crop. It accompanied this announcement with footage of Swiss peasants pulling strands of spaghetti down from trees. Huge numbers of viewers were taken in. Many called the BBC wanting to know how they could grow their own spaghetti tree. To this the BBC diplomatically replied that they should "place a sprig of spaghetti in a tin of tomato sauce and hope for the best."
Instant Color TV
In 1962 there was only one tv channel in Sweden, and it broadcast in black and white. The station's technical expert, Kjell Stensson, appeared on the news to announce that, thanks to a new technology, viewers could convert their existing sets to display color reception. All they had to do was pull a nylon stocking over their tv screen. Stensson proceeded to demonstrate the process. Thousands of people were taken in. Regular color broadcasts only commenced in Sweden on April 1, 1970.
The Bible does not have that much to say about "fools." Yet what it does say is worth our attention.
David
The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." Psalm 14:1
Jesus
"And (Jesus) told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive. "And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?' "Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."' "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?' "So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (Luke 12:15-21)
Ahhhh! That's the secret...be rich toward God.
How is one rich toward God? I am so glad you asked!
1. J - Put God first - Matthew 6:33
2. O - Put others next
3. Y - Leave yourself last
It brings JOY!
Any investment we make with God has a guarantee of return.
Roger Babson, the statistician, was lunching with the President of Argentina. "Mr. Babson," the President said, "I have been wondering why it is that South America with all its natural advantages, its mines of iron, copper, coal, silver and gold; its rivers and great waterfalls which rival Niagara, is so far behind North America."
Babson replied, "Well, Mr. President, what do you think is the reason?"
He was silent for a while before he answered. "I have come to this conclusion. South America was settled by the Spanish, who came to South America in search of gold; but North America was settled by the Pilgrim Fathers, who went there in search of God."
—Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations
A teacher had just related to a class of boys the story of the rich man and Lazarus; then he asked, "Now, which would you rather be, boys—the rich man or Lazarus?"
One boy replied: "I'd want to be the rich man while I'm living and Lazarus when I die."
—Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations
Here are a few famous hoaxes:
The Swiss Sphaghetti Hoax:
In 1957 the respected BBC news show Panorama announced that thanks to a very mild winter and the virtual elimination of the dreaded spaghetti weevil, Swiss farmers were enjoying a bumper spaghetti crop. It accompanied this announcement with footage of Swiss peasants pulling strands of spaghetti down from trees. Huge numbers of viewers were taken in. Many called the BBC wanting to know how they could grow their own spaghetti tree. To this the BBC diplomatically replied that they should "place a sprig of spaghetti in a tin of tomato sauce and hope for the best."
Instant Color TV
In 1962 there was only one tv channel in Sweden, and it broadcast in black and white. The station's technical expert, Kjell Stensson, appeared on the news to announce that, thanks to a new technology, viewers could convert their existing sets to display color reception. All they had to do was pull a nylon stocking over their tv screen. Stensson proceeded to demonstrate the process. Thousands of people were taken in. Regular color broadcasts only commenced in Sweden on April 1, 1970.
The Bible does not have that much to say about "fools." Yet what it does say is worth our attention.
David
The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." Psalm 14:1
Jesus
"And (Jesus) told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive. "And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?' "Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."' "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?' "So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (Luke 12:15-21)
Ahhhh! That's the secret...be rich toward God.
How is one rich toward God? I am so glad you asked!
1. J - Put God first - Matthew 6:33
2. O - Put others next
3. Y - Leave yourself last
It brings JOY!
Any investment we make with God has a guarantee of return.
Roger Babson, the statistician, was lunching with the President of Argentina. "Mr. Babson," the President said, "I have been wondering why it is that South America with all its natural advantages, its mines of iron, copper, coal, silver and gold; its rivers and great waterfalls which rival Niagara, is so far behind North America."
Babson replied, "Well, Mr. President, what do you think is the reason?"
He was silent for a while before he answered. "I have come to this conclusion. South America was settled by the Spanish, who came to South America in search of gold; but North America was settled by the Pilgrim Fathers, who went there in search of God."
—Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations
A teacher had just related to a class of boys the story of the rich man and Lazarus; then he asked, "Now, which would you rather be, boys—the rich man or Lazarus?"
One boy replied: "I'd want to be the rich man while I'm living and Lazarus when I die."
—Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations
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