standing for courage...

Last fall the movie Courageous was released as Sherwood Films' fourth film behind Flywheel, Facing the Giants and Fireproof. The movies have always had strong themes and messages while the production can sometimes be questionable. I think Courageous was probably the closest to a typical Hollywood film in terms of production, not that it seems to matter to me. I sobbed regardless!

Without giving away the entire movie, the tagline is: "When a tragedy strikes close to home, four police officers struggle with their faith and their roles as husbands and fathers; together they make a decision that will change all of their lives." The movie centers around the men as they make a resolution to change.

My pastor spent time last week and this week with messages to fathers. Today was centered around the passage in Joshua 24 where verse 15 wraps up, "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Pastor Cook reminded us of the short term memory the Israelites seemed to struggle with and noted how Joshua stepped away from speaking for the people and made it personal, taking a stand for his family. He wrapped up with a clip from the movie Courageous when the main character makes a plea to the men in his church. Pastor Cook then invited men to stand and make the resolution. He assured anyone who needed to take it home and process the information would not be judged or looked down upon, but after his invitation, it seemed as if most men were signing on to his request. Most, if not all the men stood up and repeated "The Resolution" after Pastor Cook.

I love the message in the movie and I love the message behind "The Resolution." I pray every day I find a man with such resolve to take a stand and be a Godly leader of my family. Normally my fear is people who won't take a stand. A popular saying goes, "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." It's easy to sit back and watch everything pass us by without standing. It takes courage to stand. At the same time, the reverse could be true. Sometimes people stand just because everyone else stands and never actually make a change. I think a resolution requires action beyond standing. I know standing is the first step, but it's more difficult to stay seated in a room full of standing men, than it is to stand up when everyone else is sitting down. I guess it just felt so fast. I wanted everyone to see the whole movie... to understand what they were agreeing to... to buy into the whole message rather than just signing up out of peer pressure or obligation.

Let's continue to stand up for Christ. Let's continue to stand up for positive change. But let's also make sure that stand of courage turns into action of resolve.




"The Resolution"

I DO solemnly resolve before God to take full responsibility for myself, my wife, and my children.

I WILL love them, protect them, serve them, and teach them the Word of God as the spiritual leader of my home.

I WILL be faithful to my wife, to love and honor her, and be willing to lay down my life for her as Jesus Christ did for me.

I WILL bless my children and teach them to love God with all of their hearts, all of their minds, and all of their strength.

I WILL train them to honor authority and live responsibly.

I WILL confront evil, pursue justice, and love mercy.

I WILL pray for others and treat them with kindness respect, and compassion.

I WILL work diligently to provide for the needs of my family.

I WILL forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged.

I WILL learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins, and walk with integrity as a man answerable to God.

I WILL seek to honor God, be faithful to His church, obey His Word, and do His will.

I WILL courageously work with the strength God provides to fulfill this resolution for the rest of my life and for His glory.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. – Joshua 24:15