MOVIE & BOOK CORNER

The Love Dare, as featured in the new movie Fireproof is a forty-day guided devotional experience that will lead your heart back to truly loving your spouse while learning more about the design, nature, and source of true love. Too many marriages end when someone says "I don't love you anymore." The Love Dare discusses how such a statement reveals a lack of understanding about the fundamental nature of true love.

Each reading includes Scripture, a statement of principle, the day's "dare," and a journaling area and check box to chart progress. Dare to take The Love Dare, and see your marriage change forever.

The book is an essential part of the movie, Fireproof. Written by the same team that gave us Flywheel and Facing the Giants, they have exceeded expectations with Fireproof.

Kirk Cameron stars as the captain of a fire department that is a hero at work and everywhere but home. When he's battling blazes, Capt. Caleb Holt (Cameron) adheres to the old firefighter's adage about never leaving your partner behind; back at home, it's an altogether different story.

Caleb and his wife Catherine have been married for seven years, but lately arguments over career, housework, finances, and outside interests have driven the once-happy couple hopelessly apart. Just as Caleb and Catherine prepare to officially dissolve their marriage, Caleb's father, John presents his son with a most unusual challenge: commit to a 40-day experiment called "The Love Dare," and take one last shot at saving his marriage.

He carries on with the experiment despite being constantly rejected by his skeptical, embittered wife. When Caleb asks his father how he can be expected to love someone who refuses to give him a fair chance, John tells his son that this is precisely the same love that God shows for humankind. Now, with a little help from above, the man who makes headlines for saving lives will fight to be a hero to the one person who matters most; his wife.

The movie works well without the book and you don’t even have to be married to appreciate either. However, I guarantee that with an open mind, they will change the way you see relationships and give you an understanding of true love. Even the toughest guy will look up from his Kleenex and say, “Wow!”

MESSAGES AND MAGNETS

Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105

Spring cleaning in our house usually starts with the simplest task; removing old notes, reminders and pictures from behind all of the refrigerator magnets.

The magnets are reminders of past vacations or advertising of some sort (usually pizza ads). Our refrigerator was rather eclectic. There were pictures of grandkids, animals, flowers, cartoons and even notes of things to do in the future.

As I wiped the magnets clean and sorted through the stuff that had accumulated, the thought came to me that for the Christian, the world is like my refrigerator door. Everywhere I look there are reminders of God, the creator; the smiles on children’s faces, ducks, flowers, beautiful sunsets and such. Each item, even the pizza ads, reminds me of God’s never failing love and care which have been mine in the past and will continue to be mine in the future.

As I read the Bible or a book of devotions, I find reminders of God’s love and faithfulness. I find that God is just as faithful today as when the scriptures were written. God promised to send a savior and kept that promise in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is our reminder of how much God loves us.

Every so often, pray this little prayer: Thank you, heavenly Father, that wherever we look we see reminders of your great love and care for us. Amen.

One last thought; remembering God’s faithfulness in the past gives us hope for the future.

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