I do not typically talk about books and movies on my blog; (right now, I have little time for either.) But two such items recently captured my attention, and I have deemed them blogworthy. Therefore, I would like to introduce you to the movie Fireproof and the children’s book Let Me Hold You Longer.
Matt & I are currently attending a “Marriage Matters” Sunday School class at our church and our class was promo-ing this Kirk Cameron film. I don’t typically like Christian films due to the bad acting and bad theology. However, the previews for this one looked pretty good so we decided to give it a chance. Now, after seeing the film myself, I can’t imagine that the critics are going to have anything good to say about this movie. After all, the cross is offensive…and this movie displays the message of the cross blatantly and quite beautifully.
The intended audience of this film is obviously for seekers, but my guess is that Christians made up 95% of our sold-out matinee. And why not? How wonderful to be able to go to a movie that reminds everyone of the importance of establishing right relationship with God and right relationship with one’s spouse. I especially appreciated the fact that Caleb, the protagonist of the film, struggled with a porn addiction. This is an evil that pervades the church as well as the “unsaved”. This film has the potential to be used not only as an evangelical tool, but as a springboard for difficult conversations within Christian circles. Any movie that has the potential to make marriages stronger and healthier is a movie I whole-heartedly recommend! Go see it with your mate and invite other couples to join in the discussion. (NOTE: The first part of the movie has some really bad-acting, but don’t let that distract you. It does get better as the plot develops. Also, the intense fire-fighting scenes and the decent acting by some male leads make this movie a non-enough-chick-flick for the guys to enjoy.)
Karen Kingsbury is most known for her Christian fiction (none of which I have read) but she has recently branched out into children’s literature (which I read daily :). This book is written from the perspective of moms-with-boys, but I’m sure you moms-of-girls would enjoy it too. (Although, I’m not certain of it. The Freudian overtones that impact a mother/son relationship set it apart as distinct and unique. As my mom says, “girls tend to stay around home and boys tend to leave it”. The knowledge that boys tend to leave make this book all the more heart-wrenching.) Kingsbury reminds Mommy’s to celebrate the mundane in parenting by reflecting on all the lasts. As Mommies, we always create occasions to celebrate the firsts but we don’t always even recognize the lasts…the last time your little boy jumps into your arms, the last time he asks you to “kiss it and make it better”, or the last time he calls you Mommy before switching to just Mom.
I dare you Mommies to read this and not cry! If you can…you’re probably a mom-of-girls :).
Davene says
I’ve gotten really behind in reading blogs, and I still want to finish catching up on yours from the beginning. But I did want to chime in here to second what you said about that movie. I can’t think of a better date night movie–one that will renew not only a wife’s love for her husband, but a couple’s love for their God. I know what you mean about a little bit of poor acting, but overall I thought it was excellent!
Thanks for the recommendation about that book. I will try to get my hands on that soon because one can never have enough tear-jerker “I love you so much” children’s books, right? 🙂 And if it’s geared for mothers and sons, even better! I wrote on my blog in July (I think) about my oldest son making the transition from “Mommy” to “Mom.” That was actually tough on me. I don’t know how gracefully I’m going to handle all these transitions as I watch them grow up!
Jess says
I think I’m definitely going to have to get that book. It looks great and definitely a tear jerker. Michaela and I are heading to Philly the weekend of Oct. 24th to visit Kim and the new baby…. if they ever get here.
Melanie S says
Wow! Thanks for the tip. Those both look good. I thought I heard a teaser on the Today show about a new Kirk Cameron film, but never heard the rest of the story. And that book looks heart-wrenching. I want it!! I hope you are doing okay. I have been praying for you and all of your responsibilities. May the Lord bless you!!! Love you!
gesswein says
hey beth, just ordered it from the library (let me hold you longer) and I will not take offense at the “mother of girl” comments 😉 I shall cry, as I unfortunately have one that will one day call me mom instead of mommy. 😉 I saw fireproof promoted on dr. phil, it’s on the to do list. I guess I shouldn’t lighten the mood of your post by saying babymama was a funny rental? ha.