"FIREPROOF" The Movie - A Must See!

"FIREPROOF" - Movie Review
"At work, inside burning buildings, Capt. Caleb Holt lives by the old firefighter’s adage; never leave your partner behind. At home, in the cooling embers of his marriage, he lives by his own rules. After seven years of marriage, Caleb and Catherine Holt have drifted so far apart that Catherine wishes she had never married. As the couple prepares to enter divorce proceedings, Caleb’s father challenges his son to commit to a 40-day experimental he calls “The Love Dare”. When Caleb discovers the book’s daily challenges are tied into his parents’ newfound faith, his already limited interest is further dampened. Is it too late to fireproof his marriage? Caleb Holt’s job is to rescue others, but now he has to face his toughest job ever…rescuing his wife’s heart.(Samuel Goldwyn Films) " Courtesy of CNET

View the Trailer!

RESOURCE: Does your marriage need some damage control? How To Fireproof Your Marriage. Your source for great Marriage resources and more. http://www.fireproofmymarriage.com/


My close friend and his wife saw the movie this past Saturday, and this is what he posted:
h2oSonic
"I thought the movie was awesome! It was a great reminder, like your posts, to never stop pursuing and fighting for her... even when the things we do don't yield the outcome we expect - cuz it's not about us, it's about loving and leading our wives regardless, just as God loves us."

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UPDATE:
Fireproof has brought in over $6.5 Million at the box office!

Excerpt from Slashfilms
"The big surprise this weekend at the box office was a small budget ($500,000) limited release called Fireproof, which made over $6.5 million on only 839 screens. The film beat Spike Lee’s latest - Miracle at St. Anna! "

Please Read Peter T. Chattaway's review from "Christianity Today".
http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/reviews/2008/fireproof.html

Order your copy Today! Fireproof, DVD

The latest theatrical blockbuster from the creators of Facing the Giants, Fireproof is an action-packed love story about a firefighter, his wife, and a marriage worth rescuing! At work, inside burning buildings, Capt. Caleb Holt (Kirk Cameron) lives by the old firefighter's adage: "Never leave your partner behind". Rated PG. Approx. 114 minutes.


Previous Posts that can help "Fireproof" your marriage:

http://heartlikejesus.blogspot.com/2008/09/whatever-it-takes.html

http://heartlikejesus.blogspot.com/2008/09/whatever-it-takes-with-passion.html

http://heartlikejesus.blogspot.com/2008/09/marriage-is-wonderful-thing.html

http://heartlikejesus.blogspot.com/2008/07/needing-help-with-your-baggage.html

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All posts are the sole property of the Heart Like Jesus blog. You must obtain permission to use any of the information on this blog.

Outlets Without Power

Last week, Northern Ohio got hit with a massive storm with high winds. Our home lost power for 5 days. No electricity meant- no fridge. Come day 2, I had to throw away everything in the fridge and freezer because, milk, meats, and parishables were spoiled. No stove and no microwave made it impossible to cook anything. No T.V.- I missed my DIY shows and comedy shows. (Because that's a priority!)

It was very hard to go 5 days without power. You feel confined and helpless.

In the dark with candles lit, it gave me time to really reflect on my relationship with God. I thought, "What good is an outlet if there isn't any power running through it?"

We are outlets for Jesus Christ. Many of us are struggling with a spiritual power failure. We don't know how to change the darkside of our hearts. We fail to conquer the baggage in our lives. We allow weakness to drain our power source. Isaiah 40:29 says, "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." (NIV)

More so, we become so busy and involved in our life's tasks that we are not being the light that God intended us to be in the world. We become the walking dead. We can walk around with the right tools, but without a powersource we're ineffective. God's word says, "So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT). It is our duty as Christians to share the Good News with unbelievers.

Paul, an apostle of Christ, got it. He understood that Jesus is the Great Powersource for His life. This is what Paul proclaimed in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (NIV)

If you don't tap in to Christ's Power, you will be a spiritually dead outlet. You will feel confined, helpless and even useless in your life. You will feel the emotional and spiritual drain within you. Turn to Him "who is able to do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine."

Plug in to the Power who created the universe. The Power that blew off the boulder of His grave and conquered death. "He is risen. He is risen indeed!"

Jeremiah 32:17 "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." (NIV)

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FUN TRIVIA - FINAL RESULTS

The Longest Verse In The Bible Is Found In Which Book(According to King James Version)?

33% - Deuteronomy
33% - Esther
16% - Psalms
16% - Hezekiah


ANSWER:
Esther 8:9, which contains 90 words. By the way, Hezekiah is NOT one of the books of the Bible.

Esther 8:9 (King James Version)
"Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language."

Count it for yourself =)


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"Things Mama Taught Me" - Humor

"THINGS MAMA TAUGHT ME" - Author Unknown

MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME......LOGIC
"If you fall of that swing and break your neck, you can't go to the store with me."

MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME......MEDICINE
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME......TO THINK AHEAD
"If you don't pass your spelling test, you are never going to get a good job."

MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME......ESP
"Put your sweater on, Don't you think I know when your cold?"

MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME......TO MEET A CHALLENGE
"What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you.Don't talk back to me."

MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME......HUMOR
"When the lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME......HOW TO BE AN ADULT
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME ABOUT......SEX
"How do you think you got here?"

MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME ABOUT......GENETICS
"You are just like your father."

MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME ABOUT MY......ROOTS
"Do you think you were born in a barn?

MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME ABOUT......THE WISDOM OF AGE
"When you get to be my age, you will understand."

MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME ABOUT......ANTICIPATION
"Just wait until your father gets home."

MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME ABOUT......RECEIVING
"You are going to get it when we get home."


AND MY ALL TIME FAVORITE THING......JUSTICE
"One day you will have kids, and I hope they turn out just like YOU.....then you'll see what it's like."


What's so funny about this, it must be universal. I have heard many of these statements from my mom while growing up!

Have a great day in the Lord!

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"Whatever It Takes" with Passion - Part 2

It's not just about romantic love. It goes deeper than that--it's about passion! It's about what "wowed" your wife when you were first dating. How your focus, your words makes her feel #1 in your life. I agree that in time a more deeper, mature love is built. A stronger bond and a firmer foundation on Jesus Christ is stablished. Just like a diamond, a marriage has many facets (sides) that can be touched on.

This post is touching on one facet- "Exclusive, Passionate Love." The fact that somewhere along the way, men start to get too comfortable- taking for granted what your wife does on a daily basis. She was once looked at as a blessing, now she looked at as 'expectation'. The gratitude is gone.

I remember when my wife first tried her hand in the kitchen. She didn't have a mom that taught her how to cook. She worked hard and tried new things. I remember thinking, "She is trying so hard to make a special meal for me." She was expressing her love in a tangible way. I remember making a big fuss at how good the food was (which it was and still is!) and being so thankful for her loving hands making dinner for me... and now our kids. Somewhere along the way, I stopped being so thankful. I mean, our family would bless the food, scarf it down like wolves and give an empty, traditional "thank you" to my wife after we were done eating.

Doesn't she deserve more? Doesn't God want us to always remember how much time and love she puts in to our lives?

Not just in meals, but in other areas of her life, I need to be specific in how I thank her. "Honey, the pork chops came out so tender- they're great!" "Honey, thank you for always doing the loads and loads of never-ending laundry. I appreciate you doing that for me and the kids."

Ephesians 5:25-28: "Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ's love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They're really doing themselves a favor—since they're already "one" in marriage." (The Message)

My wife, just like a little girl who dances around in her pretty dress, is saying, "Look at me. I want to be noticed. See how lovely I am."

I was losing my wife to the fact that I stopped noticing. I stopped pursuing her. I stopped loving her the way I did when we were dating.
- The 5 second gaze and smile across the room to let her know I love her.
- Long conversations where I would just listen and not give her advice... just listen to her frustrations.
- To give her non-sexual touches. Kiss on the cheek. Reassuring hugs. Cuddling her on the couch or in bed.
- Coming home with flowers or leaving a special thank you card on the table.
- Tickling and laughing together.

If you don't continue to captivate your wife one of two things will happen:
1.) A long, empty life together. You will co-exist, but as Dr. Gary Chapman says, "Your love tanks will be empty."
2.) There will be bitterness, then resentment towards each other. Eventually, you will end in separation or divorce.

All I am saying is, as men there can be preventative medicine. The medicine is "Exclusive, passionate love." Growing and maturing together doesn't mean "child-like" passion or romance needs to fade away.

I would challenge any husband. If you started to do these things, you will find your wife coming back to you. Eventually, you will find her attitude and response towards you changing. The both of you will have a more secure love for each other. You will find her happier and wanting to do more for you, because you notice her- she feels loved and appreciated.

Mr. Webster(dictionary) defines the word 'Passion' as: intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction. From Latin pati; TO SUFFER.

Do you have intensified, driven love for your wife? Are you overwhelmed with emotion for your lover? Like Christ pursuing us with reckless abandon, we are told as husbands to do the same. Express your love with such conviction. Dazzle her with your words. Love her with such intensity that you will guard her and your marriage with your life- your whole being.

Pati; TO SUFFER. This means even when we don't feel like loving her or you don't think she deserves this kind of love- do it anyways! Fight for her. Bring her back to a place where there is Love and Respect in your marriage. Love her like no other and she will see a man worth respecting.

It's your calling by God to do "Whatever it takes"! The Passion of Christ has been to love us so greatly, to the point of emotionally and physically suffering on the cross. We don't deserve His love and many still reject Him and call Him names, but Jesus did it anyways! He took on brutality and pain-- ultimately, sacrificing His life because He loved us so deeply.

"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."

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"Whatever It Takes"

Somewhere along the way we as men stop pursuing our wives. A woman's design is to be pursued. They want to be captured by your love. Since the day a girl is about 7, they want a prince to rescue them. They want to feel like a beautiful princess. They need to feel special and lovely. They want to be rescued, feeling secure in your love for her. She wants to know your heart is soley for her.

It's the hunt of the game. When we first date and want to get to know a girl, we do whatever it takes to show how much we love them. We send them flowers, give them a card with words that exactly explains how you feel about them.

Do you remember staying up until the wee hours of the morning just talking? The world around you stops and all you can do is focus on the beautiful creation in front of you. Even if she talks for hours straight, you engage her with your eyes. Even if the conversation isn't that interesting to you, you know it means everything to her that you are listening. You would hold her and encourage her with positive words of affirmation.

Down the road you get married. You got your prize and the 'hunt of the game' stops. Why not? You got what you wanted. Then, everything about you that she loves starts to fade away. You have her now and the passion you once had for her diminishes. Your eyes start to wander around the room when she talks, or you won't look up from the newspaper(or computer) when she is talking to you. You brush her off with an "Uh- hum" or give her a quick answer so you can go back to what you were doing.

The flowers that would absolutely make her day- stops. The special message in a card- stops. The loving eye contact- stops. Her world of feeling secure and loved- stops. The girl who once felt like a beautiful princess, now feels second rate. She feels ordinary and feels taken advantage of.

Somewhere along the way, this princess you would guard with your life has taken on the role of a mother. Disheartened, she continues to cook, clean, and wash your clothes. Her passion for you starts to fade too. You once were a prince, now you are another 'responsibility' in her daily chores. The luster you once had in your marriage has turned into a "honey do" list and a discussion for the week's agenda.

Your wife, your lover, is your biggest ally. She is the help-mate God designed and gave to you. Just like Adam, God thought up the perfect match for your life. She desires to love you to her fullest. But, if you treat her like a mother, expecting her to keep up with the daily chores and take away the passion and the special gifts that once made her feel exclusive and important-- then no wonder her heart hardens and she starts talking to you like your mother. She becomes bitter, snappy with her words, demanding, and complaining often. Why is that? She's unhappy and is slowly dying inside.

She wants her prince back in her life. Your wife craves to be pursued again. She wants to know that you don't just see her as a 'cleaning machine', rather as a "help-mate".

Men, maybe you feel desperate and worn out. Maybe you feel like she doesn't appreciate you anymore. All you can do is fix the damage that is already done- before it's too late. Look back and see how you've failed as a loving husband. Look back and remember how you were able to capture your wife when you were dating-- and start doing them again.

Start with forgiveness. Let her know you've failed her. Let her know how much you appreciate her and love her. Let her know you will pursue her. Fulfilling her needs.

Never stop pursuing your lover. Guard her, fight for her love. . . do "whatever it takes"!


Honey, forgive me for failing you. I love you, but I can love you more. I will do "whatever it takes to turn this around". I haven't been the best husband and you deserve more. I promise to continue to pursue you and make you feel like the beautiful princess that you are. I will not stop fighting for our marriage. Thank you for your patience and endless love. Thank you for loving me for who I am and who I am becoming.

FUN TRIVIA - POLL RESULTS

Which One is NOT Noah's Son?

81% - Meshack
18% - Ham
0% - Japheth
0% - Shem

Yes, Ham is a funny name, but he was one of the three sons of Noah. Meshack is NOT one of Noah's sons.

Genesis 5:32, "After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth." (NIV)

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P.S. I don't know where the 1% disappeared to for the poll results?!

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COFFEE LOVERS

I love my cup of joe. Give me basic cream and sugar and I am a happy man! I do enjoy an occasional Cafe Mocha or Iced coffee. Well, to all those heavy coffee drinkers- Here are 10 Signs that you are a Coffee-Addict!

10. You jog 20 miles on your treadmill before realizing it's not turned on.

9. Your eyes stay open when you sneeze.

8. You name your cats "Cream" and "Sugar".

7. You can type 60 words per minute. . . with your feet!

6. You have a picture of your coffee mug on your coffee mug.

5. You think CPR stands for "Coffee Provides Resuscitation."

4. You grind your coffee beans in your mouth.

3. You don't sweat, you percolate.

2. All your kids are named "Joe".

The #1 Sign you are a Coffee-Addict:

1. You answer the door before people knock.


May this bring a smile to your face!

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Marriage Is a Wonderful Thing!

A very close friend of mine is getting married this Saturday. He has given me the honor of being a groomsman in his wedding. As I think back in the life of my friend and his steady love and obedience for God, he's been patiently waited for the right help mate. Yes, he has dated some good and godly girls (a couple not so good) = P . He has broken some hearts and I know he has been heart broken through the process of dating.

The point is, he's always been waiting for God's best for his life. Just like God gave Adam a help mate, my friend was waiting for the exact help mate that God intended for his life. I truly believe he has found her- or should I say, God has given her to him.

You see, my friend could have 'settled' (I've been there before). He could have 'settled' for someone who could fill the loneliness in his life. My friend could have 'settled' for someone who could meet some of his needs. He could have 'settled' for someone who could fill some of the voids in his life...

As I have watched his life over the years, he's been in search for the "right one", not just a filler. He's been waiting for the one who brings out the best in him. The one that will compliment his weaknesses. The one he can serve God with. Because of his patience, God has blessed him with a wonderful woman, who he will soon be able to call, Wife.

It will be exciting to see how their journey together begins and continues as they impact the lives around them, through Jesus Christ.


This is a great devotional and reminder to all who are married.
Ephesians 5:19-33: "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body.

"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."

This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." (NIV)

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The Tender Heart of God

The heart of a father is strength, leadership, and discipline. Also, the heart of a father is tenderness and compassion. Whenever one of my kids fall and scrapes their knee or 'bonks' their head on the ground or coffee table, their whole world comes crumbling down.

The best thing to do is hold and craddle them until they quiet down. At that very moment, my child doesn't understand what has happened. One minute they are running around playing and giggling, then in a split second they injure themselves and cannot understand what their pain is. They are overwhelmed by emotion and their heart is hurt by confusion and insecurity.

How often we go through life happy and fulfilled. Then in a split second you open up your mail and find out that your house is foreclosing, the bills are piling up and you just don't have the means to pay them off - You just received a call about a dear one close to you has just passed away - Maybe your marriage is failing and there is such a loneliness in your life. Your heart is full of pain, confusion. . . and insecurities.

Our heavenly Father is there to hold you, comfort you, and He's singing a love song to quiet your soul.

Read this obscure passage that has changed my perspective, my love for God.

Zephaniah 3:17: "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (NIV)

God will quiet you with His love. He is rejoicing and singing over you. Call out to your Daddy today! You mean so much to Him. The more you are hurting, the more fearful you are, the closer He gets.

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FUN TRIVIA - Poll Results

The First Bird Noah Sent Out from the Ark?

66% - Dove
33% - Raven
0% - Sparrow
0% - Eagle

The correct answer is 'Raven'. In Genesis 8, starting in verse 6: "After forty days Noah opened the window he had made in the ark 7 and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth. 8 Then he sent out a dove..." (NIV)

This one was a bit tricky. Speaking for myself- as a kid in Sunday school, I was taught about Noah sending out a dove. Which is true, but it was after the raven. A little bible knowledge = )

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