And The Movie of the Year Goes to...

Few movies inspire me to reflect on my life, my faith, and my purpose. The ones that do are instantly numbered among my favorites. The Case for Christ, a movie based on the book by the same title authored by Lee Strobel, has just moved to the top of my favorites list.

Released this past Friday, The Case for Christ follows the story of Lee Strobel, an investigative reporter for the Chicago Tribune, a self-described atheist, whose world is turned upside down when his wife converts to Christianity (while visiting Willow Creek Community Church, of all places).

In an effort to undermine his wife's faith (so life would go back to normal), Strobel draws on his investigative reporting skills to debunk Christianity. His target? The resurrection. His investigation uncovers facts and evidence that forces him to the conclusion he most feared.

In addition to riveting drama, the movie provides tons of ammo for the up and coming apologist.

I am not writing a movie review, but if I were, I would tout the movies true to life set that captured life in the 1980s (right down to the pull tabs on the beer cans), the superb acting by Mike Vogel and Erika Christiansen, the suspense building around the next steps in his investigation, a side-plot involving a police shooting, and the health of Strobel's infant son. And once again, I find that my life is missing a 1980 Camaro Z-28.

Seeing a man struggle against the pull to accept Christ as his savior hit home for me. Just as Strobel rebelled against God through intellectualism and alcohol abuse, so I ran from God into the bottle on many occasions. Just as Strobel resented his wife's faith, so resented I my wife's faith until the Lord finally broke me.

In seeing how the Lord took Strobel on his journey to faith, I am reminded of how God brought me through the valley of darkness to the mountain of faith. I am reminded of how God transformed me. I am reminded of the hope that dwells within me, and the purpose God has given me.

Strobel eventually left a prominent role with the Chicago Tribune to become a pastor, and currently serves at a church in The Woodlands, Tex. God has truly transformed him.

God has taken me from being a half-drunk country radio DJ to being a voice for truth in the Brown County, Tex., area. God has truly transformed me.

In addition to the introspection sparked by The Case for Christ, the movie also reminded me why I believe what I believe. Christianity is not superstition, nor is it an illogical emotional cult. Christianity is deeply rooted in fact, evidence, logic, and the resulting faith. And, the movie reminds us that, while it does take faith to fill in the blanks of the Christian faith, it takes an equal, if not bigger dose of faith to subscribe to atheism.

The Case for Christ gives us solid facts regarding the truth of the Gospel, and reminds us of how God transforms the non-believer into a child of God. For that, the movie earns 5-stars and movie of the year honors in my opinion. Too bad I don't get to vote on the academy awards.

Simply Thanks

The quiet, serene day, mildly cool with a deep blue sky, and the emptiness of the normally busy street in front of my house made for a beautiful Thanksgiving holiday. Having lit the fire on the grill which would soon be adorned with 10 Cornish game hens, I enjoyed the peace of the moment. Normally at 10 am, I'd be working to build a 5 pm newscast, and sifting through emails hoping to book a guest for the next show. However, today was different. No ringing phone, no last minute production orders, no deadlines, and no stress.

Nope. Today was different. Today was simple. As the flames died down and the charcoal ashed over, I had little to worry about other than these birds being placed on the grill. It might take an hour to cook them, it might take more. No worries. If they took longer than expected, we'd just have lunch a little later. If the kids became hungry waiting, we had an array of snacks to tide them over.

The kids were happy, enjoying several rousing games of Uno, playing Minecraft on their tablets, or showing Papa Benjamin their latest achievements. Life was good.

It's at this time I remembered just how blessed I am. These Cornish game hens were seasoned with a new blend, and Jessica had an array of sides lined out. Today's meal was more than a family meal. It was an adventure, an exploration of new flavor, a new experience altogether. Most people in the world are denied such privilege.

My brick home, heated to just the right temperature, would provide the perfect setting for the holiday meal. My father-in-law would sit with us, having recovered from a tragic accident a year before to be able to spend this time with us.

And best of all, no stress. No deadlines. No hurry. Just relax, check the grill, and enjoy the day.

I hope your day went just as well, but if not, take heart. God's will is not for you to struggle through a never-ending series of heartbreaks, pains, and defeats. God uses those things to form you, but he never intends on keeping you there.

In Exodus 15, God led the Israelites to Marah, so named because the waters there were bitter, and undrinkable. As the Israelites complained about the water, God showed a tree to Moses to cast into the waters to make them sweet. Then, He led the Israelites to Elim, where there were 12 wells of good water.

I tell you that to tell you this. Sometimes, you find yourself in a place of bitterness. That happens in life, but like God moved the Israelites to Elim, He never intends to keep you in bitterness. He can make the bitter sweet, and then move you to an oasis.

Keep trusting Him, and shift your focus from the bitterness to the things that are good in life. This is a practice that has taken years for the Lord to teach to me, and He'll teach you as well, if you let him.

For the transformation that God has worked in my life, and for the continuing transformation taking place, I say, simply, thanks.