Matthews Family Herald

Hello out there! Here's your media update review from my family. I'll cover three media sources of inspiration in this blogpost. I'll introduce them to you and then give you the Amazon Editorial Review. I'll throw the front cover photos in wherever I can as well. Lastly, I'll include the Resolution referenced in the movie "Courageous." Ready?

1) I thought I'd update you on the latest movie series we are enjoying as a family. You remember the Little House on the Prairie t.v. series by Micheal Landon? Well, he had a son named . . . Micheal Landon, Jr. You don't say? Yeah, and this guy has made some outstanding Godly movies. There were some things about the t.v. series I did not agree with, but the movie series seems to be right on track. I call them the "Love" series because there are 6 movies, to my knowledge, in the storyline and they all start with "Love." The first is 1) Love Comes Softly. Then there's 2) Love's Enduring Promise and so they go. I've included a photo of the front cover of the first movie. We found all six of them at our local library. If you are looking for a Godly story, about men and women of faith, setting out to start a new life rich in God, family, working hard, and being together, then this should prove to be inspiring.

The Amazon Review is very brief. It looks like a movie only for women, but this is not so. An excellent example of a truly Godly man, husband, and father exists within this movie and is a must for all serious, Christian men. "A young woman recently widowed on the American frontier agrees to a marriage of convenience for survival and finds love." And she finds God, our God, I'd add.

2) Also, we watched "Courageous" as a family this weekend. Rented it at the local video store here and, wow, what a great movie. (We really do more than just movie watching, by the way.) Another great adventure for the whole family, but focused more on men being Men of God, Husbands, and Fathers. God made us to be the heros for our wives, families, and communities. This movie will help you believe God can do this through you and encourage you to get back on the ball.

Movie summary on Amazon: "Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, they are confident and focused, standing up to the worst the streets can offer. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge they’re ill prepared to tackle: fatherhood. When tragedy strikes home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Sherwood Pictures, creators of Fireproof, returns with this heartfelt, action-packed story. Protecting the streets is second nature to these law enforcement officers. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That takes courage. Starring: Alex Kendrick, Kevin Downes, Ken Bevel, Robert Amaya, Ben Davies Director: Alex Kendrick Producer: Stephen Kendrick"

3) As I seek to be more active in the lives of my children, I'm listening to the audio book "The Dangerous Book for Boys" and I'm also looking for Contenders for the Faith ideas while listening. My sons warned me to watch out for the evolution parts, so sadly, it looks like there's "pooh in the brownies" with that one. By the way, there is a version of this book for girls called "The Daring Book for Girls."

Amazon Review: The bestselling book for every boy from eight to eighty, covering essential boyhood skills such as building tree houses, learning how to fish, finding true north, and even answering the age old question of what the big deal with girls is. In this digital age there is still a place for knots, skimming stones and stories of incredible courage. This book recaptures Sunday afternoons, stimulates curiosity, and makes for great father-son activities. The brothers Conn and Hal have put together a wonderful collection of all things that make being young or young at heart fun—building go-carts and electromagnets, identifying insects and spiders, and flying the world's best paper airplanes.

That's the latest though, on the media we are gleaning as of now.

Here's the Courageous movie resolution for we men:

Courageous 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


Love,
James