Trinity Mount Ministries

Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

What is therapeutic presence?


Musings of a Christian Psychologist



What is therapeutic presence?

If you go to a counselor, you’d probably prefer that person to be awake versus asleep, to pay attention to you versus check their smart phone, to respond to what you are talking about versus make non sequitur responses. As I’ve noted here before, it is probably better to have a counselor who cares about you than one who has a big bag of techniques–though most of us would prefer our counselors to care AND be competent.

Therapeutic presence is a way of talking about the act of being with our clients in such a way as to build safe, trust-filled relationships where clients can grow and change. I think most people can easily identify failures of therapeutic presence. Try these on for fun:
CLIENT: I’m just so depressed.
THERAPIST: You think you are depressed? Let me tell you about depression. I have a client who just lost job, family, church, home. Now, that is something to be depressed about. You just had a bad day, that’s all.
Or,
CLIENT: I don’t understand why God would take away this job from me.
THERAPIST: Well, theologically speaking, God does things for all sorts of reasons. He sometimes does this to cause us to trust him more, to reveal some sin, to give him glory.
Notice how both responses fail miserably to be either therapeutic or present with the person in the moment of counseling. Not hard to miss, right? So here’s a question: Why do so many of us counselors, even seasoned ones at that, fail the “presence” test?
My answer? When we fail to be present in helpful ways, it reveals a lack of preparation and a lack of attention to purpose.
Shari Geller and Leslie Greenberg (in Therapeutic Presence: A Mindful Approach to Effective Therapy. APA, 2012) define the building blocks of therapeutic presence as
    • how therapists prepare for being present (in personal life and in session)
    • the process (or therapist activities) of being present (aka purposingto be present)
    • the experience of being present
Sound like mumbo-jumbo? Here’s another way of putting it. What does a counselor need to do to be ready to be in tune with their clients? What do they do to stay in tune when with clients, and are they aware of when they are failing to be in tune? (If I am unaware, then I am likely to get out of tune.)
Here are some things counselors ought to be asking themselves:
  • Do I have adequate space to move from my private life to being present with my clients? Do I have enough space between clients? The answer is not always an amount of time, but what we do during the space between.
  • As I prepare for sessions, what am I meditating and praying about? For example, if I pray for clients to be free from something that has them bound up, I could accidentally encourage myself to push for change or to talk about a subject that the client is not able or ready to talk about. I’m all for praying for healing. I just think we have other prayers to pray as well. “Lord, help me to be with the client today and not focused on my own personal goals for them.”
  • Am I staying present with their mood, their cognitions, their silences in such a way that it is as easy to talk about what is happening in the session as it is to talk about what happened in the past or might happen in the future?
  • When I sense a disconnect, am I quick to invite dialogue and learn (vs. avoid or defend/explain away)?
Therapeutic presence isn’t everything. I could be present with someone and no healing might take place. But without therapeutic presence, I will only be a barrier to whatever growth is taking place. When I do it well, I imagine that I might see just a tiny glimpse of how Jesus was with the woman caught in adultery, the Samaritan woman, or with Peter after he had abandoned Jesus.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Psychology as Religion: The Cult of Self-Worship by Paul C. Vitz

Psychology as Religion: The Cult of Self-Worship

By: Johnny Kicklighter
It seems everyone you meet these days is a self-proclaimed psychologist. From radio talk shows, television interviews, romance novels, weekly magazines, to cliques at work; everybody has an opinion on the latest "mental illness." I was first introduced to practical psychology when I joined the United States Air Force in 1970. It was expected that Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) would become counselors to their subordinates. Profession military education devoted entire chapters and lectures on non-directive or eclectic counseling techniques. Maslow's hierarchy of needs was drilled into our heads. We were sternly warned to avoid any mention of religion, but instead to make ample use of psychological techniques.

Paul Vitz in his book "Psychology as Religion" attempts to expose psychology for what it really is, i.e., religion. He begins by giving the reader a brief biography on the fathers of the modern psychology movement along with some of their theories. The opening chapter was dry reading but I suppose necessary as a historical backdrop. My interest peaked when I immediately recognized Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow since I was forced to study them for 26 years while in the military. Vitz also discusses Carl Jung, Erich Fromn, and Rollo May as being significant contributors to the movement.

Vitz quickly transitions into explaining the concept of self-esteem which he promotes as the center of the entire selfism movement. This became important to me as it seems no matter where you turn, a lack of or poor self-esteem appears to be the cause of every ill known to mankind. For a movement to be so widespread to the point where psychology has been woven into the gospel message, Vitz says that the self-esteem concept has "no clear intellectual origins." That's a surprising claim considering the impact selfism has had on academia and the practice of counseling.

Vitz states that self-esteem should be understood as an emotional response and not a cause. He says it is a reaction to what we have done and what others have done to us. High self-esteem is a desirable feeling to have (like happiness), but the feeling itself isn't the cause of anything. In trying to obtain a feeling of self-esteem, the only successful way is to do good to others or accomplish something. In so doing, you'll get all the self-esteem you want. However, the downside is people begin to pursue happiness as a far greater goal than the goal of obtaining personal holiness.

Not only is selfism a self-defeating goal for the Christian, Vitz goes on to make the case that it is also simply bad science and a warped philosophy. The little clinical evidence that does exist is mostly based on empirical observations and doesn't stand the test of solid scientific problem solving. He exposes flaws in each step of the process, from stating the problem, forming and testing the hypothesis, to testing the conclusion. He also identifies several philosophical contradictions and in some cases, actual misrepresentations. The spread of this bad science and faulty philosophy is believed by the author to have contributed to the destruction of families. Additionally, the entire recovery group mentality convinces the person with "low self-esteem" that their ills are due to trauma inflicted on them in the past. Recovery group therapy strokes the patient with self-pity thereby convincing the clients are victims. Once labeled, the "victim" now assumes the attitude of victimhood.

Values clarification has become the model taught in schools and begins with the assumption that man is naturally good. Since the developers of values clarification reject moral teachings, Vitz claims that if responsible adults, i.e., teachers, don't promote good values then someone else will. Providing a permissive environment supposedly nourishes the child by granting satisfaction for the child's desires and interests. However, this philosophy is bankrupt because kids will assume the values of irresponsible sources in lieu of responsible ones. This combined with the aforementioned teachings has produced a society of victims where everyone is pointing to blame someone else for their misfortunes.

Vitz takes three chapters to present a Christian analysis and criticism of humanistic self-theories. He gives the credit to our educational system for the transformation of our society into a culture of pure selfism. He notes that the New Age movement has many founders, but Abraham Maslow's theories have been the most influential. Vitz argues his Christian critique within a historical framework and the impact it has had on the evolution of our society. Unfortunately he gives scant attention to biblical references for his position, but does show how the selfism heresy affects teachings on depression, idolatry, and suffering. He closes his work with the observation, "never have so many people been so self-conscious, so aware of the self as something to be expressed...., the self has become an object to itself." (I think this may make the case that self-esteem has become a new barometric indicator to the question everyone asks, "How are you doing today?")

Overall, Vitz's book uses a cerebral approach in attempting to prove that self-worship is simply a religion. Biblical counselors looking for material to help their counselees break free of a selfish worldview of life will be disappointed. Then again, Vitz didn't write his book for that purpose. Moreover, he provides a wealth of information and a refreshing argument against those who say, "You can't teach religion in public schools." This leaves the reader with an irony: it's not a question of should we or should we not teach religion in public schools, but instead, what religion will we teach; selfism or Christianity?

Author Bio

Johnny Kicklighter is a counselor at Gateway Biblical Counseling & Training Center, a ministry of www.ebiblechurch.net, Edgemont Bible Church.

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Saturday, October 15, 2011

Voice of the Martyrs - International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP)




IDOP KitDear Friend,
When our staff travels to meet with persecuted Christians in restricted and hostile nations, the first request they hear is always the same. Our persecuted brothers and sisters don't ask us to break them out of prison, help them overthrow their governments or help them flee their countries.
What they ask is that we PRAY FOR THEM.
Will you answer their request? Please join in the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) this Nov. 13. To assist you and your church in praying for persecuted Christians, The Voice of the Martyrs has prepared a special IDOP Church Resource Kit that includes:
  • A DVD featuring the dramatic story of Padina, a woman in Iran whose life was radically changed by Jesus
  • 25 brochures that feature Padina's story and include a free book or DVD offer
  • 10 Special Issue VOM newsletters, along with the global prayer map
  • An IDOP lesson plan for children
  • A sheet of eight prayer cards (more can be ordered)

CLICK HERE to order your IDOP Church Resource Kit for only $9.
John Wesley said, “Prayer is where the action is.” And so we invite you to take action on behalf of our persecuted family by joining this year's IDOP on Nov. 13.
Praying for the persecuted church,
Tom White

Executive Director 




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Tuesday, October 11, 2011

"Psalm 42" - Shift Worship Movie Short:

Sometimes praising God is a willful declaration in the midst of despair. Built on the framework of Psalm 42, this worship video echoes the writer's thirst for God in this wilderness as well as his refusal to wait for relief to worship his Savior.


Psalm 42

 1As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
 2My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
 3My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
 4When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
 5Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
 6O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
 7Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
 8Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
 9I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
 10As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
 11Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.


Courtesy of http://ShiftWorship.Com
 YouTube Video

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Our Friendless Society:

Our friendless society

Here's an important question to answer: right now, if you really needed some help, how many friends do you have that you could call who you know would immediately be there for you?

Still thinking?

This is not good!

You were not made to go it alone.

God created us for relationships with others.

Have you ever realized that four of the Ten Commandments deal with our relationship to God while the remaining six deal with our relationship to each other. All 10 are about relationships.

The most important relationship is a personal relationship with our heavenly Father through His Son Jesus Christ . But we are also supposed to be connected to others.

"Bowling Alone "is the title of a popular book from a few years ago that talked about how we in the United States have become a nation of loners.

This is not good. Doctors tell us that loneliness is a major health problem. A Boston Globe story on the issue reported recently that people who are socially isolated like this but otherwise healthy are twice as likely to die as those who have friends. A similar study fund that isolated men are up to 25% more likely to die of all causes at any age versus non -isolated men. The odds for women are 33%.

George Callup's organization says Americans are among the loneliest people on earth, with more than a third saying they fell isolated and alone.

But George Gallup tells us something else, something he personally discovered that he says is "profoundly good news." Let me quote him:

"I want to report to you now on a trend that may be contributing to a transformation of America. You will not read about this trend in our daily newspapers or on television, yet it is a powerful undercurrent in our society that, I believe, gives us cause for encouragement about the future! This trend could be described as a sociological and spiritual phenomenon: Americans on a massive scale are rediscovering each other, and coming together regularly in small nourishing support groups, many with a spiritual dimension."

The news Gallup discovered is so profound that he has now basically retired from his survey company's day-to-day leadership and has devoted the remaining part of his life to the development and encouragement of small groups. George Gallup, in case you didn't know, is a devout Christian.

Small groups are all about relationships. And that's something that Jesus teaches in the Bible that we are to develop and nurture.

Jesus said our love for each other is to be our witness to the world.

There is nothing intimidating about a Christian small group. They're a lot like families. Think of them as a group of friends who meet regularly to support and encourage one another and to grow in knowledge of the Lord through Bible study, prayer and application.

For most, application means reaching out and helping others, beyond their immediate circule of friends. Many groups have regular outreach projects during the year. There is no shortage of needs. Working at a food pantry, babysitting for single Moms, mentoring school kids and visiting the sick in hospitals are just a few ideas.

Interpersonal relationships bring balance to life. And the best such relationships are when we make connect with others in a basic Christian community.

That's the small group.

If you were to count them all up, the New Testament has over 50 references to how Christians are to be connected in friendship and fellowship. Bible scholars call them the "one another" passages. For example, we're commanded to "love one another", to "pray for one another" and to "build up one another".

It's clear from the Bible that God wants us to be in regular, close fellowship with each other. But such relationships are often the first to be sacrificed to our busy schedules.

This doesn't make sense. For relationships, not wealth or prestige or the accumulation of material things, are what matters most in life.

Now listen. That is just plain wrong. That is sinful. And I say this on the authority of the Bible.

In Matthew 22:36-40. "Jesus said, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart...soul...and mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.' "

That's called the Great Commandment.

In Matthew 28:19-20. "Jesus said, 'Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.' "

That's called the Great Commission.

Both of those commandments emphasize relationships.

Here's the bottom line: You cannot be the mature believer God intend unless you get involved with people. You will stagnate. It is unbiblical not to be connected with others. Pastor Rick Warren in big Purpose Driven Life Book said it this way: "If you are too busy to be connected you are too busy."

Clearly, we must make friends a priority if we are going to be obedient to God.

This isn't just an idea. It's a command from jesus, who says we are to join together with others and be friends, loving and praying and supporing one another.

What are you waiting for? Join or start a small group today.


Author Bio

The author is the publisher of the Online Christian Shopper (www.onlinechristianshopper.com), a shopping site specializing in Christian T-Shirts and Christian jewelry. He also writes the Share Your Testimony evangelism Website (www.sharetestimony.com).


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Saturday, October 8, 2011

The Freedom to Just Say No:

The Freedom to Just Say No

I was over at an aunt's house over the weekend visiting. During the course of our many, many conversations with a few ladies in the family (you know how we women can get!), we started to talk about nutrition and health. We all wanted to get healthier, so we decided to form a "healthier you" club of our own. The one issue over and over again that came up was that the spirit was willing but the flesh was weak! They just couldn't say no to those Oreos!

When I was thinking about it over the weekend, I saw this as the perfect opportunity to serve my family on a daily basis in prayer. We've all been there. Whether it's saying no to that Oreo or that one sin you've been calling your "issue" or "habit" that just seems to have a hold on you, I have Good News for you today: Today is the day you will be set free! God's Word is so awesome. The way this builds up in Scripture caused a paradigm shift for me:

And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Luke 22:41 KJV

From the first verse on our foundational text, it shows us not to just go ahead and do something without involving God in it. Ask for help. He is more than willing to help and He always tells us yes when we ask in line with His Word. (2 Cr. 1v20)

Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. Luke 22:42 KJV

Here, Jesus is taking back for us something we lost in the Garden of Eden. As you know, Adam and Eve turned over their dominion and authority to the enemy. Eve was deceived, but Adam willfully turned it over. In his actions he was saying, "Not Your Will God, but mine be done." Here, in another Garden, the 2nd Adam took His place and reversed what the first Adam did: although his flesh wanted to talk God out of it (wouldn't you?), he submitted to the will of God. By doing this first act of obedience, his next act sets us free.

And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Luke 22: 43, 44 KJV

First, I want you to notice something. After Jesus submitted His will to the Father, He received strength. Are you tired? Do you need strength? Submit to the will of the Father. Has He asked you to do something you think is impossible? Ask for help and submit. You will receive the strength you need to see it through.

Second: We have to look at this Scripture remembering that Jesus is the perfect Lamb. He took our place so that we can be heirs of salvation. That took a blood sacrifice. Here, in the Garden of Gethsemane, the Lamb's blood is poured out. Jesus went through such stress that blood and water seeped through His pores. It is scientifically proven that someone can be under so much stress that the capillaries underneath the skin can break making some blood seep through. As He fought in prayer to receive strength to do the Father's will, His perfect blood came out and hit the ground. And that Blood still speaks to the Father today.

What is our foundational text telling us? The Blood of Jesus covers us in so many ways. Just like the Blood at Calvary was placed on the Mercy Seat to redeem us from the enemy's clutches, so the Blood of the Lamb at the Garden of Gethsemane redeems us from the pressure to say yes to the enemy and no to God. We can now say no: no to that Oreo; no to that television; no that sin (uh, no, eating an Oreo is not a sin but you will be sick if you eat a whole pack at once!). We have the freedom by the Blood of the Lamb to be free in our soul to follow God.

So why don't we?

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32

Did you know that blood speaks? We just can't hear it. Think of it this way: when the blood of Abel cried out, it was God Who heard it. How? When you blow a dog whistle, the pitch is too high for humans to hear, so you might blow it and think it's not working. But then, there comes a dog. The dog can hear the frequency. When blood cries out, God is tuned in to the "people frequency" and can hear it. God is tuned in to us. He can hear the Blood of Jesus.

The truth doesn't set you free. It's knowing the truth that does. So now that you know that the Blood of the Lamb has redeemed your will, receive that truth, believe it, and protect it. Thank God daily that you are free to say: "Not my will, but Yours be done... " Praise God for the Blood of Jesus! Just like you received the revelation that by His blood you were redeemed to be an heir of salvation, so the Blood also redeemed you from the stress and pressure that will try to overcome you. The help you need is already there. Take it.

So when that pressure arises to try to make you kneel to what you know God doesn't want you to do, you can call on the name of Jesus remembering He has already set you free by His Blood. Your freedom has been purchased! You can now say "NO!" in Jesus name and tell that thing to back off.

"NO!" to that Oreo that calls your name.

"NO!" to that outfit you aren't paying cash for.

"NO!" to that gossipy spirit that wants to speak through your lips.

Just say no. You are now free to do so. You can do this. Greater is He that is IN you than he that is in the world...

In His Grip,

Raquel

Author Bio

Raquel Soto is the founder of Lydia's Legacy Ministries, an outreach dedicated to help women (and men) live their life more abundantly, to the full, to it overflows. For more information, log on to www.acts1614.org. This article was taken from our free ezine, Life More Abundant, Issue 55 copyright 2007 and may be distributed freely only in it's entirety.

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Friday, October 7, 2011

"COURAGEOUS" - In Theaters Now: (Courtesy of Wikipedia)


Courageous is a Christian drama film produced by Sherwood Pictures and was released to theaters on September 30, 2011. It is the fourth film by Sherwood Pictures, the creators of Flywheel, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof. Filming in Albany, Georgia concluded in June 2010. The film was marketed by Provident Films, which also marketed their previous films.
The film was directed by Alex Kendrick, who co-wrote its screenplay with his brother Stephen Kendrick. Kendrick also stars in the film, along with Ken Bevel, Kevin Downes, and former running-back Tony Stallings. About half of the cast and crew were volunteers from Sherwood Baptist Church, while the remainder were brought on through invitation-only auditions.
The film was produced with a budget of $2,000,000, but on its opening weekend it grossed $2,000,000 in pre-sales alone and grossed $9.1 million total for the weekend. The film opened to mixed reviews from critics, but a rare A+ rating from filmgoers.

Plot:

As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, David Thomson, and Shane Fuller are confident and focused. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood. While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. They quickly discover that their standard is missing the mark.
When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Law enforcement is second nature to these men, but raising their children in a God-honoring way would truly be courageous.

[edit] Cast

  • Alex Kendrick as Adam Mitchell
  • Ken Bevel as Nathan Hayes
  • Kevin Downes as Shane Fuller
  • Ben Davies as David Thomson
  • Renee Jewell as Victoria Mitchell
  • Elanor Brown as Kayla Hayes
  • Robert Amaya as Javier Martinez
  • Angelita Nelson as Carmen Martinez
  • David Howze as Derrick
  • Tony 'T.C.' Stallings as T.J.

[edit] Production

[edit] Announcement

This logo was released with the official announcement.
The title and plot of Courageous were announced on November 15, 2009 by Alex Kendrick, Michael Catt, Jim McBride and Stephen Kendrick.[3] Sherwood Pictures stated that "After much prayer, creative brainstorming, more prayer, wise counsel, and still more prayer, Sherwood Pictures is ready to move ahead with their fourth motion picture."[4] Before the announcement, the filmmakers launched TheNextSherwoodMovie.com, which contained teasers for Courageous.[5] At the time the announcement, the Kendrick brothers stated that they had completed "about 80 percent of the plot", and they had planned to finish the script by the end of 2009.[6][7]

[edit] Casting

In previous Sherwood Pictures films, almost all of the cast and crew were composed of members of Sherwood Baptist Church, with Kirk Cameron being the notable exception with his lead role in Fireproof. For Courageous, however, the producers expanded their search for acting talent. Roughly half of the cast are volunteers from the church, but the other half were through invitation-only audition sessions. The lead roles in the film are played by Alex Kendrick and Ken Bevel, both of whom have appeared in past Sherwood Pictures productions. Kevin Downes, who has appeared in various other films, will play the role of Shane Fuller. Ben Davies, a student athlete at the University of Georgia, will play the role of David Thomson. Tony Stallings, former running back and winner of Animal Planet's King of the Jungle reality show, is making his film debut.[8]
However, the actors are still volunteers. The film would have likely cost several times more if it had used professional assistance. Director Alex Kendrick said, "With volunteers no one is watching the clock and we're all in it together."[9]

[edit] Filming

Filming of Courageous began on April 26, 2010 and concluded on June 25, 2010. The majority of the film was shot in Albany and Dougherty County, Georgia area. Some scenes were shot in the Dougherty County Jail.[10] More than 170 media outlets, such as Inside Edition, visited the set.[11] The Duggar family from TLC's 19 Kids and Counting were extras during a father-son 5K race. Jim Bob Duggar and seven of his ten sons joined hundreds of other fathers and sons in filming the scene.[12] Their involvement in the film was shown on 19 Kids and Counting[13] in "Duggars go Hollywood". The Duggar daughters acted as extras in a funeral scene at Sherwood Baptist Church that involved several police officers in uniform.
In order to enhance the quality of the film, the production crew is using a new camera technology, "Red One", by the Red Digital Cinema Camera Company. Kendrick estimated the production budget would exceed $1 million — double that of Fireproof.[14] The final budget has been reported at $2 million.[1]

[edit] Rating

In December 2010, the Motion Picture Association of America rated the film PG-13 for "some violence and drug content".[15] That rating was surrendered a few days later, but was later reinstated. Courageous is the first film by Sherwood Pictures to recieve a PG-13 rating.

[edit] Promotion

The contemporary Christian band Casting Crowns released a song titled "Courageous" to promote the film with a video featuring scenes from it.
Tony Dungy, a Super Bowl-winning football coach, mentioned the film in an article he wrote about fatherhood for USA Today. He said, "As men, we could all take a lesson from [the fathers in Courageous] and ask ourselves, 'What can I do today to be a more involved dad?'"[16]

[edit] Release

Alex Kendrick and Kevin Downes search a home for criminals.
Courageous was released to 1,161 theaters on September 30, 2011,[9] grossing $3.1 million on its opening day and debuting in fourth place with an actual gross of $9,063,147 for the opening weekend,[17] the best opening of all new movies released that weekend.[17] It sold over $2 million in pre-sale tickets,[18] the most of the weekend on Fandango, beating out The Lion King 3D, Moneyball, Dolphin Tale and Drive.[19]

[edit] Reception

The film received mostly mixed to average reviews from critics, but has received a rare "A+" rating from moviegoers via CinemaScore.[20] Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 38% of 13 critics have given the film a positive review, with a rating average of 5.2 out of 10.[21]
Roger Moore of the Orlando Sentinel, gave the film a mediocre review, saying "the film travels far beyond its dramatic climax, aiming for an altar call finale."[22] Kam Williams of NewsBlaze gave the film four stars, saying the film was a "moving, modern parable not to be missed by anyone who's always wondering why they don't make wholesome movies with uplifting messages anymore."[23] Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter said Courageous demonstrated the Kendrick brothers' "growing expertise as filmmakers with its skillful blending of moving drama, subtle comedy and several impressive action sequences, including a well-staged foot chase and a harrowing shootout between the cops and bad guys."[24] Hannah Goodwyn of the Christian Broadcasting Network rated Courageous 3 out of 5, saying "Courageous' biblical message is clear and good. Unfortunately, its delivery is weakened by some rookie acting and excessive dialogue."[25]

[edit] Box office

Entertainment Weekly wrote, "...Courageous is the real success story of the weekend...Courageous earned a strong $8.8 million, outdoing the $6.8 million opening of Sherwood’s 2008 picture Fireproof, which became the highest-grossing independent film that year with $33.5 million total. Shown in 1,161 theaters (yet, notably, just one theater in Manhattan), Courageous earned the best per theater average of any wide release with a robust $7,580."[1] Courageous beat out all three Hollywood movies which opened on the same weekend: 50/50, What's Your Number?, and Dream House, which were produced with budgets of $8 million, $20 million, and $50 million, respectively.[1] According to Box Office Mojo, its opening weekend ranks fifth all-time among Christian movies, behind The Passion of the Christ and the three Chronicles of Narnia films.[20]

[edit] Related books

Two film tie-in books were written for Courageous; “The Resolution for Men” by Stephen and Alex Kendrick, and "The Resolution for Women" by Priscilla Shirer.[26] "Courageous Living" by Michael Catt, "Rite of Passage" by Jim McBride, and a film novelization by Randy Alcorn were also released.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Box office report: 'Dolphin Tale' jumps into first with $14.2 million; 'Lion King' now 10th highest-grossing film of all time
  2. ^ Courageous - Box Office Mojo
  3. ^ "'Fireproof' makers to follow up with film on fatherhood". Christian Today. November 16, 2009. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  4. ^ Kimball, Josh (November 3, 2009). "'Fireproof' creators to reveal plans for fourth film". Christian Today. Retrieved November 14, 2009.
  5. ^ Foust, Michael (November 13, 2009). "'Fireproof' makers to announce next movie". Baptist Press. Retrieved November 14, 2009.
  6. ^ Davis, Rebecca Grace (November 19, 2009). "Sherwood Pictures announces fourth film". OneNewsNow. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  7. ^ ""Fireproof" Filmmakers Announce Next Project". KWTX-TV. November 16, 2009. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  8. ^ Crawford, Eric (May 12, 2010). "More Tony Stallings, Part 1". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
  9. ^ a b Newcomb, Tim (August 25, 2011). "Faith-Based Filmmaking: The Sherwood Pictures Crusade". Time. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  10. ^ Cohilas, Karen (May 10, 2010). "Courageous filming to take place in Dougherty jail". WALB. Retrieved May 10, 2010.
  11. ^ Wallace, Jim (June 8, 2010). "Sherwood movie shoot continues". WALB. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
  12. ^ Barnello, Jana (June 8, 2010). "TLC's Duggar family visits 'Courageous' set". Fox 31 News. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
  13. ^ Wallace, Jim (June 8, 2010). "19 Kids and Counting stars come for Sherwood movie filming". WALB. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
  14. ^ Parks, Jennifer Maddox (May 12, 2010). "Sherwood Pictures takes 'Courageous' step forward". The Albany Herald. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
  15. ^ "Courageous movie info". Box Office Mojo. December 14, 2010. Retrieved December 14, 2009.
  16. ^ Dungy, Tony (September 30, 2011). "Engaged fathers improve kids' lives". USA Today. Retrieved September 30, 2011.
  17. ^ a b "Weekend actuals". Boxoffice. October 3, 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
  18. ^ "Courageous Reaches More Than $2 Million In Pre-Sales". Broadway World. September 29, 2011. Retrieved September 30, 2011.
  19. ^ Foust, Michael (September 29, 2011). "'Courageous' No. 1 in movie ticket sales". Baptist Press. Retrieved September 30, 2011.
  20. ^ a b Weekend Report: 'Dolphin Tale' Leaps Into Lead
  21. ^ "Courageous (2011)". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  22. ^ Moore, Roger (September 28, 2011). "Movie Review: Courageous". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 30, 2011.
  23. ^ Williams, Kam (September 22, 2011). "Cops Struggle to Juggle Careers and Fatherhood in Faith-Based Family Flick". NewsBlaze. Retrieved September 30, 2011.
  24. ^ Courageous: Film Review
  25. ^ Courageous: Christian Movie Review", CBN.com.
  26. ^ Harrison, Judy (September 29, 2011). "Christian film ‘Courageous’ takes on fatherhood". NewsBlaze. Retrieved October 2, 2011.

[edit] External links

Thursday, September 15, 2011

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Sunday, August 28, 2011

He Is Risen! (Animation & Music)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B58qwmJnoHs&feature=youtube_gdata_player
www.youtube.com
Nice animation & music, coutesy of Shift Worship.com. Video produced by Shift Worship. The original song was written and recorded by Riley Friesen and the band Staggerford. Download their debut album at http://www.shifttones.com/