B Certain Texas

Last night Tammy and went to see "Fireproof" at the Cinemark theater in Mansfield. We have had this night as a date night on our calendars for the last 2 months. we both loved "Facing the Giants" when it came out almost exactly 2 years ago and were expecting great things from this movie as well. We even got a sitter for our son! we took him to see "Facing The Giants" but with this movie being more about marriage we thought it best to invest in just the two of us.

We arrived about 30 minutes early because I was concerned that the theater would be crowded. I guess the truth is that I was hoping that it would be crowded. We ran into some friends from church and all 8 of us went into the theater. We had no problem finding seats, but that soon would change. As we got closer and closer to the start time we saw the seats start to disappear. About 10 minutes before the start time the manager of the theatre came in and announced that the movie was a sell out and would we all shift in toward the middle so that everyone could find a seat. Thank you God! As the start time approached more and more people came into the now packed theatre. I could not believe what I was seeing and hearing. there seem to be a wonderful buzz in the air in anticipation of what God was doing in all of our lives. As the lights dimmed everyone hushed in anticipation.

I will not ruin anyone else's movie experience by reveling any more of the story than you have already heard, but I will say that there were times when the audience was laughing so had it was hard to hear the next line and I am confident enough in my own masculinity to share that I was not the only man in the audience with a tear or two running down my cheek.

Here is the amazing email that i received form the "Fireproof" team just a few minutes ago.

Thank You ... Thank You ... Thank GOD!
Throughout 2008, you have followed the behind-the-scenes story of FIREPROOF, an action-packed love story about a fireman, his wife ... and a marriage worth rescuing.

Friday, on opening day, you experienced the movie firsthand. With friends and family, with small groups and entire churches, you went. And laughter, tears, and cheers filled 839 theaters across the country.

Today, as movie-industry insiders look at all of the statistical data from yesterday, they are trying to figure out how in the world a movie they didn't even know about was one of the most popular movies in the country on Friday.

That's right: FIREPROOF was the No. 3 movie in America yesterday! You have thoroughly confounded Hollywood.

Will FIREPROOF stay No. 3 the rest of Opening Weekend? By industry standards, it seems extremely unlikely. The next five movies that finished behind FIREPROOF are playing on approximately 2,500 screens each.

So the key is that people like us keep showing up at movie theaters, both today and tomorrow. Let's show Hollywood that FIREPROOF is the kind of movie you will support. Let them know that this is more than a movie ... it's a movement.

As we found out with Facing the Giants two years ago and FIREPROOF last night, with God, all things are possible ... even in the movie industry. Make that especially in the movie industry.

Thank you! And thanks for continuing to support FIREPROOF on this all-important weekend.

Wow, Number 3!!! Against some major pictures on 3 times as many screens. That is truly God at work.

I cannot urge all of you enough to go and see this movie. I will be there on the day that it is available on DVD. i can see it being a Christmas gift for some of my family


Please let me know your thoughts and impressions on this powerful movie.

PS. Tammy and started talking last night about renewing our marriage covenant as a result of seeing this film. If we do that here in Texas, I will let you know so that you can be there with us to share our committment to each other, our marriage, our son and to God.