Tuesday, July 26, 2011

A Great Story with a Challenge -- Courageous

For months I've been following the plans and preparations for Courageous, the newest movie from Alex & Stephen Kendrick and Sherwood Pictures (the Georgia church who brought us Facing the Giants and Fireproof.)  When I ran across the novelization of the story by Randy Alcorn, I decided to give it a read -- and I'm really glad I did!

Courageous is the story of four law enforcement officers (as well as their families and a couple of other friends) who take their calling to "serve and protect" seriously.  As the strains of their work and various struggles of family life take their toll, each man finds himself at a different place in his relationships with his wife and children -- and with God.  As they see the impact that the absence of fathers makes on the drug- and gang-related scene they regularly deal with, the truth hits home that these men are falling short in their own roles as fathers.  Through courage from God and accountability to each other, they determine to take seriously the important and difficult job of fatherhood.

On a surface level, this is a great story to read just for the pleasure of reading.  It goes much deeper, though, in dealing with very important and relevant topics.  Fathers, in particular, will be challenged to take a serious look at the impact they are making on their families, but mothers and children will be touched as well.  I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story with a healthy dose of conviction. 

If you have seen the other Sherwood Pictures movies or read the books, you will find a couple of familiar characters making appearances in the story.  Now I'm even more ready for this movie!

(Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review.)

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