How do you feel about books turned into movies and movies that were created from books? Do you like them? Do you say “no thank you friend”?
This summer I had the privilege of watching “The Baxters” on Amazon Prime, based off Karen Kingsbury’s novels. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to watch them because there is always more backstory in books than in film, but I decided to try them out after all, and binge watched all three seasons in less than a month. Due to time and constraints, much was left out of the TV series but if you’d read the novels, you had that richness for the characters already because you had savored the books. I really hope they are busy making more seasons because I’ll be watching them. Ashley and Landon were my favorites in the books and they proved to be my favorites on the TV series too.
Fast forward a few months back to the movie/book we’re talking about today. I have to be honest. I didn’t know much about The Forge. I saw it was made from the same producers who had made The War Room, and for that reason alone, I chose to request it at my library before the book was even published. I “set it and forget it” as they say.
To my surprise (and delight) the book was ready for pick-up right before our family vacation in the middle of August. I had to read the back cover to even remind myself what the book was about. I tucked the book into my backpack and hoped I would have time to read it. I was looking forward to continuing my time with this community I had grown to love during The War Room. I was super excited Miss Clara was back! (If you know, you know!)
I read it slowly that week for a number of reasons. It was vacation and when I have the opportunity to make memories with my family, I’m all in. Social media was put on the back burner and I was present. However, there was still some downtime in the evenings, and it was then that I savored the themes of the book. Slowly, enjoying the richness.
One of the main themes of the book was how to have a healthy relationship with your “young adult child.” I am smack dab in that season of life. I have two young adults (one who lives next door and comes over every day to visit) and one who just entered the third year of college and comes home when college is not in session. I also have a sophomore in high school, who still requires a little more hands-on parenting but I’m learning the importance of letting go in increments instead of all at once.
This book was so encouraging. I felt as though Cynthia and I were twins, instead of her and Elizabeth. I loved that her story was told in first person because I felt the same struggles she had. In fact, just this week, I overheard one of my children saying something and instead of jumping up and down in excitement in front of them, I quietly praised the Lord for the answered prayer, knowing the more I downplayed the victory on the outside, the better the outcome.
Another subtheme of the book involved Isaiah and his position at Moore Fitness. That part was exciting to read about in the book; but even more exciting to watch on the big screen. In fact, throughout the entire movie, I was eagerly waiting for that part of the story and it did not disappoint!
I was told by many “you have to go see this movie, Cheri,” but I hesitated because I had read the book, so I didn’t think it was necessary. However, my children wanted to see it and who am I to turn down a great biblical message for my kids (and myself), so off we went.
It. Was. Amazing!
We left the theatre and I said to my husband, “The book was as great as the movie!” “The movie was as great as the book!”
Today I want to highlight a few of the reasons I thought this book/movie was exceptional. If you like to read, I highly recommend reading the book FIRST and then going to see the movie.
My sons and husband did not read the book (and don’t plan on reading the book). They only saw the movie and they loved it too, so it’s powerful even without having read the book, but you will get even more layers from the movie if you read the book first to have more background to the characters’ struggles. I found myself leaning over during the movie and telling my husband, “he did such and such because this is what happened that you didn’t get to see,” multiple times. (I did the same thing watching The Baxters with my daughter this past summer!)
Below are some of the biblical themes that I loved throughout the movie:
- Roman Road: they presented the gospel on screen, in a nonpreachy way, but read every single verse so that if there was someone in the theatre that the Holy Spirit was nudging, they could have come into the movie a nonbeliever and come out with a relationship in Jesus Christ.
I’m going to write out the Roman Road verses here in case there is someone who is being nudged by the Holy Spirit to surrender their life to God. It really is this simple!
- Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”
- Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
- Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
- Romans 10:9-10 “… that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation”
- Romans 10:13 “… for whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
- Luke 9:23 “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
- One of the characters on screen talked about how people want salvation, but not many people want discipleship. He explained there was a cost to following Jesus, but that cost is 100% worth it.
- One of the phrases in the movie (and book was) “Either You’re Lord, or You’re Not, Either You’re Lord or You’re Not.” What is God asking you to give up so that nothing interferes with your devotion to Him first?
- Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
- Uncle Tony was talking to a group of men and was explaining a struggle he was having. He used the verse above to talk about his “aha moment.” He said if you’re earnestly seeking God, don’t be afraid of the gaps. That hit home because how many times am I worried about how to pay an unexpected bill, worried because I lost my job, worried about my health, etc. If I’m living in a way where I’m earnestly seeking God, I don’t have to be afraid of the gaps. There are no gaps when we’re children of the King. God always has a solution in His perfect timing. He’s not scared; He’s got it (and us!)
- Forgiveness – this was another theme that I loved seeing played out on the screen.
- Isaiah was wrestling with some things, and he acted out physically the internal struggle people have when we are choosing forgiveness and it hurts. I believe that anyone who has wrestled with choosing biblical forgiveness (and eventually won) will understand the struggle Isaiah demonstrated.
- The other part of this theme that really spoke to me was when Joshua gave Isaiah his “forgiveness journal” to read, not revealing to him who he had struggled to forgive. Isaiah found out in God’s timing who the person was, but Joshua Moore showed his strength and Christian maturity by keeping the details to himself and keeping Isaiah focused on the process of forgiveness, not the details of the person. I want to be more like Joshua Moore.
The last main theme was so impactful to me. Every year when we go away on vacation, I excited expect God to show up and reveal something to me. I never know what; I simply know He will. It was the last day of vacation and the last page of the boo, but this was what He showed me.
“Gentlemen, The Forge needs to expand. But not by addition. It must be multiplication…We need more believers who are wholeheartedly following Jesus. That’s what the world needs to see. We have to go after them, because whoever wants the next generation the most will get them.”
It went on to say much more, but in essence, I felt as though God was whispering confirmation to me about how the JESUS in the EVERYDAY membership is for “such a time as this.”
For those of you who don’t know me and haven’t heard of the JESUS in the EVERYDAY membership, it was created for multi-generations of women to come together, first and foremost, to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ, to focus on God’s promises instead of life’s problems, and to live that abundant life Jesus promised us in John 10:10.
Then, as we’re growing our relationship with our Heavenly Father, we come together, all ages, as a community to learn from each other what God is teaching us.
Finally, as we’re equipped and trained through the Word of God, we are able to share God’s truths to those who need it most. Not in a way that forces religion down someone’s throat, but sharing about what it means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. This is done best as we live life together, one day at a time, building relationships with those who are hurt, lost, and need God’s love.
Do you have a heart that wants to grow closer to God while being surrounded by other like-minded believers who have the same vision?
JESUS in the EVERYDAY was created just for you!
When you’re a member, you will be encouraged 365 days a year. Here is some of what you’ll get:
Weekday Prayer and Worship
Saturday Inspiration
Sunday Weekly Scripture Reading Plan
Occasional never-before-published mini-devotionals
Live Connections to build our community!
A Private Facebook group to build our community
Access to the weekly Cheer UP Podcast
A Portion of your membership will help support local and global missions
Bonus surprises throughout the year … because, why not?
To learn more about how to become a monthly member, head over here.
What about you? Have you read The Forge yet? Have you gone and seen the movie? Did you enjoy one more than the other? I LOVE to talk all things books, so leave a comment below and let’s have a conversation!