The leaders of Sherwood Pictures, the makers of the popular Christian-themed film “Fireproof,” announced the name and premise of their next film, their fourth, on Sunday.

The movie is to be called “Courageous” and will focus on fatherhood, the leaders said.

Sherwood Pictures is an outreach ministry of Sherwood Church in Albany, Ga. The church’s senior pastor, the Rev. Michael Catt (at right) , along with the church’s executive pastor the Rev. Jim McBride and ministers Stephen and Alex Kendrick, made the announcement.

I’ve talked to Catt before for a column about the church’s movie-making role, and spoke to Stephen Kendrick about “The Love Dare” book from “Fireproof” for a story. All seemed to be very passionate about the church’s venture into the arena of making movies with strong Christian content.

 A news release was sent out about the recent annoucement.  Alex Kendrick, the release said, briefly outlining the plot Sunday: ”Four fathers who are all in law enforcement — who protect and serve together — go through a terrible tragedy,” he said. “They begin looking at their role as fathers . . . and they begin challenging one another to fulfill God’s intention for fathers.”

Catt said the single-word title echoes God’s call for men to “rise with courage” in their homes and as leaders”  at a time when numerous marriages end in divorce and more than one-third of all children live away from their biological fathers.

“The statistics on fatherless children are devastating,” McBride said. “And because the family is the building block of society, one important place to rebuild families is through fathers who stay and lead and love.”

“God led us,” co-writer and producer Stephen Kendrick said. ”We believe God is calling men to rise up with strength and with leadership in their homes, with their families and with their children.”

All four leaders of Sherwood Pictures are husbands and fathers. Pastor Catt has two children; Pastor McBride has four; Stephen Kendrick has four; and Alex Kendrick has six.

Principle filming of  “Courageous” is to begin in March 2010 in Albany. Like the previous three Sherwood films, the movie will be marketed by Provident Films.

For more information about the new movie, visit www.CourageoustheMovie.com.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

The original version of the handwritten Bible Across America is on the auction block today and proceeds of the eBay auction will benefit Biblica, the translation sponsor of the New International Version translation.

Last year, more than 200 Oklahomans had the opportunity to contribute a handwritten verse to the Bible when the Bible Across America tour stopped at Casady School. The tour was hosted by Zondervan to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the NIV Bible. After a nine-month cross country tour cover 22,579 miles, 90 cities and 40 states, more than 31,000 people had a hand in writing Bible Across America, Zondervan said in a news release.

Two original copies were created during the tour and each page was checked and scanned to create a published version which will be released in stores on Dec. 1 and also will be available for purchase online at www.bibleacrossamerica.com.

If you are interested in the auction go online to http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Bible-Across-America-Charity-Sale and make an offer. The auction closes on Nov. 22.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

P.S. The illustration above is just that, an illustration. It is not the Bible Across America being auctioned.

Franklin’s concert will be at 6 p.m. at Fairview Baptist Church, 1700 NE 7. The concert is free and will feature guest appearances by local Gospel artist Sean Johnson and Wings of Harmony, a performing arts ensemble.

The tour is in partnership with the American Heart Assocation’s Power to End Stroke initiative. Franklin performed in concert in Tulsa over the summer. An Oklahoma City concert was planned, but officials were working with Franklin’s busy schedule and trying to find an Oklahoma City  location to host the event. Many people had been asking me if a date had been set for the Oklahoma City concert so I’m glad that I can finally give them some facts. 

I just saw Franklin perform at the 2009 Woman Thou Art  Loosed Conference at Bishop T.D. Jake’s church The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas. He was, as usual, outstanding. As part of the upcoming health tour, the Grammy Award-winning artist will encourage concert-goers to pledge to take control of their health, reduce their risk of stroke and learn the warning signs of stroke.

Save the date.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

Contemporary Christian recording artists Natalie Grant (at bottom left), Jeremy Camp (below right) and Bebo Norman are to perform in concert at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at First Baptist Church of Moore, 301 NE 27 in Moore.

The Speaking Louder Than Before” tour will feature Grant opening for Camp.

Grant has won four consecutive Dove Awards for best female artist for her signature song “Held.” She’s released four albums since 2001, including “Stronger,” “Deeper,” “Awaken,” and “Relentless.”

After finishing the “Make it Matter” tour in July 2009 with Chris Sligh and Meredith Andrews, Grant was invited to open for Camp’s fall tour.

For ticket information, go online to iTickets.com or purchase tickets at the Moore church, Lifeway Christian Store or Mardel. For more information, call 793-2600 . 

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

Such is the case of the story of Ryan McAfee, 19, (pictured below) the young man who was killed in a car accident earlier this year.

Ryan’s story, chronicled in today’s Oklahoman, is one that blends life and death and faith and hope all in one.

Kellye Medley, a family friend of the McAfees, said organizers of tonight’s Matthew West concert expect between 2,500 and 3,000 people to show up for the event.  

Matthew West heard about Ryan McAfee after West’s song “The Motions” was played at the young man’s funeral. The McAfee family had learned that Ryan McAfee had posted the lyrics to the song on his last posting on his Facebook wall.

West was so interested in Ryan’s story that he’s kicking off his multi-city tour in Ryan’s hometown of McAlester tonight and Lance McAfee, 22, Ryan’s brother, will be going on tour with West to share his brother’s story with thousands of West’s fans.

“I get to encourage brothers and sisters, Christians and non-Christians alike,” Lance McAfee told me. “I get to tell them that we’re here to serve Christ and to serve others by giving our all today.”

The McAfee family said they were especially pleased that even in death, Ryan touched people and helped guide them to the Lord. His mother, Linda McAfee said about 15 young people gave their lives to Christ during an altar call at the youth’s funeral.

Ryan’s father, Danny McAfee said young people have come up to him to tell him that Ryan led them to the Lord.

“He inspired people,” Danny McAfee said.     

The Rev. Kevin Meridth is the family’s pastor at Second Baptist Church in McAlester.

He said he was not surprised that so much has happened as a result of the faith-filled life that Ryan McAfee led and his last Facebook posting.

He said the youth was a “young man of great character and integrity.”

Meridth said he preached the eulogy at McAfee’s funeral and was thrilled when young people responded to the altar call that was suggested by the family.

“From a pastor’s standpoint, he (Ryan) lived his life in such a way that his testimony preached his own funeral.”

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor 

The book was written by a local ministry leader, Mike Fackler, who is minister of middle school ministries at Crossings Community Church, 14600 N Portland.

I borrowed the book from Fackler, hoping to incorporate an excerpt from the devotional into today’s story about ministries that reach out to people who like hunting and the outdoors. Alas, lack of space prevented me from making that addition and then I thought “Aha — I can put it in the blog.”

So here is the excerpt, along with a thank you to Fackler for sharing his passion for his two loves — the Lord and hunting:

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“Dressed For Success,” an excerpt from “God Moments From a Deer Stand” by Mike Fackler.

Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. Put on the salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistant in your prayers for Christians everywhere. – Ephesians 6:13-18

I had been in my tree stand long enough to fasten my safety strap around the tree, hoist my bow up to me, and begin to secure my bow hanger into a nearby tree limb. You would think it would have been easy to screw that little piece of metal into the branch, but my heart was racing. I didn’t want to make a movement that would alert game to my presence. After what seemed like 10 minutes, I decided to give up and hold onto my bow for the duration of my hunt.

No sooner had I packed the bow hanger back into my day pack, and I heard a loud “Snap!” Not more than 10 yards away was a little yearling button buck making his way through the woods, stopping just long enough to take a bite of a few sugar beats I had set out. I hadn’t been in the woods 10 minutes and already, I was seeing deer!

As exciting as it was for me to see deer, I was even more excited of how well my camouflage and scent-lok system was working. You have no idea how many times I’ve been winded by deer because I didn’t take the proper precautions. Did you know that  deer can smell up to 10 different smells at the same time?  I didn’t, until the deer kept on busting me.

Today I was dressed for success!

The first layer of clothing I started with was a “base layer” scent-lok suit. I followed that up with my Cabelas 3-D leafy camouflage suit! The suit came equipped with a head dress and gloves for my hands! My rubber boots had successfully carried me into the woods and into my tree without leaving any human scent behind. I blended in well, and my suit had knocked down all human odors.

That deer had no idea I was even in the woods! I was so poud of how well my scent-lok suit and camouflage had worked that I didn’t care if I harvested a deer or not. I was happy that the financial investment I had made in this clothing had paid off!

Let me ask you a question. What type of investment do you put into your life getting ready for your day? Every day I start out by thanking God for the rest He gave me during the night. I thank Him for the gift of life, and I ask Him to help me live a life worthy of Him to the best of my ability. In order to do that, I need to gear up and prepare for battle.

Ephesians 6:13-18 talks about clothing yourself in God’s armor so you can resist evil. Evil lurks around your life, looking for the perfect time and place to cause you to stumble. The only way to overcome that is to put on the full armor of God. Only then can you succeed.

After all, you wouldn’t want to go into the woods without the proper gear and hope to succeed, would you? In the same way, we can’t succeed against the devil and his tricks unless we clothe ourselves with God’s armor daily!

Have you ever given much thought to putting on God’s armor daily? Did you even know it was available to you? What schemes does the devil send your way to test the strength of your armor! Take a minute to write down how you feel when you overcome that area of temptation or weakness. Now write down how you were able to overcome it.

Prayer: God, thanks for showing me that, with your armor, I can overcome Satan’s traps that he has set for me. Lord, the armor you give me is impenetrable, but I am not. I realize that it is open season on my life, and that the devil wants to destroy me. But you have made me and desire for me to succeed. Lord I surrender to you, and I gladly and thankfully put on your armor today. Today I am dressed for success, and I look forward to what you have in store for me. Thanks for this armor that helps me live my life with confidence in you.     

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Fackler’s book is available on Amazon.com and in the Crossings bookstore.

(PHOTO ABOVE: Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman)

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

Here is the test of President Barack Obama’s Ramadan message, sent from the White House Office of Media Affairs Office:

 On behalf of the American people – including Muslim communities in all fifty states – I want to extend best wishes to Muslims in America and around the world. Ramadan Kareem.

Ramadan is the month in which Muslims believe the Koran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, beginning with a simple word – iqra. It is therefore a time when Muslims reflect upon the wisdom and guidance that comes with faith, and the responsibility that human beings have to one another, and to God.

Like many people of different faiths who have known Ramadan through our communities and families, I know this to be a festive time – a time when families gather, friends host iftars, and meals are shared.  But I also know that Ramadan is a time of intense devotion and reflection – a time when Muslims fast during the day and perform tarawih prayers at night, reciting and listening to the entire Koran over the course of the month.

These rituals remind us of the principles that we hold in common, and Islam’s role in advancing justice, progress, tolerance, and the dignity of all human beings.

For instance, fasting is a concept shared by many faiths – including my own Christian faith – as a way to bring people closer to God, and to those among us who cannot take their next meal for granted. And the support that Muslims provide to others recalls our responsibility to advance opportunity and prosperity for people everywhere. For all of us must remember that the world we want to build – and the changes that we want to make – must begin in our own hearts, and our own communities.

This summer, people across America have served in their communities – educating children, caring for the sick, and extending a hand to those who have fallen on hard times. Faith-based organizations, including many Islamic organizations, have been at the forefront in participating in this summer of service. And in these challenging times, this is a spirit of responsibility that we must sustain in the months and years to come.

Beyond America’s borders, we are also committed to keeping our responsibility to build a world that is more peaceful and secure.  That is why we are responsibly ending the war in Iraq. That is why we are isolating violent extremists while empowering the people in places like Afghanistan and Pakistan. That is why we are unyielding in our support for a two-state solution that recognizes the rights of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security. And that is why America will always stand for the universal rights of all people to speak their mind, practice their religion, contribute fully to society and have confidence in the rule of law.

All of these efforts are a part of America’s commitment to engage Muslims and Muslim-majority nations on the basis of mutual interest and mutual respect. And at this time of renewal, I want to reiterate my commitment to a new beginning between America and Muslims around the world.

As I said in Cairo, this new beginning must be borne out in a sustained effort to listen to each other, to learn from each other, to respect one another, and to seek common ground. I believe an important part of this is listening, and in the last two months, American embassies around the world have reached out not just to governments, but directly to people in Muslim-majority countries.  From around the world, we have received an outpouring of feedback about how America can be a partner on behalf of peoples’ aspirations.

We have listened. We have heard you. And like you, we are focused on pursuing concrete actions that will make a difference over time – both in terms of the political and security issues that I have discussed, and in the areas that you have told us will make the most difference in peoples’ lives.

These consultations are helping us implement the partnerships that I called for in Cairo – to expand education exchange programs; to foster entrepreneurship and create jobs; and to increase collaboration on science and technology, while supporting literacy and vocational learning. We are also moving forward in partnering with the OIC and OIC member states to eradicate polio, while working closely with the international community to confront common health challenges like H1N1 – which I know is of particular to concern to many Muslims preparing for the upcoming hajj.

All of these efforts are aimed at advancing our common aspirations – to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities, and our God. It will take time and patient effort. We cannot change things over night, but we can honestly resolve to do what must be done, while setting off in a new direction – toward the destination that we seek for ourselves, and for our children. That is the journey that we must travel together.

I look forward to continuing this critically important dialogue and turning it into action. And today, I want to join with the 1.5 billion Muslims around the world – and your families and friends – in welcoming the beginning of Ramadan, and wishing you a blessed month. May God’s peace be upon you.

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Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

Well, Gayle Haggard is about to give an answer to that query.

The Associated Press is reporting that Gayle Haggard is writing a book about how she dealt with the scandal surrounding her husband’s actions. Haggard’s public tumble from grace  came after a male prostitute alleged that he had a sex-for-money arrangement with the outspoken evangelist. 

Gayle Haggard’s memoir is to be titled “Why I Stayed” according to Tyndale House Publishers.  

“This is my story of choosing to love my husband through some of the most difficult challenges any marriage could face,” Gayle Haggard said in a statement picked up by The Associated Press.

Haggard has since said that he has worked with counselors and no longer has sexual desire for men, the Associated Press reports.

The book is to be released in January. 

(AP PHOTO AT RIGHT:  Gayle Haggard is shown with her husband, Ted Haggard, right, in this 2006 photo taken in Colorado Springs, Colo.)

 Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

Some faith groups have joined the fray.

They have their own opinions and they want to share them.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently launched a new Web site to promote its support of “truly universal health policy with respect for human life and dignity.”

You can find it here: www.usccb.org/healthcare.

The page includes letters from bishops to Congress, videos, facts and statistics, frequently asked questions, and links for contacting members of Congress.
            
A news release about the new site said people can access Web videos of  conference policy staff discussing the bishops’ position on health care.  

Expect to see facts and statistics about Catholic health care in America, as well.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor