There was a time when Christian movies were considered B movies or how can I say this nicely, geeky. However nowadays, Christian movies are ranking higher in the theaters than ever before.  These wholesome, family faith based movies are now worth watching. Movies such as: God’s Not Dead, I Believe and War Room leave audiences inspired.  Their stories of courage and commitment to Christ bring a clear message of hope. Clearly this is what many America families want to see more of, so keep them coming!

Woodlawn was recently released and even though it is not in the top ten for the weekend, it has received four out of five stars from viewers. This uplifting football drama retells the true story of the Woodlawn High School football team giving their lives to God in Birmingham, Alabama in the 1970s. In the midst of hate and destruction happening at this time in Alabama, a man by the name of Hank had the courage to preach the gospel to the Woodlawn football team, made up of 40 young boys, who were struggling with anger. Hank gave them one option to heal their interracial anger toward one another, “I am asking you, will you stand up and make a decision, to change, to forgive and be forgiven, because that’s how much God loves you.”  That same day all 40 players gave their lives to the Lord. It started a revival both on and off the field.  Their team prayed before and after games, held bible studies and prayer meetings.

When the school district took notice of all this, they came after the coach and threatened him his job if the team did not stop reciting the Lord’s Prayer. The coach refused to do so and because he took that bold stance, the lives of many were changed. Woodlawn has stirred the souls of the watchful audience and many are now asking themselves, “How can I make a stand for Christ and make a difference in today’s society?”

Today, more than 40 years since the story of Woodlawn, another coach seems to have created a hornet nest of hate aimed towards him from the Bremerton School District in Washington.  Coach Joe Kennedy is under fire for praying in silence at the 50 yard line where he is often joined by students, opposing players and others but started it as a personal prayer after a football game.

He courageously made a stand and chose to keep on praying because clearly their decision violates his Constitution rights, as he exercises his religious freedom in America. This stance concluded in the loss of his job. Ironically, he was in the military for 20 years, a Marine Veteran of two wars, who laid down his life for freedom to keep Americans safe.  What a slap in the face. He fought for freedom and now he cannot exercise his freedom to pray on America soil?

Sadly, coaches who are usually known to inspire others, especially our children who look up to them for quality leadership, are being stripped from all sense of God fearing inspiration both on the field and off the field. The coach’s answer to his opposers:

“I have a higher power to answer too.”

As Christians are you inspired by the Word of God to love your opposers? Are you stirred enough within your soul, to use the God given gifts and talents to impact a city, a country, or the world? Will you make a stand, to change to forgive and be forgiven?  Can you give perishing people vision? Why? It is time . . . and in the end, let see what happens when God shows up in our own lives.

Where there is no vision, the people perish . . .

Proverbs 29:18

C.Wren