...because of God's goodness, they usually happen better. Way better.

God has blessed me more than I can express. I'm not kidding, I just typed and re-typed that first sentence almost five times. I honestly have trouble saying just how in awe I am of His goodness; at how completely He takes care of the things that I need.

I don't deserve any of His blessings. Time and time again I am reminded of how unworthy I am to even wear His Son's name, but He still lets me, knowing that with His grace, I'll dust myself off again, look to Him, and keep on going.

I began this summer with a lot of questions, a lot of worry, and a lot of restlessness. I would be lying if I said that I now have the answers to all of those questions, but I can say with certainty that the worry and the restlessness have been driven from me. It wasn't because of merit of my own that this change took place, but with His help, and the blessing of the girl that I am striving to build a godly relationship with, I can appreciate His peace that passes understanding. That together, Karen and I can acknowledge that life is going to change, but God never does, and that truly is comforting.

I pray that God has blessed you recently, but more importantly, that God has taught you recently. Because honestly, if you allow yourself to be taught by Him, you'll realize that you've already been blessed by Him.

Craig

After explaining the concept of my book-in-progress, which will provide an indepth look at the film industry from a Christian perspective, someone asked me,

"What can Christians do to help?"

She admitted that she didn't know that much about film and did not possess any of the necessary abilities to go out and create God glorifying media, but surely there was something that she, and Christians the world over, could do to help weaken the godless hold that Hollywood has on our culture. Without hesitation, I responded:

1. Stop financially supporting Hollywood. Stop telling them with the purchase of your movie ticket (or tickets) that you approve of what they are doing and that you wish that they would keep doing it. With every dollar, you’re communicating to Hollywood that what they are doing is not only okay with you, but that you love it and want more. You want more violence, you want more profanity, you want more sex, and you’re willing to spend money in order to see more.

2. Start financially supporting godly films. Encourage those who are trying to counter the evils of modern cinema. Watch their films, bring your friends, and let the filmmakers know that you believe in and appreciate what they are doing. The purpose of creating, watching, and supporting these types of films is to show the world that Christ is the most important Thing in our lives. There are talented people out there right now attempting to do this - support them.

Every single one of us has an obligation as Soldiers of Christ to condemn the things that raise themselves in opposition to Him and champion the things that bring Him glory and honor.

Two years ago, two Christian filmmakers released "Facing the Giants," a film about a football coach's decision to redefine his commitment to God and allow Him to take control of every area of His life. The $100,000 film (mere pennies in Hollywood standards) opened in 441 theaters and grossed more than $10,000,000, earning back its entire budget in just a couple of hours. In comparison, if Spiderman3 had done as well compared to its budget, it would have had to earn almost $30 billion dollars! To this day, Hollywood refuses to acknowledge such an accomplishment because they simply cannot understand how such a thing could happen! Simply put: God happened.

On September 26th, these same filmmakers are releasing their next film "Fireproof" in over 800 theaters nationwide. Starring Kirk Cameron, "Fireproof" tells an inspiring story of a firefighter that must learn to love selflessly before his marriage falls apart. From everything that I had read, I believe that...

EVERY SINGLE CHRISTIAN SHOULD SEE THIS FILM!

Hollywood only understands the language of money. Let's communicate to them in terms that they understand that these are the kinds of films that we want to see! Get a group together and support this God honoring film!

www.fireproofthemovie.com

I am in early stages of writing another book that will discuss the history and purpose of film, the impact it has on us as Christians, and what we must do as followers of Christ to not only guard our hearts, but use these same tools in a Christ honoring way to further His kingdom.

THE BRAIN NEVER TURNS OFF

It is commonly misunderstood what happens when we watch television or go to the movies. Our brain does not turn off. It is impossible to just “veg” in front of the television. Whether we want to admit it or not, our brains are receiving external stimuli that requires the processing of information, albeit sometimes subconsciously. Film feeds us information by auditory and visual means and then forces us to interpret that information based on the standards and morals that we have already developed. If a film is done well, according to industry standards, it can actually address those standards that you have, propose an alternative view, and get you to change your position before the end credits have finished rolling.

To compare what is being presented against our own moral standards is something that the brain has to do in order for the film to make any sense at all. Even the most basic action film requires our brain to make moral distinctions. With everyone shooting guns and throwing punches, how do we know who is the hero and who is the villain? It’s rare that the villain will actually stand up and declare himself to be evil, so how do we know? It’s because our brains interpret the actions of the characters and compare them with what we have decided in our minds to be right and wrong. This must be done quickly and as early as possible in order for us to understand the rest of the film. It’s done automatically and without us even noticing. The film demands it of us. This seemingly simple and harmless action that the filmmaker forces our brains to complete actually gives rise to a fundamental moral question:

What is right and what is wrong?

Now, you may be thinking, come on! It’s not as deep as all of that. It’s just an movie! A harmless shoot ‘em up!

We fool ourselves into thinking that even the most mind numbing film experiences allow us to turn our brains off. We never turn it off, we simply let our mind’s guard down in order to let the stimuli more easily slip in.

Using the same action flick example, inevitably a more complex moral question will be presented. More often than not, someone will be killed in the film, which is usually the fate reserved for the villain. This is done in hundreds of films, even in classic children’s cartoons. When that moment arrives, the filmmaker has to set up the preceding story so that when the life is finally taken, we are not angered nor saddened by the loss of life, but satisfied by it so that we can have a happy ending. In the moment of the villain’s death, we are again subconsciously presented with a moral question that has to be answered quickly in order to follow the rest of the film: when is the killing of another human being justified? Why is it okay and satisfactory for this person to die and not the other? The classic action film will not usually answer this question outright, but will subtly suggest to you that as long as the "villain" does more evil than the "hero" does, it's okay for him to die. It won't ask you to verify that with your religious beliefs, or double check it with your parents, it will say, "in order for you to understand or enjoy the rest of this movie, you must agree to this."

As filmmakers, we were taught very early on that this is not a neutral medium. It is the foundation of why we do what we do. We want to move people, to educate them, to change them. Every single film will do something to the viewer. It may encourage or inspire them. It may anger or frustrate them. It may present an idea that they had never considered before and light some great fire of change in their minds. The goal to do nothing but entertain is certainly a valid one, but why and how the viewer is entertained with what we set before them is determined not only by their predetermined morals, but (to some degree) what we try to convince them is entertaining.

To think that a movie “isn’t going to effect me,” is not only very naïve, but incredibly dangerous.

I know it’s going to effect you. As a film maker, I’m counting on it.

...or Chicagoland, as some like to say.

More specifically, Chicagoland Camp, is where I will be for the following week. Crazy fun adventures are bound to take place and I will do my best to capture said exciting happenings on tape. These happenings are not to be confused with "The Happening," which is a violent film from M Night Shyamalan. This camp promises to be altogether different from that...except that it will, in fact, take place outside, in the woods, with people. Coincidence? I think not.

And finally, because I will be out of touch (more so than usual) for the following week, I do feel that I should share something before I leave, allowing the appropriate time to pass for the potential hate mail that may be sent because of this:

I will not, in fact, be returning to Tampa, Florida, this fall, as I feel that at least for the foreseeable future, my family and the service that I can render to them seem more important than anything else at the moment. I've got two amazing parents, a bunch of incredible siblings, a newly married sister, and some super cool nephews that I haven't been able to spend as much time with as I would have liked during the past three years. I have been weighing this decision for a solid three months now. After countless hours in prayer, I feel that God has allowed me that opportunity for a reason, and I feel that I need to follow His lead, even when perhaps the entire path may not yet be visible.

For those of you that I am leaving behind, I'm not really leaving you behind. Heaven really isn't that far away. In the meantime, neither is Florida. Return trips are inevitable.

Thanks to everyone for the prayers while I sought God's path for me this year. I really think that He's got some great things ahead of me, I just have to follow His lead.

Have a great week everyone and God bless!

The One That Came Back Home for Awhile,

Craig Dehut

...is what I tell myself as I begin this entry.

The reason for my self-admonishing is apparent: it's been far too long since I've honestly and sincerely posted on here; shared more than the occasional Starbucks video, "Reverie" trailer, or semi-serious, slightly fictitious rambling. And that's a shame. Or a blessing...depending on what you think of me. :P

I truly believe that I have learned more since being out of school, than I ever did while in the "Study for a Test OR Sleep" period of my life. And that's because God's been doing the teaching this time around. Well, He's always been doing the teaching. I'm just finally been doing the learning...

God has taught me a great deal this summer, but most of His recent lessons boil down to selfless service.

How often have I been serving?

Not nearly enough.

How often have I been serving selflessly? Doing something for someone else that has no apparent benefit for me?

Hardly at all.

I've really been trying to change that this summer. The first step was to commit the summer to someone other than myself. For the first time since 2002, this summer was not spent in the production of some film to further my own interests. And it was not spent looking for a place that would be the best for me and my spiritual comfort.

It wasn't long before God showed me that when decisions are made with other's benefits placed before my own, the blessings come anyway. And this summer, the blessings have come from unexpected places.

I served campers at this year's Indiana Camp, and was blessed with one of the most fulfilling and encouraging camp experiences I've ever had. As soon as I stopped trying to force the publishing of my book to happen in my time, God allowed a company to pick it up and promise to publish it by the end of the year. I could tell you of the blessings of family visits and full gas tanks. I could tell you of simple videos done for the fun of it shown to the Board of Directors of Starbucks.

I could tell you of a Creator that not only professed His love to us by creating us when we didn't ask Him to, but proving it by saving us when we didn't want Him to.

That kind of selfless service pales any of my own attempts. But it doesn't discourage me...it motivates me.

I pray that God has allowed your summer to be as equally blessed,

The One That Came Back,

Craig Dehut