This week on the Men at the Movies podcast, we roll out week 2 of our summer blockbuster series with Avatar. The main character is Jake, who has lost his legs and his identity. He sees this mission as a way to restore what was lost. Although true, his path to restoration goes through wonder, danger, and initiation to a greater purpose than he could’ve possibly imagined. It’s time to wake up, and discover God’s truth in this movie.

This week on the Men at the Movies podcast, we look at Independence Day starring Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, and Randy Quaid as a guide to dealing with crisis. The principles of crisis is that it happens to everyone, and it’s always a surprise. The purpose of a crisis is to reveal what and who matters most, as well as revealing who we really are. The most important thing is not if a crisis will happen (we know it will), but how will we respond when it does. Happy Independence Day, and lets discover God’s truth in this movie.

This week on the Men at the Movies podcast, we ride the roller coaster of Parenthood starring Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, and Dianne Wiest. We put too much pressure on ourselves as parents, feeling like we have to be perfect so that we don’t break our children and ruin their lives. Even though life is messy, it is in the messes that we find the most meaning. Like Proverbs 14:4 says, you won’t get a bountiful harvest without a barn full of crap. Even if you feel like your whole life is have to, I have good news for you. It doesn’t have to be. Join me as we discover God’s truth in this movie.

This week on the Men at the Movies podcast, we break down the movie Cinderella Man starring Russell Crowe, Renee Zellweger, and Paul Giamatti. Crisis reveals character, and in James J. Braddock we see a reflection of true fatherhood. He used his creativity to create a world of hope, refusing to allow it to fuel his fear. The fights we face aren’t about us, but handling them with integrity bring inspiration to others. It’s time to get in the ring, and discover God’s truth in this movie.

This week on the Men at the Movies podcast, we look at The Sandlot as a way to build friendships and find joy. We’ve got to break out of our comfortable rut, but it’s through new experiences that relationships are strengthened. To make memories and find joy, we have to engage the senses. But if we can do that, we will find that every day is an adventure. You’re killing me Smalls, and let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.

This week on the Men at the Movies podcast, we get you ready for summer with Field of Dreams. In a vibrant life with God, He is always offering invitations to us. But we must cultivate the conscious awareness to notice when He is speaking. And when we embrace the risk and act on what he says, the story will always be better than we thought it would be. So let’s follow the voice and go the distance, and discover God’s truth in this movie.

This week on the Men at the Movies podcast, we try out our Boston accents and talk about Good Will Hunting starring Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Minnie Driver, and Ben Affleck. Like Will, we have an amazing gift, but the pain of our past leaves us incapable of using that gift in a way that matters. We were created to desire two things: intimacy and purpose; but we can’t pursue our purpose without being grounded in intimacy. Thankfully, Will had Shawn, Skylar, and Chucky to help him navigate through the brokenness to find healing and restoration. So, how about them apples…and let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.

This week on the Men at the Movies podcast, we wrap up our unintentional series on the heart of a warrior with Man on Fire starring Denzel Washington. We find that being a professional, doing our job from a sense of duty and obligation will eventually turn us into the villain. Thankfully, love has the power to transform lives and heal broken hearts. Love shows us how to live again. Don’t be a sad bear, but let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.

This week on the Men at the Movies podcast, we are excited to have a woman join us to talk about one of her favorite movies, the original Terminator starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, and Michael Biehn.  We discuss the differences between Sarah Connors in this movie contrasted with her character in T2.  And we break down how she is transformed from a naïve waitress into a confident warrior.  Storms coming, so come with us if you want to live, and let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.

This week on the Men at the Movies podcast, we enter the battlefield to talk about Act of Valor. Being dangerous is sacred, but what does it mean to be dangerous? Our worldview shapes who we are becoming, and we discuss a framework for seeing the world we live in. And we find that our mission is to live out our Father’s legacy. Find out what that means as we discover God’s truth in this movie.

This week on the Men at the Movies podcast, we push the boundaries with The Girl Next Door starring Emile Hirsch, Elisha Cuthbert, and Timothy Oliphant. When we try to transition from a life we don’t want, the enemy shows up to remind us of our past. He is relentless, and will never stop squeezing you. But Jesus came to show us the juice, and how to handle the squeeze. The craziest thing you’ve ever done might be listening to this podcast, but just go with it, and find God’s truth in this movie.

This week on the Men at the Movies podcast, we welcome the heptapods in Arrival starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Forest Whitaker. We discuss the power of language and the importance of communication. The conversations we immerse ourselves will reshape and rewire our minds. And we see that we have to give, open, and risk in order to win the thing we most long for—connection. Say yes to the invitation, and let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.

This week on the Men at the Movies podcast, we get lost at sea with Cast Away starring Tom Hanks and Helen Hunt.  Time is a resource that we can’t make more of. But for some reason, we have a tendency to spend our time very cheaply.  If we choose to live under the relentless taskmaster of the clock, we will find ourselves unable to prioritize or choose wisely.  We must embrace our responsibility to decide what to do with the time that is given to us in order to move past the reef of survival and into a life of impact.  Buckle up—it’s gonna get rough.  Let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.

This week on the Men at the Movies podcast, we tie a bow on March Madness by talking about Hoosiers starring Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey, Dennis Hopper, and Indiana basketball. This is a story of second chances, and the reason we have been given that chance is to become a catalyst for transformation. Discipline does not equal punishment, but training, preparation, and maturation. When you play the right way, you win every time. Lace up your converse, and make 4 passes before you shoot. Let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.

This week on the Men at the Movies podcast, we enter the timeline with The Adam Project starring Ryan Reynolds, Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, and Zoe Saldana. Great stories are woven around stakes, goals, and even battles that are personal—because our lives are. Our actions have consequences, and our biggest impact is revealed in the lives of those around you. And our legacy will be determined by our ability to listen to the truth from the Father—You’re my son, and I love you, and you’re amazing. Let’s smoke this banana….or something, and discover God’s truth in this movie.

This week on the MATM podcast, we travel to France and discuss Ratatouille. Everyone in this movie has identity issues, listening to who the world told them they are. The antagonist in this movie is the fear of believing who we could be. But creativity is seeing a world that doesn’t exist, and working to make that vision a reality. Through embracing our unique gifts and passion, we transform ourselves and the world around us. Pour yourself a glass of something delicious, and let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.

This week on the MATM podcast, we ride off to discuss The Man from Snowy River starring Kirk Douglas. An uninitiated man is a danger to himself and others. We must go through our initiation to learn who we are and earn our place, and is the place to put our beliefs into action. The first step is showing up, revealing our character and waiting for God to open the moment for us. Saddle up, and lets discover God’s truth in this movie.

We recorded this episode of the Men at the Movies podcast a couple weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine. I believe the timing is perfect for the world we are living in today. This movie wrestles with a lot of questions without answers, and sometimes faith looks like living with a lack of answers. We question where God is when terrible things happen in the world. It’s important to remember that, even though the story isn’t so great, it’s leading to something greater. Take a break from the news, and lets discover God’s truth in this movie.

This week on the Men at the Movies podcast, we belly up to the Tender Bar starring Ben Affleck and Tye Sheridan, which is based on the book of the same name by JR Moehringer. One of the most important challenges we face is choosing what voice we listen to: will we listen to the voice of the imposter, the false father, or our true father who bestows our identity? When we don’t receive validation and approval, we end up seeking it from all the wrong places. Our most important resource is the relational capital we build with those around us. So come on in, we’ll back up your next drink, and let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.

This week on the MATM podcast, we continue our rom-com theme with When Harry Met Sally starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. We all want a timeless love story to tell, but it doesn’t ever look as magical as we anticipate. We long for intimacy, but frequently settle for sex. In this story, we discover a vision of God who knows and loves us fiercely, and will stop at nothing to pursue our hearts. Throw out that wagon wheel coffee table, get out the Pictionary. Baby fish mouth is sweeping the nation. Let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.