A couple weeks ago I was in Minnesota and I sat in on an advanced showing of the movie "Fireproof", which is set to open this Friday, September 26, in Roseville at the Olympus Pointe theaters.  Although Fireproof could be considered an action film with great scenes of firemen risking their lives to save others, the main theme of the movie is marriage.  Fireproof will strengthen, encourage and dare I say rebuild your marriage.  The movie is endorsed by Focus on the Family, Family Life along with a great endorsement by Gary Smalley.  For more information you can visit the website by clicking here.

A short synopsis:  At work, inside burning buildings, Captain Caleb Holt (Kirk Cameron) lives by the old firefighter's adage; never leave your partner.  At home, he lives by his own rules.  After 7 years of marriage, Catherine Holt wonders when she stopped being "good enough" for her husband.  Neither one understands the pressures the other faces- Caleb as a firefighter and Catherine as the public relations director of a hospital.  They had regular arguments over jobs, finances, housework, and outside interests... and finally it comes to a head and Catherine wants a divorce.

Caleb calls his father, his father comes to visit and asks him to wait 40 days and go through a hand-written notebook called the "Love Dare".  Caleb agrees and starts to daily follow the book starting with things like be patient, don't respond with anger to anger, do something for your wife to show her you care, call her to tell her you are thinking of her, study her to discover her likes and dislikes.

Catherine rejects all these jesters and throws her wedding ring away.  After 20 days Caleb calls his father and said he is quitting because Catherine wasn't responding, only "spitting in his face".  Caleb's father has words of advice for Caleb, and Caleb makes the decision to set out wholeheartedly to love his wife and win her back.

But was it too late because Catherine was seeing a doctor at work and divorce papers were filed.  Caleb's life totally changes culminating by Caleb asking Catherine for forgiveness.  Catherine isn't sure what to make of it, but by chance she happens to find proof that Caleb really means it.  In a very emotional scene, Catherine seeks Caleb and asks for forgiveness.

The movie was given a standing ovation and I bet there was not one dry eye in the theater (male or female).  Guys should not dismiss Fireproof as a "chick flick"; there was plenty of heart pounding rescue scenes.  I recommend everyone visit the Olympus Pointe Theater this weekend and experience "Fireproof".... and guys, if you want to score points with your wife or girl friend, take her to see this movie!