Battle for Souls

While writing Stand Strong, I kept receiving inspiration for themes, scenes, and songs, that had absolutely no place in the movie. It finally occurred to me as I cut scene after scene of unrelated material, that I was receiving inspiration about another film entirely. I filed these impressions away, adding to them from time to time.

The ideas that came all generated around the central theme of the literal battle for souls. Life is a battle between good and evil, from moment to moment, and in every choice, decision, experience and action. From scripture, we know that a great war in heaven ensued, and that Satan and his angels were cast out, down to earth, where the battle has been raging ever since.

Revelation 12:7-9

7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

In March, after much prayer on the story line for the movie, I was inspired with a rough outline of the plot. "Battle for Souls" was to be about a single mother, divorced due to the infidelity and subsequent abandonment by her husband because of a pornography addiction. Just after receiving this inspiration, I read an article from a church magazine that told the true story of a woman in an identical situation. The profession I had chosen for the character to have to support her family was even the same for the real woman in the article. I again received a spiritual confirmation that this was the story line that needed to be told to communicate the message.

Since that time, inspiration has come in bits and pieces, as mental visuals, images, words, and feelings have flooded my mind on many occasions. Some nights I have not been able to sleep as inspiration poured in rapidly and seemingly without end. Other times, inspiration was not forthcoming at all, and I waited through long periods, wondering and praying I'd be able to put it all together in time.

What I learned from Stand Strong and from numerous other projects, experiences, and life, is that faith is everything.

In the last month, I have experienced my own temporal battle for souls, in that my life has been literally spared on at least five occasions of which I am aware. I have had so many near calamities lately, and through no "fault" of my own, that I have started to wonder if I am experiencing lessons designed by God to teach me, or if the devil is trying to physically destroy me. I feel it is a little of both, along with the reminder that there is no need to fear, but to continue with faith, knowing that I won't regret pushing forward until my time is done. What I do certainly have, is a testimony of guardian angels for protection and in an appointed time to die. The fact that I am alive and able signifies to me that I am not done yet.

Ephesians 6:11-13
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

The battle for souls is both spiritual and temporal, and the only saving armor is the full armor of God. This reminder and illustration is the purpose of the "Battle for Souls" movie.

Like "Stand Strong," "Battle for Souls" is a volunteer project comprised of Christians of all faiths united in Christ. All participants consecrate their skills, gifts, talents and abilities to glorify the Lord and to lead people to Him through the medium of film.

"Battle for Souls" will shoot August 2-14, with the exclusion of Sunday the 8th. The next week will be devoted to pick up shots for "Battle for Souls" and "Stand Strong." "Stand Strong" will premiere later this fall, and "Battle For Souls" will premiere next spring. At least, those are the target dates. We have learned that everything is ultimately on God's own timeline.

Keep the project in your prayers!