christianity

Start, Finish, Repeat

| Faith and Family Flicks News and Notes

What if winning at life isn’t about one big moment—but about showing up, finishing, and doing it all over again?

In NASCAR, championships aren’t won in a single race. Every driver knows that crossing the finish line consistently, race after race, week after week, is what separates champions from also-rans, (a racing term for competitors who finish the race but don’t place in the top spots). You might not win every race. You might not even come in second. But if you start, if you finish, and if you show up to do it again next week, the points accumulate. The momentum builds. And at the end of the season, the driver who finished the most races, not just the fastest ones, often holds the trophy.

The Apostle Paul understood this principle long before NASCAR existed.

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” — 1 Corinthians 9:24

Paul wasn’t talking about sprinting to a single finish line. He was describing a life of sustained, faithful effort—race after race, season after season—running with intention toward something worth running for.

You’re Already at the Starting Line

Here’s the thing about a starting line: it doesn’t care who you were yesterday. It only asks one question, are you ready to run today?

Maybe you’ve had seasons where you felt like you were spinning your wheels. Going fast but getting nowhere. Or maybe life’s circumstances have felt like a wrong-way sign on the road, pointing you in a direction you never intended to go. The enemy of a great race isn’t always failure. Sometimes it’s simply running in the wrong direction with tremendous effort.

The good news is that God’s grace is the great reset. No matter how many wrong turns are behind you, the starting line is always available. Every single day is a new race. Every new season is a fresh opportunity to line up, rev the engine, and go.

Hebrews 12:1 puts it this way: “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

The race is marked out. The course is set. The question is whether we’ll shed what’s slowing us down and step into it with intention, again and again and again.

Every Race Matters

Here’s where a lot of Christians get tripped up: they’re waiting for the big race. The defining moment. The dramatic turning point that will finally make their faith feel significant.

But championship seasons aren’t built on dramatic moments. They’re built on ordinary faithfulness. Showing up on a Tuesday when nobody’s watching. Finishing the hard conversation you started. Following through on the commitment you made when you felt inspired, even when the inspiration has long since faded.

Paul understood this intimately. “Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.” — 1 Corinthians 9:26

Every lap counts. Every race in your series matters. The marriage you’re faithfully investing in right now—that’s a race. The integrity you’re maintaining at work when it would be easier to cut corners, that’s a race. The forgiveness you’re choosing to extend when every emotion tells you not to, that’s a race. Finish it. Then line up and do it again.

Finishing Well Is the Goal

There is perhaps no more moving picture of a life well-raced than the Apostle Paul near the end of his life, writing from a prison cell with full confidence in how his story was ending.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day.” — 2 Timothy 4:7-8

He didn’t say he ran perfectly. He didn’t say he never crashed or never doubted. He said he finished. He kept the faith. And at the end of a long series of races, many of them brutal, many of them costly, he crossed the final line still holding on to the One who called him into the race in the first place.

That’s the goal. Not perfection. Completion. Faithful, consistent, never-quit completion.

The Prize That Doesn’t Rust

Here’s what separates this race from every other competition the world offers: the prize isn’t a trophy that tarnishes. It isn’t a title that fades. It isn’t applause from a crowd that will forget your name by next season.

“They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” — 1 Corinthians 9:25

Everything this world calls victory is temporary. Career success, financial achievement, public recognition, none of it goes with you. But every race you run in faith? That investment compounds into eternity. Every act of love. Every moment of faithfulness when no one was watching. Every time you chose God’s way over the easy way. It all counts. Every lap. Every finish line. Every time you lined up and did it again.

You are running toward something real.

Start, Finish, Repeat: Five Steps to Racing Well

So here’s the invitation: run. Not someday. Not when life calms down or when you feel more ready. Today. And then tomorrow. And then the day after that.

But what does that actually look like? Here are five practical ways to run your next race with intention:

One: Strip the weight. Look honestly at what you’re carrying that’s slowing you down. Is it unforgiveness? Fear? Shame about your past? Name it, set it aside, and run lighter. You can’t finish races carrying baggage that doesn’t belong to you.

Two: Know your lane. Stop comparing your race to someone else’s. God didn’t call you to run someone else’s course. Your lane is unique, and trying to run in someone else’s will only trip you up. Run your race. Finish your race.

Three: Find your pit crew. You were not meant to race alone. Surround yourself with people who believe in the prize you’re running toward—people who will speak truth when you’re tempted to quit and remind you of the finish line when the race gets long. That’s your church, your small group, your closest friends in faith.

Four: Fix your eyes forward. Not on the obstacles behind you. Not on the runners around you. Eyes on Jesus. Eyes on the prize. Every time your gaze drifts—and it will—redirect it back to what you’re running toward, not what you’re running from.

Five: Line up again tomorrow. This is the one that separates champions from quitters. When the race is done—whether you finished strong or barely limped across the line—show up again. Start again. The series isn’t over. The points are still accumulating. The season isn’t finished until God says it’s finished.

The crowd of witnesses is cheering. The course is marked. The prize is waiting.

And the God who called you into this race? He’s not watching from the grandstand. He’s running with you.

Start. Finish. Repeat.

David Almgren – Two Pastors, Popcorn and a Movie Podcast

The Discipline of Excellence: What Pistol Pete Maravich Teaches Us About Life

| Faith and Family Flicks News and Notes

What does it take to reach the pinnacle of success?

That’s the question that haunts many of us. We look at the people who seem to have it all, the accolades, the money, the recognition, the standing ovations, and we wonder – is that enough? Does reaching the top of your field finally answer the deep questions we carry about meaning and purpose?

Pistol Pete Maravich spent his entire life answering that question. And his answer might surprise you.

Screenshot

The Foundation: A Father’s Vision

Before Pete Maravich became a legend, before the arenas filled with fans eager to watch him play, there was a father named Press Maravich who had a vision. He believed his son could be great, not eventually, not someday, but through relentless, daily discipline.

So Press did something unconventional. He made Pete practice everywhere. Not just on the court, but in the car. As they drove down the street, Pete would dribble a basketball out the window while his father drove. The ball would bounce off the pavement, the railroad tracks, the curb — anywhere and everywhere. It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t Instagram-worthy. It was just a father and son, committed to the small, daily practices that separate the good from the great.

This wasn’t punishment. This was love expressed through discipline. This was a father saying: “I believe in you so much that I’m going to push you to be better than you thought possible.”

The Long Road to Mastery

That childhood discipline carried Pete through his college years at Louisiana State University. By the time he finished his NCAA career, he had set a scoring record that would stand for decades — 3,667 points before the three-pointer was even introduced to the game. Let that sink in. In an era when the three-pointer didn’t exist, Pete Maravich was scoring at a rate that seemed almost impossible.

How? The same way his father had taught him. Through discipline. Through showing up. Through the railroad tracks and the car windows and the relentless commitment to getting one percent better every single day.

His peers knew it. Larry Bird, one of the greatest shooters ever to play the game, said that Pistol Pete was “one of the truly great players that could fill an arena.” Pat Riley, the legendary coach, said Pete was “the original. He was the best ball handler I ever saw. Ever.” These weren’t casual compliments. These were tributes from people who understood excellence because they pursued it themselves.

The Peak: Success, But at What Cost?

Pete Maravich made it to the NBA. He became an All-Star. He won scoring titles. He was one of the highest-paid rookies in the history of professional basketball. By every worldly measure, he had succeeded. He had climbed the mountain and planted his flag at the summit.

But here’s where Pete’s story takes a turn that most success stories don’t.

Because despite all of that, despite the money, the fame, the accolades, the respect of his peers, something was still missing. There was still an emptiness that no championship could fill, no scoring record could satisfy, no standing ovation could quiet.

Jesus said it this way: “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” Pete Maravich had gained the world. And he was beginning to realize that the world, in all its glory and recognition, was not enough.

The Real Turning Point

It wasn’t until later in his life that Pete Maravich found what he was actually looking for. He became a Christian. And when he did, everything came into focus. The discipline he had learned from his father, the relentless pursuit of excellence, the commitment to daily practice, the willingness to show up even when no one was watching, suddenly had a new direction. It had a new purpose. It had a soul.

Pete spent his later years speaking about his faith, about the emptiness of worldly success, about the fulfillment that only comes from a relationship with God. He went from playing to packed arenas to speaking in churches. He went from chasing scoring records to chasing something infinitely more valuable: meaning, purpose, and peace.

The Bridge: From Basketball to the Spiritual Life

Here’s what Pete Maravich’s life teaches us: Excellence is not bad. Discipline is not wrong. The pursuit of mastery in your field, whether that’s basketball or business or art or ministry, is noble and good.

But excellence in one area of life, without excellence in the spiritual life, leaves you empty.

Think about the discipline Pete learned from his father. Dribbling out the car window. Practicing when no one was watching. Showing up day after day after day. Getting marginally better. That’s not a basketball principle. That’s a life principle.

The same discipline that made Pete Maravich the greatest scorer in NCAA history can make you spiritually mature. The same commitment to daily practice that filled arenas can fill your soul. The same willingness to show up when it’s hard, when it’s not glamorous, when no one is watching, that’s what builds a life of genuine faith and purpose.

The Question Answered

So back to the question we started with: What does it take to reach the pinnacle of success?

Pete Maravich would tell you that reaching the pinnacle of your field is wonderful. Go for it. Practice like your life depends on it. Be disciplined. Be excellent. Be great.

But don’t stop there.

Because the real pinnacle, the real success that actually satisfies is found not in what the world can give you, but in what God offers. It’s found in discipline applied not just to your craft, but to your spiritual life. It’s found in showing up, day after day, to pursue excellence in knowing God, in growing in faith, in becoming the person He created you to be.

Pete Maravich learned to dribble a basketball out a car window. But the greater lesson his life teaches us is this: discipline the soul the way you discipline the body. Practice faith the way you practice your craft. Show up for your spiritual life the way you show up for the things the world celebrates.

Because in the end, that’s the only success that lasts.

David Almgren – Two Pastors, Popcorn and a Movie Podcast

Teaching Kids Where God Lives: Lessons from the Ark

| Faith and Family Flicks News and Notes

Kids learn when the story feels big. Few stories in Scripture are bigger or more captivating than the Ark of the Covenant. To a child’s imagination, it feels like something out of an epic adventure: sacred, mysterious, powerful. But for ministry leaders, the Ark gives us something even more important, it helps us teach kids where God is and how close He really is.

The Ark of the Covenant was built at God’s direction during the Exodus. Made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, it carried the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s staff, and manna, physical reminders of God’s law, authority, and provision. More than what it held, the Ark represented who was present. Scripture tells us God met with Moses from above the mercy. seat, between the cherubim. For Israel, the Ark was a visible reminder that God was with them.

Where the Ark went, God’s people followed. When the priests stepped into the Jordan River, the waters parted. When the Ark was carried around Jericho, the walls fell. Even children can grasp this truth, when God goes before you, the way opens. At the same time, the Ark taught something else, God is holy. Access to His presence was limited. Only the high priest could approach, and only once a year. That separation reminded God’s people of both His holiness and humanity’s need for restoration. From the beginning, the Ark was never the end of the story, it was preparation for something greater.

Then, at some point, the Ark disappears. Scripture grows silent. Traditions and scholars suggest it was hidden, destroyed, or preserved in secret. This mystery has fascinated believers for generations and is explored in the upcoming docudrama Legends of the Lost Ark, coming to theaters nationwide on April 12, 14 and 15, 2026. The film invites families to explore not just where the Ark may have gone, but why its story still matters (https://www.legendsofthelostark.com/ ).

For children’s ministry leaders, that “why” is the key. The greatest lesson isn’t about uncovering a lost artifact. It’s about understanding what the Ark pointed to all along. The Ark foreshadowed Jesus, God’s presence no longer dwelling in a sacred box, but walking among us in flesh and blood.

When Jesus died, the curtain in the Temple was torn from top to bottom. God’s presence was no longer restricted. Scripture now tells us believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit. God doesn’t dwell behind a veil. He dwells within His people.

That truth is transformational for kids. When we teach children about the Ark, we’re not just teaching Bible history, we’re shaping faith and identity. God is near. God listens. God goes with them into every part of their lives.

As families rediscover the story of the Ark through Scripture and soon through Legends of the Lost Ark, we have a unique opportunity to connect ancient truth with everyday faith, the same God who dwelled among His people then still dwells with us today.

Dave Almgren – Two Pastors, Popcorn and a Movie Podcast

FaithandFamilyFlicks.com

Run Toward the Storm – What Cows and Bison Teach Us About Facing Trials

| Faith and Family Flicks News and Notes

What Cows and Bison Teach Us About Facing Trials. When a storm rolls across the plains of the Midwest, something fascinating happens. Cows and bison respond very differently.

It’s often observed that cattle, sensing the storm, turn and try to outrun it. But because storms typically move east, and cows run in the same direction, they can unintentionally prolong their exposure. They keep running… and the storm keeps chasing.

Bison, however, do the opposite. When they sense a storm coming, they turn and charge directly into it. By moving straight through the storm, they actually minimize the time spent in it. They face it head on.

Whether every meteorological detail is perfect or not, the picture is powerful — and spiritually revealing.

Because storms are inevitable.

Storms Are Not Optional in the Christian Life

Jesus never promised a storm-free life.

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33

Whether you are faced with Health diagnoses. Family tension. Financial strain. Temptation that won’t seem to loosen its grip. Spiritual dryness. Cultural opposition. Storms come.

The question isn’t if. The question is how we respond.

The Cow Response: Avoidance

Our natural instinct is often to run.

We avoid hard conversations.
We ignore sin patterns hoping they disappear.
We distract ourselves from grief instead of processing it.
We postpone obedience because it feels uncomfortable.

But here’s the reality: What we avoid, we extend.

James writes:

“Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” — James 1:2–3

Notice it doesn’t say if you face trials. It says when.

When we try to outrun the storm, we often stay in it longer. Unaddressed sin deepens. Unresolved conflict festers. Avoided grief hardens the heart.

Running doesn’t remove the storm. It just exhausts us.

The Bison Response: Move Through It

Spiritually mature believers learn something counterintuitive:

Sometimes the fastest way through a storm… is straight into it.

That doesn’t mean recklessness. It means courage rooted in trust.

When conviction comes, we repent quickly.
When conflict arises, we pursue reconciliation.
When fear grips us, we lean into prayer.
When temptation hits, we confront it with truth.

David wrote:

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” — Psalm 23:4

Notice the word: through. Not around. Not away from. Through. The valley is unavoidable — but it is not permanent.

Facing Temptation Head-On

When dealing with temptation, avoidance alone is rarely enough. We must replace lies with truth.

Paul tells us:

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” — Ephesians 6:11

Standing implies engagement.

Jesus Himself, when tempted in the wilderness, didn’t run. He confronted each temptation with Scripture (Matthew 4:1–11). Truth met the storm directly.

Running from temptation without renewing the mind leaves us vulnerable. But charging it with truth shortens its power over us.

Health and Family Storms

Some storms cannot be fixed — only endured.

A diagnosis. A prodigal child. A strained marriage. A ministry setback.

Charging into those storms doesn’t mean pretending they don’t hurt. It means refusing to let fear dictate our direction.

Peter reminds us:

“After you have suffered a little while, [God] will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” — 1 Peter 5:10

Storms are not punishment. Often, they are preparation.

Why We Can Face the Storm

The bison can charge the storm because they are built for it.

The Christian can face the storm because Christ has already faced the ultimate one.

At the cross, Jesus did not run from suffering. He walked straight into it — for us.

Isaiah writes:

“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth.” — Isaiah 53:7

He absorbed the storm of sin so we would never face it alone.

That changes everything. We don’t face storms with self-confidence. We face them with Christ-confidence.

A Pastoral Challenge

When the next storm forms on your horizon, ask yourself:

Am I running from this… or moving faithfully through it?

It may be a hard conversation you need to initiate.
A sin you need to confess.
A habit you need to surrender.
A counseling appointment you need to schedule.
A prayer life you need to deepen.

The storm may still be fierce. The wind may still howl.

But when we face it with God at our side, we shorten its hold over our hearts.

Because storms shape us.

And sometimes, the fastest way to peace… is straight through the wind.

Dave Almgren – Two Pastors Popcorn and a Movie Podcast

Standing Against the World: A Film for Faith, Family, and the Fight for Truth

| Faith and Family Flicks News and Notes

Faith isn’t just something we whisper about in quiet moments, it’s something worth standing up for in a culture that often questions everything we hold dear. That’s exactly the journey Standing Against the World invites us to take.

Beginning February 11, 2026, Standing Against the World will be streaming on FaithAndFamilyFlicks.com, bringing a powerful message to families, churches, ministries, and anyone wrestling with the big questions of faith and truth.

🎬 More Than a Film — It’s a Call to Courage

At its core, Standing Against the World isn’t just a documentary, it’s a faith mission on screen. Hosted by acclaimed actor and producer Kevin Sorbo and scholar Professor John Lennox, the film travels to universities and even to Israel to explore one of the biggest challenges facing believers today: how do we defend the Christian faith with both heart and reason?

The film tackles a sobering reality: many young adults today are turning away from biblical truth, citing evolution and skepticism as reasons to doubt the reliability of Scripture. This film doesn’t shy away from that conversation, it confronts it head-on.

In exploring the evidence for faith, from science to history, Kevin and Professor Lennox dig into real questions people are asking, inviting viewers into a journey of discovery, not just belief.

🎤 Insights from My Interview with Kevin Sorbo

When we sat down with Kevin for Two Pastors, Popcorn and a Movie Podcast, what stood out most wasn’t just his Hollywood background, it was his heart for people, especially younger generations.

Kevin shared how important it is not just to know what you believe, but to understand why you believe and to be equipped to share that with others. He spoke passionately about courage, conviction, and the need for Christians to engage thoughtfully with culture rather than retreat from it.

He talked about how meaningful it has been to work on projects that change lives, not just entertain. For Kevin, films like Standing Against the World are a way of carrying hope into spaces where people are wrestling with doubt, confusion, or simply curiosity.

🌍 Why This Film Matters Today

In an era where faith is often marginalized or misunderstood, Standing Against the World stands as a reminder that belief is neither blind nor outdated, it’s thoughtful, rooted in evidence, and deeply relevant.

This isn’t a film only for theologians or scholars. It’s a resource for:

  • Parents wanting to talk with their kids about faith
  • Church groups exploring apologetics
  • Friends curious about the relationship between science and Scripture
  • Anyone searching for meaning in a complex world

And because it’s now available on FaithAndFamilyFlicks.com starting February 11, you can watch it wherever your family gathers, whether that’s the living room, small group night, or youth group discussion.

📌 Stream It With Purpose

Films have the power to open hearts and spark conversation, but Standing Against the World goes beyond entertainment. It’s a tool, a conversation starter, and an invitation to explore faith with confidence.

We hope you’ll watch it, discuss it, and use it to help equip your family and community with the courage to stand firm, even when the world pushes back.

📅 Starts Streaming on https://faithandfamilyflicks.com/ — February 11, 2026

Dave Almgren – Two Pastors, Popcorn and a Movie Podcast

When Love Costs Something

| Faith and Family Flicks News and Notes

Sometimes the most powerful stories are the ones told without words.

Forevergreen is a remarkable animated short film — brought to life by over 200 artists who donated their time and talent over five years — that tells its entire story without dialogue. It’s a visual and emotional journey about an orphaned bear cub who finds a home with a fatherly evergreen tree, only to be drawn away by temptation and danger before ultimately facing the choice of whether to return.

The film has captivated audiences at festivals around the world and is even nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Animated Short Film, a testament to its depth, artistry, and emotional resonance.

But beneath the handcrafted beauty and heart-tugging narrative lies something even more profound — a reflection of the mystery and cost of true love.

From Screen to Heart: Seeing Real Love in a Story

At first glance, Forevergreen may seem like a simple tale of friendship between a bear and a tree. But the deeper you watch, the more you realize this story isn’t just about nature — it’s about relationship, separation, consequence, and redemption.

The evergreen gives the bear a home and teaches it how to survive. But when the cub is tempted by easy rewards (symbolized in the film by trash and junk), it wanders into danger. Left to face the consequences of its choices, the bear must come to terms with what it has lost — and what it risks losing forever.

This narrative reflects something familiar to all of us: the struggle between what is easy and what is right, between temptation and wisdom, between self-interest and love.

“Forevergreen takes the powerfully moving truth of divine love and couches it in such an entertaining and emotional way…”
— Review quoted on the official film site.

True Love Is a Choice, Not Just a Feeling

Everyday life gives us countless echoes of the same theme.

  • A parent sacrificing sleep and personal plans to care for a sick child
  • A firefighter running into danger to rescue strangers
  • A friend showing up when it would be easier to stay away

These moments may be small and unseen, but they all share something important: love is not simply felt — it is chosen.

Sacrificial love requires us to deny ourselves, to face discomfort, to choose someone else’s well-being over our own convenience. That’s why these quiet acts resonate so deeply within us.

The Perfect Example: Jesus, the Sacrificial Love

All of the moments of love we see on screen or in everyday life point to a deeper truth — a love that is not learned from a script or born out of convenience, but lived out at a cost.

Jesus of Nazareth described this kind of love in the clearest terms recorded in Scripture:

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” — John 15:13

He didn’t just speak these words — He embodied them. At the cross, Jesus willingly laid down His life not for perfect people, but for flawed humanity. He chose sacrifice so that we might be restored, forgiven, and known. His was not a love of comfort — it was a love of cost.

The Moment Everything Became Clear

As Forevergreen unfolds, the story becomes more than just a charming animated journey — it becomes a mirror. It asks us:

  • What do we chase?
  • Who do we turn to when we are in danger?
  • What does love cost us — and what cost are we willing to pay?

And in that reflection, we see the truth Jesus taught us — that love is most deeply revealed not in ease, but in laying down what we hold most dear.

**There truly is…
no greater love.

Reflection & Prayer

Think about this:
Who in your life is God asking you to love sacrificially today?

Prayer:
Lord, help us to see love not as a feeling but as a choice. Teach us to lay down our lives in small ways that reflect Your great sacrifice for us. Give us courage to choose love over ease, and selflessness over comfort. Amen.

David Almgren – Two Pastors, Popcorn and a Movie Podcast and FaithandFamilyFilms.Com

God. Family. Football. A Life Story of Faith, Mentorship, and Legacy

| Faith and Family Flicks News and Notes

I first met Pastor Denny Duron back in the 1990s at youth retreats in Oregon. Even then, long before God. Family. Football. existed on screens, there was something unmistakable about his passion — not just for football but for each young life he ministered to. That early impression has only deepened now that the world gets to see his story unfold on Amazon Freevee and Fox Nation.

From Quarterback to Pastor-Coach: A Life Built on Faith

Duron’s journey began on the football field long before there was a docu series. Born in 1952 in Texas, he was a standout quarterback at Louisiana Tech University, leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back Division II national championships in 1972 and 1973 and earning all-conference honors.

After a brief professional stint — including time in the World Football League and signing with the Washington Redskins — God’s calling took him out of the limelight and into ministry. It was that same sense of calling that later brought him back into football, but with a renewed purpose: using the game as a platform to mentor young men in faith, character, and life beyond the field.

Duron founded the football program at Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana, and over decades the Eagles became a powerhouse — with numerous state championships and recognition as one of the nation’s top high school programs.

Today he wears many hats — pastor of Shreveport Community Church, chancellor of Evangel Christian Academy, coach, author, and communicator of faith — yet his message remains consistent: God first, family second, and football third.

The Series: Real Lives, Real Faith

God. Family. Football. premiered on Amazon Freevee in September 2023 and has since gained new life on Fox Nation, where Season 2 and beyond continue to follow the Eagles’ journey.

Unlike typical sports documentaries, this series isn’t just about wins and losses. Centered on the 2022 season, it highlights:

  • The emotional and spiritual growth of players
  • Real struggles off the field — family issues, personal goals, and pressures of adolescence
  • The profound impact of mentorship and community support

Through the cameras, viewers see what I saw in person all those years ago — a coach who genuinely cares about who his players become, not just how they perform.

Season 3, which premiered in August 2025 on Fox Nation, introduces new storylines — including rising quarterback Peyton “Pop” Houston and Damari “DayDay” Drake’s moving journey through family reconciliation — reinforcing that this isn’t just about football, but life’s victories and setbacks.

Why This Story Matters

What sets God. Family. Football. apart is its heart. Yes, there are incredible athletic moments and dramatic Friday night lights. But at its core is a message about faith-first living — a principle I witnessed firsthand from Pastor Duron decades ago. He’s not just coaching players. He’s shaping character. He’s modeling resilience. He’s pointing to a purpose bigger than any scoreboard.

And that’s what keeps audiences coming back season after season. Viewers resonate with the idea that football is real, but faith and family are deeper still.

David Almgren – Two Pastors, Popcorn and a Movie Podcast

A Great Awakening: A Powerful New Film from Sight & Sound Coming Easter 2026

| Faith and Family Flicks News and Notes

Sight & Sound Films, the storytellers known for bringing faith-centered, history-inspired stories to life, are set to release their latest cinematic journey, A Great Awakening, on April 3, 2026, in movie theaters nationwide. This inspiring historical drama arrives at a meaningful moment — coinciding with the 250th anniversary of America’s founding — and promises to engage audiences with a compelling blend of faith, freedom, and the human spirit.

A Story That Shaped a Nation

Set in the tense years before the American Revolution, A Great Awakening tells the true story of an unlikely friendship that played an instrumental role in shaping the moral and spiritual foundations of a nation. At the heart of the film is Reverend George Whitefield, the charismatic preacher whose sermons sparked the first Great Awakening, a sweeping spiritual renewal that united communities across the colonies.

As the colonies teetered on the brink of collapse, Whitefield’s voice echoed through towns and cities, inspiring a generation to embrace faith as a catalyst for liberty. Along the way, he forged a remarkable friendship with Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s most influential Founding Fathers. Through this relationship, the film explores how true freedom isn’t just codified in laws — it’s awakened in people’s hearts.

Director Joshua Enck, who also serves as President & Chief Story Officer of Sight & Sound, explains that the film’s mission is to remind audiences how ordinary people — guided by extraordinary faith — can help steer the course of history.

From Stage to Screen: Sight & Sound’s Expanding Vision

Sight & Sound has spent more than five decades delighting audiences with immersive live productions attended by millions at their theaters in Pennsylvania and Missouri. Their transition into feature film making builds on this legacy of dramatic storytelling and spiritual depth. A Great Awakening follows earlier Sight & Sound films like I Heard the Bells (2022) and NOAH — Live!, expanding their reach into cinema through partnerships with distributors like Roadside Attractions.

Audiences can expect the same epic scale, richly detailed sets, original music, and human storytelling that have become hallmarks of Sight & Sound’s creative work — now crafted for the big screen with a nationwide theatrical release.

Early Audience Buzz

Reaction to the film’s first trailer has been enthusiastic. As one viewer put it:

“The trailer for the movie knocked me out with how good this film looks. A must see movie.” — Nick, Stamford CT

That kind of excitement suggests A Great Awakening won’t just be another historical drama — it could become a meaningful experience for anyone who loves stories about faith, freedom, and transformative friendships. Make plans to embark on a cinematic journey this coming Easter! In theaters April 3rd, 2026.

David Almgren – Two Pastors, Popcorn and a Movie Podcast

the power of second chances

| Faith and Family Flicks News and Notes

Do you know someone who is down on their luck? Living with regrets? Wondering if it’s too late to make things right? Whether it’s a string of bad decisions, an unexpected crisis, or just life piling up. We all know people (or are people) who’ve felt like hope was out of reach. But what if the comeback is closer than we think?
I’ve heard powerful stories from my friends at the LA Dream Center, accounts of people who ended up homeless and broken, often because of just a few wrong turns. But time and time again, those same people found a way back.
How? Because someone stepped in. Someone believed in them, encouraged them, and introduced them to hope. It’s been said that just one person who believes in you can change the trajectory of your life and I believe that’s absolutely true.
The idea of second chances isn’t just motivational, it’s deeply biblical. Think about Moses. David. Paul. Peter. These weren’t men who lived spotless lives. They lied. They failed. They even ran from God. But their stories didn’t end in failure. Through God’s mercy, their lives were redeemed and repurposed.
God didn’t define them by their worst moments and He doesn’t define us that way either.
These powerful stories of second chances aren’t limited to real life or the pages of Scripture—they’re also found in cinema. Over the years, faith-based filmmakers have brought hope to life in inspiring ways. Here are just a few standout films that highlight this redemptive theme that God gives us more than just a fresh start, He gives us a new story.


Breakthrough (2019) Based on the true story of John Smith, a teenager who survives a near-fatal drowning. His miraculous recovery becomes a testament to faith and the power of prayer and second chances.
The VeggieTales movie Jonah (2002) playfully yet powerfully illustrates the theme of second chances, reminding viewers that God’s mercy is always available—even when we run the other way.
A New True Story of Redemption
This fall, another inspiring story hits the big screen nationwide called “The Senior”.
No, it’s not about a retirement home. It’s the true story of a former college football star who, at age 59, gets a second chance—at life, at redemption, and with the game he loves. It’s a powerful reminder that no one is ever too far gone or too old for a comeback.
Be a Messenger of Hope
As leaders in our churches and communities, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to be purveyors of hope. You never know who’s quietly waiting for someone to believe in them. Maybe you are the person God wants to use to ignite a second chance in someone’s life. So keep your eyes open. Speak life. Be bold with your encouragement. And never underestimate the power of believing in someone who feels forgotten. Because sometimes, all it takes is one voice to turn a broken past into a redeemed future.

Dave Almgren – Faithandfamilyfilms.info and Two Pastors Popcorn and a Movie Podcast.