Courageous (43 page)

A crime suspect crouches in wait, hoping to avoid sheriff ’s deputies.

Courageous cowriters Alex (right) and Stephen Kendrick watch shooting on the set.

Crew members on a location shoot prep a sheriff ’s squad car for the next scene.

Crew members on a location shoot prep a sheriff ’s squad car for the next scene.

Randy Alcorn (center), writer of the novelization, visits Stephen (left) and Alex Kendrick on the set.

Young talent takes a needed juice break from working in the hot Georgia sun.

Acknowledgments

From Randy Alcorn

A special thanks to my wife, Nanci, who made many personal sacrifices in the four months of seemingly endless work I poured into this project. Without your partnership, friendship, and encouragement, I would be lost. My daughters, Karina and Angela, and their husbands, Dan and Dan, discussed with me different aspects of the book along the way, and I appreciate their help.

My thanks to Stephen and Alex Kendrick, the writers of the
Courageous
screenplay, which provided the framework for this novel. About 20 percent of the book comes directly from the movie; the other 80 percent I had to invent to make this into a novel. So if there’s something the reader doesn’t like, chances are it’s my fault.

I am deeply grateful to Captain Craig Dodd, who drove me through the streets of Albany and shared many insights into gangs, drugs, street crime, and the consequences of fatherlessness. Craig kindly received many phone calls about police and jail procedures. Craig, sorry I couldn’t use more of the priceless information you provided me. When I did use it, I hope you’ll find it mostly accurate and that you’ll enjoy the story.

As always, thanks to my friends at Tyndale, including Karen Watson and Ron Beers. And to my Tyndale editor, Caleb Sjogren.

I could not have completed this project without the tireless help of Doreen Button, my colleague at Eternal Perspective Ministries, who worked countless hours, including way into the night and on a number of weekends, making editing suggestions. Doreen, I am profoundly grateful to God for your help.

Thanks to Stephanie Anderson, who made herself available on short notice to help reduce word count on drafts. And to Bonnie Hiestand, premier typist, who can read my handwriting sometimes even when I can’t. And to my assistants, Kathy Norquist and Linda Jeffries, without whom I would never have time to write a book.

Tim Newcomb and Steve Tucker looked over the first draft and offered helpful comments. Bob Schilling assisted with some research. I appreciate your help, my brothers.

A special thanks to my cop buddies Jim Seymour, Claudio Grandjean, Brandon Gentry, and Dave Williams, all part of my church. Jim, you went above and beyond, dropping by my house in your police cruiser and showing me on my front porch how the Taser operates. Thanks for not actually tasing me, Nanci, or our dog Moses.

Bill Leslie and Tom Skipper were my Spanish-speaking helpers, who assisted me with portions related to Javy. Thanks to all my go-to friends who helped with fact-checking in their area of expertise. They include Doug Gabbert, who made a crucial car recommendation for the story line. Thanks also to Sawyer Brown Rygh and Chase MacKay.

Words can’t express how much it meant to me to have our EPM prayer partners praying for me during the long and difficult writing process. God knows who you are. I trust that He answered and will answer your prayers and reward you for participating in this book and whatever impact it may have.

Others who helped, some probably without remembering, include Ron and Ione Noren, Tom and Donna Schneider, Don and Pat Maxwell, Rod and Diane Meyer, Steve and Sue Keels, Chuck and Gena Norris, Rick and Amy Campbell, Jay Echternach, Todd DuBord, Tony Cimmarrusti, Mark Kost, Paul Martin, Gregg Cunningham, Kress Drew, Robin Green, Stu Weber, and Scott Lindsey.

Far and above all others, I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who sustained me through the unusually difficult process of this book, especially in the latter stages. As Psalm 107:1 says, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” You are good, Lord, and even when times are hard, I praise You for your steadfast love to me.

From Alex and Stephen

Christina and Jill (our wives)
—your patience and support is wind in our sails. We cherish you dearly!

Joshua, Anna, Catherine, Joy, Caleb, Julia, Grant, Cohen, Karis, and John (our kids)
—may you grow in faith and strength and become mighty in your influence for Jesus. He is Lord and He loves you! So do we!

Larry and Rhonwyn Kendrick (our parents)
—for over forty years you have loved us and cheered us on. Thank you for training us up to know the Savior and to seek Him!

Jim McBride and Bill Reeves (agents)
—You guys have taken the hits, handled the headaches, and been amazing partners and friends. May God bless you many times over for your faithfulness.

Randy Alcorn (writer)
—Keep writing, serving, and giving. Your ministry impact will no doubt continue to grow. There are not many like you.

Karen Watson and Caleb Sjogren (editors)
—Thanks for believing in us and taking this journey with us. Your help, insight, and partnership has been a blessing.

Sherwood Baptist Church (home base)
—You make the harder road seem sweeter and the challenges more bearable. Thank you for loving Jesus. We are blessed to be a part of this family!

A Personal Message from the Kendrick Brothers

Thank you for reading
Courageous
! We hope you were encouraged and inspired by the journey of these fathers and their families. Now that you have read the novel, we want to boldly challenge you in your own spiritual journey. How will the story of
Courageous
influence you? Will you allow the message of faith and love to penetrate beyond the pages of this book?

If you do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ, we want you to know that He is the real deal. We’re not talking about religion but a
relationship
with Jesus. He alone has proven to be the missing link to God that people are longing for . . . and desperately need. One that you need.

His entire life demonstrates His uniqueness as God in the flesh. His virgin birth, sinless life, powerful teachings, amazing miracles, unconditional love, sacrificial death, miraculous resurrection, and impact on the world are all unique to Jesus Christ alone. Try reading Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the Bible and see for yourself what those who were with Him witnessed firsthand. He not only is qualified to forgive your sin, but He can change your heart and make it pleasing toward a holy God. It is foolish to trust in your own goodness to get into heaven. Only God can make us clean through Jesus Christ.

The Scriptures say that all of us have fallen short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3). We’ve all broken His commands. Each of us has lied, lusted, and hated. That’s why we could never stand before Him. We are guilty of many sins. He requires righteousness to enter heaven.

That’s why He lovingly sent Jesus. His death on the cross was necessary to make things right between us and a holy God. He didn’t have to do that. That’s just love in action . . . personified.

Regardless of where you are, let us encourage and challenge you, on behalf of Christ, to do what David Thomson did and surrender your heart afresh to God. Romans 10:9 says that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as your Lord (Master or Boss), and you believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, then you will be saved.

If you are already an obedient follower of Christ, then we want to encourage you further in your spiritual journey. We challenge you to let the faith and integrity that Christ brings influence your relationships, children, daily habits, and work environments the way Adam, Nathan, and Javier did. Do you model honesty and the Golden Rule in how you treat others? Have you dedicated your personal ethics and work environment to God? Are there people you need to get right with that you have wronged in the past? Don’t wait any longer. Do it!

We encourage you to refocus your passions toward the higher purpose of glorifying God and not living for your own temporary fulfillment in this life. Start your days in the Word of God and in prayer. Pray that people will be wowed by the changes that Christ has made in you. And let your commitment be independent of others. People will fail you, reject you, and let you down. But don’t be discouraged. Don’t let anything or anyone cause you to stop loving Him. Find a group of believers at a local church who share this passion and who will join you in this great adventure! Then let’s plan to rejoice together as we watch God glorify Himself through our lives and do more than we can ask or imagine! May your life in Christ be courageous!