Isaiah 43 (English Standard Version)

 1But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob,
   he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
   and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
   and the flame shall not consume you.
3For I am the LORD your God,
   the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
   Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
4Because you are precious in my eyes,
   and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
   peoples in exchange for your life.
5 Fear not, for I am with you;
    I will bring your offspring from the east,
   and from the west I will gather you.
6I will say to the north, Give up,
   and to the south, Do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
   and my daughters from the end of the earth,
7everyone who is called by my name,
   whom I created for my glory,
   whom I formed and made."

 8Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes,
   who are deaf, yet have ears!
9 All the nations gather together,
   and the peoples assemble.
Who among them can declare this,
   and show us the former things?
Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right,
   and let them hear and say, It is true.
10 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD,
   "and my servant whom I have chosen,
that you may know and believe me
   and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
   nor shall there be any after me.
11 I, I am the LORD,
   and besides me there is no savior.
12I declared and saved and proclaimed,
   when there was no strange god among you;
   and you are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and I am God.
13Also henceforth I am he;
   there is none who can deliver from my hand;
   I work, and who can turn it back?"

 14Thus says the LORD,
   your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
"For your sake I send to Babylon
   and bring them all down as fugitives,
    even the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they rejoice.
15I am the LORD, your Holy One,
   the Creator of Israel, your King."

 16Thus says the LORD,
    who makes a way in the sea,
   a path in the mighty waters,
17who brings forth chariot and horse,
   army and warrior;
they lie down, they cannot rise,
    they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:
18 "Remember not the former things,
   nor consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I am doing a new thing;
   now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
    and rivers in the desert.
20The wild beasts will honor me,
    the jackals and the ostriches,
for I give water in the wilderness,
   rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people,
 21the people whom I formed for myself
that they might declare my praise.

 22"Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob;
   but you have been weary of me, O Israel!
23 You have not brought me your sheep for burnt offerings,
   or honored me with your sacrifices.
I have not burdened you with offerings,
    or wearied you with frankincense.
24You have not bought me sweet cane with money,
   or satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices.
But you have burdened me with your sins;
   you have wearied me with your iniquities.

 25"I, I am he
    who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
   and I will not remember your sins.
26Put me in remembrance; let us argue together;
   set forth your case, that you may be proved right.
27 Your first father sinned,
   and your mediators transgressed against me.
28Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary,
   and deliver Jacob to utter destruction
   and Israel to reviling.

Eric Peters Concert/Music Video/Trailer Release

The concert was a blast. Not only did it feature the song, "Don't Hold Your Breath" from the film, but it also features Josh Hughes, who helped score the film.

 

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Here's a still from the music video shoot at Lake Ella. We had an interesting audience member come and watch the filming... more on this complete with video later.

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Here's a taste of the amazing song "Don't Hold Your Breath" by Eric Peters, produced by Andrew Osenga...

10 Posters

For the past three weeks we have been taking a thesis marketing class, which focuses on posters/dvd art, synopses, and stills for the festivals we are researching. Take a look at the evolution of "When the Waters Rise" posters...
(they are in chronological order)
(download)

All feedback is welcome. There is one week left before we lock our designs.

Let The Waters Rise

Don't know where to begin
Its like my world's caving in
And I try but I can't control my fear
Where do I go from here?

sometimes its so hard to pray
When You feel so far away
But I am willing to go
Where you want me to
God, I trust You

There's a raging sea 
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If You want them to 
I will follow You
I will follow You
I will follow You

I will swim in the deep
'Cuz You'll be next to me
You're in the eye of the storm
And the calm of the sea
You'll never out of reach

God, You know where I've been
You were there with me then
You were faithful before
You'll be faithful again
I'm holding Your hand

There's a raging sea 
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If You want them to 
I will follow You
I will follow You
I will follow You

God Your love is enough
You will pull me through
I'm holding onto You
God Your love is enough
I will follow You
I will follow You

Ohhh

There's a raging sea 
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If You want them to 
I will follow You
I will follow You
I will follow You

Lyrics by Mikeschair

Father's Love Letter

My Child ~

You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being ~ Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation ~ Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb ~ Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me ~ John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ~ 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ~ Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires ~ Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ~ Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father ~ Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is ~ Will you be my child? ~ John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you ~ Luke 15:11-32
                                                                                                   Love, Your Dad, Almighty God

Crazy Providential Story

So, I was having a really hard time coming up with a title for the film. And it was weird, but at 1:00AM on April 8th I felt led to go check out song titles on my iTunes for inspiration. I ended up scrolling down to "E" and stopping on "Eric Peters." I felt like he might have something helpful on his album, "Bookmark." 

I bought the CD back in 2004 at a Young Life camp in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota called,  Castaway Club. Eric Peters was our worship leader for the week, and I really enjoyed his music; I followed him a little here and there over the years.
 
His songs on the "Bookmark" album were somewhat close to the sound that I was looking for for the end of the movie to be played over the credits, and I liked the way that he titled the songs. So, then I decided to go on website www.ericpeters.net/ and I checked out some of his new music on his album from 2006, "Scarce," and his recent album, "Chrome." Both of these had some great songs, and I have since bought both CDs, but still there wasn't a title that stood out to me, and while finding a title was my original intent, my thought process was quickly evolving into the idea of, "Why don't I ask Eric Peters if he would be willing to write an original song for the film?" I thought it was a shot in the dark, but totally worth a try because I was quickly realizing that Eric had the sound and sensibility that would be a great fit for the film.
 
When I went to his correspondence page on his web site, it mentioned that if you notice that Eric happens to be on tour near your area, to please let him know, and he will try to schedule a concert at your venue in between his shows. That made me curious, and I wanted to see where Eric was on tour at the moment. I clicked the link to his concert page and scrolled down to the month of April. When I came to April 8, 2010, it said "Tallahassee, FL." Shocked, me eyes scanned over to the name of the venue, and it read, "Four Oaks Community Church!" I had no idea! I was ready to scream and yell and let someone know what just happened, but no one was home at the time. It was 1:00AM, and the concert was at 7:00PM later that day over top of the men's Bible study that meets at our house.
 
So, I emailed Eric and explained this craziness. I sent him the script and asked if he would take a look at it. Then I organized my men's Bible study to have a "fun outing" instead of doing the planned "Left of Matthew" study, which Dave Wirgau graciously agreed to. I got an email from Eric from his iPhone as he was boarding his flight that day, and he explained that we should meet up after the concert and talk.
 
Well, the concert was great, and with an appropriately wet script in hand, from the torrential Tallahassee downpour that was taking place outside, Eric and I discussed the idea of him writing an original score. I proposed that if he were to write and record an original song for the film, I would bring him back down to Tallahassee and film a performance video of him in the backyard singing, and then cut that together with the footage from the film to create a music video that both he and the film could benefit from. He expressed that he had never done anything like this before, and so I gave him the homework of watching the Darren Aronofsky film, The Wrestler, and to listen to the song at the end of the film bearing the same title by Bruce Springsteen.  I think the song, "The Wrestler," is one of the best demonstrations of how well a song can complement a film, and further convey the heart of the story without repeating the narrative back in a ballad, but focusing on putting the heart of the story to music.
 
Eric took the script and said that he would take a look at it. He was headed to South Florida for his next concert, and I understood that he would be very busy, but something like two weeks later I got an email that he had gotten inspired and had begun to a song! I was overjoyed and couldn't wait to hear what he had come up with!
 
After he got off the road and had a moment, while having never used "Garageband" before, Eric put together a demo of the song which he titled, "Don't Hold Your Breath, the chorus line of the song. Although in his email he included a lengthy disclaimer about the quality of the demo, even it rocks! We are very stoked to end the film with this amazing song by Eric Peters. It is going to cost a good bit to have it professionally recorded in Nashville, but this is something that we are trusting God for, because this is obviously a providential story that Eric and I met up like we did.
 
While the title of the film is not "Don't Hold Your Breath," the title When the Waters Rise comes from a line in his song that really stood out to me; which is much like how a line of action that I wrote in the script inspired Eric. It was the moment in the script where I wrote, Kara does not hold her breath when Keith says, "Not now," that really inspired Eric to pinpoint the heart of the story and write the song around that putting the heart of the story to music.

The Belly of the Whale

The phrase "belly of the whale" is used in the film industry to describe "the final separation from the hero's known world and self." (Wikipedia)  The phrase is obviously a Biblical illusion to the story of Jonah, and like the story of Jonah getting swallowed by a really big fish in order for God to get him from point "A" to be point "B," I've found that at times in my own life, in order for God to get me to the place that He wants me, He has to take me into the belly of a whale. In my case, at times it takes God shaking me to wake me up from whatever worldly woe has stolen my focus from Him. An effective way to get my attention is by allowing me to hurt someone who I care about. At that point I want to learn how to not repeat whatever it was I did to hurt another person. I want to repent of whatever sin it was in my life that I wasn't combatively conscious of, and I want to grow closer to God, and mature in Him for the benefit of my own walk, and to protect others from my sinful self. The beauty is the unconditional love and forgiveness that we can find in Christ and in the body of Christ amongst Christian community. We are able to exhort and rebuke in love because we have the word of God. 

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.

In the story of When the Waters Rise, Keith takes his family into the belly of the whale where they are hurt, disappointed, and angry at him for running them over because he is willing to put worldly possessions before them, but the gospel story is that although we were enemies of God, Christ still died for us.

Romans 5: 8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

He gave us this gift because, he wants to be in relationship with us. He is our father, and he wants us to come to him weary and heavy laden, with contrite hearts and spirits of repentance.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

In the story, Kara has this beautiful gift that she wants to give to her dad, but he wont give her the time of day because he believes that whatever it is that she has to share with him, it does not outweigh the here and now of the backyard. However, when Kara makes plain to Keith the weight of her gift, like her heavenly Father has made plain to her the weight of His gift of salvation, Keith cannot help but turn and repent of sinful nature. He is overcome by sorrow for his actions, and at the same time joy for the grace of God poured out on his daughter and himself through this experience that originally looked to be nothing less than a disaster, but God has cleansed what was dirty now made clean and sacrament His grace.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Introducing 4G!


Gallery01-20100607

 

With the recent release of Apple's 4G "iPhone 4," it only seemed appropriate to upgrade our "3G Approach" to a new and improved "4G Approach."    

"Our 4G Approach"

Growing closer to God through the process

Giving the project over to Him, and trusting Him to use it as He wills

Glorifying Him through the portrayal of His sovereign grace, that others may be moved

Gospel-centered in the story itself and in the making and exhibition of the movie

Get to Know Erik Braun Pt. 2: His Alter Ego, Rodney Beauchamp

Before Four Oaks Community Church moved into its new facility at Shannon Lakes Plaza, Pastor Erik Braun did a three part "vision series" as a precursor to the transition from nomadic church, to a church with a "ministry hug." This sermon series featured a three part video series hosted by the much loved, Rodney Beauchamp, the "assistant facilities manager" of the building project.

Rodney Beauchamp Video 1 (Sunday, Nov. 8) from Four Oaks on Vimeo.

listen to the full sermon - "grow"

Rodney Beauchamp Video 2 (Sunday, Nov. 15) from Four Oaks on Vimeo.

listen to the full sermon - "reach"

Rodney Beauchamp Video 3 (Sunday, Nov. 22) from Four Oaks on Vimeo.

listen to full sermon

Get to Know Erik Braun

This is a little taste of the man, the legend, THE Erik Braun. Along with the help of with the help of the equally infamous Josh Hughes, Bryan Zhang (When the Waters Rise Producer) and Patrick Gines (When the Waters Rise Director) made this video for Erik and Tori Braun to honor their ten years of faithfulness to Four Oaks Community Church before leaving for a much earned summer sabbatical. (Yes, this means that they will not be in their house when we are filming in June!)

Pastor Erik Sabbatical Video from Four Oaks on Vimeo.

A List of Theme Verses

These verses came to mind when I was writing the synopsis that you can read to the right of the page under "the production blog."

 
They have been helpful verses in continuing to understand the meaning of this beautiful true story and the Truth of God in it.

---

Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Isaiah 55:1 (ESV)

   "Come, everyone who thirsts,
   come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
   without money and without price.

James 1:2-4 (ESV)

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 55:6-11 (ESV)

   "Seek the LORD while he may be found;
   call upon him while he is near;
 let the wicked forsake his way,
   and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him,
   and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
   neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
  For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
   so are my ways higher than your ways
   and my thoughts than your thoughts.

1 Peter 3:13-16 (ESV)

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Psalm 100:4-5 (ESV)

 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
   and his courts with praise!
   Give thanks to him; bless his name!

 5 For the LORD is good;
   his steadfast love endures forever,
   and his faithfulness to all generations.

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 

Romans 1:19 (ESV)

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 

Psalm 145:8-9 (ESV)

 The LORD is gracious and merciful,
   slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
 The LORD is good to all,
   and his mercy is over all that he has made.

John 4:7-15 - Living Water

7A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." 8(For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) 9The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" ( For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." 11The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock." 13Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." 15The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water."


"Living Water" was a title that was considered for this movie. Although it is not the title that we ended up going with, the phrase, "living water," still rings true of the story of When the Waters Rise.

In the story, Keith, gets distracted by the worldly water that is out his backdoor. His yard is flooded, and he chooses to take things into his own hands. Although Keith is a pastor, and he knows the truth of John 4:7-15, he makes an attempt to be satisfied by the water of the world. In this case, he wants to find his satisfaction in removing the water from his backyard.

On the other hand, Kara has been drawing closer to God through the experience of this scary tropical storm. She is convinced that something is missing in her life, and she realizes that her worldly possessions don't satisfy her. She thirsts for the water that will leave her quenched for eternity. Although she is aware that her father is mulling over the backyard because seeming disaster has come upon their property, Kara sees God's faithfulness through the storm to protect her family and show Himself to her.

While Kara is the one that gets baptized in this story, When the Waters Rise is just as much a story about the baptism of Keith's heart. We all have moments, even our pastors do, where we feel that if we were only to have this one thing taken care of, then we would be satisfied, but the truth is, only Christ, only the living water, which he freely offers, will fill us up. This particular Sunday, when Keith is unable to preach, happens to be one of the most fruitful Sundays that a father could ever ask for, and yet, not of his own doing. This act of God that goes from "disaster" to "sacrament" for the Fetter family.

Naming Key: The Braun Family Gets Renamed

Here's the name-change key to the script:

Erik - Keith
Tori - Amy
Tess - Kara
Bo - Jake
Emma - Hannah
Chloe - Maddie

Inside the family, there are also the characters of "Mee-Maw" and "Paw-Paw." Although, I don't think that I spelled these names for "Grandma" and "Grandpa" correctly.

Right now the last name that is written into the script for the family is the "Fetters;" however, their last name is never mentioned in the script... at least not the most recent draft.

One other notable roll, which is the product of the factiousness that has been written into the story, but is a very central roll to the story, is the character of the conservation officer, Sergeant Libby McCall.

We will be holding auditions for these rolls down in Orlando this Tuesday with the help of Kia Riddick-Taylor from Starcatcher Productions.

Isaiah 55:10-11 - A Fruitful Return

10 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
   and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
   it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
   and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.


This is a twofold theme verse for the movie:

1.As you will see, the rains come down on this family, but not in vain. God uses the storm to sprout fruit in their lives, and to grow them closer to Himself. 

2. As a filmmaker, my prayer is that the words written in this script would not return empty, but would accomplish the purpose of glorifying God. Success for this film is defined as: 

"Our 3G Approach"

Growing closer to God through the process

Giving the project over to Him, and trusting Him to use it as He wills

Glorifying Him through the portrayal of His sovereign grace, that others may be moved

The Story

When Erik Braun, of Four Oaks Community Church, spoke to the Florida State Navigators campus ministry in mid March of this year, I heard a story that I knew I wanted to tell on film. I had already been working on another script for my thesis film project, but after hearing this true story about the day the Braun's backyard became a bayou, I scrapped the previous idea and pointed my sights on adapting this story. I just knew it was the story that I was supposed to tell. I have since fictionalized parts for dramatic purposes, and the names are all changed, but it is good to go back to the original source. 


Take a listen to a recording from the "Nav Night" that Erik spoke at:

(Duration 9'14)

(download)