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GOD’S NOT DEAD Director: ‘Investing In Our Families Is Investing In Our Future’
By Movieguide® Staff
Director Harold Cronk, best known for the Christian movie franchise GOD’S NOT DEAD, recently released his first children’s book called The Beard Ballad.
The story highlights the bond between fathers and their sons in an age where culture is going through a “gender identity crisis.”
The book features a forward written by Phil Robertson of DUCK DYNASTY fame.
In the book, the father and son’s beard grows longer as they bond. Cronk thanked the executive producer of GOD’S NOT DEAD Troy Duhon for helping him run with the concept.
“He said to me, ‘We have got to get this out there. We’ve got a major gender identity crisis going on in our country right now, and this is something that fathers need as a tool,” Cronk told The Christian Post. “Troy got behind the book in a big way, and I’m grateful for his support.”
“I love being a man and I feel that we were put on this earth to do things for the greater good,” Cronk added. “I know a lot of men that are incredibly good men, who work their tails off every day to provide for their families.”
Aside from outdoor activities and a love for sports, Cronk wanted to portray a servant’s heart.
“They love football, hunting, fishing and chopping wood,” he said. “They’re just good-hearted men who have a servant’s heart and want to help other people. That heart is what I wanted to portray.”
Cronk confessed that men, like all humans, make mistakes. However, Cronk added that men should be encouraged and not discouraged to bring something to society.
“Let’s face it, we all make bad choices at points in our lives. We all screw up every day. That’s why grace is so amazing,” Cronk explained. “Thankfully, the grace of God covers up all of those shortcomings that we have as men if we truly seek forgiveness and walk a better path. I think that if we start taking away all of the good things that men bring to our culture in our society, it’s going to make our future more bleak, not brighter.”
Cronk noted that his original idea came from interaction with his son, Harry, and his own father’s lessons.
“A couple of years ago, I picked him up, nuzzled him, gave him a big bear hug and rubbed my cheek against his. He pushed me away and said, ‘Daddy, your face is all pokey and rough.’ I said, ‘Those are my ferocious facial follicles.’ And in that moment, the idea was born,” he said.
“I lost my father to Alzheimer’s disease two years ago. Since then, I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching and thinking through all of the knowledge and principles that my dad shared with me. Everything that I have accomplished is in large part a result of his teachings and investment in me,” he continued. “I think the time spent between a father and son is invaluable. When we invest in our sons, share with them our beliefs and our values, and develop a strong relationship. We know that they’re going to be comfortable coming to us and asking us the difficult questions as they move through life in this ever-changing world. The more that we can pour into them, the better equipped they will be to navigate the shark-infested waters of our world.
“It meant a lot to me when my dad took time for just the two of us to be together. There were many times that my dad took me hunting and fishing, and we would go on some great adventures together. He made the time to have days where we could spend quality time together. This is a tradition I will continue with my children because I know how much it meant to me.”
Cronk said that while the story focuses on the father and son relationship, its message is for fathers and their daughters, too.
“Investing in our families is investing in our future. When we give our time to our families, to model the things that we know are important for our children to see, it’s going to have a positive impact on our culture,” he said. “I think one of the biggest problems facing our country right now is that we are pulled in so many different directions with the ‘Keeping Up with the Joneses’ mentality — the perception of others, social media, working 80 hours a week. When we start to put all of those things ahead of the relationships that we have with our children, we’re headed down the wrong path.”
“We need to reverse that mentality, and we can,” he continued. “I’m not saying that all of a sudden, you need to spend X amount of hours a week with your son. You have to start small and build successes. You have to start with little things, like reading a five-minute bedtime story with your son or daughter. Make that commitment to yourself, because it’s going to positively affect you as well. It will be something that you and your child appreciate and look forward to each day.”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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