Happy new year! I honestly wanted to record a podcast episode and post this blog post on 12/31/24 but time didn’t allow. Then New Year’s day comes and tragedy hits nearby. The intentional massacre on Bourbon Street. Now this post is seeming more necessary than before. Praying for the minds and hearts of people.

Now, here’s my take on the 2024 movie The Forge. The last movie I felt led to write a whole post about was The Shack starring Octavia Spencer in 2017. You can check that one out here. I took a lot of notes, so I will link a podcast episode here to listen to, if you don’t want to read it. It was just released on Netflix, but it went to theatres a couple of months before that. Hopefully you’ve had a chance to watch it. I won’t spoil it with too many particulars.

On first watch, the main thing that stuck out to me was the power of prayer. When I thought to do a post, I watched it again to be able to give a more detailed opinion.

• Isaiah: anger issues based on an absent parent and obvious respect for women and resistance towards men.
• Some of the beauty salon scenes seemed unnecessary and having a twin made no sense. (I think the cinematography team just wanted to show off). 
• Mr. Moore was always willing to help someone in need and made time to pour into them and his employees know and understand this. 
• The mother always prayed and always thanked God when He moved. 
• The older praying woman’s initial prayer was not for Isaiah to change into who they wanted him to be but for him to see himself how God sees him and change his heart. 
• Isaiah was a fast learner and when exposed, change occurred. 
• Being a disciple and the importance of reaching out to help others and pass on the Word of God. 
• Isaiah’s first step was to inquire, then he asked Jesus to help him because he realized he needed help. His decision, his timing through prayers from his mother. He was encouraged and sought God for himself. He asked God what would he need to do to be better in his quest of Him. He knew that his game occupied a lot of his time so he learned sacrifice. 
• Being around like minded people is paramount. A relationship with God requires changed behaviors. Change will include challenges. (Him seeing his father). 
• Isaiah talked to God honestly. Made a choice to forgive. Gave his troubles to Him. Prayed for his mother. Surrendered. 
• A family in Christ to support you, help you, pray with and for you, encourage you is necessary.  
• Isaiah asked for forgiveness from someone who didn’t even remember the offense. A depiction of how God forgives us and remembers our sins no more. 
• You gain a different level of confidence when you go to God first and trust that He will work things out. 

In all, should you watch it, yes. It started off pretty slow for me. I tried about 4 or 5 times to watch it, before giving it my full attention. It wasn’t until the last 20 minutes of the two hour movie that I began to shed a few tears. I was overwhelmed with gratitude because of the life God has blessed me with and because He answers all of my prayers. Even the ones that haven’t come into fruition yet.

Sincerely,

Angie