Please forgive me for the bleep’n, I surely don’t mean to offend anyone. But it’s important to tell this story accurately, to quote exactly, because it’s so heartbreaking a story, so deeply grieving, so drive-a-guy-to-his-knees…

I’m sure many of you saw the same interview I saw on Larry King Live, the topic being the documentary that is being released (actually tonight) about the heartbreaking death of Pat Tillman on the battlefield in Afghanistan.  To quickly summarize, Pat was a star football player, one of those remarkably gifted “golden boys,” who made the remarkable choice of opting out of the NFL to fight in Afghanistan.

As his father told the story during the interview, he and his brother were both so deeply moved by the events of 9/11, that they both decided to enlist and serve side by side.  Then, I believe it was in 2004, that Pat was oh-so-tragically killed during a firefight – and the rest is history. 

The Army report said he died a hero in action.  But as truth emerged, it became apparent that he died of “friendly fire.” And apparently there are questions even about that, because he was only 40 – 100 yards from the American troops that fired on him – a distance that was close enough to be recognized as an American as well, and not the enemy.  And thus the documentary.

My purpose in this writing is not to weigh in on the Pat Tillman discussion.  “Lord only knows” what truly happened that day and who may have tried to conceal what facts, and, and… And may I, of course, say to the Tillman’s that I am deeply sorry this happened – even as it tears my heart out for so many who have suffered the same loss. But now to the reason I’m bringing all this up….

At one point during the interview, they showed a clip of Pat’s brother addressing the gathering at Pat’s memorial service.  Apparently he followed several other speakers, who, it would seem, shared typically sentimental words regarding Pat, and he said this in response to those speakers (I’m quoting from memory as best I can remember)…

“I appreciate what everyone said about Pat, but let me set the record straight: my brother’s not with God, he’s just bleep’n dead.”  Then he repeated it – “He’s just bleep’n dead.” 

I heard those words, and after I got over my initial shock, it was like I could have just sat there and cried ten thousand tears…

What followed was a discussion about Pat’s apparent disinterest in God.  Sitting with Larry and alongside Pat’s father was a soldier who was with him when they got fired on, and he said that when the bullets began flying he started praying – and Pat told him to stop.  And again, I could just sit and cry tears. 

My JESUS NGL friends, Pat’s death is a tragedy any way you cut it.  Even with the Lord, it is so heartbreaking, a life lost like that.  But oh, how far beyond the deepest depths of heartbreaking is the thought of a life lost without hope, without Jesus – with nothing but ”just bleep’n dead.”

My message is simpe today, my friends – people need the Lord.  It really is that simple – and it really is that more-important-than-anything-else.  Both gifted and heroic people like Pat Tillman need him, and nameless children dying of AIDS in the red dust of Africa need him.  And we who know Jesus in salvation, who “know better” – who carry the keys to God’s kingdom in our pockets, so to speak - are the only ones who can make sure they find him.

It’s not for this or that guy, over here or over there.  We’re not to stand on the sidelines and cheer on the great evangelist.  Each and every one of us has been called in one way or the other – sometimes called to the next door neighbor, and sometimes called to the nations.  Sometimes called to sacrifice in one way – always called to sacrifice in some way.  For whether we like it or not, it is sacrifice that God’s kingdom is built on – beginning and ending with Jesus hanging on a tree.

There isn’t one of us who isn’t equipped for exactly what the Lord has before us.  There isn’t one of us who has nothing to offer.  There isn’t one of us who can afford not to care.

I know most of my writings are filled with “Jesus loves you,” and every whisper of that is true beyond true.  But while we so desperately need to understand the depth of that, we also need to understand the hugeness of even one of his children ever being “just bleep’n dead.”  And forgive me, but those mega-sobering words have been reverberating inside my head, even haunting me with the heaviness of exactly what they mean, ever since I heard them, and I just couldn’t not alert every believer I know. 

People need the Lord, oh you who are so very precious to him.  Please, let’s commit to fall on our faces before him, to drop whatever it is that we might be afraid to let go of or step into or do or not do… 

Let’s all, in whatever way he might be whispering to you and me and you… answer, “Here am I, Lord.  Yes, I’ll do that which you’re asking me to do.  Yes, I’ll make that phone call and set that dinner aside to go be with whoever.  Yes, I’ll give up that which I’m so afraid to give up.  Yes, I’ll serve.  Yes, I’ll forgive him/her…”

I don’t know what this all might mean to you – I only know that he means it for each and every one of us in one way or the other.  And that’s because people need him, pure and simple, and there isn’t one of us who’s exempt.  They just simply, deeply, need Jesus. 

Please, my JESUS NGL friend, whatever these words might mean to you privately and personally, let us commit to giving them Jesus.  Glory to the name of Jesus!

Bruce Marchiano

Glory to Jesus!  Recently I was asked to write an article for a magazine geared toward Christian leaders, and as I shared a particular story in it, I thought that I must share it with everyone.

It’s a story I’ve told countless times, not only in my first book, In the Footsteps of Jesus, but from countless platforms in ministry and speaking.  As some of you know, I had the mind-blowing privilege of portraying Jesus in the 90’s film, The Gospel According to Matthew.  And as some of you also know, it was an experience that took my life and spun it entirely around – even to the point of now dedicating my life to the making of Jesus… No Greater Love. 

Well, this story is one of those life-spinning Matthew experiences – a story that, having experienced it, there just was no going back to my regular actor life.  In fact, if there are four or five life-altering events, this is among them for me.  It re-shaped my future, inside and out, unto this day.

If I may lay the ground work, as an actor, one of the keys to portraying a character accurately is grasping the character’s “point of view.”  In other words, “what it all looks like” through the character’s eyes.

The world looks very differently to different people.  Two people can look at the same, for example, homeless person, and have two completely different reactions.  So a huge part of my job in playing Jesus was to somehow get a grasp on HIS perception – what the world looks like through his eyes. 

So before the cameras were about to roll on one particular scene, I began praying, asking the Lord to show me this, because I hadn’t yet gotten a handle on it.  And please understand, I wasn’t seeking him for “an experience” or vision or anything like that.  I was just trying to gain understanding.  And so I prayed – man, did I pray! – “Lord, show me what it all looks like through your eyes”…    

It was the second day of filming.  We were in a Moroccan village, setting up to shoot Matthew 11:20-30, where Jesus laments Korazin and Caperrnaum, ending with his breathtaking words, “Come to Me… I’ll give you rest for your souls.”

Having found the Lord only two years prior to Matthew, I tell you, I prayed during the filming like I’ve never prayed in my life.  I was so aware that what I needed was not “great acting,” but a work of the Holy Spirit, unto the revelation of the heart of Jesus.  And so I prayed.  Man, how I prayed!

But before the cameras were to roll on this particular scene, I prayed a very specific prayer, something I’d never thought to pray before, but something essential to representing Jesus accurately.  There I was, moments before, “Action!” praying with everything I was, “Lord, show me what it all looks like through Your eyes.”

I was looking at hundreds of crew, extras, Moroccan villagers… 99% of whom did not know Jesus.  And what happened inside me on the heels of that prayer, there just are no words to adequately explain. It was like a shock of pain rifled through my heart such as I never imagined heart-pain could be. It was so deeply traumatizing, I just exploded in tears – and wept uncontrollably for more than an hour.

And in the middle of that, a Scripture rose in my heart, “He had compassion on the crowds because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). In the ways the Lord deals with me, I knew He was giving me a tiny, billionth of a billionth glimpse of His heartbreak over anyone who would choose to live even one moment of life outside of His grace and care, His guidance and provision… His broken heart for lost people.

As you can guess, it was quite the moment.  There I was in front of hundreds of people, weeping and broken, and unable to stop.  I remember I went and sat down on a mud wall surrounded by villagers, and just cried.

The director came over to me, his name was Regardt but I called him Reg.  He put his hand on my shoulder and asked if I was ok.  I remember I was hardly able to even speak, and all I could think to say was, “It kills him, Reg.  It just kills him.”

The broken heart of Jesus for lost people…  So much deeper and so far beyond what any of us can even begin to imagine.

In closing, may I share part of an email that I received from an old friend just a few days ago. Bruce, I’m sure you remember my brother. He died last Monday. He was 43 & just could not stop drinking. He battled alcohol/drugs for 25 years & his body just finally gave out on a bus bench in San Diego. 

And the living God weeps, and weeps…

Reach out, my brothers and sisters.  The old song lyric is as true as there is truth, People need the Lord.  They don’t need “church,” they don’t need programs, they don’t need strategies or denominations or preaching styles or “doctrine”… or even good Jesus movies.

They need Him, pure and simple.  They need to understand his heart by seeing it beating through you and me, and through the way we handle them, and serve them, and hopefully cry tears over their brokenness and pain.  

“It kills Him, Reg.  It just kills Him.”  Whether you’re an everyday believer or the leader of the nation’s largest church/ministry, I hope you don’t mind me saying, may also “kill” me and you.

Glory to the Name of Jesus!

Bruce Marchiano

Thus began a Facebook Comment I received recently.  And I am SO thankful for it – SO thankful for precious brothers and sisters who care enough about the Lord and his purposes, and want to wisely steward the finances he’s given them, to take the time to ask questions and openly share their considerations.  Glory to Jesus!

I promised this precious saint I would answer her comments through the blog, which is a great idea because there may be many of you who share her same thoughts.  So… here I am!  Praise Jesus!  Of course, I’ll edit her comments just to “cut to the chase,” but let’s go for it!

Bruce, a number of my Christian friends don’t believe it is Biblical to make any images of Jesus, including movies. This makes it hard for me to invite them to be producers : ).

I have heard this before, although very rarely.  I would never ever say that what someone believes is wrong – I would never argue a point like this (we have FAR too much arguing going on among God’s children!).

Obviously I personally don’t consider this an issue – and I would invite them to consider the literally millions of people who have found Jesus through film, art, dramas, animation, etc. 

What I would say to your friends is, “I totally respect that belief, I totally respect you, and I think it’s awesome that you stand by your convictions. May the Lord reach MANY through you as you seek to represent him in your own ways and your own lives!”  Glory to Jesus!

Bruce, I know other people have concerns about times the JESUS film was used in culturally ignorant ways.

I would speak a little more strongly on this one… The JESUS FILM is literally the single-most salvation-producing evangelical reality in all of human history.  More people have been saved through this film than through all the evangelists, programs, strategies… combined. 

Of course anytime you get humans involved, you will get mistakes, so perhaps some mistakes have been made.  But you can say the same about every missionary, ministry, book, evangelist, Bible translation, tract, church… every everything in one way or another.  So this argument, to me, feels a bit like straining gnats.  Mistakes and all, I’ll stand by the JESUS FILM any day of the week.  Praise Jesus for it!

No matter how great a movie we make, it isn’t going to replace
people reaching people.

My standard line is, “JESUS NGL is a film to be produced by the body of Christ, for the body of Christ, to reach their families, neighbors, communities… nations.”  Just like with the funding, it all comes down to the everyday believer taking the Gospel to hurting people. 

JESUS NGL is simply a “kingdom tool” – a film presentation of the Gospel – to equip everyday believers, churches, ministries, missionaries… to reach their families, neighbors, communities, nations…  Glory to Jesus!

Only Jesus can actually save people. A few of the [Facebook] comments have made me uncomfortable, sounding as if we can equate giving to this movie with saving people and concern for this film with concern for souls.

I can promise you, no one equates this film with salvation – they’re just excited about it because they know it has the potential to open the door to millions of salvations – and I’m certainly not going to take that away from them, glory to Jesus!  I’m extremely thankful for impassioned believers, and their impassioned support.

About their comments equating giving to the film with concern for souls… I think people were shocked to learn that of the thousands of Christians following JESUS NGL on Facebook, less than 100 have given.  So they reacted passionately.

Forgive me, but it’s a statistic that I just don’t get either.  I mean, we’re talking about ten bucks.  How easy can it get?  I mean, when I explain what I’m doing to my non-believer friends, 9/10 of them toss me a ten, it’s such a no-brainer even to them!  Glory to Jesus!

I hope we aren’t trying to make God’s Word into an awesome movie because we are bored with it the way it is or doubt its power to save the way He gave it to us.

The way God originally gave us His Word was orally – people sitting around the campfire talking, ha ha!  Then a few guys began to write those things down by hand.  Then it wasn’t until the printing press, millenia later, that we actually got printed Bibles!  So…. if we want to talk about “the way God gave it to us,” does anyone have a match and some wood, ha ha!

Forgive my joking, but seriously, JESUS NGL is simply another extension, avenue, expression… of God’s Word. With each generation people, especially youth, read less and less.  BUT THEY LINE UP TO WATCH MOVIES!  Glory to Jesus!

At the same time, we who live in the western world don’t realize that the vast majority of the rest of the world cannot read – they’re illiterate.  And if you talk about the core reason we’re making this film, it’s not only the western world – it’s these precious, precious souls. 

Are we really going to be able to get this movie into theaters around the
world? Is the fact that it is produced by all these private individuals not
going to hinder that in any way?

There are no screen guarantees for any film.  At the same time, I can promise you, if millions rise to produce this film, it will not only be the biggest news in the Christian world, but in the film world at large.  And with that kind of splash/publicity, the theaters will be lining up to screen what will literally be “the first film in history that was funded/produced by the people themselves.” 

I’m telling you, this goes way beyond merely making a movie.  It shouts to the whole world who we are as Christians, and how our God is able to do what man deems impossible, glory to Jesus!

Why should people give to this when we could be giving the money to
missionaries and churches we know are reaching people right now?

We should all be giving everywhere we can.  I pray you are giving left and right and to everything that is out there reaching lives for Jesus, glory to Jesus!  Because at the end of the day, this is how God’s kingdom moves forward – through the giving (in all ways) of His people. 

And let’s be honest, at the end of the day all the “stuff” we tend to so easily spend our money on… what does it amount to?  I mean, being hard-honest with ourselves, when was the last time we wandered over to Best Buy or whatever, simply out of boredom, and spent more than ten bucks on something that now sits in the drawer… yikes!  

I’ve said it many times - Jesus gave His very life… “Lord, help us, that we struggle so much to give the little you ask of us.  Oh Father, have mercy!”  Glory to Jesus!

I don’t doubt that the Lord has given you this vision and there is nobody I
trust more than you to make “a Jesus movie for a new generation” and not
“ruin the book”! I wanted to lay all my doubts out there honestly because I
really, really want this to happen.

Whew, I’m glad I get some thumbs up there, ha ha ha!  Seriously, thank you.  I promise you, I’m doing my best.  A lot of people on this end are making huge sacrifices – not to mention many of you who are giving selflessly.  And I promise you, we will continue until the day this film is complete and in the hands of you who will take it to the world - or until the Lord says, “Hey buddy, cut it out,” ha ha!  Glory to Jesus!

Well… I pray this discussion has been a blessing to you, and answers some questions you may have.  In fact, I pray it has blessed your boots off!

In conclusion, I’d like to share another email that I received just yesterday.  It is one of many testimonies I’ve received based on my film of the 90’s, The Gospel of Matthew.  It shares how the Lord used Matthew to touch a little girl’s life, then help rescue her as a teenager, then launch her into a ministry of her own. 

I stand so humbled when I read things like this below - and so freshly aware of the value of what we are trying to accomplish in JESUS NGL.  May it answer even more of your questions…  And so we press forward.

God bless you!  Glory to Jesus!

Bruce Marchiano

Dear Mr. Marchiano…

I am 25 years old.  The year Matthew came out my family didn’t have TV, but our neighbor would allow me to go to her house while she was gone at work and watch it. For a year, I watched the entire series daily. You made Jesus come alive for me; I still tear up thinking about the compassion in Jesus’ eyes when he healed the leper.

May the Lord bless you richly for your faithfulness and service to Him! I pray He will also mightily bless the development of your film, supernaturally raise up every dollar needed for production, and put the breath of His Spirit’s anointing on every aspect of the film, for His praise and glory!

GLORY TO JESUS!!!!!!!

[Edited/re-printed from NewJesusMovie Facebook Page]

Glory to Jesus! Yesterday I was driving along and suddenly saw a huuuuuuuuge commotion ahead of me – all surrounding the donut shop that I frequent, Donut Prince in Burbank, CA. There were police directing traffic, dozens of trucks, two cranes, hundreds of people milling about… and all that can only mean one thing – they’re shooting a movie.

As you can guess, it’s a scene that is somewhat common out here in L.A. But as often as I’ve seen it – as often as I’ve participated in it – I rarely recall seeing anything this huge. And that means that whatever they’re shooting is top notch, big-time, spare no expense… film-making.

And the long row of paparazzi being held back just confirmed it – these “A list” actors/directors command literally tens of millions of dollars as salaries. What I was driving by was the major leagues of the major leagues. And no doubt, the result will be a film that is world class in excellence on every level – the kind of film that today’s sophisticated audiences are accustomed to, and even demand.

Well, sure enough, they were shooting Tom Hanks’ next film – yes, there he was sitting in my favorite seat in my favorite donut shop (but something tells me he was getting his donuts for free, hee hee). I don’t know the film’s name but when you see it on the screen you’ll be able to say – “oh, so that’s where Bruce chills out (and cheats on his fitness regimen!) in the middle of a long day,” hee hee!

When I saw the cranes, the extraordinary equipment, the masses of crew, the MASSIVE canopy hanging over the entire donut shop (that’s what you see dangling from the crane in the photo) to diffuse the light (in all my years I’d never seen one that huge before)… I thought of JESUS NGL.

This is what it HAS to look like. Why? Because if anything needs to be done top notch, with EXTREME excellence, with nothing spared… it’s the Gospel, it’s Jesus, it’s the living Word of God.

It’s always been one of the huge issues with Christian films, they’re mostly being done on a relatively small budget, and as much as the guys work hard to maximize the bang they get from every buck, the films tend to look like films done on a small budget. I even remember on MATTHEW, often cringing at some of the low budget look that there was no way to avoid, because you only have so much money to work with.

I hope you get what I mean when I say this… all that is “kind of” okay for we who love the Lord and understand what these films are trying to accomplish. We Christians tend to let the low budget thing slip by, because we are thankful for these films and more focused on the ministry that pours forth from them. But to the non-believer, for the most part, it’s a whole different story.

By way of example, I recently had a conversation with a guy on my softball team. He was telling me that his wife “forced” him to watch “this faith-based film.” He kept saying over and over, “It was so cheesy and you could tell that they didn’t even bother to use professional actors.” In other words, the low budget thing was a stumbling block to him. It got in the way of his hearing the message – a message that this guy desperately needs to receive.

This is the reason it’s SO important that JESUS NGL be done “world class.” It has to be cutting edge in look/technology, it HAS to stand up to films the studios are putting out today. Because “the enemy” will be doing EVERYTHING possible to convince people not to go see it, EVERYTHING possible to distract from the message – “Jesus is your salvation, Jesus loves you, come to Jesus…”

And again, especially with the level of sophistication that today’s audiences have – ESPECIALLY young people… we just HAVE to make sure we don’t put stumbling blocks before them, excuses to discount the film, reasons for them to not sit down and watch it…

With that directive before us, the lowest we can cut the budget down to right now is 45 million – probably about 1/3 the cost of that Tom Hanks film. We WILL capture a state-of-the-art look, feel. We WILL make a film that stands alongside that Tom Hanks film. It may not have the big stars that cost millions (because in a Jesus film, the only star must be JESUS!). But it will keep people riveted to their seats…

Riveted because the film is so engaging, so “wow!” in look/feel. But even more, because of the LOVE that will pour into their hearts with every frame – the whisper of God’s Spirit that will flow through the exposition of His Word, glory to Jesus!

Yes, 45 million is a big bundle. And I know a lot of you haven’t given because you think, “What difference can my ten bucks make?” But you see, you take that ten bucks and you add it to that of millions of your brothers/sisters… and without it ever being a financial burden on any one person (which is my hope/plan)… the film is accomplished. It really is that easy, that simple – that do-able. Glory to Jesus!

My JESUS NGL friends, please, let us each do our part. Thousands visit this web site – I see the statistics every week.  But not even 1% stop to give, to be a part of bringing this film to the screen. I know there are some who literally can’t afford ten bucks, and that’s perfectly ok – but I also know that reality represents just a tiny fraction of us.

If you haven’t yet given, please, now is the time to reconsider that and take action. Forgive my boldness, but unless you literally cannot afford ten dollars, there’s no reason not to. There are eternal salvations at stake, and we’ve made it very clear that we are a non-profit outreach ministry, any profits from the film will be turned toward three areas, all of which are very costly:

1) Dubbing the film into the languages of the world, 2) distributing the film across the world, freely to those who have no means (and that means literally millions of copies of the film being given away, and 3) hopefully a second Word for Word film production to be handled the exact same way.

As I’ve said before, all this springs forth”for the price of a pizza.” So please, let us come together, let us give of ourselves even in this tiny way, even as Jesus gave his very LIFE for OUR salvation. Let us act even now. Go to the “donate” page and give unto precious, precious souls. 

Thank you! Glory to Jesus!

Bruce Marchiano

Praise to Jesus!  You all did such an incredible job giving input on “I saw the Spirit come down as a dove and remain on Him…,” truly, I am SO thankful, and there were MANY eye-opening ideas/insights, things I hadn’t considered… 

I am currently grouping all your comments and emails into “writing,” “direction,” “special effects” (SFX)… to make it easier to work through them.  Then I will blend them with my research, ideas from pros, and yes, even my own thoughts… and I can’t wait for you to one day see it on the screen. 

Can you imagine sitting there, watching tears come down people’s eyes all around you, and at the same time, see glimpses of your input on the screen!  

And here’s the thing – knowing that you had a part in this, that the Lord literally chose you specifically to make this happen, not only as a Producer with your support, but literally as an advisor in the creative aspects – literally using you to create this work that will invite countless souls to salvation for generations to come.  I don’t know how that makes you feel, but I feel a hearty GLORY TO JESUS is in order!  Glory to Jesus!

So let’s move on to the next section of script that I’d like to hear comments on.  I’m guessing we all know the story, Phillip brings a VERY skeptical Nathanael to Jesus (John 1:45-49) and with that one line out of Jesus’ mouth (verse 48), Nathanael falls to his face, blown away, proclaiming what not one had yet proclaimed, “You are the Son of God!  The King of Israel!”

It’s a tricky moment to bring to life on screen - what is it beneath the surface of those words that would cause such a dramatic reaction?  What does that mean, “under the fig tree”?  Was it a literal fig tree?  And if so, what was Nathanael doing beneath it?  Why would he react as he did?

I’ve read every commentary I can get my hands on, consulted several leaders/teachers…  I keep getting the same couple things from them all (which I won’t share here so as to not influence your input).  So now I turn to you!

Come on, Bible experts!  Come on, you who have sought God on this verse and sensed his leadership!  JESUS NGL needs you!  Glory to Jesus!

Please leave your comment here in the blog.  Some people are having trouble with this (apparently it is an Internet Explorer/WordPress issue that limits us to only 25 comments), so you can also leave comments on our Facebook page, or email them to info@newjesusmovie.com.

Hey, did you ever think you’d be co-writing/directing a Jesus movie?  Pretty cool, isn’t it!  I look forward to hear from you – hopefully from 1000’s of you, the more the better! 

Ready, set, GO!  Glory to Jesus!

Bruce Marchiano

Glory to Jesus!  Very briefly, because I want everyone to continue giving input re the blog post below about the Jesus baptism scene – but some folks are having trouble leaving their comment, not able to find the comment button. 

Talk about bad timing – our web guy is out of pocket for the weekend.  SO… if you’re having trouble, PLEASE don’t be discouraged because your input is invaluable!

Feel free to email your input to me at info@newjesusmovie.com.  Or post it as a comment on our Facebook Page beneath the announcement about this, ok?  Please, keep the input coming, the Lord is speaking through you – and as amazing as this is, we are literally making a Jesus film together as a body, in funding, now in scripting and direction.  It’s simply FABULOUS!

I appreciate you SO much!  Glory to Jesus!

Bruce Marchiano

Glory to Jesus!  I’m home from South Africa – and seeing scores of souls come to Jesus in the week of outreaches we did in services, schools, on the streets…  and all I can say is, GLORY TO JESUS!

As you who know me know, to me it’s all about Jesus, all about precious souls.  That’s what my work in SA is all about, that’s what I hope all my writing and speaking is about (if it isn’t drawing you closer to Jesus, please let me know because that would be terrible, yikes!), and that is why I continue on this JESUS NGL journey, no matter the length, no matter the sacrifice. 

People NEED Jesus, pure and simple.  I am so poignantly reminded of that every single day, everywhere I turn, everything I see or hear…  I mean, five minutes of listening to the news and it just screams at each and every one of us (Lord, help those of us who know you yet don’t hear your heart cry!), “People neeeeeeeeed Jesus.” 

He alone is our salvation, He alone is the solution to every ill, every lack and brokenness and terror and hardship and loss and failure…  It’s just Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!  Glory to Jesus!

As we launched this website in October 2009, we announced that we would ask you for input into the creative process, scene construction, direction, even casting.  This blog is the perfect forum for this because you can so easily give your input by simply posting a comment that we can then take into consideration.

I’ve been working very hard, “fine-tuning” the script.  Those of you who aren’t familiar with film-making, a script goes through countless revisions, and if you’re going to do it right, literally every detail has to be hand-chosen and optimized.  So that is the pain-staking process I’ve been going through, and I’m finally in a position to invite your input.  So… let us begin with the baptism of Jesus!

First off, the lawyers want me to make sure you know that submission of your creative input does not entitle you to writer’s credit.  Along those lines, your submission here implies that you release all title of ownership to the ideas you submit. 

What that means is that if you see your idea in the finished film, you can’t come back and claim we took it from you – your submission here releases it to our use freely, knowingly without compensation, ok?  So now that we all know the rules, let’s get to the fun part, glory to Jesus!

John 1:32, “Then John gave this testimony: ‘I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him…”  The input I’m asking for?  What would that look like?  Was it a literal, physical dove?  Was it a manifestation of something so wondrous that “a dove” was the only way John could describe it in words? 

Was it something everyone saw or only those whose hearts/eyes were open to God’s Spirit?  In other words, if you were the director, how would you film this?

Special Effects (SFX) are extremely risky ground when it comes to the things of God.  That is because there is no technology/special effect in the world that can even come close to reality.  And the danger is that we end up making these magnificent things of God look “cheesy” and religious.

We’ve all seen these kinds of things – in fact, we’ve all seen this baptism scene where a literal dove comes down and sits on Jesus’ shoulder, or just flutters above His head.  And we thought, “That looks a little corny,” or maybe not.

In JESUS NGL we have to avoid “corny” at all costs, even if that means not even attempting it.  So this is where you come in.  Again, how would you film this moment?  How would you create an image that can carry the awesome-ness and wonder of the moment, the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit of the living God – wow!

So there you have it!  Please, let’s everyone jump in, the more input the better. 

I am opening this up to you for many reasons.  I want you to be more involved, but beyond that, I claim no superior understanding in these things.  We who know Jesus are all on the same plane – we all have access to his “voice” and leadership, we are all seeking, and to each of us He is revealing His person more and more…

And this film, as much as it is a film that needs filming expertise, FAR beyond that, it needs the touch of God.  It needs the breath of God, the life that only God can provide by His righteous right hand.  

It is my great desire that every moment of this film be constructed “by Him,” so to speak.  And that means we do the creative work on our knees, forcing ourselves to push away our tendency to lean on our own skills and artistic ideas - and simply seek and obey.

So please, post your thoughts on this critical moment in the film.  We want it to be done exactly right – as right as humanly possible.  And just as with the funding, we are looking to you.

I look forward to hear from you!  I love this working together and seeing the fulfillment of what I sense the Lord showing me a loooooooong time ago – that this film would be made not by any individual or company, but by the unity of His children!  Glory to Jesus!  Here we go!  Glory to Jesus!

Bruce Marchiano

Glory to the name of Jesus! It’s nearly midnight here in Los Angeles, and just as I think I’m caught up with everything and only need to pack, even as I’m typing these words, it’s suddenly hitting me how much I haven’t gotten around to yet – yikes!

But have no fear, I have long ago realized that I can do everything and then everything more, and there will still be things I don’t get around to… and that is just fine.  No, it doesn’t mean freedom to be a slacker, it just means it’s a-ok if I don’t hit perfection – and aren’t we all mega-happy about that!

So even though the more I check off my list the longer my list gets, I’m pretty much at ease.  And I want to extend that to Jesus… No Greater Love.  First, may I say, I am SO blown away by the TREMENDOUS response to my last blog and the info I shared.  There have been so many emails, Facebook comments, Twitter comments… all expressing strong support and inspiration.  I can’t say thank you big enough! 

It’s funny, but you write a blog like that and you think “I hope I’m not cutting my throat here!”  And then you just see God do His typically wonderful thing, just taking the things that you’d never guess would produce fruitfulness and doing things you could never have imagined.  Glory to His name!

Last week I was speaking in Salt Lake City at Calvary Chapel SLC.  What a truly WONDROUS time it was, the worship was so simple, open-hearted, un-showy, un-trying, totally abosrbed with Jesus.  I’ve rarely seen anything like it, and it was a tremendous ministry to me.  In fact, every aspect of what that church is doing was a ministry to me.  To sum it all up they have a kind of a “motto” and it’s posted everywhere… “It’s All About Jesus.”

And so with that kind of cornerstone, with that singular aim and focus… I can tell you, lives are being changed like crazy there!  And I was SO blessed to have the trust of Pastor Terry Long and his congregation, SO blessed to participate in “It’s All About Jesus.”  Glory to Jesus!

But if I may, one thing that really struck me during the worship of the final service was this thing we people do of always “trying.”  I mean, we all know the Scripture “Not by might/power but by My Spirit, says the Lord.” But as much as we know it, there is SO much human effort, strategizing, putting out and putting out and working till we can’t stand up…

I don’t know how to say it, but I was so struck by my own degree of “trying.”  I mean here we are trying to do what is humanly impossible – produce a world class film with a world class budget, $10 at a time. 

How many nights have I laid awake trying to figure out how to make that happen?  How much work have I done trying to help that happen?  How many gray hairs have I caused myself because, in my time, it hasn’t happened, ha ha!

I can say these things openly because I know I’m not unique.  I’ll bet everything I own that everyone reading these words can relate to them.  Yes, in one way or the other we are all walking the same road – trying to trust God more, and trying to trust ourselves and the world around us less. 

I have no doubt it will be a life-long journey.  There is no “arriving.”  And that is perfectly ok.  As long as we walk in this “tent of flesh” there will always be “the struggle.” 

And so I prepare to go to Africa, where I’ll lead a crusade, build up the leadership of the 26 churches we’ve established in the villages of the NorthWest Province.  There are so many precious South Africans coming to Jesus it is mind-blowing – and what a privilege to serve them.

But I can confidently step aside from the day-to-day work of Jesus… No Greater Love for this week and a half, KNOWING that it doesn’t depend on me in the least. KNOWING that the only thing that will make this film happen is a miracle of God’s hand – a miracle through your hands – and all my “trying” in the world isn’t going to accelerate that one second.  I think of Jesus’ own words, “Who of you by worrying can add even one day to your life?”

Shortly following those words (in the Sermon on the Mount) Jesus continues… “But seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you.” 

I will never forget many years ago, after “acting” those words out during the filming of Matthew, when the director cut the scene I thought to myself, “I wonder if it really is that simple?  That He just wants to give it to us – if we would only stop trying (there’s that word again) to give it to ourselves – if we only just stop all the running about, and just fall to our faces before Him.”

And so, it is very human to “try.”  The pull toward it is so strong in all of us – even we who know better.  And therein is the challenge – to simply lay it at His feet.  To trust He is capable to fulfill His promises as only He can.  To stop ourselves and go to our knees instead, and become so totally consumed with Him… and just watch Him do all the wonders that we could never do for ourselves no matter how hard we try.

Yes, therein is the challenge.  It is the challenge before me as I fly to SA, it is the challenge before Jesus… No Greater Love; and it is the challenge before you in the private things God has whispered into your understanding, things that have, perhaps, been so long in fulfillment you struggle to continue to believe.

May I suggest for both of us – let’s not cease to believe.  Instead, let’s cease all our “trying.”  There can be no doubt that He wants to give it to us – I know that’s true because that’s what He said.  If only we’ll seek Him first, if only we’ll truly cast our everything at His wondrous feet.

I’m off to Africa tomorrow. God bless you!  I will try to pop in next weekend and type a few lines if I can find an internet cafe.

Let’s keep praying for God to do wonders with Jesus… No Greater Love.  It will mean so much – eternal life – to so many precious souls.  So let’s keep praying for that fire to spread across the body of Christ like never before - the fire of passion for Jesus!

Glory to the name of Jesus!

Bruce Marchiano

In fact, it is with the lightest heart.  And why such a light heart?  Because I have walked with the Lord long enough to know that His timing is most always WAY different than mine, His ways are NEVER my ways, His plans are ALWAYS so high above and beyond mine… and that NOTHING can thwart His purposes.  Glory to the name of Jesus!

Well, wait a minute!  Why would anyone think my heart would be heavy in the first place?  Because the month of March has passed - our deadline for the funding of Jesus… No Greater Love – and the funding has yet to be fulfilled.  In fact, we are far from being fulfilled.  (“Well, Bruce, how far!?!?!”).  Right now we stand at $300,000. 

Yes, I know… “Bruce, that means we are VERY far.”  Yes, we are very far.  And all I can say about that is (again), “glory to Jesus!”

Before I continue, may I say that I was strongly advised to withhold that number, that it would discourage people, that many would react by thinking, “This film isn’t happening.”

I understand that, and I’m sure that some folks will so react.  At the same time, the Word of God is clear, in fact, from the mouth of Jesus Himself…  “The truth will set you free.”  And so, $300,000 is where we are at.  Glory to the name of Jesus!

My fellow producers, you who have been praying and even fasting; and those among us who have yet to join us in support…  We are engaged in a tremendous kingdom effort here.  In human terms it is unarguably an impossibility.  Outside of God, a guy would be out of his mind to attempt this, and I have never mixed words in saying that the only way Jesus… No Greater Love will happen is by a miracle of God.

But what is that miracle?  Is it God bringing some billionaire to the table, striking him by His Spirit?  Is it God waking up the CEO of Universal Studios in the middle of the night and prompting him to fund this?  No and double no. 

The miracle is us.  As simple and undramatic as it may seem, the miracle is you and I joining in unity, eyes fixed on Jesus, hearts impassioned for souls, ears perked to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, hearts open before His Word…  The miracle is unity of God’s children; the miracle is you and me.

Exodus 35/36… “And everyone who was willing and whose heart moved in him brought an offering to the Lord for the work…

And the people continued to bring their free will offerings morning after morning…

And the people were restrained from bringing more because what they already had was more than enough to do the work.”  Glory to Jesus!

The Lord told Moses to go to the people for the needs of building the Tabernacle.  And the people came, bringing their ear rings, their anklets, their coins, their lengths of cloth, their brass trinkets…  There was no one who had to make big sacrifice, no one who was singled out. 

And the Lord took all these “small” offerings and accomplished His purpose.  If I may, it is God’s way – so that no one gets the glory or credit, so that no one can ever say, “Look what this/that guy did.”  So that everyone will only be able to say, “Wow, look what God did.”  Yes, He’s buidling a testimony – a testimony to His singular glory.  Glory to the name of Jesus.  

And so, may I say a huge thank you to you who have joined us in support.  May I say that we are moving forward, and that I personally have tremendous confidence in the unarguable truth that God is able to do what only God can do, and no one can thwart His purposes.  Truly, I can make every mistake there is to make in pursuing this film, and still He will accomplish it.  Glory to His name!

And so we move forward – I’ve adjusted the timelines accordingly, aiming at the end of the year to have funding in place.  We have seen strong upswings in participation of late.  Donations have spiked nearly 100% in the past few months, and we are seeing increases in new names every day.

Personally, I will be turning major focus to finalizing the script, and you’ll begin seeing more glimpses of the production in progress - art design, script pages, storyboards… as they develop.

May I also say, if you haven’t yet come on board, please join us.  We’re moving forward, and in all humility I think I can safely say that the Lord wants you to participate – He wants us all to participate.

We move forward, seeking His face!  We move forward in His precious name and in pursuit of His kingdom, in pursuit of precious souls!  Glory to the name of Jesus!

Bruce Marchiano