Here are today’s dispatch from the crossroads of faith, media and culture.

1. Positive is in! Dolphin Tale swims to top of box office; Faith-based Courageous also a big winner.
From The Wrap: The only newcomer to exceed expectations was “Courageous,” a $2 million faith-based family drama, produced by Sherwood Entertainment and distributed by Sony, which grossed $8.8 million. “They seem to be dialed into what audiences want,” said Sony distribution chief Rory Bruer, noting the remarkable batting average of Sherwood, a small production company owned by a Georgia-based Baptist church. For example, Sherwood’s no-name family drama about firefighters called “Fireproof,” took in $33.7 million on a $500,000 production spend three years ago . With director, writer and star Alex Kendrick now turning his focus to cops struggling to father their sons and keep the streets safe, the PG-13 “Courageous” was marketed heavily in faith communities and achieved its opening in just 1,161 theaters. The film also garnered a rare A-plus grade from Cinemascore.

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11