Wednesday, August 31, 2011

LAST CHANCE!!!!!!!

JUST A FEW HOURS REMAIN........
until the Beyond The Farthest Star contest comes to an end!! Did you have a chance to enter? With just 12 hours left in the contest, we were treated to a NEW & EXCITING DEVELOPMENT!!!!! Are you ready for this announcement?

MORE THAN ONE 1st Edition Autographed Beyond The Farthest Star novel will be given away!!! Can you believe it? Now, what does this mean for YOU?

Your opportunity to win just went up a notch!! RUN, don't walk...and get your friends to vote to bring this film to YOUR metro area!! Not only does it increase your chances to win a signed copy of the BTFS novel by Bodie & Brock Thoene, but it greatly increases your chances to get this brilliant film into your local cinema!!

HURRY!! CONTEST ENDS AUG 31 at NOON (CDT)
 

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Do It Anyway


People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. 
It was never between you and them anyway.

-this version is credited to Mother Teresa
____________________________

The Paradoxical Commandments


People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

© 1968, 2001 Kent M. Keith  ~
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 Martina McBride
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Colossians 3:12-14, 23-24 (NIV)

 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 
 --------------------------------------------
Love God, Love People, Live The Gospel



Monday, August 15, 2011

The Grace Card

17 years ago, Mac McDonald ( Michael Joiner) lost his 5 year old son in an accident. This left him angry, bitter, and distant from God, his wife, and his surviving son. Filled with distrust toward others, his attitude and hatred also affect his career. He is on the verge of losing his marriage, his job, and any hope of a relationship with his son, but refuses to take any of the blame. When he is assigned to work with Sam Wright (Michael Higgenbottom), a part-time pastor and loving family man, this new partnership is strained on both sides. As they both struggle to get beyond their differences, a tragedy strikes that changes everything.


The Greek word for grace is charis. Its basic idea is simply “non-meritorious or unearned favor, an unearned gift, a favor or blessings bestowed as a gift, freely and never as merit for work performed.” In this film, grace can probably best be described as forgiveness, not only toward others, but toward oneself. Michael Joiner does an excellent portrayal of a man who has allowed bitterness to become the overwhelming factor in his life, effectively alienating his character from all who are a part of his life. This movie also clearly shows the need for us to be able to rely on one another for support and comfort, and to ultimately place those burdens into the hands of our loving God.

I thought it was a very well-made film with believable characters, and skilled actors in each role. (Plus, I always enjoy a performance by Louis Gossett Jr.) The story progressed at a good pace, and had enough comedic touches to not make it overwhelming. The soundtrack was outstanding, and included artists such as Tenth Avenue North, Third Day, and Toby Mac. I certainly recommend everyone get a copy of this film for your personal film library! Check it out for yourself at the following sites:
Website: http://www.thegracecardmovie.com/
Every day, we have the opportunity to rebuild relationships and heal deep wounds by extending and receiving God’s grace. Offer THE GRACE CARD … and never underestimate the power of God’s love. ~The Grace Card

  
“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Friday, August 12, 2011

Rumors Of God by Darren Whitehead & Jon Tyson

Is your relationship with God active & alive, or has He become a distant part of your life? Perhaps you read or hear about those who claim to have vital encounters with Him, but you doubt the veracity of God being actively involved in YOUR life. The authors assert that we have settled for a mediocre faith and too often simply go through the motions in our walk with God. Also, examples of relying on cultural influences and self-centered worship are used to point out just how bland and lukewarm the love of God has become for many of us. Do you hear rumors of  the intimate and exciting fellowship others have with God? Do you long for this yourself...or are you content with the status quo?


This book is an easy read and has some valid things to say. It certainly spoke to my desire to not just be content with how things are in too many of the American churches today. Yet, I know that my personal relationship is not on what others have, say, or do. One quote that spoke to me was "The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer" (Frederick B. Meyer). It is up to me to earnestly seek Him. There is no doubt that He is right here wanting this relationship just as much as I do!

Darren Whitehead and Jon Tyson met as teens in their homeland of Australia, but now both reside in the USA with their wives & children. Darren is a teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago. Jon is the pastor of Trinity Grace Church in New York City. This book is published by Thomas Nelson.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from BookSneeze as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Thursday, August 11, 2011

A "Novel" Contest

WIN AN AUTOGRAPHED 1st EDITION BTFS NOVEL! Enter by typing your name and city in a comment below. Then get 10 people in your city to BRING IT vote. If your city moves up by 10 votes, you are entered! (they'll be watching!). If there are two people from the same city, the city must go up by 20 votes (10 each) and so on. You can enter as many times as you want! After your 10, type in your name and city again in a comment. Once you have another 10, you get two chances to win the novel. Hurry! Get 10 & WIN! The more people you get to BRING IT to your city, the more chances you have to win the autographed novel!

Don't tell me here...or on my page. That won't help you! :) Go to the Beyond The Farthest Star page and tell them!! Then tell your friends to BRING IT!


The whole process of signing up for BRING IT only takes about a minute and you can immediately see the result of your vote. I know thoughts of being bombarded with email and spam may cause some to hesitate, but I can assure you that it will not happen. It is free and your info stays private!! The Facebook fan page is where to go to get updates, and your involvement is up to you. I think everyone should be as excited as I am, but I realize I can be a tad intense! :) 


You will love getting a copy of the novel of BEYOND THE FARTHEST STAR, written by Brock & Bodie Thoene, based on the incredible screenplay by Andrew Librizzi! Then, with the help of your friends, you will be getting this dynamic film brought to your local cinema too!! I know that both of these are in the Top 10 list of things I want most!! :)


Best wishes to everyone...and I hope all my friends in Cullman (city & county) are the most competitive!! Y'all please bring me this film!! :)

Thursday, August 4, 2011

BEYOND...the test screening


The producers of Beyond The Farthest Star recently had a highly anticipated test screening of their film in Irving, Texas. Following the film, they interviewed a few audience members to get their reaction to the film and share these thoughts with the fans who were unable to attend. Watch  audience reactions to hear the responses.

Then, please go to the fan page and answer  their QUESTION about the responses. Which response made this film sound most intriguing to you? Is it one of the ones mentioned...or did another grab your attention? They really want to know!
*You did not have to have been present at the viewing to respond to this! Just watch the video.

Of course, I want to remind you to LIKE the page and sign up to tell them to BRING IT to your local cinema!! Also, remember that you can now pre-order the novel, written by the talented Brock & Bodie Thoene. It is scheduled to be released in December!! (Fantastic gift for friends who love to read!!)

You can also check out the website at www.beyondthefartheststar.com
Looking forward to seeing YOUR response to their question!! :)