Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9

Buck Denver has a simple dream - to save the galaxy.  Working for the Galactic Mission Board, Buck dreams of carrying God's love to every corner of the Milky Way!  Except he doesn't have a starship.  Or a crew.  Or even a captain's license.  He just needs a chance.  But when that chance comes and Buck finds himself leading a real mission into deep space, things don't go at ALL like he imagined!  If he's doing what God wants him to do, why is everything going wrong?  From VeggieTales® and What's in the Bible? creator Phil Vischer, Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9 is a wild, galactic adventure that teaches kids a powerful lesson about trusting God with everything - even our dreams!

My Review: From Phil Vischer, creator of VeggieTales, Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9 is the latest adventure from Buck Denver and pals from the What's In The Bible series. This time, Buck leaves behind his dreary life answering phone calls at the "Galaxy Mission Board" when his daydreams of doing big things for God have a chance to come true. As he races to help repair a transmitter in Section 9, adults are treated to reminders of Star Wars, Star Trek, Buck Rogers, and even the title pays a homage to one of the worst films ever made (and a personal favorite of mine!)... Plan 9 From Outer Space. However, the heart of the story is a lesson that every child should learn and that grown-ups frequently need reminded of too. Perfect timing for me to watch this right now. God is not as concerned as much with what you are doing for Him, God just wants YOU! Trusting Him with your life, even when things aren't the way you had hoped is a matter of you leaning more into God, learning His Voice, and knowing that you may have to give up your dreams---especially when they can come more about YOU than HIM. In time, God may fulfill your dream or He might have a plan you never expected. But nothing is greater than simply walking with Him.

Thank you to Propeller and FlyBy Promotions for letting me watch an advanced screening of this DVD. This is definitely one you will want to own! And see below how you can win a copy.GIVEAWAY!! Enter to win a copy of "Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9" by leaving a comment no later than October 27, 2015 at 6pm Central. Winner will be chosen randomly. Read rules below:

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

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Tenacious Faith Tour - Nashville

Tenacious Faith is the name of a new women’s conference. The first stop of the tour is happening in just a few days, and you have a chance to be one of the first to be part of this dynamic ministry. As the name implies, the purpose is to reach out and encourage women to be unwavering in their faith, and not give up while undergoing challenges that will inevitably be faced.

Cornerstone Nashville will host the speakers of the Tenacious Faith conference being held Oct 23-24. Women of all ages are welcome to come experience a weekend of hope, inspiration, and spiritual refreshment. Keynote speaker Kay Arthur, co-founder of Precepts Ministries, is joined by a powerhouse lineup of influential speakers and performers including best-selling author and speaker, Patsy Clairmont; world renowned artist, Nicole C. Mullen; co-founder of Oasis Church of Nashville, Jillian Chambers; and Christian singer, songwriter, and special guest of “The Voice,” Anthony Evans.

Additional speakers include CEO of Co-Parenting International and Mason Jar Productions, Tammy Daughtry; founder and CEO of Home Educating Association (HEDUA), LLC, Rebecca Keliher; founder of Celebrating Women, Linda Trimble; founder and president of Getting Real Ministries, Dawn Pulgine; founder and creator of MomLife Today, Tracey Eyster; author/blogger and Wives of Faith founder, Sara Horn; Dear Magazine publisher Jennifer Sukut; and founder of CUE 52, Jana Jackson.

Speakers will be sharing their personal stories on prayer, emotional health, parenting, self-esteem, organization, enjoying God, authentic friendship, homeschooling, co-parenting after divorce, celebrating singleness, intentional influence and following God’s will. The weekend includes worship, shopping, book signings, movie trailers, a Friday night concert with Nicole C. Mullen and a keepsake collectable program. There are also box lunches you can pre-order for Saturday.

 

Mason Jar Productions is partnering with 94FM The Fish, Bott Radio, Yes He Is, Feed the Children, Family Magazine, Dear Magazine, BYOU, Liberty University, iShine and Cornerstone Nashville to produce the Tenacious Faith 2015 Women’s Conference. This event offers up to 40 booth exhibitions with national sponsors including The Timothy Plan, Co-Parenting International, NIV LIVE Audio Bible and “War Room,” the movie, all representing Christ-centered products and organizations.


Tickets range from $79 to $149 with group discounts available online. Platinum level seating includes front section seating at Friday/Saturday conference, a fast pass for book signing lines and a private meet and greet with the conference speakers on Saturday during lunch!
To purchase your ticket for this event, go to www.tfaithwomen.com.

Call 629-777-5474 to order tickets by phone

Tenacious Faith Ticket Giveaway: Use code tf2015 for a free ticket awarded to 10 readers of my blog. First come, first served. Register at www.tfaithwomen.com and put in our promo code "tf2015" to receive your free ticket ($79 value).

Bring Beyond the Farthest Star to Cullman - Nov. 10, 2015

BTFS - Cullman - Nov 10

Beyond the Farthest Star is a faith-based independent film starring Renée O’Connor, Todd Terry and Barry Corbin, along with Billy McNamara, Andrew Prine, Cherami Leigh and Lou Beatty, Jr. The film’s storyline features a minister, once revered as “the next Billy Graham,” but now reduced to pastoring a small church in a sleepy Texas town and dealing with a rebellious daughter and a lukewarm marriage. When the town Nativity is burned by an outraged Senator, the media descends, and secrets are brought to the surface as Adam faces circumstances that force him to choose between regaining church super-stardom or restoring his fractured family. The movie touches on many of today's issues including:

• Separation of Church vs State
• Teen Self Abuse / Cutting
• Abortion / Sanctity of Life
• Priorities of Life - Leaving a Legacy
• The Importance of Marriage Vows

"Star" is a captivating “beauty from ashes” story of redemption that inspired
a painting by famed artist, Thomas Kinkade, after he viewed a rough copy of the movie a few months prior to his death. His nephew, Zachary Thomas Kinkade, created a painting to complete the desire of his uncle to pay homage to the film. Crystal Lewis also reimagined her hit song, "Beauty for Ashes" and a novel based on the screenplay was written by best-selling authors, Bodie and Brock Thoene. The film was selected to be shown at the recent Values Voter Summit, and even the MPAA (the board that gives movies their ratings) representative called BTFS "the best faith-based film I have seen."

WHY do you have to Reserve Your Tickets before October 30th. These screenings are special events and the theaters expect to have a minimum number of people there to fill the seats. Once a screening is guaranteed, tickets will be available (Online Only) until time for the show to start. We could even be upgraded to a larger room. However, if you wait until the last minute---that may no longer be an option.

This film provides a perfect opportunity to have a discussion on a number of issues that impact our lives daily. It is not overly "preachy" but does point to the Hope we find in Christ. It is great for Youth groups, small groups, recovery groups and people who are struggling to find their way to a fulfilling life.

You can get your tickets Online Only at http://gathr.us/screening/13282

Screening is Nov. 10th, but ONLY if we reach minimum by Oct. 30th. You can email me at info@pathlightentertainment.com for more info on materials, including hi-res trailers, or to answer your questions.

• LIKE Beyond The Farthest Star on Facebook
• BTFS website
• BTFS on IMDb
• Follow @beyondmovie on Twitter
• Subcribe to Beyond The Farthest Star on Youtube
• Follow BTFS on Pinterest

Lazarus Awakening DVD Study Pack

Mary worshiped. Martha served. But what did Lazarus do to experience Jesus’s lavish love?

Filmed in the Holy Land, this DVD companion to Joanna Weaver’s book Lazarus Awakening explores the incredible truth that Jesus loves us apart from our works or our worthiness. He wants to call us out of our tombs and into friendship with Him.

Designed for use with the book and companion study guide, this three-disc DVD Bible study is formatted for both individual and group use, with content suitable for both men and women.
·         In-depth Bible study: Features eight 15- to 17-minute video sessions.
·         Bonus “Israel Moment” videos explore the life of Christ and the Holy Land.
·         Designed for use with the study guide and book.
·         Leader’s guide, promotional material, and retreat format included.

My Review: The author, Joanna Weaver is well known for her books on Mary and Martha and in this study, she brings Lazarus "to life" as a person whose life we can learn from if currently struggling through a time of spiritual darkness. The study guides the viewer to a place of fellowship with God and the knowledge that He wants to have a relationship with us. (A fact we all know, but not always fully accept.) This study gives you the chance to go really indepth and is suitable for self-study but it would be advantageous to do it as part of a group study, with the sense of community involved helping to bring awareness to the need of fellowship with God and others.

A negative for me was that some of the camera angles bothered me, so I did much better just listening, although I confess the scenes from the Holy Land were gorgeous. I also did this without reading the book. I have loved other books by this author, so I feel it would have been more advantageous and given me a greater understanding if I had experienced the book before attempting the study.

Disclaimer: I received this DVD/Study Guide Pack from Blogging for Books for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. 

Joanna Weaver is the best-selling author of Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, Having a Mary Spirit, Lazarus Awakening, and the award-winning gift book With This Ring. Her articles have appeared in such publications as Focus on the Family, Guideposts, and HomeLife. Joanna and her pastor-husband, John, have three children and live in Montana. Visit her website at www.JoannaWeaverBooks.com.

A House Divided by Robert Whitlow

Corbin, a longtime legal champion for the downtrodden, is slowly drinking himself into the grave. His love for “mountain water” has cost him his marriage to the godliest woman he knows, ruined his relationship with his daughter, Roxy, and reduced the business at his small Georgia law firm to a level where he can barely keep the bill collectors at bay. But it isn’t until his son, Ray, threatens to limit Corbin’s time with his grandson that Corbin begins to acknowledge he might have a problem.

Despite the mess that surrounds his personal life and against the advice of everyone he knows, Corbin takes on a high-stakes tort case on behalf of two boys who have contracted non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma due to an alleged chemical exposure. The defendant, a fertilizer company, is the largest employer in the area. The lawsuit becomes a tornado that sucks Corbin, Ray, and Roxy into an increasingly deadly vortex. Equally intense pressure within the family threatens to destroy, once and for all, the thin threads that connect them.

Corbin must find the strength to stand up to his personal demons. Justice for two dying boys depends on it . . . his family depends on it. (publisher's description)
My Review: I have loved every Whitlow book I have read, but this one was just not as satisfying to read. Instead of devouring it within a few hours, as usual, it actually took a couple of weeks. I don't know if the characters just weren't developed enough for me to feel a connection or if it was that the people he was defending seemed to be too minor---more of a subplot, but not essential to the story being told.

The struggles with alcohol, family relationships, and how it impacted the family were interesting, but I wanted more of the legal aspects and how it affected the town. When I got to the end, I thought, "That's it?" It was like the conclusion to the case was tossed in as an after-thought just because he was near the end the book. I wanted to know more. I still love Whitlow and look forward to his next book. This was just a so-so one for me, but he has spoiled me with the excellence of previous novels.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book at no cost to myself in exchange for a fair and honest review from BookLook Bloggers.