SMURFS: The Lost Village is opening in theaters April 7, 2017, to the delight of the young, and the young at heart. In this all new animated feature, Smurfette discovers a mysterious map! She, along with her BFFs Brainy, Clumsy, and Hefty, set off on an action-packed, rollercoaster journey through the Forbidden Forest. Their goal is to find a hidden lost village before the evil wizard Gargamel does. The Smurfs are on a course that leads to the discovery of the biggest secret in Smurf history! A whole new world awaits the Smurfs in 2017...and you don't want to miss this exciting adventure. Bring the kids or simply come to reminisce and revisit your childhood favorites!
To learn more, visit the official movie site atwww.smurfsmovie.com where you can find
Downloadable content
Family discussion guide
Coloring/ activity pages
And more...
GIVEAWAY!! I CAN OFFER 1 WINNER TWO (2) TICKETS TO SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE THANKS TO SONY PICTURES! Deadline to Enter is April 4, 2017.
You can follow all the links for updates, theaters, and fun at the links listed below:
Nothing to Proveby Jennie Allen speaks to those who are struggling to measure up to a set of standards of their own making. Explaining that many go through this struggle, she invites the reader to find freedom in the knowledge that we will never be enough---but JESUS is more than enough! Our goal is to get to know Jesus and open ourselves to being used by Him and not focusing on our own sense of self-worth.
We tend to chase after things that are superficially important to us, but leave us unsatisfied. Frustration and fear over not measuring up to your definition of self-worth simply leads to constant yearning to prove we are worthy and in control, but that simply cannot be found on our own if we constantly compare ourselves to others. Jennie brings you to a point of understanding that Jesus provides what we need. You are loved. You can relax. You can rest in Him and not have to do everything on your own. You have Nothing to Prove!
Jennie has a refreshing style that lets the reader know that she knows the struggle from personal experience and has the capacity to help others reach a level of knowing that know that we battle a real enemy who wants to destroy us and interfere in our relationship with God. I love the excerpt below:
IF I WERE YOUR ENEMY… If I were your enemy, this is what I would do: Make you believe you need permission to lead. Make you believe you are helpless. Make you believe you are insignificant. Make you believe that God wants your decorum and behavior. Make you believe you have something to prove. She explains how we can get so overwhelmed by other things we can lose focus on what is most important---our relationship with God and the knowledge that He loves us. We don't have to prove anything to Him, but just be willing to follow His lead. When we follow, He can make the changes we are unable to do on our own. Stop trying so hard. You have nothing to prove before stepping into His plans for you.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book at no cost to myself from Waterbrook-Multnomah blogging program. All opinions are my own.
How's Your Soul? by Judah Smith, is about looking past outward appearances and exploring the essential inner essence of where we find our true selves. Are you experiencing inner turmoil as you struggle to find the peace and joy that comes from your relationship with fully trusting and resting in the presence of God?
Judah, pastor of The City Church in Seattle, wants the reader to move beyond simply surviving each day to a concentrated effort to live each day with significance that has an eternal impact. In his typical manner of laid-back and humorous anecdotes, he also brings out points that strike the heart of the matter. There are stories that caused me to laugh, and others that have stayed with me and caused me to question myself and my attitude...and to discussions with friends for their input. Interview with Today Show's Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb: Pastor Judah Smith-How's Your Soul?
His sense of humor and way of telling a story made this an enjoyable book to read, but there were also times when I found myself skimming more than reading. However, there were points made that I keep going back to over and over in my own soul-searching. I actually have the book set aside to read again soon since there were a few areas where a nerve was struck that I was not quite ready to deal with at the time I was reading it. This is a book that is certainly worth reading and it may give the reader a fresh perspective.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers. All opinions are my own.
