“The Garden” is a Christ-centered children’s cartoon series aimed at teaching your kids the Gospel in a way they can understand. It features LENNY THE LION and LUCY THE LAMB—two best friends who work inside a magical garden where ANYTHING can grow!
The Garden is created by BUTCH HARTMAN, the creator of the iconic Nickelodeon animated shows: THE FAIRLY ODD-PARENTS, DANNY PHANTOM, TUFF PUPPY, and BUNSEN IS A BEAST! The character of LENNY is voiced by JAMES ARNOLD TAYLOR, the voice of OBI-WAN KENOBI on ‘THE CLONE WARS’. The character of LUCY is voiced by CRISTINA MILIZIA the voice of Jessica Cruz/Green Lantern, Poison Ivy from ‘Batman’ and also voices from “MONSTER HIGH”, “The Cuphead Show” and “The Casagrandes!”. The character of THE BOSS is voiced by BRIAN STIVALE known for multiple video game voices.
40 episodes are being created for this series, which will soon be on the GARDEN APP. The main goal of THE GARDEN is to not only entertain but to teach kids the WORD OF GOD! Each story revolves
around them having to accomplish their goals by learning a Bible story
or an original song. “The Garden” will take your kids right along on
these adventures, too!
MY REVIEW is for the Christmas episode: THE GREATEST GIFT! Lenny and Lucy are asked to prepare the outdoor auditorium for the upcoming Christmas concert. But an encounter with an angry beaver named Mr. Toothacher shows that not all people are filled with joy. When he overhears the telling of the Christmas story (Luke 2), it brings the reminder of what Christmas is all about along with the opportunity to change.
Brightly colored animation and cute characters make this visually appealing to kids. The story is easy for kids to follow and the gospel message is clear. It's coming soon to an APP and can be viewed on Pure Flix and YIPPEE TV. You can purchase the Christmas episode get a FREE Lesson Curriculum download at GardenCartoon.com/Shop.
GIVEAWAY: $10 Amazon giftcard to 1 reader. Enter by commenting #TheGardenMIN. The deadline to enter is Dec 29, 2022. USA only.
DISCLOSURE: Many thanks to Garden Productions for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.
In theaters December 12 and 13 ONLY! Don't Miss 5000 BLANKETS, a film inspired by a remarkable true story! The story is filled with hope, and it highlights the power of family and faith. Directed by: Amin Matalqa
Writing Credits: Larry Postel and Matthew Antonelli
When her husband (Rob Mayes) has a mental break-down and goes missing, a woman (Anna Camp) and her young son (Carson Minniear) set out to find him on the streets, sparking a movement of compassion towards those in need and inspiring a city. It's incredible what can happen when you transform your heart to serve the people around you. Catch 5000 BLANKETS exclusively in select theaters for two days only! BUY TICKETS Here!
TRAILER:
PHILLIP'S WISH was founded by a little boy who saw a need in the world and decided to do something about it. Phillip and his mom started a campaign to collect blankets to provide warmth to as many homeless people as they could.
Thanks to the help and support of others, Phillip’s Wish – that no
one would be cold or uncared for- can become a reality. Please consider
being a part of Phillip’s Wish and experience firsthand the words of
Winston Churchill, “You make a living by what you get, but you make a
life by what you give.”
REVIEW: Wonderful movie and knowing that it is based on a true story makes it even more special. A movement sparked in Fort Worth, Texas, many years ago is still alive and thriving and this film is an excellent inspiration for the viewer to reach out to "Phillip's Wish" or an organization in your area to make a difference in the lives of individuals to struggle to survive.
But, 5000 BLANKETS is not a promo for a cause. It is a story of a family's struggle with mental illness and how it affected their lives as individuals and as a family unit. Watching their struggle and how each person responded demonstrated the value of family, faith, and friends when hit by a major crises. It also put individual faces to those who are homeless. The story was not told in a manner meant to manipulate the viewer's emotions, but to give glimpses of reality from the POV of many. I thought the writers, director, and actors worked well to share a story, a slice of life, and to leave a message of hope.
GIVEAWAY! One $10 Amazon gift card! This is limited to US winners only. Deadline to enter is Dec 13th!! #5000BlanketsMIN
DISCLOSURE: Many thanks to Sony Pictures for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.
The CSB Lifeway Women’s Bible makes for a beautiful, thoughtful Christmas gift for the women of God in your life! This Bible uses the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB).
Get 50% off the purchase of (1) Lifeway Women’s Bible with code SAVE50LWB. Only available on Lifeway.com.
Limit 1 Bible at 50% off retail price, any Lifeway Women’s Bible sku. Limit one offer per person. Cannot be stacked with any other offer. Valid through 12/31/22.
FEATURES include Bible reading helps from prominent voices in the Lifeway Women community, over 100 articles placed alongside the corresponding biblical text, short devotional thoughts, Bible genre introductions with a short overview and reading plan highlighting key passages, 66 book-focused introductions providing a concise overview with book-specific timelines. Also, over 40 character profiles of key women in the Bible, more than 35 reflection questions to help women engage more deeply with the Bible, inspirational quotes on the Bible, over 25 word studies on individual words or phrases detailing meaning and significance, and over 30 charts, tables, and maps.
REVIEW: If you are looking for a good Bible to read, this may be the one for you, especially if you like to take notes in the margin! I do love the extra room beside the Scriptures to write your own thoughts or notes from a sermon. The font is comfortable to read and the cover is soft and supple to hold as you read. The Christian Standard Bible is also one of my favorite translations. The maps, concordance, and Bible Reading Plan are also convenient additions. Many women will also enjoy features like articles by well-known women of God, and character profiles of women mentioned in the Bible.
As a personal preference, the bright yellow (marigold) cover isn't my first choice, but it may well be the first thing that other women find to be appealing. It is like a ray of sunshine among my other books and reflects the hope we find inside the cover. I also prefer a study Bible, but this is a more comfortable Bible to carry to church or a Bible study group. Overall, I am well pleased with this Bible and will suggest it to others.
REMEMBER: Through Dec 31, 2022, you can get 50% off the purchase of (1) Lifeway Women’s Bible with code SAVE50LWB. Only available onLifeway.com. Be sure to use the hyperlink above. Only one Bible per customer and cannot be used with other promotions. There is also a GIVEAWAY to enter to win a copy. See details below!
GIVEAWAY: 1 (one) copy of the Lifeway CSB Women’s Bible (Marigold LeatherTouch Edition). Enter by using #CBSWomensBibleMIN in a comment. Deadline to Enter is Dec 15, 2022. You must be a resident of the United States of America to win.
DISCLOSURE: Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.
Introducing the new CSB EXPLORER BIBLE FOR KIDS! This Bible is filled with fun facts, timelines, photography, map, and more! Kids will be able to discover the real, exciting, life-changing truth of the Bible as they begin their own faith journey.
QR Codes bring video, discussion questions, and activity pages that help to apply truth and imagery to kid's real-life experiences! This Bible for elementary school-aged kids is available in hardcover and (4) Leathertouch editions.
You can get 50% off your Christian Standard Bible (CSB) Explorer Bible TODAY by using the code EXPLORERGIFT50. Valid for 50% off retail price for up to 1 copy of the CSB Explorer Bible for Kids. This is only available at LIFEWAY.COM. VALID THROUGH 12/31/22, CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER, LIMIT 1 COUPON PER PERSON.
Watch this interview of Andy McLean with Jean Thomason of Momentum Influencers Network:
REVIEW: The CSB Explorer Bible for Kids invites young readers to investigate both the world and words of Scripture, including the history of real people and their cultures. I do like the Christian Standard Bible and love that it is what is used. All of the additional info and special features provide knowledge for a child who wants to know more. I would have loved this Bible when I was young.
The QR Codes sound like an amazing addition. To be honest, I have never scanned a QR Code and have no clue how it is done. I definitely need to add it to my list of things that I should learn! But, I imagine most kids do know how and will be pleased with the additional content available.
There are Leathertouch editions available, but I am reviewing the hardcover edition. I love the sturdy cover that will withstand daily use from younger kids and the ribbon bookmark. The pages are easy to read, too. I like it for older elementary school kids rather than beginning readers but it's a good one to grow into if you want this for a new reader. They do learn quickly and a bit harder is better than too easy. I do recommend this as a good Bible to give to a child.
GIVEAWAY: 1 (one) copy of the Lifeway Explorer Kids Bible. Use #ExplorerBibleMIN in a comment to be entered to win. USA residents only. Deadline to Enter is Dec 14, 2022.
DISCLOSURE: Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.
Be sure to click on the link above to purchase Bibles for the children in your life. Remember that you can get 50% off 1 COPYof CSB Explorer Bible by using the code EXPLORERGIFT50 thru 12/31/22.
“The Garden” is a Christ-centered children’s cartoon series aimed at
teaching kids the Gospel in a way they can understand. It features LENNY
THE LION & LUCY THE LAMB—two best friends who work inside a magical
garden where ANYTHING can grow! Each story revolves around them having
to accomplish their goals by learning a Bible story or an original song. This new animated series will be available on Pure Flix and Yippee starting Jan. 1, 2023.
Check out the Promo Trailer below:
The series is created by Butch Hartman (Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom, T.U.F.F. Puppy) and features the voice talents of Mark Whitten, Cristina Milizia, and John Eric Bentley.
I Heard the Bellstells the story of one of our most beloved Christmas carols and its author. Known as America's Poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow leads an idyllic life...until the day his world is shattered by tragedy. With a nation divided by Civil War and his family torn apart, Henry puts down his pen, silenced by grief. But it's the sound of Christmas morning that reignites the poet's lost voice as he discovers the resounding hope of rekindled faith.
In theaters beginning December 1st, BUY TICKETS via Fathom Events. Take note that Group Tickets are also available! More dates and screenings have been added, but you should reserve your seats soon. Learn more at iheardthebellsmovie.com
MY REVIEW: My expectations were high and my hopes were met! I didn't realize until I was an adult that Longfellow was the author of one of my favorite nursery rhymes, but I do remember reading I Heard the Bellswhen I was 12 and falling in love with it. "I Heard the Bells" has also become one of my favorite Christmas songs. I have never been a fan of poetry, but Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is an exception. On to the movie... "I Heard the Bells," directed by Joshua Enck, stars Stephen Aterholt, Jonathan Blair, and Rachel Day Hughes. This is the first theatrical release by Sight & Sound Productions. I loved the look of the film and the story stayed within the accuracy of things I have read about the Longfellow family and the history of the poem. There are tragic elements to the story that are more heartbreaking knowing they are true, but the ultimate takeaway is that this is an inspirational film of a family's love, redemption, and a man's faith rekindled. I definitely recommend it!
GIVEAWAY: One $10 Amazon gift card to a U.S. winners. Deadline is 12/09/22.
DISCLOSURE: Many thanks to Sight & Sound Films for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.
A Magical Musical Adventure Through Time is coming to theaters November 29 for ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Jake Young (Lawson Touliatos) wants nothing more than to spend his Christmas vacation with his girlfriend, Abbey Walker (Leela Owen). So when Abbey volunteers for her church’s Christmas play, Jake is ready to skip Christmas this year until an unexpected turn of events lands him in a field outside Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born. While on his journey with the shepherds to find the promised Messiah, Jake discovers the true meaning of Christmas. Coming this Christmas season, IT’S CHRISTMAS AGAINis a film with a beautiful reminder that Jesus is the reason for the season!
MY REVIEW: If you enjoy films with singing and dance numbers that break out spontaneously, this is your film. I love them! Very loosely based on A Christmas Carol, with a touch of It's a Wonderful Life, the film has Christmas Present, Christmas Past, Christmas Future, and an endearing ending. I can only imagine the fun the cast had with the musical numbers and I applaud them for their hard work... and wish I had that energy! The message woven through the story comes through to give the true meaning of Christmas and the joy of the season.
Do you yearn for life-giving, intimate communion with God? The Abide Bible is designed to help you experience the peace, hope, and growth that comes from encountering the voice and presence of God in Scripture. Every feature in Abide is designed to teach and develop Scripture-engagement habits that help you know the power and spiritual nourishment of abiding in Christ. The Abide Bible is NET (New English Translation) which more closely aligns with word-for-word translations.
Created in partnership with Bible Gateway and the Taylor University Center for Scripture Engagement, The Abide Bible’s features include articles, book introductions, and practical Scripture engagement prompts based on five ways of engaging deeply with the Bible:
• Praying Scripture: Pattern your prayers after biblical texts, personalizing the prayer and gaining language for the thoughts and emotions you want to ex- press.
• Picture It: Place yourself in a biblical narrative as a bystander or participant in important events.
• Journaling: Focus and reflect on Scripture and its meaning for your life, opening yourself to God’s voice as you ponder. • Engage Through Art: Consider a classic piece of art—photograph, sculpture, painting—and let it deepen your meditations on scriptural truths.
• Contemplate: Follow the church’s longstanding practice of reading, meditating on, praying, and contemplating a passage of Scripture in order to experience God’s presence through the words of the Bible.
Check out The Abide
Experience: 21 Days in John, a FREE Video Devotion featuring Dr. Phil
Collins, general editor of the Abide Bible, a Bible designed around five methods of Scripture Engagement that will change the way you read Scripture.
The 21 Days in John FREE Video Devotion also provides a free download of the book of John from the Abide Bible. Click hereto sign up to receive the videos and to download a free copy of the book of John.
MY REVIEW: Pros: I love it!It's an easily understood translation but what really drew my attention was the notes encouraging the reader to go deeper into what the words say and what they meant both at the time and how they can apply to us today. It's easy for me to scan rather than meditate as I read Scripture, so I appreciate the reminder to focus and expand my thinking a bit. The 21 Days in John videos are a wonderful tool to use to develop this pattern of reading Scripture and truly abiding in the Lord's presence. I also enjoyed the Engage Through Art portions of the Bible.
Cons: While there is not quite as much room in the margins to make notes, there is still adequate on many pages. Of course, I always like a bit more. The 9pt print is adequate, even comfortable, for the average person. My aging eyes mean I have to hold it a bit closer, and this Bible weighs around 3 lbs. As the saying goes, "Never judge a book by its cover." In MY opinion, gray and gold do not go well together. The cover is very supple and easy to hold, but if I were in a store shopping, the cover colors would not entice me to pick it up and examine the contents.
I am very happy I had the opportunity to review this Bible and it will probably be the one I use to read in 2023. Each year I have one word or phrase that comes to focus on in Bible reading. For the upcoming year, Abide in Me is perfect.
GIVEAWAY: 1 copy of the Abide Bible (NET) will be sent to the winner of this giveaway. Enter by using #AbideBibleMIN in a comment on this blog or a social post by December 4, 2022. Winners limited to USA addresses.
DISCLOSURE: Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Bibles for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.
Anna Camp stars in the film inspired by a remarkable true story, 5000 BLANKETS. Exclusively in theaters for two nights only – Dec 12 & 13.
Get tickets now!
Inspired by a remarkable true story, 5000 BLANKETS is
filled with hope and highlights the power of family and faith. When her
husband has a mental breakdown and goes missing, a woman and her young
son set out to find him on the streets, sparking a movement of
compassion towards those in need and inspiring a city.
Coming to Pure Flix on November 18, An Unlikely Christmasis a reminder of embracing forgiveness and letting go of past hurts. When 2 young sisters (Elizabeth Howlett, Tori Gideon) and their mom (Alisha Fusting) move to McCattyville soon after the death of their father, they are disappointed at the lack of Christmas spirit in the town residents. No one even says "Hello."
Things change quickly when Delainey and Loren discover an angel tree-topper at a thrift store. To their surprise, that night the angel comes to life! Celest (Karen Abercrombie) appeals to the sisters to help her earn her angel wings. Together they work toward the miracle of bringing faith and forgiveness to the town and to Mrs. McCatty (Tammy Tsai), a bitter woman who rejects all.
MY REVIEW: This is obviously a fantasy film but it's fun to watch and there are very important messages that everyone should know. The themes include:
Angels are real and come in every shape and size.
Small acts of kindness can have a big impact.
To spread joy, we have to first find our own joy.
Be kind to everyone, even if they are cruel to you or unappreciative of the gesture.
Life can have loss and pain but also love and hope – God uses all circumstances to work on our hearts and carry out His plan for our lives.
Forgiveness, compassion and empathy.
We all matter and we all have a purpose and plan in God’s eyes.
We need to take responsibility for our actions and reactions.
Overall, I really enjoyed the film. (A couple of sentences I disagreed with theologically, but this is a fantasy story along the lines of It's a Wonderful Life.) Some of the ideas Celest and the girls try may spark ideas for your own family to try! It's a great film for a Family Movie Night!
GIVEAWAY: 3-month subscription to Pure Flix!! (Note: This is limited to US winners only, and only to those who have NOT won a subscription in the last 6 months.) Leave a comment on this blog or on a post to enter. Deadline is Nov 19, 2022. And click on this link to learn about our special Pure Flix Christmas focus for 2022. More on it below:
This is the year to celebrate Christmas with Pure Flix! With 190 movies to inspire and en- courage the whole family this season, you’ll experience the difference that positive entertainment can have. Each week we explore new movies and themes that will enhance and illuminate your Christmas season! Join Pure Flix now and celebrate Christmas with Pure Flix!
3 of the films featured for Week 1 (11/13-11/19) are
DISCLOSURE: Many thanks to Pure Flix for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own. Pure Flix is a one-stop shop for faith and family-friendly movies and shows where you can confidently stream in your home with the entire family. With new premium and exclusive original entertainment choices every week, Pure Flix streaming service has the largest variety of high-quality, curated, positive, encouraging, wholesome movies, series and kids' content in one service. Pure Flix is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment, alongside AFFIRM Films.
Tagline
Your Home for Wholesome Faith & Family Streaming
Pure Family. Pure Fun. Pure Faith.
Bible Verse
Whatever is pure … what is admirable … think about such things – Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Veteran's Day is one holiday that I love to see celebrated with pomp, parades, and pride in those who served our country, both in war and peace. Being willing to lay down your life for your family and fellow citizens is an act of bravery not all are called to do. One day is not enough to celebrate these men and women.
Not everyone knows what it's like to serve your country through military service, but we do get to see slices of the life through the movies. A mixture of education and entertainment, movies cannot accurately portray the reality of actual service, but they are reminders of the past and visuals of times and trials during wartime.
Everyone has their favorites ranging from all wars and covering many genres. I have a few serious films in my Top 15, but I also love comedies and musicals. Why Top 15? Because I kept thinking of others I love and the list would take much to long to compose!!
My Top 15 Veteran's Day Movie: (in alphabetical order)
Of course, there many more good movies, and some that are better made. But these are some that stuck in my memory... making them My Favorites!
TRIVIA:Veteran's Day, originally known as Armistice Day, began November 11, 1919, on the first anniversary of the end of World War One. The Armistice with Germany formally ended major hostilities at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Raymond Weeks, a WW2 veteran (from my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama) approached [then] Army Chief of Staff General Dwight Eisenhower to create a holiday for all veterans. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed the bill changing the name from Armistice Day to Veteran's Day.
SYNOPSIS: There are no chance meetings or coincidences in life. Angels are amongst us and God has sent them on a mission to intercede on behalf of whispered prayers. Every encounter presents a new opportunity to change your approach to life.
MY REVIEW: If you were a fan of the "Touched By an Angel" series, "Saved By Grace" will be a welcome viewing option for you. Grace (Jennifer Taylor) and Jeremiah (Cameron Arnett) are angels who receive assignments to help humans who are going through a crisis and need a heavenly helping hand. Each episode has a theme that can be relatable to any of us despite varying circumstances and I do like the transitional phasing from what may seem unsolvable to the hope given after following God's plan rather than emotional responses. As a Pure Flix Ambassador, I was privileged to preview all episodes of Season One and believe this will be a well-received series. It is drama with serious topics but there are also lighthearted moments to make the viewer smile. The reports I am hearing have been very positive, so be sure to check it out.
GIVEAWAY: Enter to Win a 3-month subscription to PureFlix! This is limited to US winners only, and only to those who have NOT won a subscription in the last 6 months. Deadline to enter is 11/17/22. #SavedByGraceMIN
DISCLOSURE: Many thanks to Pure Flix for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.
INTERVIEW: Jean Thomason interviews "Saved By Grace" stars Jennifer Taylor and Cameron Arnett.
"All the situations highlight current problems, but at the core, they are heart issues we've been dealing with since the fall, and I hope viewers realize they aren't alone in those struggles.” - Jennifer Taylor (Grace)
“Angels are still relevant today – they walk amongst us and are here to serve us and to bring about God’s intent in our daily lives.” - Cameron Arnett (Jeremiah)
Pure Flix is a one-stop shop for faith and family-friendly movies and shows where you can confidently stream in your home with the entire family. With new premium and exclusive original entertainment choices every week, Pure Flix streaming service has the largest variety of high-quality, curated, positive, encouraging, wholesome movies, series and kids' content in one service. Pure Flix is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment, alongside AFFIRM Films.
Tagline
Your Home for Wholesome Faith & Family Streaming
Pure Family. Pure Fun. Pure Faith.
Bible Verse
Whatever is pure … what is admirable … think about such things – Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
My last 2 trick-or-treaters were a preschool-aged boy & girl, and the girl reminded me of Audrey at that age. VERY Verbal! 😂 She and I immediately discussed why she could not hold the bowl of candy
(my phone was in it). I guess she decided one capitulation was enough. They were late enough that it seemed safe to assume no one else would come, so I gave each child extra candy. My mistake was giving her brother 2 "Whoppers" and she did not get one like that. She wanted one. I had no more.
Nothing else I offered her was acceptable. "That's not what he got." I was trying to bargain with the boy--- who never said a word to me at all--- as the girl kept reminding me she really wanted one. When offered more candy, she accepted... but immediately reminded me that she wanted what "he" got, too!
FINALLY, the dad got one out of the boy's bag to give her; I gave him something else as compensation. He just continued to stare at me through it all. But, everyone seemed satisfied with what they had and I had a good laugh after the skilled mini-negotiator left happy with her Whoppers.
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