The Garden trailer

 “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 Bells

I Heard the Bells tells 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 Bells when 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.

 

 

It's Christmas Again

 

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 AGAIN is 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.

Congratulations to writer/director Sandra L. Martin, choreographers,
musical department, and composer Tyler Michael Smith for their parts in the film, as well as the actors, singers, and dancers. On a personal note, I was happy to see Jason Burkey, Reina Obay (The Chosen), Candace Kirkpatrick (Vindication), and Willie Mellina (Washington's Armor). The movie was filmed in Franklin, TN, and Capernaum Studios in Texas.

The only part I don't like is... ONE NIGHT ONLY! BUY TICKETS NOW for Tuesday, November 29, 2022!

Quinten Coblentz, Wes Writer, and Willie Mellina:

GIVEAWAY: One $10 Amazon giftcard! Giveaway is limited to U.S. winners only! Deadline to enter, using #ItsChristmasAgainMIN, is Dec 7, 2022.

DISCLOSURE: Many thanks to Mapelle Films for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

LINKS:

• Buy Tickets 
• itschristmasagainmovie.com
• Facebook 
• Instagram 
• YouTube 
• TikTok  
• IMDb
• The Heart of It's Christmas Again 
• Host at Your Church 

Momentum Influencers Interview:

ABIDE Bible (NET)

“Abide in Me.” - John 15:4

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 here to 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.

Buy the Abide Bible 

 

5000 Blankets trailer

 

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.

See the trailer:

AFFIRM Films, 5000 Blankets, stars Anna Camp, Carson Minniear, and Rob Mayes. Directed by Amin Matalqa and written by Matthew Antonelli and Larry Postel, this PG-13 film is a Fathom Event, showing in select theaters ONLY on December 12th and 13th, 2022.

LINKS:

• Buy Tickets! 
• 5000blanketsmovie.com 
• Instagram  
• Facebook
• The Heart of 5000 Blankets video 
• IMDb
• Variety article 

 

An Angelic Christmas

Coming to Pure Flix on November 18, An Unlikely Christmas is 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.

Other cast members include Cameron Arnett, Candace Kirkpatrick, and Sharonne Lanier. Check out the trailer:

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:

Pure Flix Christmas!

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

1. An Angelic Christmas - (PF Link) and (My Review)
2. An Unlikely Angel - (PF Link) and (My Review)
3. Saved By Grace - (PF Link) and (My Review)
   

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 Movie Favorites

 

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)

1. Anchors Aweigh (1945)
2. Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
3. Flag of My Father (2011) 
4. Go For Broke! (1951)
5. Hacksaw Ridge (2016) 
6. Mrs. Miniver (1942)
7. Sergeant York (1941) 
8. Shenandoah (1965) 
9. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
10. The Canterville Ghost (1944) 
11. The Fighting 69th (1940)
12. The Little Princess (1939) 
13. The Patriot (2000)
14. Unbroken: Path to Redemption 
15. Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)

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.

Saved By Grace

SAVED BY GRACE, starring Jennifer Taylor and Cameron Arnett as two angels sent to help people, is the newest series to be streaming on PureFlix.com! The series is written and directed by Johnny Remo and co-written by Daniel Backman.

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.

Beginning November 6th, episodes of Saved By Grace will be airing weekly on PureFlix.com. 

 

 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)

Battle of the Whoppers

🎃 HALLOWEEN BATTLE 👸

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.