Miracle at Manchester

 

MIRACLE AT MANCHESTER is a powerful film based on the true story of a high school student and the power of prayer! Brycen Newman (Kory Getman), a star athlete at his high school, suddenly starts experiencing headaches that grow increasingly worse. The hospital doesn't believe they signify a serious threat but Brycen's father (Eddie McClintock - who also directed the film) turns to a neurosurgeon (Dean Cain) who finds an aggressive form of cancer and insists on immediate surgery.

The community rallies around Brycen and his family, including one of his nurses (Kathy Patterson). She is married to Ed Hanson (Daniel Roebuck), a car repair owner, who keeps Bryce's hopes alive by getting his input into the '66 Mustang Ed is rebuilding. His school also has a huge prayer rally with all students and staff gathered at their football field to pray for his healing. This film is a wonderful reminder of God’s strength and sovereignty.

Watch on PureFlix, beginning April 1st!

 

My Review: A very heartwarming film on the power of faith and prayer and a strong reminder that God still performs miracles. I do love that the movie is based on a True Story and that Brycen and Richard Newman are co-writers of the movie. It would be easy to think of this as one of the regularly used formula plots in many faith-based films, so their inclusion makes it much more personal. There are several wonderful elements that make this an outstanding selection for a Family Movie Night, leading to discussions on faith, prayer, helping others, and community involvement... not only as an outreach but as building a stronger faith for ourselves and others.

There is also an organization, Miracle at Manchester Foundation, that was created by Brycen after his miraculous survival of brain cancer. His top priority and passion is to help other kids dealing with cancer.

Giveaway: 3-month subscription to Pure Flix! The deadline to enter is April 8, 2023. Requirements include your FULL NAME, email address, USA residence and not to have won a subscription in the past SIX months.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Pure Flix for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

LINKS
Pure Flix

IMDb 

MiracleManchester.org 

JC Films 

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)

 

His Only Son

After being called on by the Lord, Abraham's faith is tested on his 3 day journey to sacrifice his son. His Only Son recounts one of the most controversial moments in the Old Testament—when Abraham was commanded by God to sacrifice his son Isaac on the mountain of Moriah. While traveling to the place of the sacrifice, alongside Isaac and two servants, Abraham is flooded with vivid memories from the years he and Sarah spent longing for the son they were promised—the son he must now lay upon the altar.

 Angel Studios is releasing a new film, HIS ONLY SON, which explores the dramatic test of faith that Abraham and Isaac endured. Buy tickets today to see HIS ONLY SON in theaters March 31st!

MY REVIEW: The story of Abraham being told to sacrifice Isaac has always left me with questions. Trying to imagine a man sacrificing his own child is hard enough, but I have also wondered about Isaac's reaction. Was he scared? Angry? Willing? Both displayed a degree of trust that is inconceivable to most of us.

The Bible doesn't answer all of the questions or even let us know how old Isaac was. His Only Son is historical fiction, but writer/director David Helling turned the facts into a fascinating, plausable story of what could have happened while keeping the message intact. It may be difficult for anyone who hasn't read Abraham's story (Genesis 12 - 25, especially Gen. 22) to follow the entire plot, but it is a good film. I loved the cinematography, especially the night sky filled with beautiful stars. It truly brought to Genesis 15:5 to life: He took him outside and said, “Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then He said to him, “Your offspring will be that numerous.” 

Be sure to check out the movie for yourself. Bring family, friends, or your entire church! This is a wonderful film to watch and discuss as Christians prepare to celebrate Resurrection Sunday on April 9, 2023. Check HisOnlySonMovie.com for tickets, theaters, and other info.

Giveaway: $10 Amazon gift card! This is limited to US winners only. You must submit your full name and email address by 4/4/23. Use #hisonlysonmin

Disclosure: Many thanks to Angel Studios for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

LINKS

Buy Tickets

HisOnlySon.com 

Request a Theater 

Instagram

Facebook 

YouTube

Easter Trailer

Watch the Livestream of His Only Son Announcement:

This Will Change Your Easter

 

 

His Only Son trailer

His Only Son recounts one of the most controversial moments in the Old Testament—when Abraham was commanded by God to sacrifice his son Isaac on the mountain of Moriah. While traveling to the place of the sacrifice, alongside Isaac and two servants, Abraham is flooded with vivid memories from the years he and Sarah spent longing for the son they were promised—the son he must now lay upon the altar.

Angel Studios invites you to spend Easter with His Only Son. In theaters March 31st. Click the link to get your tickets NOW! You can also request an additional theater when you click here.

Watch the trailer:

LINKS:
Buy Tickets

HisOnlySon.com 

Request a Theater 

Instagram

Facebook 

YouTube

The Journey trailer

THE JOURNEY: A Music Special from Andrea Bocelli is an exploration of moments that define us, songs that inspire us, and relationships that connect us to what matters most in life. 

Join in a sacred pilgrimage of hope, beauty, and song with this special theatrical event opening on Palm Sunday and continuing through Holy Week: April 2, 3, 4 & 6. In addition to Bocelli, you’ll hear Michael W. Smith, Tori Kelly, Tauren Wells, TAYA, and many others in amazing musical performances across majestic locations. Get your tickets at TheJourney.movie.

Go to thejourney.movie for more details and Bios of the spectacular cast! #TheJourneyTBNMIN

Southern Gospel

 

SOUTHERN GOSPEL is the story of a man overcoming brokenness and never surrendering the dream on his journey to find the gospel... Southern Gospel.

Samuel Allen, a 1960's rockstar, finds himself in jail after struggling with
years of anger and blame toward organized religion that has led him down a road of rebellion. In a moment of divine intervention, the judge dismisses drug charges
against him under the pretense that Samuel speaks to local schools and churches about the dangers of drugs. Given a second chance, he follows in his father's foot-
steps to become a preacher, overcoming the influence of a powerful church leader with a personal vendetta against his family.

Buy tickets today to see SOUTHERN GOSPEL exclusively in theaters beginning March 10! You don't want to miss this amazing true story of redemption and hope starring four-time Emmy nominee Max Ehrich, Katelyn Nacon, Emma Myers, and J. Alphonse Nicholson! Content Note: While this is a faith-based, redemptive film, it is rated PG-13 for mature thematic content, drug use, some violent content, suicide, and language.

Watch the trailer below:

 

MY REVIEW: Samuel Allen spent his life wanting to please both his dad and his Heavenly father, but  tragedy caused him to rebel as a teen. Yet it was another tragedy that brought him back to his faith. The film is strong on themes of forgiveness and second chances despite unexpected blows that seemed overwhelming and unfair. His pastor father led by example to reflect God's love and patience AND the importance of boundaries and discipline.

Inspired by a true story, Southern Gospel, is not a neat, tidy story of life falling into place after salvation. There are some brutal scenes of abuse, death (including suicide), betrayal, and some strong language which is a raw reality but makes the movie inappropriate for younger viewers.

Music is an important part of the film and I do love it. There were 3 songs in particular that I could listen to daily, including a very moving version of, "I Surrender All." Not only were there very talented musicians in the film, but the acting was also excellent. I was not sure what to expect when I began watching, but was quickly pulled into the story and look forward to seeing it again. I recommend this film and encourage you to see it in theaters. You can Pre-order tickets by clicking on this link.

GIVEAWAY: $10 Amazon gift card!
Deadline to enter is 3/18/23. Comment (on this blog or a social media post with your favorite gospel song or #SouthernGospelMIN.

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

LINKS:
BUY TICKETS
Website
Cast
IMDb
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
TikTok

Biscuit Prayer

*One Sunday morning at a small Southern church, the new pastor called on one of his older deacons to lead in the opening prayer. The deacon stood up, bowed his head and said,”Lord, I hate buttermilk.”

The pastor opened one eye and wondered where this was going. The deacon continued, “Lord, I hate lard.” Now the pastor was totally perplexed. The deacon continued, “Lord, I ain’t too crazy about plain flour. But after you mix ’em all together and bake ’em in a hot oven, I just love biscuits.”

“Lord help us to realize when life gets hard, when things come up that we don’t like, whenever we don’t understand what You are doing, that we need to wait and see what You are making. After you get through mixing and baking, it’ll probably be something even better than biscuits. Amen."

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28

* I couldn't confirm an original source for this, but it's been shared on the internet for years. I need this reminder [often] so I wanted to put it where I can find it.