Live Second Post #3: Enough

Live Second blog post 3 has it's focus on Success. The irony of this one is not lost on me. By anyone's stands, I am not a success. Actually, the only success I can lay claim to was that I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I have strayed, rebelled, and tried to turn my back on Him a few times when the going got tough and prayers weren't being answered my way! So, here is my post on Success: Enough.

This week's featured video from the I Am Second collection is skateboarder, Brian Sumner:

I have grandkids who loved skateboarding, and a friend wrote and directed the faith-based film, Hardflip...so I did know who Brian Sumner is and love that he is such an example for others.

The Scripture focus on this reading is Proverbs 30: 7-9
“Two things I ask of you, Lord;
    do not refuse me before I die:
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
    give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread. 
 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
    and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
    and so dishonor the name of my God.

I have always been below poverty level, but needs were met. I had no doubt God would provide for me...but it was also in the back of my mind that He put me in places where I could survive. Now I have reached a point where I am in my upper 50s, have not worked since an accident in '94 (other than taking care of grandkids), have multiple health issues, no transportation...and everything I relied on has been taken away. It is extremely like I will start the new year homeless...so this is where my faith is about to truly be tested. The few people I confided in (well...until now! lol) have assured me that God would never allow this to happen to me. Well, why not me? We are not promised success by worldly standards, but my success is in knowing that no matter what I have to face on earth...I will have the success of dwelling forever with my God. Truly, isn't that all that really matters?

This is the last day to take advantage of all of the free stuff!! I highly recommend this book as a devotional for 2013...so grab it today!!
Thanks Doug Bender for providing me with a download for review purposes.

#IASenough

Men of A.I.M.

Men of A.I.M. is a ministry seeking to support and encourage churches and men's ministry leaders in Central Illinois, but also reaches out to men in other areas. The acronym A.I.M. is a reminder to men of the importance of balancing Action (James 2:17), Integrity (Proverbs 10:9), and Maturity (Hebrews 6:1) in our lives. Their focus scripture is 1 Corinthians 9:26 ~ Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly...

Of course, I am NOT a member, but I have been fascinated by the work that Rich Gerberding does, especially through Heart of Illinois Movie Central. Rich says on the page, "Film has the potential to impact many lives, and – frankly – the quality of Christian films has increased greatly over the years. The HOI page will be used to provide information about current or upcoming Christian movies in the Central Illinois area, or of films in the works that may be coming our way.As a growing number of Christians support films, the word will get out and Christian filmmakers will want to see if they’re films will 'Play in Peoria'."

I have noticed Rich and his organization over the past couple of years as they have been extremely supportive of several films that have caught my attention. I thought he was very effective in getting out the word (actually, I am a bit jealous of his success! lol) in movies such as Hardflip, October Baby, Christmas With A Capital C and others. I noticed that this group will be promote  The Lost Medallion (another impressive looking film!), but I am really excited that HOI also will be endorsing Beyond The Farthest Star!!!!

Rich kindly included me when he emailed others on his newsletter list, and this is part of what was said: "Is there a trailer.... no, not yet.

But there is a book, and I read it last weekend.  Yes, last weekend.  I had gotten a few pages into The Hobbit, on an impulse downloaded "Beyond the Farthest Star" - and didn't read another word of The Hobbit until I'd finished this book.

Everything I'd hoped to see from the various clips of the movie was there, and I am now even more excited about the film coming out than I was before.

The film hits a lot of topics -

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

Amazingly, these topics are pulled together through the struggles of a Pastor's family in a Texas small town in a way that they do not feel forced, but rather the culmination of issues left unchecked and finally blowing up."

I have said many times that I truly believe that a good film can be a conversation opener and I would like to see more groups have a media ministry that not only presents films that can minister to the churched, but also appeal to the unchurched. Too many have their own narrow view of what a Christian or faith-based film is but, as with any other type film, there is room for all genres and audiences. If you are looking for a good model on how to organize this type of outreach, I heartily recommend you take a look at the Men of A.I.M. site. I am sure Rich has many pointers on the best way to get started.

Men of A.I.M. website  

Men of A.I.M. Facebook page

Heart Of Illinois Christian Movie Central 

"Like" Beyond The Farthest Star 
(remember to sign up to Bring It!)

Father's Day 2012

"Show me a man who refuses to compromise his belief in Jesus and will lead his work place and his home and I'll show you a real man."

~Pastor Andy Heis

For many years, the entertainment industry has often portrayed fathers as either a clueless man whom the wife and children mock and control, or as an indifferent parent...if he is present at all. The days of loving, nurturing, strong fathers such as Cliff Huxtable (The Cosby Show), Andy Taylor (The Andy Griffith Show), Atticus Finch (To Kill A Mockingbird), or even Marlin (Finding Nemo) seem long gone. I have observed a growing trend to turn the tide though, and I am one of many who applauds the efforts to redirect the importance of being a dad.  The tremendous success of  Courageous (now available on DVD/Blu-Ray) in 2011 proved that many others are in agreement. Watch this scene from Courageous: The Importance Of Family

Aren't these the films we need? I know that there are way too many kids who did not have the advantage of a nurturing dad, and I feel that society reflects that absence of a strong father. We have become a culture that is more influenced by television and films than ever before and it seems more important than ever to be aware of what our kids watch. Since some kids do not have a male role model in their lives, who do you want them to emulate? There are more than enough "my baby daddy" types who have the erroneous idea that a child is 'proof' of their manhood. I believe it is vital for us, and our children to  see men who love God, their wives, their children, & their communities.....even if it is in a movie. Boys need someone to emulate, and girls need to raise their expectations. I recently read a blog that highly impressed me and you may want to check out called Mocha Dad: 7 Traits Of Real Men.

But, my focus is on movies this time, so I have been looking ahead to see what other films are coming up that will have an emphasis on both faith and family, especially those with a strong positive image of a father. A few that are due to be released in 2012 include the three films listed below:

1. Beyond The Farthest Star: In BTFS, Todd Terry portrays Adam Wells...a man who has a troubled relationship with his daughter. We also learn of the relationship he had with his father. A father's impact on his child truly does leave a lasting and profound effect...but things don't have to remain the same from generation to generation.
A minister driven by the prospect of achieving greatness as the next nationally-syndicated TV Evangelist lays down his opportunity at “celebrity” and even his own life in order to become something even greater... A loving husband and father to his wife and daughter. (Pathlight Entertainment)


Stars: Todd Terry, Renee' O'Connor, Cherami Leigh
Writer/Director: Andrew Librizzi
Producers: Benjamin Dane, Sally Helppie



 
Cast Interview: Todd Terry from Beyond The Farthest Star on Vimeo.

2. Hardflip: The story of Caleb,a young skater whose ill mother and absent father leave him reaching for the only hope he has—becoming a sponsored skater. After finding a stack of old love letters, he sets out to find the father he never knew and inadvertently begins a journey he never could have expected. This story explores what happens when we let go of our anger and pain and forgive those who have hurt us most. (Skipstone Pictures)
Stars: Randy Wayne, Rosanna Arquette, John Schneider
Writer/Director/Producer: Johnny Remo
Writer: Daniel Backman
Watch the Hardflip  trailer:

 

 3. The Father Effect Movie: "Our prayer in making this film is to capture the critical and powerful impact of fathers in a documentary so compelling that it ignites intentional and purposeful actions by the men who watch it." This film is the true story of John Finch and his journey of growing up without a father, finding forgiveness, and how it changed his life. Learn more at The Perfect Father and watch the short film below:





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 So, go see these films, buy the dvds, help fund worthy projects, and PRAY for the people who are making movies that can make a difference. We truly are influenced by the films we choose to see, and our actions help shape our culture.

 “It is much easier to become a father than to be one.” ~ Kent Nerburn
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Real Men, Love the Lord.
Real Men, Pray.
Real Men, Read their Bible.
Real Men, Regularly go to Church.
Real Men, Live a Godly Example.
Real Men, Love their Wives.
Real Men, Spend Time and play with their Kids.
~ (Author Unknown)

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The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.~ Proverbs 20:7

Hardflip

 Hardflip follows the story of Caleb (Randy Wayne;To Save A Life, ABC Family’s The Lying Game) a young skater whose ill mother (Rosanna Arquette; Pulp Fiction, The Whole Nine Yards) and absent father (John Schneider; Dukes of Hazard, October Baby, I Am Gabriel) leave him reaching for the only hope he has—becoming a sponsored skater. After finding a stack of old love letters, he sets out to find the father he never knew and inadvertently begins a journey he never could have expected. This story explores what happens when we let go of our anger and pain and forgive those who have hurt us most.

 Johnny Remo (A Letter To Dad, Cutback) has already written, produced, and directed 2 films that I and the teens in my life have loved, and Hardflip is another huge hit with my family. I always love the music in SkipStone Pictures films, and there's another great lineup in this film, including Brian "Head" Welch :

Hardflip also features some awesome skaters like Christian Hosoi, Brian Sumner, and others.

 The skating action is fantastic (and my grandkids loved all of the tricks), but the story also captured their attention. I do recommend the film for 12 and up due to some scenes of drinking, drugs, and attempted suicide, but I found them to be good conversation openers about choices people make. They also gave the film a realistic look into problems that are more prevalent than we sometimes realize. Hope, forgiveness, and faith are offered and show that there is a way out of despair, loneliness, tragedy, and rejection. I really liked the film a lot and the teenagers loved it!

Facebook Page:   https://www.facebook.com/hardflipmovie.

Hardflip Website:  http://www.hardflipmovie.com.

Hardflip on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/HardflipMovie
SkipStone Pictures Website:  http://www.skipstonepictures.com. 

SkateBible: http://www.skatebible.com/

Risen Magazine:   http://risenmagazine.com/

Movie to Movement: http://www.movietomovement.com/enus/nowplaying/movie.aspx?id=55

Faith and Family Film Weekend: https://www.facebook.com/events/232612680172130/

Trailer Links:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6XiF4_3Wr0

                        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4PD0sYD9Jo