Chasing Grace DVD

Chasing Grace, starring Michael Joiner (‘The Grace Card’), David Temple ('The Last Passport'), Rusty Martin (‘Courageous’) and Ashlee Payne (‘Red Dirt Rising’), tells a story of two brothers who are opposites in many ways, yet have an undeniable bond. When an unthinkable accident occurs, blame and unforgiveness tears the brothers apart and impacts the lives of family and friends. Slowly, as more secrets are uncovered, the truth emerges, but not without a lot of pain and consequences as each person deals with the loss of Grace. share a close bond, despite the different paths they have taken, until an unimaginable event takes place. As the story unravels, buried lies--- and truth are both discovered. Chasing Grace is loosely based upon true events and is an adaptation of writer/director David Temple's novel Discovering Grace. This powerful story about the redeeming power of forgiveness also stars Billy Dec, Leon Pridgen, Mitzi Corrigan, Vanessa Ore, and Abigail Rose Cornell as Grace. It is produced by Catalyst Pictures, LLC and distributed by Word Films.

My Review: This is another I am a bit on the fence about. I liked it, but I didn't love it. Great message, but it was a little slow in getting to the purpose of the film and I sometimes got confused during the telling of the story. Layers of the story were revealed throughout the film, but some never did make complete sense to me. Of course, part of my experience was simply a personal inability to comprehend why anyone would act or react to a situation the way they did. I needed more indepth into characters than what was provided; there was some black, white, and a few shades of gray, but not enough color to characters for many to feel a connection. The acting, music, and cinematography were all good, but my mind did tend to wander. It's more of a 3.75 for me, but I will round up and give it 4 stars.
 
Disclosure: I received this DVD compliments of Word Films and Edify Media Inc for my honest review. 

Chasing Grace website

21 Myths (Even Good) Girls Believe about Sex

21 Myths (Even Good) Girls Believe about Sex: Pursuing Love with Passion and Purity by Jennifer Strickland (U R More) reveals some of the untruths that many have about love, sex, dating and more. This is a frank discussion of lies you may have been told and explores a variety of topics to uncover the truth of God's plan for sex and purity in comparison to what today's secular culture says. Written primarily for teen and college-aged young women, there are truths to be discovered by females---and males---of all ages. 

 

Filled with personal anecdotes and experiences of those who have experiences of the varying topics, Biblical wisdom, and the author's personal stories and thoughts, this book is a frank and refreshingly honest discussion that does not offer condemnation or shame. There is guidance offered, but not in a bombastic "turn or burn" style that only criticizes. Whether the reader is a victim or is making an active choice, love and acceptance are freely given...but with a balanced viewpoint that is Biblically sound. On the negative side, some seemed a bit too simple and naive. People do not always respond to your sincerity when you say love someone while not condoning their lifestyle. I totally get it, but have also watched the world become angrier and more bitter if everything they believe is not embraced. However, I do agree with what Jennifer said about loving people and treating them with respect. 

 

I do highly recommend this book as a great resource for all. Whether you have not yet begun to date or if you have been through so many experiences that you feel it is too late to change---or, like many of us, somewhere in between, the book has truths that we all need poured into our lives.

Disclosure: I received a free download of this book from the author. However, all opinions are my own.

 

About Jennifer Strickland: As a speaker, Jen draws upon her life as a former professional model to help women and girls find their beauty, value, and purpose. Unveiling the lies of the media about women's worth, Jen deposits true value in her listeners' hearts. She speaks on college, high school, and junior high campuses (public and private); at recovery centers, women's prisons, sororities, and at womens' and girls' events. She is also speaks at writer's conferences and to women in leadership. Visit her website at U R More with Jennifer Strickland.

 

 

Phil Wickham - Children of God CD

CHILDREN OF GOD by Phil Wickham has a few musical twists and turns, but with songs that are sure to please his fans. This is the first he has recorded since undergoing surgery to remove a vocal polyp in 2014. He has a new sound and a revitalized energy in praising God and music from this CD is eagerly anticipated by fans planning to attend a concert. Wickham is currently on tour, including many stops with "Chris Tomlin's Night of Worship in America," and a few other dates with a variety of artists. 

 

My Review: I have been enjoying the CD. Not every song is my style or grabs my attention, but, there are also none that have me reaching for the volume control. It starts out with my favorite on the whole CD, "Doxology/Amen" but there are many others. I tend to be more of a ballad style, so some of the more upbeat distracts me from worship-mode. Those are a little too over-produced for my personal taste, but that's okay. The CD provides a bit for all. Others that I really love on the CD are "The Secret Place" (featuring Madison Cunningham), "My All in All," "As It Is In Heaven," "Spirit of God," and my next-favorite, "Starmaker." But, as I said, none are bad. I give it a 4.25 stars. 

BUY LINKS:
1. iTunes

2. Amazon

3. Spotify

Phil Wickham on YouTube

PhilWickham.com 

 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this CD from FlyBy Promotions for the purpose of writing a review. 

Living Hope: The Documentary DVD

LIVING HOPE is the story of three extraordinary individuals who have devoted their lives to serving the poor in South Africa. It is a feature length documentary created by the filmmakers behind Journey to Everest, Apostles of Comedy, and Honoring a Father’s Dream: Sons of Lwala.  John Thomas, a pastor who is leading his church to serve the sick, hungry, and dying in the communities that surround them. Journey beside John through the neighborhoods where they work, meet the people their ministry has impacted, and hear from his heart why they chose to make a stand for the poor.  Joey Lankford, a businessman and father of four who moved his young family from the United States to Cape Town. Journey beside Joey as he equips men and women with job skills, and leads them out of the bondage of poverty.  Leonie Rustin, a single mom and nursing assistant, who turned from a life of crippling drug addiction to follow Christ. Journey beside Leonie as she attempts to help other in her community unshackle the chains of addiction and prostitution.

My Review: I am not always a fan of documentaries, but this is a well made film that draws you into the lives of the people who have been impacted by Living Hope Ministries. The stories were not necessarily connected, but were smoothly woven together to give an overall view of the impressive work being done by those who simply want to love Jesus through others, and how the results have made a difference that keep giving. I loved the way Living Hope is split into 4 ministries that deal with specific issues:
Living Care -   Healthcare
Living Grace - Homeless and addiction
Living Right -  HIV education and prevention
Living Way -   Economic empowerment

 John Thomas, a pastor who is leading his church to serve the sick, hungry, and dying in the communities that surround them. Journey beside John and his wife, Avril, through the neighborhoods where they work, meet the people their ministry has impacted, and hear from his heart why they chose to make a stand for the poor.

Leonie Rustin, a single mom and nursing assistant, who turned from a life of crippling drug addiction to follow Christ. Journey beside Leonie as she attempts to help other in her community unshackle the chains of addiction and prostitution. She now works as a nursing assistant at Living Care Health Care and speaks to others who are going through the Living Grace system.

Joey Lankford, a businessman and wife Courtney, along with their four children, moved from the United States to Cape Town. Journey beside Joey as he equips men and women with job skills, and leads them out of the bondage of poverty as part of Living Way. (Today Joey is the executive director of Nashville-based Cul2vate poverty alleviation ministry).
 
'Living Hope' also features President George W. Bush, Dana Perino and Michael W. Smith with narration by Joel Smallbone of King and Country and was created by the filmmakers David Kiern and Mitchell Galin. 'Living Hope' was the official selection at the UK Christian Film Festival. To learn more about Living Hope Ministries, the website is www.livinghope.co.za

I received Living Hope by Word Films compliments of Word Films and Edify Media Inc for my honest review. I did not receive any compensation aside from a free copy of this DVD.

The Prince Warriors by Priscilla Shirer

The Prince Warriors is the first in a new trilogy by Priscilla Shirer with Gina Detwiler. Written for upper elementary to middle school aged kids, the book is designed to make the invisible spiritual battles surrounding us come to life in a way that kids can be more aware that there is more to life than what can be seen. Based on Ephesians 6:10-18 (Armor of God), the importance of being prepared for spiritual battle is clearly laid out through the adventures of 2 brothers and their friends. 

Synopsis: As brothers, Xavier and Evan are used to battling each other. But now they’re discovering that there is a much bigger battle going on all around them. And it’s their turn to fight. Xavier, Evan, and their friends have typical lives until they enter a mysterious land called Ahoratos. There they meet their guide, Ruwach, who offers wisdom and direction as the kids’ initial adventure begins—an adventure filled with armor and danger and a very real enemy. (from the website)
 

My Review: Written for middle grade school aged kids, but this middle-aged woman enjoyed the book too! The adventurous stories are certainly appealing to boys and girls from 8-14, but there are truths to be found in the pages of this book for those way beyond those years. Naturally, I tried to read this through the eyes of a child instead of something I would choose for myself, but I did find myself getting caught up in the story and actually read it in one sitting since my curiosity of what would happen next got the better of me.

Storytelliing is an excellent way to teach a truth in a way that sticks with a person and I believe this book will provide lessons that can impact the reader. The fictional world of Ahoratos is an interesting place to explore and the characters created by the authors had a few surprising twists as we learned more about them. I highly recommend the book and I really want to see what will happen in the next 2 in the series.

Be sure to go to The Prince Warriors website to learn more about the characters, secrets, and more. 


I received a free copy of this book from Shelton Interactive in for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.

Priscilla Shirer is a homemade cinnamon-roll baker, Bible teacher, and best-selling author who didn’t know her books (The Resolution for Women and Fervent) were on the New York Times Best Seller list until somebody else had told her. Because who has time to check such things while raising three rapidly growing sons? When she and Jerry, her husband of sixteen years, are not busy leading Going Beyond Ministries, they spend most of their time cleaning up after and trying to satisfy the appetites of these guys. And that is what first drove Priscilla to dream up this fictional story about the very un-fictional topic of spiritual warfare to help raise up a new generation of Prince Warriors under her roof. And under yours.
 

Little One, God Made You Special by Amy Warren Hilliker

Little One, God Made You Special by Amy Warren Hilliker is a 14 page board book for toddlers inspired by Rick Warren's best-seller, The Purpose Driven Life. Written by his daughter, Amy, the book is just the right size for toddlers to old on to and has simple sentences that are just the right length for a toddler's attention span. You can even use interactions to correspond with each sentence to make it an additional learning lesson.

Cute adult and child animals give the book an appealing charm, thanks to illustrator Polona Lovsin, and a child is sure to be delighted with the drawings. This is also a sturdy book that holds together well (tested by my 8 month old great-granddaughter). Published by Zonderkidz.

I received a copy of this book from the BookLook Bloggers program at no cost to myself for review purposes. I was not required to give a good review.

Behold the Man by Bodie and Brock Thoene

Behold the Man is the final book in the Jerusalem Chronicles series. This is the story of Jesus’s last days as viewed through the eyes of three people: Pontius Pilate who knows that this assignment may be his final chance to redeem his political career; Claudia, wife of Pilate and daughter of the emperor who wants to protect her crippled son, Philo, from danger and the disinterest of Pilate; and Centurion Marcus Longinus, former childhood friend of Pilate who loved Claudia but is sworn his loyalty to the Empire.

My Review: I have not read the first 2 books in this series, so I really wasn't sure what to expect. Honestly, I have some mixed feelings. It was a compelling story with familiar historical characters as well as fictional ones to drive the story along. I confess that I did expect a bit more focus on Jesus as a main character although the effect he had on the other characters was more than satisfying. And since fictionalizing historical events needs careful handling, I can't really criticize; I would have been upset to see broad changes to the facts we have from the Bible and 1st Century historians. And, the relationship between Claudia and Marcus sometimes felt a bit forced. But, life is complicated, and I am sure that is one thing that has been true since the beginning of time.

As with all Thoene novels I have read, the details and historical accuracy, mixed with well developed characters, makes for a fascinating read...and left me wanting more. While this isn't my favorite book of theirs, it is an interesting look at one of the most impacting historical times of our lives, and gave me a new perspective and visualization when I reflect upon the life of Jesus and those who encountered Him in the flesh.

 *I received this free book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.