MEMPHIS by Mike Hambrick

MEMPHIS: Rock DJ Uncovers Conspiracy Behind MLK Jr. Assassination by Mike Hambrick is an intense political thriller that will grab and keep the attention of any lover of American history.

Summary: When Matt Harrison arrives in Memphis in 1966 to advance his broadcast career as a radio DJ, he finds himself inadvertently caught up in a web of intrigue involving the conspiracy to assassinate Martin Luther King, Jr. Set against the backdrop of the civil rights movement and the rich musical history of the Mississippi Delta.

MY REVIEW: "MEMPHIS" is one of the most mind-gripping books I have read in years. My plan of reading 50-60 pages per day was quickly discarded as I got more caught up in the story. While written as historical fiction, I recognized many names as I read. And the musicians mentioned definitely took me back in time. Whenever I would take a break from reading, I would do a search to refresh my memory or to learn more about the actual people; I even made a playlist of music to set the mood while I was reading. When you think of the city of Memphis, great BBQ and even greater music come to mind, but this novel also reminds us there is a dark underbelly of mistreatment and murder.

Hambrick is an excellent story-teller who makes both the fictionalized and the facts come to life. I went through a range of emotions while gripped by the plot. How much is true, and how much is speculation, I don't know, but all of it is plausible. Mike Hambrick is an award-winning broadcast journalist who started out on a small Texas radio station before becoming a rock n’ roll DJ in Memphis. That experience is the basis of this novel. Hopefully, his next novel will not be far behind!

I was 12 years old when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. While I do have memories of him and his assassination, they are old memories from a child's perspective. "Memphis" reminded me of a few things but, more importantly, gave me a deeper understanding of what was happening in America at that time. Progress and moving on is necessary, but it is important that we remember our past history as a nation and not repeat past mistakes and atrocities. I highly recommend this novel as a past reminder and impetus to do better. This book NEEDS to become a movie. The soundtrack alone would be outstanding! And this story needs to be told. I love a book (or film) that makes me think or has an impact on how I view something. This had all I wanted and more.

BUY THE BOOK!

More on MEMPHIS 

Save America's Freedom Foundation 

CBN Interview with Mike Hambrick:

 

The Confession Musical

"The Confession Musical," features Emmy-nominated comedian/actress Chonda Pierce and famed multi-talented actor, singer, and Broadway performer John Schnieder. Based on the best-selling book series “The Heritage of Lancaster County,” by Beverly Lewis and written for the stage by Emmy-nominated screenwriter Martha Bolton, the filmed play is coming to a theater near you on February 20, 2023 as a Fathom Event.

 

 

"The Confession" tells the story of an Amish Family in turmoil when their daughter, Katie Lapp, discovers she was adopted, and her biological mother is an Englisher (not Amish) woman. Meanwhile, the woman, Laura Mayfield, heir to a vast fortune and on her death bed, is searching for her lost daughter to bequest her the estate. Standing between her is her gold-digging husband Dylan (played by John Schneider), who is plotting to claim the fortune for himself with the help of a hired imposter pretending to be the long-lost daughter. 

While the story is dramatic, writer Martha Bolton sprinkles in humor, mostly from award-winning comedian Chonda Pierce as the maid and internationally renowned British comedian Colin Hearn as the English Butler. The music is powerful under the direction of multiple Grammy-nominated Dan Posthuma and songwriter Wally Nason. And the screen is filled with spectacular visuals using twenty actors and dancers and one of the largest LED screens in the country. Be sure to check out the main cast on the website.

Buy Tickets

ConfessionMusicalMovie.com 

The Confession Musical on IMDb

The NET TEXT Bible

Made with students, young adults, and new believers in mind, The TEXT introduces the new and memorable TEXT study
method — Talk to God; Encounter God and humanity in Scripture; eXamine your heart; Talk to others — to help readers of every experience level interact with God’s message. Along with this easy-to-use Bible engagement technique, answers to common questions, prayer prompts, and easy-to-understand study tips, The TEXT is a Bible that readers of any experience level will want to use every day.

• Features Include

• TEXT the Text: use the four-step TEXT study method— Talk to God; Encounter God and humanity; eXamine your heart; Talk to others—to engage with Scripture
  
  
•  Big Q of the Text: big life questions with short answers
   
•  “Who is God?”: nearly 100 short devotions on the person and character of God
  
  
  
  • Praying the Text: Learn how to start praying God’s Word right back to him!

• Get to Know the Text: brief explanations of people and events found in Scrip-
ture

• Follow the Thread: navigate the Bible across topics

• Anatomy of the Text: concise descriptions of literary devices and categories of Scripture
found within the Bible, such as parables and apocalyptic books

• Terms of the Text: brief definitions of important words to help us better understand and discuss Scripture

• Clear and readable 9-point NET Comfort Print® typeface

• A Bible for students that doesn’t talk down to them and teaches who God is, how to engage with Scripture, and how to have a personal relationship with Him.

MY REVIEW: Excellent New English Translation Bible with several valuable resources to use. I really love the Praying The Text selections! There are also suggested Reading Plans, Who Is God? short devotions, maps, concordance, and a page of #Hashtags to help the reader. The print is a comfortable size for most readers and tons of room in the margins for taking notes. I was relieved to learn that TEXT is an acronym (Texting is a form of torture to me 😉) for a marvelous plan to fully experience reading God's Word and gaining a deeper understanding of God's message to His people. 

ORDER a copy before Valentine's Day and get 50% off a copy of The TEXT Bible! BUY LINK!

GIVEAWAY: 1 (one) copy of the TEXT Bible (Hardcover). You Must Enter by 1/21/23 by leaving a comment. 

Disclosure: Many thanks to Harper Collins Christian Publishing for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

Michael and Hayley DiMarco are the bestselling and award-winning authors of more than 40 books including Own It, God Guy, God Girl, and A Woman Overwhelmed. Michael and Hayley have now served as general editors on three Bible projects. Together, they work side-by-side at Hungry Planet, a company they founded that creates winsome and spiritually based content for teens and adults. They live in Eugene, Oregon, where Michael serves as a pastor.

 

 

Momentum Influencers Interview w/ The TEXT Bible's Michael & Hayley DiMarco!

The Garden - The Greatest Gift

“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.

WEBSITE: GardenCartoon.com

VIDEO: Butch and Julieann Hartman

5000 Blankets

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.

LINKS:

• Buy Tickets
• 5000BlanketsMovie.com 
• PhillipsWish.com 
• 5000 Blankets FB 
• 5000 Blankets IG 
• IMDb 
• The Heart of '5000 Blankets' video 

 

 

Lifeway Women's Bible

 

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 on Lifeway.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.

CBS Explorer Bible for Kids

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.

WEBSITE: ExplorerBibleForKids.com

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 COPY of CSB Explorer Bible by using the code EXPLORERGIFT50 thru 12/31/22.