The Way Home – movie review
The Way Home is based on a true story of an event that happened to the Simpkins family in 2000. Their two year old son goes missing in a matter of minutes while the parents are packing for a family vacation. In the following hours, a community rallies behind the Simpkins family through prayer and organized search teams in an effort to find little Joe. Throughout this crisis the father, Randy Simpkins (played by Dean Cain), realizes the weight of wrongfully put work in front of his faith & family, while recommiting his life & family back to God.
This dramatic movie brought forth powerful emotions in me, a parent of three children (one of which is 2 years old) and I felt that it was an overall great faith-building movie, reminding all of us that the truly important things in life are your faith and your family. There were times the movie seemed slow or the acting a little cheesy, but everything else was extremely well done. I would recommend this movie to families to watch together, for sure.
Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado – Book Review
Outlive Your Life is a great new book by familiar author & pastor, Max Lucado. Lucado’s newest nonfiction book uses Acts as a backdrop to share Biblical, life-change stories. Yet he also gives modern day examples of people who are “outliving their life”, a.k.a. making an eternal difference. Lucado’s writing & use of descriptions makes you feel as if you are right there – whether it’s an interaction with Peter or a modern-day story set in Turkey, you picture the scene in great detail and it’s easy to imagine you are there. Outlive Your Life is an easy read, yet challenges you personally to live beyond yourself and find what you (& me and all the other “average joes” we know) can do to make a difference in the world.
Walk Like You Have Somewhere To Go – Book Review
Walk Like You Have Somewhere To Go by Lucille O’Neal
Most of us are familiar with basketball superstar, Shaquille O’Neal, but this time it’s his courageous mother, Lucille O’Neal, who tells her life story. Mrs. O’Neal introduces you to herself as a young girl being raised by her grandparents who goes from “good girl” to rebellious teenager and then becomes a single parent early in life. She candidly shares her journey out of “mental welfare” to “mental health” throughout her adult years and shows us that it’s never too late to gain self-confidence and pursue your dreams. Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go is an easy to read biography that encourages readers to be the best person they can be, despite whatever circumstances you might find yourself in. Mrs. O’Neal effortlessly shares her faith, almost as if she is just talking to you as a friend. The book is a worthwhile read that will give you a newfound respect for the O’Neal family…and for yourself as well.
The Boy Who Changed the World – Children’s Book Review
The Boy Who Changed the World by Andy Andrews
The Boy Who Changed the World is a children’s book by Andy Andrews that illustrates how each person has the ability to use their strengths in a way that impacts others. Mr. Andrews uses historical figures as examples of “ordinary children” who went on to do something special that benefitted others. Mr. Andrews cleverly weaves one person’s story into another’s, thus showing how we ultimately impact other people & how this creates a multi-generational cycle of using our abilities to bring good to many people. The book provides historical insight along with an empowering message for children. The illustrations are delightful as well. My one negative bit of feedback is that I felt that the repetitiveness that was supposed to link each story together got somewhat boring toward the end for a person like me who is not overly interested in history. This would be a great book for an educational setting.
Women of Faith Worship
Familiar with Women of Faith?
Basically, Women of Faith is an inspiration two day event for women that is full of worship, speakers, drama, dancing & more. And yes, like any good women’s event you can go from “bawling to squalling” in a matter of minutes. I really admire the Women of Faith team and have been blessed beyond measure when I’ve been able to attend a conference. Women, it’s definitely something you should do for yourself! If you want more info, check out their website at: http://www.womenoffaith.com/
Anyway, I was recently given the sweet opportunity to review their most recent CD entitled “Women of Faith Worship”. At first I honestly thought it would sound “too churchy” for me. This is due to the fact that I generally prefer a kickin’ worship set and I thought (my own preconceived notion) that theirs may sound too tame. I guess I was being a music snob. But then I popped the CD into my car player and was blown away. They managed to take my favorite songs, add beautifully rich vocals, crazy talented musicians and take me on an intimate worship journey that I absolutely loved.
Tracks 4 & 8 are two of my favorite of this CD. Track 4 is the song “Lead Me To The Cross” which is a song I am familiar with, but the vocals on the Women of Faith Worship CD take it to a new level. Track 8 is the song “Healer” and their arrangement is beautiful and inspirational. So I was completely loving those 2 tracks and then along came track 9, “Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing” and all I can think is um…how did they know all of my favorite songs and then put them on the same CD???
So this (reformed) music snob says yes, definitely-go buy the Women of Faith Worship CD, but only if you want to be touched & inspired by this music!
Book Review: Buried Alive by Roy Hallums
Buried Alive: The true story of kidnapping, captivity and a dramatic rescue by Roy Hallums
This is the true story of Roy Hallums, an American contractor who was working in Baghdad in 2004 when he was captured and taken hostage by Iraqi insurgents. For ten long months he endured harsh treatment & neglect as his kidnappers held out for an impossible ransom of 12 million dollars. Although Mr. Hallums could have been left emotionally and physically impaired due to these conditions, he chose to stay hopeful and alert. This positive attitude greatly influenced his eventual rescue and overall recovery.
Mr. Hallums tells his story of captivity in an easy to read format with amazingly vivid details. As his story unfolded, I found myself impatiently waiting to find out what would happen next. My heart was also touched by Mr. Hallums’ family; this book chronicles their story of heartbreak and hope just as much as it does his own hostage story.
I definitely recommend this book. This true story inspires you to be amazed by the spirit of human nature and proud of the country we are privileged to live in.
Mary’s Dream
Everyone was laughing and happy. They were all excited about the gifts. They gave the gifts to each other, Joseph, not to our son. I don’t think they even knew him. They never mentioned his name. Doesn’t it seem odd for people to go to all that trouble to celebrate someone’s birthday if they don’t know him? I had the strangest feeling that if our son had gone to this celebration he would have been intruding.
Everything was so beautiful, Joseph, and everyone so full of cheer, but it made me want to cry. How sad for Jesus – not to be wanted at his own birthday celebration. I’m glad it was only a dream. How terrible, Joseph, if it had been real. — Author Unknown
Happy Birthday, Jesus. How do you keep HIM the focus of this season?
