Unbroken: Path to Redemption Review

We are not really a television watching family, but boy, do we love our movies!  That is why there is always a lot of excitement around here when we get the privilege to watch and review a movie before it is released to the general public.

Such is the case with Unbroken.  We got to watch a special screening last month and I have been trying to wait patiently to let you all know about it.  Well, today's the day I get to talk about it, as it will be coming to theaters in a few days!

In case you are not familiar with the title, Unbroken, Path to Redemption is the sequel to the original movie made a few years ago titled Unbroken.  Both are based off the best selling book by Laura Hillenbrand based on the true story of Louis Zamperini, and the second movie picks up where the first left off.

The story is about Louis Zamperini, an Olympian and World War II hero.  After Zamboni's plane was shot down and he was found by the enemy after floating on a raft for days, he become a prisoner of war for years before returning home to California. That is where this movie now picks up.

While he seemed "unbroken" to those around him, Zamperini's life begins to fall apart due to post traumatic stress disorder.  Even after marriage and a job helping the government sell war bonds on a traveling tour, Zamperini turn to alcohol and becomes increasingly more violent and unpredictable.  The story follows his life, the conversion of his wife Cynthia at a Billy Graham rally, and ultimately the path of healing and salvation Zamperini finds. 

Zamperini and Billy Graham became friends and worked together for several years.

It is also a powerful story of forgiveness as he learns to forgive the very people who tortured him while he was a POW.

Watch the Unbroken Trailer

So what did we think?
It took a little convincing on my part to get my family to watch this movie.  While several had read the book, none of us had seen the first movie, and my daughter in particular was much concerned about this sequel being made by a different crew and starring different actors.  She was afraid that, even if you had not watched the first one, it would somehow seem disjointed.

I would have to say that was not our experience! Again, having not seen the original Unbroken, I feel the film crew did a good job with flashbacks and such to catch you up to speed with where the story was being picked up.  The acting was strong and the story line is powerful.  There are some pretty intense flashbacks as well as some slightly violent scenes when Zamperini is drunk, but I am particularly sensitive to both of those things.  I would not recommend this film for younger audiences- it does have a PG-13 rating.

While a Christian movie about grace and redemption, this is not one of those movies that forces "religion" down your throat.  It is however a movie that shows our need for Jesus and shows how stress and trauma can affect every area of your life.

All and all, it is a good movie and one I think you will enjoy. 

I have TWO FANDANGO ticket codes to give away!  Just leave me a quick comment of why you would like to see this movie and make sure I have a good way to get a hold of you if you are the winner.  We will draw a random name on Monday!

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Whole Heart- CD Review and Giveaway

It is always fun to have the opportunity to review music!  I love hearing music in the background of my day, and when it is beautiful praise and worship music it makes it even better.  Music that is focused on God can bring such joy to one's heart.

The new album, Passion’s Whole Heart, is such a CD.  It has brought joy to my day on several occasions this past few weeks.  

Whole Heart is a collection of praise and worship songs, many performed by different artists, performed at the Passion Conference in Atalanta, Georgia.  These ARE live recordings, so if that is not your thing, be forewarned.  You will hear concert type background noise, though the recordings are quite clear.

 "Rooted out of the Passion movement, we are committed to leading people towards renewed intimacy with God and fresh encounters of worship. Passion is more than music. More than events. Passion is a generation living for His name."

I was not familiar with all of the songs, I tend to get stuck on the older songs I know, but enjoyed this album none the less.  My favorite two songs were Great Are You Lord featuring Matt Redman, and All My Hope, featuring Crowder and Tauren Wells. Other songs included are-

Whole Heart (feat. Kristian Stanfill)
Almighty God (feat. Sean Curran)
God, You’re So Good (feat. Kristian Stanfill & Melodie Malone)
Reckless Love (feat. Melodie Malone)
Heaven (feat. Sean Curran)
More Like Jesus (feat. Kristian Stanfill)
Hallelujah, Our God Reigns (feat. Brett Younker)
Ghost (feat. Crowder)
Ever Almighty (feat. Melodie Malone)

Be ready for quite a lengthy listen.  Most of these songs are 4-8 minutes each.

 

You can pre-order this album now OR FlyBy has graciously offered to give a copy of the Whole Heart CD to one of our readers.  Leave a comment on this post, along with a way for us to notify you if you are the winner, telling us who your favorite Christian artist is or share your favorite hymn.  A winner will be chosen randomly next Friday!

For more information on Passion, click here!

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Giveaway is open to continental U.S. residents only please.  No Canadian winners please.

Blessings, 

Amy Grant's Tennessee Christmas Review and CD Giveaway

I have always loved Tennessee.  Probably not for the reasons you think though.  You see, I have never even really been there. Sure, I have driven through many times on the way here and there, but never actually stopped to stay a while.  It is on my bucket list.

So why do I love a place I have never visited?  Get ready!  All because of the song Tennessee Christmas.  

Done laughing?

Seriously, that is why.  From the very first time I heard Amy Grant sing that beautiful Christmas song, my heart has longed to go there.  The tune is sweet and catchy, but the words...well, the words are endearing.  They just make you want to close your eyes and be there.  "Where the love circles around us, like the gifts around the tree."  Yes, I am sappy like that but it really is one of my favorite Christmas songs, and now the title song of Amy's latest Christmas Album, Tennessee Christmas.

It seems fitting that now, just days after terrible wildfires ravaged parts of Tennessee, that we should be reminded of the beautiful place that many hold dear in their hearts!

As for the rest of the Christmas album, well, it is equally as good.  You will recognize a few traditional songs as well as maybe learn a few newer ones, 13 in all for a total of 43 minutes of listening pleasure.  This is not your typical sing-a-long style CD, but rather one alternating from sweet songs like Tennessee Christmas to livelier songs like Christmas For You and Me and a jazzy White Christmas.  All enhanced by Amy Grant's beautiful, soulful, and ever strong voice.

We have enjoyed listening to it- I am sure you will too!  Be sure to check out the To Be Together Audio on YouTube!

Flyby once again has given us the opportunity to let one of our readers win a copy of this CD!  Just leave me your name, a way to contact you, and tell us what your favorite holiday song is!  We will select a random winner next Friday!

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Blessings!

Parenting- 14 Principles for Gospel Parenting- Book Review & Giveaway!

I have done some pretty hard things in my life.  But I must admit, parenting is by far the hardest. Parenting four- well, even harder.

Our littlest blessing

Each of our four kiddos are so very different.  We have a typical first born- very deep and introspective, type A, perfectionist.  Then we have our second daughter- a people pleaser, laid back, easy personality who loves almost everyone.  Then we have our two boys.  The first has been pretty easy to raise, sweet spirited and has a happy, even-keel look at life.  Our youngest is our challenge- loving and very loved, but passionate and hot tempered to a fault sometimes.

What worked for one does not work for the other.  Just when we felt like had the parenting thing mastered, God would throw us another curveball.  I mean blessing.

Each time we would regroup, read another best-selling book, and change our style to fit that particular child.

It is exhausting at times.  Ok, exhausting a lot!

But some things never change.

Like the Word of God and His desires for us and our children.  And the Gospel story.  The only magic formula or best selling book for parenting is His Word.  I am convinced of this!

So what does Mr. Paul David Tripp, Christian author and speaker, offer to parents looking for answers in his new book,  Parenting- 14 Godly Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family?

This is not a typical how-to parenting book.  It is a "why do we" parenting book.  While at times I just want someone to tell me what to do (you know- make it easy for me), this book points back to Jesus and the whys of what I need to do.  It is challenging and convicting, and it points back to our need for God in everything it says.  It points back to the Gospel time and time again. A refreshing read for sure!

Chapters include:

• Calling
• Grace
• Law
• Inability
• Identity
• Process
• Lost
• Authority
• Foolishness
• Character
• False Gods
• Control
• Rest 
• Mercy

Let me share a few take aways that I have been pondering since reading this book.

In the chapter on Calling, one of the questions Mr. Tripp asks is, "Do ministry decisions and commitments make it hard for you to faithfully do your work as a parent?"  Ouch!  Whether ministry or just commitments in general, I KNOW we must choose carefully where we spend our time.  We can get so busy doing good things, that we forget to do the best things.  It is a challenge I want to be very aware of!

The Inability chapter was another convicting one for me.  Listen to this- "God has given you authority for the work of change, but has not granted you the power to make that change happen." (p.61)  I love how Mr. Tripp reminds his readers that we can scare or reward our children into right behavior temporarily, but only God can truly change their hearts.  As silly as it sounds, it takes a little pressure off me.  I know that until a child's, or my, heart is changed into God's image, our behavior will never change.  We are just not able on our own.

From the reminders that our children misbehave because they are lost, foolish, and lack character, to the hope that they will change with God's grace, each page of this 209 page book is filled with Godly insight and encouragement.  I appreciate Mr. Tripp's honesty in his own failings as a parent and his honest questions to get you thinking about how you view your parenting and how you could improve.

If you are looking to make changes in your parenting and want to make the Gospel the center of your life and your child's, Parenting- 14 Godly Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family is a book you need in your hands!

Fly By Productions has graciously agreed to give one of our readers a copy of  Parenting- 14 Godly Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family.  Just leave me a comment and tell me how many kiddos you have and a random winner will be chosen next Thursday!

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Blessings,

Under The Sea Bible Review and Giveaway

Yes!  We are giving away a Bible again!  It is one of my favorite things to do actually.  To be able to bless someone, this time a child, with the Holy Word of God is an amazing feeling, and with the help of FlyBy Promotions, it is something I get to do pretty often.

So this time up, the Under the Seas Holy Bible.  This sweet little Bible, geared for children ages 6-10, is the perfect size for smaller hands and is light and easy to carry.  Since it is hardback, it can withstand the rough and tumble that kids seem to put books, any books, through.

The NIrV (New International Readers Version) is a pretty neat version.  It is similar to the NIV, of course, but simplified for earlier readers.  Sentences are shorter and hard to understand words are simplified.  There are a few other changes as well.  If a place is referred to as several different things in the NIV, the NIrV uses the same name for clarification.  So the Sea if Galilee is referred to as that only, even where it might have otherwise been identified as the Sea of Genneasaret or Sea of Tiberias.  The same goes for names, such as Pharaoh.  Each time, the particular Pharaoh being talked about is identified to help with understanding.  The change in wording is meant only to simplify confusing areas for a younger audience and does not change the Scripture in any way.  It's a neat concept and one I do believe makes for easier reading for younger children.

In addition to the bright and cheery cover, sparkles and all, special features of this Bible include 6 full color pages that include-

• A presentation page to fill out to commemorate whose Bible it is and who gave it to them, 
• The Books of the Bible
• Prayer is...
• The Lord's Prayer
• Ten Commandments for Kids
• Love Passages for Kids
• Famous Children of the Bible and 
• The ABC's of Becoming a Christian

I especially appreciate the ABC's of Becoming a Christian because it presents the Gospel in a clear and concise way to help lead children to the Lord.  After all, shouldn't that be our heart's desire?

There is also a short Bible dictionary as well as a listing of the Great Stories of the Bible for quick reference.

I like this sweet little Bible a lot and think it is a good one to use when encouraging younger children to read the Bible on their own.  The only thing I would caution you on is if you are reading together and using a different version, your child may struggle to follow along beside you since the NIrV wording is noticeably different in some passages.

You can win a copy of the Under the Sea Holy Bible by just leaving me a comment on this post.  Please make sure you leave a way for me to contact you if you win.  This is a fast one friends, a winner will be drawn on Friday!- CLOSED!  Congratulations Trista!

You can also buy this Bible at Barnes and Nobles, Walmart and Family Christian Stores.

Blessings,