Unselfish

I've taken some advice before that has truly helped when you're feeling down or depressed about something in your life, and that is simply take your eyes off of you and do something for someone else. I think that is the problem with most of us today, we live in a world of self gratification and less in a world of being a servant for someone else or simply exhibiting random acts of kindness to others.

Paul D. Parkinson has compiled a group of 99 vastly different true life stories of what it means to truly do something for someone else. From a cop who offered advice and a small token of helping a young man out before being shot and killed. His random act of kindness was captured on video tape. It showcases random ministry opportunities sprouting up from making coats for those in need, to supplying shoes or even wheelchairs through fund raising efforts.

In a world where the latest breaking news is something negative, these untold stories show us that there is still plenty of goodness happening all around us and even how we can get involved through incorporating our own ideas into fund raising or charitable contributions or even how one act of kindness simply created a lasting ripple throughout life. Each of these stories is straight and to the point without all the fluff, how someone got an idea, implemented it and the outcome of how that idea is gaining momentum.

From building houses for those who will never be able to avoid them, to digging wells for clean water, or simply making houses for the homeless with what you find on the streets, these stories are inspirational and truly uplifting. It creates a lasting legacy in the hearts of those that are touched by their generous efforts.

I received Unselfish: Love Thy Neighbor as Thy Selfie by Paul. D. Parkinson compliments of Believer's Trust for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are my own personal opinions. There is simply something in this wonderful hardcover book for everyone. From grandmother's offering love within the wall of prison ministry to children giving up their toys to help less fortunate kids in return. To love one's neighbor doesn't require words, it simply requires love in action to make all the difference in the world. In my opinion, this one hits a homerun and scores 5 out of 5 stars! A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each copy of Unselfish is being donated to the Cambodian Children's Fund

For more information about Unselfish: Love Thy Neighbor as Thy Selfie, Paul D. Parkinson or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Unselfish: Love Thy Neighbor as Thy Selfie by Paul D. Parkinson

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Heaven is for Real

The one thing we all hold onto is that when this life is over, it is not the end for those of us that believe that Jesus Christ, is the Son of God. That Heaven is a real place and it will be our eternal home. To say that Colton Burpo had a life altering experience would be an understatement. Colton Burpo, a 4-year-old boy facing a life threatening appendectomy is not expected to live. But with the countless prayers that are happening all around him, Colton makes it. In fact what he tells his parents over the next few months will be mind blowing to even those who are believers. Colton never died. He never lost his heart beat nor did the doctor's ever say he came close to death, so why then is Colton saying he went to Heaven and came back?

The one thing that no one can explain is how it happened but the explanations Colton gives his parents and those willing to listen, is that this is NOT the end. That Heaven does exist and it is real! He explains that he met Jesus and that he was introduced to a sister he had never met. He didn't know her name, because she said she didn't have one. Her parents never named her. When Colton shared this with his parents, they had no explanation since this was something they never shared with Colton or his older sister, Cassie. It was a child they lost while his mother was pregnant.

Now Colton shares with his father that he met his grandfather, Todd's father, who is known simply as "Pops." When Todd shares a photo of "Pops" to Colton, he told him that that is not the man he saw. He said that everyone in heaven is young and no one wears glasses. Todd then shows him a younger photo of his father, and Colton immediately tells Todd, "That's him, that's Pops!" As a pastor of his church, Todd has his own personal struggle with whether or not, what Colton claims happened, actually did. But soon enough he can't explain how Colton knows so much if he really didn't go to Heaven.

I received Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent compliments of Thomas Nelson Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own. This book is a special movie edition, which contains photos from the movie, Heaven is for Real as well as photos of the real Burpo family, as well as interviews with the actors from the movie about how they felt about the story of Colton visiting heaven. This is such an exceptional story that everyone should read regardless of your beliefs, because it's about something extraordinary happening to an ordinary family that forever changed not only them, but those around them in remarkable ways. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars. This contains the original edition of Heaven is for Real along with extras such as updates from Todd and Colton on recent events including the making-of-the-movie experience and "From The Set" Q&A's with the filmmakers and actors! Trust me, you definitely want this edition!

For more information about Heaven is for Real, Todd Burpo, Lynn Vincent or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent

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To read more reviews on Heaven is for Real, please visit Thomas Nelson Publishers website. 

Season of a Lifetime - DVD Review

When faced with the challenge of having to face coming to terms with being diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, headcoach of the Greenville Patriots, Jeremy Williams chose a different path than looking at his life with a definitive end point ahead of him. His story is now being captured in the DVD release from Word Films, Season of a Lifetime, showcases how he uses his faith to pull through what would be the end for most of us when faced with a terminal illness at such a young age.

Jeremy was showcased on Extreme Home Makeover and the viewers get a glimpse of that season's show as well as how he inspired the cast and crew in their own walk of faith as they prepared a home that would enable him and his younger son Jacob, who is was diagnosed with spinal bifoda which keeps him confined to a wheelchair to enjoy life more.He shares his life with his teenage daughter as well as his high school sweetheart he married.

What this DVD captures is much more than Jeremy's final season as coach for the Greenville Patriots, it captures the resilience of a man faced with a difficult disease that will claim his life all too soon, and how he uses that faith to motivate the men he coaches on his football team. It's pretty inspirational to watch how Jeremy never sees what happened to him as a crutch but as a tool to motivate others to never give up. It's simply over, when it's over.

I received Season of a Lifetime compliments of Word Films and Edify Media Inc for my honest review and received no monetary compensation for a favorable one. This is not a fictional based movie but more along the lines of watching the last season in Jeremy's life as a coach and how he motivated his team not only to become a great football team but to become better people outside of the game. His goal is to inspire others and I think he does just that, not only with the members of his church family, but fellow coaches and players in rival teams. It truly does change your perspective in how will you face life when adversity comes your way. Hopefully we will all follow Jeremy's example and do it with grace, strength and dignity. I personally rate this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Season of a Lifetime, Word Films or where you can pick up a copy of this DVD today, please click on the links below:

Season of a Lifetime by Word Films

You can find out more information about the movie and Jeremy Williams on Facebook. 

CAMP - DVD Review

I love it when you watch a movie that (1) is based on true stories and (2) moves you to tears and action. Such is the case on the latest DVD from Word Films, CAMP. Based on true stories from camp counselors, founders of Royal Family Kids and even former campers, CAMP takes a look through the ways in which volunteers who work at CAMP Pine, one week a year to help troubled kids forget their personal problems and provide a way to have fun and be loved in ways they could only imagine.

Ken Matthews is your typical ego centered financial advisor who believes that life revolves around making even more money than he already has. When a potential client is about to slip through his fingers, his assistant convinces her that Ken has offered to volunteer at a summer camp she sponsors as a way to give back to the community. Seeing this as a chance to secure the deal of a lifetime, Ken agrees to head to a camp for young kids believing it will simply be a piece of cake. He is instructed to read the rules of being a volunteer counselor since he is joining pretty late into the program, which he believes is optional and more trouble than it's worth. He fails to understand just what he has signed up for until he arrives at Camp Pine and finds himself as Eli's counselor.

Eli is a young boy who has been abused by both of his parents and now lives in Foster care. His whole life has been a series of reminders that he is neither good enough or worthy enough of any love. What he finds in Ken is someone who reminds him of his parents, someone who is buying their time until they are rid of Eli. So Eli lashes out at not only Ken but the other kids in camp further isolating himself from the group in an attempt to justify how everyone in his life has made him feel. Will Ken be able to find a way to reach Eli before he does something that will not only risk his own life but the lives of everyone at camp?

I received CAMP compliments of Word Films and Edify Media Inc for my honest review and received no monetary compensation for a favorable review. This is a hard film to watch since it involves the abuse of a young boy, but we can't just pretend these things don't happen because we don't want to see them. The best part of this DVD is the incredible organization Royal Family KIDS which the true inspiration that makes this a must see. It will move you to tears and will hopefully move you to action either in involving yourself as a volunteer for Royal Family KIDS or even to financial support them in any way possible. It is simply too hard to not doing anything after watching this amazing inspirational and truly unforgettable life-changing movie. I personally rate it a 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about CAMP, Word Films, Royal Family KIDS or where to pick up a copy of this DVD today, please click on the links below:

CAMP by Word Films

To learn more about Royal Family KIDS on Facebook, please click here. 

You can also find more on Royal Family KIDS website.