Old Fashioned DVD Movie Review

The movie Old Fashioned debuted in theaters during Valentine's day this year at the same time as Fifty Shades of Grey. Coincidence, I don't think so. They are polar opposites and Old Fashioned, it one movie that you will want everyone who is considering dating to watch. It outlines exactly the premise behind 1 Corinthians 13 about love. What it is and what it isn't.

After watching this even my 16-year-old daughter who is considering dating was floored and moved by the movie. I only wish I had watched it during my teens but then again it wasn't available at that time.

Clay Walsh is a former frat boy who has reconsidered the ways of his past and is seeking to start over in the way he views women but in how he handles himself when it comes to dating and even the roles men and women play in the world today. Clay has theories that he holds true to, one of them being that he is never alone with a woman inside a home or apartment. No ifs, ands or buts! He meets Amber Hewson who is looking to rent an apartment, just perfect because he has one for rent, directly above the Antiques Store he runs. She is someone who is running from her past as well, but not in the same regards as Clay is.

Amber only moves when she has enough money saved in the jar she keeps on top of her refrigerator, a sign that it is time to move on. Unfortunately for her, she didn't move quick enough with the last guy she was with who broke her wrist for wearing nail polish. As she and Clay come to an understanding of simply trying to be friends, they have to come to terms with a past neither of them wants to revisit but necessary if there is any hope for a future with the two. How it ends up will require a box of tissues but so worth it in the end.

I received Old Fashioned Movie compliments of Propeller LLC and Pure Flix for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. The current running time on this DVD is 115 minutes and is suitable for family members 13+ due to the nature of subject matter in the video. This is such an incredible movie to watch with your teens who are considering dating because it opens up a conversation about what it means to date and to wait for just the right person. Ideas of respect and how that is important between men and women is conveyed as well. It highlights the nature of chivalry in light of what the world is promoting today and how the natural progression of love is supposed to take place and how issues with our past in regards to dating and sex can impact our futures. Well worth every 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about Old Fashioned Movie, Pure Flix Entertainment, or where you can pick up a copy of this DVD today, please click on the links below:

Old Fashioned Movie DVD from Pure Flix Entertainment

You can find Old Fashioned on Facebook to stay up to date on all the inspiration that helps keep men and women pure for marriage.

Click here to order a copy of this movie on Christianbook.com.

Stay tuned, there is going to be an incredible giveaway coming on June 30th you won't want to miss!!!

Empire's End

Okay, I must first open this review with a couple of disclaimers and all of which are my own personal opinion which you can take with a grain of salt if you wish, but when I search for a book to purchase, I often sort through the reviews, the good and the bad to help decide if I really want to pick it up and read it, however if it is by an author I love, I will pick it up regardless.

Since I've been a huge fan of biblical fiction, I gravitate towards that whenever possible. I love how some creative authors will take what the Bible story is and add to it, provide filler in order to help us fully understand the role this person may be played in the context we read about them in the Bible. I also understand this will not be your typical re-telling of a Bible story and some liberties will be taken.

Second, I've been a huge fan of Jerry B. Jenkins since his co-authorship of the Left Behind series and countless others, so I naturally wanted to pick this one up. That being said, I was a bit disappointed by his latest novel Empire's End, the story about the life of Paul the Apostle or Saul of Tarsus as he was formerly known. I had thought the television series A.D. was a bit disappointing by their own interpretation of events after the death and resurrection of Jesus, so I was hoping for a bit more than what I found.

The novel opens as a journal-like text from Saul/Paul as he conveys his story of his journey apart from what we gain from the Bible. It picks up with a brief overview of Saul's initial conquest as persecutor of Jesus follower's beginning with Stephen, and his subsequent conversion on the Damascus Road where he lost his eyesight and discovered Jesus in a vision. The majority of the book tells about his journey after being lowered down the wall of Damascus as those there sought his arrest for being a follower of the Way, or Jesus Christ. He flees on a horse that is spiritually led across the desert by interaction from a conversation with God to arrive at a Bedouin camp in the Arabian desert when he encounters the family of the very man he persecuted.

This is where the story is a bit confusing for me, because it deviates from the Bible in such a manner that a believer in Christ would find this one a little hard to swallow. (Sorry Mr. Jenkins, but I truly LOVED all your other novels). To think that perhaps Paul had come to terms with the widow of Stephen and spent time there while awaiting God's next instruction, was hard to come to terms with. I would have preferred if the story stuck to the role of Saul/Paul's life from the Bible instead of deviating so much from the original. It truly wasn't what I was hoping for, nor what I found. in fact more than half the book was about this spiritual journey of Paul's as he studied under the guidance of morning inspirations and visions of God where he was staying.

I understand that this is strictly a fictional story and was hoping for a bit more knowing how much Jerry Jenkins follows the Bible in past novels but in my opinion this was not the case here. There is no record this didn't happen in Paul's life, but then again, there is no record it did either if we are to take the Bible at its face value. I think that is perhaps what has disappointed so many readers of this book was the expectation it would follow some road map of Paul's life from the Bible with some filler added in to make it seem more alive. For me, this one didn't hit home.

I received Empire's End by Jerry B. Jenkins compliments of Worthy Publishing and Icon Media Group for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation and the opinions contained here are strictly my own and others might feel quite differently about this novel over what I did. I would rate this one a 3 out of 5 stars. The book I, Saul was the precursor for this novel.

For more information about Empire's End, Jerry B. Jenkins or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Empire's End by Jerry B. Jenkins

You can find Jerry B. Jenkins on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest novels.

You can read more reviews on Empire's End by visiting Worthy Publishing's website.

A Heart's Betrayal

Life has finally settled on the frontier for our favorite characters Sarah and Rand. They are now anticipating their first child amid the rising conflicts with the Indians outside of Fort Laramie. Emmie Croftner has just discovered that the man she is recently grieving as her husband was not the man she thought. She discovers in days after his funeral that he was married to another woman and had a child. Since their marriage wouldn't be viewed as valid, the holdings she assumed would be hers are now being handed to his first wife and child.

With just 30 days left, she hopes she can locate her brothers Ben and Labe but isn't quite sure where they might be. She knows that Ben has always been a bit of a schemer and has tried in vain to marry Sarah. With nothing to her name, the only person she can think to stay with might be Sarah if she will look past her as being Ben's sister. Sarah is Emmie's only hope. Without her, she doesn't know what she will do if the town learns of her soiled reputation of not being legally married to the man who was going to be her future.

Leaving Walsh, Indiana behind, she isn't quite prepared for what she finds out west at Fort Laramie. This is her first encounter with Indians and with eligible young soldiers who are looking for someone to marry. But Emmie isn't looking for love any more. She is fortunate when Sarah is excited to see her and loves the idea of her staying with them to help her with preparations for the upcoming birth of their child. But little does Emmie know she is carrying a far worse secret than anyone could ever imagine.

I received A Heart's Betrayal by Colleen Coble compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Thomas Nelson Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. This is the 4th book in the Journey of the Heart Series, written by Colleen Coble during the time she spent grieving the death of her own brother and is one of the first series she ever wrote. It has been simply wonderful reviewing these as they are being released in small bite size pieces a month at time again. I absolutely love Emmie's story of hope and looking for a way to begin again. However that isn't going to be easy once readers discover Emmie's secret. That is just like life in reality, it doesn't come wrapped up in a pretty little package! For me, this one is my favorite so far and well deserved of 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about A Heart's Betrayal, Colleen Coble, or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

A Heart's Betrayal by Colleen Coble

You can find Colleen Coble on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest books.

To read more reviews on A Heart's Betrayal, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page.


Emmie finds shelter in the arms of a soldier in Fort Laramie, Wyoming, but will her big secret drive them apart? Find out in book four, A Heart's Betrayal, of Colleen Coble's A Journey of the Heart series. Suddenly displaced, powerless, and ashamed, Emmie can’t stay in Wabash, Indiana. She makes a hopeful start for Fort Laramie to find her friend Sarah Montgomery and a new beginning. But when she arrives, she discovers she’s pregnant—and without a husband. The new start she’d hoped for slips from her fingers.

Melt into summer with a new giveaway from Colleen: four books (books one–four in Colleen's A Journey of the Heart series) and a box of chocolates to pair with your new books!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of A Heart's Betrayal
• A box of Colleen's favorite chocolate truffles from DeBrand Fine Chocolates
• A copy of A Heart's Disguise
• A copy of A Heart's Obsession
• A copy of A Heart's Danger

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 30th. Winner will be announced July 1st on Colleen's website.

Escape From Sudan

I always love to read debut author's books because I know how important it is for people to know that there are some amazing books out there. I am truly delighted to share with you Amanda DiCianni's children's book, Escape From Sudan. At just 122 pages, she shares the story of a young Sudanese boy Elijah Bwoko and what his life is like living in Sudan along with his best friend Thomas.

Life is typical for two boys who love to play soccer, but theirs isn't your typical soccer ball. It is made of rocks surrounded by rags. When they are playing, they are helping around their village with cooking of local foods like maize and asida, that tasted like rice. It was what they grew behind their hut. Since dealing with the death of his mom, Elijah now lives with his sisters Anna and Reiley and they have adopted Thomas into their household as well.

Most of their time is spent trying to avoid the soldiers or NIF or National Islamic Front, who took the people they found and sold them into slaves or abeeds. The boys would either become soldiers and go to war against their own people or sold into slavery as well. Their goal was to remain hidden and prevent that from happening to anyone in their village. But one day when they were out swimming, they returned to find their village had burned to the ground and Elijah's sisters had been taken by the NIF. Now they have to race against time to find them before they are sold and never seen again.

I received Escape From Sudan by Amanda DiCianni compliments of the author for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions found here are strictly my own. This would be an exceptional book for a teen looking at what life is like in the Sudan.Their cultures are very different from ours and showcases how the slavery trade is still happening in parts of Africa. It is far from the life many believe Sudanese children face and a great opportunity to learn about another place and the Sudanese people. I would rate this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars and definitely will be passing this one along to my niece who shares a love of reading like I do to enjoy.

For more information about Escape From Sudan, Amanda DiCianni, or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Escape From Sudan by Amanda DiCianni

You can find Tapestry Productions on Facebook to stay up to date on all their latest books.

London Tides

Life can take some unexpected turns. The thing we think we want most in the world, can be the one thing we simply walk away from. Grace Brennan had what some might call a picture perfect life as a photojournalist that found herself more and more in the midst of conflict. Her love life with Ian MacDonald was everything she had hoped for and more - until the day she walked away without a word, simply leaving behind her engagement ring and move forward to get lost in her career.

Now years later she comes back to find that Ian is still living in London. He hasn't moved on and never remarried. She is pulled by the notion that there might still be something there, but she can't find a way to connect with him again. Just how do you explain walking away from the man you loved to follow a career you loved perhaps even more? They had agreed to marry and give up their careers for love, but Grace had a change of heart.

With the loss of a colleague, she is still trying to find a way to absolve her guilt with not being able to save him as they found themselves in the midst of a war when they took fire. Now the tattoo she has on her arm will be a reminder than some choices in life carry consequences that go far beyond what we could ever imagine and there simply is no way of going back. If only she could find her way back into Ian's heart again, but is that something he is willing to take another chance on? Only time will tell.

I received London Tides by Carla Laureano compliments of David C. Cook Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review outside of my complimentary copy of this novel. This is the second novel in the MacDonald Family Trilogy, and I am sorry I did not read the first novel in this series. Yet I was able to perfectly understand the conflict that happens between Grace and Ian as they author took her time, establishing their backstory over the first few chapters. I love the parallel storylines of their careers and how each of them felt at some point their careers defined who they were until they really understood that that was just an illusion. The theme of home and safety are what motivates Grace and Ian in different ways and that comes to fulfillment by the close of this novel. There are some discussion questions at the conclusion of this novel that are perfect for book clubs. Overall I'd rate this one a 4 out 5.

For more information about London Tides, Carla Laureano, or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

London Tides by Carla Laureano 

You can find Carla Laureano on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on London Tides, please visit Christian Fiction Blog Alliance's Book Tour page.

The Father's Love - DVD Review

Sometimes when we want love so badly, we are willing to take it in the most unlikely of places. Far too often in places we wouldn't recommend a friend to do it, but often times willing to accept less than for ourselves, just to have it.

As a young girl, Sarah struggled to find a way to fill the hurt in her own life when her father failed her and her mother in being loyal to his family. Now as she has grown she is looking for it in all kinds of places, from work, to partying in her free time with friends, and even dating multiple men at the same time, in a way to fill the void in her own life. Her father continues to write her letters, but she refuses to open a single one, banishing the letters to a growing pile, much like she feels he had done to her.

When just the right man shows up, Sarah believes she has finally found the right one. He offers her everything under the sun. Wonderfully romantic dates, gifts and words of love and affirmation, even offering to share a great apartment in New York with her. But soon afterwards the phone calls from Reese grow in distance, always having to work, always being called out of town to help his family, and soon Sarah discovers that the love Reese has for her isn't the same definition she has.

I received The Father's Love by Word Films compliments of Word Films and Edify Media Inc for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review outside the complimentary copy of the DVD. The opinions contained here are strictly my own. This movie has a great message but due to the subject matter involved, I wouldn't recommend this for the entire family even though the Dove Foundation has offered a review. It truly shows us what unconditional love looks like and how we can achieve that through God and through His Word found in the Bible and not from any man. It shows the power of God's love and how it has the ability to heal wounds we would never imagine possible and just how wonderful forgiveness can truly be. Well worth 4.5 out of 5 stars for this reviewer.

For more information about The Father's Love, Word Films or where you can pick up a copy of this DVD today, please click on the links below:

The Father's Love by Word Films

You can find Word Films on Facebook to stay up to date on all their latest movies.

To see what other movies are available please visit Word Film's website. 

Why Would Jesus Come Back?

When you look at the state of the world around us, makes you wonder why Jesus would want to come back home. Kinda like a parent who returns home from a trip only to find their kids had one heck of a party while they were gone and left the home a complete mess. Isn't that what Jesus is likely to find when He comes back. What have we done with His place, since He has been gone and more to the point, why would He ever want to come back here?

Yet when you tell people Jesus is coming back, you will generally get one of two likely replies. (1) people will be happy and look forward to it, or (2) they aren't the slightest bit happy. Kinda like the teen who finds out their parents are suddenly coming home, much earlier than they expected and they haven't had time to fix things so they won't get in trouble.

But one thing is certain, because for those of us that believe in the Bible, we know that the promises made in it are 100% accurate and either have come true or will come true, simply because it hasn't happened yet.

Acts 1:7-11 ~ "He said to them, "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking up intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside the. "Men of Gailee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (NIV).

This event obviously has happened yet, but the signs of the end times are being staged. So why does Jesus have to come back at all?

1. Political reasons. ~ Deuteronomy 32:8 ~ "When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided up all mankind, he set up boundaries for the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel. " (NIV).

God has established the boundaries of nations. He gives them leaders as they are needed. There is no one in any form of government that will solve the issues the world is facing.

Matthew 24:3-7 ~ "As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Jesus answered, "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, "I am the Christ,: and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom."(NIV).

The alignment of nations that will band together will need to happen. This is already happening with the United States of Europe or US of E since 1991. We know a great political leader will rise up as the coming anti-Christ. He will come in the place of Christ and seem to solve all the world's problems and reign over the ancient empires.

2. Societal Events ~ social ills and trends in society.

We know in the last days there will be a since of general lawlessness.

Matthew 24:10-12 ~ "At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." (NIV).

We already see this happening in our cities and towns. Where people are suffering and yet no one is moved to do anything to help them. One woman veered off the road in Washington and many people saw her. Yet she remained in her car for over 8 days before anyone found her. She later died from her injuries. Why? Because people are growing cold to what is happening all around and they have lost the ability to care about people anymore.

We will see an increase in racial divisions.

There are simply too many examples to what we are seeing as a growing trend in racial divisions. In the Greek when the Bible speaks of 'kingdoms against kingdoms" it is actually the world ethnos, which is where we get the word ethnic from. Meaning ethnic groups will fight against ethnic groups. We fail to understand that we all bleed the same color. We need to preach the gospel and let God's Word speak for itself not as representatives like Rev. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton continue to pollute what God's Word has to say. We should be creating unity not division among the culture and ethnic groups. It is becoming a wedge in our society to create division. God is the biggest, when our lives our a mess.

There will be a rise in abhorrent sexuality.

This means there will be clear violations in the laws of nature, especially when it comes to sexual issues. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to clearly spell out that abhorrent sexuality among the same genders destroys the species. Two women can not produce off spring so the species will die, just like two men cannot produce offspring so they too will die off. Only with the increase in what is now acceptable, from television programming, movies, social media and more, is creating the message that clearly spells out, "Well that is just the way it is now."

Jesus stated that before He returns that the world will be like it was in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah and in the days of Noah:

Luke 17:26-30 ~ "Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating , drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed." (NIV).

There will be those who refuse to believe.

2 Peter 3:3-7 ~ "First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everyone goes on as it has since the beginning of creation. But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that times was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men." (NIV).

We are warned of what we need to be doing now. Not doing the things of the world, but looking into the Bible for the standards of lives we should be living.

2 Peter 3:11 ~ Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming."(NIV).

As we see the signs begin to grow in intensity and in frequency, know this. Jesus is coming back. Will you be ready when He does?