Movie Review: Priceless

Join the Priceless Movement to prevent human trafficking and child exploitation here.

I wrote a little about human trafficking back in my blog here over Labor Day.

I stumbled upon this movie yesterday. I love movies but they can be very all consuming for me. I talk more about movies as Entertainment here in a previous post. So, this year in an effort to be more intentional about the things I watch and glorify God through them, I asked for a subscription to Pureflix for 3 months for Christmas.  I received it from my in-laws and I am currently going through some movies and shows.  Yes, some of them are movies that would be rated as B movies, however, the content in really great.  It gets you thinking and moving in the right direction.  Anyway, I watched a movie called Like a Country Song and it was pretty good. I wondered about the actor in there, Joel Smallbone, and looked him up. (My husband told me after reading this post that Joel and his brother are lead singers in For King and Country) That is where I saw the movie Priceless.  I remember hearing about it coming to theaters quite some time ago. I watched the preview and then started watching it on Amazon Prime.

Wow, it was a very powerful plot. A man torn and in the end does the right thing-based on true stories that created a movement.

I highly recommend watching it and then seeing where and how you can get involved if you are moved to do so. The Priceless Movement website above gives information for supporting, for those in need of receiving help and also for your local organizations.

I started 40acts for Lent this year. This is my 2nd year doing it, but this is the first year I've really gotten into doing a lot of the actions themselves.  Will you consider joining me? It's not too late.  They are all over social media, I have been sharing them on Twitter and Facebook everyday.  You can sign up and receive a daily email. It gets you thinking and sometimes moving in the direction that God wants for us. This year's 40acts is based on the teachings from the book of James. I have been (before knowing that they were using this as inspiration) and still am reading through it.


Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

1 John 4:7–8 NIV

Love is Action by Tauren Wells

Priceless by For King and Country

Ash Wednesday, Lent & Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is upon us.  Here is a link that talks about the history of Valentine's Day.

Yes, last year I shared here about Valentine's Day and what I thought of the holiday.  This year I thought instead of griping about it I would give you a few links to get some last minute ideas for your spouse, significant other, family, friends or kids.

For Married couples: 

Sheila Gregoire's website contains quite a few awesome Valentine's posts. In the search box type in Valentine and you'll get her last few years of posts that are full of links and ideas.


J. Parker's website contains some great posts as well, in the search box type in Valentine and you'll get some even more ideas.  *However, note that her site will contain even more graphic posts about marital intimacy than Sheila's does, so go into it with your heart open.

A Biblical Marriage has this great post about 10 free or cheap gifts.

For All Couples and singles as well:

Gary Chapman's  Five Love Languages is a great place to start.  Figure out the Love Language of those special to you, including yourself.  Most of the time the way we show our love tends to be one of our strongest love languages.

For Everyone:

There are so many ideas out there. Try looking through Pinterest and just googling images. However, make sure that you put the word Christian in front, otherwise you might get some things popping up you don't want to see. 

Teach your kids about the Love of Jesus. There are so many passages in the Bible that talk about Love. Go to Biblegateway.com or whatever bible resource you use and search for the word Love. Read through some of them and take refuge in them, but then move forward and show that love to others around you.  Bible Verses About Love.

As a lot of the world celebrates Valentine's Day, I will be looking forward to the start of Lent as Ash Wednesday is on Valentine's Day this year(2018). 

Lent & Ash Wednesday

Here is a link that has a little about Ash Wednesday.


Here is a link that talks about Lent.


Are you a person who gives something up for Lent? Do you even take part in it?  

When I was younger I was brought up in a Catholic church for a short while and I remember those around me talking about Lent and giving up something for Lent.  As I changed faiths through the years and finally settled at an Evangelical Baptist church I never thought much of Lent until a couple of years ago. 

Then last year I found 40acts.  I don't know how I stumbled upon it.  I think I googled how to worship differently leading up to Easter and found it.  Last year it opened my eyes to the kind of person I am and MORE importantly, the kind of person that God wants me to be.

Will you join me this year?  Sign up as a single, as a small group, as a family or as a church.  I guarantee you, it will change your outlook on life.  It might not change you right away and it might take some time to get outside your comfort zone-I know I still struggle with it.  That is why I am signing up again this year.  I want to stretch myself to Love others as Jesus loved us.   Generously, wholeheartedly: "Change starts with me."


"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." ~ 1 John 4:7

OKAY AND THIS ONE HERE IS JUST FOR FUN. A LITTLE SOMETHING TO BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY
AND GET YOU MOVING.

Mardi Gras(Fat Tuesday), Shrove Tuesday & Carnival

Easter is early this year, the start of the Lenten season is actually on Valentine's Day this year. 

I am guessing you've heard of Mardi Gras before?  How about Carnival or Shrove Tuesday?  

Here is a link that talks about the history of Mardi Gras and Carnival.  

Here is a link that shares information on Shrove Tuesday.  This was new information to me this year. 



I am planning a new Valentine's Day post this year(we'll see if I get to it-😄) but in the meantime, Here is my Valentine's day post from 2017.

It's funny how we handle the Lenten season and have for such a long time.  Pagan rituals aside, as a Christian it seems weird to me to gorge yourself right before giving up something for Lent.  Seems kind of counter productive.  But at the same time, I can see why we do it, as humans.  We feel like this last ditch effort to fill the need might satisfy us over the next 40 days.  Although the bible doesn't say it, I don't think it was in Jesus' character to eat as much as possible before he fasted in the desert. His point was to grow closer to the Father and to ready himself for his ministry ahead.

Join me this year in trying to draw closer to Jesus through his teachings. Sign up for 40acts and follow this:

John 15:12
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

Groundhog Day! Is Winter's End in Sight?

In the middle of winter we are all looking for some more sunshine I think. I know I am. So it's no surprise that for thousands of years there have been some kind of celebration in the midst of the gloom and lack of sunlight to help us look forward to Spring.

I don't do winter well. It seems this year more than most I have had one cold after another with no end in sight.  But with February, although in previous years this and March tends to hit us with a lot of snow in the Northeast, come thoughts of spring and more sunshine.

Ever wonder where Groundhog day comes from, check it out here. 

What ever you get into, just remember as of today Feb 1st, we have 48 days left until the Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere.  

But what is more important to me during time of the year is that Lent is coming, which means Easter is upon us. A time that as a Christian has so much meaning to me. It stirs emotions of gratitude and humbleness. It brings tears to my eyes, but in an "awe"some way.

It allows me to grab hold of something and look forward to eternity. That no matter what each day brings here on earth, there will be a day where we will see Jesus face to face.  It brings hope into a world that can feel very dark and without sunshine for so many reasons.

Until then, as Christians, we are called to spread the Good News and to live a life that glorifies Him.  This is a time of reflection and change, true repentance. Turning the other direction and making good on those heart changes.  

I've been listening to Francis Chan talking about and reading the book of James lately, slowly and achingly.  It is a love-hate relationship for me, as I know that I am convicted but true change is hard.

So look for my upcoming posts I'll be sharing on Lent. Check out my previously post links below to check out last years walk.

Lent 2017, Lent 2017-1 week in, Lent 2017-Halfway through, Lent 2017-Sum Up

Until next time I encourage you to read Romans 5 about Peace & Hope here.

Book Review: Daughter of China Trilogy by C. Hope Flinchbaugh

I started reading this set of books well over 2 years ago.  It took me a really long time to read this book, not because it wasn't good, it was phenomenal, but more so because of when I read.  I only seem to be able to read at night, when I am tired which requires a lot more energy to stay awake to finish a chapter.  Once I made myself go to bed earlier I was able to start reading a chapter every night and I read more in one month than I did in the previous years.

These are historical Christian fiction. The author did a lot of research, including interviewing real persecuted Christians and their stories in order the write these.

The first book is about the persecuted Christian church in China.  I learned things about the culture there that I never knew before. It is a very graphic book about the torture of the main character in the book and what happens to her as she grabs hold of her faith and evangelizes in her own town.   

I always knew there was persecution in the world and over in China, but until I read this book I didn't know any of the specifics.  One of the reason I like historical fiction is that I get to make a connection to the character and really empathize with their situation.  I might not fully understand what they went through, but it allows me to understand better and pushes me to think about what others go through in countries like these.  It helps move me to pray for others around the world who go through this on a daily basis.

The 2nd book, Across the China Sky is a continuation of the main characters in the story.  Again, it brings you into their world to help you understand their lives and the consequences that happen in their world from being a Christian. This book moves the character to another stage in her life where she is looking for her calling, she meets new people and finds out a lot more about herself and her faith.  While she is doing all that, you learn about the other people in her story while she isn't with them. They go on a journey where they are deceived by a cult called Eastern Lightning.  Again, another cultural thing I new nothing about until I read this book.  This book read as easily and as fast as the first one, but wasn't as deep for me.

The 3rd of the trilogy continues the same story of this young woman but in a different calling for her and her friend.  They take a journey to evangelize their country going on very little other than their faith.  There are miracles and visions in this one.  It seemed a bit strange to me at first, but then I realized that I hear about dreams happening all over the world where non believers see Jesus in their dreams and they come to know him through those dreams and the evangelists around them. This story interweaves the story of North Korea into it as well and how the Christian church in China helped and continues to help those in North Korea trying to escape. It hones in on a specific family and their struggle, how they come to know Jesus and how they make their way to China.

What did I take away from reading these books?

It made me want to read and study the book of James again.  I've always had a love-hate relationship with that book in the bible.  It is hardcore heart stuff.  If you've never read it, I encourage you to read it again and really ponder what your faith is and what it is producing for the Lord.  I struggle with this all the time and these books made me realize how much we have and how little we do in His name.

Right now I am using RightNow Media, a source of bible studies and videos that our church has just signed up for.  I am working through a video series from Fancis Chan on the book of James and it is eye opening and heart tearing.

I look forward to reading more from her in the future.  I just ordered her book from 2011 called Out of North Korea - A Korean Boy Tells His Rescue Story in Pictures.

I highly recommend these books.

Wrapping things up. 

I was trying to find a song that worked for this post like I usually do, but I was struggling with this one.  I went to my You Version Bible on my iPad and did my devotional this morning.   Philippians 4:13 says: I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.

Ephesians 1:18-20 
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,  and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 

In countries where they are persecuted they rely on their faith and His power and strength because often they can not do these things by themselves.  In the United States and other "Free" countries we rely on ourselves too much, we pride ourselves in what "We" can do.  When we look to Jesus first and rely on Him, His power is shown and I think that is often why "we" don't see his works and miracles and others in persecuted countries do.

Something to think on.  How's my faith, how's yours, Whose power are you leaning on in your life?

Let's Talk Entertainment-Specifically Books

Along with my other posts on Entertainment, we can't leave out Books!  Some of you crazy readers are probably saying "What can be wrong with books?"  Well I can tell you first hand a few things that I have struggled with or am currently struggling with.  

They can be Disruptive

1. Those of us book worms know what happens when we pick up a good book. We can't put it down. We read until the wee hours of the morning, until our eyes are so heavy that they won't stay open and then what comes in the morning is not a pretty sight.  It makes us exhausted to go to work and be productive, or do our duties around the house, or pay attention to our kids. It's disruptive.

Content, Content, Content

2. Content, content, content.  Pretty much a theme in my entertainment posts as you can see.  Content is a big deal, even in books and for some of us especially in books.  It can be just as effective or even more with some people.  For me books have always taken me places.  It was a book that showed me my need for Jesus when I was 10 years old.  It has been books that have shaped my views on things. It has been books that have helped me empathize and learn about people and cultures.  

But content can be damaging too.  There are less reviews these days on books (that are helpful) than movies and TV, but there are some. Plugged In through Focus on the Family is a great resource for all kinds of media, including books. Common Sense Media has some book reviews as well.  What I like about these sites is that they have a section where it explains how to talk with your kids about the things in the book.  Plugged in has a section called Discussion Topics and Common Sense Media's section is called Talk to your Kids about...

Let's face it, if you're a parent you might not know what your kids are reading in school these days.  Most likely your kid isn't going to talk about it unless you are actively asking, and then sometimes you only get bits of information out of them.  My husband and I made a pact awhile back that if the kids were reading something in school one of us should be reading it as well so we can thoroughly discuss it with them.  For some people this might be very difficult and so this is where informative book reviews come in handy.

2A.  Romance Novels.  I just want to share a little bit with you from one of my favorite Christian bloggers/authors about Romance novels.

You can read Sheila Wray Gregoire's post here on romance novels and how they can affect your marriage and your view of it.  Her post also has links to other posts regarding porn and erotica that are an interesting read.

Idolatry

3. Has reading a book or a series of them affected your spiritual walk?  Would you prefer to read your book instead of the bible?  I know I feel that way more than I should.  When we put forms of entertainment before our time with God it is making it a form of idolatry.

So what is my point?

As with all my other entertainment posts we must be aware of what we see with our eyes, hear with our ears and take into our hearts.  We must put God first.  We must pick up our cross daily and re-evaluate what we are doing with our lives and where we are going.  

Something to think about... There is only 1 book that you might not be in enough, His Word.  The Bible.  If you find getting into The Word hard there are several resources you can use to get you started.  

• Most bibles have reading plans in them, either in the front or back.

  

• You can do a bible devotional that uses scripture to get you into the word.  

• Those of you who aren't big into paper books, check out the The You Version App or web based here.  

• You can also check out Bible Gateway online.

I also encourage you to find a local church and be part of the body. The bible teaches us that we are to seek community with other believers.  Can't find one that fits?  Ask yourself why?  Really see that what's important to God is the same as what's important to you.  This is a tough one for a lot of people.

A lot of churches have bible studies and/or Men's and Women's groups.  Join one.

You will find my other posts on Entertainment here on my blog under the entertainment tab.  

Romans 8:5 

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Fix Our Eyes on Him!

Let's Talk Entertainment-Specifically Video Games

Uh Oh! Yup, I'm tackling this too.  

I have to admit I never really had an issue with spending too much time on a single video game in my lifetime.  I tend to get bored really fast.  Of course, I will spend time on various games every night, so that's kind of the same.  When our son was using his DS to complete Mario Bros, of course I had to try it out. I loved Mario related video games when I was younger in my early 20s. 

Of course, our first console was Intellivision, at least that's the first one I remember. I really enjoyed playing Dungeons and Dragons(if you are looking for some nostalgia from this game, check this out) and Pitfall. When I was a little bit older we had a Colecovision in which I would play Mouse Trap.  In high school I like playing Where in the US or World is Carmen San Diego and Oregon Trail.

My idea of a fun video game is Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy or Trivia Crack.  I even like the occasional free slot games. I'll try new games, and my hubby has even installed emulators on my computer to play older games like Myst and Oregon Trail, but I lose interest fast.

Like all entertainment, video gaming can be a time sucker.  It can become an idol.  Unless you are playing some kind of game that is teaching you about the bible I can't imagine that any of these games are glorifying to God.  However, a lot of games aren't disrespectful of Him. 

Here's the problem I have specifically with video games.  A lot of the games we play engage the creative centers in our brains, they push us to learn and to be strategic-these are good things. However, they also teach our brains the desire to want more, to level up, to keep going until completion. When we get to the end, what happens?  Have you ever finished a video game and been really satisfied?  Some of you are probably thinking, of course.  Those of you who are, what are you thinking right after you finish your game, or a couple of days afterward?  I am guessing it's something like "What now?" or "Which game should I play now?"   We are always looking for that completion, that fulfillment.  I feel like this is a human kind of thing.  We aren't finished until we are fulfilled and when we don't feel that fulfillment we move onto the next big thing to fill that hole.

Only God, through his son Jesus can fill that emptiness in our hearts. Not our spouse, not our kids, not other people and definitely not entertainment.  It might feel like it at the time though.

There is a lot of debate about whether or not video games are addictive or not.  Like a lot of other entertainment or things in life, they can be.  There can be a physical addiction and/or an emotional addiction to them.  We are looking in the wrong place.  I am as much a part of this as anyone else. 

Here are a couple of interesting reads on the subject of video game addiction.  There obviously is a problem if there is help out there for it.

1. Video game addiction from the American Addiction centers.
2. Focus on the Family also did a series here on The Parent's Guide to Video games.
3. As to marriage, here and part 2, are from one of my favorite bloggers/author's that talks about what to do is your husband is addicted to video games or plays too much.  This can also apply to wives.  As we all know the world is changing and there are plenty of woman who can be addicted to things like pornography and/or video games that seemed like a man only thing.

So, What's my point?

Like all other entertainment, video games can be a time sucker.  The content of some of them are dishonoring to God, and others may have some things that can cause eyes to stray and hearts to break.  Harmless games can become stumbling blocks.  My point is to beware of the activities you engage in, like other forms of entertainment, they can lead you down the wrong path.  If you have kids, censor the games to age appropriateness and talk about the things your kids see in the games and how they might be affected by them. Set time limits for your kids and yourself and make them reasonable.  My suggestion would to not let the limit be "I'll get off as soon as I get to the next level, or beat the next...etc" because that can lead to hours for some games.  

In All Things, Keep Jesus your center.

If you are walking in his word daily it can be easier to avoid temptation when it's thrown in front of you.  We are not perfect, we are all full of sin, but we have a savior.  Listen to the song below, try to keep the path and when you stray;

Ephesians 2:1-10

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

1 Peter 2:24
24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”