Kirk Cameron Presents: The Homeschool Awakening | June 13 & 14

There is so much going on in our country and our world right now.  Are our kids safe?  Do they have the resources they need to make it in today's competitive environment?  What about character development?  Will our children grow up to be people who care about others?  People who take responsibility?  People who are productive members of society?  People of faith?  What about our special needs children?  Are they getting the attention they need?

If you have found yourself asking these questions, you might have considered homeschooling.  I did, and then I decided it was not for me.  I was definitely not interested.  Forget it.

Then I changed my mind.

Almost 20 years later, I'm here with two successful college graduates, one successful college student, and one about to graduate from high school, all homeschooled from kindergarten through twelfth grade.  And I'm writing and working for a homeschool publishing company.  Never thought that would happen!

There is an Awakening happening in our country.  See what it's all about!

•  https://www.fathomevents.com/events/Kirk-Cameron-Presents-The-Homeschool-Awakening
• #HomeschoolAwakeningMIN

Family Camp - (Official Trailer) In Theaters May 13

Momentum Review: Pureflix Resurrection Day Movies (and a Giveaway)

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

Matthew 28:5-6 NIV

These are truly some of the most beautiful words ever spoken.

Imagine the women, confused by the events of the last few days.  They had believed in Jesus, and he had been killed brutally before their eyes.  According to the traditions of the Passover and the Sabbath, they had not even been able to give him a decent burial (though in the Gospel of John we find out that Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea had wrapped his body with myrrh and spices before laying him in the tomb).  Early Sunday morning, as soon as the Sabbath ended, they hurried to make preparations.  They knew the tomb was guarded by Roman guards, but they went anyway, hoping to be allowed to. . . what?  See the body?  Give it a better preparation?  Just be there to weep and perhaps find a bit of closure?

Closure was not what they found.

The tomb itself was not even closed.  The guards were gone.  The body was not there.  

Jesus was gone!

Fear set in.  Anxiety.   What had happened here?  Were the Romans so cruel that they would take the body of Jesus and hide it from them?  Would Jesus' followers be arrested, and perhaps killed?

And then they saw two men they did not know.  Men more terrifying than the Roman soldiers.  Men dressed in dazzling white clothing that was not of this world.

"Do not be afraid."

These men gave the women the news that has spread and that has given us hope for the past 2,000 years.  The news that we will never have to be afraid again.

 “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said!"

My grandfather and my dad always called Easter "Resurrection Day," the Day that Jesus rose as the firstborn of all Creation, and the Day that gives us the promise that we will one day rise to eternal life as well.

Resurrection Day is one of my favorite times of the year.  I love the stories, I love the music, and I love Easter movies.  I love historical period movies that are well done, that make the Greatest Story Ever Told come to life while we watch.  Normally, I like feel-good movies.  Movies that are appropriate for children.  Movies with a little bit of comedy that I can relax and enjoy watching and not have to think too hard about.

The Passion of the Christ, however, is an exception.

I would love to dwell in the glory of the Resurrection, listening to triumphant music, donning my new Easter dress or bonnet and thinking only of the happy ending to this story.  That is all important, and indeed we should spend most of our lives realizing and being thankful for the Resurrection.  But sometimes, we need to really meditate on the road it took to get there.  Our sin was a great.  Our punishment would be unbearable for us. To truly appreciate the Resurrection, we need to know what Jesus really did for us.  As uncomfortable as it is, we need to see the size and the roughness of the cross.  The length of the spikes that went through Jesus's hands and feet.  The cruelty of the Romans.  The hatred of the Jews.  The desperation of Mary's screams as she watched her innocent son be put to death in one of the most brutal forms of execution ever invented.

I was not comfortable watching The Passion of the Christ.  I would prefer to not think too much about the Via Dolorosa - the Way of Suffering that Jesus had to bear for me.  But it was powerful.  It was well-researched, done in the original languages with subtitles.  It left me changed.

How can I not serve the God who would come down from heaven and suffer this for me?

The Passion of the Christ is rated R because of the graphic depiction of the real events, and it is not appropriate for younger children.  I would very much recommend it, however, for older teens and adults.  As we prepare our hearts for Resurrection Day, this movie is an excellent way to meditate on what came in the days before.

The Passion of the Christ will only be available from 20 March to 19 April 2022 on Pure Flix.  See the trailer here:

https://app.pureflix.com/videos/482147878914/the-passion-of-the-christ-trailer

You can find a wide array of Easter movies on Pure Flix, which has a 7-day free trial for new customers.  Some serious, some lighter, I think selecting a few of these movies is an excellent way to prepare ourselves for the season. 

Sign up for Pureflix here and see all the selection of Easter movies available.

In addition to the 7-day free trial Pure Flix, I will have a drawing for a giveaway of one 3-month Pure Flix subscription.  Comment here or on my Facebook page with your favorite Easter song or movie to enter. Drawing will be held on April 7.

#PureFlixEasterMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

 

Note: Giveaway is limited to US winners only. 

Disclosure: 

Many thanks to Pure Flix for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Church People DVD - Momentum Review and Giveaway

 

We could all use a good laugh right now, and Church People is a movie your whole family can LOL to from the comfort of your own home!  I shared a review of this movie last March when it was in theaters.  Did you get a chance to see it?  If not, this is your chance, because it is now on DVD!

It is recurring theme in American churches.  Many of us grew up in small churches, sang hymns, sat on wooden pews, read the King James Version, and stood as the ushers brought the plates forward, singing the Doxology.  So our reaction - especially those of us who grew up in the 80s, during the coming-of-age of the Christian pop music genre - is to put on a big concert.  What can we do to overcome the old traditional ways and bring people in?  We have to bring them in and then just give them a morsel of truth while they are here.  Bigger is better.  More music.  More lights.  More flashy.  Bring in the smoke machines.  More, more, more!  When does it stop?  Forty years later, we are looking at church services becoming rock concerts, and we are wondering, Isn't the Gospel enough?

That's the question youth pastor Guy Sides is asking as PR people rain down beach balls on him on stage and bring a Superman costume for him to try on in the middle of his massive book tour.  (The writer in me is wondering how anyone ever got so popular on a book tour!)  He is "America's Youth Pastor."  And he's ready to give up.

Enter Pastor Skip with his tie-dye t-shirt; Tino with his worship and love songs; Carla, the preacher's missionary daughter, returned home with a heartbreak; Blaise, the overly passionate new convert; the mysterious Mabel; and two Baldwin brothers; and you have a full cast of highly exaggerated church stereotypes who represent real people with real issues who are just trying to share the Good News. 

Is the Gospel enough?

Church People is making the list of one of my favorites of the movies I've gotten to review, right up there with Mom's Night Out.  If you love good Christian comedy, you will love this movie!  It is a great lead-in to the Easter season.

Watch the trailer here:   https://youtu.be/QhROt7kmoLU

Purchase your copy of CHURCH PEOPLE now!

https://churchpeoplefilm.com/#buy

Of course, I have a Giveaway!  One lucky winner will receive a DVD of Church People from Momentum Influencers.  (Note: This giveaway is limited to US winners only.) To enter, just comment on this post or on my Facebook page by Wednesday, February 16, 2022. 

Disclosure: Many thanks to Collide Distribution for providing a sample of the product for this re- view. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

#ChurchPeopleDVDMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

The Tiger Rising - Momentum Review And A Giveaway!

 I was privileged to review the new movie The Tiger Rising this past week.  Starring Queen Latifah and Dennis Quaid, this cute coming-of-age story has all the marks of a feel-good pre-teen movie.  

[The movie is] based on the New York Times best-selling book by [Newbery Medalist] Kate DiCamillo. When 12-year-old Rob Horton (Christian Convery) discovers a caged tiger in the woods near his home, his imagination runs wild and life begins to change in the most unexpected ways. With the help of a wise and mysterious maid, Willie May (Queen Latifah) and the stubborn new girl in school (Madalen Mills), he navigates through childhood memories, heartache, and wondrous adventures in this heartwarming adaptation.

Christian Convery and Madalen Mills are very talented young actors, holding their own next to the well-known Queen Latifah and Dennis Quaid.  I hope we will see more of them.  Having moved my own kids around quite a lot, being a military family, I felt I could relate to their difficulties adapting to a new area.  Of course, a boy finding a tiger in the woods near his home is the stuff adventure tales are made of!

While characters of faith are portrayed positively in the film, the film itself is not necessarily faith-based, and I was disappointed by some uses of the Lord's name in vain, and by some of the speech Dennis Quaid's character used with the young girl.  It was somewhat for character development, but I feel that in today's world, our "inspirational" movies should not portray to young girls that men just talk to girls that way and we ignore it.  On the plus side, Willie May (Queen Latifah's character) and the boy's mother in the movie are positive role models.  In addition, however, without offering any specific spoilers, I have to say I was disappointed with the ending of the movie.

You can see the movie for yourself, available today on DVD, and available to rent on VUDU, ROW8, or Prime Video.  I would love to hear your thoughts!  See Film Website below for viewing information.

Of course, I'd also love to give away a digital code to one lucky reader to watch the movie for free.  Comment here or on my Facebook page by Sunday, February 13, for a chance to win!

Film Website:

https://theavenue.film/movies/the-tiger-rising

Trailer:

https://youtu.be/AHxMGndzvEI

Faith & Family Discussion Guide:

https://theavenue.film/movies/the-tiger-rising#resources

#TigerRisingFilmMIN #TigerRisingFilm #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Disclosure: Many thanks to Momentum Influencers for providing this product/product information for review. 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. 

 

Preview THE TIGER RISING, in theaters January 21!

 TheAvenue.Film's Tiger Rising Film #worldwide #premiere of its trailer is OUT NOW for you to watch and share with your friends. We are so excited to share it with you now!

THE TIGER RISING is about overcoming life's challenges and rising above with the help of your imagination. Starring Christian Convery, Madalen Mills, Sam Trammell, Katharine McPhee, Dennis Quaid, and Queen Latifah.

THE TIGER RISING in theaters January 21st. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FILM: www.tigerrisingfilm.com https://fb.watch/aFDxm0IrzB/ via @FacebookWatch

#TigerRisingFilmMIN

Momentum Review: Courageous Legacy and a Drawing!

THE MOVIE YOU LOVE, AT A WHOLE NEW LEVEL

Ten years ago this fall, COURAGEOUS opened in theaters across the world. Filled with heart-pounding action, laugh-out-loud humor, and powerful inspiration, COURAGEOUS has entertained and impacted families across the globe for the past decade.

Now, from the Kendrick Brothers, creators of the No. 1 box-office movie WAR ROOM and OVERCOMER, comes COURAGEOUS LEGACY, the remastered, special-edition release for a new generation. This updated version of the film includes an enhanced look and sound along with impact stories, new scenes, and a new bonus ending you don’t want to miss! Mark your calendars, gather your friends, and spread the word. It’s time to head back to the theaters!

I had a chance to watch this old favorite with a new ending this week, and it was as excellent as I remembered!  For those of you who have been fans for the past 10 years, this is a great chance to see the movie all over again on the big screen in the theater and to find out what has happened with some of your favorite characters.  For those of you who have never seen this movie (or like my children, saw it when you were young but don't remember it), go see it now!

While pastoring a church in Georgia, Alex Kendrick, who also had a background in communications, read a survey indicating that films were more influential than churches in changing public opinion.  He and his brother Stephen then began to write and produce movies that would impact the world for Christ.  In addition to Courageous, they have produced Flywheel, Facing the Giants, Fireproof, The War Room, and Overcomer. 

While I believe that people and the church must be instrumental in introducing individuals to Christ and really changing people's lives, I also believe that film and media are a powerful tool that Christians should continue to use to spread the Gospel message and impact the world.  Courageous was done well and has become a part of our home library.

Courageous Legacy opened in theaters across the country today!  Go see it!

IN THEATERS NATIONWIDE SEPTEMBER 24, 2021


Watch the Trailer HERE


View the Heart Of Courageous Legacy video HERE

Download the Resolution HERE for free! This is a great way for fathers to take the next step and make a commitment to their wives and children.

Watch another fun video from the Kendrick Brothers HERE

BuyTicketsHere:https://tickets.courageousthemovie.com/ 

OfficialWebsite:https://www.courageousthemovie.com/ 

I have TWO FREE TICKETS (Fandango codes) to see this movie in theaters, but there is a quick turnaround on this drawing.  Leave me a comment here or on my Facebook page by SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 26 to be entered into the drawing! 

Note: This giveaway is limited to the US only.

Disclaimer:  Many thanks to Sony Pictures for providing this product/product information for review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive the product in exchange for this review and post.

#CourageousLegacyMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

 

Momentum Review: When We Last Spoke And A Giveaway!

 

I was very excited for the chance to review the film When We Last Spoke with two of my favorites, Melissa Gilbert from Little House on the Prairie and Corbin Bernsen from Psych!

Families are wonderful and complicated things.  They all have their secrets, their heroes, their sorrows, and their joys.  When two little girls lost their father in Vietnam and were abandoned by their mother in 1967, they were taken in by loving grandparents.  Even in the most loving families, however, everything is not always perfect.  Misunderstandings and mistakes tear the fabric of relationships.  The road to forgiveness may be long and difficult, but it is worth it in the end!

Follow one family's saga in the delightfully warm movie, When We Last Spoke, based on the book by Marci Henna.  The movie is currently available on Amazon Prime, or visit the website to find all the ways to view this powerful movie with the whole family.  When We Last Spoke recently won Best Picture, Best Narrative, Best Supporting Actor, and more at the Crown Awards at the National Religious Broadcasters 2021 Christian Media Convention!

• Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/When-Last-Spoke-Cloris-

  Leachman/dp/B08NBC2L2P/ref=sr_1_1

• All Viewing Options: https://www.whenwelastspokemovie.com

Would you like to win your own digital code for this lovely movie?  Leave a comment here or on my Facebook page with your favorite memory from the Little House TV or book series!

#WhenWeLastSpokeMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Disclosure: Many thanks to Last Spoke Partners for providing this product/product information for review. 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.   Note: This giveaway is limited to US bloggers only.

Dolphin Island on DVD - Discounted pre-orders available!

 

Enjoy a summer vacation-movie to DOLPHIN ISLAND.  (See March 2021 Review HERE.)

 

Coming to DVD on August 1

A note from the publishers:

 

With the Delta variant rampant and travel restrictions back in place, a movie escape for the whole family is just what we need.

Shot entirely in The Bahamas, DOLPHIN ISLAND is a family-focused film about a girl, her dolphin, and the power of family.

 

The Dove Foundation called DOLPHIN ISLAND "a heartwarming tale of love and accountability." 

 

Directed by Mike Disa (SPACE DOGS, HOODWINKED TOO!).  Produced by Shaked Berenson (SPACE DOGS, A TIGER'S TALE), and written by Disa, Berenson, and Rolfe Kanefsky (PUPPY SWAP: LOVE UNLEASHED).

 

Starring Peter Woodward (NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS), Dionne Lea Williams (NO BAD DAYS), Tyler Jade Nixon (DOLPHIN KICK) and Bob Bledsoe (PARK AND RECREATION).

 

 

Approved for all ages by Dove and The Coalition for Quality Children's Media, the DVD includes a 16 minutes Study Guide featuring Carthage College’s English Associate Professor, and cast member - Annette Lovrien Duncan.

 

Discounted pre-orders are available on the movie website:

https://dolphinislandmovie.com/dvd/

 

 

 

Follow Dolphin Island on social media for more updates!

 

 

March Movie Madness - "My Brother's Keeper" and a Giveaway

This week I had the privilege to view My Brother's Keeper.  This movie is more on the serious side and opens your eyes to what some of our military deal with.  The movie centers around Travis Fox (T.C. Stallings), who returns stateside after losing a good friend in war.  Here, he must continue to fight the battle of PTSD while also dealing with the trauma of losing his parents.

Overall, I think this movie did a great job of portraying the soldier's struggle with PTSD, or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.  Symptoms and severity may be different for everyone, but Stallings's portrayal sheds an authentic light on this hidden struggle that haunts some of our returning servicemen.  I often hear people use the term "PTSD" lightly, as in, "I am really suffering PTSD from all these exams I've had to take."  Having known people with real PTSD, this always makes me cringe.  First widely recognized after the Vietnam War - although previous war veterans certainly suffered with it just as much, at that time calling it "shell shock" - this mental health condition is crippling to those who have suffered extreme trauma and makes it difficult or nearly impossible for some veterans to adapt back into society upon their return stateside.

T.C. Stallings (Courageous, War Room) is joined in the cast by Joey Lawrence (Blossom, Gimme A Break!) and the lovely Keshia Knight Pulliam (The Cosby Show).  All three are gifted actors who delivered a great performance.  I loved the movie for showing a realistic view of someone dealing with PTSD rather than trying to tie it all up with a bow at the end and trying to act like one night of prayer healed them.  (A little spoiler alert but not too much):  The character in the movie sought both spiritual healing and medical help, both of which are needed and should not be left out.  Also, while the character had hope, he recognized he was in a long battle that would not be overcome quickly.  It was, however, unrealistic (spoiler alert) that Travis Fox would go right back on an Active Duty deployment immediately after being diagnosed with PTSD and starting medical treatment, and I felt a huge red flag when the therapist started dating a member of her therapy group.  Other than that, I thought it was a great movie and I highly recommend it.  While I've given you a few spoiler alerts dealing with the PTSD issue, there was much more to the plot, and I could not stop for a break once I started the movie!

My Brother's Keeper opens in theaters tomorrow!  Check your local theater for listings.  Watch the trailer here:  https://mbkfilm.com/?vid=YXhoafnfj3

There is also an exciting contest opportunity!  There's an open social campaign (linked below) where you can enter to win a warrior Bible! In addition, you can be entered to win a grand prize Zoom call with the lead actors in the film: T.C. Stallings, Keshia Knight Pulliam, and Robert Ri'chard! 

Contest Link: https://my brother's mybrotherskeeper.iconic-promo.com/?trcd=6C6b7C21F9

And of course, I have a giveaway right here on my blog!  Comment on this post or on my Facebook page to be entered to win a free digital code to watch the movie!  (The code will be available once the film is released on home entertainment.)  Drawing will be held Tuesday, March 23!

Disclosure: Many thanks to Collide Distribution for providing this product/product information for review. 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.

#MyBrothersKeeperMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

March Movie Madness - "Church People" and a Giveaway

 

It is recurring theme in American churches.  Many of us grew up in small churches, sang hymns, sat on wooden pews, read the King James Version, and stood as the ushers brought the plates forward, singing the Doxology.  So our reaction - especially those of us who grew up in the 80s, during the coming-of-age of the Christian pop music genre - is to put on a big concert.  What can we do to overcome the old traditional ways and bring people in?  We have to bring them in and then just give them a morsel of truth while they are here.  Bigger is better.  More music.  More lights.  More flashy.  Bring in the smoke machines.  More, more, more!  When does it stop?  Forty years later, we are looking at church services becoming rock concerts, and we are wondering, Isn't the Gospel enough?

That's the question youth pastor Guy Sides is asking as PR people rain down beach balls on him on stage and bring a Superman costume for him to try on in the middle of his massive book tour.  (The writer in me is wondering how anyone ever got so popular on a book tour!)  He is "America's Youth Pastor."  And he's ready to give up.

Enter Pastor Skip with his tie-dye t-shirt; Tino with his worship and love songs; Carla, the preacher's missionary daughter, returned home with a heartbreak; Blaise, the overly passionate new convert; the mysterious Mabel; and two Baldwin brothers; and you have a full cast of highly exaggerated church stereotypes who represent real people with real issues who are just trying to share the Good News. 

Is the Gospel enough?

Church People is making the list of one of my favorites of the movies I've gotten to review, right up there with Mom's Night Out.  If you love good Christian comedy, you will love this movie!  It is a great lead-in to the Easter season.

Watch the trailer here:   https://churchpeoplefilm.com/?vid=Xvnr8b4IkEI.

Of course, I have a Giveaway!  One lucky winner will receive a digital code for this movie from Momentum Influencers.  To enter, just comment on this post or on my Facebook page by Wednesday, March 17, 2021. 

Disclosure: Many thanks to Collide Distribution for providing this product/product information for review. 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.

#ChurchPeopleFilm #ChurchPeopleMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

March Movie Madness - Dolphin Island And A Giveaway!

 

The second movie I had the opportunity to review this month was Dolphin Island, and I loved it!  It has a slow start, but give it a chance and watch it all the way through!  I mean, a feel-good movie about living on a beautiful island with trained dolphins all around?  What could be better?!

From the producers:  

Fourteen-year-old Annabel lives with her fisherman grandfather on an island paradise. She is surrounded by an extended family of loving but quirky neighbors and her best friend - a dolphin named Mitzy. Everything changes when her maternal grandparents arrive with a shifty lawyer to bring her back to New York. It's up to Annabel and her friends to figure out how to save the day and prove that love conquers all!

The movie stars Tyler Jade Nixon as Annabel Coleridge.  I was surprised to find out that Tyler is actually turning 14 this year, the age of her character.  At first I thought she may be an older actress playing a younger part.  Her performance was excellent, and she had great chemistry with Peter Woodward, who played her grandfather, as well as with the other characters.  Of course, the real star of the show is Mitzy!

I was impressed with this film's character development, background music, and plot.  There were some unpredictable twists, which I always like.  While it is a movie about faith and hope, I felt it definitely came from a Christian worldview without awkwardly trying to proclaim itself as a Christian movie, if that makes sense.  It was a movie about real people with real lives who prayed and were blessed by God in a way that seemed natural, not "preachy."

If you wish to use this movie in an educational setting or a small group, there is a free discussion guide to download here:  https://dolphinislandmovie.com/discussion-guide/.  Ms. Annette Lovrien Duncan, who plays Sheryl Williams in the film, shares video clips and devotions.  This movie is fun for entertainment value, however, even without the discussion guide, and will not seem like an educational "school film."

Need more convincing?  Watch the trailer here:  https://youtu.be/SLiED6uT1mM!

And of course, we have a giveaway!  Comment on this blog post or on my Facebook page to win a digital code to see this movie.  There may be a little surprise, so trust me, enter to win by Tuesday, March 16!!

Make sure to follow my blog for more movie reviews this month!

Disclosure: Many thanks to Entertainment Squad for providing this product/product information for review. 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.

#DolphinIslandMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

March Movie Madness, A Momentum Review, And A Giveaway!

 

Hello, Readers!  It's been quite a while since I've posted, but today we begin March Movie Madness!  I will be posting movie reviews all month and will have several giveaways!

My first Momentum Influencers Review for March is not of a full-length movie, but of a cute new 3-D animated cartoon with a Christian Worldview.  Join Mom, Dad, Kip, Finn, Kara, and Archie Cubekin for a series of adventures where they learn more about following God!  I reviewed the episode "Invasion of the Cubecumbers."  The characters are cute, and I like the word-play around things that are boxes or cubes.  For example, Kara gets three box turtles as pets.  The family prays together, even baby Archie, they attend church, and I like the use of Scripture, which is quoted word-for-word.  I've always looked for things like that for my kids so that the fun entertainment would help them learn what is actually in the Bible, rather than just a vague lesson.  The only thing I wasn't too sure I was crazy about was the depiction of a picture of Jesus in Cubekin form hanging on the wall. 😳

There are also readers and coloring books available, making this a great supplement for homeschool.  Oh, and you can even get - wait for it - plush box turtles to go along with the show, from Kickstarter!

I would classify this show as being good for very young kids, maybe up to age 7 or 8.

Find out more about the Cubekins at https://www.cubekins.com!

Cubekins is an award-winning, wholesome, small-town tale of a rambunctious, seven-year old boy named Kip exploring his ever-changing world, while learning more about his never-changing God.

• ●  New Christian “Faith-based” Show for Kids, like Veggie Tales set in Mayberry

• ●  New, fun, family-friendly and faith-based content for children ages 3-8!

• ●  Created by two homeschool dads and their families

• ●  Buy/Rent Cubekins Ep. 01 Invasion of the Cubecumbers ​on the ​Cubekins website​ (or

  other available streaming platforms)

• ●  Check out exclusive member content, like coloring books, bonus videos, and more by

  becoming a fan member at ​cubekins.com​! Includes...

  A link to watch/stream our 22 minute Cubekins Pilot and Bonus Songs Content A digital download of our "Kip Loves God" coloring book.
  A digital download of our full color "Kip Loves God" Reader.
  Access to our Members Only section of the Cubekins website

  Access to future Membership perks

• ●  Dove.org review:​ “Cubekins​ is a great kids show—children will be entertained while

  learning morals from a Christian perspective. Parents need not worry about negativity or inappropriate themes. When looking for a wholesome way to teach and occupy their children, parents can trust ​Cubekins​ to fulfill those needs.”

Of course, I am having a GIVEAWAY!  Just comment on this post or on my Facebook page to win one free link to the episode (only valid for winners in North America)!  Drawing will be held Friday, March 12.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Brainy Pixel for providing this product/product information for review.  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.  #Cubekins #CubekinsMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

FlyBy Review: Before the Wrath (and a Giveaway!)

 

During this season every year, a number of movies and stories come out reinforcing this one theme:  BELIEVE.  Everyone is searching for something to believe in.  There are phrases such as "Seeing isn't believing; believing is seeing;" "Believe in yourself;" and "Sometimes, you just have to believe."  Believe in Santa Claus, believe in aliens, believe that anything can happen.

Why is this such a popular theme?  Well, I think that people do want something to believe in, but as much as I truly love almost every movie about Santa Claus ever made, in real life, believing in something that is not true simply for the sake of believing is empty.  It is tragic.  I need to KNOW that what I believe is TRUE.

So, do you believe in the Rapture?  Do you believe that Jesus Christ is coming back to take his bride, the church, to be with him in heaven?

It is a heavy question.  Studies are showing that up to 25% of Christians do not even believe this is going to take place, to say nothing of non-Christians.

As this year, 2020, draws to a close, lots of people are asking questions about the End Times.  Is this it?  Is prophecy being filled before our eyes?  Or is prophecy even real?  

Why is belief in the Rapture important?  Let me take a moment to say that I do not take a stand on whether the Rapture will be pre-tribulation, post-tribulation, mid-tribulation, or anything else.  I do not know if it will happen in my lifetime or if it is still a thousand years away.  I have no insight as to whether 2020 is ushering in the End Times.

What I do know is this: Jesus Christ is coming back, and we must be ready.  This is not a mere opinion to be debated.  It's either true or it's not.  If it is not true, then I suppose I am wasting my life by believing it.  But if it is true, don't you want to be ready?  You can't make it less true by not believing it or choosing to just not think about it.  If it is True, then don't you want to know?

Before the Wrath is a movie narrated by Kevin Sorbo that highlights the importance and impact of Biblical prophecy.  It features the following experts with fascinating insight:

• ○ Jack Hibbs - Theologist and host of “Real Life” on SiriusXM
• ○ Amir Tsarfati - Founder and President of Behold Israel
• ○ Jan Markell - Founder of Olive Tree Ministries
• ○ JD Farag - Theologist and Eschatologist
• ○ Scott McConnell - Exec. Director of Lifeway Research
• ○ Jay McCarl - Ancient Middle Eastern Anthropologist
• ○ Lizette Dillinger - Qualitative Director of LifeWay Research

Watch the trailer:

This documentary was extraordinarily well-done.  The writers do not claim to know when the events will take place, nor do they comment on any specific current event fulfilling or not fulfilling prophecy.  They do not claim to have special knowledge or revelation.  They do give a factual and enlightening look at Biblical prophecy and why it is important.

The one criticism I would have is that I would like to know where they got their research on Galilean customs in the first century and how they were different from the regions around them.  I will be researching this further to see if I can corroborate that data.

Meanwhile, I recommend this movie for everyone.  One thing I can say about 2020 is that it is a year that has caused us to take a good, hard look at what is important and make hard decisions about our lives. 

I haven't done a giveaway in a while, so it would be a good way to start this Christmas season!  Leave a comment on this blogpost or on my Facebook page by Monday, December 7.  All who comment will be placed in a random drawing for a free copy of this movie!

As a side-note, this will be my last FlyBy Promotion.  The FlyBy Network is under new ownership with Collide Media Group whose mission is “Elevating media that inspires a deeper relationship with Christ.”  In the future, reviews will be branded as "Momentum Influencers."

If you would like to purchase Before the Wrath for yourself or as a gift, you may do so here:

Landing page: ​https://www.walmart.com/ip/BEFORE-THE-WRATH-DVD/516653610 

Direct retailer link: ​http://www.beforethewrath.com/order_select.cfm

Thanks for checking out my review!  There will be more goodies to come during the Christmas season, so keep checking back!

Merry Christmas!

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):

Many thanks to Ingenuity Films 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 FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, from the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Flyby Review - Prison Fellowship, Restoration Series: Jonathan's Walk

My husband was a Navy Chaplain, deployed many months when my children were little.  He missed birthdays, concerts, plays, and emergency room visits.  He felt the pain of missing these milestones and worried about not being involved in our children's lives.  I felt the pain of having to do all those things alone.  We both counted down the days to each homecoming, but what a lot of people do not realize is that the homecoming can also be difficult.  It is hard to get used to living together again.  Disagreements come up over schedules and child-rearing.  To be honest, I did not want to be questioned or second-guessed after doing this by myself for so long; but my not wanting to be questioned could make him feel like he had no place in the family.  These are common problems among military service-members.  You feel guilt because you should be so happy to be together again, to be home and to have your spouse home, but sometimes new problems begin to surface.

For these reasons, I can relate to Jonathan, the subject of the documentary series I am reviewing for Prison Fellowship, and his wife.  And yet, there are also differences.  When my husband came home from deployments, he was honored and thanked for his service.  When he retired, he had a good resume and good training to use while looking for a job.  Jonathan does not have these advantages.  You see, his resume is a 15-year prison record.

When Jonathan was 18 years old, he made a life-changing mistake.  He went to prison with a 25-year sentence.  Should he have walked away on that fateful night?  Yes.  Was he guilty and deserving of prison?  Probably.  Those years in prison, however, give you a lot of time to think over your life choices.  Some people will continue down the wrong path.  Others will decide to make changes.

Jonathan got involved in Prison Fellowship's Academy program, and he decided to make changes.  Recognizing that his wife and daughter love him in spite of his bad decisions and not because of anything he has done, he wants to be a good husband and father.  He wants to beat the odds of recidivism, or the likelihood of returning to prison.  He wants to turn his life and the life of his family around.

After serving 15 years, Jonathan is about to be released on parole.  He has missed milestones in his daughter's life while his wife has been a single parent, for all practical purposes.  He has missed experiences with his wife.  He is now 33 years old, and he has not managed a household or held down a job.  He and his wife will have to learn to live together again.  He will have to face the challenges of being a husband and father.  He will have to find a job with a prison record behind him.  And he will do all of this with much of society expecting him to fail and to return to prison.

Prison Fellowship has produced The Restoration Series: Jonathan’s Walk, a 5-part documentary film series following Jonathan and his family as he tries to re-enter society.  For this review, I watched the first episode, and I am hooked.  The characters are transparent, and I instantly feel like I know them.  The videography is well-done.  Most of all, I feel invested in Jonathan's story.  I want to see him succeed and to interact with his family and society again.

America needs to see communities restored.  We need to see stories like Jonathan's have happy endings.  Prison Fellowship's Academy program is working towards those goals.

Join me in watching this documentary series.

You can sign up and watch the rest of the series from this link:

https://www.prisonfellowship.org/restorationseries?utm_source=flyby&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=MW_TRS

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.