Midnight Special releases tomorrow and I have two free movie tickets to give away. This movie looks thrilling and is being compared to Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
How far will a mom and dad go to protect their child when he doesn’t fit into the “normal” mold?
Comment here to win two free movie tickets!
I just finished watching this sweet video. A flood of emotions comes at the opening song as I remember my son laying across his bed with his feet in the air, singing those same words. Ahhh, where does the time go?
This video will be released tomorrow, and I have a copy to giveaway! You won’t want to miss this movie. Just leave a comment and subscribe to the blog and a random winner will be picked on Thursday!
Noah’s Ark-a Lesson in Trusting God
Shem (Wayne Brady) and his new wife Sadie are fresh off their honeymoon, making all kinds of plans when they return to find Noah building an Ark. Shem is upset because the Ark is sitting where he was going to build his house and start his life.
Reluctantly, Shem begins to work on the Ark, and when the rains come, he prepares himself for a short distraction of his plans. But those weren’t God’s plans. Shem sings-Your plans are in my way, I’ve got plans!
Noah encourages Shem to trust in God and He will see us through, but again, Shem takes over and devises a plan B so he can be in control of his own destiny. God showed Shem in the end that His plans are good. Shem’s plans left him alone, adrift and afraid.
Does any of that resonate with you? What area have you taken the reins from God and pushed His plans aside?
God’s plans are much better than our own.
Last Thursday I had the honor of going to see a screening of Do You Believe? with my good friend Angi. Angi and I have walked through some stuff, and we’re still here to talk about it!
Maybe you’ve heard of the powerful film that hit theaters last year called God’s Not Dead? Yeah, I thought so! Ever since Pure Flix released that blockbuster, they’ve been asked what’s next. This is it.
Click here to watch the Official Trailer
Here’s what the creators have to say about it. “A dozen different souls—all moving in different directions, all longing for something more. As their lives unexpectedly intersect, they each are about to discover there is power in the Cross of Christ … even if they don’t believe it. Yet.
When a local pastor is shaken to the core by the visible faith of an old street-corner preacher, he is reminded that true belief always requires action. His response ignites a faith-fueled journey that powerfully impacts everyone it touches in ways that only God could orchestrate.”
Malachi carries the cross through the streets, facing thugs and preaching Jesus’ love. He’s a lot like Peter. Aren’t we all called to do this? Only those who take up the cross and follow Him will be transformed!
With an all star cast of Sean Astin, Mira Sorvino, Alexa PenaVega, Ted McGinley, Cybill Shepherd, Lee Majors, Andrea Logan White, Delroy Lindo, Madison Pettis, Brian Bosworth, Liam Matthews, and Tracy Lindsey Melchior, the creators take you on a journey and show you how God weaves His story throughout lives. Another attendee spoke of His tapestry. Can’t you see it?
You really get to know the characters, and to be honest, I didn’t care for two of them. They were blatantly anti Christian, and I just couldn’t relate. Remember the mean professor in God’s Not Dead? Exactly like him.
The story deals with the struggle of living out our faith, especially to people like that, because they need Him the most. It touches on our human nature to just do what is comfortable, when God calls us outside of our comfort zone. There were moments I was pleading with the actors, surprises, action, and tears. Thankfully Angi had tissues in her bag! I was unprepared…
When the credits rolled, we were introduced to Liam Matthews who played Bobby in the movie. He came down in front of the theater and answered questions. It was the first time he had seen the film in its entirety, and he enjoyed seeing our reactions. This movie will have you gripping the armrest of your seat.
I highly recommend you take everyone you know to see this movie on March 20th when it opens. Make it bigger than Fifty Shades!
Strange little side note abut that movie-As we were waiting to be seated, I noticed three theaters of the 14 were showing that movie. When were walking into our theater, the flashing lights above us said it would be seating for Fifty in 150 minutes. Angi and I looked at each other, and she voiced to me she hoped no one saw us walking in there. Yeah!
Before we all filed out of the movie, we had the opportunity to stand and pray for the Do You Believe? movie, and for the people that would fill the theater after us. There is power in prayer!
I will leave you with a question from the movie that I’m still asking myself. If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
March 20th–GO SEE IT.
“And whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” – Mark 3:11 “It’s not every day a truly scary movie comes along with strong theme about the power of God – but THE CONJURING is exactly that kind of film. Does evil exist? Are demons real? Can they possess people? Who is strong enough to defeat them? These are the questions raised by this thriller directed by James Wan (SAW, INSIDIOUS). A family moves into a farmhouse in Rhode Island and finds themselves terrorized by the supernatural. With the help of Ed and Lorraine Warren, they must rely on God to help them fight and exorcise the evil that has entered their lives. THE CONJURING was intended by screenwriters Chad and Carey Hayes as a movie where “God wins.” “That was a non-negotiable for us,” Carey said. “We’re never going to glorify evil.” Added Chad: “We want people to feel great after seeing it. To be scared and entertained, of course, but to walk out of the theater with a good feeling because good, God, is victorious.”
When I received the invite for the pre-screening, I mentioned it to my husband and was ready to delete the email. I don’t do scary movies. When I was younger, yes. Stuff like that didn’t bother me.
I couldn’t even watch the entire movie trailer without closing my eyes and looking away! Why would I want to torture myself?
My world was rocked when my husband said he would like to see the movie.
Have I subjected him to multiple viewings of Hope Floats and Steel Magnolias? Yes!
Maybe I should take one for the team and plan on a date night.
So I started doing a little research. The movie is based on a true story about the Perron family, and the horrors they experienced after moving into their new home in 1973. Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren were asked to help the family rid themselves of the dark, malevolent forces that were terrorizing their secluded farmhouse. When Ed and Lorraine Warren visit the farmhouse to help the Perron’s they find themselves caught up in the most terrifying case of their lives.
“There is no conceivable way to condense what we as a family endured in the farmhouse into a two-hour motion picture but James (Wan) captured the essence of it and for this I will remain eternally grateful. There are liberties taken and a few discrepancies but overall, it is what it claims to be — based on a true story, believe it or not .” Andrea Perron
I had to admit the story intrigued me, so I took one for the team and we went to the movie. As Brian sat eating his butter drenched popcorn, I listened in on the conversations around me. The guy next to me said his brother saw it the day before and thought it was the scariest movie he’d seen in a while. The girl in front said she had heard the only reason it was rated R was for the terror. There was none of the nudity, cursing, or graphic bloody violence that is normally associated with horror films. She was right on most of those. I heard the Lord’s name taken in vain on two or three occasions, and really felt like that didn’t need to be there. It was refreshing to not have the F-bomb flying though.
The Conjuring began and I was immediately scared. There really wasn’t a dull moment in the movie. Most of it was intensely terrifying.
I had goose bumps.
I jumped and screamed…multiple times.
I honestly was so scared at one point that I was crying.
Brian said I broke his thumb when I was squeezing his hand. He also said it “was the scariest movie I’ve ever seen.”
From beginning to end, this movie has you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what will happen next. If you love scary movies, you should run out and see this movie. If the paranormal intrigues you, go see this movie. If you are a chicken like me but know your husband wants to see this movie, go see this movie. Everyone should see this movie.
Except for my nine year old. He wouldn’t sleep in his own bed for months if he saw this movie. Everyone else, go see The Conjuring.
Undefeated is a coming of age documentary from filmmakers T.J. Martin and Dan Lindsay based on the 2009 football season of the Manassas Tigers. The original plan was for a thirty minute documentary focused on O.C. Brown, and that turned into a full-blown movie project. Undefeated recently won the Oscar for Best Documentary!!
Manassas High School was founded in 1899, and the Tigers had never won a playoff game. It’s a school that doesn’t have the funds for a fancy field, proper equipment, or even a coach. What it does have though, is kids that want to be a part of something bigger.
Bill Courtney loved to coach. It was his dream actually, but it wouldn’t pay the bills, so he started his own business in 2001. He says he never quit coaching though. Coaching was his passion. His passion led him to Manassas, and 17 players that had a 6-54 record for the previous six years.
Courtney and his team of volunteers impacted those boys that were from the inner city. They cared about them and they prayed with them. It was more than just football, but it changed the way that football was played by those kids.
It changed lives.
It changed Manassas football.
There were a few times that I cried while watching. The stories of the boys are so endearing and heart breaking too. I was rooting for them personally and on the field, just like Courtney was.
There’s a line in the film where Courtney says, “If you think football builds character, it does not. It reveals character.” It’s such a powerful moment. I think I can still hear him saying it.
My husband came in while I was watching it, and sat down with me. He’s telling his friends they need to see it. That’s what I’m telling you. See it, it’s great. There are a few curse words in it, so you’ve been warned. It is PG-13, from The Weinstein Company.
Click here to watch the trailer. UNDEFEATED
I had the privilege of talking to Kim and Krickett Carpenter last week. They are an amazing couple and I ended the interview feeling blessed to talk with them. I saw The Vow last Wednesday night, and I loved it! If you haven’t seen it yet, please make the time to do so soon.
Me: I have to tell you we were all laughing, crying and cheering you two on! Your story had us from the very beginning. I didn’t know that you never regained your memory Krickett, and I was left wanting more at the end. I wanted to see you two fall in love all over again!
Carpenters: Well thank you very much! We’ve been hearing that a lot, and have to tell you that the movie leads you right to “The Vow: The True Events that Inspired the Movie
Me: How old were you when you met?
Carpenters: Kim was 27 and Krickett was 23
Me: I read somewhere that your shared faith helped you two get back together again. Can you tell me about it? Was that a faith in love, each other, or the Lord? The movie didn’t really touch on it.
Carpenters: Our real strength and faith is in the Lord. It came from two sets of parents who have over 100 years of anniversaries combined, and a very devout faith.
Me: I have to admit that I was angry with your parents, Krickett, and how they were treating you, but your mothers vulnerability when she said she remembered all of the good and forgave the one mistake, that was so great.
Carpenters: That never happened. The affair never happened. That was something that Hollywood added in, along with portraying me as being alone in all of it, and the divorce. I (Kim) was not alone, I actually have a twin and wonderful parents. We never divorced. At one point, Krickett was living with her parents and rehabbing, and I did move back in with my parents to regain some sense of normalcy, but we were never apart for more than four days. I would fly back and help her rehab. At one point I felt that it was not going to work, but I wasn’t going to leave until I knew Krickett was capable of taking care of herself and could look me in the face and tell me to go. It took a counselor to help us understand the aspect that Krickett had no memory of me.
Me: How did you find your way back to love?
Carpenters: On Valentines day 1996 I asked Krickett to remarry me, and on May 25th we rededicated our marriage. We took vows and made a commitment before God until death do us part. The institution of marriage is different for some now, as in the death of the marriage. Lack of commitment has created instability. It used to be death do us part as in the death of your soul mate.
Me: Tell me about your kids. What do they think of your story?
Carpenters: They are a real blessing, and it’s a great life lesson for them. We are more excited about having them witness this and experience it first hand. We kept our vow and our word. It’s a priceless lesson.
Our main prayer in this is to inspire lives and lead people to do the right thing. A place where families can grow and flourish. We had the opportunity to persevere and it was a matter of obedience to Christ. The media tried to portray me (Kim) as a hero,but I’m not. I made a vow and kept it. We are in a normal marriage where there are challenges and it takes work.
We are so happy with Channing and Rachel. They studied us and watched us in interviews. There are some things that are just dead on in the movie, and the movie will lead you to the “The Vow: The True Events that Inspired the Movie
My time with Kim and Krickett was too short, and I can’t wait to download the book and read more about them. I hope you will too.
Today I had the honor of speaking to the Carpenters about their book and movie, The Vow. I can’t give you any details about the interview until Valentines Day, so be sure and come back then.
I can tell you that the movie and their book comes out tomorrow, and you should definitely see the movie and buy the book. This couple is real and so genuine. Speaking to them felt like we had been friends forever. I can’t wait to share our interview with you on the 14th.
Tonight I attended the advanced screening for The Vow from Sony Pictures, and let me just say you have to go see it this Friday! 
We arrived about twenty minutes early with our reservation printed out, and bypassed the line to go straight into the theater. There were a couple other people standing by the ticket taker with their printed reservations, and they were being told that the seats were all taken, but they could come back tomorrow for a different movie showing. My friend and I looked at each other in a panic, and all sorts of thoughts were running through my head. The other people put their name on a list and left, and I handed my reservation to the man. He looked at it and said, “oh, you’re with Grace Hill Media, we have seats for you.” Then he took us to our seats, and they had signs on them with my name! I totally felt like a rock star!
The movie started without any previews and we were hooked from the beginning. I can’t give you details, but I am telling you to see this movie! It is so heartwarming and tender.
Tomorrow I have the honor of interviewing the couple that this film was based on. What do you think I should ask them?
I’ll be posting my interview with them on Valentine’s day!
The Vow will be in theaters nationwide beginning Friday, February 10th. The film is inspired by the real-life story of Kim & Krickett Carpenter. They fell in love and got married, but Krickett lost her memory of Kim just two months after their wedding because of a car accident. Kim had to win Krickett’s heart all over again.
Kim and Krickett were able to fall in love again because of their shared faith in the Lord, Kim’s patience, and Krickett’s compassion. They recently celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary!
The movie stars Rachel McAdams as Paige and Channing Tatum as Leo. What a beautiful couple for this romantic drama!
“Paige and Leo are a happy newlywed couple whose lives are shattered by a car accident that puts Paige in a coma. Waking up with severe memory loss, Paige has no memory of Leo or their marriage, a confusing relationship with her parents (Sam Neill and Jessica Lange), and an ex-fiance` (Scott Speedman) she may still have feelings for. ”
I’m looking forward to this Sony Pictures film, and I was asked to an advanced screening tomorrow night! I’m so excited to see it, and I’m taking my kleenex.
This movie is the perfect date night movie. My daughter and her boyfriend will be seeing it opening day to celebrate their 4 month anniversary and Valentine’s Day. When will you see it?
Click here to watch the trailer_The Vow