"Living Hope" DVD Review

*Disclosure:  The following DVD was provided to me in exchange for my honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way.  All opinions are my own.

About Living Hope
LIVING HOPE is the story of three extraordinary individuals who have devoted their lives to serving the poor in South Africa. It is a feature length documentary created by the filmmakers behind Journey to Everest, Apostles of Comedy, and Honoring a Father’s Dream: Sons of Lwala.  John Thomas, a pastor who is leading his church to serve the sick, hungry, and dying in the communities that surround them. Journey beside John through the neighborhoods where they work, meet the people their ministry has impacted, and hear from his heart why they chose to make a stand for the poor.  Joey Lankford, a businessman and father of four who moved his young family from the United States to Cape Town. Journey beside Joey as he equips men and women with job skills, and leads them out of the bondage of poverty.  Leonie Rustin, a single mom and nursing assistant, who turned from a life of crippling drug addiction to follow Christ. Journey beside Leonie as she attempts to help other in her community unshackle the chains of addiction and prostitution.

Take a peak at the trailer:
 

My Review
Living Hope isn't just the name of this film, it's the name of an amazing organization in Cape Town, South Africa that is working to show Jesus to those who are hurting.  Unfortunately, there are many, MANY, hurting in Cape Town from all sorts or things...poverty, disease, drug addiction...and the list goes on.  I can't begin to relay how moving this film was to watch.  It's amazing what sharing God's love with others can do...not just by telling them, but by serving them and helping them.

This is a beautiful documentary that I highly recommend watching.  It'll move you to do more to help those in need as it has my own family. After viewing this film, my daughter asked if we could donate to the Living Hope ministry, which I think is an amazing idea. :-)

Buy it!
The Living Hope DVD can be purchased on amazon.com for $9.99.

"When Calls the Heart: Troubled Hearts" DVD Review

*Disclosure: The following DVD was provided to me in exchange for my honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way.  All opinions are my own.

About When Calls the Heart: Troubled Hearts

From celebrated author Janette Oke (The  Love Comes Softly series) comes a rigorous and romantic adventure as epic as the wide frontier.  Erin Krakow (Army Wives), Daniel Lissing  (Eye Candy), Jack Wagner (Melrose Place) and  Lori Loughlin (Full House, 90210) star in  When Calls The Heart, “a beautiful story with roots in relationships, self-empowerment, and the enduring power of love” (Common Sense Media).

Big revelations are in store for Hope Valley as Elizabeth moves into her own row house, dismaying Jack, who has been planning to build a new home for the both of them. Rosemary discovers that Lee has taken out a loan and worries that he is in financial difficulties.  And Jesse, the young drifter who works in  Abigail’s kitchen, has information that could ruin Pastor Frank’s good standing in Hope Valley,  and begins his plan to extort the pastor with an  old “Wanted” poster…

Take a peak at the trailer:

My Review:
I want more of When Calls the Heart every time I watch it!  It never disappoints, and always makes my family laugh as well as give us a warm fuzzy feeling after watching it.  Jack and Elizabeth work through even more of their relationship in this DVD and there is more trouble as always.  Each episode keeps us guessing and the next DVD couldn't make it to us soon enough.

This is one series that I don't think I could ever grow tired of.  If you haven't seen When Calls the Heart yet, make sure to check it out!

Buy it!
The When Calls the Heart: Troubled Hearts DVD can be purchased on amazon.com for $9.39.

"Chasing Grace" DVD Review

*Disclosure:  The following DVD was provided to me in exchange for my honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way.  All opinions are my own.

About Chasing Grace

A tragic accident threatens to destroy a pastor’s family and sets into motion a complex betrayal between two brothers, while exposing secrets no one wants to face.

Pastor Jonathan Matheson lives in a world of black and white, yet finds a way to navigate the “grey in-between” to work to his advantage, while facing one of the most tragic moments of his life. Set in small-town America and woven inside a tale of redemption, “Chasing Grace” is a story of how one family takes on the burden of guilt in order to make sense of their loss. While pointing the finger of blame at his brother, Pastor Jonathan also chooses to hide from the truth while trying to escape his own personal demons. “Chasing Grace” is loosely based upon true events and provides a powerful story about the redeeming power of forgiveness.

Take a peak at the trailer:

My Review:
Chasing Grace was an interesting and moving film.  I think it did a great job at showing how alcoholism can destroy a person and everyone around them.  The movie covered every negative aspect of alcohol possible...from getting sick to people dying.  There was a lot of sadness which was dealt with in many different ways in the family.  I wish it showed more prayer and community support, but I think it was somewhat implied.

Unfortunately, I found parts of the movie confusing.  I think too many of the 'bad things' were implied throughout Chasing Grace and I found myself trying to read into what was going on.  I appreciate that they didn't want to show anything too negative, or intense, but maybe some of it should have been left out so the movie was easier to follow.

While Chasing Grace had its confusing parts, I'd still recommend it to those who have suffered from alcoholism in their family.  Maybe it could move them to take the steps toward forgiveness that was demonstrated in the film.

Buy it!
The Chasing Grace DVD can be purchased on amazon.com for $9.99.

"Awakened" DVD Review

*Disclosure: The following DVD was provided to me in exchange for my honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way.  All opinions are my own.

About Awakened

Newspaper reporter Jacob Harker (Rob Boltin) loses his job, forcing he and his wife, Haley (Gwendolyn Edwards), to move into a small rental house owned by Webster Cain (Michael Monks). In the process of moving in, Jacob discovers a discarded audio recording of 60’s blues singer Carol James (Hannah Hughes). Captivated by the voice on the recording, Jacob conducts an investigation into Carol James’ life and death.  Through his pursuit, Jacob becomes haunted by an evil spirit. While the spirit seductively persuades Jacob, drawing him deeper and deeper into its own malicious plot, the spirit attacks and terrorizes Haley, creating both fear and distrust in the Harker’s home. Haley sees her husband turning into someone less recognizable each day.

How can a marriage survive such attack, deception, and evil?

Can the faith of one help restore the condition of another?

Take a peak at the trailer:

My Review
"Awakened" isn't a movie that I'd typically pick out to watch.  I usually stay away from movies that have evil spirits and tend to be scary.  Fortunately, this movie is a Christian film and, although it got very intense, I knew I wasn't going to be grossed out or have nightmares after watching it.

The plot of the movie was interesting enough to make me want to keep watching it.  I like that it shows that the devil is working behind the scenes of the evil that happens, but that God always wins in the end.

I think the actors did an awesome job.  Unfortunately, I felt like the filming was a bit strange and sound was a little off.  I had to turn our TV all the way up to hear the movie

All-in-all a good film.  I'd recommend picking up a copy of Awakened and checking it out for yourself.

Buy it!
The Awakened DVD can be purchased on amazon.com for $9.99.

"The League and the Lantern" Book Review & GIVEAWAY! (Ends 5/22) #FlyBy #TheLeagueAndTheLantern

*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.

About The League and the Lantern:

The League and the Lantern is the first book in a new adventure series for middle-school readers. It all starts when a dangerous organization invades Jake Herndon’s seventh-grade sleepover. He escapes along with two new classmates, Lucy and TJ, only to face a 48-hour fight for survival on the streets of Chicago. The kids unravel a mystery dating back to the Civil War, and an incredible secret about Jake’s family. Along the way they learn unexpected lessons about courage, family and friendship.

Hardcover, 282 pages

About the Author: Brian Wells:

A concerned dad who couldn’t find quality entertainment for his kids. He has worked and produced 15 TV movies for the major networks, and this is his book debut.

My Review:

My kids and I can't get enough of this book.  We're halfway through it and absolutely LOVE it!  It has humor, mystery, adventure and is totally awesome!  The kids and I can't wait to read it together each night and then we don't want to stop.

The League and the Lantern is written wonderfully for both kids and adults.  Each chapter draws the reader in more, reveals a little more of the mystery and leaves the reader hanging just enough to want to read the next chapter.  

I love how the characters interact with one another.  I really enjoy reading each part aloud to the kids and changing my voice to match the mood and expression. Of course the kids are loving it too.  I think it's great when they're laughing and enjoying the book just as much as I'm enjoying reading it to them!

I highly recommend The League and the Lantern to everyone (about 8 and up)!  

Buy it!

The League and the Lantern can be purchased here.  The downloadable version is $7.99 while the hardcover book is $16.99.

GIVEAWAY!

Congratulations to comment #1, Ken Ohl!

One lucky reader is going to win a copy of the "The League and the Lantern"!

To enter to win, leave a comment below. Please be sure to leave your e-mail address with your comment.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, 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.

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Open to U.S. residents 18 years and older. Giveaway will end May 22nd, 2016 at 11:59 EST. Winner will be chosen shortly after and contacted via e-mail. The winner will have 48 hours to respond otherwise I will have to choose a new winner.