Family-Friendly Movie Reviews

May 2, 2018 Gracie

Hi everyone!

How can you tell if the popular movie that your child wants to go see is family-friendly?

family friendly movies

If you’ve read some of my past blog posts, then you know I have a heart for the next generation.

Sadly, your kiddos see a lot of offensive content on movie screens, television, and social media that’s enough to make anyone cringe.

As Christians, how can it not upset us? If you click that link, you may be surprised just how graphic some of the messages are. The fact that it happened in a school is even more frustrating.

A Plea To Parents

I’ve talked with parents before who said they’ve taken their kids to a movie and ended up regretting it later. The violence/sexual content took the unsuspecting parents by surprise.

Please scrutinize the type of content your kids are watching.

Recently, I came across a helpful website for parents that I wanted to share, just in case you haven’t heard about it yet.

If you’re looking for family-friendly movie reviews, then you may want to check into “movieguide.org.” The reviewers examine current movies from a Christian perspective and offer parents a heads-up about any potential issues.

More Help At Your Finger Click

Another invaluable website, this one I’ve written about before, is called kids-in-mind.com.

Famliy-friendly movie reviews

If it were me, I’d keep those two website links handy, both on my computer and in my phone.

You never know when a last-minute plea will come in: “Please Mom, can I go with a friend to the movies? Pleeeeez!”

###

Our Exceptional God

In The Footsteps Of Jesus

April 25, 2018 Gracie

Where Jesus Walked

Where’s the one place you’ve always wanted to go?

For me, I would love to go to Israel.

I know it would be a joy-filled trip, but also an emotional one.

Following in His footsteps

The opportunity to walk in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would be beyond thrilling.

For now, I can only live through the experiences of others and the incredible blessings they receive during their journey to the Holy Land.

A Trip To Remember

My desire to visit Israel ignited again recently when a dear friend told me about her son’s recent trip.

In His footsteps

This wasn’t just any vacation though.

For thirty-three-year-old David Britt Jr., his visit was much more meaningful than sightseeing and present-day immersion in Biblical history.

His “trip of a lifetime” included being baptized in the Jordan River, just as Jesus was.

Please don’t miss the significance.

It was at the age of 33 that Jesus had victory over the cross! He rose from the dead so that we, as repentant sinners, could have eternal life.

David’s baptism is a touching testament to the historical authenticity of God’s infinite grace and mercy.

Baptism in the River Jordan

Reflections Of His Light

One of the reasons I named this blog “Delight in God” is that I appreciate God’s grace in my own life. Like David, I’ve experienced both trials and joy.

When I heard that David wrote a poem about his trip, I couldn’t wait to ask permission to share it with you.

God’s Delight

Here is David’s very moving poem, “Your Delight”. It was written in Tiberias, Israel a couple of weeks ago. Many thanks to David for allowing me to publish it on my blog.

Your Delight

I was weary, and I was lost.
I knew to find salvation at any cost.

So I traveled to the holy land.
Led by the Lord’s gracious hand.

He led me to a group that
would welcome me.
Watching the light that
shined through them
proved this was the key.

They showed me the
fellowship I longed for.
And they led me through the door.

I followed willingly to seek
what I came to find.
And find I did with an
acceptance that was more
than kind.

I walked in the footsteps of
the One I serve.
Discovering a new
emotion with each gentle
curve.

I’ve felt things that only a
few will understand.
There’s something truly magical about this land.

I’ve seen great evil and
horrors untold in my life.
And the path I chose has
been filled with
unimaginable strife.

But You Oh God gave Your
only Son
For it is Your will that will
be done.

No matter how hard we
fight
It is our love which fills Your delight.

We willingly give in to You
Emmanuel
And Your proclamations of
love we will tell.

Make us into fishermen as
You said
So that no one is truly
dead.

But instead singing Your
eternal love.
In the land of paradise
directly above.

###

* Photo from a private collection, courtesy of David Britt, Jr.
** Poem by Britt Jr., David. “Your Delight.” April 12th, 2018. Tiberias, Israel. Used with permission.

Our Exceptional God

A Laugh A Day

April 18, 2018 Gracie

A Laugh A Day

Are you feeling a little down in the dumps?

It’s okay, we all feel that way sometimes.

Allow me to bring you a smile for the day, or at least I hope I can.

I adore comedian Jeanne Robertson.

Her charming southern accent and self-effacing humor make me laugh every time.

Here’s a cute video you might enjoy.

Can you believe kids aren’t learning how to write anymore?

Here’s the former Miss North Carolina with her take on the nuttiness taking place in some of our schools.

The Escapee Bottle

funny bone

Have you ever had something embarrassing happen to you?

I sure have.

Okay, since you insist. 🙂

We were at church one morning, and I had just finished singing with the choir.

I met up with my husband who was waiting for me in the foyer. We walked down the hallway to a door where we could quietly enter the sanctuary and sit in a back pew.

After sitting down, I grabbed a water bottle out of my purse. I was very thirsty after singing.

I took a few sips and put the bottle down by my feet, or so I thought.

Cue my silent scream.

Oh nooooooooooooo!

My water bottle turned over on its side and started rolling all the way down the aisle towards the front.

The preacher was preaching, and my water bottle was rolling, all the way…down…down.

I watched it in horror, too embarrassed to stand up and walk down the aisle of shame, to retrieve my escapee bottle.

My husband tried to act like he didn’t know me.

For some reason, goofy things seem to happen to me.

Don’t Lose Hope

Fellow Christian – things get wonky sometimes.

Please don’t let all the negativity in the news or from other people consume your day.

God gave us laughter for a reason.

Remember His eternal promises and embrace His gift of laughter.

laugh a day

###

Our Exceptional God

Never Too Late

April 11, 2018 Gracie

It’s Never Too Late

Never Too Late

Do you have a pet peeve?

Maybe it’s one of these:

Hearing other people talk on their cellphones in a restaurant.
The smacking sound of someone chewing their gum loudly.
The person in front of you at the theater who talks during the movie.

My big pet peeve is being late.

Is there anyone out there who likes to show up late?

Maybe a celebrity or two, but that’s not me, and I can’t imagine that’s you either.

I’m a stickler for being on time.

This started quite awhile ago – all the way back to when I was a television reporter.

Unfortunately, we showed up late a few times to a big story.

Don’t get me wrong, we’d lug in our camera equipment and microphone as quietly as we could, but people would still notice.

It just felt so disrespectful even though we couldn’t help it at times.

These days, if my husband and I have to go somewhere downtown, I insist on leaving an hour ahead of time. You never know if there might be traffic jams, construction, and who knows what!

And, sometimes, he lets me win that battle. 🙂

Why Wait?

Speaking of late, while we’re alive and breathing, it’s never too late to put our trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

What baffles me though, is why anyone would want to wait?

What’s holding them back?

As Christians, we are heartbroken for people like that.

Life is fleeting and precious. None of us ever know what every minute of the next day will bring.

Redeemed

If you’ve ever read my testimony (you can find it here), then you know that my family was in a tragic accident many years ago. My husband and I survived, but our nine-year-old niece tragically died.

I was the second worst injured in the accident.

Facing my eternity hit me like a brick wall.

I didn’t want to go to hell.

After becoming a Christian, I realized that trying to be good wasn’t what it was all about.

The first thing I wanted to do when I got that cumbersome brace off my broken leg was to be baptized. I’d given my life over to Christ the week before the accident, and participating in Believer’s Baptism was meaningful to me.

Why wait?

Personal Unforgettable Joy

After three months of walking with a heavy boot plus screws and a plate in my ankle, I was ready to get rid of those “shackles.”

In September of 1997, wearing a white flowing robe, I entered the baptismal, and the Pastor baptized me in front of the whole church.

To this day, I get chills thinking about it.

There was nothing quite like it – Joy and Release all bundled up into one.

I am so grateful that I didn’t wait.

Baptism In Christ

As Christians, we know that Believer’s Baptism is not what saves us. We have to recognize that we are sinners who must repent and are in desperate need of the mercy of God. Our “niceness” and “working it” aren’t what get us to Heaven.

It took me awhile to understand that, but as I grew in my faith, I realized just how beautiful God’s grace is. That is why I am so desperate to share this with the world.

Grace alone

through Faith alone

In Christ alone.

⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. – Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV).

Keep Your Eye On The Prize

Christians face a lot of criticism and ridicule from those in the world who don’t understand what saving grace is all about.

Late night pundits, daytime talk show hosts, you know who I’m talking about.

These faith mockers need our prayers.

Please don’t put off your salvation in Christ Jesus.

It won’t give you your best life now. The “best life now” catchphrase sounds good, but it’s a myth.

Trusting in Christ alone assures you an eternity in Heaven where you will never be happier.

There’s no sweeter love song than the one from God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, to His people.

###

Our Exceptional God

Honoring Our Senior Citizens

April 4, 2018 Gracie

Honoring Our Senior Citizens

There’s a large group of people in our world that I have tremendous respect for.

Many of them are veterans, and some not.

I’m talking about the men and women who make up our older generation.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where disrespect and a lack of manners are common.

I once saw a teenager eating with his grandmother at a local restaurant. It broke my heart to watch her try to engage the teenager in conversation, but he was way too busy checking his cellphone the whole time.

What’s happened to the social graces that Baby Boomers like myself grew up with?

Appreciating The Older Generation

Christian “change” can start with us.

I believe we should make an effort to show kindness and respect to everyone, but with a special nod to our senior citizens.

If an older person in your path is approachable, then by all means why not say hello, look them in their eyes, and ask how they’re doing? You can pray for them too if they say they have a concern.

We have to start recognizing again that there are years and years of valuable experience and wisdom that we can learn from them.

Paying It Forward

There are many ways to honor the older generation, but here’s one idea.

My husband and I do this at restaurants, anonymously of course. We’ll talk with the waiter privately and pay for the meal of someone, especially if they are a veteran.

It’s a double blessing of joy – for the other person, and for us.

Grace is like a breath of fresh air in our discontented world.

A Blessing For Me

This past week, I was sitting next to a much older man.

We had a few moments to chat and share a few laughs.

He’s been married over fifty years and was more than happy to share his wisdom about the secrets for a long-lasting marriage – including expressions of love, sharing laughter, and mutual respect.

I enjoyed our conversation so much. He was polite and a real gentleman.

After a while, we were interrupted, and he had to leave. As he left, he looked back at me with a smile and said, quite humbly, “I hope I didn’t talk your ears off.”

I didn’t get a chance to respond because he had to leave quickly, but here’s what I wanted to tell him.

No, Sir, you didn’t talk my ears off at all.

I’m grateful to have had the short time with you that I did.

And I won’t forget those little pearls of wisdom you shared.

Thank you for blessing me!

Our Exceptional God

« 1 … 65 66 67 68 69 … 98 »