Category: Our Exceptional God

Movie I’m Not Ashamed

The Movie “I’m Not Ashamed”

I'm Not Ashamed movie

 

When I see a movie that inspires me, I can’t wait to recommend it to family and friends.

“I’m Not Ashamed,” is one of those films. The good news is that it releases this weekend in local theaters so you can see it too.

I accepted the invitation to pre-screen the movie over two months ago, and it still resonates with me to this day. It’s truly an unforgettable film.

Pure Flix’s, “I’m Not Ashamed” is the deeply touching story of Rachel Joy Scott. She was a victim of the tragic shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado.

Keeping Your Faith in the Midst of Unspeakable Horror

On that awful day in U.S. history, April 20th, 1999, two high school seniors, in a pre-meditated act of hatred and revenge, took the lives of 12 students and one teacher in a murderous rampage in the high school. The gunmen, 18-year-old Eric Harris, and 17-year-old Dylan Klebold, also wounded 25 others in the brutal tragedy which played out on national television.

The film is intense, no doubt about it. I believe parents and their appropriately-aged teenagers should attend this movie together. With this intention in mind, it will make for a meaningful dialogue afterward.

Talk To Your Kids

Parents – because it’s a very real possibility, please teach your children about reporting legitimately suspicious behavior, and remaining aware of their surroundings, even at school. No one wants their child to feel paranoid in the hallways, but it’s a different world we live in now.

I’m Not Ashamed

From the beginning of the movie, Rachel, beautifully played by Masey McLain, captures our hearts as she navigates the turbulent hallways of Columbine High school.

Rachel Joy Scott

Her passionate journey of allegiance to God met with continual faith-testing disappointments and rejection from friends. Rachel felt emotionally broken at times, and that God was silent.

Heartfelt thoughts, drawings, and prayers recorded in her journal became the basis for the movie. The film very accurately portrays the stresses and temptations of daily life in a public high school, from the pressures of drinking, taking drugs, to having sex before marriage. There’s no sugar-coating it here. Temptations are around every corner, and Rachel and her friends are deep in the middle of it. Rachel struggles to hang onto her faith. A noncommittal boyfriend and the constant bullying of some of her unpopular friends added to Rachel’s loneliness and anguish.

The Movie, I’m Not Ashamed

I am not going to apologize for speaking the Name of Jesus.

 I am not going to justify my faith to them, and I am not going to hide the light that God has put in me. If I have to sacrifice everything . . . I will.
– Journal excerpt from Rachel Joy Scott, I’m Not Ashamed Film – Lifeway Christian Resources,  http://www.lifeway.com/films/2016/04/20/im-not-ashamed-film/, (accessed October 19, 2016).

Rachel’s Tears

I read the book, Rachel’s Tears, written by Rachel’s parents several years ago. Similar to the book, the movie reveals a touching reference to the meaning of the “tears” she drew in her journal. It is chilling. Wait til you see the movie, and you’ll know what I mean.

Some feel the need to debate the actual words Rachel said to her killers before her death, but I have no doubt after reading the book, and now seeing this movie, that she was the warrior for Christ she always wanted to be.

The cast includes both Korie and Sadie Robertson of A&E’s “Duck Dynasty” fame. The starring roles don’t end there. Christian vocalist, Jaci Velasquez, also makes an appearance in the film.

In my opinion, award-winning director, Brian Baugh, accomplished his goal of telling a cinematic story that inspires as well as it heals. The creative vision of producers Chuck Howard, Brad Allen, Michael Martin, and Nise Davies beautifully brought Rachel’s story to life.

Pure Flix, Visible Pictures, LLC., and Big Film Factory officially release the movie on Friday, October 21st.

Check your local listings for times.

God bless

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Lord, Humble Me

Lord, Humble Me

Have you ever heard a fantastic quote from someone, the kind that just sticks with you for days?

I had one of those “why didn’t I think of that?” moments recently.

I came across the following quote from Senior Pastor Keith Krell of Spokane, Washington. He’s a well-respected contributor to the Bible.Org website.

*Pastor Krell describes the quote as a daily prayer of his.

I think it’s genius.

Here it is:

Lord humble me

A Light Bulb Moment

Whoaa! Makes sense, doesn’t it?

Have you ever felt humbled by the Lord? Things appear to be going well, you’re a rock star in your mind, and then “it” happens.

The Lord’s chastens you. It reminds you that He, not you, are in control. As a parent corrects the child he or she loves, so the Father must discipline us at times in our lives. Even though in our human minds we don’t think it’s fair, we have to remember that ultimately it’s because He loves us.

Lord Humble Me

I remember back in the 80’s when I thought I had the best job in the world and that I would never leave an on air TV career. Unfortunately, my ambitions were higher than my faith. I had visions of starting a successful career in Louisiana and ending up, perhaps in Miami or California, working in a big TV market. Not once did I consider saying, “Lord willing.”

God had other plans for me, and that job and career are no more. Looking back, I don’t regret a second of that long, sometimes painful journey, because it led me to a deeper, personal relationship with our Savior.

Delight Yourself in the Lord

When your life is seemingly going haywire, that’s not the time to quit, or worse, think that you can handle it on your own, without God.

Ask for prayer from your friends and family, and keep asking.

Thru Christ, we have power, mercy, forgiveness, and grace, but it’s not by ignoring His great sacrifice. Have you committed your life to Him?

My heart belongs to the Lord

Who Was, and Is, and Is To Come

There’s a song I’ve sung in choir many times at church. Perhaps you know it.

Try closing your eyes while concentrating on these lyrics when doubts plague your mind. Here, Kari Jobe sings “Revelation Song.”

Delight Yourself in the Lord and encourage someone this week.

Yours may be the only encouragement they get.

God bless!

 

*Single quotation from Bible.org. (2010). Author Senior Pastor, Keith Krell. [Article: 25. A Feeding Frenzy (1Corinthians 11:17-34). From https://bible.org/seriespage/25-feeding-frenzy-1-corinthians-1117-34

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God Sees Everything

god-sees-and-hears-everything

God sees everything.

Not just some stuff, but all of the happenings in our lives – big and small.

Did your mom ever tell you that she had “eyes in the back of her head?”

Nothing escapes her attention where her kiddos are concerned, right? 

In reality, there is only One, our Heavenly Father, who sees and knows all.

Hebrews 4:13 tells us:

13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. – Scripture quotation is from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Nothing escapes God, especially when we’re, let’s just say, misbehavin’.

We can’t outsmart God.

No matter how hard we may try.

Silly Humans, Indeed

I have to tell you about one of the hilarious antics of one of our Siberian Huskies, a beloved member of our family.

mischievous-husky

Chip was a gorgeous boy. As loveable as he was, he was also very mischievous. He did something once that was so funny it still cracks us up every time we think about it.

A few years ago, my husband and I had to run some errands and decided to leave our dogs loose in the house, instead of in their crates.

We locked up the house like Fort Knox. We closed all doors, blocked off a hallway, positioned baby gates so Chip and our female husky, Misha, had free run of the kitchen and hallway.

My husband and I left for an hour and then came back home, hoping to find two sleeping Siberian Huskies who kept their promise to “be good” while we were gone.

I walked in the house first.

The hallway looked clear of any debris from a canine free-for-all. Yay!

The dogs were very excited to see us. So far, so good.

I got a little further down the hall, and then I saw it.

Ruh Roh, Not Good
 
Peeled bananas were all over the floor.

Peeled!

like-nothing-happenedApparently, Chip grabbed a bunch of bananas off our kitchen counter, ate a few, and gave some to his girlfriend. Those two rascals had a dinner party and left the whole bunch of banana peels all over the floor for us to clean.

Worse yet, they tried to outsmart us, greeted us at the door and acted like nothing had happened.

My husband and I look back now and laugh.

Oh, how we wish we had a video camera that recorded their hi-jinks while we were gone.

The evidence of their little escapade was everywhere.

God sees everything, no video camera needed

God knows us, better than we know ourselves.

He sees it when you curse out that person on the interstate or get into that heated argument with your son or daughter.

And yet, despite it all, He still loves us and convicts us of our sins.

God sees everything

All of those white lies, secret sins, all of it – God sees and hears, and yet, He wants us to come into a relationship with Him. Wretched sinners that we are, if we ask for His forgiveness, He hears us.

We need to be honest with God.

All He asks is for us to repent and trust in the only way to eternal life, salvation through His Son.

Blessings!

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A Whole Lot of Shakin’

Have You Ever Been in an Earthquake? Dont be afraid

I used to think that question is only for people from California.

But, early one Saturday morning, I got quite the surprise here in Texas.

I remember it well.

As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t sleep in. So as not to wake anyone, I quietly got up and tiptoed to the office.

The strangest thing happened while I was searching online.

The tassel on an overhead lamp started swaying.

Weird.

Next thing you know, it felt like a fast-moving wave went under my feet. I felt my chair move from side to side.

My thoughts ran wild. Something had run amok underground.

shaking going on

Recently, my husband and I had watched the monster movie, “Tremors.”

Who knows?

Maybe, an enormous snake-like creature was moving under our house, and Kevin Bacon would come walking in any minute.

I got up and looked around the house and then out the window.

Nothing.

Not even Kevin Bacon.

What Just Happened?

Several minutes later, people from all over the internet were awake. Social media erupted with the news. People were talking about the big shaking in Oklahoma.

The 5.6 magnitude earthquake rattled nerves, from the Dakotas all the way down to Texas and parts east and west.

I was glad to know it wasn’t a huge snake-like creature after all.

A few dramatic moments in time made a huge impact.

Newscasters rushed to report the story. Families and friends of those living in the affected areas hurried to check on their loved ones.

Keep Looking Up

Sometime in the future Jesus will come back.

No one knows when.

Jesus will come back

Across the entire world, every single living person will feel the impact of His return.

This monumental event and what comes afterwards will be bigger than an earthquake, tsunami, or anything that we could possibly imagine.

Guaranteed.

It’s good news for authentic Christians. There’s no need to be afraid.

God’s will for the world is nothing short of spectacular for those who are in Christ.

Want to Hear Three Minutes of Spectacular?

God bless

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Don’t Get Bumped

Does life seem absurd to you sometimes?

I have to tell you about an experience my husband and I had coming home from the Bahamas this year.

Don't get bumpedWe’d just enjoyed a week of fun. Sadly, it was time to go home.

Bright and early, we headed off to the airport.

First stop?

A short flight from Nassau to Miami and then on to home sweet home.

Let the Airport Madness Begin

The Miami International Airport is huge.

Big, scary, huge.

Who are all these people?

Everyone is frustrated

Lots and lots of waiting.

You get to know the other passengers in those long lines. Everyone is frustrated, looking at their watches, and then suddenly an early morning flight becomes a very long day.

Calgon, Take Me Away

My husband and I people-watch to pass the time. We stared in amazement at all the people scurrying about trying to get to where they’re going, their jobs, vacations, and some just wanted to get back home.

We weren’t expecting anything special.

There’s Something Much Better

In one word, “Wow!”

The plane we boarded could have easily had golden arches towering over it.

It was a Boeing 777.

Talk about comfortable seats. They were swivel seats.

Wheeeeeeeeee!

I digress.

Get this; you could even recline fully-flat. I could take a nap!

My inner child had a lot of fun pushing the buttons and testing out the entertainment choices.

We were like kids in a candy store. So much room to stretch out and relax.

I have never in my life been on a plane like that!

This is the life

Ahhhh, this is the life.

It must have been about ten minutes when, all of a sudden, a very serious-looking captain came walking down the aisle.

Hmmm, not good.

“Sorry folks, we don’t have a co-pilot,” the captain said.

“Everyone off the plane.”

Bumped Back Into Reality

I did a double take and had to pinch myself to make sure this was real.

But I want this plane!

I looked over at my husband. He was busy gathering all of our belongings for the Walk of Shame.

Up the aisle we went, kicking and screaming (well, almost), to get off our new favorite plane.

“But, I like this plane,” I said to my husband.

This time, I said it out loud.

He had a look on his face like I was trying to make him eat Brussels Sprouts.

“I know. Me too,” he said.

We laugh about it now. Our brush with perfection came to an end.

It’s Time to Know What You Believe

Just like our brush that day with the creature comforts of a fabulous airplane, the supposed good life here on earth is only temporary.

It’s time to know what you believe, even if you’re 99 years old and about to hit the big 100.

I can’t think of anything worse than for people to get to their end of their lives and find out they’re not going to Heaven.

In other words, they get bumped.

Do you have friends or family who still believe that simply being kind to other folks is enough for God?

Sadly, there are even some who are comfortable putting off the whole “Jesus” thing because they believe there’s always more time.

Putting off the whole Jesus thing

Or, they’re enjoying life and ignoring the obvious signs of a temporary world gone nuts.

Having to admit that they’re sinners in need of God’s forgiveness is just too much.

It’s Not Too Late, Yet

Heaven is on an eternal plane, and there’s a free ticket for every one of us, but, read on.

It’s free to authentic believers because Jesus paid the immeasurable price of our admission.

Our God is a God of love, but He is also a God of justice.

Hell is very, very real.

Doing good deeds without faith in God, is not going to get us anywhere, except to a destination of eternal disappointment.

It’s not about a church building alone. It’s about authentic faith and recognizing that there are consequences for not putting your trust in salvation through Christ alone.

*3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. – 1 Peter 1:3-5, ESV.

Don’t Get Bumped

If you know of someone who hasn’t accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, please don’t delay in telling them the good news of the gospel.

Lovingly tell the people you care about to not be embarrassed if they’ve waited until late in life to accept God’s gift of grace.

You (and they) are that valuable to God. Please tell them the whole story, that God loves, but He will also exercise His Supreme authority and judgment at the appointed time.

precious in His sight

As babies in the womb, we are precious in His sight.

Jesus is at the gate, and He’s waiting for us to tell the world to get on board.

Heavenly Home

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*Scripture quotation is from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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