Last Chance Weekend

This weekend is your last chance to see October Baby until it releases nationwide this spring. It's really important for as many people as possible to go see the movie so that it will be released in more theaters this spring. Here is a letter from John Erwin, one of the writers and directors of the movie.

To the October Baby family,

I wanted to write a personal note to everyone and say THANK YOU for all your support for October Baby. It's the film and message Hollywood said no to, but you have said yes! Thousands of people have seen it over the past two weeks and it's amazing to see the impact it's having. Post abortive woman are finding the healing they need, young girls are being inspired to make good choices, and the faith community is rallying together to say WE BELIEVE IN LIFE!

Now I am asking you to help us finish strong. Because we are planning to release the film nationally next Spring, we have decided that this will be the final weekend for the October Baby limited release. Theaters and film bookers don't look at anything but the numbers, so a strong final weekend will prove that the film is sustainable and help us get into hundreds of theaters in the Spring. We've had an amazing run so far, but we desperately need an incredible finale! So please consider this a personal invitation from me to join the October Baby family and stand for life together this weekend!

Thank you again and I'll see you at the movies!
Jon Erwin
co-writer, co-director
OCTOBER BABY

* They are also offering discounted tickets ($5 per person) to groups of 15 or more who go see the movie this weekend. Email octoberbaby (at) erwinbrothers (dot) com if you're interested. So get a bunch of people together and go see the movie!

A Marriage Carol

A Christmas Carol is one of my all-time favorite Christmas stories. It really doesn’t matter to me if it’s the original version by Charles Dickens or the cartoon Mickey Mouse version or the more up-to-date version with Jim Carey. I just love the story. There is something about looking carefully at the past and the present, then looking toward the future, and taking note of what path you’re on. But also the redemption of the “Scrooge” character . . . none of us are lost causes.

I was thrilled at the chance to read A Marriage Carol by Gary Chapman and Chris Fabry. The authors focus their version of A Christmas Carol on a couple who is on the brink of divorce. Literally on their way to the divorce attorney’s office. Neither has committed a major offense. Instead, they have suffered a series of minor offenses, miscommunications, gradual disinterest, and basically have ended up living separate lives even though they are married. When they are involved in a car accident on the way to the attorney’s office, Marlee finds her way to a house at the top of the hill, which just happens to be a marriage retreat center. The couple who run the center take her on a trip through time to see what her marriage has actually been like.

While the idea of looking back and looking forward is not new, Chapman and Fabry do a great job of applying a classic story to a modern-day marriage relationship. Practical relationship helps are intertwined through the story. However, the story is not at all preachy. Rather, through Marlee's thoughts and her conversation with the couple at the retreat center, these truths seem to naturally flow through the story.

A short book, at only 128 pages, I quickly read this in one sitting.  I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys a wonderful Christmas story as well as for anyone looking for hope for their marriage.

I received a free copy of this book from Moody Publishers and Net Galley in exchange for my fair and honest review.

About the Book
Jake and Marlee, a typical couple, are about to call it quits.  Over time they have drifted apart; the sparks are dead.  Marlee is convinced she married the wrong man and Jake feels tied down to the wrong woman.  Jake is distant and tired of being controlled while Marlee is tired of being the only one trying  to the save their marriage.

They go to bed Christmas Eve, in separate rooms, each rationalizing...life is too short to be miserable...love shouldn't hurt like this...their marriage must end for happiness to return. 

But their lives are about to take a turn.  The ghosts of Marriage Past, Marriage Present, and Marriage Future reveal to Jake and Marlee how past choices, present realities, and their potential future might look if they do not change their "stories".
  
Jake and Marlee experience a Christmas gift that will radically change their thinking and cause them to look at marriage not for what they can get out of it but for what God can do in and through their marriage.

About the Authors
Chris Fabry is a graduate of W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and Moody bible Institute's Advanced Studies Program. Chris can be heard daily on Love Worth Finding, featuring the teaching of the late Dr. Adrian Rogers. He received the 2008 "Talk Personality of the Year" Award from the National Religious Broadcasters. He has published more than 60 books since 1995, many of them fiction for younger readers. Chris collaborated with Jerry B. Jenkins and Dr. Tim LaHaye on the children's series Left Behind: The Kids. His two novels for adults, Dogwood and June Bug, are published by Tyndale House Publishers. Chris is married to his wife Andrea and they have five daughters and four sons.

Gary Chapman, PhD, is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling The 5 Love Languages. With over 30 years of counseling experience, he has the uncanny ability to hold a mirror up to human behavior, showing readers not just where they go wrong, but also how to grow & move forward. Dr. Chapman holds BA and MA degrees in anthropology from Wheaton College and Wake Forest University, respectively, MRE and PhD degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and has completed postgraduate work at the University of North Carolina and Duke Univeristy.

Blog Tour: The Three Trees

I love this sweet folktale. The author's telling of this traditional story was short and simple. It was easy to see through the story of these three trees how God had given each of them a dream and fulfilled the dreams in ways only He could predict. Children will learn that God is in control over everything and that He has great plans for each of us. In addition, the simple gospel presentation will easily serve as a launching point for parents to dive deeper into the gospel story. With beautiful, detailed drawings, this children's book has everything that young readers love in a book!

I received a free copy of this book from Kregel Publications in exchange for my fair and honest review.


About the Book
Three forest trees dream of what they will one day become. One dreams of becoming a royal throne; one of being a ship that can withstand any storm; and one longs to stay in the forest and grow as tall as tall can be. When they are felled, it seems their dreams are over. But as each tree is crafted into a new item—a manger, a fishing boat, and a rugged cross—it becomes clear that through the role they play in one important life their hopes are more than fulfilled.

This traditional folktale is accompanied by stylish artwork from a highly sought after children’s book illustrator, and will help set the Christmas and Easter stories into the overall context of the Christian faith.

About the Author
Elena Pasquali studied romance languages at university and has a special interest in researching folk tales. She worked for some years in children's publishing before going on to be an author in her own right.

About the Illustrator
Sophie Windham has illustrated books for Bloomsbury and Orchard and was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal for Unicorns! Unicorns! by Geraldine McCaughrean.

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly post hosted by MizB on her blog Should Be Reading.

It's easy! Just pick up your current read (or one of them!), open to a random page, and choose a couple of sentences on the page to post as a teaser. No spoilers please! Make sure to tell which book you pulled the quote from so others can check it out if they're interested.

Feeling daunted and ill-equipped, yet already framing the petition in her mind, she turned to retrieve her boots from the floor, when she saw a man--and not just any man--leaning on the pillar at the end of the pew. Watching her!

And judging by the wry smile tipping one side of his mouth, he'd been doing just that for quite some time.

A Lasting Impression

by Tamera Alexander

page 50

Let's Give Thanksgiving a Chance

A popular saying around our house is “Let’s give Thanksgiving a chance!” My husband hates the fact that Christmas decorations take over stores mid-October, so throughout November you can often hear him asking people to give Thanksgiving a chance.

I’ve been thinking about this lately. While it started out as a rant against Christmas decorations in early fall, it’s really much more than that.

We have much to be thankful for. We live in one of the wealthiest nations in the world. While 1 billion people live on less than $1 a day and another 1 billion people live on less than $2 a day, even the poorest people in our country are still quite wealthy in comparison to the rest of the world.

But not just the generic “we.”

A personal “we.” Us. My husband and me.

We are so blessed.

And not just financially.

We have wonderful families . . . parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. Friends who do life with us. A tremendous faith family. A pastor who is anointed by God and teaches us so much. Jobs that allow us to feel like we make meaningful contributions to the world.

And a God who chose us. Redeemed us. Saved us.

In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, we have so much to be thankful for.

******

Dayspring has a wonderful line of products designed to help us remember our blessings throughout this season of giving thanks . . . and the rest of the year. I especially love this reversible table runner that will grace our table throughout the fall. The words embroidered on the end [Let there be thankfulness to God.] will serve as a reminder to us to be grateful.

A number of these products are on sale [50% off!] throughout the month of November, so don’t miss out on your chance to find some great new God-centered items for your home at a discounted price! Don't miss out on the matching placemats, apron, and tea towels!

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Dayspring is also generously giving me the opportunity to host a giveaway for a $20 coupon to use on their website. Just post a comment on this post and tell me one thing that you’re thankful for this week. Make sure I have a way to contact you in case you win. The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Wednesday, November 16. I will choose a random winner from all commenters.

I received a free product from (in)courage and Dayspring in exchange for my fair and honest review.

FIRST Wildcard Tour: The Power of a Praying Wife Devotional by Stormie Omartian

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Stormie Omartian

and the book:

The Power of a Praying® Wife Devotional: New Ways to Pray for Yourself, Your Husband, and Your Marriage

Harvest House Publishers (August 1, 2011)

***Special thanks to Karri James of Harvest House Publishers for sending me a review copy.***

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

New from bestselling author Stormie Omartian is a book close to her own heart—The Power of a Praying® Wife Devotional. Following up on the insights and prayers of The Power of a Praying® Wife (more than 3.5 million books sold) 100 brand-new devotions, prayers, and supporting Scriptures offer a praying wife fresh ways to pray for her husband, herself, and her marriage.

These easy-to-read devotions will increase any wife’s understanding, strength, and peace, as well as provide her with perspective on the situations and challenges she faces. And each prayer will help both husbands and wives be more attuned to the Holy Spirit so they can do what’s right without allowing negative emotions or unclear thinking to get in the way.

A must-have for anyone wanting God’s best for this most important relationship.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Stormie Omartian is the bestselling author (more than 13 million books sold) of The Power of a Praying® series, which includes The Power of Praying® for Your Adult Children, The Power of a Praying® Wife, The Power of a Praying® Husband, and The Power of Prayer™ to Change Your Marriage. Her many other books include Just Enough Light for the Step I’m On, The Prayer That Changes Everything®, The Power of a Praying® Woman, and The Power of Praying® Through the Bible. Stormie and her husband, Michael, have been married more than 37 years and are the parents of two adult children. Visit the author's website.

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

When I Desire Greater Persistence in Prayer

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,
in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

As a wife, you need the kind of prayer habit that doesn’t give up or allow discouragement to get in the way, but instead persists and keeps on praying and asking.

When God told Abraham He intended to determine if Sodom was deserving of destruction, Abraham then interceded, praying on behalf of however many righteous people might be there. He asked God if He would destroy Sodom if fifty righteous people were found there, and the Lord said He would not. Abraham then asked if He would destroy the city if forty-five righteous people were found there, then forty people, then thirty, then twenty. Each time Abraham asked, God said He would not destroy it for that many people. Finally Abraham said, “Suppose ten should be found there?” And God said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten” (Genesis 18:32). As it turned out, only four righteous people were there, so God destroyed it. But Abraham had stopped asking at ten.

We need the kind of persistence in prayer that causes us to continue asking as Abraham did. Too often we stop short. Perhaps Abraham stopped asking because he couldn’t imagine that there wouldn’t be at least ten righteous people in Sodom. Or perhaps by then God had proved His point and revealed His intentions. God knew the city was wicked enough to destroy, but He saved the four righteous people—which were Lot, his wife, and their two daughters (Genesis 19:29).

Your prayers are powerful to save too. So keep asking and continue seeking, and don’t ask for crumbs when God wants to give you the banquet. When it comes to praying for you and your husband and your marriage, ask God to help you persist in prayer for even what may seem impossible. Ask for your marriage to not only be saved, but to be good. Ask for it to not only be good, but to be great. God doesn’t say “No” to what is His will. If your husband has a strong will that refuses to submit to God’s will, persist in praying that God’s will wins out.


My Prayer to God

Lord, I pray You would help me to be persistent in prayer—to ask and keep asking for what I believe is Your will. I know anything less than love, selflessness, kindness, peace, and generosity of soul is not Your will in my relationship with my husband. Help me to persist in praying for nothing less than the high standard You have for our marriage. Give me a vision of how You want me to pray. Show me the way You want our marriage to be and help me to pray accordingly so that it becomes all that.

I know I cannot force my husband’s will to be anything other than what it is, but You can touch his heart and turn it toward You. I pray You would do that. May he welcome Your Lordship in his life. Help me to pray consistently and passionately, and to persevere no matter what is happening. I thank You in advance for the great things You are going to do in both of us and in our marriage.

In Jesus’ name I pray.

October Baby

This has been a super-busy week and tomorrow will be even busier! Before I check out of the blogging world for a couple of days, I wanted to let you know about October Baby and ask you to please, please, please go see it this weekend if it's showing near you.

This movie is incredible. Both pro-life and pro-adoption, it's a beautiful, faith-based movie. Hubs and I saw it last weekend and thought it was so, so good.

It's only showing in a few theaters in Alabama, Mississippi, and the Memphis, TN area. If you live in one of these areas, please go see it. The better it does, the more theaters it will be shown in!

About the Movie
October Baby is a coming of age story of Hannah, a beautiful 19 year old college freshman. In spite of her energetic (if somewhat naïve) personality, Hannah has always felt like an outsider. Something is missing. She has always carried a deep-seated sense that she has no right to exist.

When she discovers she was adopted it comes as a shock, but Hannah's world is rocked even more when she learns why she was never told before – because she was the survivor of a failed abortion. Desperate for answers, she embarks on a road trip with some friends (including her oldest and closest friend Jason) to find her biological mother. In the process she unexpectedly discovers hope, love and forgiveness.

This uplifting and beautiful film may change the way you look at the world, your loved ones ... and life.