The Way - movie review

I received tickets from my favorite radio station to see a sneak peek of this movie tonight. I did not know much about it. I checked out the trailer on the website quick yesterday. It sounded like a really good movie.

I attended with a 14 year old girl and 2 other adult women. There was a mixture of ages and both men and women in attendance. The theater was quite full.

The movie is about the pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way of Saint James, a trail across France and Spain. There is beautiful scenery and the movie was filmed on the actual trail. The music score is great too. The Way has just the right amount of humor and drama. Martin Sheen stars. It was written and directed by Emilio Estevez.  Emilio is also in brief scenes of the movie. I am not familiar with the other actors, but the performances were stellar.

While the film focuses greatly on the walking of the trail, it is more than "just" an endurance walk. This is not just a day trip. It takes weeks/months even. It comes across as a spiritual experience where meeting the people traveling with you is just as important as getting to your goal. Every person walks the trail for different reasons. Sheen's character, Tom Avery, does not set out to walk the trail. He was invited by his son, but Tom's a doctor and has his life quite structured and seems to like it that way. His son, Daniel, starts to walk the trail, but does not get to finish. Tom decides to finish for him and learns a lot about his son, himself and the three traveling buddies he picks up along the way. The traveling companions each have their own reasons for being on the trail. The Way is a sometimes tense, but enjoyable journey.

There was a scene in the middle of the movie that reminded me of an older version of the tell the truth meeting from "Breakfast Club". Not sure if that was intended or not, but I enjoyed it!


The main thing I gained from watching the movie is that life is less about the destination. Life is more about the journey to get there and the people you meet along the way. Great quote from the movie, "You don't choose a life, you make one."

I very rarely see movies in the theater or in the opening week.  However, if we want to continue to see family friendly movies made, we need to support them with our entertainment dollars. Money talks.

I would not hesitate to recommend this movie. It has some really good scenes for discussion. The scenery alone is enough to make me want to find out more about making the trek.

Official "The Way" movie site

Ginny Owens - Get In, I'm Driving (CD)

I have loved Ginny Owens music for a long time so I was excited to be given the opportunity to review her newest release. I have listened to it more than once while driving in the car and love it a little more each time I hear something I missed the last listen.

From the ding of an open car door at the beginning of the 1st song, "Get In, I'm Driving", Ginny Owens takes the listener on a musical journey well worth taking. There are 11 songs on the CD.  Each one is a great reminder of who really drives, if we get out of the way.

The songs are:
Get In, I'm Driving
Mystery of Grace
Before You Fly
Rain
Joined at the Heart
Better Off
Lay It Down
Higher Ground
Daughter of Destiny
Better That Way
The Song


Many of the songs would be a great self confidence booster to teen girls and anyone that could use a reminder that we are loved. While this CD will definitely appeal to the Christian audience, it will easily be appreciated by anyone who loves good music and great lyrics.

I also appreciated the play on words of the title. Ginny Owens is a talented performer. Even more amazing is the fact that she lost her eyesight when she was very young. She may not be able to physically see, but God has given her a vision far beyond what we see while on Earth.

I would not hesitate to recommend this CD to anyone as a gift or a treat for yourself. Some further resources for Ginny Owens and her music:
Website:  http://ginnyowensmusic.com 
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/GinnyOwensMusic
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/#!/GinnyOwens
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/before-you-fly-single/id442050145

The album released on September 13, 2011 so it should be available somewhere near you or online.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"

All Area Plumbing - Jenison, MI

After trying numerous times to solve our own issue(s), we gave up and decided to call a plumber. But who to call? I started calling around for prices. I tried two local companies who started with a “trip charge” and then an hourly fee charged by the quarter hour. Thankfully, I received a recommendation to call Matt at All Area Plumbing. He was very courteous on the phone. I really liked that they charge a set amount for the first half hour of work and then by the quarter hour. Their hourly rate is very competitive.

Matt (one of the owners) was out to our job even quicker than he estimated on the same day I called. He quickly and competently discovered our problem with a length of pipe and set about fixing it. Since he did such a great job with that I asked if he had time to fix a toilet….and a sink while he was there. He also did a great job with those. He was very patient with my comments/questions. Sometimes it seems women get taken advantage of when they don’t fully understand the issue. I did not get that at all.

I was very pleased with the time our job(s) took. Matt was very friendly and helpful. The work was completed quickly and accurately. I even learned a few things along the way. We usually do a lot of work ourselves (obviously not always successfully!) so I was apprehensive about calling a professional. I would have no reservations about recommending All Area Plumbing for any job. I found the cost was well worth the call and would not hesitate to call upon them again….and given the age of the plumbing in the house?.....might not be long.  ;)

All Area Plumbing website: Click here http://www.allareaplumbing.net/index.html

The Journey (Bible)

Back in 1998 (I know because I got it as a gift for me), I bought a Bible called The Journey Bible. It said it was for spiritual seekers. I did not know it at the time, but I was and remain a seeker. I do not believe it matters if you have read through the whole Bible, bits and pieces, or not at all, God designed us to seek after Him and His Word.

I have had a few Bibles before and after, but The Journey is my favorite. I am amazed that I can open it and find answers to questions I had not even gotten around to asking yet. There is an introduction prior to each book with a time line that relates it to history. My copy is paperback and getting a little worn and lots of notes in the sidebars. I'll still keep it even when it falls apart.

I don't read the Bible as often as I'd like. I very often have found time to read novels, magazine articles, etc. I'm trying to do better with the Bible.

I never thought about it that I could pass along the info and that copies are available (relatively cheaply) through Amazon, etc.
Journey Bible - Amazon

is the address if you'd like to check it out. I do not know if it is available in bookstores anymore.

Half.com would be a good place to look too if you decide it's worth a closer look!

John Bunyan by Kevin Belmonte (Book)

I recently finished reading John Bunyan by Kevin Belmonte from the Christian Encounters series published by Thomas Nelson. John Bunyan is most well-known as the author of Pilgrim’s Progress, which I did not realize was written in the 1600s. I found it interesting that he was also a son, Tinker (occupation), soldier, husband, father, preacher, and a prisoner of conscience due to standing up for the right to preach. Mr. Bunyan’s background greatly influenced his writing and the lives of others even well after his death. The book also mentions other works by John Bunyan that I was not aware of, including Grace Abounding, an autobiography. The main point of the book is to answer how such a great work as Pilgrim’s Progress was written by a man of very modest beginnings.

This biography covers a lot of period history which I found very interesting. The author quotes numerous sources from previously written biographies, which at times can be a little distracting. There are numerous resources listed in the back of the book. A timeline of Bunyan’s life and historical events in the Appendix is very informative. Biographies are not usually my first choice for reading material. However, I found this book to be an interesting look at a writer I was not very familiar with. This book also made me want to read some of Mr. Bunyan's other works.

The greatest lesson I learned from reading this book is that the written word outlives the writer and the effort can affect people through several generations and hundreds of years later.

Thomas Nelson - Christian Encounters Series: John Bunyan

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Genesis Code (Movie)

I saw The Genesis Code movie. When I was invited to see it, I didn't even know what it was about...other than a lot of it was filmed in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I quickly checked before I went and found out it had something to do with spirituality and science.

I was pleasantly surprised and hope that this movie makes its way into more theaters in the country. Many times, movies that make you think don't tend to do that great in theaters. It seems people want to sit and be entertained or horrified by what takes place on the screen.

This movie has a little bit of everything: sports (hockey), college life, guy and a girl, believers and non-believers/questioning faith, science, gun shots, life support and the whole realm of questions that brings up.....

The movie seeks to answer the often asked question of how Genesis states the earth was created in 6 days, yet science can "prove" that the earth is indeed billions of years old....and what about dinosaurs?

The movie has some "stars". A lot of the people I did not recognize, but still good acting. It was a well produced movie....and if you live around Grand Rapids, it is interesting to try and recognize where they filmed.

This would be a great movie for middle school/high school age as well. It deals with the pressure of being a believer among very politically correct friends, teachers and family. It seems like the characters are supposed to be tolerant of everything and everyone (EXCEPT for Christians) as each person finds their own version of right and wrong. Her "academic adviser" advises her that there is no absolute truth. The adviser's viewpoint will give you much to think about what you believe and why. Later, the adviser meets with the reverend and that is a great conversation as well.

Overall, it is a movie that will get you thinking and hopefully discussing with fellow viewers. I usually have a hard time justifying the cost of seeing a movie in the theater. However, if we want more movies that do more than just entertain and horrify, we need to support the film makers. If you can't get to the theater, it will definitely be a great movie to watch as a church group, small study group, etc.

I went to the movie just as a viewer...not a reviewer. This is just my humble opinion....for what it's worth.  :)

The Genesis Code movie website

The Way Home (DVD)

The movie (rated PG only for thematic elements and some tobacco use) is based on a true story of the day a 2 year old went missing and how the family handled it. A dad, busy providing for his family, is supposed to be leaving for vacation that day. A mom, stressed out from getting everything ready for vacation….and finding out her husband, supposed to be helping, is still at work….providing. When he finally makes it home, they are scheduled to pick up their other 2 boys from school. Their 2 year old son plays in the driveway. The difference just a few minutes and decisions can make. The dad runs inside for a few minutes that turned into a few more minutes. When he returns to the driveway, their son’s tricycle is in the driveway and the son is nowhere in sight.

After briefly looking for him themselves, it becomes obvious they are going to need help. A 911 call is made. A great part of the movie is how the community comes together to aid in the search. There are many scenes sharing how the word spread and churches all over were praying for them that day. I don’t want to give too much of the story away. Let’s leave it at the movie cover states “based on the inspirational true story”.

The movie did a good job portraying a view of an everyday family and the stresses and joys. As a parent, it is an excellent reminder that time with our children goes by faster than we realize and we need to be in the moment with them as much as we can.

The movie dad is played by Dean Cain from, among other things, Louis and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Cain proves that dads ARE Superman to their kids. However, if a dad isn’t careful, their child gets used to their dad not paying attention or spending time with them. Overall, this was an underlying theme of the movie. I was unfamiliar with many of the other actors, but the performances were well done. The music during the movie and the credits is definitely worth a listen.

I applaud the family for sharing their story and the moviemakers for making it. It takes a lot of courage to share our struggles as families. Even though it would be easy to place blame, the message comes across of love, forgiveness and the fact that sometimes things just happen. Even then God can turn them into life lessons. The special features are also worth a watch the real family tells their story. Note: Don’t watch until AFTER you’ve watched the movie!

I received a copy of this DVD to review and the opinions are my own. I was not told I had to like it, just share my opinion. Honestly, I put off watching this movie because of the content and the guilt I feel for the times that I have made the same mistake the father in the movie made. There were times as our kids were growing up that I did not pay attention enough or got busy doing something else.

The only downside of this movie I can see is that people will make the same mistake I made. I urge you to support filmmakers that are making films with an actual message worth watching and learning from. This movie would also be a good discussion starter for a small group.

The Way Home movie site