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!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
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.
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
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
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
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)