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Patterns of Evidence (Film Review and Giveaway)

August 25, 2017 by Suzie Waltner 4 Comments

In My Opinion (Review)

It seems popular today to discount anything and everything Biblical. In the documentary film, Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus, Tim Mahoney goes on a 12-year journey to discover the patterns that support the Bible’s account of Moses and the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt.

In the film, Mahoney interviews Egyptologists, Biblical scholars, and archaeologist in order to find support or deny whether the Exodus is a true account. Throughout the film, viewers are presented with arguments for and against the Biblical account and are left to make up their own minds.

I appreciated the timelines and the historical details, including archaeology finds, historical accounts, and more. The research is well-laid out and full of interesting facts that are sure to create dialogue in small group studies.

My Rating:

I was provided a complimentary copy of this film for review. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

About the author/filmmaker/producer

Tim Mahoney founded Mahoney Media Group, Inc. (MMG) in 1989. MMG focused its business on television and video production for regional and national companies. In 2014 Tim founded Thinking Man Films & Media as an international documentary & publishing company with a focus on education and the Bible. Tim produced numerous productions for Christian organizations including the Billy Graham Association, World Wide Pictures, and Compassion International. Tim also served as the President of the board for the International Christian Visual Media Association (ICVM). Tim’s first full feature documentary film, “PATTERNS OF EVIDENCE: THE EXODUS”, released in January 2015. The film took 12 years to develop and takes a scientific approach to investigate the events of the biblical Exodus. The overall vision for his film company is to explore “patterns of evidence” that support the biblical narrative and engages the world in a conversation. The film takes a balanced approach and leaves the audience to decide for themselves if the Bible is real history or myth.

About the film

Won 13 awards on the film festival circuit in 2014, including a Gold Remi Award winner for Best Director at the Worldfest Houston Intl. Film Festival, the Gold Crown Award for Best Picture and Best Documentary at ICVM 2014, and Official Selection at the Soho International Film Festival in New York.
Supplemental resources associated with the film include a nearly 400-page hardcover book, small group Bible study, Movie Event kit, youth version (called Young Explorers), homeschool curriculum and others.
It includes powerful interviews with some of the top experts in the fields of archaeology and Egyptology as well as people of influence in the Middle East.
The film has an objective, fair-minded and balanced approach. It allows viewpoints from all sides to be heard in a respectful way while asking honest questions of the Bible and scholars’ views. It does not preach and lets the evidence speak for itself. This allows the film to be very shareable with those of different viewpoints.

Learn more and watch trailers here

Click here to purchase a copy of the film

To save $3 on your DVD purchase, use the code MK1

Win a copy of Patterns of Evidence: Exodus

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The Legal Stuff:

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

When We Last Spoke by Marci Henna

February 7, 2017 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

When We Last Spoke by Marci Henna

About the book

“Humor, heartbreak, and triumph are served with whipped cream and lots of local nuts in this heartwarming tale of family, friendship, and forgiveness in Fireside, Texas.

Meet Juliet Cranbourne, local radio personality and owner of a whimsical kitchen gadget store, and her sister Evangeline, a fruit tree geneticist who works for Oregon State University.

When a rift due to their orphaned past affects their sisterhood, Juliet convinces Evangeline to come home for Christmas and choose headstones to honor grandparents Walt (a tenderhearted, good-looking rancher) and Ruby (a blue-ribbon fiddler, fabulous cook, and expert in the loving he).

As they cruise through Fireside in Ruby’s Thunderbird, Juliet hopes that healing memories will somehow smooth rough roads ahead.

Does the tremendous love that marked Walt and Ruby’s lives still have the power to renew their sisterhood and help them find their place in the world?”

My thoughts

The description is a little misleading (and I kept mixing up the title. I wanted to call it “When Last We Spoke”). Everything listed in the book description happens but the bulk of the book is a throwback to when Juliet and Evangeline are just girls, coming to terms with being left by their mother and father.

I expected a few more quirky town characters—there are really only two who get a good amount of mention, but they are both memorable in their own way. There was not a good development of the rift between the sisters. You know there is one because the adult Juliet talks about it.

But what the heart of this book is about—family—is handled with love and finesse. Sometimes our family is not the one we are born into, it is made of those people who step in and love us no matter what. As Juliet and Evangeline fight, make bad choices or disrespect their elders, they are disciplined. But Walt and Ruby love them through everything.

I did struggle a little getting into this book but about a third of the way through, my interested in these two girls’ lives picked up. Even when the book switches back to present-day and adult Juliet and Evangeline, I wanted them to find happiness during a difficult time.

This story is currently in development for a film. I can definitely see some of those scenes on the big screen. You can check out the trailer

About the author

Marci Henna was born in Austin, Texas and lived as a child in Kenya, East Africa with the Wakamba tribe where her parents managed a medical research station. She later moved to the Hill Country ranch which has been in the family since the 1800’s and currently lives in Austin.

Connect with her

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Propeller/FlyBy. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

An Hour at a Family Christian Store

August 11, 2016 by Suzie Waltner 14 Comments

I’m of the opinion that it’s never too early to begin shopping for Christmas gifts. And when I hear about a great sale opportunity, I’ll happily drive a little out of my way to mark a few people off that gift list.

Today, I want to tell you about the sale that’s going on at Family Christian Stores through August 25. All books, music, and DVDs are Buy One, Get One 50% off. Don’t have a store near you? Don’t worry, the sale is also happening online.

When I was in my local Family Christian Store this past Saturday, I enjoyed the browsing experience. There is plenty of space in my store, a decent selection of gifts, music, and books (and again, if you don’t find what you want, you can always visit them online). There was also lots of clearance to look through (just a note here, the BOGO 50% in only on regular priced items so it doesn’t work with clearance). My cashier was friendly and he had a good chat about music and books as she was ringing up my purchases. I spent $60 while I was in the store, which is well-worth what I left with.

The Inspire Journaling Bible ($24.99)
Bible journaling has gained popularity over the past year and while the concept sounds great, as a person with absolutely zero artistic ability, I always thought it sounded like more work than Biblical study. But when I came across this journaling Bible, with some of the content already filled in for me, I decided I’d like to give it a try. Some of the pages have just a faint outline, some are blank for your own journaling, and some have the actual verses for you to fill in as you spend time in God’s Word.

Third Day and Natalie Grant Cds ($13.99 ea regular price but with the BOGO sale, the second was only $7.00). As music lovers, many of my family and friends are always happy with more.

And while I didn’t buy this one during my trip because I already have it, if you haven’t picked up Needtobreathe’s newest album, do it soon!! You won’t be disappointed.

Music: H A R D L O V E by NEEDTOBREATHE (available July 15)
Description: This sixth studio album from NEEDTOBREATE finds the group reflecting on the tumultuous seasons behind their recent albums, Rivers In the Wasteland and The Reckoning, and enjoying extraordinary success while experiencing personal conflict. “We were in a dark place when we made the last record, but to me this album is mostly a story of redemption,” Bear Rinehart said. H A R D L O V E delves into the world of electronic effects and instrumentation, resulting in a sublimely crafted and expansive sound that reflects the band’s unforgettable live show. Includes lead singles “Happiness” and “Money & Fame.”

What better way to offer someone encouragement than a daily reminder of Scripture. Take the time to be still and know God and all of the promises that entails in our lives. (plaque $12.99)

There are so many great things at Family Christian Stores, I could go on and on but I don’t have time for that and I doubt you do either. So, I’ll leave you with a little information about the organization (followed by a giveaway so don’t give up on me yet)

Family Christian is a Christian retailer, operating in 250 stores across the country. They are committed to helping you find, grow, share and celebrate your faith through a wide selection of Christian books, music, Bibles, DVDs, gifts and more.

When you shop with Family Christian, your purchases support their efforts to unite with ministries that are helping children and families in need around the world.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Win One of the Quilts in My Mother’s Quilts by Ramona Richards

June 11, 2016 by Suzie Waltner 2 Comments

I’ve am not a crafty person, gave up on the idea long ago. I don’t have the patience or the talent to pull off some of the beautiful things that crafters are able to put together. My sister has this talent but in didn’t inherit that DNA I guess. To be honest, I haven’t thought of crafts (whether it be home décor, painting, or needlepoint) beyond home decorating or gift giving but a little gem of devotional book came across my lap over the past couple weeks and it made me realize there is a story behind many of these items.

In My Mother’s Quilts: Devotions of Love, Legacy, Family and Faith, Ramona Richard shares not only the beautiful quilts made by the women in her family (women of faith, strength, and prayer) but she shares a little history behind each of the quilts.

Each devotional beings with a Scripture verse and ends with a prayer starter but the real delight is in what falls in between. The stories. Stories of Richards’ grandmothers and mothers, of their love of family, God, and quilting. Stories of how when they were struggling they turned to their needlework and prayer or hymns and God’s Word. Stories of how life didn’t always turn out as expected (even for the author herself as she shares about some of the struggles of raising a daughter with severe cerebral palsy).

There is a heritage of faith woven into the quilts that the author and her brother inherited from their mother and grandmothers, and Richards honors that heritage and preserves it even more in My Mother’s Quilts. This is a book that will have you thinking of your own family and the things you’ve learned from loved ones over the years.

About the Author:
Ramona Richards is an award-winning editor, speaker, author of nine books, and a frequent contributor to devotional collections. An avid live music fan, Ramona loves Nashville, which she’s called home since she was ten. Sensing her mother was near the end of her life, Ramona documented her mother’s stories and lessons behind each family quilt. These stories form the devotions in My Mother’s Quilts. Find out more about Ramona and her books by visiting her online at ramonarichards.com.

Enter to Win!!!

One lucky reader will win one of the quilts in this beautiful book. Not only will they become the owner of the friendship quilt, they now have a little of the history behind the colorful beauty. Other prizes are being given away as well. Enter to win. Contest ends June 30, 2016.

****Flyby Promotions provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.

90 Minutes in Heaven

September 2, 2015 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

I’m sure that in 2004 when Don Piper’s 90 Minutes in Heaven was released, I scoffed at the title in bookstores. Like some of the people who have written to Piper over the years, I’m skeptical of people’s near death experiences. But I am so thankful I’ve been given the opportunity to read this book and share the message with others because it was so much more than I expected.

Piper’s experience in heaven is such a small part of this book. His journey through both emotional and physical pain, his purpose in life, and the power of prayer carry the weight of this book. The author’s vulnerability reaches off the page to pull you into his pain, his depression, and his longing to return to a place of peace.

On September 11, 2015, 90 Minutes in Heaven is making its way into theaters. And here’s my hope for the film: That the printed words of the book reach those people who need the message the most. Whether you are grieving the loss of a loved one, recovering from an illness or injury, or wanting to encourage someone in your life, go see this film. Grab a friend or two or three and make a night of it. Go to an early showing and have a late dinner to discuss what you saw or pray for each other. Check out the trailer.

About the movie presented by Giving Films:
Releases in theaters everywhere September 11, 2015
Rating: PG-13 (for intense accident and injury images)
Starring Hayden Christensen (Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith), Kate Bosworth (Remember The Titans, Blue Crush) Michael W. Smith, Fred Thompson, Dwight Yoakam, and Jason Kennedy, 90 Minutes In Heaven is based on the inspiring New York Times best-selling book that has sold 7 million copies.

And guess what? The people behind this movie want to pass on the profits not to themselves but to people in need. You can even choose the charity you want your personal profit to go toward.

About Giving Films:
Giving Films is passionate about sharing hope-filled movies and donating ALL of their profits to charities and ministries who serve those in need. Beginning with their first film, 90 Minutes In Heaven, Giving Films is allowing all of us to be a part of making a difference. Anytime you go to a Giving Films movie in theaters, visit http://www.givingfilms.com and select which charities you want to receive the profits from your ticket. Their charitable organizations are Christian Alliance for Orphans, Faith Bridge Foster Care, Hire Heroes USA, Hope International, LifeWater, Street Grace, and World Vision.

Not to sound like a cheesy infomercial here, but there’s even more. Flyby Promotions has offered one lucky reader of this blog to receive their own copy of Don Piper’s best selling book, 90 Minutes in Heaven. Just enter the raffle below.

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******Flyby Promotions provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own*******