The Voice of Divine Love

The truth of God's love is a message many of us have always known, but we need to be reminded of it again and again. In our limited understanding, we have difficulty comprehending it. God has loved you with an everlasting love, and yet no matter how deeply we feel him in our lives, the word of God often goes unheard. This is why, in the noise of the modern world, the simplicity of his message is all too easily lost. Yet while our prayers have no answers we can hear, that does not mean God has no voice. The Voice of Divine Love brings his word to you, brings you the light of God's acceptance, the comfort of his presence and love, and a guiding hand to live your life in his service. It is a chance to hear his voice amongst the raucous chatter of the world and choose to follow his way to righteousness and eternal love.

 With this book, written in the hope of drawing others closer to God, helping them understand the depth of his love, and narrated as in the voice of the Almighty, you are provided a retreat in times of stress; not to simply hide from your problems, but to find their true purpose, alongside the purpose in all things. Close your eyes and rest, find solace in knowing that, even when you are alone, he is always at your side, guiding you and taking care of you, in ways no other can. And as you are consoled, as you hear the one guiding voice which no person's life should go without, you will find answers to the questions you have always yearned to ask: why does God allow pain into your life, why do your prayers go unanswered, your wishes unfulfilled?





 There is no need to turn inward, to torture yourself for these answers. Simply listen, and understand The Voice of Divine Love. "   Audiobook on Audible / Amazon

Holiday Gift Guide - Show Your Gratitude, by Giving H.O.P.E.

This Christmas, show your gratitude by giving! What better gifts to give than ones that act as simple but beautiful reminders of love and inspiration? Hope in a Box is dedicated to creating gifts that do just that. H.O.P.E. stands for "Hang On Pray Everyday."  Hope in a Box is a company founded by a husband and wife team who persevered through difficult times through prayer.

For the father who starts every day with a cup of coffee and the morning paper, tell him you appreciate him with the H.O.P.E. Coffee Mug. 

For the mother or grandmother who needs a little extra warmth in the winter, tell her you treasure her with a H.O.P.E. Fleece Blanket. 

For the teenager who just started driving to school, have them know you’re always thinking of them with a H.O.P.E. Keychain.

Whether your loved ones enjoy relaxing at home or are always on the go, they will feel love and inspiration when they receive any of these gifts. Give thanks with Hope in a Box.

H.O.P.E. is a blessing in itself and a blessing in disguise. Hope in a Box donates 25% of all company profits to life, marriage, and family affirming ministries. This Thanksgiving, the purchase of just one gift could potentially touch several lives.

“Rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted in prayer.” – Romans 12:12

My Thoughts

What a wonderful refreshing mug! So many times I go through stores and I see so many things with names and sayings on them that are absolutely meaningless. These H.O.P.E. items are so inspirational and there are so many different ways to display them whether it be a coffee mug ,a T-shirt, a picture or a bracelet and jewelry there are so many different options. I received my H.O.P.E.  mug as a gift and I absolutely love it. I'm not an exceptionally religious person however I love having my morning tea  looking at my mug and before I notice it  I'm talking to God and somehow it eases me into my day.

I am not one to pray on a regular basis I don't attend church or put aside special times to pray but this mug and other items that I have bring God to my attention and it cues me to say a little prayer and that always makes me feel peaceful. When  I have my tea in the morning and I look at the H.O.P.E. Mug I immediately find myself in a prayer what a wonderful way to start my day.

These days I'm sometimes so overwhelmed just in my life that getting up in the morning can feel very dreary and I easily can have no motivation to get through the day. When your watching the news no matter what day it is it always seems like there's just disasters going on ! There are so many countries that are in total unrest. There are  terrorists killing people in many countries people are living in fear of their lives almost on a daily basis there is so much suffering going on in the world. It's so hard to see the children suffering they are going hungry or homeless the parents  killed  without discretion it doesn't appear to be letting up at all. These products are so inspirational. When I look at the hope emblem it's helps fill me with hope just the simple message it is giving makes my day just a little bit brighter. One doesn't have to be religious to be hopeful anyone can feel hopeful with or without God in their lives. So if you're looking to cheer someone up or  help someone to come out of their depression they might be suffering .  These products are exactly what you need no matter which product you choose it is absolutely going to help someone feel hopeful.

A.D.: The Bible Continues The Spectacular 12-part Series

 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment bring A.D.: The Bible Continues, the uplifting spiritual journey through the later chapters of biblical history from executive producers Roma Downey (The Bible) and Mark Burnett (The Voice, The Bible), to Blu-ray™ and DVD November 3.

Featuring an extraordinary international cast, thrilling action and amazing visual effects, A.D.: The Bible Continues is a must-own release which arrives just in time for the holidays, completing your collection with the #1 miniseries of all time The Bible, and the film, Son of God. The four-disc Blu-ray™ and DVD set dives deeper into the making of the iconic tale with over 45 minutes of exclusive features. Audiences will be captivated by the special features which include the following: 

• Continuing the Bible – Roma Downey and Mark Burnett discuss their decision to create a sequel to the “The Bible” – how the project came to be, why it is different from “The Bible,” and how the story begins and evolves.

• Casting A.D. – An epic miniseries means an epic sized cast. Visit the actors on and off set as they discuss their characters and share their stories of coming to the project.

• The Past Comes Alive – Get a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of several key scenes, including the baptism of Saul, the elaborate arrival of high Roman officials, and banquet feasts in Pilate’s palace courtyard.

• Touring the Sets – The production designers discuss recreating the world of 33 A.D. Jerusalem, and showcase the massive sets built for the show which includes:  
  • Pilate’s Palace
  • The streets of Jerusalem and the safe house, as shown by Adam Levy (Peter)
  • The temple exterior and plaza, toured by Richard Coyle (Caiaphas)
  • A tour of the streets with Pastor Charles Jenkins and his wife commenting on the authentic feel of the sets and set dressing

• The Fabric of the Time – Explore the massive feat of dressing cast and extras in period costume. Tour the costume tent and visit with many of the actors as they show us the elaborate detail that went into creating their garments, including a time lapse of Pablo Di Pace as Jesus being made up for the crucifixion.

• Recreating the Power of God – Join visual effects supervisor Martin Davison as he discusses bringing the power of God to life in A.D. through practical and visual effects.

About A.D.: The Bible Continues
From executive producers Roma Downey (“The Bible”) and Mark Burnett (“The Bible,” “The Voice”) comes an uplifting spiritual journey through the later chapters of biblical history. “A.D. The Bible Continues” picks up where the smash hit miniseries “The Bible” left off, continuing the greatest story ever told and exploring the exciting and inspiring events that followed the Crucifixion of Christ. Set in a world of bloody Roman oppression, and bitter political rivalries, the struggle to control The Holy Land unfolds between the Apostles, Pontius Pilate, Caiaphas, the Zealots, and the Herod Family struggle to control The Holy Land.

 My Thoughts

 A.D. is a  spin off of The Bible series that allowed people to see the stunning scenes from the New Testament on the big screen.  This series follows the events after Jesus' death. It actually starts with his trial and goes all the way through to the first Roman being baptized.  There are lots of great messages in the show. The scene where Mary Magdalene  forgives the man who murdered her friend is deeply moving.

The acting, the scenery, and the special effects were are amazing. Yes, there are some plot holes and inconsistencies. Some of it is based off the bible and some is pure fiction.  Like any book that is adapted into a movie, it's impossible to get every aspect covered exactly as it was written, but as far as bible stories go, this was one of the best I've ever seen.  

 

Holiday Gift Guide - Spiritual Movies from Lionsgate

The First-Ever Word-For-Word Adaptation Of The Biblical Gospel Of John, Telling The Story Of Jesus is now available On DVD, Digital HD And On Demand from Lionsgate Home Entertainment.  A truly unique production as the first-ever word-for-word unedited adaptation of The Gospel of John as recorded in the New Testament arrives on DVD (plus Digital), Digital HD and On Demand October 6th from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. This stunning film brings a fresh perspective on one of the most sacred text’s in history, from the “ethnically sensitive casting to the beautiful scenery and the emotional performances” (Patheos.com).  The film was also recently approved (with caution due to the authenticity of the crucifixion scene) by The Dove Foundation in the faith based films category. The Gospel of John New International Version is narrated by leading British actor David Harewood (Showtime’s “Homeland,” Blood Diamond, The Merchant of Venice) and the King James Version is narrated by Brian Cox (Troy, The Bourne Identity). Shot on location in Morocco, The Gospel of John is the first-ever filmed version of the biblical text unedited. Using the Gospel narrative as its script — word for word — this profound and stunning film sheds new light on one of history’s most sacred texts. Beautifully shot, wonderfully performed, and informed by the latest theological, historical and archeological research, this film is something to be enjoyed and treasured. The Gospel of John DVD includes three different biblical text translations - the New International Version, the King James Version, and the 1960 Spanish Reina-Valera translation – and five behind the scenes featurettes looking at the making of the film. The Gospel of John will be available on DVD for the suggested retail price of $14.98.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES*

•          “Deconstructing a Scene” featurette

•         “Building Jerusalem” featurette

•         “Composing the Gospels” featurette

•         “Filming the Gospels” featurette

•         “Narrating the Gospels” featurette

My Thoughts

This is a truly excellent adaption of the Kings James version of the Gospel of  John that stays very true to the stories in the bible. The actors even speak Aramaic, with an English narrator to help with the translation which really adds to the realism.  Jesus is very real, radical, and portrayed in a way that makes you understand why so many people chose to follow him and spread his word.  Even if you aren't Christian, you can't help but appreciate the attention to detail and the realistic costumes and settings.  This is a great historical film as well as a religious adaption.

 Experience the power of faith, courage and friendship in the moving drama Where Hope Grows, now on Digital HD, Blu-ray^™ (plus Digital HD), DVD (plus Digital) and On Demand from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. Receiving 5 out of 5 Doves from The Dove Foundation, Where Hope Grows is an uplifting tale of an ex-baseball player who finds salvation when he befriends a grocery-store clerk who has Down syndrome. Theatrically released in 2015, and written and directed by Chris Dowling (Rock Slyde), the heartwarming film features touching performances from a stellar cast including Kristoffer Polaha (TV’s “Ringer,” TV’s “Life Unexpected”), Billy Zabka (The Karate Kid), Brooke Burns (Shallow Hal, TV’s “Baywatch”), Kerr Smith (TV’s “The Fosters,” TV’s “Dawson’s Creek”), Michael Grant (TV’s “The Secret Life of the American Teenager”), Alan Powell (The Song) with Danica McKellar (TV’s “The Wonder Years”) and introducing David DeSanctis as “Produce.”

Calvin Campbell (Polaha), a former pro baseball player with a self-destructive streak, has his faith in God restored when he meets Produce (DeSanctis), an inspirational man with Down syndrome. As their friendship develops, Calvin is reminded that hope grows in the most unlikely places.

The Where Hope Grows home entertainment bonus material includes deleted scenes, plus two featurettes that look at the casting of “Produce” and a discussion of the “R-word,” along with an audio commentary from writer/director Chris Dowling and actor David DeSanctis.  The Blu-ray and DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $24.99 and $19.98, respectively.

BLU-RAY/DVD/DIGITAL HD SPECIAL FEATURES*

·         Deleted Scenes

·         “Casting David DeSanctis” featurette

·         “Stop the R-Word” featurette

·         Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Chris Dowling and Actor David DeSanctis

My Thoughts  

Calvin Campbell is a professional baseball player who turned to alcohol to drown his sorrows. He neglects his teenage daughter who's dating an older man.  His life is going downhill fast until the day that he stops at a grocery store for his booze and meets a young man with Down Syndrome.  Ironically,  the boy's name is Produce and he works in the produce department. He wants nothing more than to be employee of the month, but he's always overlooked. This doesn't stop him from befriending his customers, including Calvin.  The two become fast friends, and Produce teaches Calvin the importance of family and never losing hope. This is a fantastic movie with a great message.  Highly recommended.

PATTERNS OF EVIDENCE: THE EXODUS HOLIDAY GIFT PACK

Filmmaker Timothy Mahoney chronicles an in-depth archaeological investigation in Egypt and Israel as his team attempts to corroborate the biblical text. The film explores one fundamental question: Is there any evidence that the Exodus story actually happened? Twelve years in the making, this provocative documentary reveals new or rarely seen evidence regarding the Israelites’ descent into slavery, their Exodus from Egypt and their ultimate conquest of the Promised Land. The DVD highlights stunning animations and a cast including Narrator Kevin Sorbo (God’s Not Dead, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys), interviews with leading archaeologists such Israel Finkelstein, Kent Weeks, and David Rohl, and guest appearances by Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and Shimon Peres. Extras feature never-before-seen elements including exclusive interviews, “Behind the Music,” “From Film to Book” and information about additional books and resources.

 PATTERNS OF EVIDENCE: THE EXODUS (HARDCOVER BOOK) - companion book to the original motion picture is written by Filmmakers Timothy Mahoney and Steven Law. This book includes valuable insights and additional interviews not featured in the film. Filled with beautiful photography of Egypt and Israel, scenes from the biblical re-creations, maps, charts, and diagrams, it gives the reader an up-close and more in-depth look at the scholars and their positions (392 pages). *signed by Filmmaker Timothy Mahoney


AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE: Thinking Man Films (www.shop.patternsofevidence.com) 

My Thoughts 

No matter what your religious beliefs, Patterns of Evidence: Exodus gives us an interesting look at biblical history.  The documentary takes us through Egypt  and Israel, looking for physical evidence of the Exodus. It walks you through the slavery, the escape from Egypt, and follows the possible path the Israelites may have taken. The show is narrated by the amazing Kevin Sorbo and includes stunning reenactments.

 The companion book goes into even more detail. While I didn't read the entire book, I did skim through it, and both the photography and the detailed information about Mahoney's search for answers are intriguing and well thought out. 

While I wouldn't say that this film and the companion book answer the question of whether the Exodus occurred without any doubt, it does gives us a lot to consider. Even if the story was exaggerated, there seems to be a good chance that at least a portion of the biblical tale of the Exodus was inspired by actual events.

Book Review: A Shaman's Tale: Path to Spirit Consciousness

A Shaman's Tale is the autobiographical tale about one man's journey to spiritual awareness and his profound insights into the mysteries of life and death. Based on the author's experience as a shaman, meditation teacher, and spiritual counselor, A Shaman's Tale will show readers how to actively engage in their own transformation to inner peace and awareness. The author's retelling of his paranormal and mystic experiences will illuminate a spirit world open to anyone who is in search of higher consciousness.

Richard Alaniz has more than twenty-five years of training in indigenous shamanic practices. He developed the Balik meditation method and is the author of Aura of Consciousness: Transition To Spirituality and the forthcoming Balik Meditation: Wellness to Mind-Body-Spirit.

Our Thoughts

Reading the personal journey of someone’s life and spirituality has been an awe-inspiring experience. Any belief system is near and dear to the one who believes in it, so to put it all out there for everyone to read takes some bravery and confidence. This book was very matter-of-fact and no-fuss. The explanations he used to compare things to help us understand what he was saying worked amazingly.

He has forever changed how I feel about using the phrase "believe in" and "I know this", as there is definitely a difference when it comes to your spiritual beliefs. Richard also opens up about some hard personal moments with passed family members and their "visits" to him. So much controversy can be had over whether this is possible, but for those who have gone through this, it is comforting to read someone else's experience as well.

Another aspect that I loved about this book was the history and cultural learning involved with his life and teachings. I found it fascinating, I just love reading anything about other cultures! 

After just a few chapters in I was inspired to look up the author's website and I really fell in love with it. Very real, down to earth and not spiritually "cheesy" like a lot of websites, Richard gets down to business about his life's journey and really shows you how he lives his life and "walks the walk" of his beliefs.

Get your copy here!

Reviewed by Jackie