Lifemark - A Film From Executive Producers Kirk Cameron and The Kendrick Brothers

 I was recently blessed by Graf-Martin Communications to be able to prescreen Lifemark - A Film From Executive Producers Kirk Cameron and The Kendrick Brothers. 

From the movie’s website: “David’s comfortable world is turned upside down when his birthmother unexpectedly reaches out to him, longing to meet the 18-year-old son she’s only held once. With the encouragement of his adoptive parents, David embarks on a journey of discovery that leads to a staggering truth from his past."

I was wary at first, for I have found some of the Kendrick Brother films a bit heavy handed for non-believers. I need not have worried!

The Christian faith was central to the film, but in a soft and more believable way. 

Strong truths were presented in a way that struck the heart but didn't slap you in the face.

I would recommend to believers and non-believers alike. Catch it while you can. Opening today.

Graf-Martin offered me a pre-screening. Th views I have shared are my own.

dumbstruck

 

I am here

merely dumbstruck

for a season, but

holding space

for words return

no excuses left

a dog for my feet

under the desk I listed as a need

laptop, coffee, water

Bible, journals, highlighters and pens

a good chair for my aching back

sun through the window

even on this cold winter's day

I have feathered my nest

my excuses have vanished

and yet....

words play hide and seek

just a breath away

patience, He whispers

patience

the melody

my muscles, joints

do not agree with the cold

every fibre aching

as I cried out

this is how the Lord responded

when the pain sings

listen to the melody

and find Me there

in the low notes

the long wails

staccato beat

you will hear My voice

draw your strength

from My presence

do not allow the pain

to speak words of exclusion

or disqualification

you are always welcome

in the secret place

come away

abide in Me

season change

multiple trips to the yard

now frosted, Kona the puppy

quickly self-trained

but her whimpers at the door

call for quick response

cold settles in to the deepest

pain in my bones

still, I can appreciate

beauty, snow burdened branches

painted skies

and the hush

of a season that comes

wanted or not

Kona finds a home

today is the last day these walls

will be merely a house

tomorrow our long awaited addition

will transform our living space

into a true home

as our now eight week old puppy

completes our family

we have food, treats, toys

blankets, collar and leash

a crate for her to snuggle in to

and spaces in our hearts

that she will soon fill to overflowing

meet Kona

and stay tuned for updates

as she grows into herself

a finger on it

I can't quite put a finger on it

to quote an old cliche

I carry the emotions

given to me, full force by my Creator

often swept away

cresting waves then

crashing, gulping water instead 

of air, my head submerged

He gives me hills

and valleys, both

to  be savoured

physical pain, shifts

surprising me, in new 

locations, disguises

tones and echos, almost

symphonic in fullness

always its finger on me

unrelenting grip, does this

hurt? how about here?

He gives me hills 

and valleys, both

but dwells with me

up there and down here

 Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; 

do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. 

I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; 

yes, I will hold you up and retain you 

with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.

Isaiah 41:10 Amplified

too too soon

the beginning of 2014

January through April, perhaps a bit of May

winter slipped under the doors

painted pictures on the windows

while we were lost in dreams

of a life hotter, fuller in Africa

and in August that same year

we left the prairies below us as we flew away

there were visits back

2016, 2018 but always summer

never did I miss the ice

the bitter winds

or the snow, no

not at all

yet, today I find myself here

the sky dull

constant cloud cover 

dripping rain and yes,

snow,  early October

shivering deep beneath my skin

winter hardly begun

the long season of fleece

down, woolly socks and hot tea

is upon me and the thought

of hibernation tantalizes

new snow tires on the vehicle

but oh, if I had my way

I'd remain inside

until Spring's thaw

months and months from here

open heart

my trip to the mountains

resounded with gasps

"wows" and tears

beauty opening my heart 

to unexpected wonder

having seen

I cannot un-see

having felt

I cannot un-feel

what God has done

what God can do

around, in

and even through me

still

the worries of the world

 rush over me

power pounding

attempting to distract

but I find safety

in the Rock

that holds me fast

solid in the chaos

this is what He teaches

this is what I'm learning

be still

know

The Girl Behind the Red Rope by Ted and Rachelle Dekker

Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker are the father/daughter duo that co-authored the most nerve rattling novel I have read in a long time, The Girl Behind the Red Rope.

The hills of Tennessee is the hiding place for an extreme, religious community that believes that following impossibly strict rules will keep them faultless, pure and ready for the world to come. Doubters, wanderers and strangers can not be tolerated. Life is lived within a perimeter marked by a red rope.

In this fear based world, it becomes impossible to tell the wolves from the sheep, the darkness from true light.

I read the book aloud to my husband as we travelled long hours cross country. There were many times we were sad to have to take refuelling breaks, so caught up were we in the story.

If you'd like a calm easy read, pass on this book; but if you want to be challenged, baffled and engaged, don't miss The Girl Behind the Red Rope.

An advanced reader edition of this book has been provided courtesy of Graf-Martin Communications. All opinions are my own.

breathless

I have been silent here

for good reason

awed by His creation

now that my breath is back

words will return

Overcomer - a review

I was blessed to view an advance screening of Overcomer, the new film by the Kendrick brothers.

The outer shell of the story is about high school sports: a coach, football players, a young female runner and their families. But the deeper story that weaves through the entire film is about where each one finds their identity. 

As one who has learned the lesson of needing to find my identity in Christ, I found myself nodding in agreement throughout the movie.

Those who found Fireproof, Courageous and other Kendrick films a bit heavy handed with their sharing of faith will probably stumble over the same here. I would hope however that people can watch this with open minds and open hearts, allowing the truth of the message to touch them.

Screening link has been provided courtesy of Sony Entertainment Releasing Canada and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

ever a door

there is ever a door

ahead, open

or closed, asking

what will we do here?

will we stand, stubborn

afraid to knock

or touch, or push

will we crawl under, squeeze

through, jump high

hurdling over

will we peek through

and uncertain

turn to face another door

another time, another place

there is ever a door ahead

Strive to enter by the narrow door

[force yourselves through it], 

for many, I tell you, will try to enter 

and will not be able.

Luke 13:24 Amplified

thick clouds

friends dear to us

have had their hearts exploded by tragic loss

clouds dark have settled over us all

in my quiet time with the Lord this morning

He spoke these words

in Africa funeral houses fill with wailing cries

this, when there are no words

they do not fear the depth of mourning

this makes sense to you now

your people, your village is shaken

I hear cries that they think they should suppress

there is no need, no reason 

to be strong

I Am the strength for all

stand together in your weakness

those who already have answers

did not hear them from Me

around the curve

I have been frozen in my brokenness

dry, splintered, fragile

the road ahead and behind

rocky, rutted, slippery

hard to see signposts

in clouds of dust

my steps are small, painful

both in body and heart

yet surely the refreshing

the eruption of new life

is waiting, ever waiting

just around the next curve

For I will [fully] satisfy the weary soul, 

and I will replenish every languishing and sorrowful person.

Jeremiah 31:25 Amplified

short hop

travel day

that's usually tiring to even think about

but this is a short hop

mere hours

not the multiple days

to or from Africa

no meals or movies

no free snacks

2-1/2 hours for our first flight

1 hour for the next

as always

we're in His clouds

in His hands

no better place

slow to change

the seasons are slow to change

this year, uncertain

samples of heat, retreat

as cool returns

two weeks into July

and summer has no foothold

this blood, thinned

by African years, shivers

I see the shrugs, hear

the snickers, loud

from those already awash

in sweat and complaints

leaves me wondering

will I ever be warm

will I ever be home

again

excavating

there's a leak in the water line on our street

water is shut off until the problem can be solved

this morning the heavy equipment rolled in

sometimes the only way to fix an issue

is to excavate, dig deep

a noisy, dirty process

exposing hidden things

buried so long ago

you don't remember

would prefer to forget, but

there is no longer any choice

if you want to stop the bleeding

the only way to healing

is down, opening new paths

to freedom

pinks

the glory of pink, bright

bold or muted

shedding joy, without

conscious thought

contagious, breaking 

the pain of the day

shouting life

life

life