I finally got to see the movie I’d been trying to go see since April!

It was as good as I’d expected.

I missed seeing it in theaters, which means I had to rent it on my tablet. The cost isn’t the problem; staying awake is. I usually make it through one movie over four nights when I watch in bed. But I watched this movie in ONE sitting!

Sara, a young girl with enviable faith, has a miraculous gift of healing which both fascinates and angers those in her community. It’s a four-hankie movie so be prepared to cry.

My latest personal Bible study is on Micah and this one, part of the Good Book Guide studies, is an excellent one. Designed for use in small groups, large groups, or for personal study, it is easy to follow yet still in-depth. I will be purchasing other books from this series.

Micah has been a fascinating study because it is helping me deal with the current climate of our nation. It’s easy to get your head turned around when so many people are loudly debunking everything you’ve learned as truth. But make no mistake, louder voices don’t make truer words. In fact, it’s often the opposite. Remember, it’s the still, small voice we should be listening to.

With a new featured book and a new featured movie, I thought I’d go back a little with my featured song. I remember the first time I heard this song. It was like someone had reached into the recesses of my soul and poured my feelings so eloquently into song. I felt so free in Christ; I knew He’d cleansed me. Yet when I looked around, I knew I hadn’t quite received the same forgiveness from others. They didn’t know the whole story; they didn’t know the pain that surrounded my actions. But I had given it all to Jesus. While their judgement stung a little, the bottom line was that it didn’t matter what they thought. It only mattered what HE thought. And that I was His.

If you ever feel unworthy or less than in others’ eyes, just remember that you are EVERYTHING to Him. He gave it all for you; all that’s left is for you to give it all to Him.

This month we go back in time…to visit some childhood favorites. After all, September is my birthday month!

One of my favorite songs growing up was “His Name is Wonderful.” Alas, I tried to play it last Sunday night on the church piano but because my mother let me quit piano lessons after two years, it sounded more like the final round of Name That Tune. (Thanks, Mom. I think I’m the only pastor’s wife in the South who can’t play the piano!)

My grandmother loved listening to her gospel 8-tracks in her car and I remember many men’s quartets wafting through the speakers in that Oldsmobile. The Imperials were one of those groups. (If you don’t know what an 8-track is, google it or ask your parents!)

My book pick is a NEW book based on an OLD favorite! I loved the stories of Brother and Sister Bear by Stan and Jan Berenstain growing up. The Berenstain Bears have entertained and guided children for generations and now Mike Berenstain has created a devotional based on the beloved characters his parents created.

Find it on Amazon or in your local bookstore.

For my featured movie, I chose a movie from my kids’ school days. Dale and I were both teaching at Grace Christian School and because it was a K-12 school, we had all four of the kids with us. That was a special year and one I will always remember fondly. We had a schoolwide movie showing that year of “Facing the Giants”, a movie that had football (for the boys), relationships (for the girls), and an inspirational message (for everyone)! It was a great movie and if you missed it, watch it now!!

I hope you enjoy September’s picks!!

MOVIE: What Would Jesus Do?

1h 33min 2010 -Rated G

A moving and thought-provoking story about a group of Americans – a singer, a newspaper editor, a pastor & a real estate mogul who vow to walk “in the steps of Jesus.” Every day and every decision becomes a turning point in their lives as they must ask themselves: “What Would Jesus Do?”

Genres: Adventure, Drama

Director: Thomas Makowski

Starring: John Schneider, Maxine Bahns, Adam Gregory

BOOK: Jesus Always: Following God’s Direction (from Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling series)

This is the Bible study series I will be teaching for the next few months. It’s a great study for individuals as well as small groups. There’s a lot of thought-provoking questions accompanying a passage of scripture each week and the devotions feel like the Lord is speaking directly to your soul.

MUSIC: I Believe in a Hill Called Mt. Calvary by the Gaither Vocal Band

I grew up listening to the Gaithers and hearing their music is literally like a balm to my soul. It either brings up memories of listening to a record on the stereo system in my childhood home, singing along to the eight-track in my Mema’s car, or hearing it play softly in the background of her Christian bookstore. All great memories (and a wonderful reminder of what a blessed upbringing I had).

These days this particular song holds another special memory, one I know I’ll carry in my heart with the rest. This is one of my husband’s favorite solos and I hear him playing his guitar and singing it often while I’m on my computer working. I always sing along- it’s so powerful you just can’t help but join.

“And I’ll believe WHATEVER the cost…”

This song is the epitome of having a FAITH UNFADED!