Do you want to put Christ back into the center of your Christmas season? We often get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the most wonderful time of the year that we forget what it’s really all about, the birth of the Savior. Make plans now to see IT’S CHRISTMAS AGAIN in theaters for one night only, November 29, 2022. This modern-day Christmas musical is suitable for the whole family, though I think ages 9-adult will enjoy it the most.

About It’s Christmas Again

Jake Young (Lawson Touliatos) wants nothing more than to spend his Christmas vacation with his girlfriend, Abbey Walker (Leela Owen). So when Abbey volunteers for her church’s Christmas play, Jake is ready to skip Christmas this year until an unexpected turn of events lands him in a field outside Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born. While on his journey with the shepherds to find the promised
Messiah, Jake discovers the true meaning of Christmas.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

We really enjoyed this movie. I am a musical theater lover and IT’S CHRISTMAS AGAIN didn’t disappoint. We felt that at times it gave off vibes of some other recent famous musicals, and that’s a good thing. The story was well thought out and executed. The time travel sections fit seamlessly, and that doesn’t always happen. The music was fresh and some had a definite hip-hop feel. The choreography was great but sometimes it felt like it was too much and took away from the moment.

Lawson Touliatos, who played the lead character, Jake Young was amazing! Lawson is a musician first and a relative newcomer to acting. He is a talented singer, his voice is wonderful. I commented to my husband a few times how great his voice was while we watched the movie.

Get It’s Christmas Again Tickets Now

IT’S CHRISTMAS AGAIN will be in theaters one night only, Tuesday, November 29, 2022. You can check where it’s playing near you and buy your tickets at the official website.

The Giveaway

I am giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card, US residents only. The giveaway ends at 12:00am ET on 12-6-22. The winner will be verified and then their information will be sent to the sponsor for fulfillment.

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About Going Home

“Going Home” is a new series that follows an inspiring team of nurses who help guide patients and loved ones on the ultimate journey – one of transition from this world to their forever home. It’s a race against time as the team must help their clients find peace and wrap up loose ends with compassion and dignity.

“This is a powerful and moving show about family, faith and relationships,” said Dan Merchant, the creator of the show. “It’s ultimately about compassion, empathy and forgiveness. Our hope is that people think deeper about their relationships and realize that every interaction can be a blessing.”

Press Release

Synopsis

Everyone has a calling from God and Charley’s purpose is to help people transition from this world to their forever home. Watch this heartfelt series that will inspire you to think deeper about your relationships and how you can live well with the time we’re all blessed with. God gives everyone a calling – and for Charley, it’s to help families during one of the most difficult times of their lives.

The first two episodes of “Going Home” are now available on Pure Flix. New episodes will be released each Thursday through the month of June.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

We have watched episodes 1 and 2. The words that come to mind to describe this show are beautiful, difficult, inspiring.

Beautiful-The care, love, and dignity that the clients and their families at Sunset House (hospice) receive as they prepare to graduate from this earthly life to heaven is just beautiful. I have had minimal experience with hospice care and that was in-hospital hospice, but I can only hope that most hospice is this beautiful

Difficult-I lost my dad 5 1/2 years ago and my mom almost 2 years ago. While I wasn’t with either of them when they passed, I was with dad for hours in ICU 2 days before he went home. My mom was in in-hospital hospice care for the last few days of her earthly life and I spent time with her the evening before she passed, she was ready to go home. Add those losses to the 11 others I lost in the last two years and it could all really weigh on me. Thankfully it doesn’t because I know that all 13 of my friends and loved ones loved Jesus and had accepted Him as their Lord and Savior long before they breathed their last breath.

Honestly I started getting jealous because so many of the most amazing, talented, loving people I know have all recently gone on to heaven, and there is one more, a teenager, who is currently in hospice care. While we do not grieve as those with no hope, we still grieve. Those of us left behind have to learn to move forward in the life God has called us to, sometimes with gaping holes left by those gone on before us. That is why it can be difficult. memories may flood back, tears may be shed. Thank God for His Blessed Hope!

Inspiring-I had a friend who attended the same church as me for 20 years. She was quiet, reserved, those of us who knew her, knew she had a heart of gold. God called her to be a hospice nurse and it was a calling she took very seriously. The character of Charley reminds me of Diana. She cared deeply for her clients and their families. She saw it as a privilege to usher them home. I say all this in past tense because Diana went home to be with Jesus a few years ago, she had a bad heart. It takes a very special person to be able to do that job well. I am inspired to be more like Charley, and Diana, after watching this series.

I really hope you will join Pure Flix and check out all they have to offer, especially “Going Home”.

Giveaway

One US based winner will receive a 3 month subscription to Pure Flix. The giveaway ends at 12:00am EDT on Saturday, June 18, 2022. The winner will be notified by email and they will have 24 hours to respond with the requested info to claim their prize.

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Grace is a term that in the Christian context I had a hard time wrapping my head around. I knew that grace was God’s unmerited favor and without that gift of grace, there is no salvation. I had a hard time understanding grace between humans, until I met some truly graceful people. These people, who have asked not to be named, came into my life during a period of great change, when I was searching for direction.

I am a textbook Enneagram 1. Everything is black and white with me, there is no gray. Truth, justice, loyalty, and ethical are all words that resonate to my core. Grace doesn’t fit into my make up so easily. God had to stretch me, I had to grow in grace so that I could learn to walk in it. Grace Looks Amazing on You may help you to learn to walk in grace as well.

About Grace Looks Amazing On You

What if today is the perfect time to notice God’s grace in one another?
Women are so often weighed down by comparison, anxiety, and fear that the idea that grace could look amazing on them feels unbelievable. But all around us are flashes of grace, shining examples of God’s love.

Amy Seiffert says it’s the everyday moments that Jesus shines through: making time for a friend even when your to-do list is pages long; apologizing to your neighbor when you don’t want to admit you are wrong; opening the Bible when your soul feels hollow and empty.

Making the choice to accept God’s limitless love no matter what and reflecting it back to the world around you—friend, that’s when His grace looks amazing on you.

A perfect gift to affirm and encourage any woman, Grace Looks Amazing on You is a timeless Christian message packed with personal story and reflection, Scripture, and deep biblical truth. This 100-day devotional will help you change your perspective so you can confidently radiate the grace of Christ.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

Grace Looks Amazing on You is a well-written devotional for moms wanting to grow deeper in their relationship with God and His Grace. I’ve only had the book for about a week so I haven’t read it completely. One devotional that stood out was #52 Look Up its about celebrating others instead of comparing ourselves to them.

Author, Amy Seifert, writes like she is telling a story to a friend, which is very endearing and enjoyable. Her honesty, vulnerability, humor, and wisdom come across in each devotion. I admire her ability to see the God lessons in everyday life.

While this book, which is available on Amazon, would be a wonderful gift for any young mom, older moms may have trouble relating to the stories Amy shares, I know I did. My kids are grown so stories of young children aren’t relevant to me. We homeschooled birth- high school so all her stories about waiting for the school bus are lost on me. That being said, I will be gifting this book to a young mom in my life because I know she will appreciate the wisdom within its pages.

If you would like to win a copy for yourself, there is a giveaway over on Blessed Freebies. The giveaway ends on 5/10/2020 and there will be 2 winners.

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Children learn best by imitation. They see others doing something and they want to do it too. This is why we often hear that parents need to model the behaviors they want their children to have. When our children observe us praying, reading Scripture, and attending church, they want to be a part of those activities.

I have volunteered in Children’s and Youth Ministries for almost 40 years, I believe wholeheartedly in age appropriate spiritual education. The 60-90 minutes a week a child is in Kid’s Church is not enough to be the sum total of a child’s spiritual upbringing. That is the job of the parents. “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. ” Proverbs 22:6.

The question I hear most from parents is, “What should I be doing at home?” My answer always starts with the basics I’ve listed above-pray, read the Bible, and attend church. This is where the Faith Forward Family Devotional comes into play.

About the Faith Forward Family Devotional

This devotional is written by Ruth and Patrick Schwenk. They are the coauthors of For Better or For Kids: A Vow to Love Your Spouse with Kids in the House and the creators of TheBetterLifeMinistry.org, which is home to TheBetterMom.com, ForTheFamily.org, and RootlikeFaith.com. Patrick and Ruth have been married for more than twenty years, have four children, and have been in full-time ministry for more than fifteen years. They live in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Faith Forward’s goal is to help you raise faith-filled kids who know, love, and live for God. Each of the 100 devotions include a Bible passage, teaching applicable to children of any age, a key idea to learn and remember about God, questions designed to spark discussion, and a guided family prayer. You can purchase your copy of the devotional here. You can also enter to win a copy of the book here. However you acquire your copy of the book, I pray that it blesses you and your family.

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We have had 3 passionate, divisive presidential elections in a row. In 2008 & 2012 the evangelical Christians were on the losing side. We were afraid for our future and for our children’s future. It has been a very difficult 8 years. We have watched our nation be torn apart by hatred and racism. We have paid fines for not opting in to a federal health plan that we didn’t want.

America, as the founding fathers created her, was quickly slipping away. Her people have spoken. Like it or not it is time to come together as one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Since writing those words I have watched both Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama speak to the nation. Both called for unity in the country. Hopefully once the sting of this loss has dissipated, we will begin to heal and come together as one nation.

We must continue to pray and seek God’s face. We must humble ourselves and reach beyond our homes, families, neighborhoods and cities. They will know we are Christians by our love. Now is not the time to become weary in well doing. We need to find a need and meet it, find a hurt and heal it. Only by being the hands and feet of Jesus can we affect change.

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A few months ago I was introduced to the movie, Faith of Our Fathers when I was invited to an early preview. Unfortunately, I wasn’t available to make it to the preview so I am glad that today I can bring you the DVD.

About Faith of Our Fathers

John Paul and Wayne are two young men in search of their fathers. Problem is…their fathers have been dead for 25 years. Eddie and Steven are two young men in search of their sons…whom they’ve never met. In 1969, Eddie and Steven are with their squad deep in the jungle of Vietnam on a five-day mission to retrieve fallen comrades. They write letters to their wives, often mentioning their love for their sons, one, who is an infant and one yet to be born. In 1994, John Paul and Wayne go on a five day road trip to the Vietnam Wall in Washington DC to see their fathers’ names. Along the way, reading those letters, they begin to get an understanding of who their fathers were and how they died. Trials and mishaps, both funny and sad, complicate the road trip for the boys. The horrors of war and the testing of faith manifest themselves for the young men in Vietnam. Ultimately, in parallel stories – 25 years apart – the fathers and sons are bound together forever.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

My husband and I watched Faith of Our Fathers together the other night. While the first half of the movie is a bit slow, it is a good story. I can’t imagine growing up not knowing my father. There are many people in my generation who lost their fathers in Vietnam and that is a fact I never even stopped to consider since it didn’t touch me directly. Life is a journey and in this movie John Paul and Wayne go one a journey that is physical, mental and spiritual as they road trip together. This is a Pure Flix movie so thankfully, while there are war scenes and themes everything is handled delicately and there is nothing offensive in the movie.

The Giveaway

I am giving away one copy of Faith of Our Fathers. This giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and verified. The winner will be notified via email and they will have 48 hours to claim their prize. The Mom Maven is not responsible for prize fulfillment, that is the responsibility of the giveaway sponsor. 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. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. This giveaway ends at 12:00am on 11-13-15.

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Good Luck!

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For the last month or so I have been seeing a lot on Facebook about the movie Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas. The movie opens in theaters on November 14, 2014 for a limited 2 week engagement. The other morning I was checking the website to see where it was playing near me. Trying to find time in our calendar, the last 2 weeks before Aaron’s wedding to drive 30 minutes to see this movie was proving difficult. Later that day, I received an email asking me if 1) I would like to participate in a conference call with Kirk Cameron-YES 2) Would I like to watch the movie via online screener in the comfort of my home before it is released int theaters-YES and 3) Would I write a review of the movie and host a giveaway of movie swag-YES!

On November 5, 2014 I was a part of a conference call with Kirk Cameron that also included a Twitter chat, you can check out #kirkchat on Twubs to read the tweets. While on the conference Kirk told us about the movie and why he made it. He also answered some of our questions about his life and family (he is a homeschooling dad of 6!), Growing Pains, his faith and Christian walk. If was fun to hear from him and to learn a little more about the personal side of Kirk.

About Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas

This Christmas, have your family join with Kirk Cameron’s family and dive headfirst into all the joy, dancing, celebration, feasting, imagination, and traditions that glorify the true “reason for the season.” KIRK CAMERON’S SAVING CHRISTMAS is an engaging story that provides a biblical basis for our time-honored traditions and celebrations, and the inspiration to stand strongly against a culture that wants to trivialize and eliminate the faith elements of this holy season. So take in the splendor; take in the majesty; take in the story. Take it all in… and let’s put Christ back in Christmas! KIRK CAMERON’S SAVING CHRISTMAS is in theaters for a limited engagement beginning November 14 for two weeks only!

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

This movie wasn’t at all what I expected it to be. I would call this infotainment or an illustrated sermon. The movie was slow moving and the parts with the character D’Andre could have been omitted and nothing would have been lost in the message. That being said…I loved that this movie helped me look at traditional symbols of Christmas in a new light. The swaddling cloths, the Christmas tree, the toy soldier and even Santa Claus have their place in a Christian Christmas celebration.

I would recommend this movie for those ages 12+, I feel younger children would be bored.This is a great movie for a small group or church to see together as it would be a wonderful springboard for discussion.

Saving Christmas Soundtrack

1. Joy-1 Girl Nation
2. Christmas Time Again-Steven Curtis Chapman
3. Saving Christmas-Building 429
4. Let Us Adore-Jason Crabb
5. Away In A Manger-Casting Crowns
6. Deck the Halls-Tenth Avenue North
7. Hark The Herald Angels Sing-Matt Maher
8. Silent Night (Christ is Born)-Jason Crabb
9. O Holy Night-Kerrie Roberts
10. O Come, O Come Emmanuel-Rhett Walker Band
    Bonus Track
    Father, My Father/Silent Night-Isabella Cameron and Kenzie Mae

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The Faith Dare: 30 Days to Live Your Life to the Fullest 

There are several online Bible study sites available, I have used several of them. What sets Women’s Bible Cafe apart for me is the way they do small groups. Though there are hundreds of women studying the same book at the same time you don’t just feel like a number when you get involved in a small group. For each study there are several small groups available each day of the week. All small groups take place in a closed private group on Facebook so that nothing you are sharing is visible to your Facebook feed. I chose the Wednesday morning 9am ET group and I knew at our first meeting that this was the group God wanted me in. I fit right in with the other ladies in my group and with our awesome leaders, Heather and Sharon.

I am telling you about it now because in 2 weeks the fall study begins… Read the Bible for Life (Workbook). The Read the Bible for Life study looks like it is going to be an awesome study.

This study equips individuals and churches to better understand the Bible by introducing readers to its history, genres, interpretation, and proper application to transform lives through reading and studying God’s Word. God inspired the biblical writers to use a variety of literary types, including stories, poetry, proverbs, parables, and others.

The study begins September 16, 2013 so order your workbook now (there is no Kindle version). Go to the registration page for the fall study to let them know you will be joining in the study.

I pray the Lord blesses you as you study His Word with your sisters in Christ online.

Disclosure: I was not asked to write this post, I am just sharing information that I hope you find helpful. There are affiliate links in this post. If you purchase your book through one of those links I will make a very small amount of money which goes to help maintain this site.

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What is I am Second?

Actors. Athletes. Musicians. Business leaders. Drug addicts. Your next-door neighbor. People like you.

The authentic stories on iamsecond.com provide insight into dealing with typical struggles of everyday living. These are stories that give hope to the lonely and the hurting, help from destructive lifestyles, and inspiration to the unfulfilled.

You’ll discover people who’ve tried to go it alone and have failed. Find the hope, peace, and fulfillment they found. Be Second.

Why should you watch?

The short videos, most are 8-15 minutes, are of real people, who have battled real issues and come out on the other side because they have chosen to put God first and Be Second. What are you struggling with? There is probably a video or two, just for you.
Struggles:

• Abortion
• Abuse
• Anger
• Affluence
• Cancer
• Child Abuse
• Contentment
• Death Disabilities
• Divorce (visit sites like https://www.thetxattorneys.com/fort-worth-divorce/agreed-uncontested-divorce for additional guidance)

• Eating
• Fatherlessness
• Forgiveness
• Grief
• Identity
• Marriage
• Meaning
• Molestation
• Overcoming
• Prison
• Pride
• Prostitution
• Purpose in Life
• Racism
• Relationships
• Satisfaction
• Self-esteem
• Sex Addiction
• Substance Abuse
• Success
• Transformation
• Trauma
• War
• Work

Look at this list, if you are honest with yourself there is at least one struggle listed that you can identify with. I am Second has videos on each of those topics.

I have watched several of the videos but I want to share one story with you. This past Friday night my husband and I went to see the Tampa Bay rays play the Toronto Blue Jays. The Jays starting pitcher was R.A. Dickey. His pitches were very difficult to hit. He threw knuckle ball after knuckle ball and it was annoying me that he wasn’t mixing up his pitch selection. I texted my friend, David who happened to be at the Phillies game and complained about Dickey’s pitches. He told me, “That’s all he throws, don’t you know his story? Look it up when you get home.” I didn’t look it up when I got home, I went to bed. Saturday I sat down at my computer to finish up this blog post and I went to the I am Second website and the first video I saw was that of R. A. Dickey! I love the way God works! I watched the video and was touched. I am sure David doesn’t know all of R.A. Dickey’s story so I immediately emailed him the link to the video. I’m praying it touches his heart.

Seconds Change

Give Change, Make Change– Many more stories are waiting to be told.  You can help.  Commit $2 every Tuesday to build film funds, and your contribution will be used to develop, produce and promote new films. Join the project and become an I am Second insider with access to exclusive content via Facebook.

You can get involved for only $2.00 a week. You can help make more of these life changing videos.

Some day I might be bold enough to honestly share my whole story as these people have but for now I am Cindy Schultz and I am Second.

Disclosure: I have received compensation for this post. All opinions are 100% mine.

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Truly living out God’s Word is simple, but it isn’t easy. In Luke 14:27 Jesus says, “And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (NIV). This passage is meat and it is a tough piece to chew and swallow. This passage is also the focus of the second film of Lisa Chan’s new series, True Beauty: Finding Your Identity in Jesus (David C Cook/Flannel, March 2013), where Lisa Chan–co-founder of the mega-church Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley—presents another option for women: Deny Yourself. In this impactful teaching, she demonstrates a way of life that is full of contentedness and joy.

We live in a “me first” society where most people don’t put other people before themselves, let alone God. In this passage we are being called to put down our plans, our agenda and seek God’s plans and walk them out-no matter how hard. For the last 2 months I’ve been honored to do ministry with a group of young adults who have put their lives, education and personal relationships aside to follow after the calling God has on their lives. It is a breath of fresh air you work with 18-28 year olds who understand and are living out Luke 14:27 on a daily basis. I am striving to be more like the kids I am ministering with and Lisa Chan’s DVD couldn’t have arrived at my home at a better time.

True Beauty Deny Yourself TRAILER from Flannel Staff on Vimeo.

Are you on this Christian journey? Do you want to understand this passage more deeply? I recommend getting yourself a copy of this devotional DVD. Last year I reviewed the first installment in this series Be Still, and I can’t wait for this summer’s release of Not of This World.

The Giveaway

One winner will receive a copy of Lisa Chan’s DVD “Deny Yourself”. The giveaway ends 4/22/13 at 12:00am. The winner will be notified via email and have 48 hours to claim their prize.

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Disclosure: I received a copy of the DVD for the purpose of this review/giveaway. All opinions are 100% mine.

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