Uncovered by Rod Tucker - REVIEWED

About the Book:

Greg was homeless. As he walked through the park one day, he was surrounded by people. Good people. Caring people. Christian people. People doing ministry. But people totally oblivious to Greg. No one saw him, talked to him, noticed him, or tried to minister to him. The Christians were preoccupied—working hard on the ministry they were putting together—a ministry intended to provide help and healing to the most vulnerable in their city, a ministry designed to reach . . . the homeless!

How do Christians, benefactors of the overwhelming grace of an immeasurably generous God, fail so miserably at showing and distributing—of all things—grace?

In voice and style evocative of Donald Miller and Scot McKnight, yet with a message all his own, Rod Tucker explores how we Christians have become masters of self-deceptive and fake moral living. Just like Adam and Eve, we don’t want anyone to know we are spiritually naked. But covering up around God denies us the freedom of his grace. Until we can be honest with ourselves, honest with God, and honest with others, daily grace will continue to elude us, either as gift received or as gift given. We remain trapped in our Botox spirituality until we come to grips with exactly who we are.

My Thoughts:

“So how can the church become a safe place for people to enter into true community?  I can imagine that the answers to that question are quite diverse and for some, extremely complicated. My point in asking the question is not to provide an answer.” (p 93)

Rod Tucker’s book, Uncovered, presents a lot of general statements like the one above that lead the reader in a series of circles.  He’s all about being honest and safe and telling folks the gospel – loving them like Jesus loves them, but he doesn’t want anyone to feel condemned or unsafe in church.  He even uses examples of his gay friends feeling condemned in his presence when he never knew he was saying anything condemning.  Conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit, so I’m surprised that Tucker doesn’t realize that the Holy Spirit’s presence in his life convicts people of sin.

While I realize that people can’t affect spiritual transformation in the heart, I am fully convinced that if someone repents from sin that the Holy Spirit will convict and life change will occur.  So in the absence of that change – as displayed one of the folks in chapter 12 – their sinful choices never changed they just found a “safe” place to worship.  That, to me is even more dangerous, because if the truth of God’s Word is “safe” according to Tucker’s definition – it is ineffective.  And I KNOW that not true.

So, Uncovered needs to be reconsidered in the light of God’s Word. I work in a VERY morally diverse job, so I know what it means to show the love of Jesus to folks without condemning them.  I will never speak condemnation to them, but the Holy Spirit will continue His work in their hearts, and that will either produce repentance and a life of transformational change – or outright rebellion of God altogether. 

John 3: 18-21

About the Author:

Rod Tucker is the founding pastor of The River:pm, a church in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and author of Remembering a Forgotten Grace: Thoughts on Shame, Beauty, Romance, and Radiance. Growing up attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings with his parents instilled in Rod the necessity of honesty, the urgency of grace, and the beauty of community. Through books, speaking, and various forms of media, he seeks to open conversations with real people who are pursuing a real God. Find out more at www.rodtuckersays.com.

Alone Yet Not Alone - Releasing in June!! Don't miss it!!

ENTHUSE ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES NATIONAL THEATRICAL RELEASE FOR ALONE YET NOT ALONE  

FAMILY-FAVORITE FILM SLATED TO OPEN FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND, JUNE 13, 2014 

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (April 8, 2014) – Enthuse Entertainment  presents the riveting family-friendly drama,  Alone Yet Not Alone. Slated for a broad release in over 200 theaters nationwide June 13, 2014, the flagship production stars Kelly Greyson (Return To The Hiding Place)  with Jenn Gotzon (God’s Country, Frost Nixon) and actor/musical artist Clay Walker (Clay Walker: Jesse James).  

Alone Yet Not Alone is based on the true story taken from the novel of the same name written by Tracy Leininger Craven that speaks of hope triumphing over despair, of faith overcoming fear and of victory prevailing over adversity.  

Last fall the movie was shown at 11 select locations as part of a "sneak peek” week long release (Sept. 27, 2013), achieving the second highest grossing per screen average (combining theater ticket sales with Seatzy ticket sales) in the country.  Alone Yet Not Alone banked $11,434 per screen average in its limited release opening in Grand Rapids, Mich.; San Antonio, Houston and Dallas, Texas;  Knoxville and Franklin, Tenn.; Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; Atlanta, Ga. and Colorado Springs, Colo.  The Christian audience's enthusiastic reception helped rank Alone Yet Not Alone as one of the highest per screen average independently released faith-based films to date. 

“Previous success has sparked a heightened interest about the film and we are excited to now introduce Alone Yet Not Alone to a wider audience this June,” says Executive Producer, Ken Wales (Amazing Grace, “Christy” TV Series). 

The film will release through the movie ticket reservation platform and new film distribution company Seatzy™ (www.seatzy.com/alone).  Seatzy allows moviegoers to participate in the process of supporting the films they love by getting ticket reservations in early and assuring the film will play in the theater closest to them. It also allows moviegoers all across the country the opportunity to bring the movie to their city if the movie is not playing nearby. 

"I am thrilled that Alone Yet Not Alone is the first nationwide release for Seatzy theatrical distribution and our advance sales ticketing platform," says Dan Merrell, founder and CEO of Seatzy.  "We've developed a unique screen by screen marketing program that we are confident will allow us to open successfully in local markets.  Our diverse marketing team is gathering commitments from consumers, churches, ministries, Christian radio and strategic influencers that will ensure positive results on Father's Day weekend.  It's an exciting new way to bring a compelling story like this to market." 

Depicting a family at a critical juncture in America’s history, the film is designed to encourage and uplift families in difficult times, through sharing the inspiring story of Barbara and Regina Leininger and their journey of faith and survival during the French & Indian war in 1755. Captured by the Delaware Indians after raiding their home, and transported over 300 miles of wilderness to Ohio, the sisters are sustained only by their abiding trust in God, and their hope of escape against all odds to be reunited with their family. 

Alone Yet Not Alone  is a movie filled with action, drama and suspense shot on location at historical sites in Tennessee, Virginia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina to allow audiences to take the journey with the characters. Filmmakers realized that in order to tell the story authentically, they would need to shoot where the events actually occurred or those similar in terrain.

Highlighting themes of endurance, perseverance and faith with positive values and entertaining action sequences that make it safe viewing for families, the film also garnered the “Family-Friendly Seal” (12+ years) with a five Dove rating from the prestigious Dove Foundation, an organization that provides online family movie and video reviews and ratings. 

“Everyone who is an adult or approaching adulthood needs to see this film,” says Dr. James Dobson, founder and president of Family Talk. “The technical quality, the beauty of the acting, and most importantly the inspiration of the story will get to your heart and elevate your spirit.”

George Escobar and Ray Bengston co-directed James Richard's screenplay while James Richards, Bud S. Smith and Ken Wales served as executive producers. Barbara Divisek, George Escobar, Michael Snyder and Cynthia Garcia Walker produced the movie.

For more information about Alone Yet Not Alone and to watch the movie trailer, please visit www.aloneyetnotalone.com.

Seatzy: www.seatzy.com/alone

Website: www.aloneyetnotalone.com

Link to Official Trailer: http://youtu.be/T1h3w7TQ99I 

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/aloneyetnotalone

Title Song: http://youtu.be/BWVyVMbSzM4

About Enthuse Entertainment:

It is the vision of Enthuse Entertainment to produce God-honoring, faith-based, family friendly films that inspire the human spirit to seek and know God.  "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To God be the glory forever, Amen." Romans 11:36. For more information, please visit www.enthuseentertainment.com. 

TWO DATES LEFT FOR BRITISH ACTOR DAVID PAYNE'S U.S. TOUR PORTRAYING THEOLOGIAN C.S. LEWIS

One-Man Show An Evening With C.S. Lewis Set For 

Final Stops in Lexington, Ky., and Roanoke, Va.

British actor David Payne portrays C.S. Lewis in his one-man show, "An Evening With C.S. Lewis," on Tuesday in Lexington, Ky., and on Wednesday in Roanoke, Va. (David Payne photo)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 7, 2014) -  Two dates remain on the U.S. tour featuring British actor David Payne, who travels the world with his one-man show titled An Evening With C.S Lewis, in which he portrays the legendary author, poet and Christian philosopher C.S. Lewis. The show will stop Tuesday, April 8, at the Lyric Theatre in Lexington, Ky., and Wednesday, April 9, at the Jefferson Center in Roanoke, Va. Payne, who has portrayed Lewis more than a thousand times for audiences all over the world, is renowned as the premier portrayer of the famed theologian. He is a favorite of The C.S. Lewis Foundation and regularly performs at its U.S. conferences and Oxbridge, the organization's worldwide tri-annual conference in England. CCM Forever is presenting Payne's tour, which has already enjoyed successful dates in Athens, Ga., Dothan, Ala., Chattanooga, Tenn. and Macon, Ga.    Ticket prices in all markets are $20 (Economy), $30 (Premium) and $40 (VIP seating plus Meet & Greet with Payne) plus taxes and service fees. Show times in each market will be 7 p.m. "I am honored to return to the U.S. in my role of C.S. Lewis to bring An Evening With C.S. Lewis to audiences of all ages," says Payne. "Mr. Lewis has influenced several generations with his writings and theology and I am humbled to portray this amazing man." Lewis, poet and author of The Chronicles of Narnia and Mere Christianity, is considered by many to be one of the literary giants of the 20th century. Payne stumbled into his role as C.S. Lewis when he read an advertisement that said, "Auditions for Shadowlands. British accents a help!" in 1996 for a theatrical production to be staged at Nashville's Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Payne, who had never been onstage before, decided to audition in hopes of landing a minor part. He surprised everyone--including himself--when he won the lead role. The rest, as they say, is history and a successful acting career had been launched. Payne has played Lewis in a number of productions of Shadowlands, in his self-penned Weep for Joy and St. Jack and the Dragon stage productions, and in more than 500 presentations of An Evening With C.S. Lewis. He has had many voiceover commissions and narrated the entire Bible for the audio version of the new Holman Christian Standard Bible.  For more information about Payne, visit davidpaynedrama.com.   About CCM Forever:  Christian Artists Group, with various divisions, including CCM Forever and Classic  Christian Artists (CCA) Magazine, is an organization that promotes all kinds of Christian entertainment, including Contemporary Christian artists from the 80s and 90s whose ministries still continue today. A number of CCM Forever productions currently are touring throughout the U.S., including the God of All Glory Tour with Steve Green, Larnelle Harris, Twila Paris and Wayne Watson, and An Evening With C.S. Lewis starring David Payne. For more information, visit ccmforever.com.

Summer of Joy by Ann H. Gabhart - REVIEWED

About the Book:

As summer draws to a close Jocie's world seems serene--but is it just the calm before a storm?

Unbeknownst to Jocie Brooke and her family, two people are making their way to the small town of Hollyhill, Kentucky. One everyone thought was gone for good and the other no one's ever heard of. Still, one thing is sure--they promise trouble. The past is coming to call, threatening to destroy strong relationships that everyone has simply taken for granted.

The summer of 1964 may be winding down, but the controversy in this little community where nothing ever seems to change is just heating up.

Bestselling author Ann Gabhart invites you to Hollyhill for a story both exciting and enduring that will stick with you long after you turn the last page. 

My Thoughts:

“All I can give you is the truth.”  (p. 299 – DeeDee to Jocie)

In truth, I think Ann Gabhart’s latest book, Summer of Joy, is a journey toward truth.  David Brooke is trying to wrap his mind and heart around the gift of Leigh in his life.  Jocie is busy trying to survive her first year in highschool  while watching her Dad rediscover love and relationship – bringing to her the promise of having a mother in her life.  Tabitha has returned home to Hollyhill, an unwed mother of a bi-racial child, Stephen Lee.  His presence makes everyone a bit more thoughtful  toward one another.

This is already a full and complex set of characters, but Gabhart adds Zella, Wes , Adrienne (aka DeeDee) and wildcard, Edmond Hammond.  These characters add spice and mystery, cause questions and concerns and, in general complete a very involved and mult-layered set of charcters who are each pursuing the answers to their own life journey.  Summer of Joy ultimately contains true joy in many hearts, but the journey to that place is not an easy one.  Hollyhill is a small town that is filled with folks who are all about everyone else’s business.  I think that is one reason everyone halts and stutters along their path, because they are ever aware of everyone else’s thoughts and opinions.

Ultimately, the answers come to each situation, but the price exacts a piece of the heart in almost every instance.  People must grasp truth at any cost, and, when that happens, joy does indeed come onto the scene.  There was an unexpected source of danger that was woven throughout the story, and for me, that was the element that blended all of the angst, heartache, searching and questions so that when the moment of truth came it was realistic and believable.

I enjoyed my time in Hollyhill and look forward to Ann Gabhart's next project!

About the Author:

Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of Angel Sister, Small Town Girl, and Words Spoken True, as well as several Shaker novels--The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted--and...

Continue reading about Ann H. Gabhart

Acts of God - RELEASING APRIL 15th!! - REVIEWED!!

SEVEN LIVES, ONE QUESTION... WHY?

A moment of crisis changes everything. One stormy night a sudden, shattering collision takes an innocent life. Now six people find their lives intertwined by the accident and hard questions reflected in their own lives. Why do such tragedies occur? If God is good, why does he allow so much pain? As each of them struggle through the challenges and the aftermath, threads of hope and faith along with close friends become the lifeline to a strength they could never find alone. Nationally esteemed pastor and author Bob Russell is featured as himself in a powerfully dramatic film that brings his teachings to vivid life.

My Thoughts:

“There are times when the pain is so intense that words – even the words of God – don’t help at the moment.”  (Pastor Bob Russell)

Acts of God is a film that takes an honest look into the lives of people who are experiencing profound loss and walking through crippling grief.  This film is honest about the fact that from a human standpoint, there are times that we face as believers that cause us to choose whether or not we believe that God is indeed a good God who cares about His children.  We must choose to tap into the strength that lies within Christ’s finished work on the cross.  Only faith provides the strength, the grace, the mercy needed to survive the brutal circumstances that life brings to our doorsteps.

In an even more specific sense, Acts of God portrays what grace and mercy look like in real-world circumstances both corporately and personally.  Sarah is at the vortex of tragedy in this film, and all of the other character’s lives and trials come together in a tragic and realistic way.   The screen writers didn’t sugarcoat things in this film, and the viewer is forced to take an honest look into the hearts and minds of the characters as they deal with some pretty horrific situations.

I wouldn’t say this film is depressing or dark in a total sense.  It carries the message of hope, of grace and mercy, and of God’s faithfulness, but it does so within realistic circumstances and realistic time frames.  The life of the believer isn’t a series of unbelievable miracles and problem free circumstances.  Rather, it is the daily choice of walking in God’s strength through whatever life brings our way. 

This is the most POWERFUL film I’ve seen in a very long time!!  I was challenged to look at grace and forgiveness from a new perspective.  I walked away from the film encouraged and strengthened to face my own life challenges with God’s help.  Like Sarah, I choose to believe that God is good and that He can be trusted no matter what.  DON’T MISS THIS FILM!!!

Message from Bob Russell - ACTS OF GOD Behind the Scenes from City on a Hill Productions on Vimeo.

STAY TUNED I will be conducting and Interview with Bob Russell in the near future!!

Hands of Darkness by Heather James - REVIEWED

About the Book:

Evelyn Barrett has a new job, a new baby, and a new life—of sorts. Nearly crushed by the horrific abduction and murder of her daughter (book 1, Unholy Hunger), Evelyn is moving on as best she can.

No longer allowed to practice law, she is recruited by one of the detectives from her daughter’s case to become a police consultant. Her inaugural case becomes a baptism by fire as she joins the hunt for a chillingly methodical and sadistic serial rapist and murderer.

Her revulsion and anger fuels a passion for justice . . . and then it becomes personal. Her friend and law school roommate, Jen, becomes a victim. The rapist has made a catastrophic mistake with Jen: he has left her alive and able to talk.

Filled with the chilling tension of Unholy Hunger, Hands of Darkness explores the emotional and spiritual consequences for all involved when justice and compassion collide head-on with the darkest examples of human depravity.

My Thoughts:

“If you ever find yourself standing in a hole, and the hole is dark – creepily and fearfully so – it wasn’t God who put you there.  When God gets invited to the party, He comes in with the only think He Has. He comes with light.”  (p. 85)

“He’s a greedy one, that Devil.  His thirst for us in never satisfied and never quenched, even when he succeeds in picking us off one by one with rape, murder, pedophilia, pornography, drugs, and any other feat of destruction that strikes his undignified fancy.”  (p. 123)

Quite honestly, Heather James latest novel, Hands of Darkness, is a difficult novel  emotionally, and spiritually.  I mean that in the most positive light possible.  But I don’t want anyone to pick this up and think this is an easy read that will only entertain.  It is terrifyingly real, raw and edgy and lives are forever changed.  Lives are profoundly challenged.  There are no easy questions and there are no easy answers.

The entire novel  I found myself begging God to spare Evelyn any more pain.  Yet  as the novel developed, and I was able to see her faith lived out in the real, gritty, edgy context  of Twenty-first century circumstances, I couldn’t help but turn inward and ask myself, could I be that confident in my own faith if this happened to me?  Then I had to realize that the possibility that Evelyn’s life circumstances could, in fact, happen to me,  I had even greater respect for her character.  And I was terrified!

But oh, how my heart ached!  How my heart raced! How my mind reeled throughout the story.  There were times I wanted to read with my eyes closed! There were times  I found myself seeking God for the fictional character’s life!  This is real. This is powerful.  This is something everyone needs to consider and ask God for the confident, strong faith to withstand the Darkness.

WOW!! Just….WOW!!  So powerful!!

About the Author:

Heather James is the author of the Lure of the Serpent Series, suspense novels that pack quick wit into the high heels of attorney turned vigilante, Evelyn Barrett.

In addition, Heather is a practicing lawyer in California and a columnist with The Bakersfield Californian. Her columns focus on the humorous aspects of marriage and parenthood. Heather is married and works at home, raising two young sons.

The Ragamuffin...a story about redemption, forgiveness, faith and the true meaning of God's unconditional love

Los Angeles, Calif. (April 2, 2014) – The Ragamuffin film, based on the life and legacy of best-selling Christian music singer/songwriter Rich Mullins, is set to release on DVD May 6, 2014. The Color Green Films full-length feature will release first exclusively in Walmart retail stores through Millennium Entertainment followed by a nationwide CBA retail release on July 8 through Capitol Christian Distribution.

 In conjunction with the DVD release, the Ragamuffin Movie Tour launched earlier this year and is currently screening the film across the nation. Debuting to a sold-out house at the Orpheum Theatre in January, the tour will run through May 2014 hosting screenings in small venues – churches, college campuses, community theaters, etc. You can find a theater near you where the film is screening by going to: www.itickets.com/ragamuffin

 Produced by Color Green Films, Ragamuffin stars Michael Koch as Rich Mullins. The film is written by Ashleigh Phillips and David Leo Schultz and is produced and directed by Schultz. Additional producers include David Mullins (Rich’s younger brother), David Holechek and Ryan Bodie. Ragamuffin showcases several members of the Mullins’ family and features the talents of Schultz (as Sam); Wolfgang Bodison (Bryan); James Kyson (Matt); Mel Fair (John Mullins); Carson Aune (Justin); Elizabeth Ann Roberts (Jess) and Michelle Keller (Neva Mullins). The film’s title comes from A Ragamuffin Band, a band name that was inspired by Brennan Manning’s book, “The Ragamuffin Gospel.”

“Ragamuffin is a stirring film that will touch audiences and challenge them to consider what is most important in their own lives,” says Schultz. “The movie’s heartfelt themes include redemption, forgiveness, faith, and the true meaning of God’s unconditional love.”

 Mullins, who died in a 1997 accident at the age of 41, grew up in Indiana, the son of a tree farmer father and Quaker mother. He performed with a touring Christian music group in his teens, and then attended Cincinnati Bible College from 1974 to 1978. Moving to Nashville in the 1980s, Mullins wrote songs for Amy Grant, Debby Boone and other notable Christian artists and recorded nine solo projects with Reunion Records. He was nominated for twelve Gospel Music Association Dove Awards throughout his career, and had many #1 radio hits. His church standard, "Awesome God," was voted in 1989 as one of the top three songs of the decade according to the Christian Research Report.

 “The response has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Schultz. “God is using this film to touch lives, which is what we wanted to do in the first place.”

 For the latest news and updates regarding Ragamuffin, please visit:
 Website: http://ragamuffinthemovie.com/ 
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/richmullinsfilm
 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYXTnIKD-0kP67cvzjmS3ow Hope hose needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. The Foundation

 About Color Green Films Color Green Films was founded in 2005. CG Films is a work in progress, as our audience grows for our films, we hope to as well. We hope to create art. Picasso once said that "taste is the enemy of creativeness.” Both life and tastes are ephemeral and ever changing. We hope to create films that can be a train station for all the passions, desires, dreams, and creativeness that we can think up. A tunnel through which we can laugh, cry, dream, and hopefully inspire.