"Roadmap Genesis" Movie Review and Giveaway

Okay, so maybe this is cheating but, I'm going to start by giving you the official description of this film because, to be honest, it wasn't what I was expecting. And it wasn't what I was expecting solely because I didn't thoroughly read the description.

Roadmap Genesis is a film documentary that makes the case that the Book of Genesis is a roadmap containing guideposts on how to live a productive, fruitful, and fulfilling life that will help our society lift itself out of its current decline and return it to prosperity, promise, and accomplishment.
When Filmmaker Nolan Leibovitz found himself at a crossroads in his life, he knew he had to choose between continuing to make the Hollywood suspense thrillers that were his livelihood and trying to make the world a better place for his new young family. After much struggle, he found his answer in the Book of Genesis.
He decided to combine his love of the Book of Genesis with his passion for filmmaking and set out to travel the United States, interviewing clergy and public figures in order to build an undeniable argument about the continued importance of the Book of Genesis as guiding force in our Judeo-Christian country.

Roadmap Genesis invites Americans of all faiths to engage in a dialogue about the relevance of the Bible in the modern age. Through interviews ranging from Gov. Mike Huckabee of Fox News Channel to Rabbi David Wolpe, from Alan Dershowitz to the Archbishop of Chicago Cardinal Francis George, from Erick Stakelbeck of the Christian Broadcasting Network to Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis and the Creation Museum, and many, many more, Nolan explores the rules that God has set forth to help us maintain a successful and working society.

See, when I read the title "Roadmap Genesis", what my brain read was "Roadmap TO Genesis" so I was expecting a historical documentary about artifacts or something. Yay me.

There was definitely a let's-make-the-world-a-better-place feel to this film. Which is needed. If everyone would help just one person, everyone would be helped right. It was nice that all the people who were featured agreed that Genesis pointed to major themes of humanity like:

-You matter because you were created

-The inability to communicate with others is a huge issue

-Family is of great importance

-We need to take care of our 'Garden'

-Yes, we ARE our brother's keeper

While I agreed with the themes of film, I didn't agree with everything that was said. For example, one man said that he figures Sodom and Gomorrah weren't destroyed because of the sins of the wicked but because the righteous in the city didn't stand up against it. Umm, chapter and verse please. The Bible is quite clear as to why they were destroyed.

Ezekiel 16:49-50
Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.

I find it frustrating to listen to people who are making correct points using incorrect arguments. Therefore, I was frustrated a few times in this film.

However, near the end, there was a piece on a group of people who serve the poor in the San Francisco area which moved me to tears. I watched "Roadmap Genesis" with my father and mother and after it was over, my mother suddenly said, "I know what I need to do. I KNOW God wants me to get some blankets and food together and go hand them out."

Now you must understand something; my mother is afraid to speak to anyone new - especially strangers living on the streets! I'm once again in awe at God's transforming power! I love that God used this movie to move her to action.

Would you like to see "Roadmap Genesis"? Leave a comment and have your name entered for a chance to win a free copy. Good luck.






Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

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. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

"Race for Freedom"

I thought this time I'd choose a juvenile fiction to review so that my children could enjoy it too once I was done. "Race for Freedom" by Loise Walfrid Johnson is a story about a young girl who wants to help with the Underground Railroad, a young boy who does help with it, and a young black boy who is fleeing from his captor. The main character, the young girl, is the daughter of a steamboat captain which is why most of the story takes place on a steamboat.

"Race for Freedom" is book two in the series and, unfortunately, I didn't realize that when I ordered this book. While I managed to piece together what was going on in the storyline, it quickly became obvious that I wasn't part and partial to the entire plot. Therefore, if you're going to read this book, be sure to read number one in the "Freedom Series" first. It's titled "Escape into the Night". The other thing to keep in mind is that there are 6 books in the series. On the final page of "Race for Freedom", I actually felt like there was a mistake because it felt very unfinished. I found myself thinking, "What? That's it?" But I suppose that's to make you want to buy the next book.

But are you going to want to buy it? I enjoyed that virtues like honor and standing up for what's right no matter the cost where praised. This is sorely lacking in a lot of juvenile fiction. I also liked the side story about the immigrant family on board the boat. What I didn't care for were the descriptions of where on the steamboat the kids were. I couldn't picture it in my head.

One thing I didn't expect was that out of 249 pages, 40 are not part of the story at all. Instead they include a study guide, and chapter 1 of the next book. If you homeschool, this could definitely be easily used as part of your Language Arts curriculum - especially if you like to combine Lang. Arts with History.

I got a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. If you want to get a copy, you can go to http://mpnewsroom.com/books/race-freedom.

Authority in Prayer

If there is one area in my life that needs improving, it's prayer. I'm very intrigued by people who can stay focused and connected with God for hours on end. This is why I was pleased to review "Authority in Prayer" by Dutch Sheets. (Yes, that's the author's name)I'm not sure what I thought this book would be or how it would catapult me into a prayer warrior mindset but I was open to whatever the Lord wanted me to see.

I certainly didn't read this book in an afternoon. It was at times humorous, at other times plodding. Occasionally I had to stop and look something up in my Bible and other times had to mark my Bible because I learned something profound. Mr. Sheets did a good job of clarifying the roles of power and authority as laid out in Scripture as well as what prevents us from having powerful prayers. (I won't go into it now - you can read the book)

One yellow flag, not a red flag - just yellow, that I have with this book stems from the portions of the book that deal with prayers of declaration. If the Holy Spirit is leading you to declare - awesome! But I have seen this abused. We do not order God!!! It is blasphemy and must never be done. So it isn't the book that I find fault with but rather people's tendencies to go to far; to make gods out of themselves.

No doubt, if I read this book again in a year, I'd get a lot out of it all over again. At times I knew I wasn't grasping what was being said but on a whole I feel blessed for having read it.

BTW, I got a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest opinion.

"School of the Prophets"

Let me start with an amazing story of God's grace and timing.

I grew up in a church that taught the sign gifts were no more. People who practiced them were using the devil's power (or something like that) Then, my brother in law goes on a mission to find out what these people have that we in the conservative brethren circles don't. Not only does he learn that Holy Spirit is alive and active still on planet earth, but that He wants to work through us too! Excuse me for a moment to emphasis the miraculous component in this because one week earlier, if you had asked me about people who spoke in tongues, I would have said they were toying with danger.

Then, I attended a baptism for someone involved with a church other than my own and a young man came up to me and said, "Would you be willing to come to our Thurs night meeting? You have the gift of prophesy all over you and I'd love to get a word through you." WHAT? I only found out a few months ago that it wasn't of the devil and you're saying I have that gift? But as he said it, my heart was thinking, "I know. It's like I always did know."

Then I started having some serious one on one time with God and He was all in my face about things and flowed over me with new revelation and visions and my head was spinning. But, there's no one at my church to talk to, no one to ask for guidance. I said to my husband, "I feel like a need to look into the School of the Prophets." I didn't say "I need to go to a conference." nor did I say, "I need to attend a workshop." I said the words School of the Prophets. (I didn't even know what that was except Elijah and Elisha were involved with one.) So you'll understand my glorious delight and tears when "School of the Prophets" by Kris Vallotton showed up in my mailbox the very next day!I review books for a couple of different publishing houses and this was the next one I was to review! Praise God. He's so cool.

As for the book itself, I can't say enough good about it! It was easy to read and choked full of important teaching. I laughed inside myself at the number of times a question would arise in my head only to be answered a few pages over. It was as though God had Kris Vallotton write this book with me in mind.

The author touches on the difference between O.T prophets and N.T. prophets, what our role looks like now, practical tips, and how to make sure your personal worldview isn't skewing your vision. If you think you have been given the gift of prophecy, READ THIS BOOK. Even if you don't but believe that from time to time God has given you words for others, READ THIS BOOK.

Like I said before, I review books for a number of different publishing houses. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

"A Love Letter From God" Sweepstake

I'm not sure if you can tell from the picture but 5 of the hearts on the cover of "A Love Letter from God" by P.K. Hallinan are actually cut out windows. Every page of this adorable book follows suit. This book is an easy to read poem about how much God loves you. Parts of the poem have of parent-talking-to-a-child feel which is quite fitting since God is our Heavenly Father who sent Jesus to die, paying the price that allowed you to be adopted by Him as His child.

One of my favorite pages reads:

Once in a while
a problem will come.
You may even fumble or stumble on some.

But always be certain
I'll take every wrong and use it for good,
to help make you strong.

Please excuse me while I cry big crocodile tears of thankfulness.

Even though this is definitely a book for children, I was blessed by reading it and the timing of it's arrival at my door was God's kindness as work. I needed a reminder of His tender love and it came in the form of "A Love Letter from God". If you are looking for a book to buy for a special child in your life, I whole heartily recommend this one. It is brightly illustrated, pleasant to read and the message it gives feels like a hug to the heart.

God loves you. HE LOVES YOU!!!! Praise His Name.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. If you'd like a copy, leave a comment below and I'll enter you into a draw for a free copy. The draw will be held January 7th, 2015. Good luck.

Secret Outlast Clear Gel

Alright I'll admit it, I sweat like a lumberjack in July. Gag. The best I can hope for is a deodorant that keeps the smell at bay because quite frankly, nothing is slowing down these underarms.

Hold the phone, what is this??? New Secret Outlast Clear Gel deodorant. I was sent a free stick because I'm a Bzzagent. (in other words, companies give me free samples because I have a big mouth.) I tried it and immediately hated it. It was all gooey and wet going on. No thank you. The smell was pleasant but the goo - ew. Not a fan.

Then, one hour, two hours, visiting with relatives, three hours... no sweat. No sweat? How can this be? it's a Christmas miracle. No, actually it's this gooey deodorant, which in truth, dries in a few seconds - I'm just textually sensitive. Now I can't make up my mind. Is it worth a few seconds of sticky for hours of dryness? I'm starting to think it is.

You're welcome for too much information. haha

"The Patmos Deception" review

The sign of a great book is a neglected family and house. You can know I've found a page turner when we end up having Frosted Flakes for supper. In fact when my kids were little, I limited myself to one work of fiction every couple of months just so that they would be better taken care of.

While reading "The Patmos Deception", by Davis Bunn, my house was as clean as ever. It wasn't that it was a bad book or that I felt like it dragged, it just wasn't a page turner. Not once did I think, "This book will never end." but not once did I say, "I'll wipe up that spilled milk after I'm done this book."

The author seemed to know the geography of Greece and had insights into it's history and culture. At times the geographical outlining was a bit much. I don't really need to know which city is by which on the next island over from another. I'm just as happy to read about imaginary locations. What I do need in a suspense/action fiction is suspense and action. This was my biggest dislike about the book. I kept thinking, "Surely it's going to get exciting soon." but it just...didn't. It took me a long time to finish reading "The Patmos Deception"; not because it plotted along or was written in old English but rather because it was so easy to put it down. I was never on the edge of my seat.

I can't say I'd really recommend this book. It's not all bad; it just isn't great. At least there was no smut or graphic violence or a leading lady acting like a moron. Always a bonus.

If you like Greece, the sea, and a book that has a quiet feel to it, this one's for you. Just don't be deceived into thinking it's going to be full of suspense and action.

BTW, I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.