When you are working the harvest with all of your heart He gives you,  “Handfuls on Purpose” ~ Ruth 2 RSS Feed
 
 
 
 

as always praise Him

It has been a hectic couple of months and while the Lord has been faithful and wonderful we have been going through some extended family struggles. Of course not everyone is on your side when you choose to raise your family for the Lord. Sometimes even those close to you can be those most against  you and that hurts. Especially when they lose focus and start to see things unclearly. So when brother Beau Barton brought the word he did to The Well it was oh so welcome. Lots of folks I know are going through struggles right now. Sometimes our problems are our own doing, but sometimes they are not. Sometimes we suffer for doing right rather than wrong. Sometimes that can get discouraging. Very discouraging. We need to be reminded that it isn’t about us and there is always a bigger picture than the one we are seeing

Beau Barton brought us back to Paul and Silas in prison. They weren’t there because they had done something wrong. They were there because they were doing right.

The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.  Acts 16:22-24

That right there would have most of the Spirit filled church rebuking the enemy. Most would be speaking in tongues and demanding their release because well after all they are sons of the King! But not Paul and Silas, they took the beating knowing God himself was in control. How many of us have that faith? Not many I am afraid. Then after they took that beating they began to worship. There was no sound check. There was no air conditioning, there was no electric keyboard. There was no fancy stage or even an offering taken. There was pure I-love-you-Jesus worship. There was total dedication. There was if-I-live-I live-and-if-I-die-I-die but either way I will worship you, worship.  And what happened? Everyone was set free! Everyone! Not just Paul and Silas but everyone!

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. Acts 16:25-26

Worship changes things. True worship delivers folks who don’t even know they have chains on them. So what are you going to do about that situation you are in? I know what I am doing :D

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By 20th Century Fox

Based on a true story! Travel to Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, where a man murders five Amish girls in a senseless schoolhouse shooting before taking his own life. Through the eyes of a grieving mother, the film explores the Amish community's reaction---particularly how they extend unconditional forgiveness and support to the gunman's widow. Stars Kimberly Williams-Paisley. Dove Approved. Approx. 89minutes.

DVD Features:

  • Widescreen
  • Closed Captions
  • Spanish Subtitles
546985: Amish Grace, DVD
Amish Grace, DVD

We watched this movie last night so I thought I would share my opinion. Yep you get my 2 cents worth for free :) . This is the story of the Amish school shooting that happened a few years back. Having a heart for children and seeing clearly the dangers of public school, I pay close attention when I hear of school shootings, and I pray, hard. It truly breaks my heart and this one was no different, I remember it happening even though it was several states away.

I don't know know how closely this story follows the real one but it is believable that it could be close. The Amish folks were not much at all like our real Amish neighbors here in TN but I know there are different sects so who knows. The story line was good but the "realness" could have been much better. The guys appeared to have fake beards and the women had makeup on. I think any actress could forgo makeup to make a part real. But maybe that is just me. The story goes through the process of forgiveness after the shooting that resulted in the deaths of several young girls. And with some it was really hard to do. It brings up good family discussion but in general my crowd described it as "sad". Very sad. And I think they all cried. The actress who played the murderers wife was very good and made you really feel for her character.

Tragedy is sad. All the way around. But when we choose to take matters in our own hearts and harbor unforgiveness we are taking away the sovereignty of God. Judgment is His place. We can judge actions and determine whether they are right or wrong but it is up to God to dole out justice. We have received mercy so we should react with mercy, the rest is up to Him.

Anyway as for the movie, well is was pretty good, not really good but pretty good, and very tastefully done. The movie is family safe, and non offensive (except for the beards, lol) . The subject matter is the only reason you may need to consider whether or not it is appropriate for your family. Without spoiling anything I will say the end was worth sticking through the movie. God wins as usual. :)