December 2014 – Wise, winsome and witty
Rules for Patriots by Steve Deace
Conservatives across the country share many experiences in common. We have all been excited about a political candidate with deep conservative convictions and were told our candidate was unelectable because his beliefs were too conservative. We have all been invested in a candidate we believed to be conservative only to watch him buckle under the lights of a prime time debate. We have all been in the middle of an innocent conversation when someone brings up a hot button political topic and we suddenly find ourselves surrounded by liberal talking points; then, try as we might, our logic just can’t cut through the fog of uncivil discourse. 

Over the past several years I have read several political books saying they could explain why all that happened and offer help in how to handle it. The vast majority of them had two things in common: Democrats are bad and Republicans are good. Steve Deace’s (photo above) Rules for Patriots is different – his formula is: liberal Democrats and liberal Republicans (Republicrats) are equally bad for America. Conservatives with conviction and backbone from any party are good.

Where Deace also veers off the beaten track of most political books is through his 10 commandments for conservative politicians and citizens. He believes following these commands will lead our country to once again be a fortress of true liberalism defending the ideas of freedom, boldness and faith.

All of his commands are simple to understand but difficult to follow. 

Commandment number three, “Never accept the premise of your opponent’s argument,” is one of the most important. For years, conservatives and Christians have allowed culture to frame debates on such issues as abortion, homosexual marriage and indecency laws in ways that make us seem bigoted. To be against abortion, according to abortion supporters, is to be against women’s rights. Deace rejects that premise, saying it is standing for unborn life. The fight for homosexual marriage is based on a faulty premise that Deace takes a few paragraphs to deconstruct and destroy.

Tim Wildmon, president of AFA said, “In Rules for Patriots Steve lays out the good, the bad and the ugly on the condition of our country and then lays out a game plan for conservatives to regain a real place of impact on the culture, including politics.”

That game plan involves being a people and a political party of conviction and high moral calling. Deace goes as far as saying in commandment four, “Never surrender the moral high ground,” and in commandment six, “Never abandon your base” (unless it’s morally wrong).

One of the most important and poignant sections of Rules for Patriots says, “We don’t owe [the Republican Party] any loyalty. I repeat: we don’t owe this party any loyalty. One more time in case you missed it: we don’t owe this party any loyalty.

“They owe us.

“Stop treating the GOP like a religious cult. Let’s reevaluate our relationship with the party, and make it less personal and more business-like. When your employees don’t do the job you hired them to do, you don’t feel emotionally betrayed and then close up shop. No, you simply fire them and get better employees. This party isn’t deserving of our emotions, nor is it worth the salt in our tears.”

Deace’s book contains ideas and thoughts every conservative has had at one time or another. What sets it apart is that it is written with wit, winsomeness and wisdom. Deace has a real plan to impact not just the political climate of America, but American culture as well.

Hear the Steve Deace Show on select American Family Radio stations at 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Stream his show any time online at stevedeace.com. Rules for Patriots is available online and at bookstores.
Review by Teddy James

Guy Penrod “Christmas”
What is Christmas without the sound of Christmas music filling a home? It draws one’s heart to the true meaning of Christmas, all the while filling the home with beauty and love. This is what award winning gospel singer Guy Penrod’s recently released music project, Christmas, will do. With a blend of country fun, contemporary, and traditional music, Christmas offers some of the most popular seasonal songs for young and old. 

Among the more familiar songs are “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “Breath Of Heaven,” “Twelve Days of Christmas” and “White Christmas.” A beautiful addition is “A Cradle In Bethlehem,” originally recorded by Nat King Cole. Amy Grant and Vince Gill are featured on “Tennessee Christmas,” a song recorded by Grant on her first Christmas album in 1986. 

Internationally known, Penrod’s popularity grew from his years with the Gaither Vocal Band. He is currently host of Gospel Music Showcase, a Daystar Television Network program featuring Southern gospel music every Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Christmas will be a welcome and uplifting addition to any Christmas music library. It is available for purchase on CD at store.gaither.com/SHD8934.item or by digital download at the iTunes Store, Amazon.com or Google Play.

See AFA Journal, September 2014 for our interview with Penrod.
Review by Debbie Fischer

Mom’s Christmas stories from real life
Whitney White has just released her new Christmas book for children, Kids Are Like Christmas Trees. It is the companion to Don’t Swallow the Baby Jesus and Who Left Jesus in the Box? 

The first book, Don’t Swallow the Baby Jesus, introduces Aaron and his little brother, Aaden, and clearly presents the complete gospel. The title means no disrespect – it simply tells what almost happened in the White family. Their story continues in Who Left Jesus in the Box? Aaron, Aaden and their baby brother learn the importance of Christ’s coming while discovering a fun way to celebrate His birth. The theme that we are fearfully and wonderfully made is woven through the third book, Kids Are Like Christmas Trees.

White’s gift of storytelling is complemented by colorful illustrations to make this collection of books great for reading to young children. 

All three books are available at amazon.com.  
Review by Debbie Fischer

The Christmas Light
It is a few weeks before Christmas and Grandon Community Church is planning the annual Nativity pageant. Two retirees, Gloria and Miriam, have been asked to lead this year’s pageant. Though they are best friends, the pair are as opposite in personality as two women can be.

Gloria and Miriam manage to recruit five individuals for key roles, each facing their own struggles with fear and heartache. They also gather a group of children to partner with the adult choir. In the midst of chaotic and humorous rehearsals, the message of Christmas begins to shine the light of hope.

The Christmas Light is a very touching story and a perfect gift for Christmas. The message is clearly one of God’s redemptive plan, with a bit of humor mixed in. Available online and at booksellers.

Donna VanLiere is a bestselling author and speaker. For more information about all of her books visit paperbackswap.com/Donna-Vanliere/author.
Review by Debbie Fischer

New Cameron movie strong in fundamentals
In the movie Mercy Rule, life appears to be perfect for the Miller family. John and Uncle Ben (Kirk Cameron and comedian Tim Hawkins) run Dante Scrapyard, a successful family business started by their deceased father. Always there to help keep priorities straight and hold the family together is John’s wife Maddie (Chelsea Cameron). Son Cody is trying to achieve a place in the starting rotation as pitcher on his Little League team. Cody’s sister, Bea,  is the best big sister a brother could have, continually encouraging and building Cody up. 

Into this seemingly perfect life comes an unscrupulous lobbyist whose goal is to take over the family business. It looks like John’s naivete may cause them to lose it all.

Having a shot at pitching is Cody’s dream, and when his coach continues to deny him a chance, he has to come to grips with how a true team player responds and supports his team.

Mercy Rule is a movie about family, about what it means to be a “No Quit Family” and about the importance of godly character. There is no direct verbal reference to faith or dependence upon God, but biblical standards are displayed throughout. The pace of the film is slow at times, and the details about the business tend to be a bit confusing. However, the baseball scenes are exciting, and Uncle Ben and Coach add some great humorous moments. This would be a good movie for families with children of middle school age and up.

For more information go to mercyrulemovie.com.
Review by Debbie Fischer

A Long Way Off  * CAUTION *
A Long Way Off retells the familiar story of the prodigal son in a modern American setting. Jake, the young prodigal, takes his inheritance and leaves his father, brother and the family-owned farming business to seek the delights of the big city, complete with a Maserati, glamorous and greedy women and risky investments in video game software. Even when his new ventures fail, he struggles to trust himself to the unconditional love of his father. The film includes several questionable scenes portraying heavy drinking, partying and women behaving seductively. There is also one scene with very brief violence.
Review by Stacy Long