AFA Staff
AFA Journal staff reviews movies, books and other resources
June 2015 – “In the middle of our brokenness, when the world is sweeping us up, throwing us into a trash can, and sending us to the dump for eternity … God can step in and breathe life back into our souls,” writes Ross Alan Hill in Broken Pieces: Nothing is Wasted.
This 100-page volume can be read in a sitting or two, and time invested in it will give hope and encouragement to the reader. In a timeless metaphor, Hill describes how artist Chris McGahan salvages broken pieces of glass to create a Redento Raffinato, a stunning blown-glass vase – just as God takes the broken pieces of our lives and restores them into new creations. Redento Raffinato is an Italian phrase meaning “redeemed elegance.”
Hill is founder and CEO of Bank2, a community bank in Oklahoma City, where he uses a Redento Raffinato to spark conversations and share his faith with all who enter his office.
In Broken Pieces, Hill shares a number of inspiring stories of how God has used his office, his faith, and a Redento Raffinato to change lives. The book is available at http://rossalanhillbooks.com.
Review by Randall Murphree
Jimmy
Based on the novel by Mark Freiburger released in 2013, Jimmy is the story of a 14-year-old who is mentally disabled due to an accident when he was a baby. Jimmy lives with his lawyer father and loving stepmother in a small southern town where he is thoroughly accepted and encouraged to participate in the community. He doesn’t always understand what is going on around him, but he has an amazing ability to remember what he sees and hears.
One of Jimmy’s greatest fans is his grandfather who takes him fishing, teaches him to climb a telephone pole, explains life, and encourages him not to quit when faced with fear.
One cautionary aspect of Jimmy is that he sees beings, whom he calls “Watchers.” No one else can see them. The viewer assumes these are angels because they speak only truth and encouragement to Jimmy, and they portray a loving God watching over one of His precious ones.
A spiritual thread is woven through the entire story, but faith is presented in a very natural way. This is a realistic view of a young man’s struggle in life as he confronts fear, death, and evil.
Jimmy is a wonderful family movie but is not suitable for children under 13 without parental guidance. For more information visit: afastore.net.
Review by Debbie Fischer
Dad’s Devotional Bible
Dad’s Devotional Bible from Zondervan includes notes by Robert Wolgemuth, nationally known speaker and author. Setting the book apart are its many features including manly introductions to the books of Scripture for fathers. For Romans, Wolgemuth says, “The book of Romans is a user’s guide to the Christian faith that was inspired by the Manufacturer, but written by a user. Whatever you do, don’t let this one stay in the glove box.”
Other features include 260 short devotions with passages to read and verses to memorize for each weekday. Available at bookstores and online.
Review by Teddy James
The Big Picture Family Devotional
The Big Picture Family Devotional is written with today’s family in mind. It is compiled by pastor David R. Helm and members of Holy Trinity Church (PCA) in Chicago.
Designed for three days a week, and requiring as little as 5-10 minutes, it contains 45 weeks of lessons and 5 weeks of review that are spread throughout the year. Each lesson contains a short Bible selection and a brief devotional paragraph, and each concludes with reflection and questions for interaction.
At the end of the devotional book are songs and choruses reinforcing the lessons. A booklet of corresponding Bible verses is also included.
This excellent resource is geared for use with children ages six to ten. The Big Picture Family Devotional is available online.
Review by Debbie Fischer
Love Finds You in Charm on UPtv
In the UPtv premiere of Love Finds You in Charm, Emma Miller (photo at left) longs for a life with more color and excitement than her family’s Amish farm offers. When she gets a chance to travel and help on her cousin’s farm in Charm, Ohio, she jumps at it. Once there, she stays busy in the Amish lifestyle she is accustomed to but still wishes to experience the world outside the Amish community.
Frequent trips to the library and encounters with the many tourists in Charm bring her in contact with “Englischers,” as the non-Amish are called. When a food blogger takes interest in her specialty homemade goat cheese, and puts on a touch of extra charm by taking interest in her, Emma finds herself intrigued by the life of travel and adventure he offers. At the same time, she struggles to discern her feelings for a young Amish man who works on her cousin’s farm.
Parental cautions are few. There is a brief glimpse of a scantily clad woman on the back of a magazine, and cleavage is revealed in some scenes. In one scene a man finishes off multiple glasses of wine, but Emma quietly refuses a taste. When one man tries to kiss her, she slaps him, but later embraces and kisses another man.
The film premieres on UPtv June 7 at 7 p.m. EDT. It is the second in UPtv’s Love Finds You series, following Love Finds You in Sugarcreek.
Review by Stacy Long
Rainbows and Promises and Take Off Your Shoes
Anne Dier Wilson books are written from a grandmother to her grandchildren.
Each story in Rainbows and Promises begins with a Scripture, ends with a prayer, and uses themes that children can relate to. The beautiful illustrations were done by Stacey Davis.
Take Off Your Shoes, You’re Standing on Holy Ground is written in two parts. The first began as a letter to Wilson’s granddaughter describing how to develop a deep relationship with God. It is intended as a daily devotional, though the readings vary widely in length.
The second half, Shoe Therapy, is written by Lenora Nazworth and uses a more conventional devotional format. Each short passage begins with a verse of Scripture or quote, and uses shoes to illustrate our need to trust and obey in our daily walk with God.
Both Take Off Your Shoes and Shoe Therapy would be excellent resources to read together with young girls.
Proceeds from the sale of each of these books go to two charities: Shreveport-Bossier Community Renewal and Volunteers of America.
For more information or to purchase, contact Anne Wilson at 318-286-2056 or wilsonanne5000@gmail.com.
Review by Debbie Fischer
