Let God (DVD Review)

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this DVD, at no cost to me, for review purposes.  All opinions in this post are my own.

When all is lost, there is hope. As rumors of gold in California spread across the United States in 1848, Levi decides it is time to head west with Amelia, his young housewife, to stake their claim and build a better life. Against her better judgment, Amelia honors her husband’s demands, leaving her home and family. Secretly, they join the last wagon caravan of the season dangerously late, leaving behind a string of bad debts. On the trail, they encounter unimaginable danger that will ultimately change the course of their lives.

After a savage attack takes her husband, Amelia is left alone and without resources. For the first time, Amelia must take life into her own hands, battling winter, hunger, and the unknown. As she grows weaker by the day, she finds strength in a mysterious and unexpected guide. Survival becomes a race against time and Amelia must find something greater than herself to help survive the frigid winter along the Oregon Trail.

As "Let God" begins, we see Amelia on her own, struggling to survive in the wilderness.  Through flashbacks we catch up on the back story:  Amelia and her husband departing from home to head west, then leaving the safety of the wagon caravan.  In another flashback Amelia is hiding during the attack that kills her husband.

"Let God" started out slowly, but picked up as it continued.  Because Amelia is so often alone, the film doesn't contain much dialogue.  Amelia's wavering faith makes a poignant subplot.  It's absolutely family friendly, although I don't think young children would be interested in watching.  A few times I was confused and had to ask my husband, "What about ...?"  (He knew all the answers, so it must just be me!)

 Overall I'd say that "Let God" is a good movie, but not a favorite of mine. 

For more information and to see the movie trailer, visit the Word Films page for "Let God."

The Kissing Bridge (Book Review)

After reading a lot of Amish fiction for a while, I don't think I've read any for a few months.  When I saw that The Kissing Bridge by Tricia Goyer was available from BookLook Bloggers, I readily accepted the free-to-me e-book for review.

When her sister died in childbirth, Rebecca--a young Amish woman--felt helpless because medical help did not arrive in time and she was not able to save her sister.  That day she determined to be a nurse in order to help give her Amish community better access to health care.  At the start of the book, she is conflicted because her community does not approve of higher education; if she pursues her dream, she will be rejected by both her community and her family.

Without telling her family, she borrows a friend's computer and takes classes online.  She earns her high school diploma and begins nursing classes.  She is accepted by a nursing school in Oregon.

Again without telling her family, she leaves her hometown by train to move to Oregon.  Along the way she stops to visit an old friend in Montana.  There she meets Caleb, a young Amish man with his own family issues, and struggles to choose between her attraction to him and her dream of becoming a nurse.

The Kissing Bridge is a very sweet story, and I enjoyed it.  The character interactions are realistic and interesting.  Goyer has an exceptional way with words, and reading her work is a joy.  I also appreciated that the book is absolutely family-friendly, with no profanity or mature content.

For more information and a book preview, visit the Zondervan product page for The Kissing Bridge.

The Ultimate Debt Forgiveness

Easter is my favorite holiday.  Doesn't it sort of encapsulate everything we as Christians believe?

• We all do wrong, to some degree, and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
• In God's justice system, forgiveness of sin requires a sacrifice. (Hebrews 9:22)
• We all deserve death for our sins. (Romans 6:23)
• Jesus came to save us from our sins.  (Matthew 1:21, John 1:29, 1 Timothy 1:15)
• Jesus lived a sinless life.  (1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 Peter 2:21-24)
• He took our sin upon Himself. (1 Peter 2:21-24)
• He voluntarily gave up His life for us. (John 10:18)
• He suffered and died to pay the price for our sin. (Isaiah 53:5, Romans 4:25, Revelation 1:5)
• His death was the sacrifice for our sins. (Mark 10:45, Romans 3:25, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 1 Timothy 2:6, Hebrews 9:15,)
• After three days He rose again from the dead. (Mark 16:6, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 1 Thessalonians 4:14)
• If we believe, forgiveness is given to us as a gift from God. (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8)

This past Sunday we celebrated Palm Sunday, a remembrance of when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem as King.  As is customary, we received palm leaves at church.  I like to fashion them into a cross to represent the week from Palm Sunday through Good Friday and Easter.  This is a week to remember just what Christ suffered for our benefit.  For how many people would you lay down your life?  Jesus did that voluntarily for me and for you.  It's almost more than I can comprehend.  Do we ever take that in stride?  Taking communion is certainly a reminder, but do we think of Christ's tremendous sacrifice more frequently than that?  Do we get desensitized to the beating, the blood, the pain, the humiliation of that sacrifice?  If so, what does that mean for our spiritual walk?

I am by no means perfect in this (or any!) regard, but if I'm drifting, Easter week brings me back on track.  What brings you back to focus in your walk with Christ?