Fruitbearers

One can never own too many Bibles, right? I am pleased to add this CSB (Christian Standard Bible) Life Counsel Bible to my Bible collection. It's like having God's wisdom plus application to counseling at my fingertips. It contains more than 150 articles on various topics related to marriage, parenting, relationships, mental health, and more. The overall theme is the gospel of God's grace. These articles are written by trustworthy Biblical counselors and scholars such as Paul David Tripp, Edward T. Welch, and Joni Eareckson Tada. This unique Bible provides hope, encouragement, and practical wisdom for life's tough issues such as stress, anxiety, grief, depression, addiction, sexuality, abuse, crisis, suicide, finances, adoption, conflict, and parenting struggles.  Each book's introduction includes Circumstances of Writing, Contribution to the Bible, Structure, and Truth for Healing. One of my favorite features in this Bible is: over 100-word studies with the Hebrew...

" God is good. So good ," said Mary Owen. I completely agree with her. God's goodness never ceases to amaze me. We are so undeserving, yet He is so loving, forgiving, and giving. My family and I first met the Owen family when our daughter took a speech/debate workshop with them in Newberg, Oregon. They are a lovely Christian family. We got to know Shelli, Bruce, Jessika, Mary, Ruth, and Elijah a little bit. We have never met Rachel (their other daughter). When we heard about Mary missing on Mount Hood, we prayed urgently for her to be found alive and for her family. When we heard that she was rescued, we were overjoyed and thanked God for this marvelous miracle. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I was curious to find out about all the details and backgrounds concerning this awesome story of God's merciful intervention, provision and protection. During spring break in March 2013, Mary Owen (23 then), an avid hiker, determined to summit Mount Hood no matter what, ...

The Hill is an inspiring movie based on an incredible true-life story of Rickey Hill, a baseball phenomenon. His unlikely journey to play Major League Baseball is filled with health obstacles and opposition from his own father. As a young boy from a poor family in Texas who struggles with a degenerative spinal disease, Rickey loves playing baseball and does not let his leg braces stop him from pursuing his passion. God blesses Rickey with two special gifts: an extraordinary ability for hitting a baseball and an extraordinary ability to comprehend and memorize the Scriptures. Due to the desire to protect Rickey (played by Colin Ford) from injury, his father, Pastor James Hill (played by Dennis Quaid) discourages the former while encouraging the latter. However, Rickey never gives up his dream of playing professional baseball, in spite of having to overcome one challenge after another. He displays faith and determination that defy the odds, intending to live his life with no regrets....

I would like to invite you all to experience The Hiding Place (stage production) in this spectacular new global cinema event, coming to theaters on August 3 (tomorrow) & 5 only. The Hiding Place tells the heroic true story of Corrie Ten Boom and her family in the Netherlands. They risk everything (including their lives) to hide hundreds of Jewish refugees during World War II until they are discovered and as a result, they have to endure terrible consequences. The Hiding Place was beautifully adapted for the stage by A.S. Peterson, directed by Matt Logan, and filmed for cinema audiences in Nashville, Tennessee. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It is 2 1/2 hours long but it went by quickly because I was totally absorbed into the story and performance. Brilliantly performed by the cast. Great music score, too. A simple family of watchmakers shows hospitality and offers safe shelter to multitude of persecuted Jews during the time of darkness in Europe under the ruthless tyranny of t...

Sound of Freedom is a powerful must-see film based on the true story of Timothy Ballard, a former US government agent who quits his job in order to devote his life to rescuing children from global sex traffickers. The story begins with a parent's worst nightmare. A father in Honduras cannot find his daughter and son when he comes to pick them up from a "talent audition" where he drops them off. Tim saves the boy from traffickers, but his sister is still kept captive. Tim decides to risk his own life journeying deep into the Colombian jungle to free her. Sound of Freedom is such an important and impactful movie that aims to help raise awareness about the prevalence of human trafficking and propel people to fight against this evil. I cannot recommend it enough. Bring tissues. I have to warn you that certain scenes in the movie will be hard to watch even though they try to show its mature and sensitive subject matter in a tasteful and honorable way. This real-life story is...

I personally enjoy studying the Bible. I desire to know God more and more intimately. I don't want to miss out on anything God wants me to know. I always appreciate tools and resources that help me understand the Bible better. In addition, I've always wanted to visit Israel.  Encounter the 3D Bible by Dr. Susan Michael is an easy but impactful read. It makes me more mindful of how the places, people, culture, and events in the Bible fit together so beautifully. This book is not a Bible study but a book that gives you tips on how to read the Bible in such a way that enhances your understanding and your appreciation of the Bible. The Bible will go from 2D to 3D and makes your Bible study richer and livelier. It whets your appetite for digging deeper into God's Word as digging for precious treasures. The author gives guidelines to help us read the Bible in context (historical context, geographical context, cultural context, and literary context/genre). Without a proper unders...

In this world of chaos, distractions, and negativity, we all can certainly use words of encouragement, especially soul-nourishing and faith-strengthening messages from God's Word. I was excited to receive the You Are Loved Scripture Writing Journal and the 4x4 Scripture Card Set . The card set consists of 52 beautifully designed cards with affirming messages about who you are (in Christ) on one side and corresponding Scriptures on the other side. The colorful floral images in the background are pleasing to the eyes and make the words stand out. The 108-page Scripture Writing Journal complements the card set with the same affirmations and Scripture references plus space to write Scriptures, journal, reflection, and prayer. I encourage you to get into a habit of writing out Scripture. It really helps us remember better (hiding God's Word in our hearts) and focus our thoughts/mind on what God thinks of us, says about us, and how much He loves us. These wonderful truths will help u...