The Least Among You - Movie Review

“The Least Among You” a production of Lionsgate and presented by Witenuckle LLC & Rough Diamond Productions, is a movie based on a true story of faith, family and commitment. Richard Kelly, played by Cedric Sanders, is a young man arrested during the 1965 Watts Riots for beating a police officer. He is sentenced to probation, providing he attends an all White Seminary. When Kelly arrives at the seminary, he finds obstacles there that dwarf those on the outside world.
What I expected was to be watching the trials and tribulations of faith in one young man, only to find that many if not all of the characters in this film were battling with their own faith and commitment. This movie has many top name actors. Louis Gossett, Jr,, the gardener, Lauren Holly, the schools’ only female professor, and William Devane, the schools’ administrator are just a few of the wonderful actors which bring this story to life.
Along the way Kelly, played by Cedric Sanders, finds that he is bucking a system at every turn, yet keeps fighting for what is right. He finds a mentor in Samuel Benton, the gardener, played by Louis Gossett Jr.
My favorite line in this movie is “Leaders are not chosen, they’re called.” God speaks to each and every one of us in His own way. We need to listen and be ready to do His work. As the title implies, it is not always the strong and mighty that are called, but in most cases the weakest or the least of us are to take charge when change needs to be made.
This is a wonderful movie that should be an inspiration to anyone who sees it.

The Wake of Forgiveness

"The Wake of Forgiveness" by Bruce Machart, is a novel of the hard life of a family at the turn of the twentieth century. This novel tells the story of loss and life. We follow the life of Karel Skala, the main character, as he goes through hard times, with the loss of his mother during his birth. We see trials and tribulations between families and within family. It's a story of love lost and found with many twists and turns along the way. The story jumps back and forth in time giving the reading a glimpse into the history of the family and Karel's life as well as how his life turns out in the end. Machart has an interesting way to telling the story and you will not know what to expect with each subsequent chapter. One major event, brings a family back together, and community shows that it cares for it's own. A very good read.

Out Live Your Life, by Max Lucado

"Out Live Your Life," by Max Lucado, is a wonderfully scripted book which guides the reader on life's journey. Lucado utilizes Scripture to show and explain what we can do with our life, beyond the readers imagination and only through God. Each chapter is an expose of how life creeps up on each of us and before we know it, time passes, and if we're not careful or alert to what God has created for each of us, our time could be up. Many times it takes something dramatic to turn our lives around and begin to listen to God. We were all created by Him for a purpose. What we have to do is Pray, Listen, to what God is telling us, and then Act. You'll be amazed at what He has created us to do. Chapter 3 entitled ' Let God Unshell You', is the story of a man who has not listened to what God has been telling him, and through this example, turns the man around. When he encounters a man in old clothes and looking dirty, is attempting to purchase items and a convenience story with food stamps, finds that he can not afford the purchased because he doesn't have enough monetary value in food stamps to complete his purchase. The first man reverts back into his shell after briefly starting to offer to help pay for the purchases. In the end, God strips away the shell and shows us that we need to help. My favorite passage from this chapter is as follows: 'Let God unshell you. And when He does, make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. (Gal. 6:4) Don't miss the opportunity to discover your language.' Each chapter ends with Scripture, which follows the reading throughout the chapter. Bravo Max Lucado for another wonderful read and study.

"The Heavens Proclaim His Glory"

“If God has the power to create and sustain the universe, how can you or I think His power is insufficient for our daily lives?” Anne Graham Lotz
“The Heavens Proclaim His Glory” is majestic in picture, Scripture, and quotation. The photographs taken by the Hubble Telescope are breathtaking and wondrous, and the facts associated with each help you understand what you are seeing. God’s mighty hand is truly evident in the heavens! Children and adults alike will enjoy learning more about this pristine world of space while reading this book. This is definitely an encouragement to get out a telescope and a Bible, sit in the backyard, look at the heavens, and enjoy.
I was blown away by the pictures in this book. It is something I have shared with everyone who has come in our door, and the book has a prominent place on our coffee table. This isn’t really a book to be picked up and read straight through, but rather one that you can savor time and time again. I want to thank the Book Sneeze program for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book.

The Butterfly Effect, Andy Andrews

Andy Andrews has captured the attention of the literary world again, with his writing of "The Butterfly Effect." This insightful read will grab you from the beginning and you won't be able to let go. This selection gives the reader the insight to realize that what we do, does matter, and in fact, the effects of what we do can and will be felt for eternity. A prime example of this theory, is the story of Joshua Lawerance Chamberlain, a schoolteacher from Maine, who finds himself leading a Union force during the battle of Gettysburg, during the American Civil War. His decisions and actions taken that July 2, 1863 had great impact on the outcome of that battle and probably the end of the war itself. The above is just one example of what you will read in "The Butterfly Effect. My favorite quote can be found right at the beginning and is by Any Andrews himself. "Every single thing you do matters. You have been created as one of a kind. You have been created in order to make a difference. You have within you the power to change the world." This quote says it all. We are in control of our lives and it's up to each and every one of us to use that power and to make the correct decisions and correct actions. Thank you Andy for another wonderful and thought provoking read.