Gossip

"A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much." (Proverbs 20:19 NIV)

"He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore, do not associate with on who flatters with his lips." (Proverbs 20:19 NKJV)

A gossip is an idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others (definition from dictionary.com). A gossip includes telling others what someone has told you in private (revealing secrets) and making statements that defame someone's character and reputation (slandering/backbiting). A gossip betrays trust and destroys friendship. Listening to gossip is just as bad as spreading gossip. "Anyone who will gossip to you, will gossip about you." (Unknown) Gossip is sin; it's unkind and unloving. We are to avoid anyone who talks too much, flatters with his/her lips, and/or cannot keep secrets because they are insincere and not trustworthy. We are not to mingle with talebearers, babblers, and flatterers. They are a danger to us. "A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin." (Proverbs 26:28) "Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet." (Proverbs 29:5) Let's also make sure that we ourselves guard our tongue and don't become talebearers, babblers, and flatterers. Let's make it a habit to walk away from gossip and from conversations that aim to tear others down. 
"Gossip is saying behind their back what you would not say to their face. Flattery is saying to their face what you would not say behind their back." (Unknown)
 
Prayer: Abba Father, please help me not to gossip and not to listen to gossip. I want to be a trustworthy person whom others can confide in and feel safe. Please enable me to guard my tongue. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Review: The Grandfathers DVD

About The Grandfathers:
From Sacrifice to Reconciliation, a Young Man Discovers His Heritage in The Grandfathers

The Grandfathers showcases both the burden and benefit of the Saint family’s legacy. Jesse Saint, Steve’s oldest son and Nate’s grandson, was not raised among the tribe like his father. He struggles to find his place under the weight of the memory of a famous grandfather he never knew and a heroic father he does not fully understand. This will all change after Jesse travels to the jungles of Ecuador with his family and gradually forms a special bond with Mincaye, one of the tribesmen who took part in his grandfather’s murder. Only then will he confront his family’s past and come to terms with his own destiny. And there he will find his place in this story.

The Grandfathers chronicles the personal quest for greater connectedness and significance. It is also a moving tribute to ordinary people living extraordinary lives in extreme situations. Jim Hanon, the film’s director, states, “Forgiveness is an awe-inspiring virtue that seems to have been passed on by the Saint family and is shared by many among the Waodani tribe—both demonstrate a profound capacity for forgiveness and healthy self-healing.”

Steve Saint consulted with Jim Hanon and Mart Green, EGM’s producer, to help bring the story of his father, Nate, to screen through the feature film End of the Spear and the companion documentary film Beyond the Gates of Splendor. These films trace events leading up to and including the deaths of these men. More than that, they show the impact these events played on the lives of both their survivors and their killers. When the widows and their children went to live among the Waodani—a tribe regarded as the most violent on earth—they became an integral part of an incredible redemptive journey.

The Grandfathers, completes a trilogy produced by EthnoGraphic Media (EGM) that includes End of the Spear and Beyond the Gates of Splendor. These first two films, also from award-winning director Jim Hanon and producer Mart Green, tell the unforgettable and inspiring story of the killing of five missionaries by a stone-age tribe deep in the Amazon jungle. The impact of this tragic event lives on today in families of these slain men as well as among those responsible for their deaths.

This inspirational film has been awarded The Dove Foundation seal of approval.
EGM is an educational nonprofit organization exploring the critical issues of our time through film and new media. It is a community of visionary writers, artists, and filmmakers that seeks to capture true stories of compelling virtue that speak to the human condition. Visit http://www.egmfilms.org/ .

MY THOUGHTS AND REVIEW:
Most people have heard about the gruesome murder of 5 missionaries (Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, Roger Youderian, Ed McCully, and Pete Fleming) in the jungles of Ecuador by the men from the Wadoni tribe, the tribe they tried to befriend. That tragedy happened in 1956, 22 years before Jesse Saint (Nate Saint's grandson/ Steve Saint's son) was born. The Grandfathers is a motion-graphics documentary that follows Jesse's journey from being indifferent to being impacted and then being very involved in the lives of the Wadoni people. He grew up in the shadow of his famous grandfather and his revered great aunt, Rachel (Nate Saint's sister who continued Nate's missionary work in Ecuador and spent 36 years with the Wadoni Tribe until her death in 1994), who was well loved by the Wadoni. When he was 16, his father moved the family to live with the Wadoni upon their request. Imagine the challenges and the adjustment! My 17 yo daughter and I enjoyed watching this film and laughed a lot. I know the subject matter is serious but the narrator and the interviews presented many funny moments. You have to see it to understand what I'm talking about :). By the way, I would not recommend this film for kids younger than 13 because there are some disturbing scenes/descriptions.

Jesse Saint's life made a huge turn after developing friendships with Mincaye and two other old men who took part in spearing his grandfather to death. From being heartless killers to becoming joyful, friendly people who love to laugh! It's a beautiful testimony of Christ's love, the power of forgiveness, heart transformation, and  reconciliation. No one is beyond God's grace and His redemption through Christ's blood! Not even the most violent tribe on earth! Jesse Saint lost one grandfather and as a result, he gained three grandfathers.

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the trailer.

~ I received a free copy of this DVD from The B&B Media Group in exchange of my honest review.

FIRST Wild Card Tour: The Dragon and the Turtle Go on Safari

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card authors are:

Donita K. Paul

and

Evangeline Denmark

and the illustrator:

Vincent Nguyen

and the book:

The Dragon and The Turtle Go on Safari

WaterBrook Press (January 11, 2011)

***Special thanks to Staci Carmichael, Marketing and Publicity Coordinator, Doubleday Religion / Waterbrook Multnomah / Divisions of Random House, Inc. for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

A former schoolteacher, Donita K. Paul is the best-selling author of the Dragon Keeper series, The Vanishing Sculptor, and Dragons of the Valley.

Visit the author's website.



Evangeline Denmark likes to turn bedtime stories into picture books. She lives in Colorado with her engineer husband, their two noisy boys, her author mom, and Willie, a cattle dog who tries to herd the entire family into one room.

Visit the author's website.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:

Vincent Nguyen has illustrated numerous children's books and is also a part of the art departments for 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios.


Product Details:

List Price: $11.99
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (January 11, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 030744645X
ISBN-13: 978-0307446459

AND NOW...THE FIRST FOUR PAGES...press the pictures to better view them:

My Thoughts and Review:
Padraig the Dragon and Roger the Turtle are camping outside in the dark. They pretend to be "safari" explorers. Their imaginations run wild. Exaggeration accompanies their fear. However, their friendship and their compassion shine through and boost their courage. When I read the book to my son, I found it a little confusing in the beginning but it turned out to be a silly, fun book. Unfortunately, the authors use a few big words that young children may not understand. Moreover, the story seems long and thus doesn't hold children's attention very well. The illustrations are cute but mostly dark because the setting is nighttime. This book includes a bonus story (The Legend of Mount Sillymanborrow) and conversation starters for discussion with your child(ren).

Download the Roger the Turtle coloring template.
Download the Padraig the Dragon coloring template.
The Dragon and the Turtle Go on Safari Contest Rules (ends Feb. 11, 2011)
Creative Cakes Contest ends Feb. 28, 2011.

DVD Review: Rust

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the trailer.


A Journey Home, A Faith Renewed.

Jimmy, a former minister, who is struggling with his faith comes back to his hometown, Kipling.  His childhood friend, Travis, confesses to setting a fire that kills a well-liked, well-respected Christian family of four.  Jimmy cannot imagine that Travis is capable of such a heartless crime.  He is determined to find the truth behind the tragedy.  This is a fantastic mystery that is uplifting, faith-building, and inspiring.  The two main characters, Jimmy (played by Corbin Bernsen) and Travis (played by Lloyd Allen Warner), deliver powerful performances!  (By the way, my husband and I think Corbin Bernsen somewhat resembles Gene Hackman :)).  The story is sad, beautiful, and touching.  Faith...family...friendship!  I love the behind-the-scenes featurettes, too.  Rust definitely turned out to be a shining gem!

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/rustmovie?ref=ts

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”