This is Our Time Review and Giveaway

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Mama Manuscripts

This weekend my children and I had the opportunity to sit together and watched This Is Our Time presented by Pure Flix. A warning right from the beginning, be prepared to quickly skip the previews if you are more sensitive to violence or you do not want you children seeing such. I was a little bit surprised to see it and for a moment was concerned about my decision to letting the children watch this movie with my having previewed it myself. However, This is Our Time was totally appropriate for the family, though there were some harder issues and grief addressed. The message of the movie was good and it was nice to see these young classmates come together during a time of tragedy. However, the movie was a little bit slow paced and that acting was just okay and occasionally, especially near the beginning, the message felt a little bit forced. Overall it was a good movie, though, and I encourage you to read a little bit more about it and sign up for my giveaway if you think it might be something that you would like to watch.

The movie tells the interwoven stories of Luke (T.J. Dalrymple) and Alé (Erin Bethea), who marry right after school and move to India to serve as missionaries for Embrace A Village, a ministry that cares for those afflicted with leprosy and their families; aspiring financier Catherine (Kate Cobb), who joins a prestigious financial institution determined to make an impact on corporate America; Ryder (Matthew Florida), who lands an impressive job in social media and can’t wait to use the powerful medium for a greater good; and Ethan (Shawn-Caulin Young,) seemingly the odd man out, who struggles to find his God-given-purpose and feels sidelined by God.

“What they all come to learn is that it never really was their time,” Arnold said. “It always was, always is, God’s time.”Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray on Tuesday, April 16. It will be available nationwide at Family Christian Stores and most Christian online and brick-and-mortar retail stores nationwide.

Website: http://www.christiancinema.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=4565

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThisIsOurTimeMovie

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmjQe2onm6s

To win a copy of this DVD please leave a comment letting me know that you would like to win. It’s really that easy!

Addition entries (please leave a comment for each).

1) Like Mama Manuscripts on facebook and tell me about it.

2) Follow @mamamanuscripts on twitter and tell me your twitter ID so I can follow you.

3) Tweet/retweet about this giveaway and let me know.

4) Blog about this contest and give me your link (3 entries) – Don’t forget to comment 3 times for this one!

Comments will close Monday, April 22nd, 2013 and a winner will be selected at random.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in 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.”

Roma Downey’s Little Angels ~ Review and Giveaway

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Mama Manuscripts

As a teenager, I always looked forward to watching Touched by Angel. It premiered the year that my mother died and the story lines touched me and made me feel all kinds of emotions that I locked away deep inside. It was a great comfort to me, so I jumped on the oportunity to review a book written by series’ star Roma Downey. Roma Downey collaborated with Illustrator Lisa Reed to publish a book of prayers for the youngest child that focuses on the common occurrences and emotions that appear in a typical child’s day. This beautifully illustrated board is a welcomed addition to our collection, and my 3 year old strongly approves of it. It has quickly become a favorite of ours. I’m giving away a copy of this book so that one of my readers will be able to enjoy it as well. This little board book will be able to be passed on from child to child to enjoy as it is very nicely made. For more information check out the following links and be sure to follow the guidelines below for your chance to win!

Website: http://www.idealsbooks.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IdealsBooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealRomaDowney

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0k6mqA8jAo

For a chance to win, please leave a comment below just letting me know (how easy is that?).

Addition entries (please leave a comment for each).

1) Like Mama Manuscripts on facebook and tell me about it.

2) Follow @mamamanuscripts on twitter and tell me your twitter ID so I can follow you.

3) Tweet/retweet about this giveaway and let me know.

4) Blog about this contest and give me your link (3 entries) – Don’t forget to comment 3 times for this one!

Comments will close Monday, April 8th, 2013 and a winner will be selected at random.

The American Bible Challenge – Season Two

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Mama Manuscripts

Last year I was able to tell you about the first season of The American Bible Challenge. Well, it is back! This trivia show hosted by Jeff Foxworthy where contestants test their Bible knowledge to win money for the charity of their choice was a hit. In fact it was the the highest rated show on the GSN in history with 2.3 million viewers. I was not able to watch it myself as we do not have cable, but I do know that this would be a show that would interest my whole family, especially my 10 year old son who takes his Bible knowledge very seriously and absolutely adores trivia. I am so glad that it has been brought back for another season (and hope that maybe I can find a television this year to check it out!)

To find out more, visit the links below and be sure to check back in a couple weeks time when I have more goodies to share from The American Bible Challenge.

SEASON 2 PREVIEW LINK: CLICK HERE

Website: http://gsntv.com/shows/the-american-bible-challenge/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theamericanbiblechallenge?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GSN_Bible
GodTube: http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=WKL667NX

Be sure to tune in on Thursdays, starting March 21st for the new season!

A Mile in His Shoes ~ Review and Giveaway

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Mama Manuscripts

From the director of “Angels In the Outfield” comes an inspiring story about a special boy with an amazing gift, and the coach who believed. Dean Cain and Luke Schroder star in the gmc movie based on the book “The Legend of Mickey Tussler”.

The children and I were happy to cuddle up under the blankets on rainy afternoon recently and watch this movie together. While I’m not big on sports movies and my children have never seen baseball before, we enjoyed this movie quite a bit. There were a few questions about the game but for the most part my children were quiet and caught up in the storyline. As an adult, I found the movie to be rather predictable BUT liked how it humanized Aspergers’ Syndrome and did a good job of portraying a young adult with this condition setting out on his own and that challenges that all those around him have….. letting go.

It’s certainly nice that there are movie’s out that that you can sit down and watch with your family without having to worry about the content. While there was one move dramatic scene in this movie it wasn’t something that would cause me to shut it off and I used it as an opportunity to talk to my kids. There was some Christian content to the movie but not so much that a more secular family would not be able to enjoy it. It wasn’t right out there in your face throughout the movie.

I invite you to find out more about this movie at the following links:

Website: http://www.watchgmctv.com/video/mile-his-shoes#biography

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Mile-In-His-Shoes/270101973014772?sk=wall

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev2T0BFetH4

Dove Foundation Review: http://www.dove.org/reviewmasterframe.asp

Here’s some good news. I’ve been given a copy of this CD to give to one of my readers! Just leave a comment letting me know that you would like to win.

Addition entries (please leave a comment for each).

1) Follow me on Google Friend Connect and/or Networked Blogs.
2) Like Mama Manuscripts on facebook and tell me about it.
3) Follow @mamamanuscripts on twitter and tell me your twitter ID so I can follow you.
5) Tweet/retweet about this giveaway and let me know.
6) Blog about this contest and give me your link (3 entries) – Don’t forget to comment 3 times for this one!

Comments will close on Wednesday, the 1st of February and a winner will be drawn at random.

We Choose Virtues ~ A Review

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Mama Manuscripts

Product(s): Virtue Cues/Kids of Virtueville Colouring Book
Company: We Choose Virtues
Price: Virtue Cues 5.99$US Colouring Book 3.00$US (Download Only)

I was very happy to use the items I received from We Choose Virtues to complete my children’s Christmas gifts this December. I’ve been trying to teach my children the importance of certain qualities so when given the opportunity to review this products I jumped all over it. They were very much needed in our family and the kids were actually quite happy to receive them as part of their presents (they’d noticed the companies business card on my desk a few days earlier and were all over me asking me what the company might be and telling me how wonderful the business card was!). We very much enjoyed talking together about certain virtues like attentiveness, gentleness, contentedness, etc..

Liam (8) was given the Virtue Clue cards and we decided that he would pick one card at random to focus on for the day. We were able to point out certain times when he used that particular virtue and times when the virtue was forgotten. He choose to carry the virtue card around it his pocket close to his heart. We had a chance to go through each of the 12 virtues and he is now carrying around two cards per day to keep in mind. Chances are that we’ll change it up a bit and have him try to show as many virtues as possible each day and then discuss how he did at the end of the day now that he is familiar with each card.

Morgaine (6) was given the Virtueville Colouring Book where she was introduced to each Virtueville character and their virtue. She’s listen to Liam and I talk about his card for the day as well as work on her colouring book. We printed the book (12 pages introducing the virtues and 3 other of different activity pages) on good quality paper, wrapped it up and tucked it under the tree. The pictures were very pretty and it was a gift that I was happy to give my daughter who loves to colour and draw. She was also very happy with it and that’s all that matters.

We Choose Virtues has a wide variety of packages available to use in the homeschool, classroom and Sunday school so I invite you to check out their website and especially the products comparison chart that can be downloaded here. I’m actually itchy to set up some kind of program so that I could use some of these items with a group of kids. We shall see!

**Any products reviewed by me as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew have been given to me free of charge in order for me to provide you with an honest review of the product and/or how we used the product within our family. I do not receive any other form of compensation for the reviews posted on this blog.

The Grace Effect ~ A Review

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Mama Manuscripts

I’ve read several books on international adoption over the last month and most of them have been light hearted and heart warming. However, historian and Christian apologist, Larry Taunton brings a different and more sobering account of adoption and the horrors that orphans face in other countries where God seems to have been forgotten. I really liked his candid account of the struggles he faced when adopting his daughter, Sasha, from the Ukraine and how these relate to the hopelessness of a Godless society. I enjoyed reading about his point of view and this book had me researching further and it’s always good when a book makes you stop and think.

Here’s some more information about The Grace Effect from the publisher:

“Simply defined, the ‘grace effect’ is an observable phenomenon—that life is demonstrably better where authentic Christianity flourishes.”

What does Christianity give us beyond televangelists, potlucks, and bad basketball leagues? Not much, according to the secular Left. The world, they say, would be a better place without it.

Historian and Christian apologist Larry Taunton has spent much of his career refuting just this sort of thinking, but when he encounters Sasha, a golden-haired orphan girl whose life has been shaped by atheistic theorists, he discovers an unlikely champion for the transforming power of grace.

Through the narrative of Sasha’s redemption, we see the false promises of socialism; the soul-destroying influence of unbelief; and how a society cultivates its own demise when it rejects the ultimate source of grace. We see, in short, the kind of world the atheists would give us: a world without Christianity—cold, pitiless, and graceless.

And yet, as Sasha shows us, it is a world that is not beyond the healing power of “the grace effect.” Occasionally infuriating, often amusing, but always inspiring, The Grace Effect will have you cheering for the courageous little girl who shamed the academic elitists of our day.
I’m pleased to be able to offer one of my readers a copy of The Grace Effect. To enter just leave a comment telling me that you would like to win.

Addition entries (please leave a comment for each).

Comments will close on Wednesday, the 7th of November and a winner will be drawn at random.

The Mighty Macs ~ Movie Review

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Mama Manuscripts

I had the opportunity to attend (online) a pre-screening of The Might Macs last Friday and I was quite surprised to enjoy it as much as I did. In general, I’m not one to enjoy sports movies very much as I find them quite predicable. And yes, this movie was a bit predictable, BUT the characters and little sub-stories make up for that. Carla Gugino was really convincing as the couch and I loved her pep talks and way about getting the young women to believe in themselves. Mother Superior (Ellen Burstyn) was another wonderful character. I can see how this film won numerous awards and I encourage you to check it out in theatres if you get chance.

Here’s some more information about the movie and true story behind it.

It’s 1971. Cathy Rush is a woman ahead of her time … and she’s about to embark on an adventure for the ages. A new era is dawning in the country and in collegiate athletics, where a national champion will be crowned for the first time in women’s basketball.

In the lead up to this historical season, major universities are preparing their game plans to win that first title. Meanwhile a tiny all-women’s Catholic college in Philadelphia has a more modest goal: find a coach before the season begins. Providentially, Cathy Rush is about to find Immaculata College.

Recently married, Cathy is dealing with the aftermath of a truncated playing career. While cultural norms would have her staying at home, she’s willing to do the hard work necessary to help her new team reach their goals—or perhaps she’s just trying to achieve her unfulfilled dreams through them.

From the beginning, her challenges are as imposing as the big-school teams Immaculata will face on the court. Cathy learns there is no gymnasium on campus, she receives little support from the school’s Mother Superior, and the school is in dire financial straits. To top it off, she may not even have enough players to field a team!

While it appears the Macs don’t have a prayer, all hope is not lost. With the help of Sister Sunday—a spunky assistant coach—and the support of a booster club of elderly nuns, Coach Rush creates a new game plan that just might bring the team—and the school—together.

Will this pioneer buck cultural norms and spur her rag-tag team to unexpected heights? Or will her hard-driving ways create a wedge between the coach and everyone around her? One thing’s for certain: there’s never been anyone like Cathy Rush at Immaculata!

THE MIGHTY MACS is based on the incredible true story of the 1971-72 Immaculata College team that started in obscurity but became the original Cinderella story in women’s basketball. This team of pioneers went from barely making that inaugural tournament to the first dynasty in their game. And Cathy Rush, the woman that was ahead of her time, became immortalized when she was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

THE MIGHTY MACS stars Carla Gugino as Cathy Rush; David Boreanaz as her husband, NBA referee Ed Rush; Marley Shelton as Sister Sunday; and Academy Award and Tony Award winner Ellen Burstyn as Mother St. John. The film was written, directed, and produced by Tim Chambers. The film’s executive producers are Pat Croce, the former president of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, and Vince Curran, a successful businessman and former basketball star at Penn. Curran and Chambers are founders and partners of Quaker Media.

Get ready to cheer on a true Cinderella team when THE MIGHTY MACS opens in theaters on October 21.

You can also find The Might Macs in various other places online so please check out the following links to find out more.

Website: http://www.themightymacs.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/themightymacs

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/MightyMacsMovie

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/MightyMacs1

THEO – A Review and Giveaway

Posted on October 7, 2011 by Mama Manuscripts

About a month ago, I was introduced to a lovely older English gentleman. He was very well versed on the Bible and was eager to teach me. He enjoyed singing hymns while tidying up. He also had two adorable pet mice dressed in clothing – hey, what was that? Mice in clothing? Yes, siree! I was pleased to meet the animated character, Theo, his delightful little friends, and sound Biblical teachings. THEO ~ Teaching God’s Word is a high quality series of short cartoons that introduce systematic theology to children of all ages – who doesn’t like cartoons? All three of my children were captivated. My 8 year old son loved that it taught him more about the Bible (he’s always been fascinated with the word of God), my 6 year old daughter loved the antics of the mice and found the artwork “very pretty”, and my musical 18 month old sang along with Theo. My husband, while not that into religion, was also very impressed. We would highly recommend this series to other Christian families and to Sunday schools. In fact, I’ve already lent my copy to our Sunday school teacher as they are doing a unit on Abraham that would fit perfectly with the episode “Saving Faith.”

I invite you to check out this video for yourself and see the beauty of this well thought out series.

Theo – Saving Faith Trailer from Theo Presents on Vimeo.

I also invite you to read the creator’s, Michael Joens, story. Did you know that THEO was born in 1978 and was held close to his creator’s heart for many, many years until it was God’s timing for him to be shown to the world?

In addition to the DVDs, THEO can also be used in Sunday schools/homeschools buy purchasing additional curriculum packages. There are currently 3 different packages available (for more information click here) that include 4 THEO episodes, 4 printable teaching plans, worksheets, and parent pages. Another wonderful bit of news to mention is that when you purchase one copy of their DVD another gets send to a child in need as part of their Buy 1, Give 1 program. Share the Good News!

I also have good news, not as good at The GOOD NEWS, but good news just the same….I’ve been given two copies of THEO (the “Saving Faith” episode and bonus episode “Good News”) to giveaway to two lucky readers. For your chance to win just comment below telling me that you would love to win (I’m not too demanding this time…I wish I could give EVERYONE a copy!).

Addition entries (please leave a comment for each):

Comments will close Friday, October 14th, 2011 at 1pm eastern time and a winner will be chosen at random.

“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.”

Ginny Owens’ Get In I’m Driving – Review and Giveaway

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Mama Manuscripts

Despite the fact that she’s a three time Dove award winning artist and deeply involved in various humanitarian efforts, I had not heard of Ginny Owens before being given her newest CD, “Get in I’m Driving”, to review. I was clearly missing out on something, I was not terribly impressed with the first few songs on this CD. I found that Ginny soulful singing got a bit lost in the instruments and I actually had a hard time understanding the lyrics. However, there were a few songs that I really enjoyed especially “Rain” and”Joined at the Heart.”

Here’s a little more about Ginny:

A three-time Dove Award winner, including the Gospel Music Association’s 2000 New Artist of the Year recipient, and multiple ASCAP Award winner, Ginny Owens has sold nearly one million albums. A top performer on the Christian radio charts with hits like “If You Want Me To,” “Free” and “I Wanna Be Moved,” among others, Owens’ music has impacted mainstream audiences at Lilith Fair, the Sundance Film Festival and the White House. Her music has received widespread film and television placement, including songs on the popular WB series’ “Roswell” and “Felicity.” Owens was featured on national television, including NBC’s “Today” and CNN, for her contribution to help rebuild New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

Born and raised in Jackson, Miss., Owens was discovering melodies on the piano almost before she could complete a sentence. Songs began to emerge from her fingers as the vision began to leave her eyes and by the age of three. A degenerative eye condition left Owens completely blind. Despite her physical challenge, Owens pursued a music career. Songs provide a window into a world Owens can’t see and an outlet for her to express her thoughts and dreams. Owens’ unique musical style and inspirational lyrics continue to appeal to Christian and mainstream audiences alike.

In 2005 Owens launched The Fingerprint Initiative, a hands-on, non-profit organization designed to “bring hope to the world, one project and one touch at a time.” The organization has partnered with and raised money for groups such as Compassion International, International Justice Mission and Habitat for Humanity.

Including in my package was a letter from Ginny herself encouraging us to contact her directly if we had any questions and saying, “”I hope you will be able to hear the heart, soul, prayer, and effort that went into creating this new project.” Yes, Ginny, I can feel the heart, soul, prayers and effort that went into this CD. Good on you!

I’m pleased to say that I’ve been given an extra copy of this CD to give to one lucking winner. For your chance to win I’d like you to go here and tell me which song off of Ginny Owens’ new CD you like the best.

Addition entries (please leave a comment for each):

Comments will close Wednesday, October 12th, 2011 at 1pm eastern time and a winner will be chosen at random.

“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.”

Jeremy Riddle ~ Review and Giveaway

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Mama Manuscripts

Ruadhán, my 18 month old has been singing. Singing so much and so loudly that in fact I had to wait for him to go to bed before I could listen to our newest CD without distraction. When I listen to Christian music one of the most important things I look for is whether or not the songs make me want to sing and ofter up praise and I happy to say that Ruadhán isn’t the only feeling called to sing along with Jeremy Rddle’s newest CD Furious. I find myself singing the chorus of “Furious” while I’m doing dishes or tidying around the house, “His love is deep, His love is wide, and it covers us, His love His fierce, His love is strong, it is Furious!” I also find myself singing, “Now I am yours, God, I am forever Yours. Mountain high or valley low I sing out remind my soul, I am Yours, God, I am forever Yours” from the song “Love Came Down.”

These lyrics from “Fall Afresh” leave me with tears streaming down my cheeks….

Spirit of the living God come fall afresh on me.
Come wake me from my sleep.
Blow through the caverns of my soul for me, to overflow.
To overflow. Spirit Come and Fill This Place.
Let your Glory now invade.

I’ll admit that I am pretty new to the faith and I feel closest to God by far when I am listening to worship music and I find that this album moves me to want to know more, and be closer to, God. Not all contemporary Christian music moves me this way so I think that I’ve found something special in Jeremy Riddle. I invite you to listen to Jeremy talk about how this CD came to be. Very powerful….

This CD has just been released and I hope that you’ll take a visit to Jeremy Riddle’s website to listen to excerpts of the album for yourself. If you like what you hear then I have good news for you! I’ve been given a copy of this CD to give to one lucky person. For your chance to win visit Jeremy’s website and tell my which song is your favorite off the newest album.

Addition entries (please leave a comment for each):

Comments will close Wednesday, October 5th, 2011 at 1pm eastern time and a winner will be chosen at random.

“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.”

Mama Manuscripts

Balancing the Wild and Wonderful World of Parenting with a Passion for Writing

Category Archives: Spirituality

This is Our Time Review and Giveaway

Roma Downey’s Little Angels ~ Review and Giveaway

The American Bible Challenge – Season Two

A Mile in His Shoes ~ Review and Giveaway

We Choose Virtues ~ A Review

The Grace Effect ~ A Review

The Mighty Macs ~ Movie Review

THEO – A Review and Giveaway

Ginny Owens’ Get In I’m Driving – Review and Giveaway

Jeremy Riddle ~ Review and Giveaway