Marine Corps Nomads » Christian Life

Review and Giveaway: Letters to God

Heather — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 07:20:39 +0000

Movie Description:

Tyler Doherty is an extraordinary eight-year-old boy armed with strong faith and courage as he faces his daily battle against cancer. Surrounded by a loving family and community, Tyler’s prayers take the form of letters he sends to his ultimate pen pal, God, on a daily basis. These letters find their way into the hands of Tyler’s postman, Brady, who is at a crossroads in his life, searching for meaning.

Brady is at first confused over what to do, but his decision ultimately is a testament to the power of Tyler’s shining spirit, bravery and grace. Inspired by a true story, Letters to God delivers a message of hope, faith and courage that others can apply to their own personal struggles regardless of what they may face in their everyday lives.

My Thoughts:

Letters to God is based upon the true story of Tyler Doughtie. Patrick Doughtie, Tyler’s father, was a co-director and screenwriter for the movie. Patrick helped bring realism to the movie as he lived through his own son’s battle with cancer. The actors in the movie all strove to do right by Tyler’s story.

On Sunday, our family sat down to watch the movie together. While we knew what the movie was about, I don’t think we really knew how powerful or moving that story would be. The family had already suffered the sudden loss of the father, and now, the young Tyler was in a fight for his life with brain cancer. Instead of being bitter and blaming God, he chose to step outside of himself and encourage others. He became a “warrior for God”. His letters to God touched many peoples lives both directly and indirectly. The Lord was able to use Tyler’s faith and love to reach others.

The movie made me all the more thankful to have a beautiful, healthy child. It also made me really think about how God is in control even when our lives are completely out of control. We may not always be able to see the purpose behind what is going on, but the Lord knows. Having had the devastation of cancer touch my family in a very real way, I can truly appreciate the beauty and light that hope, faith, and love can give to those involved. The fact that the real life Tyler’s Dad worked on this film is a testament to his life.

The movie is a definite tear-jerker and touches on many difficult subjects (death, cancer, alcoholism), so parents may want to preview the film prior to allowing viewing by their children. It is rated PG for thematic material.

Movie Details:

Actors: Jeffrey Johnson, Tanner Maguire, Michael Bolten, Ralph Waite
Format: Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Number of discs: 1
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Possibility Pictures
DVD Release Date: August 10, 2010
Run Time: 113 minutes

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Giveaway~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am thrilled to be able to give away 3 copies of Letters to God to my readers. That’s right, we will have 3 winners for this giveaway!!

Mandatory to enter: Tell me a favorite movie night tradition in your home.

Additional entries: One entry per item unless otherwise noted.

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Giveaway is open to U.S. residents and ends on August 13th.

I received a copy of Letters to God for the purpose of this review. 3 winners will receive a copy of Letters to God. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own. This post contains an amazon affiliate link.

Final Thoughts on VBS

Heather — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 05:42:09 +0000

This week at VBS was a roller-coaster of up and down moments. We were blessed with the opportunity to reach out to our kids from ages 4 to 11. We got to know the kids on a more personal level, and we were sad to see the week end. Yes, it was very tiring, but it was a blessing. (Thank you for all of the prayers. They helped!!!!)

On Friday night, I watched 2 young boys grow. One little one came out of his shell and joined in with the activities. The other wrote a card that said, “I love God.” Both of them yelled loud goodbyes to us as the night came to an end. We will miss them as they were church neighborhood kids who don’t normally attend church. It was hard to say goodbye. I’m hoping/praying that we’ll see them again in church.

Munchkin and her friends had a good time. 2 of her friends were unable to complete the week as their movers came mid-week, and they left on Friday morning to head to their new duty station. Friday was a bit of a difficult day for Munchkin, but she was still able to have fun with 2 of her other friends on Friday evening at VBS.

The very busy week has come to a close. Tomorrow, we’ll celebrate Father’s Day with D. If D is feeling up to it, we’ll be heading out into the desert to explore after church (and lunch). Have a wonderful weekend!

VBS: Getting Creative

Heather — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:31:40 +0000

On Tuesday evening, I was a bit down when I did my Wordless Wednesday post. The Lord brought that passage to mind which helped. Then, I received such wonderful comments and words of encouragement from y’all. It touched my heart. So, thank you very much.

On Wednesday, I started to think about creative ways that I could capture the kids attention and encourage them to pay attention. I created a bookmark for each of the kids with a symbol for each VBS station. When the kids behaved at that station, they would receive a sticker for their bookmark. I had the station leader pick the best behaved child from that station, and that child would be the line leader. Since I had a very cool (and large) pinwheel for that person to carry, they thought that was excellent.

By the end of the evening, almost every child had received all of their stickers. Most of the kids had received the opportunity to be line leader. They were answering questions and participating. Each child gave me a huge hug as they left. D had the opportunity to sit down and have a heart-to-heart discussion with one of our kids during the closing ceremonies for the evening.

Now, this isn’t to say that tonight will go great, or that we won’t have any problems. It just means that the prayers are working – the Lord is working. I have something special planned for tonight as well. Our little saying (for the stickers/rewards) is that they are laying up treasures in Heaven by pleasing the Lord with their actions.

Our youngest child who is very shy is starting to come out of his shell. The Lord is good! Even if tonight goes horribly, I know that the Lord is working in a mighty way this week. I praise Him and thank Him for giving us a glimpse of that work last night.

You are the Salt of the Earth

Heather — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:00:20 +0000

This week at VBS D and I have been quite challenged with some of the kids in our group. We spend so much time focusing on keeping them in line that we’re concerned with whether or not they are learning anything. We walk away completely spent each evening. Yet, there are moments here and there where we can see a little glimmer of hope coming from these particular kids. It is in these moments that we can really see that we are the salt and light here. We have to keep going even when we feel that we’ve reached our limits. We have to get our strength from the Lord and pray that He can use us to honor and glorify Him.

We can pray that by being the salt and light for some of these kids that they will in turn be salt and light to their family and friends. Maybe seeds of hope and God’s love are being planted in the lives of these young kids. The Lord has placed these kids in our group for a reason. I need to remember this as I start to grow weary as the evening passes. I need to allow the love of the Lord to flow through me a I guide the kids, instruct the kids, and mentor the kids.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:13-16 ~

Find more Word Filled Wednesday at the Internet Cafe Devotions.

Word of God Speak

Heather — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 04:34:38 +0000

Word of God Speak by Mercy Me

I’m finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it’s okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say

[Chorus]
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You’re in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak

I’m finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice

[Chorus 2x]

I’m finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it’s okay

All of Creation

Heather — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 00:57:52 +0000

All of Creation
by Mercy Me
Separated until the veil was torn
The moment that hope was born
and guilt was pardoned once and for all

Captivated but no longer bound by chains
left at an empty grave
the sinner and the sacred resolved

[chorus:]
and all of creation sing with me now
lift up your voice and lay your burden down
and all of creation sing with me now
fill up the heavens let his glory resound

Time has faded and we see him face to face
every doubt erased forever we will worhip the king

[repeat chorus]

ohh ah ohhh…ohh ah ohhh

the reason we breathe is to sing of his glory
and for all he has done praise the father praise the son and the spirit in one

[repeat chorus 2x]

and every knee will bow oh and every tongue praise the father praise the son and the spirit in one

His Truth is Marching On

Heather — Sun, 30 May 2010 08:34:40 +0000

Battle Hymn of the Republic (original version)

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on.

(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps,
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps:
His day is marching on.

(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His day is marching on.

I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:
“As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel,
Since God is marching on.”

(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Since God is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat:
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.

(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.

(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
While God is marching on.

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is Wisdom to the mighty, He is Succour to the brave,
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of Time His slave,
Our God is marching on.

(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Our God is marching on.

Awana Award Ceremony

Heather — Thu, 27 May 2010 12:00:55 +0000

Last night, Munchkin had her Awana award ceremony. It’s hard to believe that the year is already over. The girls had so much fun each week. We were missing one of the girls in our little group. It was a bit sad that she wasn’t able to be there for the final week.

Presenting Colors

Saying Pledges

Reading favorite verse

Receiving Participation Certificate

Receiving Timothy Award

The award ceremony went really well. It was fun watching the excitement in the kids faces. One of my favorite parts of the evening was listening to the verses that the kids chose to read/recite as their favorite verses for the year.

What Faith Can Do

Heather — Sun, 23 May 2010 07:36:44 +0000

What Faith Can Do
by Kutless

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think its more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

Overcome the odds
You don’t have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!

Praise the Lord!

Heather — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:00:03 +0000

Praise the Lord!

Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!

Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!

Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!

Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!

Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord!

~Psalm 150~

Find more Word Filled Wednesday at 160 Acre Woods