Amazon Prime Video - Free Trial

Hi Friends,

Are you a Prime Member? Have you checked out all the fantastic aspects of membership? It's not just about the Free 2-Day Shipping, although that is a GREAT reason to join. Prime Video is another benefit and there are thousands of movies and television shows from which to choose.

This comes in handy at our house, especially for those times when the big kids are watching something and the younger ones want to watch something else or vice versa. The younger ones can hop on to amazon.com and check out the family friendly choices and they always find something to suite their preferences. Along the same lines, sometimes my boys do not want to watch whatever "girly" movie may be showing in the living room, so they take the laptop and find something more suitable to their preferences. It works great for our family!

Check it out! 

Start Your Prime Video 30-Day Free Trial Now!

Blessings and love. xo

Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate links. Thank you!

Finding Noah Film {Review}

For over 2,000 years, man has been searching for the final resting place of Noah's Ark.  Though there have been many attempts, few have been able to fully explore the one place specifically noted in the Bible: Mount Ararat.  Located in Eastern Turkey, Agri Dagh or "The Painful Mountain" is the tallest mountain in the region and lies in the very center of a centuries old, geo-politically unstable hot spot.  With constant threats of deadly rock slides, hidden crevasses, and glacial ice falls, the Kurdish Rebel held mountain poses great risk to any explorer, let alone those performing a thorough scientific investigation.  

Join director/producer Brent Baum and the FINDING NOAH film crew as they follow an expedition of intrepid explorers on a perilous trek up to Mt. Ararat's desolate summit.  There, using state of the art technology and real-time satellite imagery, this team of archaeologists, scientists and professional mountaineers will begin a grid work of exploration unlike any before, hoping to finally resolve the age-old question:  did Noah and his Ark actually exist?  

Shot in never-before filmed locations in the harshest of conditions, this unprecedented feature-length documentary shows just how far men are willing to go to discover the truth.  Narrated by Academy Award nominee Gary Sinise, FINDING NOAH is more than a quest for answers, it is a testament of the human spirit, where belief and the need for exploration transcend risk and limitation.  

Genre: Documentary

Rating: NR (Dove rating: 12+)

Runtime: 130 minutes 

Release Date (ONE NIGHT ONLY): October 8

My thoughts:
I have loved the story of how God saved Noah and his family and the animals in the Biblical story of the ark since I was a little girl. Noah's courageous act of faith in building such a massive structure. The rain that had never before been seen. The animals coming at the beckoning of their Creator. It's an incredible story, and because I believe the Bible to be without error, I believe there was an ark. Maybe it is buried somewhere in ice on top of Mount Ararat in Turkey. 

This was a fascinating film. I love adventure, and the remarkable men in this documentary take adventure to an extreme level. I was cheering for them all the way through the film! Their passion for this quest, their respective jobs and expertise, how they came together as a team. It was all an amazing mixture of adventure and perseverance. Not only did they have to be aware of dangerous warring people groups, the extreme conditions and altitude were also a tremendous factor in this journey to find the ark. They never gave up and they saw it through. (Sorry, no spoilers!)

Don't miss this one! FINDING NOAH will be in theaters this week, for one night only - Thursday, October 8th! See below to check for a theater near you.

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PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Blessings and love. xo

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.  All opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. 

90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life {Review and Giveaway}

Releases in theaters everywhere September 11, 2015

Rating: PG-13 (for intense accident and injury images) 

Starring Hayden Christensen (Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith), Kate Bosworth (Remember The Titans, Blue Crush) Michael W. Smith, Fred Thompson, Dwight Yoakam, and Jason Kennedy, 90 Minutes In Heaven is based on the inspiring New York Times best-selling book that has sold 7 million copies.  

About Giving Films:

Giving Films is passionate about sharing hope-filled movies and donating ALL of their profits to charities and ministries who serve those in need.  Beginning with their first film, 90 Minutes In Heaven, Giving Films is allowing all of us to be a part of making a difference.  Anytime you go to a Giving Films movie in theaters, visit http://www.givingfilms.com and select which charities you want to receive the profits from your ticket.  Their charitable organizations are Christian Alliance for Orphans, Faith Bridge Foster Care, Hire Heroes USA, Hope International, LifeWater, Street Grace, and World Vision. 

About the book:

Paperback; 245 pages

Pastor Don Piper died January 18, 1989 when a semi-tractor truck crushed his car.  Declared dead by the first rescue workers to arrive on the scene, Don's body lay under a tarp for the next 90 minutes.  Don's soul, meanwhile, was experiencing love, joy, and life like he'd never known before.  Don was in Heaven.  

When another pastor's prayers helped bring Don back to life, he became a living miracle!  Yet this is one miracle Don wished never happened.  Heaven's bliss was replaced by excruciating pain and emotional turmoil.  With the support and prayers of his beloved Eva, their three kids, and friends near and far, Don clings to his faith in God and fights to regain a semblance of his previous life.  The Piper family's incredible true story of perseverance and overcoming the challenges of life - and death - will bring hope and encouragement to all who see it. 

My Thoughts:
Did you read 90 Minutes in Heaven when it first came out? It was back in 2004. I remember it but didn't read it then. I didn't know the story at all. I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to read it recently, and I look forward to seeing the movie that comes out this week! 

I love stories about heaven and miracles and experiencing God in ways we have never known before or thought possible. I have personally met someone who died and was brought back to life, and Bob has met two. With Father God nothing is impossible! What an incredible story Don Piper has been able to live. His message, and that of his family, is one of hope and joy and knowing that God has a purpose for us on earth. Don't miss their encouraging story and message of hope! 

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Giveaway:
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Open to residents of the USA and Canada, age 18 or older.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Buy the book now! 

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.” 

KIRK CAMERON'S SAVING CHRISTMAS {Review and Giveaway}

My thoughts:
Have you heard about Kirk Cameron's new film, SAVING CHRISTMAS?!!! My kids (ages 18 to 8) and I had the opportunity to watch it last Friday, and we highly recommend it. This movie resonated with my spirit, and I hope you will take the opportunity to go and see it! There is a war on Christmas and it's been waging for awhile now. It's time to put Christ back in Christmas and this is one fantastic way to start. The setting for the movie is a family Christmas party, with much of the movie being a dialogue between two brothers-in-law, one of which who is struggling with what Christmas has become in his own home. Some of it is slow, like conversations can be, especially when one is truly listening and wanting to help someone work through something. I loved the pace. I loved the content. Some of it is funny and had us all laughing. Some of it is educational (who knew Saint Nicholas was such a defender of the faith?!). Some of it is poignant and made us stop and think where we would like to go as a family with our Christmas celebrations. I will definitely purchase SAVING CHRISTMAS for our Christmas movie collection.

Check out the trailer:

About the movie:

This Christmas, have your family join with Kirk Cameron’s family and dive headfirst into all the joy, dancing, celebration, feasting, imagination, and traditions that glorify the true “reason for the season.” KIRK CAMERON’S SAVING CHRISTMAS is an engaging story that provides a biblical basis for our time-honored traditions and celebrations, and the inspiration to stand strongly against a culture that wants to trivialize and eliminate the faith elements of this holy season. So take in the splendor; take in the majesty; take in the story. Take it all in… and let’s put Christ back in Christmas! KIRK CAMERON’S SAVING CHRISTMAS is in theaters for a limited engagement beginning November 14 for two weeks only!

Official Website: www.savingchristmas.com 

Go here for theaters and show times.

Giveaway:

FlyBy Promotions is offering one of my readers a SAVING CHRISTMAS gift pack, which includes a SAVING CHRISTMAS poster - signed by Kirk Cameron, a copy of the movie soundtrack and a car air freshener (smells like Christmas trees!). See images below for products. 

To enter:

Mandatory entry: Leave a comment telling me about your favourite Christmas tradition or one you'd like to start with your family. Leave your email address so I have a way to contact you. Open to anyone, age 18 or older, in the US or Canada. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Winner chosen by random.org. Giveaway ends November 25, 2014 11:59pm ET.

For extra entries:

Follow Kirk Cameron on Twitter.

Follow Kirk on FB.

Follow The Scarlett Thread on FB.

Follow me on Twitter.

And the winner (chosen by random.org) is:

#7 - Denise

Congratulations, Denise! Please email me at scarlettroyce(at)gmail(dot)(com) within 48 hours! (I am posting this at noon ET on Monday, December 1.)

Blessings and love! xo

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.”

Holy Ghost Movie {Review and Giveaway}

Oh. My. Word. 

I was recently given the opportunity to review Holy Ghost by filmmaker Darren Wilson and FlyBy Promotions. I am thrilled to share this movie with you guys. Thrilled!

About the film:

Can the Holy Spirit Direct a Movie?

In this fast-paced documentary from the director of the popular films Finger of God, Furious Love, and Father of Lights, Darren Wilson sets out to make a movie that is completely led by the Holy Spirit. No plan, no script, no safety net — just go wherever he feels the Spirit leading him to try and discover the adventure God has for him. Whether it’s the riches of Monte Carlo, a heavy metal concert, or the oldest city in the world, the result is a film that not only challenges and excites, but also reveals a God who is far more alive and active than you ever imagined.

The movie features names such as Lenny Kravitz, Brian “Head” Welch, Bill Johnson, Michael W. Smith, Todd White, Meredith Andrews, DeVon Franklin, William P. Young, Phil Vischer, and many more!

My Thoughts:

I have seen Darren's other films and have wept and laughed and stared, mouth open, at my television screen as he has taken us on some crazy, God-journeys in those other DVDs. So I had high expectations for this film and yes, they were met and exceeded! 

I've written before about learning to live more according to God's Kingdom here on earth. I've asked the Father what that looks like and how to live it out. This movie is a fantastic example of where I want my life to go. To be completely led by the Holy Spirit. Not that I never have a plan or write down a schedule or get into a routine, but to be so open-handed with my own plan that when He speaks, I go where He says "go" or stay put when He says "stay" or reach out to someone when He says "reach" or drop what I'm doing to pray over someone when He says "now". And even better, to just give Him a blank page and say "please fill it according to Your plan and perspective. I'm Yours." That is how I want to live and how I want my family to operate in this life. Heaven on earth. Here and now.

Darren says: If love doesn't motivate you, there's really no point {see 1 Corinthians 13:1-3}. 

This is a beautiful theme in all of Darren's films. Without love, we are simply clanging cymbals. Holy Spirit is God. He is real. He is here on the earth now. And He wants to release His love AND power in us and through us. Miracles didn't just happen two thousand years ago. They are for now. Our family has seen them and we are asking 'more, please, Lord'. 

1 Corinthians 2:4 

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power . . .

1 Corinthians 4:20 

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.

Check out the official website here: http://holyghost.wpfilm.com 

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

On September 6th, Wanderlust Productions will host the FREE worldwide premiere of the film at this site HolyGhostMovie.com

Please, please don't miss this film! I think it is one of the most important movies you will ever watch.

Giveaway Details: 

This giveaway is now closed. 

We have a winner!!!!

Congratulations to commenter #10, Bonnie B.! I will contact you shortly, Bonnie. Thank you to everyone who entered this giveaway. I'll have another giveaway up soon. 

Thanks to FlyBy Promotions, one of my readers will win a copy of Holy Ghost!!! All you need to do is comment (and PLEASE leave your email address) and tell me if you've seen any of Darren's other films OR you can tell me how you have seen or want to see Holy Spirit work in your life. Giveaway is open to anyone age 18 or older in the US or Canada. End date is September 9, 2014 11:59pm. 

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Blessings and love. xo

Christmas Favourites

I have held off on this post until after American Thanksgiving because it seemed like the Thanksgiving holiday was being taken over by American consumerism/commercialism and I didn't want to fall into that trap. I have already purchased a few small gifts but I haven't played any Christmas music or watched any Christmas movies until yesterday.

So let the Christmas festivities begin!

One of the most memorable traditions we started 10 or 11 years ago was something I learned on the Five in a Row message boards. I wrap 24 Christmas books in Christmas-themed wrapping paper and place them in a basket. Each morning, starting December 1, one of the children gets to go to the basket and chose a book to be unwrapped and read. I haven't carried out this tradition in the last two years, due to travel and moving, so we are bringing this one back for December 2012 and all the children are excited about it!

Here are our top 5 favourite Christmas books (I took a quick poll):
One Wintry Night by Ruth Bell Graham
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
Elmo's Christmas Colors (Golden Sturdy Board Books) by  Constance Allen
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story by Gloria Houston
The Mitten 20th Anniversary Edition by Jan Brett

Here are the advent books we use and love:
Jotham's Journey: A Storybook for Advent by Arnold Ytreeide
Bartholomew's Passage: A Family Story for Advent by Arnold Ytreeide
Tabitha's Travels: A Family Story for Advent by Arnold Ytreeide (We are reading this one this year.)

And here are a few more we've collected over the years or check out from our local library:

If You're Missing Baby Jesus: A True Story that Embraces the Spirit of Christmas by Jean Gietzen
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey with CD: Gift Edition by Susan Wojciechowski
The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado
Dream Snow by Eric Carle
A Christmas Carol: A Young Reader's Edition of the Classic Holiday Tale by Charles Dickens (A Young Reader’s Edition)
The Night Before Christmas: The Anniversary Edition by Clement C. Moore
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg
Christmas In The Country by Cynthia Rylant

The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale by Angela Elwell Hunt

Miracle in a Shoe Box: A Christmas Gift of Wonder by Franklin Graham
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry

Madeline's Christmas (Picture Puffins) by Ludwig Bemelmans
My Christmas Treasury (Little Golden Books) by Gale Wiersum

The Christmas Donkey (Little Golden Readers) by T. William Taylor

Frosty The Snow man (a little Golden book) by Annie North Bedford

Just in Time for Christmas by Louise Borden
Angelina's Christmas (Angelina Ballerina) by Katharine Holabird
The Christmas dolls: A Butterfield Square story (A Yearling book) by Carol Beach York
A Full House: An Austin Family Christmas by Madeleine L’Engle
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff
The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola
The Shoe Box (novella) by Francine Rivers
Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson
One Snowy Night by M. Christina Butler
Thomas' Christmas Delivery (Thomas & Friends) (A Sparkle Storybook) by Tommy Stubbs

Christmas-themed movies (We don't own many of these but can find them at our local library.):
White Christmas (Anniversary Edition)

It's A Wonderful Life (Two-Disc Collector's Set)

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever DVD
Elf (Infinifilm Edition)

Come To The Stable

Miracle on 34th Street (Special Edition)

Miracle on 34th Street (We enjoy the older version and this newer one. The Santa in this one reminds me of my dad for some reason.)

Christmas with the Kranks

The Bells of St. Mary's

Christmas Carol - The Movie

The Bishop's Wife

The Polar Express (Widescreen Edition)

A Charlie Brown Christmas (Remastered Deluxe Edition)

I would love to know your favourite Christmas books and movies! Please share in the comments.


{Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post.  Thank you very much for supporting The Scarlett Thread.}