"when calls the heart: the complete season one" dvd review

Are you a "Heartie"? I don't think I'd quite qualify as one—I'm not obsessed with When Calls the Heart, I haven't seen every episode, and I don't interact with other fans online—but I do enjoy catching it on the Hallmark Channel.

When FishFlix.com, home of family friendly and Christian movies, offered to send me When Calls the Heart DVDs for review, I couldn't pass up the opportunity!

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When Calls the Heart tells the captivating story of Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow), a young teacher accustomed to her high society life, who receives her first classroom assignment in Coal Valley, a small coalmining town where life is simple, but often fraught with challenges.

Lori Loughlin plays Abigail Stanton, a wife and mother whose husband, the foreman of the mine, along with a dozen other miners, has just been killed in an explosion. The newly widowed women find their faith is tested when they must go to work in the mines to keep a roof over their heads.

Elizabeth charms most everyone in Coal Valley, except Constable Jack Thornton (Daniel Lissing) who believes Thatcher’s wealthy father has doomed the lawman’s career by insisting he be assigned in town to protect the shipping magnate’s daughter. Living in a 19th century coal town, Elizabeth will have to learn the ways of the frontier if she wishes to thrive in the rural west on her own.

The series is inspired by Janette Oke’s bestselling book series about the Canadian West, and reunites Oke with Executive Producer and Director, Michael Landon, Jr.

Includes:
-When Calls The Heart (Hallmark Channel Original Movie)
-Lost And Found (Movie Version of Episodes 1 & 2)
-A Telling Silence (Movie Version of Episodes 3 & 4)
-The Dance (Movie Version of Episodes 5 & 6)
-Second Chances (Movie Version of Episodes 7 & 8)
-Change Of Heart (Movie Version of Episodes 9 & 10)
-Rules Of Engagement (Movie Version of Episodes 11 & 12)
-Getting to know Michael Landon Jr. and Jeanette Oke
-Episodes 1-12 as seen on the Hallmark Channel

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First of all, let's clear up some confusion: When Calls the Heart, the novel by Janette Oke, is not the same as When Calls the Heart the Hallmark Channel show. However, When Calls the Heart the movie (which is included in this collection) is loosely based on the novel. And now Oke and her daughter Laurel Oke Logan are writing a new series that is being called a companion to the show: so far, there are three books, which I assume go along with the three seasons. I read the first book, When Courage Calls, and it bears a resemblance to the series, though it's clearly not a novelization of the first season.

Why does this matter? It might not, but if you're reading this blog, it's probably because you're interested in Christian fiction. If you've been reading Christian fiction for a while, chances are good you've read Oke's Canadian West series, and you would naturally assume that a series called When Calls the Heart would follow Elizabeth and Wynn, the couple at the heart of the series. Instead, When Calls the Heart follows Elizabeth's great-niece, also named Elizabeth Thatcher. (Further muddying the waters? In the companion series, Elizabeth is known as Beth, and her love interest Jack is known as Jarrick.)

Now, to the series itself: When Calls the Heart is one of the cleanest, most family-friendly shows geared toward adults currently on television. Elizabeth (Erin Krakow) is immediately endearing as she attempts to adjust from her pampered city life to living in Coal Valley. Her relationship with Mountie Jack Thornton (Daniel Lissing) builds slowly—too slowly, some may say—and sweetly. Lori Loughlin, who never seems to age a day, shines as Abigail Stanton, the leader of a group of women who recently lost their husbands in a mine explosion. Abigail becomes a mentor and friend to Elizabeth, and their relationship is one of my favorites in the series. This season is wholly enjoyable, and I highly recommend it! 5 stars.

The Complete Season One review: At first glance, this set seems a bit redundant. Unless you're a When Calls the Heart super fan, you probably don't need both the movie version and the Hallmark Channel version of each episode! However, two things make this edition a good choice if you'd like to own the season: 1. This set includes the When Calls the Heart movie, starring Maggie Grace (LOST) and Stephen Amell (Arrow) as Elizabeth Thatcher and Wynn Delaney. In addition to telling the beginning of Elizabeth and Wynn's love story, the film also marks the beginning of the younger Elizabeth's story and introduces Coal Valley; however, the only major cast member from the film who returns for the series is Lori Loughlin. I don't know why so many roles were recast, but I do think it was a good move. (One thing that drives me absolutely crazy about the film is that Elizabeth and Wynn's story is never finished. And they don't factor into the series at all.) 2. It's actually cheaper to purchase the complete season one than it is to purchase each movie (which is two episodes) individually. So if you think you'll want to own the whole season, this is a really good deal.

Buy the DVD set.

Read my review of Where Courage Calls (3 stars), the first When Calls the Heart companion novel.
Get a $5 coupon to FishFlix.com by joining the email list here or by texting 5-GIFT to 44222.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this DVD free for review from FishFlix.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. 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."

"wildflower" dvd review + giveaway

I used to regularly watch suspense films, but it seems that anymore Hollywood's version of suspense is always coupled with excess violence, gore, and/or sexual situations. "Christian" suspense isn't much better—it's certainly cleaner, but it isn't very suspenseful, and it's usually predictable.

Fortunately, Wildflower doesn't suffer from either of those problems.

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Creatively gifted, college student Chloe Moray (portrayed by Nathalia Ramos, known for BRATZ, Arrested Development, House of Anubis) finds solace from a difficult childhood in her extraordinary art. But when an alarming dream begins to recur nightly, Chloe starts to believe that it might be a suppressed memory and that she may have witnessed a terrible crime as a little girl. Her search for peace takes her on a journey that forces Chloe to confront her past traumas and leads her to cross paths with Josh (Cody Longo, known for NOT TODAY, Hollywood Heights, Nashville), a young man dealing with his own painful loss. Together they find in each other someone they can trust as they seek to unlock a cold-case mystery from years before. But with the authorities blocking the way, Chloe's new-found hope is challenged in this powerful story of faith, triumph and healing.

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Wildflower is a fast-paced film that centers around Chloe and the terrifying nightmares/visions she begins having, which she believes may be linked to an old missing persons case. While many people—including the authorities—write her off as being delusional, her new friend Josh decides to help her uncover the truth. As the two get closer to discovering the trigger of Chloe's visions, they also get closer and closer to danger.

As far as suspense films go, Wildflower is very good. The suspense builds throughout the movie, and Nathalia Ramos and Cody Longo are very believable in their roles as Chloe and Josh. Overall, the acting is good (though there are a few supporting actors who don't quite seem comfortable). The film is quite enjoyable to watch, and the ending isn't apparent from the beginning.

Without at all seeming preachy or didactic, Wildflower addresses the importance of finding Christian community, providing help for those who have gone through physical and/or mental trauma, and staying connected to your children. This is a film that is suitable for teens and older, and it would be perfect for a family or small group movie night. 4 stars.

Watch the trailer.

Visit the film's website.

Buy the film.

Icon Media Group was kind enough to give me a copy of Wildflower to give away to one of my readers! Enter below!

Giveaway rules: Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. Contest is open in the US only. Winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter.com and will have 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review through Icon Media Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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."

"faith of our fathers" dvd review + giveaway

Earlier this year, I went to see the movie Do You Believe? with friends. Prior to the film, we saw several previews for upcoming faith-based films. Faith of Our Fathers was one of them, and after seeing the preview, I knew it was a film I wanted to see.

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John Paul and Wayne are two young men in search of their fathers.  Problem is...their fathers have been dead for more than 25 years.  Eddie and Steven are two young men in search of their sons...whom they've never met.  In 1969, Eddie and Steven are with their squad deep in the jungle of Vietnam on a five-day mission to retrieve fallen comrades.  They write letters to their wives, often mentioning their love for their sons, one, who is an infant and one yet to be born.  In 1997, John Paul and Wayne go on a five day road trip to the Vietnam Wall in Washington DC to see their fathers' names.  Along the way, reading those letters, they begin to get an understanding of who their fathers were and how they died.  Trials and mishaps, both funny and sad, complicate the road trip for the boys.  The horrors of war and the testing of faith manifest themselves for the young men in Vietnam.  Ultimately, in parallel stories - more than 25 years apart - the fathers and sons are bound together forever.  

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Faith of Our Fathers is told in parallel stories during the Vietnam War and in 1997. Eddie and Steven gave their lives together in Vietnam; more than 25 years later, their sons Wayne and John Paul embark on a search to know their fathers.

At its heart, Faith of Our Fathers is a road movie, as strangers Wayne and John Paul travel from Mississippi to Washington, D.C. to visit the Vietnam Wall. This is actually where I feel like the film falters a bit, as it's never quite funny enough, some of the situations are bizarre without being humorous, and sometimes the acting seems a bit forced. The Vietnam portion, while much shorter, is much stronger, and the "modern" section improves greatly once the road trip hijinks are finished. And—I can't believe I'm about to say this, as I'm generally not a fan of his acting—Stephen Baldwin is one of the highlights of the film (just don't get me started on his "old man" makeup ...).

All that is not to say this is a bad film—far from it, in fact. It just suffers from some of the same weaknesses that many faith-based films do: uneven acting and jokes that don't quite land. That said, this is one of the better faith-based films I've seen; better than God's Not Dead and Facing the Giants, and not quite as good as Courageous and Do You Believe. It's safe for the whole family (that PG-13 rating is due to war violence, but it's mostly off screen and nearly bloodless), and it's worth watching and discussing. 3-1/2 stars.

Now comes the fun part! I have a copy of the DVD to give away to one of my readers! Enter through the Rafflecopter below.

Giveaway rules: 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. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Contest is open in the US and CANADA only. Winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter.com and will have 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the film:
Runtime: 96 minutes
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG-13 (for brief war violence)

Starring: Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Downes, David A.R. White, Rebecca St. James, Si Robertson, Candace Cameron Bure, Scott Whyte, and Sean McGowan.

Special Features of the DVD:
-The Heart of Faith of Our Fathers
-Honoring Father's Day
-Commemorating Memorial Day
-Si Robertson Interview
-Stephen Baldwin Interview

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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. Also, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission.

"intersect" dvd review

Where is God in the unexpected things of life? In the good and the bad? Intersect is a tool that can be used to start discussions about God's role in our lives.

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Follow the journey of five individuals as they tell authentic stories of circumstances that have forced them to examine how God might fit into their lives.

This five-week small group resource helps spark spiritual conversations. Starting spiritual conversations with those outside of the church is a worthy, yet often difficult and intimidating task. Intersect was designed to help overcome those barriers. It is an easy-to-use resource, perfect for sharing with co-workers, friends, neighbors, and family to enter into meaningful conversations.

Each film is accompanied by thought-provoking questions designed to encourage participants to examine the world in which they live and the life they are pursuing, always ending with a conversation on how Jesus intersects the current topic. Allow this powerful new film resource to engage those you are in relationship with and then propel them forward in their next step with Jesus.

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Intersect contains five short (approximately 5 minutes each) films that cover different topics: expectation, rest, disappointment, trust, and control. Each film focuses on one person's story, which illustrates the topic. The DVD comes with a study guide that includes questions to ask before and after the film is shown.

I enjoyed this DVD. It's intended to foster discussion, and it doesn't dive deep into scripture; instead, it gets people thinking about their lives and how God might fit in. As the films progress, they become more spiritually oriented. The first film, "Expectations," talks about how life doesn't go as we plan, and that's something that everyone can relate to. By the last film, "Control," God's role in our lives is clearly discussed. I think that progression of slowly making the films more spiritually oriented is good—you won't scare people off with the first film, and by the last, they might be seriously thinking about how God could fit into their lives.

I think Intersect would be great for a youth group or small group setting where people are exploring their faith. It's not meant to be an in-depth study for mature believers, but it could be an excellent tool for starting a conversation with friends and neighbors who are not Christians. 4 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the DVD.

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Rob Peabody left his position as lead campus pastor of a mega-church in Texas in 2011 and moved with his wife, Medea, and their two sons to the U.K. He is now the co-founder and director of Awaken, a non-profit organization that exists to provide resources and creativity to the church and reach Londoners in their 20s and 30s with the Gospel. This work is commissioned by the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and in partnership with the Church of England.

Peabody also currently serves as a missional consultant for multiple church networks. He appears regularly at the Spring Harvest conferences in Great Britain and will be leading a new upcoming national U.K. conference for young adults called The Pursuit.

In addition, Peabody has written a small-group film series entitled Kingdom Rise (2013), as well as the book Citizen: Your Role in the Alternative Kingdom (2014).

Connect with Rob Peabody at his online home at awakenmovement.com, like the Awaken Movement on Facebook (awakenmovement) or follow Rob on Twitter (@AwakenRob and @awakenmovement).

Cris Rogers is a writer, pastor, speaker and church visionary. In 2010, Rogers planted a church in the poorest area of London with a dream for it to be an explosion of joy within the tower block estate in which he works.

Follow Cris Rogers on Twitter (@RabbiRogers).

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this DVD free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."

"israel's mission" by ray vander laan

View Scripture through its historical context with Israel's Mission, the latest entry in the "That the World May Know" series.

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What's your mission?

God gave the assignment to His people thousands of years ago: to bring "lost sheep" back into the love and safety of His kingdom. He said to become a "Kingdom of Priests," and put God on display to show the world what He is like. It's still our task today. In this thirteenth volume of the That the World May Know ® film series, you'll glimpse the urgency and rewards of welcoming the strangers and prodigals the Lord longs to embrace. Discover the mission that can give your life - and the lives of those around you - greater meaning than you ever imagined.

Join renowned teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan as he guides you through the lands of the Bible. In each lesson, Vander Laan illuminates the historical, geographical, and cultural context of the sacred Scriptures. Filmed on location in the Middle East and elsewhere, the That the World May Know ® film series will transform your understanding of God and challenge you to be a true follower of Jesus.

Designed for use with That the World May Know: Israel's Mission Discovery Guide.

Filmed on location at these biblically significant sites in Israel and Jordan:

-Back to the Father's House - Negev Desert
-Show Them the Way - Timnah
-Prodigal Sons and Daughters - Qatzrin
-Return from the Far Off Country - Jerash
-Welcome Home - Qatzrin

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I confess that far too often when I study the Bible I don't think about it in its historical context—I simply read it from my 21st century perspective. So I found this DVD from Ray Vander Laan to be completely captivating. Each session takes place in the Holy Land, and Vander Laan spends a lot of time explaining the context—what those living in Bible times (and shortly after) would have understood because of their culture that those of us living now would probably miss. I was especially fascinated by the context surrounding the parable of the prodigal son—there are so many nuances to that story that I would never consider but would have been readily apparent to the Jews at the time.

The DVD has five lessons that build on each other (each is about 35 minutes long). There's also a Bible study book (called a discovery guide) available. This book has places to take notes during the video and provides discussion questions to go through following the video. Each lesson also has five additional personal study lessons that expand on the information from the video lesson. This is a very in-depth study, and it really aides in understanding.

I highly recommend Israel's Mission. It's incredibly informative and interesting, and it helps people go deeper in their knowledge of Scripture. I think it would be wonderful for a small group study or Sunday School class, and it's also great for personal study. 5 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the DVD.

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Ray Vander Laan is the founder of That the World May Know Ministries and creator of the Faith Lessons video series with Focus on the Family. An ordained minister, he holds the chair of biblical cultural studies as a religion instructor at Holland Christian Schools in Holland, Michigan. He and his wife, Esther, have four children and fifteen grandchildren.


Find Ray online: website

Our task as Christians is to bring “lost sheep” back into the love and safety of His kingdom. How are you doing at welcoming the strangers and prodigals the Lord longs to embrace? Learn how to work on your task with Ray Vander Laan's Israel's Mission, volume thirteen in the That the World May Know® DVD series. Discover the mission that can give your life—and the lives of those around you—greater meaning than you ever imagined. Filmed on location in the Middle East and elsewhere, the series will transform your understanding of God and challenge you to be a true follower of Jesus.

Celebrate the release of Israel's Mission by entering to win the entire That the World May Know® series—perfect for working through with your family, Bible study, or Sunday school class!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• All 13 DVDs in the That the World May Know® series

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 18th. Winner will be announced September 21st on the Litfuse blog.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this DVD and study guide free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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."