It’s A Beautiful Day to Be Kind!

| Faith and Family Films

The new movie A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood hits theaters Friday November 22, 2019 (the Friday before Thanksgiving).  This is a must see movie for everyone that is high school age and beyond. Why you say? Because we need to be reminded what it is like to live in a world that is kind and respectful. The culture we live in today needs a fresh dose of kindness and I believe Mister Rogers delivers that message with precision in this movie.

Fred Rogers was one of the most influential Christians of the 20th century. He conveyed Gospel principles to millions, using stories instead of sermons.

In the film, Fred’s love for Jesus is made self-evident through his ability to see the inner child in everyone. He makes his friend Lloyd feel known and heard. He sees and accepts Lloyd as a child of God.

As Mark 12:31 says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
(The Holy Bible, NIV) In today’s world, we all need to be reminded of the power of love and the importance of saying, “Won’t you be my neighbor?”

Galatians 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Here are a few suggestions on how to demonstrate kindness from the Beautiful Day website:

 

  • Write a thank you note to the people in your life who have loved you into being.
  • Complete random acts of kindness in your community. Possible ideas: leave encouraging notes for others to find, post a positive review for a company, befriend someone new.
  • Offer someone a genuine compliment today.
  • Volunteer with a local nonprofit and give back to your neighborhood.
  • Coordinate a donation bin for people in need.
  • Check your road rage at the car door and practice being neighborly on the road.
  • Visit with the elderly at a nearby retirement home.
  • Participate in a neighborhood clean-up to inspire others to care for the environment.
  • Is someone moving into your neighborhood? Greet them with a knock on the door and perhaps a small housewarming gift.
  • Make an anonymous donation to a charity of your choice.
  • Host a neighborhood gathering (like a dinner party) to bless your immediate community.

 

It’s a beautiful day to be kind! Let’s put the fruit of the spirit into practice everyday and not just during the holidays. 

Thanks for your time.

Dave Almgren – Faith and Family Films

Here is the official synopsis from the Sony / Affirm Web site.

Tom Hanks portrays Mister Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, a timely story of kindness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod. After a jaded magazine writer (Emmy winner Matthew Rhys) is assigned a profile of Fred Rogers, he overcomes his skepticism, learning about kindness, love and forgiven

Check out the official trailer for the movie;

 

Here is the Heart of the Story video for some back story on the film;

 

 

Resources:

Here are some resources you can use to bring the message of neighborly love to your church and community! http://resources.abeautifulday.movie/

Breakthrough is Coming!

| Faith and Family Films

As I sit back and observe this crazy world we live in, I can’t help but think that we all need a breakthrough in our lives. This world is in desperate need of a breakthrough in so many ways and ultimately we need a spiritual breakthrough of revival to bring back what was once dead to new life. We need a breakthrough in our churches, our communites, our homes, in regards to the words we use and how we treat others day in and day out.

We need a spiritual breakthrough and we need it soon!

There is a movie coming to theaters April 17th, 2019 that I believe will impact the culture and will spark revival in the hearts of many in this country and around the world. It’s a powerful story about a boy that died. A mom that prayed and the boy who miraculously came back to life after being DEAD for over an hour.

The movie is called Breakthrough  and it’s based on the inspirational true story of one mother’s unfaltering love in the face of impossible odds. When Joyce Smith’s adopted son John falls through an icy Missouri lake, all hope seems lost. But as John lies lifeless, Joyce refuses to give up. Her steadfast belief inspires those around her to continue to pray for John’s recovery, even in the face of every case history and scientific prediction. From producer DeVon Franklin (Miracles from Heaven) and director Roxann Dawson, adapted for the screen by Grant Nieporte (Seven Pounds) from Joyce Smith’s own book, BREAKTHROUGH is an enthralling reminder that faith and love can create a mountain of hope, and sometimes even a miracle. Synopsis provided by Fox.

Check out what a few national voices are saying about the movie Breakthrough.

“Breakthrough grabs your heart and never let’s go. The characters are genuine, believable and most of all, relatable-because they are people you know, and one of them is likely you. It’s a story of faith over fear when everything and everyone around you says to give up. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and in the end you’re faith will breakthrough!”     Karl Bastian, founder of Kidology.org and a drowning survivor.

“Breakthrough is THE must-see movie for 2019. It’s action-packed, heart warming and soul-stirring.” Ryan Frank – KidzMatter Magazine

Check out the trailer below and think about checking out this movie when it hits theaters April 17th, 2019. My hope is that it will not only be entertaining, but it will also challenge you and encourage you, it will inspire you, it will spark new life in your walk with the Lord and it will remind you that God still does miracles each and every day.

Think about this as well. Don’t miss out on all the miracles that are all around you and the opportunity you have each and every day to be used by God to be a miracle in the lives of others.

Check out the trailer below for Breakthrough and you can also pick up the book of the same title. It’s a great read.

Thanks for stopping by for a few minutes and please join me in praying for revival!

Dave Almgren

Faith and Family Films

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The Power of One

| Faith and Family Films

 

hacksawridge2I once heard a story about a man who went to the beach and as he walked along the way he noticed hundreds of starfish and was so overwhelmed that he started to toss them back into the ocean one by one.  After some time elapsed, a another beach comer came along and noticed what the man was doing with the starfish and asked the gentleman why he was wasting his time tossing the starfish back into the ocean. There are hundreds of starfish and there is no way that you will be able to save all of them. It won’t matter. The man than picked up another starfish and said, it will matter to this one and tossed the starfish into the ocean. This may seem like a small gesture, but there is and cause and effect to every action that we take and we may never know the effects of our actions that we take in life. It mattered to the life of one starfish and that mattered to the man walking on the beach.

Everyone of us faces these same questions in life. Does it really matter what I do. Can I make a difference in my world, my community. Many of us don’t even bother to try and we wander through life without making an impact at all.

Hacksaw Ridge is a TRUE story about a man named Desmond Doss who was an ordinary man who did extraordinary things that were supernatural. Desmond decided to STAND for his convictions and serve his country as a medic in WWII as a conscientious objector. Yes that’s right, he went into battle without a gun and those in his unit questioned Desmond as to what difference could he make? The difference was that he saved not just one, but 75 men from his unit that would have otherwise died. One by one Desmond made a difference. His prayer on the battlefield was “Please Lord, help me get one more.”

Hacksaw Ridge is a powerful film that spoke to me on so many levels, but the one principal that stood out the most is that of obedience. The obedience of one man impacted the lives of 100’s of people for generations to come. You see, Desmond Doss rescued 75 men that would have otherwise perished in battle, Desmond single-handedly evacuated these wounded men from the battlefield behind enemy lines. WOW!  After previewing the film, I wondered where the children, grandchildren and the great grandchildren of the 75 men are today? Do they know what happened and how the course that their lives might have taken a completely different route if it had not been for the obedience on ONE man’s actions – Desmond Doss?

Well, today I discovered a story online about Mark Gamroth and his grandfather was Henry Gamroth. Henry served with Private Doss and Mark describes his grandfathers story from Hacksaw Ridge. “he was struck in a leg by fire and fell about 25 feet off a cliff. Doss, a private first class, crawled to Gamroth, rendered aid and removed him from the area. The whole story is almost so unbelievable; a shocker,” Mark Gamroth said. “I started to think about what Doss did, and without what he does, maybe my grandfather isn’t around, and then the rest of the family isn’t here.“ And think of all those others he saved and their families; what Doss did impacted them as well,” he added. “It’s all so amazing. I can’t wait to see the movie.”  Click here to Read the entire article

So the simple obedience of one man can impact the lives of hundreds of people. There is a cause and effect and YES you can make a difference. The POWER of ONE is real.  Everyday we have a choice to be obedient, to be kind, to be generous and to be selfless. The power of your choices can impact one person and you never know have far reaching your choices will go.

Hacksaw Ridge opens in theaters Friday November 4th. This is a movie that stays with you long after the credits roll. I encourage you do go see the movie, but be ready to be inspired, challenged and reminded of the POWER of ONE and also of the sacrifice’s that were made by the brave men like Desmond Doss in order to secure our FREEDOM.

See you at the movies!  David Almgren

This film is Rated R for the war violence ( not suited for kids at all).

Visit the Hacksaw Ridge web site for more information.

Synopsis : HACKSAW RIDGE is the extraordinary true story of WWII medic Desmond Doss,  who, in Okinawa during the bloodiest battle of WWII, miraculously saved 75 men in a matter of hours without firing or carrying a gun. He was the only American soldier in WWII to fight on the front lines without a weapon, except the simple prayer he uttered before he single-handedly evacuated the wounded from behind enemy lines, under constant enemy gunfire and artillery bombardment. Doss’ courage and faith won the admiration of his commanders and fellow soldiers, as he saved the lives of the very men who had persecuted him for refusing to carry a gun. He believed the war was just, but to kill under any circumstance was wrong. Doss was labeled the first conscientious objector (he called himself a “conscientious cooperator” as he volunteered) to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.

 

Lessons Of Grace

| Faith and Family Films

graceFrom early on in my adult life I knew deep in my heart that my travels through Life would be a little different from ‘the norm’.  I married later than all of my friends, started a family later, and then was blessed to have a daughter who happens to have Down Syndrome.  We had the name ‘Grace’ picked out years before she came along (it is the meaning of my name) and appropriately it means ‘Gift’.  For that is what Grace has been to our family.  It has indeed been a Journey. Grace is now 15 years old and although we get to experience the tween attitude now, we would not trade her in for anything.

Here are some of the Lessons of Grace that we have learned over the years:

  1. IT IS OKAY TO TALK TO PEOPLE ON THE ELEVATOR OR IN LINE… We all tend to avoid eye contact or just stare straight ahead.  Grace, however, loves to meet everyone and socialize with them.  We have met so many strangers over the years because of her.
  2. WHEN PEOPLE ARE SAD, THEY JUST WANT TO BE HUGGED… She is always concerned when someone is crying or sad and wants to hug and console them. Personally, I have a tough time hugging others and do not always know what to do or say when someone is sad.  Grace is teaching me that it is okay to embrace others more.
  3. IT IS IMPORTANT TO SAY “I’M SORRY” IF YOU HURT ANYONE… There were many times that Grace was the reason why other little girls (usually the emotional ones) would be crying.  She went through a long stage of pulling hair when she was young.  I think she was just fascinated with long, golden hair and would reach out to touch it, causing the owner to pull away in shock and get her hair tugged.  Yet Grace always said “Sorry..” and would then try to hug them tightly.  She did not make many close friends during this stage.LessonsfromGrace#1
  4. PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN TOYS… I have been asked multiple times what Grace’s interests or favorite toys are.  It has always been people.  She came out a social butterfly and chats away with anyone she engages with.  However, she has also embarrassed me at times with her strong opinions.  One time someone we met was so excited to get our girls together and Grace took one look at the daughter and said “I don’t like her!” They eventually did become friends, yet that was quite humbling.
  5. SOMETIMES WE JUST NEED TO STOP AND TAKE A NAP… Anywhere. Anytime.  Enough said.
  6. IF YOU ARE SAD, JUST SAY “I AM HAPPY” AND FORGET ABOUT WHAT WAS UPSETTING YOU… Of my three kids, Grace gets over a foul mood quicker than any of them and flashes a smile to let us know that she is happy again.  If only it was that easy for the rest of us!
  7. IT’S IMPORTANT TO WAKE UP EACH MORNING WITH A SMILE… Grace has always been a morning person and now that she is getting older we hear “what’s next?” a lot.  This is tough when we have no plans or she is not excited about “what’s next”.  Yet, unlike her older brother, she always starts the day in a great mood, ready to conquer the Day.
  8. WE ALL WANT FRIENDS WHO LOVE US AS WE ARE AND DO NOT STARE AT US IF WE MAY BE ‘DIFFERENT’… Being my social bug, Grace has made lots of friends over the years.  Bless the ones who have patiently listened to her passing obsessions (over and over again).  We all just want to have people listen to our hearts, don’t we?
  9. WE NEED MORE OF THE ‘OH, WOW SYNDROME’…That is what I call it when Grace is next to me one second, and then missing the next.  What was so fascinating that caused her to say in her head “Oh, wow!” and then take off after it? This was not always logical and yes, we ‘lost’ her temporarily a few times in stores and in our neighborhood.  Now she at least looks back at me like, “Oh, yeah..I’m supposed to check in with you first”.  I need to look around more and find wonderful things that attract my attention.
  10. TO BE CONTENT IN LIFE IS A GREAT THING… There is a stereotype with these wonderful kids with Down Syndrome. The stereotype is that ‘They are always so happy’.  Always happy?  No.  Content?  Yes.  I long to be content with what is going on in my Life, to embrace each day and each person I encounter and to be content.

Grace has been a wonderful gift and is teaching us about living life with a different perspective as we move forward in our journey in life as a family.

“Grace is a pleasant surprise…Grace is a kind gesture.  Grace is something you did not expect.  Yet Grace is something you would never turn down.”  Max Lucado

Have a grace filled day!

Karis Almgren

Faith and Family Film 2016 Schedule

| Faith and Family Films

Here is a list of the upcoming films.

Risen Movie February 19th 2016 trailer available

Vanished the next Generation – February 2016 trailer available

The Young Messiah – March 11th, 2016 trailer available

Miracles From Heaven in Theaters March 16th

God’s Not Dead 2 – April 1st , 2016 trailer available

Ben Hur Movie -August 2016 trailer available

I Am Not Ashamed – The Rachael Scott Story.

Join hundreds of thousands of believers on April 20th, 2016 in theaters all across North America. On the 17th anniversary of the Columbine massacre, a new movie will share the true inspiring story of a high school student whose compassionate faith caused her to reach out to fellow students – including her killers.

I Am Not Ashamed – The Rachael Scott Story.

 

 

Woodlawn is a Movie For Such a Time is This!

| Faith and Family Films

12088446_1363387020434203_8412621502137478954_nWOODLAWN arrives in theaters in one week and is ready to score BIG with audiences across the USA. WOODLAWN bows on an aggressive 1500 screens on Friday October 16th.

WOODLAWN is an entertaining and inspiring story that is based on a true story. The film has an incredible cast that includes Jon Voight, Sean Astin, Nic Bishop, Sherri Shepherd, Caleb Castile and a few more. Click here for more info on the cast. 

I really enjoyed how the directors shot the film. They wanted the audience to feel like you are right in the middle of the football action.You really feel like you are apart of the team and as a result the directors give you a unique perspective from the huddle to the end zone.

SYNOPSIS OF THE MOVIE: “A gifted high school football player must learn to boldly embrace his talent and his faith as he battles racial tensions on and off the field in WOODLAWN, a moving and inspirational new film based on the true story of how love and unity overcame hate and division in early 1970s Birmingham, Ala.

Tony Nathan (newcomer Caleb Castille) lands in a powder keg of anger and violence when he joins fellow African-American students at Woodlawn High School after its government-mandated desegregation in 1973. The Woodlawn Colonels football team is a microcosm of the problems at the school and in the city, which erupts in cross burnings and riots, and Coach Tandy Gerelds (Nic Bishop) is at a loss to solve these unprecedented challenges with his disciplinarian ways.

It’s only when Hank (Sean Astin), an outsider who has been radically affected by the message of hope and love he experienced at a Christian revival meeting, convinces Coach Gerelds to let him speak to the team that something truly remarkable begins to happen. More than 40 players, nearly the entire team, black and white, give their lives over to the “better way” Hank tells them is possible through following Jesus, and the change is so profound in them it affects their coach, their school and their community in ways no one could have imagined.”

I believe WOODLAWN lands in theaters for such a time as this. It does not take long to see that our world is upside down right now and something has got to change. As we look back in time, all the social engineering did not work in Birmingham and fast forward to today and it’s still not working. It was not the social engineering that brought change in Birmingham, it was a move of God that saved WOODLAWN high school and as a result had a deep impact on individuals, the school, the city and the state of Alabama.  We need healing, unity, racial reconciliation and we need revival in our country.

WOODLAWN is a story about a high school that was saved by a revival. It is a powerful story that does not need to stay in the history books, but it needs to happen again.

Revival happened in Birmingham and it can happen again in your city!!!

Check out the trailer for WOODLAWN and share it with your friends and make plans to see WOODLAWN on opening weekend October 16th!

Lights. Camera. Take Action!

| Faith and Family Films

There is a new movie that opens today in theaters all across the USA. You may or may not have heard about it. This film broke records in April by using an ‘on demand” model to bring the film to theaters. Over 70k families all over the USA went to the film and loved the movie.  As a result of the films HUGE success using a limited release model, Freestyle Releasing presented the opportunity to distribute the film in a traditional release on June 5th, 2015. That is today!!

Beyond the Mask is the movie and it’s a revolution in faith- based film making. It’s full of action, adventure, romance and redemption. BTM is a wholesome and clean movie that will entertain from beginning to the end. There is no bait and switch in this film (no language and none of the rude and crude elements that find their way into many so called family movies). I would go as far to say this is a “must see” movie this weekend! This film has depth in the story and cast and takes you to the early years of the history of our country and  the struggles that many faced in birthing a new nation. The sets and special effects are beautiful and simple amazing to watch. The cast includes Kara Killmer (Chicago Fire),  Andrew Chaney ( Seasons of Grey), John Rhys-Davies ( Lord of the Rings) to name a few. See additional video interviews below.

I am excited for Beyond The Mask and the success that the film is experiencing and with your support this weekend “Beyond The Mask” will continue to break records.

So “take action” this weekend and go see “Beyond The Mask” at a theater near you!

Check out the theater listings at Beyond The Mask web Site.

See you at the movies!  David Almgren

Here is the trailer for the film;

Check out the interviews with some of the cast from the film ( John Rhys-Davies):

Interview with Andrew Cheney:

Interview with Kara Killmer;

Theater Industry Wants More Family Films

| Faith and Family Films

Faith and Family Films

filmstrip familyfilms

This just in . . .

The theater industry is looking for more family films and they are saying that the lack of the family genre is hurting their box office numbers. Well – this is interesting and very telling. Many have felt that there is a HUGE void regarding the lack of choices for families these days when they venture out to take in a film at their local theater.  So with this void, the question that rises to top for me is this. Will there continue to be a void or will the dark hole be filled with some creative, quality family films that engage, entertain and leave audiences wanting more?  Frances Schaffer ( Author and Theologian) often talked about how the church has abandoned the arts over the years and really stepped away from creative expression.  I believe that the church should be setting the standard and…

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New on Netflix – Veggietales In The House!

| Faith and Family Films

I am excited to announce that Veggietales are coming to your house!!  Premiering this Thanksgiving November 26, 2015 as a Netflix original series, it’s “Veggietales in the House”.

According to the Netflix web site, “this all-new series and features the same characters you know and love, along with the same faith-based values and teaching you’ve come to expect from VeggieTales. We care about what young people are watching and are excited VeggieTales is launching this new series on Netflix that helps teach meaningful life lessons and makes children smile”.

Check out the trailer below for a quick overview and there is also a link to hear some of the thoughts from the original creators Mike Nawrocki and Phil Vischer. It is good to see Phil still involved with Veggietales as the brand moves forward.

For those Veggietales fans that may be looking for various Veggietales toys, plush, DVDs, music and more, check out http://www.kidzonearth.com

Here is a link to 4 FREE coloring and activity sheets for the Veggietales fan in your house.

A few word from Mike and Phil regarding the launch of Veggietales in the House.

After you check out the trailer, let us know what you think. Do you like the new look and feel to Veggietales?

“Remember, God made you special and he loves you very much!!” Bob and Larry

Dave Almgren

Faith and Family Films