Book Review: All Saints

The True Story Behind the Powerful Film ALL SAINTS

Newly ordained, Michael Spurlock's first assignment is to pastor All Saints, a struggling church with twenty-five devoted members and a mortgage well beyond its means. The best option may be to close the church rather than watch it wither any further. But when All Saints hesitantly risks welcoming a community of Karen refugees from Burma--former farmers scrambling for a fresh start in America--Michael feels they may be called to an improbable new mission.

Michael must choose between closing the church and selling the property--or listening to a still, small voice challenging the people of All Saints to risk it all and provide much-needed hope to their new community. Together, they risk everything to plant seeds for a future that might just save them all.

Discover the true story that inspired the film while also diving deeper into the background of the Karen people, the church, and how a community of believers rally to reach out to those in need, yet receive far more than they dared imagine.

The Reverend Michael Spurlock served All Saints Episcopal Church in Smyrna, Tennessee, for three years. He is currently on the clergy staff at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue in New York City. Michael, his wife, Aimee, and their two children live in New York City.

Award-winning author and investigative journalist Jeanette Windle has lived in six countries, authored nineteen books, and mentors writers on five continents. To learn more, visit her at www.jeanettewindle.com.

My Reflections:

All Saints is based on a true story, that will grab your heart and stir your soul. Within the first chapter, I was drawn into a story of faith and integrity. 

Imagine your very first posting out of seminary is a church that seems beyond saving. That is exactly what Reverend Spurlock was faced with. All Saints having just had a major division in its congregation is also in financial ruins. Imagine how the good reverend felt walking into this.

Enter in refugees from Burma, and the story just gets going. The choices we make always affect the people around us, be it positive or negative. This story really highlights Gods ability to shine in dark places, and how one person's decision to trust makes all the difference.

Though this book is short in length a little over 200 pages, it is packed with encouragement and is sure to brighten your day. I would recommend "All Saints" to anyone who is looking for an inspirational read. It would also be an enriching novel for a book club.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

Movie Review: Miracles From Heaven

About this Movie:

Miracles From Heaven is based on the story of the Beam family, Jennifer Garner plays Christy Beam, whose daughter Annabel (Kylie Rogers, Fathers, and Daughters) suffers from a rare digestive disorder, but finds herself miraculously cured after surviving a terrible accident.

My Reflections:

If you are looking for a movie with it all, look no further, Miracles from Heaven the movie for you! Available now on DVD. This drama is based on a real family and true events. This movie is sure to make you cry, so have the Kleenex ready before you push "play" 

Filled with drama I found this movie to be deeply touching. This show is geared towards christian families and contains good morals and true to live emotions and reactions to a deeply touching theme. I am pretty sure my un-churched friends may not appreciate the faith aspects this story contains, I however love these types of movies and quite enjoy sharing them with my teen aged children.

Patricia Riggen's film stars Jennifer Garner as Christy Beam and Queen Latifah as a Boston Waitress who befriends the family. Our wee little main character is Beam's second oldest daughter, Annabel (Kylie Rogets) She does a fabulous job of acting and is endearing to the point of painful! You seriously just want to scoop her up and make all her illness go away!

This movie made me weep and rally, I was fighting along side mama bear Christy as she sought help for her ailing daughter. Among financial strain and faith shaking consequences the audience is carried along as miracles unfold and faith is once again strengthened in the process of healing and refining. 
The characters were strong, well developed and extremely touching, Sony out did themselves with this well rounded motion picture! I'm so proud of big companies like Sony, taking the chance to go against the tide and produce solid family friendly faith filled movies. I can't wait to see what comes out next!

I would certainly recommend this movie to anyone who is looking for a clean and moving drama. I would however caution parents to pre-screen this movie to assess the age appropriateness for their family, as it contains graphic medical procedures and intense trauma.

Movie access was granted to me by Graf-Martin Communications for the purposes of this review, my opinions are my own. Thank you Graf Martin Communications!