Life Perspective: Reviews & More

Andy Griffith has been buried now, and so have George Lindsey and Doug Dillard who died in May. It has been a hard year for Mayberry fans to lose so many beloved actors back to back. We included this blurb from the November 1996 issue of Guideposts in a Christian Activities article (which was copied in the Huffington Post today). "I firmly believe that in every situation, no matter how difficult, God extends grace greater than the hardship, and strength and peace of mind that can lead us to a place higher than where we were before." Entertainer Andy Griffith laid to rest on July 3, 2012 Musician, actor, and television personality Andy Griffith , who passed away on July 3, 2012, was laid to rest hours after his death. He was buried by family less than five hours after he died per his own expressed wishes. "It had been planned for some time," said a spokesman for the Griffith family. "This was the wish of his family." Read more at: Enter...

" God, Am I Nobody? " New in November, 2011 Fellow author and writer Sheryl Young is a friend of mine whose articles I have enjoyed reading for the past three years. Her latest book is God, Am I Nobody? Do you struggle between what the world considers "Success" and what God wants to do with your life? Do you know someone who feels this way? Then this convenient little pocket-size devotional is for you! Begin a whole new outlook on life in 17 days, or 17 short chapters reading at your own pace! It includes: -Bible verses for each day on how to yield our desires to God's will. -Thoughts on God's plan for our lives from 19th century missionary Hudson Taylor's sermonette, "A Higher Calling." -How to apply these two parallels to everyday life. -Available in paperback or e-book format here thru publisher , or at Amazon for Kindle! © 2011, Sheryl Young , MountainView Books, a division of Treble Heart. You can find out more a...

California Couple Fined for Holding In-Home Bible Studies Recently I reported on a new law pending in California which would make using flat bed sheets illegal in hotels. I thought that was ridiculous... until I saw this story about a California couple fined hundreds of dollars for holding a small Bible study for friends in the privacy of their home Continue reading at: California Couple Fined for Holding In-Home Bible Studies - Associated Content from Yahoo! Also see:  New California Bill Seeks to Ban Flat Sheets in Hotels Come ON, California! You're a great state, and my Rodan + Fields business is based there, but you do continue to live up to your reputation for putting the dumbest and most liberal laws on the books and going after the wrong people with your silly laws. How about actually going after CRIMINALS instead of hotel owners and Bible study groups?

Most: The Deluxe Edition (The Bridge) released on DVD March 1 - movie review "Most: The Deluxe Edition" releases March 1 from Nashville's Provident films and is available at Christian stores and online retailers. This captivating 33-minute short film is directed by Bobby Garabedian from a script he co-wrote with producer William Zabka. Promotional materials indicate that the movie is "John 3:16 look turned into a modern-day parable." More at: Most: The Deluxe Edition (The Bridge) released on DVD March 1 - movie review    

"Dancing with the Stars" Season 11 with Bristol Palin & Kurt Warner - Nashville Gospel Music & Entertainment Examiner As everyone has probably heard by now, " Dancing with the Stars " will be back for another season with their most powerful lineup yet. This may be the first year the show has lived up to the "stars" part of its name

Faith-based movie Upside releases on DVD on October 5 starring Randall Bentley of "Heroes" - Nashville Gospel Music & Entertainment Examiner Faith-based movie fans will be interested in the October 5, 2010 DVD release of Spyplane Films’ "Upside." The movie about faith, romance, and coming of age stars Randall Bentley of the hit NBC television series "Heroes."

  The Last Operative: Christian spy thriller from Jerry B. Jenkins - a book review From one of the popular co-authors of the Left Behind series, comes the dramatic novel The Last Operative by Jerry B. Jenkins. The book was riveting for the first 2/3, but the ending and denouement were somewhat mediocre.

Kiss: paranormal Christian fiction from Ted Dekker - a book review From one of the most popular authors in Christian thriller comes Kiss by Ted Dekker . As a fan of Christian suspense fiction like the Left Behind series , I have been mildly disappointed in the Circle series of Decker books , but Kiss surpassed all my expectations.

Matthew West prepares to release 'The Story of Your Life' in October Who Is Matthew West? Matthew West is a GRAMMY ® nominated Christian singer and songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee who has released four studio albums and is known for his number-one hits "More," "You Are Everything"

Nick Jonas vs. Justin Bieber: YouTube cat chooses Nick Jonas over Justin Bieber (with VIDEO) Justin Bieber or Nick Jonas?  Justin Bieber might as well pack up his bags and go home. A cat on YouTube has finally answered the question of which teen superstar is hotter, and it is Nick Jonas . Nick Jonas & Justin Beiber Christian Roots

 I am pleased to announce the release of the 3rd edition of Silver Leaves. My poetry, articles and reviews have been featured every year in this fine international journal! Tolkien journal Silver Leaves releases with articles, artwork and poetry inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien Wednesday, July 14th, 2010  Silver Leaves -- Tolkien Journal Issue 3 of the Tolkien-based journal "Silver Leaves," an annual publication of the White Tree Fund, was just released in Canada on Monday, July 12, 2010. The overall theme of the scholarly and artistic journal is J.R.R. Tolkien , but other high fantasy literature and artwork are included, and essays and artwork inspired by Christian author C.S. Lewis were a prominent theme of issue 2 of "Silver Leaves."

On some of the Christian music and other discussion boards that I moderate, I have ruffled some feathers in the past by asking people not to post about politics or to post mocking or mean-spirited comments about those with opposing viewpoints. While I have taken some flack for this in the past, the "no political posts policy" is to prevent the kind of mean-spirited discussions I see on other boards. "What I don't like about Christians" For instance, a few months ago on a writer's board someone posted "What I don't like about the Christians at my workplace" which turned into an attack on Christians and an apology by other Christians for those naughty Christians who supposedly did non PC things. Later another person posted asking why Christians are so judgmental. I stayed out of discussion #1, but by discussion #2, I waded in by quoting some of the judgmental and mean spirited comments made about Christians in the first post. I was...

 I was sad to hear that Tennessee native Dixie Carter passed away this past weekend. Designing Woman and Tennessee actress Dixie Carter dies of cancer Monday, April 12th, 2010 · 2 comments Tennessee Actress Dixie Carter Dead  Actress Dixie Carter appeared in many shows during her lengthy career, but she will be best remembered for her iconinc portrayal of Julia Sugarbaker on the CBS show Designing Women ... Keep Reading » Related Story:  Profile: Dixie Carter, Star of Designing Women and Desperate Housewives Dead at 70  By Kathryn E. Darden  |  Published 4/12/2010 Dixie Carter, best known for her portrayal of successful Atlanta businesswoman Julia Sugarbaker on CBS show Designing Women passed away in a Houston hospital on April 10.

Letters to God - interview with author and screenwriter Patrick Doughtie Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 After the world premiere of the new faith-based movie Letters to God last week in Orlando, Florida, I had the opportunity to speak with co-director Patrick Doughtie ... Keep Reading »     Also see:   Letters to God: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack released March 30 with Jeremy Camp, Matthew West Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 Letters to God Soundtrack Features Matthew West , Jeremy Camp , Sanctus Real , Between the Trees , Addison Road , Paul Colman , Wintley Phipps & The... Keep Reading »     Letters to God movie with Robyn Lively, Jeffrey S.S. Johnson, Ralph Waite, comi...