Rise Today | March Book Club

RISE TODAY

March is a frenzied and chaotic month, wind, rain, sleet, hail, snow, and sunshine… sometimes all within 5 minute of the other! Don’t things always feel somewhat topsy-turvy when something profound is about to take place? Like the month before spring’s arrival, bringing rebirth and renewal. And like our lives as we navigate difficult or challenging circumstances.

Feeling a bit frenzied and chaotic yourself? Have I got a balm for you! My March Book Club pick,“RISE TODAY - Trusting God and His Promise”, by Jason F. Wright.

It’s a precious little hardback book, rightly likened to an “illustrated extended greeting card with a message that offers hope in dark times.” Absolutely perfect for tucking into an Easter basket, into a loved one’s hand, or into a padded envelope for the outgoing mail. RISE TODAY has full-color graphics between all 32 pages.

Author Jason F. Wright, who also penned the NYT bestselling novel,“Christmas Jars”, has been a guest preacher at many churches throughout the country, sharing motivational and inspiring messages while also doing outreach to people temporarily without housing or in financial difficulties.

He graciously accepted my invitation to be a guest on my popular podcast series, “LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah” and when the episode is published you’ll definitely want to pull up a chair and have a listen.

Jason is one of the most positive, caring, kind, and inspirational people you’ll ever meet. His joy is infectious and you come away from every encounter with him feeling calm and hopeful.

That’s what his writing does for you as well. It’s why I feature his books so often in my book club, like “Even The Dog Knows,” from last August.

I’ve leafed through RISE TODAY, so many times since I received my early copy from the publishers. When I’m feeling anxious I find myself reaching for it, enjoying the comfort and inspiration that wash over me. I love the 5 specific suggestions it contains to help folks like me rise above life’s doldrums. Because, let’s be honest, we ALL find ourselves there from time-to-time. Jason offers advice he’s come by while striving to live a Christ-centered life and through worshipping with many different congregations together in churches across the country.

It begins simply enough. “He. Is. Risen. “

“Those three words are more than a headline,” says the author. “They are a promise. Because He is risen, we too shall rise again. Every child of God has moments when it feels as if a giant rock has been rolled in front of our path. You may feel emotionally whipped by winds beyond your control. You may be thinking your own saving miracle is too far away to lean on. If you feel alone, in the dark, or powerless, remember that rising again doesn’t need to wait until body and soul reunite. HE IS RISEN so we can rise . . . TODAY.”

Pick up your copy
(and copies for everyone you want to share this beautiful message with) here:
RISE TODAY

New Movies You'll Fall For!

Family, faith, and fistfuls of popcorn is going to be just ticket this fall! Get in on the good stuff when you cozy up to watch one - or all three - of these fabulous new movies coming your way!

---

Show Me The Father

The Kendrick brothers are the team that brought us War Room, Courageous, and Fireproof, and now they've created an amazing documentary about fatherhood, featuring five true father stories, all from totally different perspectives.

Show Me The Father deals with the universal issues of fatherhood. Whether your earthly father was someone to look up to and admire, someone to run from and fear, someone you never really knew emotionally, or never even met... your unique father story has a profound effect on the way you view the world and often the direction that your life takes.

This dynamic documentary involves Alex Kendrick, Stephen Kendrick, Deland McCullough, Jim Daly, Eddie George, Jill Kendrick, Jonathan Evans and Tony Evans.

Show Me The Father provides a fresh perspective on the roles of fathers in today's society. It will help you to see that your earthly father story can be redeemed for good, and you will come away empowered and inspired.

In theaters Now!
Watch the trailer HERE.

---

COURAGEOUS Legacy

As a mother of a police officer, who is also an incredible father of four, this film truly touched my heart.

This is a 10th Anniversary re-release of the Kendrick Brother’s film, COURAGEOUS Legacy, and is another must-see. Celebrating 10 years of impact on families and fathers, the updated version of the film includes new scenes and an enhanced look and sound.

“Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, they are confident and focused. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood. While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. When tragedy hits home, they are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God ... and to their children?”

I laughed, cried, and cheered these guys along as they struggled to find their footing - not on the force, which they seemed to have well in-hand, but in their role as fathers, one of the most courageous positions to find oneself in. I know you’ll be right there with me when you visit theaters this September.

In theaters September 24th
WATCH the trailer HERE.

---

The Jesus Music

Contemporary Christian Music is as mainstream and available now as any other genre, but that is a fairly new phenomenon.

The Jesus Music, a dynamic documentary, unfolds the whole story, from it’s humble beginnings at the Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California, and up through it’s many fits and starts, to become today what is recognized and celebrated as a multi-billion-dollar industry.

The film features some of my favorite artists, and people! Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Toby Mac, Lauren Daigle, Bart Millard, Joel Smallbone… and so many others who have dedicated their lives and their art to making music that unites people and honors God.

As Amy says, “A lot of hymns are close your eyes, singing to God. I wanted to sing with my eyes wide open, singing to each other.”

From the creators of I Can Only Imagine, comes The Jesus Music! If you love music (and who doesn’t?), you’ll love this magnificent musical film!

In theaters October 1st
WATCH the trailer HERE

DeVon Franklin | "Live Free: Exceed Your Highest Expectations"

I’ve been a big big fan of all things DeVon Franklin for a long while now. That’s why I can heartily recommend his new book, “LIVE FREE: Exceed Your Highest Expectations.”

As you may already know, DeVon Franklin is an award-winning film producer, NYT bestselling author, and motivational speaker. He was a guest on my podcast, LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah, along with another one of my favorite people, Chrissy Metz, after directing the heartwarming, faith affirming, film, BREAKTHROUGH. And before that, I was fortunate to have a small, (ok tiny… ok, teeny tiny) speaking part in THE STAR the sweet animated film he also directed.

DeVon is committed to uplifting global communities through entertainment and has leveraged his 20-year Hollywood career and experiences to become a leading authority on inspirational personal and professional development with millions of followers worldwide. Perhaps this is why Variety Magazine named him one of the "Top 10 Producers to Watch,"

DeVon is also the author of multiple bestselling books including THE TRUTH ABOUT MEN, THE SUCCESS COMMANDMENTS, THE WAIT (co-written with his wife, award-winning actress Meagan Good) and PRODUCED BY FAITH.

His highly anticipated fifth book, LIVE FREE: Exceed Your Highest Expectations was just released this month!

He helps teach us how to live free from unnecessary stress and anxiety and lead happier lives by learning to set our own expectations rather than accepting those imposed upon us.

Everything DeVon touches is full of lessons and wonderful advise helping us live more joyful lives. This one will be on my night stand for a long time to come. I want you all to get a copy, and heed the advice he sets forth within! I can assure you that any advice DeVon has to offer is positive, powerful, and empowering, and nothing but good things will come of you following it.

Pick up your copy through DeVon’s own website: LIVE FREE

Come, Sweet Day | April Book Club

We’ve been waiting, haven’t we, for our sweet day to come?

2020 dished out it’s fair share of disappointment and despair. The isolation many endured (and are still yet enduring,) made tough situations even less bearable. Pressures mounted, support systems collapsed, and our physical, emotional, and spiritual health was assaulted. Julianne Donaldson, bestselling romance author of Edenbrooke, knows the longing all too well. Come, Sweet Day, a collection of poems and essays, reminds us that we are not alone.

Donaldson went through a period of time when things were happening in her personal life that many of us like to believe only happen to others; conflicts, challenges, and upheavals led to depression and despondency. Come, Sweet Day, was written to let others know they are not alone, that there is a light in the darkness, and days will be bright again.

”Compiled from years of inspirational words of encouragement to herself on social media and even bits and pieces of random musings written on scrap paper, this is a unique writer's journey through a life passage marked by cancer, a bitter divorce, legal battles with her ex-husband, mental illness, and persistent feelings of rejection and abandonment which also rendered her unable to pick up her career as a writer to support herself and her family.

Overwhelmed by sadness and almost paralyzed into inaction by despair, she slowly finds her way back to her writer's toolbox, unpacking the pain and sharing her innermost feelings as if revealing a character's thoughts in a novel. In her writing she begins to find rays of understanding and acceptance and eventually finds strength from knowing that God's love and His grace and guidance give greater meaning to our suffering and light the way to hope.”

A slim little book, with a bright happy cover, Come, Sweet Day, is suited to all of us that have known troubling times and might have wondered if things would ever get better. They will!

It’s a thoughtful gift for a friend or family member that you sense could do with a bit of inspiration and absolutely perfect for Mother’s Day. Here’s where you can get a copy (or ten):

Buy Link: Come, Sweet Day

View fullsize