From Frazzled to Fun

Have you heard about After Death, a new movie by the makers of The Chosen and Sound of Freedom?

The movie tells the stories of 14 people who clinically died, and came back to tell about it.

Producer Stephen Gray said that out of the thousands of stories they looked through in the making of this movie, they were amazed to find 40 similar testimonial data points across these people of all sorts of religious backgrounds.

For us, watching After Death will be a great alternative activity on Oct. 31...dinner and a movie!

(If you are wondering why we choose to do alternate activities on Oct. 31, here you can find a video of me explaining 7 questions we answered to make that decision.)

Opening weekend is such a powerful time to watch a film, especially for independent films like After Death. The more people come out for it, the longer the movie will be shown. So let's show up on Oct. 31! 

Get tickets here!

If you need, you can receive free tickets from others who have paid it forward. O...

We are living in times that we cannot risk prayerlessness.

 WHAT IS GOING ON?

This week it was reported that Israel was barbarically attacked by the Islamic terrorist organization Hamas. Not just going for the military, but a ruthless attack -- killing grandmothers, families, and even infants.

"There have been about 1,200 Israelis that have been butchered by Hamas terrorists. That is the equivalent to around 30,000 or 40,000 Americans, if you adjust for population.” said Karys Rhea, a fellow with the Jewish Leadership Project.

Rhea said they suffered the bloodiest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

WHAT ABOUT FRIDAY, OCT. 13, TAKES THE CONFLICT UP A LEVEL?

Khaled Mashal, a leader and founding member of the Islamic terror group Hamas, has called for a global Day of Rage on Friday, saying “this is the time for Jihad,” according to American Greatness.

Mashal called all Muslims "to show anger, especially next Friday, in Muslim countries and Also among Muslim diaspora aro...

A little more than a year ago I started a new and powerful habit: taking communion daily.

If you've been walking with me for very long, you probably have picked up on my attitude about how I want to live. I once heard someone say, "When my alarm clock goes off, I want the devil to say, 'Oh no, she's up again!'"

Bingo.

This daily communion addition I believe has been powerful and, if you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I want to encourage you to consider doing the same.

If we didn't understand before that we are in a daily battle between good and evil, I'm pretty sure we all realize that at this point in history.

It's fierce and this is no time to be complacent.

In the shakings, our families need us to fight for them.

A reminder of where our absolute victory in this battle we are in is found in this verse:

“They overcame him [the accuser of the brethren] by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, they loved not their lives unto death.” - Revelations 1...

It's time to STAND. Actually let's ROAR. What we believe is not what we say, but what we do. Do you believe all humans have been given unalienable rights by our Creator...Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, to name a few? How are you exemplifying that now in the choices you make in these ongoing unprecedented times? Do you want life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for your children's future? Mama, it's time to show your children what you believe and to live it out.    In case you hadn't heard: Colleges are reinstituting their COVID mandates. Over 100 schools have put in place a vaccine mandate A major Hollywood studio, Lionsgate, is bringing back mask mandates, contact tracing, and  mandatory COVID tests $1.4 billion dollars is being spent to develop yet another (the 7th) COVID booster The federal government is buying up new COVID supplies in bulk and hiring advisers  The U.S. media-nites are dutifully justifying all of these ac...

“Prayers outlive the lives of those who uttered them; outlive a generation, outlive an age, outlive a world.” – E.M Bounds

How would you like to 

1. Be a part of a prayer movement of mamas that change history by gathering once a month with 2-3 friends or your family to pray
2. Raise up your kids understanding how to pray powerful prayers
3. Have the prayer plan already laid out for you, so all you have to do is download the prayer guide each month

I heard Jenny Donnelly recently share that the Lord has laid on her heart the mission to organize 250,000 prayer hubs to meet once a month and pray for one hour.

A prayer hub is simply 2-3 people who meet once a month to pray.

You can do this with other moms (2-3, or up to 10) if you would like.

Or you can do this as a family!

Will you commit to this?

After you register, you will have access to each month's prayer guide.

She has specific prayer guides for kids, too! One for ages 6 and under and one for 7 and above.

Click here for infor...

"God's children are not for sale." The movie Sound of Freedom has this phrase as it's anthem.

May that anthem be loud and clear as we show up in droves July 4 and after to support this movie, produced by Angel Studios, the makers of the Chosen series.

Sound of Freedom is based on the gripping true story of a man’s mission, in spite of overwhelming dangers and sacrifices, to rescue children from the darkest corners of the world.

This action-packed drama, starring Jim Caviezel, shines a light on the harrowing reality of sex trafficking and the valiant efforts of those who work tirelessly to combat it.

The movie addresses the reality of child sex trafficking in a nuanced and creative way that doesn’t show outright sexual abuse or rape, but all of those are implied.

Because of the mature content, this movie is most appropriate for teens and older.

Despite the heavy subject, a common thread throughout the movie is that people should live in the power of hope and not fear.

Get your ti...

I had planned to write about Target's PRIDE push (did you sign one of the circulating boycott petitions?) As I dug into this, I was surprised to discover more retailers that have similar agendas. 

One of the most shocking for me, after Target, was North Face, who just released their "Summer of Pride Tour" ad with drag queen "Patti Gonia" (one minute ad can be seen at 5:50). I guess they didn't learn from Bud Light's recent and sudden loss of 16 billion dollars because of a similar campaign.

Mama bears, let's send them a clear message...go woke, go broke.

Enough said, because I also learned about a very different tour that brings so much HOPE in this darkness, and I'd much rather focus on this!

Can you imagine doing a family vacation this year that would include joining other faith-filled families in the great outdoors for family movie nights watching "The Chosen" on a 20 ft. movie screen, fishing tournaments, rodeos, shared meals, comedy nights, and prayer and worship?

This is exa...

Today is the National Day of Prayer, and I want to encourage you by sharing this message my husband Chris sent out to our church:

* * *

Let's join millions of brothers and sisters in our nation and around the world praying directly to God

Let's pray for ... 

> Revival

Lord, let it begin in me. 

> Unity

At a time our country is divided, it's time for the church to be united.

> Spiritual Awakening

Who can I share Jesus with today?


“Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.”  D.L. Moody

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) - if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 

* * *

I also want to pray Eph. 3:14-21 (NIV) for the people of our nation:

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power thro...

I've given up canceling out my own prayers for my child.

What do I mean?

Well, let's consider something that I really wanted to see change in for my child.

For example, my child was making selfish choices and always seemed to put herself above others.

When I was in a quiet reflective moment I prayed that the Lord will help her to learn to put others first and be more considerate of others.

Later in the day, when bringing in a pizza for the family and a few friends I said to my husband,  "Oh boy, here we go again...she's going to push to the front and rush to get the biggest piece as soon as we come through the door, just like she always does."

Wait a second.

Back up.

I had to ask myself, Do I believe the Bible is true?

Because I know it says this: "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him." 1 John 5:14-15

I do know tha...

"I'm heading out to grab some lunch," said our friend Josh who ran AV at the retreat. My mind reeled with thoughts of how badly I wished I had some cash right now to hand him. He was sooo kind to give of his time....

 At that very moment my friend Vicki walked up and said, "Brenna, I just sold two t-shirts" and handed me a twenty dollar bill. 

It was almost one solid movement from her hand to my hand and then my hand to his hand!

This is the perfect example of how every detail for this event has come together, I immediately realized. Just at the time there was a need, it was met.

(And it was the one and only time anyone handed me cash all weekend, even with all the books and t-shirts that sold.)

Though it seemed like a daunting task in October when I felt the Lord leading me to have a Coach Mom Live Retreat, I moved forward in faith and I testify to the Lord's goodness and provision in every way.

I heard Priscilla Shirer the week before talking about how when we step out to obey ...