Movie Review: The Hopeful

My Review of The Hopeful (movie)

Today, I have another movie review for you and a giveaway contest at the end of this post! Momentum Influencers Network asked me to watch an early screening of a new movie they are promoting: The Hopeful.

Here’s the synopsis of The Hopeful with words from Momentum:

William Miller’s faith is in ruins. After miraculously surviving a fierce battle in the War of 1812, Miller questions why God spared him. His search for wisdom leads to an astonishing prophesy: The world is going to end!

The Hopeful unfolds as a story of a man burdened with the knowledge of Christ’s return. Miller’s message resonates with some—even as it is scorned by others. When a young woman named Ellen Harmon listens to one of his sermons she is transformed. And through her witness the message begins to take flight. The preaching grows beyond prophecy and develops into a more holistic vision for how Christians should live and worship.

We see blossoming the seeds of a new global movement of faith—the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Hopeful is the true story of a community whose lives were transformed as they learn what it means to truly wait for Jesus. This sweeping drama, set in 19th century New England, invites audiences of all ages to imagine how hope can change the world.

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Now for my review:

The Hopeful is a movie that was inspired by real-life events.

Bill Lake plays the role of William Miller who survives an attack on the battlefield that should have resulted in his death. He’s astonished and curious to know why he’s still alive. So he turned to studying God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and this begins his journey of faith as the Holy Spirit leads him to all truth according to Scripture. However, he misunderstood some of his readings that convinced him Jesus Christ was going to return in 1844 to take His faithful followers home to Heaven. Passionate about his discovery but conflicted, Miller was reluctant to share this idea as well as other teachings that were more accurate. It took his wife to convince him to share it. But once he starts sharing it, the news spreads like wildfire as he travels to preach about it.

A young lady named Ellen Harmon (later married to James White and known as Ellen G. White) listened to one of Miller’s sermons and her life changes forever when she realizes that God is not only a Judge, He is Love. And it is His Love that inspires Ellen to tell the world about Him through her own writing and speaking inspired by God who gives her visions that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is known by such as the health message (practicing a plant-based diet, daily exercise and lifestyle choices that promote optimal health for the human body) and the keeping of Saturday as Sabbath (based on Exodus 20:8-11).

Tommie-Amber Pirie played the role of Ellen G. White who was an American author and co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Pirie’s acting skills are superb! She stayed in character throughout the entire film and portrayed Ellen with grit, grace and elegance.

Stephen MacDonald played the role of James White who was Ellen’s husband. I like how the producers told their love story. I also appreciated seeing how applying the health message saved his life after he suffered a stroke and enabled him to live many more years in good vitality.

Even though Miller was wrong about the date of Christ’s return (Note: The Bible says in Matthew 24:36 that only God knows when He’s sending Jesus Christ back to Earth to take His faithful followers home to Heaven), I thought it was inspiring to see how that great disappointment led to a movement that birthed the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Overall, I think this film deserves five stars! Everything about it was well-done, engaging, inspirational and educational. I hope you will see it in theaters on April 17 or April 18.

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More words from Momentum:

Buy tickets to see The Hopeful in theaters only on April 17-18, 2024.

Watch the trailer for The Hopeful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QkLDug4d7s

Buy tickets to see The Hopeful in theaters:
https://www.fathomevents.com/events/the-hopeful/

Follow The Hopeful on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realhopestudios/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realhopestudios

Watch Jean’s interview with Kyle Portbury (director of The Hopeful):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsI6LH7EsSQ

Visit the official movie page for The Hopeful:
https://thehopefulmovie.com

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Final Notes:

Momentum Influencers Network would like to give a $10 Amazon gift card to the winner of this giveaway contest! Please note: This giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only.

Here is the Giveaway Contest link:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f8dcb68c495/?

Disclosure: Many thanks to Hope Studios for providing a sample of the product for this review.
Opinions are 100% my own. 

#TheHopefulMIN #thehopefulmovie #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Devotionals for the Heart: Rest

Rest: The Forgotten Commandment
A devotional by Gena Anderson

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.” – Exodus 31:12-13 (NIV)

Do you ever feel overwhelmed with your to-do list?

Have you ever wanted a break but did not take one because then nothing would get done?

In my life the list of tasks is never-ending and I’m guessing yours is similar, yet God insists on rest in His Word. An interesting contradiction to what life demands, the idea of resting does not come naturally to me, and the execution of a day of rest is challenging.

Why?

While I’d like to say I cannot rest because I’m busy feeding orphans and caring for widows, being the hands and feet of Jesus, the reality is not quite that noble. What keeps us from resting is often one of these not so flattering reasons:

● Self-reliance over God-reliance

● Putting our identity in our work

● Materialism

● Envy

● Valuing achievement over relationships

● Insecurity, or the fear of not having enough

Contrast this with children. I often think how nice it must be to have someone provide for you, do your laundry and cook your food. They have no problem stopping work, none at all. We often have to bargain and threaten to get them to work. Somewhere in the transition to adulthood that changes.

We all learn to be self-reliant and not dependent on others, but we take that too far and try to function independent from God. Some are wounded from a childhood with unmet needs and don’t know what it means to have a dependable parent. As a child of God we are dependent on Him, whether we think so or not. He is our Good Father.

We need to stop striving for self-reliance and choose to be God-reliant.

What does God-reliance have to do with rest?

Resting on Sabbath on a weekly basis reminds us who God is. He is our God, our provider who will meet every worrisome need. The things on our to-do list are nothing compared to His great plans. A relationship with us is one of His greatest desires, and more meaningful than any accomplishment. When we rest we are choosing to make God a priority over everything else.

When we don’t rest we feel anxious, stressed, overwhelmed, depressed, and exhausted. Perhaps we should trust our Creator, who actually designed us, and operate by the manual.

Making rest a priority and setting aside the Sabbath is one of the most productive and beneficial things we can do.

How can you make rest a reality in your life?

When the Sabbath comes, make an active choice to rest. Plan for physical rest, and do things that recharge your body. Schedule a nap or a family bike ride! Recharge your emotions through creation and relationships. Refocus your spirit through intimate time with him without outside interference.

Watch what God does in your life when you prioritize Sabbath rest. You will undoubtedly benefit from remembering who He is and allowing Him to make you holy.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, you are so good to give us the gift of a command to rest. Help me to set aside time for you and go before me to enable me. Forgive me for the ways I’ve neglected rest and ignored your instructions. Help me to abide in you more and more through every Sabbath with you. Thank you for the opportunity to rest in your goodness, grace, and mercy. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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Author Bio:

Gena Anderson is a Jesus-lover, writer, nurse practitioner, and blogger who loves to share wellness information and inspiration with the world around her.

She is the author of The Well Woman: A Journey to Wellness Through Loving Jesus, which is available on Amazon.com.

Gena proudly holds the title of wife, mom, and the world’s most average CrossFitter. She loves writing, reading, traveling, and brownies. She's working on that last one.

Gena lives in Hutto, Texas with her husband and two children.

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Connect with Gena:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellwoman.blog
Website: well-woman-blog.com
Email: wellwomanbook@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Rest

Spiritual Rest
A devotional by Temeka Borden

“And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made.” – Genesis 2:2 (KJV)

God worked and then He rested. Yes, God rested! It’s right there in the Scriptures for us, clearly inked in black and white. Let me tell you something about me: I love to work. I love getting things done. I am a goal setter and a goal crusher (with the help of the Lord) but I also understand the importance of rest, especially these days.

I distinctly remember a conversation I had with a former colleague years ago. She was a go-getter, and I was always impressed by her strong work ethic, her ability to train others well, her organization and leadership skills, and the quality of work she produced. In this conversation, she explained to me the importance of taking advantage of my vacation days. She explained to me the importance of rest, and she explained how one is much more productive when he or she is rested. I have found this to be so true.

I also remember working late one evening and thinking to myself, “I’m just going to do this one thing, and then I’ll go home.” That one thing turned into another “one more thing” and another “one more thing” and another “one more thing.” I ended up texting my manager who was traveling and telling her I was staying late because I still had some things I wanted to finish up. That’s when she told me to stop and reminded me that the work will always be there. She then told me to go home. I listened, packed up my stuff, and went home, and I was glad I did because I was very productive the next day.

At times, we get so caught up with the “Let’s get it done” attitude that we neglect our rest—spiritual, mental, and physical.

Remember, it’s okay to take a break. It’s okay to say no at times. It’s okay to get your rest. In fact, you should get your rest, and if we don’t learn the importance of saying no to ourselves and to others, then we can easily become exhausted.

Now, let’s talk about this in a spiritual sense.

I understand that I can better feed others when my soul has been fed.

Recently, I announced to my social media audience that I was taking a sabbatical with regard to my live Biblical teachings. I have experienced quite a lot over an extended period of time, and in a couple of videos, I described how my ministry was under “spiritual attack.” I also stated that I had been feeding my readers and viewers (spiritually) for quite a while and that I needed someone pouring into me at the moment.

Don’t get me wrong—I’m still on my spiritual job, but I am at a point where God has me listening more than teaching and posting right now. I have been watching and listening to various Biblical messages almost daily and allowing my spirit to be fed, nurtured, and refreshed. Trust me, it is making a difference. These sermons and inspirational messages are serving as excellent reminders of who I am in Christ and reminding me of the power that resides within me. I am reminded that God has a handle on things, I am an overcomer in Christ, and that as Philippians 4:13 (KJV) says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

I’m writing all of this to say the following: Take the time to take care of yourself. Now, I believe in being a hard worker, especially in a spiritual sense, and I’m reminded of Colossians 3:23 (KJV), where it states the following: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” In other words, work like you’re working for the Lord because if you think about it, with anything we do, it is an opportunity to be a light for God.

In summary, work hard but rest hard too. Be willing to humble yourself and listen! Listen to God and listen to others as God speaks to you through them. Doing so strengthens your spirit and better positions you to serve others.

As the saying goes, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.”

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Author Bio:

Temeka Borden, better known by her pen name “Positivity Inspires,” is an author, speaker, minister, PharmD, multi-state licensed pharmacist, founder and owner of Positivity Inspires, LLC, and most importantly, a servant of the Lord. 

She was introduced to Christ at a very early age and was raised in the church. Her ministry focuses on encouraging Christians to love God first, to love all people, to continually strengthen their bond with Christ, and to study His Word, and live His Word daily.
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Dr. Borden has been blessed with a variety of gifts, and she has gained much professional experience in a variety of settings. She also has served in administrative roles in the professional and church settings. 

In addition to obtaining her PharmD, she also obtained her bachelor's degree in biology (minor in English), and she is working on her third degree. What's more, as stated in her words, “I completed a specialty pharmacy residency that prepared me for the workforce and made me a force to be reckoned with.” She is a long-distance runner, a drummer, a singer, and she has a strong “fashion sense.” She also can read and type at almost supersonic speed in some instances.

Dr. Borden loves to learn and is constantly looking for new ways to challenge herself.

She loves God and she loves people. She is “crazy about her family,” and she adores her friends. She strongly encourages others to show kindness, respect, and love to everyone. She loves and welcomes diversity and flourishes in culturally diverse environments.

Dr. Borden loves to laugh and loves to make other people laugh. She also is passionate about giving back to the community. Her favorite sayings are “Speak Up!” and “Watch God Work!”

Devotionals for the Heart: Walking with Jesus Christ through life

Walking with Jesus
A devotional by Nanci Rubin

I like the fact that Jesus addressed this statement in Matthew 6:34 (KJV). He said, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

It is wisdom for then that is still applicable for today. We don’t know what tomorrow holds, but we do know Who (God) holds tomorrow!

Many years ago, Cristy Lane performed the song, “One Day at A Time.” It was and still is, a Christian mantra. Books have been written about walking with Jesus, not ahead or behind, but with Him. Songs have been sung but it all boils down to is the fact that we need to wait upon the Lord. There are benefits when we do.

Isaiah 40:3 (KJV) has this to say about waiting upon the Lord: “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

It's evident that when we wait upon Him, He will be there with us. We will be strengthened by His counsel and will excel in whatever we endeavor to do.

It is so easy to fall into doing things on our own without seeking God’s counsel.

I have to admit, I’ve been guilty. Every time I’ve made a critical decision without consulting my Father (God), nine times out of ten, I end up in a mess or gravely disappointed at the outcome. We should wait for His voice to bring us peace and not step out in uncertainty. Those who wait and listen for what the Bible calls, God’s “still small voice,” will reap in abundance for doing so.

Read 1 Kings 19:12 (KJV). It’s the story about when God spoke to Elijah in a small voice. The Bible verse reads, “And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.”

Sometimes, when we hear God's still small voice, we don’t like His answers to our questions. Often, we may want to do or have a thing that’s not the best for us. Or we simply can’t wait.

Let’s say you have questions for God about a job you applied for. It’s exciting and you’re going to make a lot more money than you were making, but this job is going to require you to work on Sabbath. God might have had another job for you that would allow you to have every Sabbath off. The salary was a little less but your health benefits would be better. That is an example of when we need to trust God’s will and wisdom more than our wants. God is very thorough and thankfully He can see beyond today, that is why we must trust Him with every aspect of our lives. He cares for the life of a sparrow, how much more does He care for us?

Let’s read Matthew 10:29-31(KJV). It says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

I don’t always love the lessons I’ve had to learn. But they were ALL my own doing and ALL because I didn’t wait on the Lord and decided to take matters into my own hands. A wrong decision made today might very well affect your life twenty years from now. It is always best to seek God’s counsel and not always trust your own.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV) says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Following the footsteps of Jesus and trusting Him with all your heart as you lean on Him is not an easy path. One is ever learning to trust God and the road to Heaven is truly narrow with many distractions along the way. We fall down. But we get up, dust ourselves off and began walking with Jesus again.

We have a Father (God) who loves us and will never love us more or less than He already does, no matter what we do. God loved us from the very beginning and He’ll love us through the end. When we fall and scrape our knees, He is right there, ready to pick us up and cleanse away the hurt and pain no matter what it is or how we got ourselves into trouble.

God does expect us to repent of our sins on a daily basis. He is ready to forgive you before you ask, but do ask Him to forgive you still. Pray to God on a daily basis. You need to keep the lines of communication between yourself and God open, so that you don’t feel distant or separated from Him.

The devil would like nothing better than to isolate us from God and each other because he wants us to be defenseless against his fiery darts. We need to stay prayed up, communing with God daily and assembling ourselves with other believers of like mind. Read Hebrews 10:25.

Given all the above, let us hold tight to God’s Hand and walk with Him through the hills and valleys of this life here on Earth. Don’t look too far ahead, but journey through this life one day at a time with Jesus Christ by your side.

Remember: God has promised to never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5) because He loves you with ALL of His Heart! Be encouraged, friends. God will be with you to the very end (Matthew 28:20).

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Author Bio:

Nanci is a poet and short story writer published in Cypress News, Family Times E-Zine, Free Verse and the Commonwealth of Poetry. 

She belongs to RWA, ACFW, and Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild where she’s enrolled in his novel writing program.

Nanci lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and cats, Romeo and Juliette, along with their newest member of the family, Roni who is a seven-month-old Goldendoodle.

Recently, Nanci completed her debut novel, A Betrayal in Cross Keys. It is an Amish romance that she has placed in her agent's capable hands. The rest is up to God.