Miranda A. Uyeh's Blog, page 9
August 26, 2019
Article ~ The Beautiful In Me: A Prayer To Remind Myself Of Whose I Am
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Jesus, You are the Vine; I am the Branch (John 15:5). You are the beautiful in me. You are ALL that is GOOD in me. I’m not worried anymore that I will be stuck getting it wrong all the time. Because You live me.
You are the Good in me.
The kindness, the gentleness, the compassion, the courage, the warrior, the valor, the grit, the fierceness, the mercy, the peace, the confidence, the class act, the humor, the sweetness, the honey, the wisdom, the discipline, the nobility, the honor, the integrity, the faithfulness—so much more!—in me.
Ultimately…
The Love (1 John 4:7-19). The Faith (Hebrews 12:2). The Hope (Romans 5:4-5).
All that is good in me, is YOU. Apart from You, I can do NOTHING (John 15:5).
I will no longer worry that I won’t make it—because to do so would be to declare that Your Name and Character will change. And that simply isn’t possible (Hebrews 13:8). As long as You live in me, I will get it right, because, You Who is in me is greater than my flesh and he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). And Your Word says that whether I turn to the right or to the left, I will ALWAYS hear Your voice behind me saying, “this is the way; walk in it” (Isaiah 30: 21)
This is Your promise to me.
And since Your Word will NEVER return to You void (Isaiah 55:10-13), I believe EVERY Word You’ve said and sang over me (Zephaniah 3:17; 14-20), for You are not a man that You will change Your mind (Numbers 23:19-20).
So, yes.
I will overcome. I have overcome. Present continuous (I John 5:4-5).
I am going to make it today.
Tomorrow too.
For You are the Beautiful—the good. In me.
In Jesus Name I pray.
Amen.
“O my soul, you have said to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from you.’” —Psalm 16:2
“So Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” (Luke 18:19; Matthew 19:17; Mark 10: 18)
[image error]About the Editor
Miranda A. Uyeh is the founder and editor of To Be A Person (TBAP), the author of Christian Romance/Suspense fiction, To Die Once: Child of Grace #1, a Mogul Global Ambassador, and a screenwriter. She was a one-time shortlisted judge for the Inspy Awards, in 2014, in the Contemporary Romance & Romance/SuspenseCategory. In 2017, she was invited by actress, Jenn Gotzon to become one of contributing writers for the forthcoming and highly anticipated Christmas comedy movie, The Farmer and the Belle, presently in production. In 2018, Miranda was invited by Waterbrook Multnomah to be one of book bloggers to be part of a special launch team that helps launch its elite authors whose books have been listed as bestsellers on the New York Times Lists.
To learn more about her book, To Die Once, and her journey as an author, you can follow her author website. You can also connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
*The article, The Beautiful In Me: A Prayer To Remind Myself Of Whose I Am, first appeared on To Be A Person (TBAP).
August 24, 2019
Book Review ~ Dear Grandchild, This Is Me By Waterbrook Multnomah
Preseving the Family Legacy
A Heartfelt Keepsake for Your Grandchild, Inspired by You
Being a grandparent is a wonderfully rewarding experience. With this valuable keepsake, you can gift your voice and memories to future generations. Whether providing snapshots of your childhood, details of your heritage, or your declassified personal “secrets,” your grandchild will treasure this glimpse into your unique story.
Category
Non-fiction
Genre
Family/Legacy/Keepsake
Rating
4 Stars
Review
Waterbrook Multnomah brings another piece that adds to the beauty and collection of family, keepsakes, and legacies. With this easy to use book, an individual could write their story, capturing experiences in photos, words, letters, and other materials that portray one’s steps in their journey of life. This makes for a more fun and intimate communication between the present and the future, bringing it to flesh in the most real and organic way. As with a journal but much deeper, you can tell your story through your eyes and personal tangibles, which is uniquely fresh.
This Keepsake, in some ways, provides profound insight into your present journey as you handle and choose the tangibles that will tell your story, because it persuades you to be more intentional about making memories that matter.
A truly beautiful way to tell your story through your eyes over time! With this, you’re sure to make a neat and interesting autobiography.
August 21, 2019
Book Review ~ Core 52: A Fifteen-minute Daily Guide To Build Your Bible IQ In A Year By Mark E. Moore
Build your Bible IQ and Christian worldview in just fifteen minutes a day! Over the course of a year, Core 52 will help you master the 52 most important passages in the Bible.
“You will gain the tools you need for living the life God has called you to.”—Kyle Idleman, pastor and author of Not a Fan
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”—1 Timothy 4:8
Most of us want to know the Bible better, but few reach our goal, often because we’re too busy or we don’t know where to start. Core 52 removes both barriers, offering a common-sense solution that fits into our busy lives. Respected Bible professor and teaching pastor Mark E. Moore developed this proven process from thirty-five years of helping people grow deeper in God’s Word.
Each week features a brief essay, memory verse, Bible story, trajectory verses, and practical ways to put what you’ve learned into practice. An optional “Overachiever Challenge” offers the chance to memorize the top 100 Bible verses by year’s end.
This simple approach allows you to become familiar with the big ideas of the Bible in less time and with less effort than other reading plans. In one year, you can master the core of the Bible—focusing on topics from God’s will to worry, happiness to holiness, and leadership to love. These fifty-two core passages are lenses through which you can read the rest of the Bible with clarity and confidence.
Category
Religious/Christian/Non-fiction
Genre
Christian Living/Bible Study
Rating
4.5 Stars
Review
Core 52 was written with the intention to build the reader’s Bible IQ in a year. Equipped with a brilliant plan that is easy to follow and implement, a reader could gain much insight into the Word of God to a level of confidence and comfortably share, teach or easily converse with Christians and Non-christians alike with any measure of interest, on any level of understanding, in an easy-going non-offensive manner that only invites better and more positive curiousity.
Tailored somewhat like a devotional, it’s weekly mapped out plan supplies way more, and so is designed to run deeper, with the objective to not only grow your relationship with Jesus, but to improve knowledge and understanding of Scripture. Moore believes, and rightly so, that more than ever before the world can be reached through people who have the confidence and a firm handle on God’s Word, and are willing to let God use them in their circle of influence outside the Church. Moore wrote Core 52 to take any willing reader on a journey that will lead them from curiousity to confidence, by putting together 52 of the most powerful passages of Scripture, which reveal the core of God’s Word.
This is a book that has arrived just in time—a time when culture is greatly depleted of Truth and how to share it.
*Though I offer this review to the public, it is my opinion and simply that. A ‘thank you’ to Waterbrook Multnomah for a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
About the Author
Mark E. Moore is an acclaimed author and teaching pastor at Christ’s Church of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona. He previously spent two decades as a New Testament professor at Ozark Christian College. Whether by helping people make sense of Christianity or teaching students to understand the Bible, Mark’s life passion is to make Jesus famous. Mark and his wife, Barbara, reside in Phoenix, Arizona.
July 25, 2019
Author Scoop ~ Interview With Jess Lederman
Jess Lederman is the author of over forty books on financial marketing and recently debuted his first fiction book, Hearts Set Free (read the TBAP review here), a Historical General Fiction that is sure to delight and intrigue any lover of excellent Christian Fiction. Jess took the time to answer some questions about his personal life, his walk with Christ, and offered some advice to new fiction writers in this TBAP interview. Take a look!
Miranda ~ Hello Jess! Glad to have you visit TBAP today. Please tell us a bit about yourself that we don’t already know.
Jess: The Secret Life of Jess Lederman. I’ve been writing stories and poems ever since I was ten years old, when my older sister read me a passage from John Dos Passos that set my imagination on fire. A few years later, I also developed a passion for music, and ended up majoring in music history and theory at Columbia University. These days, when I’m not chasing after my young sons or writing, I’m probably playing Chopin, Beethoven, or Brahms for my wife, Ling, at the piano. I’ve always got lots of strong ideas about the background music I’d like to hear if any of my novels are made into movies!
And speaking of my sons: when Ling and I were married, doctors told us that it would be medically impossible for us to have children—don’t even think about paying them for IVF or any other procedure, nothing could ever work. Well, I imagine some angel overheard that and suggested this just might be a good opportunity to show how for God, nothing is impossible! So about ten months after getting that report from the doctors, little David Elginbrod Lederman was born. He’s now almost four, and I brought home Daniel, almost thirteen, from an orphanage in China a couple of years ago. How good is the Lord!
Finally, while I admit that Ling does most of the cooking at our home, I do make a mean matzo brei from time to time. That’s an old Eastern European Jewish traditional breakfast, a recipe I learned from my father. If you’re not familiar with it, think cardboard with eggs, onions, and cheese—but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!
Miranda ~ How did you come to make Jesus your personal Lord and Savior?
Jess: I spent the first fifty years of my life as an arrogant atheist—not unlike the character of Tim Faber in Hearts Set Free. Then one day, my late first wife, Teri, heard an interview on the radio with Francis Collins, who had just published a book called The Language of God. He’s an eminent scientist who was instrumental in decoding the human genome, and his book is about both that experience and his own journey from atheism to becoming a devout disciple of Christ.
It’s a wonderful book, and in it Collins quotes extensively from C.S. Lewis, whose writings were important in his own conversion. Teri and I were so impressed with those quotes that we bought and eagerly read many of Lewis’ books. C.S. Lewis in turn pointed us to the man whom he called the greatest influence in his life (next to Christ!), the 19th-century Scottish writer and minister, George MacDonald. Well, if Lewis was the mind that pointed us to Christ, MacDonald revealed the glorious, loving Father-heart of God.
Lewis and MacDonald were the midwives of our rebirth from above. I have a hard time talking about that period of time without shedding many tears of thanks to the Lord, who relentlessly pursues us, who will never rest until every soul has come to Him. I can’t say that I’m yet a slave of Christ, but I’ll tell you this, Miranda, to be like Paul, the Lord’s utterly obedient slave, is my highest and grandest ambition.
Miranda ~ At what point in your walk with Jesus did you realize that He was more than a Savior and that you were friends?
Jess: One of the beautiful things about coming to Christ with George MacDonald as my guide was that, from the hour I first believed, I never thought of Him in any other way (and that’s one of the reasons I run a website, worksofmacdonald.com, devoted to works about or inspired by MacDonald, who has helped so many to come to the Lord!). I realized that I was one of the sinners with whom Jesus eagerly sat down to eat and drink, that He offered the loving friendship of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to me just as He did to Zacchaeus. And, you know, most of the time, Jesus sat down at table with many, not just with one; His is a friendship that ought to draw us into closer friendship with our neighbors, with fellow believers and with those who are not yet part of the Body of Christ.
Miranda ~ You clearly have much knowledge of Scripture (especially the Psalms!); when did this start to happen for you, and, what season of your life first made you hungry for God’s Word?
Jess: My love of God’s Word has grown steadily since I came to Christ thirteen years ago. At first, there was much in Scripture that puzzled, frustrated, or even depressed me! I’m not alone in this, and the way people sometimes struggle with understanding the Bible is an important theme in Hearts Set Free. While the beautiful story set forth in the Gospels attracted me from the start, at first many of Paul’s letters left me cold—or worse. Then a wonderfully wise pastor in Alaska suggested that I paraphrase every verse in Paul’s major epistles, beginning with Ephesians. I balked, came up with all sorts of excuses, and tried to stall, but when I finally buckled down and obeyed, it was a life-changing experience!
We often have a tendency to read Scripture too quickly, thinking we “get it,” but when I had to restate every verse in my own words, I slowed WAY down. I found myself meditating on each line, researching the meaning of words, comparing Reformed and Anglican and Orthodox commentaries, and it was utterly amazing. Before long, Paul was my all-time hero!
There’s just no substitute for immersing oneself in Scripture. God freely gives us His amazing grace, but He doesn’t always make things easy for us! His Word will endlessly reveal layers of meaning if we are willing to do the work. I strongly encourage readers to look beyond the writings of contemporary theologians from their own denomination, and benefit from the wisdom of Christians from multiple parts of His Kingdom throughout the centuries. Personally, I’m looking forward to delving deeper into the writings of the early Church Fathers.
Miranda ~ You’re not afraid to admit fierce trials and battles are present in the lives of God’s children—whether in their walk or in purpose. When did you embrace this truth in your personal walk, and what has led you to be particular about presenting this in your fiction writing?
Jess: The trials we go through can test our faith; they can break us, or shape and prepare us for tougher battles yet to come. But any pat answers as to “why” we’re going through them can enrage us! I think often we’re too quick to want to explain away mysteries. I’m not one who says that every affliction is sent from God as part of His plan; nothing evil is of God. The rape and torture of children is not part of His plan. The nature of His sovereignty is not that He is controlling everything that happens, but that He will, in the end, wipe the tears from every eye, that He has, despite all appearances to the contrary, defeated evil and death, and that our current sufferings will not be worth comparing to the future glory that awaits.
This is far more than abstract theology for me. My first wife was in perfect health, at the peak of her life with her new-found faith in God, when she was diagnosed with ALS and given two years to live. Such is the reality of living in a cosmos ruined by the Fall, in a world under the sway of the Prince of This World. She knew that if He wished, God could heal her in a moment, “incurable disease” or no. But her faith never wavered, and the memory of that serves to strengthen me.
By bearing up under the worst that Satan can do, we are picking up our Cross and following Him. What better way to honor God, what more worthy theme for a novelist to explore in his writing?
Miranda ~ Your profession, which is closer to business and finance, has led you to publish much books on financial marketing. What then drew you in this season to write fiction?
Jess: During my business career, I published over forty anthologies on the global markets. I left the world of finance five years after coming to Christ. While I’ve written fiction and poetry since the age of ten, leaving the business world has enabled me to focus on writing Christian-themed fiction (and publishing books by other Christian authors as well). A few years ago, however, I decided to round up fifty high-level bankers and brokers, get them all to work for free as part of a project for charity, and publish a three-volume set of books for financial professionals which I’m thrilled to say has raised over $150k for several great causes. I wrote one chapter myself, at the end of which I included a section entitled “The REAL Secrets of Success.” As you can guess, that consisted of quotes from Scripture!
[image error]Miranda ~ What would you say is your greatest desire that readers of your fiction book, Hearts Set Free, walk away with?
Jess: While I hope that readers enjoy a good story and come to love the heroes in Hearts Set Free, I do have an even higher hope. There are several episodes where the characters are discussing difficult passages in Scripture. They do this not out of any sort of academic interest in theology, but out of an urgent desire to love the Lord their God with all their heart and strength and soul and mind! My highest hope is that readers will be invigorated by this searching, and have yet greater fervor to devote themselves to the study of His Word.
Miranda ~ What word of advice would you offer to someone looking to break into fiction writing but with a career at the opposite end of the spectrum?
Jess: The most important word of advice to aspiring writers: Write. Even when I was still in the thick of a very hectic career, I made time to write. Next, recognize it’s a long, often lonely, road, upon which you’ll encounter endless rejection. I quit the business world in my mid-thirties to devote myself to writing for five years but was too young and too addicted to the instant-gratification of business to bear up under the weight of rejection. That right there is the snare to be aware of—you’re undoubtedly far more successful in your day job than in your writing, at least for a long time. Finally, start to network in the writing world, even while you’re still doing something else! Take a few days off and attend a Christian Writer’s Conference, for example—there’s no better way to interact with other writers, agents, and publishers.
THIS or THAT
Coffee or Tea? Coffee
Gym or Outdoors? Outdoors
Sneakers or Boots? Sneakers
Running or Walking? Walking
Cereal or Fruits? Huh? Cereal or Fruit is an Either-Or????? Well, if you mean for breakfast, okay, I guess Cereal!
Music or Books? Music or Books?????? Why not just ask me to choose between Persons of the Holy Trinity, while you’re at it????? 
June 11, 2019
Book Review ~ Ripple Effects By Pam Tebow
Within the heart of every woman is the desire to be influential.
Join Pam Tebow to uncover the God-inspired difference only you can make.
Heisman Trophy–winning athlete Tim Tebow credits his mom with being the key to his success―but Pam never expected her family’s name to be known around the world. For most of her life, she served quietly and faithfully as a wife and a mom. But unexpectedly, at least to Pam, her consistent, everyday choices to follow God created ripples of influence throughout her family, her community, and her world.
Join Pam in Ripple Effects as she shares what she’s learned on the journey and
Reveals how she taught her kids to develop strong character and faith so that their lives would positively influence others
Gives an inside look at how she survived her own most challenging life seasons, ones that ultimately made her influence stronger
Explores the unique and powerful influence you can have on those around you, no matter where you are planted in life―using gifts you never knew you had
Don’t settle for less than what you were created for! Be encouraged to maximize your God-given opportunities for influence―and watch how far the ripples will spread.
Category
Religious/Christian/Inspirational/Non-fiction
Genre
Motivational/Women/Influence
Rating
5 Stars
Review
In a humble, honest and authentic voice, Pam Tebow gently but surely persuades that the influence of women for positive change is possible in every sphere, season, and station of life—if any woman would dare to believe that God has ordained her for a good purpose and embrace the opportunities that come with it. Using multiple true life events and instances, she relays how this belief has manifested true in her life, in the lives of those she loves, and far beyond. The humility, courage, and authenticity with which Pam Tebow speaks is breathtaking and refreshing, making it possible to not only relate with her message, but to also see why her heart, wisdom and kindness have impacted so many who’ve heard her speak or have had any form of contact with her. This kindness includes Pam Tebow wanting every girl/woman to know that they are loved, accepted and created by their Heavenly Father for good works here on earth, and that they have the power of influence to cause ripple effects that could echo far beyond what they could possibly imagine.
This is a book of hope that ignites faith to live in love on purpose—because in doing so, many many good things are possible!
*Though I offer this review to the public, it is my opinion and simply that. A ‘Thank you’ to Tyndale Publishing for a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
About The Author
Pam Tebow travels and speaks across the country, encouraging audiences to use the incredible influence God has given them to eternally impact their world.
Pam graduated with honors from the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida. She and her husband, Bob, lived for a number of years as missionaries in the Philippines and continue to serve there through the Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association. Bob and Pam run an orphanage in the Philippines, which has been home to scores of children since 1991. They also support orphanages and a safe house they built for rescued girls in a semiclosed country.
When their youngest son, Tim, won the Heisman Trophy, Pam was featured in national media for her decision to choose life for Tim against her doctor’s advice. Their story has been highlighted on Good Morning America, on ESPN, and in a 2010 Super Bowl commercial celebrating family and life.
Pam has won national awards for her ministry work, including the Commission for Women’s Inspiring Woman of the Year (2013) and the national Pro-Life Recognition Award (2017).
Pam and Bob live in Florida; they have five grown children and eight grandchildren.
June 7, 2019
Book Review ~ A Silken Thread By Kim Vogel Sawyer
For readers who love a heartwarming romance and a rich historical setting comes a tale of a young woman with a heavy burden, the International Cotton Exposition, and the pursuit of true love.
Eighteen-year-old Laurel Millard, youngest of seven children, is expected to stay home and “take care of Mama” by her older siblings, but Laurel has dreams of starting her own family. Operating a silk loom at the Atlanta Exposition will give her the chance to capture the heart of a man wealthy enough to take care of Laurel and any children she might bear, as well as her mother.
Langdon Rochester’s parents have given him an ultimatum: settle down with a wife or lose his family inheritance. At the Exposition, Langdon meets Laurel. Marrying her would satisfy his parents’s command, she would look lovely on his arm for social events, and in her besotted state, he believes she would overlook him continuing pursuing rowdy adventures with his unmarried buddies. Langdon decides to woo Laurel. Willie Sharp is not well-off and must take on an extra job at the Atlanta Exposition as a security guard. When mischief-makers cause trouble in the Women’s Building, Willie is put in charge of keeping the building secure. He enjoys visiting with Laurel, who seems like the little sister he never had, but his feelings for Laurel change to something much deeper. Can Willie convince Laurel that he can give her better life–even with so little to offer?
Category
Christian/Fiction/New Adult
Genre
Historical Romance
Rating
4 Stars
Review
A Silken Thread weaves a tale of love that stands the test of injustice, prejudice, racism, classicism and selfishness in the midst of family and community through God’s prevailing love. Sawyer doesn’t hold back in portraying the reality of the hurt and damage that could come from these, and in her classic gentle tone, highlights the beauty of bravery and courage that speaks in the seemingly small words and actions, but from such small gestures emerge enormous positive consequential outcomes.
The theme—that righteousness and justice best thrive when God’s love is in full display—shines throughout the story, through every silken thread used to spin it, and ultimately also, in the love story that emerges.
Another fine and brave book by Kim Vogel Sawyer!
*Though I offer this review to the public, it is my opinion and simply that. A ‘thank you’ to Waterbrook Multnomah for a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
About The Author
Kim Vogel Sawyer is a highly acclaimed Best-selling author with more than one million books in print in several languages. Her titles have earned numerous accolades, including the ACFW Carol Award, the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Kim lives with her retired military husband, Don, in central Kansas, where she continues to write gentle stories of hope and redemption. She enjoys spending time with her three daughters and grandchildren.
June 4, 2019
Book Review ~ Cross Of A Different Kind By Anthony Maranise
CANCER: with often abrupt and unwelcome entry into human lives as well as profound multi-dimensional impact, such an illness is, for many, considered to be a ruthless thief, intent on stealing not only joy, but life itself. Of course, even as cancer attempts to steal life and captivate those under its hold, lest we forget that as powerful an adversary as it may seem, it is no contestant against the power of the One who “has come to set the captives free” (Luke 4:18) and who is Life itself (John 14:6) and its Source.
Cross of a Different Kind: Cancer & Christian Spirituality draws upon the richness of Christian spiritual theology with the aim of rejuvenating hope within and imparting eternal Truth to all persons who have been “touched” by cancer in any of its wicked forms. Divided into three parts addressing those who have lost loved ones to cancer; those currently confronting their diagnoses; and survivors, this book serves as both a “spiritual field-guide” as well as an informative, yet practical helpmate to ensure all facing such adversities that they are never alone in their journey.
Category
Religious/Christian/Non-fiction
Genre
Spirituality/Personal Growth/Cbristianity/Health
Rating
4.5 Stars
Review
Maranise speaks with a gentle and authentic voice on the matters of the heart and soul that arise from the event of cancer—whether as a survivor, the survived, or a caretaker. His distinct empathy offers a guide and comfort in the style of a gentle conversation, which helps sooth the fearful and broken-hearted in their season of pain and sorrow, with a view to lead them into deeper hope, faith, love, joy and peace. He beautifully ties the experience of cancer—as painful as it is—to life and what it means to truly and fully live on earth and with purpose. Through the perspective that Maranise provides, the hope that no pain is wasted or goes unnoticed by God, is a gem promised and one to behold.
*Though I offer this review to the public, it is my opinion and simply that. A ‘thank you’ to JKS Communications for a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
[image error]About The Author
Anthony Maranise is an instructor of Religious Studies at The University of Memphis, a certified life-coach, chaplain, and is the author of 4 other books and numerous academic pieces. Primarily a theological scholar with expertise in the intersections between sports and spirituality, Anthony received his Masters from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN. At the time of this book’s publication, he is also a 20+ year cancer survivor, treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and remains active in advocacy for advancing cancer research as well as in facilitating spiritual direction for persons affected by cancer.
June 1, 2019
Movie Review ~ Run The Race By Reserve Entertainment
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Category
Religious/Christian/Inspirational
Genre
Drama/Sports
Blu Ray/DVD Release Date
May 21, 2019.
Rating
4 Stars
Review
Run The Race is a story that takes you on a journey of two brothers with opposite beliefs and opinions about life, but with a brotherly love and bond that trancends their differences.
Being thrown curve ball after curve ball, together the two brothers weather the storms of life, leaning on each other for strength, until a storm comes along that shows one brother is able to stand firm because of his beliefs, and the other is eventually brought face to face with the abounding grace of God, and drawn even closer to Him by his brother’s life testimony; a final test of faith thrusts him into a realm where his faith in the all-loving God is cemented—a God Whose ultimate plan is better than that of both brothers—and dreams are fulfilled in a magnitude that spins an inspiring tale of the love and faithfulness of God, even with past sorrowful events not fully understood. Healing comes and extends to those closest to the brothers, and the story ends with a theme of “hope that never disappoints” —not because the future promises no pain, but because the future is in God’s faithful hands. A theme of faith fully embedded in tested trust, and a theme of love that forgives because it covers a multitude of sins.
Category
Religious/Christian/Inspirational
Genre
Drama/S...
[image error]
Category
Religious/Christian/Inspirational
Genre
Drama/Sports
Blu Ray/DVD Release Date
May 21, 2019.
Rating
4 Stars
Review
Run The Race is a story that takes you on a journey of two brothers with opposite beliefs and opinions about life, but with a brotherly love and bond that trancends their differences.
Being thrown curve ball after curve ball, together the two brothers weather the storms of life, leaning on each other for strength, until a storm comes along that shows one brother is able to stand firm because of his beliefs, and the other is eventually brought face to face with the abounding grace of God, and drawn even closer to Him by his brother’s life testimony; a final test of faith thrusts him into a realm where his faith in the all-loving God is cemented—a God Whose ultimate plan is better than that of both brothers—and dreams are fulfilled in a magnitude that spins an inspiring tale of the love and faithfulness of God, even with past sorrowful events not fully understood. Healing comes and extends to those closest to the brothers, and the story ends with a theme of “hope that never disappoints” —not because the future promises no pain, but because the future is in God’s faithful hands. A theme of faith fully embedded in tested trust, and a theme of love that forgives because it covers a multitude of sins.
May 31, 2019
Artist Scoop ~ Interview With Zion Rempel, Worship Leader & Creative Pastor Of 29:11 Church
[image error]It wasn’t too long ago that DREAM Label Group/DREAM Worship released the all wonderful album, Marble & Mortar Vol. I & 2 (read the TBAP review here and here). The incredible people behind the awesome songs, 29:11 Worship, have been writing for their local church and community from the inception of 29:11 Church. Zion Rempel, the Creative pastor took the time to tell us a bit about his personal journey and ministry in 29:11 Church and worship team, in the chat below.
Miranda ~ Hello! Pleasure to have you visit TBAP today. Please tell us a bit about yourself.
Zion: Honored to be here. Hello there, my name is Zion Rempel. I am the Creative Pastor at 29:11 Church in Tempe, Arizona. I have been a part of this movement from the very beginning. It has been incredible to see what it has grown into—from a small Bible study that met in our living room, to a thriving community over just the past five years. I am married to my beautiful wife, Kirstyn, who is our Family Pastor, and our little man, Maddox, just turned 1 a few weeks ago. We love doing life and ministry together, and cherish all the challenges and adventures that church planting brings.
Miranda ~ How did you come to make Jesus your personal Lord and Savior? What particularly led to this moment?
Zion ~ You know, I have grown up in the church. I think finding myself in full time ministry has been quite a journey. In fact, there was a time I was even running from it. I had seen in so many times and places the heartache of ministry while growing up, and I remember telling God as a pastor’s kid, “I will never do this.” The irony right? I even chased a career in the medical field, got an undergraduate degree shooting for medical school, and set my life up for a completely different track, only to find that I would lay that future down. Nothing else would fulfill my call. Where I am now, is exactly where I am supposed to be.
Miranda ~ How did you come to be the Worship leader of 29:11?
Zion: It has been so cool to be a part of this from literally, the very beginning. I remember sitting in local coffee shops and drawing logos on napkins. I remember pre-launch meetings, writing and dreaming vision. I remember launch night, where it all started in our living room. And, I remember piecing together our first project ever: Living Room Sessions: Volume I. I love that writing songs for our community has always been a part of our culture, even all the way back when all this was just getting started. We have come a long way since then, but, I have a sacred place in my heart for the Living Room Sessions, because it reminds me of where we came from, and everything has to have a beginning.
Miranda ~ I take it 29:11 stands for Jeremiah 29:11? Why this verse though? Is there a story of why this verse is special to the local church and worship group?
Zion: Yes, 29:11 refers to the Jeremiah 29:11. This has been a foundational scripture for us from the very beginning. If you look at the context, the prophet Jeremiah was speaking to a people in bondage… giving them a hope and a future in realizing that the Lord had not forgotten about them. I think we live in a time and culture of bondage, and people are asking for the same message – that someone would see their heartache, and know their pain. The Lord has not forgotten them. In fact, He has provided a solution of eternal hope and future in Jesus. The PLAN, the HOPE, and the FUTURE was and always will be Jesus.
Miranda ~ Congrats on your new album, Marble & Mortar Vol. 1& 2! (Read the[image error] TBAP reviews here and here) What led to the creation of Marble & Mortar, and why split it into two volumes?
Zion: Honestly, the creation of the collection of music featured on Marble & Mortar was a fairly organic process. We are always writing music and celebrating what God is doing in our community through lyric. This collection of songs as merely the songs we have been singing as a church. And I love how the Holy Spirit works, because as you piece them together like a tapestry, they begin to [image error]show an overall narrative God is trying to display. The two volumes merely came from feeling like, as a team, there was too much to offer for just one edition. Sometimes, it’s easy to miss songs on an album journey, because it gets long. We all know the track we skip on even our favorite albums. We were hoping to help people walk through every song’s purpose a little more thoroughly by splitting it into two separate journeys, but also an entire overall journey if you put them back to back.
Miranda ~ Why the title, Marble & Mortar?
Zion: I remember marveling at the Roman Empire when I was in grade school. And I found it interesting that, after such incredible power in a certain time frame, all that remains is the marble columns used to hold up their palaces and temples. Everything else, all of their worldly attempts for glory, and organization, governances, and culture… it all faded with the rest of their civilizations. But even now, with a modern world surrounding them, those columns remain.
I love that Jesus is the foundation that has stood the test of time, and will stand the test of time. He always was, and always will be. And to know that I can call Him a friend of mine is unreal. I want to build my life on Jesus as my marble, and be held together with Him as my mortar. Only He can carry the weight of what is going on around me, because He already has. I love that every song on this album goes back to Jesus. Jesus as the Messiah, the words Jesus said in the Beatitudes, the power of Jesus’ name, the depths of His love… Jesus is our foundation, and our Marble and Mortar, and I can’t wait for the world to hear that.
Miranda ~ What do you hope listeners will walk away with as they listen to Marble & Mortar?
Zion: I am so encouraged by the disciple John’s words at the beginning of the gospel he penned—that the Word was with God in the beginning, and that soon that Word became flesh. Jesus was there in the beginning, He was there when man was created, He was there when man fell, AND He was already anticipating the cross. The cross was always going to be the solution. I find such encouragement in that truth. I love that Jesus, even in the Old Testament, was always the main character. With continuous foreshadows of His sacrifice, and His teachings, and His character, Jesus is it. Through the pressures of this church planting process, I think we as a community began to discover the importance of bringing it back to Jesus. It was always Jesus, and will always be Jesus. Jesus is the foundation, the solution, the beginning and the end. As a songwriting team, we found that this truth was what our church was anticipating. I hope that as people listen to this album, in every track, that they see Jesus. Nothing but Jesus.
Miranda ~ What inspires 29:11’s music and what’s the principle behind your songwriting?
Zion: I love that our songwriting team at 29:11 is not anything really that special, nor does it include anyone that special… it’s just a small team of musicians and believers writing into lyric their relationships with Jesus. The heartache, the triumph, the joy and the brokenness. I think those conversations are one of the primary places of inspiration we draw from. We also love to draw imagery and intimacy in our interactions with our Savior. I love taking a concept we have revisited over a thousand times, and just by saying it a little differently, giving people a totally new perspective. Giving people new revelations of the unchanging and timeless Word of God is our aim.
Miranda ~ What should we expect from 29:11 in the future?
Zion: Honestly, I think we are still discovering the answer to that question. One thing I do know is that songs are still being written for this time and place we are in, and we cannot wait to share them again.
Miranda ~ What advice do you have for a local church worship group just starting out and believes they’ve been called to release music to the world as you do?
Zion: I think the greatest piece of advice I would give is to never lose sight of the reason why your team is doing it. It’s easy in a culture that seeks affirmation and praise to get caught up writing for the wrong reasons. The moment we start writing music for the sake of writing music, we have lost the point. Write for your community. Always keep what the Holy Spirit is saying to you at the center of your focus. When you are writing for your community, the church outside of your community will be the overflow of what’s already happening.
THIS or THAT (The Fun Qs!)
Coffee or Tea? I am an artist… I partake in both.
Gym or Outdoor? Outdoor always… the gym gets old, and it smells weird.
Sneakers or Boots? Boots. Always boots.
Running or Walking? Running (I find I need to fight to slow down in life.)
Cereal or Fruit? Cereal… cause CARBS.
Movies or Books? Movies…. It’s a hobby of mine.
TV or Magazine? TV. Netflix. Need I say more?
Summer or Spring? Neither (again, I am an artist… I prefer fall and winter)
Rain or Snow? Rain… I am a firm believer that rain produces lyric.
Blazer or Leather Jacket? Depends on the day. Right now I am wearing a leather jacket.
[image error]About Zion Rempel
Zion Rempel is the Creative Pastor at 29:11 Church in Tempe, Arizona. Zion helped to plant the church 3 years ago, and has watched his ministry grow in both resource and effectiveness to become an influential creative community in the East Valley of the Phoenix metropolitan area. As a prominent songwriter and worship leader, he has mobilized and overseen two live recording projects and a number of stage productions. Zion is married to Kirstyn Rempel, the Family Pastor in his community. Zion and Kirstyn constantly enjoy doing ministry alongside one another, and empowering the future of the church to be the now, as well as parenting there one year old boy Maddox.
