The Boy Born Dead by David Ring with John Driver and David Wideman A Review

 In 1953, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, a baby boy was born--dead. The attending physician set his little body aside and tended to his mother for eighteen minutes. Now, more than sixty years later, that boy leads an internationally known ministry that encourages hundreds of thousands every year. The Boy Born Dead tells his incredible story from the perspective of his best friend, David Wideman.

As a teenager in the small town of Liberty, Missouri, in the late 1960s, David Ring grew up with the challenges that come with cerebral palsy, a result of his eighteen minutes of newborn silence. Along with his physical limitations, Ring was orphaned and shuffled from home to home, finally landing in an abusive situation that made him feel unworthy of love and, eventually, unworthy of life. But God had a purpose for Ring's life, and sent an agent to help him achieve it. Through the friendship of David Wideman, a boy he met in the halls of Liberty High School, Ring found strength he didn't know he had and went on to face his demons, marry the love of his life, and start an international speaking ministry.

Full of hope, this moving story illustrates how friendship and love triumph over adversity. Anyone who faces tough times will treasure this story of hope and courage.

Watch a video of David Ring on the site I am Second. 

Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Baker Books (October 6, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0801017300
ISBN-13: 978-0801017308
Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.4 x 1 inches
Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces

John Driver is a husband to Laura, a daddy to Sadie, and a fifteen-year pastor and teacher to students and adults alike. He has authored, coauthored, or served as the primary collaborative writer for more than a dozen books, writing with authors like comedian Tim Hawkins (Diary of a Jackwagon, Fall 2015, Thomas Nelson,) Reggie Dabbs (REGGIE: You Can't Change Your Past But You Can Change Your Future, 2011, Thomas Nelson,) David Ring (The Boy Born Dead, Fall 2015, Baker Books) and others.

His latest book Just Keep Breathing, written alongside Reggie Dabbs in both authors' voices, will release Spring 2016 with Thomas Nelson. He has also written multiple articles for Relevant Magazine. Booklist calls his writing style "entertaining" with "special flair and a modern voice woven into the narrative... presenting a unique brand of hope." He is also a published songwriter.

John earned a B.A. in History and a M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he was a distinguished Whittle Scholar. He worked as a secondary educator for several years, teaching history and math to public school students before transitioning into full-time ministry.

He is the creator of Ignition 7 (http://ignition7.com), a unique initiative of resources crafted to equip people to survive in their faith. Ignition 7 videos, DVDs, and Apple/Android apps have been used by tens of thousands of individuals and ministries in over twenty countries. Content has been featured on the YouVersion Bible App, JUCE TV, NRB Television Network, and Interlinc's YLO packet.

John currently serves as Teaching Pastor at his church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee near Nashville. He serves daily in numerous writing, discipleship, and speaking endeavors. He is represented by the Wolgemuth & Associates literary agency.

MY REVIEW
  The Boy Born Dead is a truly amazing book. It is a story of friendship, courage, and triumph. This is the true story of David Ring told by David himself with the help of John Driver and his best friend David Wideman. I love stories where people have disabilities or tragedies and come through and are strong for the Lord. This is an amazing story of David whom was born dead and didn’t breath until 18 minutes later. As a result David has cerebral palsy. David when through so much and felt he couldn’t take anymore and tried to kill himself.
  This book talks about the real difficulties and hardships of a young man that others teased, took advantage of and abused. Where do you go when there is no hope, no peace, no life? The place David went, to God.
  This is such a remarkable book that is so full of truth, tragedy, hardship, peace, love and joy. Life for a teenager is hard enough, but when they have a disability it’s ten times harder.
  I just love the courage and hope of this dear person. How with God’s help he overcame and is now a strong speaker for the Lord.
Amazing book. Read it and you will be inspired to do more for the Lord. I highly recommend this precious book.

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“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC;s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”) : Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive this book in exchange for this review and post.

Street God by Dimas Salaberrios with Angela Elwell Hunt A Review

ABOUT STREET GOD

His street name was Daylight. But he was a nightmare. On the streets of New York, darkness and violence reigned. Dimas “Daylight” Salaberrios popped his first pill when he was eleven years old, and just days later, he was selling drugs to his schoolmates. By fifteen, he was facing time at the notorious Rikers Island Prison. It was never safe to turn your back, and Dimas saw only one chance to survive: to become a street god. He would be the richest, most powerful ruler in the hood . . . or die trying.

But in one terrifying moment, with a gun pointed at his head, Dimas had to decide: How far would he go? Was he finished taking reckless chances to rule as a god of the streets? Would he dare to entrust his life to the real God—an even riskier path? Because that God would send Dimas back down the darkest streets he’d ever known on a rescue mission after those still in danger.

Street God is the true story of one man’s against-all-odds journey from the streets to the altar and back again. A modern-day The Cross and the Switchblade for a new generation, it reveals that we’re never too far gone for God to change us—and shows how a single spark can illuminate even the darkest existence.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
As a worldwide missionary, teacher, and speaker, Pastor Dimas Salaberrios has shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ on every continent but Antarctica. He aided pastors in Kenya and smuggled Bibles to the persecuted church in China. In 2010, Dimas and his team provided over 50,000 tons of food, water, and supplies to Haiti after a massive earthquake and in 2012 he worked as a first responder to provide aid and deliver nearly $500,000 worth of supplies to super storm Sandy victims across NYC.
           Partnering with Tim Keller and Redeemer City to City, Dimas founded Infinity NY Church, planted at the Bronx River Housing Projects in 2006. Infinity Bible Church targets at-risk, gang-ridden youth and has spearheaded numerous outreach events, discipleship groups, and weekly prayer walks, which have been a factor in virtually eliminating homicides and other violent crimes at Bronx River. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly credits Pastor Dimas and Infinity for the notable drop in crime.
         Additionally, the Billy Graham Evangelical Association (BGEA) appointed Dimas to co-chair the Youth Committee in 2004, and serve on the budget and finance committee for their 2005 Greater New York Crusade. He coordinated the BGEA Prayer Breakfast, and during the Saturday evening service of the crusade he spoke to an audience of 100,000.
In 2012, Dimas played a central role in the New York City "Right-To-Worship" movement, which ignited cross-congregational prayer gatherings throughout the city and sought to protect over 17,000 church congregants from unwarranted eviction from rental spaces owned by the city of New York.
          In October of 2013, Concerts of Prayer Greater NY (COPGNY) unanimously chose Pastor Dimas Salaberrios as its new president. He has served on the COPGNY Board of Directors for several years.
On weekdays, watch The Dynamic Life with Pastor Dimas on the Word Network and tune into his national radio broadcasts on Salem Communications. To find broadcast schedules, log onto www.pastordimas.com.
                       Dimas holds a Master of Divinity degree from Alliance Theological Seminary and resides in the Bronx with his wife Tiffany. They are blessed with three beautiful daughters: Shirley Ann, Dallas, and Skylar.

ABOUT
Angela Hunt has authored more than 100 works and sold nearly four million copies of her books worldwide.  Her books have won awards such as the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine's Book of the Year Award.  In 2008, Angela earned her doctorate in Biblical Studies.  Angela and her husband live in Florida with their two mastiffs.


File Size: 868 KB
Print Length: 304 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1496402782
Publisher: Tyndale Momentum (August 20, 2015)
Publication Date: August 20, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00UCEP8NS

MY REVIEW
  This is the explanation of the book, “The Explosive True Story of a Former Drug Boss on the Run from the Hood--and the Courageous Mission That Drove Him Back.”  It is as interesting and exciting as it sounds. Anything that is about a person’s life that is the true retelling of it is very appealing to me.
   You will read how Dimas-Daylight gets started into the drug world. It isn’t how you would think. Dimas was raised in a good home, not in the hood, but he wanted power and money. Dimas thinks the quickest way to do that is sell drugs. He knows to be a good drug dealer you have to stay clean and just sell them, no using.
  To me it’s amazing how God kept him from so much evil and saved his life numerous times. How God intervened on many occasions.  God had/has special plans for Dimas.
  Really weird and strange things happened to Dimas before he knew he had to get away from the drugs and that world, before he was killed or worse.
  His life as a Christian is amazing. How he has compassion for all people, from all walks of life. How God protected him with miracles and many other things that happened in his life.
  Street God isn’t a sad or morose kind of book. It is full of light, life, forgiveness and love. God doesn’t give up on us easily. He wants all to be saved and forgiven. An excellent book. Highly recommended.


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Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

King's Faith DVD review and GIVEAWAY

ABOUT KING'S FAITH
Eighteen foster homes. Nine arrests. One life-changing moment.
After Brendan King's life spiraled to rock bottom, the teen found hope in a new relationship with Christ while serving time in a juvenile penitentiary. Recently released from prison, Brendan finds solace in the foster home of a couple struggling with suppressed grief. As the city-bred teen enrolls at a suburban high school, his support comes from a group of believers. Yet the bonds of his old way of life—and the gang that wants to know where he hid their stash on a long-ago night—are strong.

In his darkest moment, Brendan found faith. Now he must decide if it's worth the price to hold on to it. Available now on DVD from Provident Films, KING'S FAITH stars Emmy Award winner Lynn Whitfield, along with Crawford Wilson, Kayla Compton, and James McDaniel.


Actors: Lynn Whitfield, Crawford Wilson, Kayla Compton, James McDaniel
Directors: Nick DiBella
Format: Dolby, NTSC, Widescreen
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
Number of discs: 1
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Provident Films
DVD Release Date: October 22, 2013
Run Time: 108 minutes

THE ACTORS

Lynn Whitfield (Vanessa), one of the most respected members of the African American acting community, is an Emmy Award-winning actress who is well known for the authenticity she brings to her portrayal of women from all walks of life. She vaulted to international fame in the 1991 HBO biopic "The Josephine Baker Story," portraying the legendary Civil Rights fighter. Her performance earned an Emmy Award as "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Special or Miniseries." After taking some time off for her greatest role, mother to daughter Grace with Josephine Baker director and former husband, the late Brian Gibson, Whitfield starred opposite Bill Cosby in "The Cosby Mysteries" (NBC, 1994). Lynn has won five NAACP Image Awards and four nominations for her work in film and television, including "Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story" (2004) co-starring Jamie Foxx. She attracted a new generation of fans in two of the Disney Channel's highest-rated movies, "The Cheetah Girls" (2003) and "The Cheetah Girls 2" (2006). Other select feature film roles include the Chris Rock vehicle, Head of State (2003); Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion (2006); Mama I Want To Sing (2008), a remake of the off-Broadway musical; Kings of the Evening (2008); The Rebound (2010); and Things Fall Apart (2011), produced by and co-starring rapper-actor 50 Cent. She stars as Vanessa in KING'S FAITH, a faith-based film centered on the values of faith and family.

Before he decided to focus on acting, Crawford Wilson (Brendan) was nationally ranked in tennis and a Wilhelmina model. The acting bug took over at age twelve, and he moved to New York City from his family's home in Memphis to pursue his dream of being on the big screen. He later moved to Los Angeles where he landed his first big job: a recurring role CBS's "Judging Amy, playing the boyfriend of Amy's daughter. Crawford's voiceover career took off as well, beginning with the role of young Rodney (Ewan McGregor) in the Fox animated film Robots. Today Crawford continues his voiceover work with recurring roles on hit cartoon shows like "Avatar" and "Batman." Recently television credits include the lead role of Dwayne Dill in the Disney Channel movie, "Hatching Pete." He just completed filming for an NBC movie, "Secrets of the Mountain," playing the lead role of Jake.

Award-winning actor James McDaniel's (Mike) career has spanned more than three decades. He is best known for his role as Lt. Arthur Fancy (for which he won both Peabody and Screen Actor's Guild awards) on the long-running television show, "NYPD Blue." James won both an Emmy Award and a Peabody Award for "Edge of America," a Showtime movie that he also produced. Other television shows include "Hill Street Blues," "LA Law," "Cop Rock," and "Detroit 187." He also was in mini-series from Alex Haley ("Queen") and Steven Spielberg ("Taken"). His film roles include Sunshine State, Malcolm X, and The Road to Galveston. A stage veteran, James recently returned to New York in a successful run of an adaptation of Carson McCullers' "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter." He also appeared in a new play by Pulitzer Prize winning author Suzan-Lori Parks, "Father Comes Home from the Wars." His most notable previous stage productions include "A Soldier's Play," "Before It Hits Home," and "Six Degrees of Separation."

Kayla Compton (Natalie) moved to Los Angeles to pursue her longtime dream of acting and singing. She quickly had success and played Monica on the HBO hit, "Entourage." She also appeared on TNT's "Perception." In KING'S FAITH, she plays Natalie, the popular high school cheerleader with a past she is trying to hide. Raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Kayla has wanted to be a performer since she was a young girl. Singing was her main passion until her drama teacher in high school told her she should really look into acting, a craft she quickly fell in love with.

Brandon Correa (Eli)  spent most of his life (from ages 4-18) in foster care and group homes. The trials and difficulties he faced would later become his motivation to pursue the arts and allow him to connect to his first major acting role as Eli in KING'S FAITH. While he is new to the acting world, Brandon is an entertainer who spends much of his time writing lyrical music and performing hip hop and rap music.




MY REVIEW
  King’s Faith on DVD is an excellent movie full of action, suspense, faith and love. It tells a story of Brendan who had no family and got involved in a bad life with many bad decisions.  In was in and out of many foster families and finally got put in a juvenile penitentiary. While there he became a Christian. When he gets out he has his last chance.
  Friends from  Brendan’s past look him up and try to get him to become involved again. They try to pressure  Brendan by going after his new friends.
What will become of him and his faith now that he’s out?
  This is a very entertaining DVD and full of action. It captured my young adults attention and they really enjoyed it.  A really nice movie to watch with the whole family. Even though it is a Christian film the acting and scenes are very professionally done.
  King’s Faith tells us that with Jesus we have second chances and life can be good and fulfilling. You don’t have to be angry all of the time or out to get everyone. I highly recommend King’s Faith.

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“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”




  DVD GIVEAWAY  KING’S FAITH
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This is Our Time DVD Review

ABOUT THIS IS OUR TIME

Five friends connected by their strong faith and belief in God set out to make a difference in the world following Graduation. Luke and Al‚ marry right after school and move to India to serve as missionaries for Embrace A Village. Budding Financier, Catherine, joins a prestigious financial institution determined to make her mark in the corporate world. Ryder lands an impressive job in social media and can't wait to use the powerful medium for a greater good. Ethan, the odd man out, struggles to find his God-given-purpose and feels sidelined by God. Their ambitions are high, their passions are strong but will they have the courage to fulfill their calling regardless of what comes their way. The sacrifice they are asked to pay may just be too high. Through godly wisdom from an outside source, the group realizes that this is not their time after all, it's all His!

Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Language: English
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
Number of discs: 1
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Pure Flix Entertainment
DVD Release Date: April 16, 2013
Run Time: 88 minutes

Website http://www.christiancinema.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=4565#
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ThisIsOurTimeMovie


MY REVIEW
  The DVD This Is Our Time to seize God’s calling is very good. The story line is excellent and it kept me interested through every part. The acting was good, but to me it seems like a low budget film. Even so the story really pulled it through and I believe it will be a movie that will last.
  You find everything in this movie from greatest joy, to depths of great sadness. Also you will see favoritism and learn how to deal with loss and to keep going on.
  Even in a world that believes making money is everything you can see that money doesn’t cure problems or help you when you’re down. Also you find in a world that doesn’t follow God that many things are overlooked and put up with.
  Follow these five graduates as they make decsions, some are good and some are bad. How they help each other and how they let God lead them.
 A movie to be watched by the whole family and it will be greatly enjoyed. I highly recommend it.


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“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”