New Book for Old Time Religion (Review)

 

Prophecies of the Bible by Daymond R. Duck
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Whether it's THIS book on prophecy or Daymond Duck's books of the "Smart Guide to the Bible" on Revelation and Daniel too, these books are filled to the brim with information made simple. Line by line examination of the Scripture, comments by the most reputable Bible-believing scholars and lots of great illustrations by cartoonist Reverend Fun too. These are the go-to books for the modern examination of Bible Prophecy. And if you're like me and feel a deep need to know, you'll be going to them over and over again through the years as you sort out fact from non-sense and study God's Word.

I highly recommend them to both new Christians and "old timers" like me (Nope. I didn't "out" my age on the internet this time) for an insightful and encouraging read as we navigate these difficult and dark days that are so unlike the original times when I was barely twelve years old back in 1978. (Arg! 🙊)

Sincerely, Laura-Lee

PS. Is it a "spoiler" to tell you that Jesus comes back? So be it! We're going to need all the hope and encouragement we can get! LL 

LINK Reverend Fun Cartoon archives

View all my reviews

Narrator Builds Kingdom He Reads About (Review)

 

Pendragon by Stephen R. Lawhead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I still plan on writing a review that encompasses the entire Pendragon series but I wanted to say this now. 

I've read this series several times but this is the first time listening to it in audiobook format. In this case, read by Frederick Davidson (aka. David Case). I have said that there is a fine line between narrating a book and performing it. The one enhances, the other upstages. I am now going to amend those words if not eat them all together. But I should be forgiven because I hadn't yet heard a book read by Frederick Davidson.

Davidson goes all the way! Voices, intensity, singing (even though somewhat tone-deaf). Whatever it takes, Fred does it. And he does it oh so well. In fact, I gave the extra fifth-star rating (which to me means perfection) to any of Lawhead's books Davidson has read - at least for the ones Stephen Lawhead hadn't already received from me on his own.

In looking for more books narrated by Frederick Davidson I discovered that he died in 2005, which has brought me great sadness even though I'd never even heard of him a few weeks ago. But after listening to his voice speak the words of my beloved author for close to a hundred hours I feel close to him. I knew he got "IT" and so it bonded us. But before I had but a moment to lament his passing I discovered he had recorded more than 700 books. What a legacy to leave behind!

Thank you, David, for doing more than your job required and for pouring out your talents into an ever-increasing dark world. I pray the Great Light has welcomed you wholeheartedly into His Kingdom of Summer, which you spoke of with such desire and reverence as to make it sacred and to help those of us dedicated to ushering it in and giving it life.


THE KINGDOM OF SUMMER (Fantasy)
"I have seen a land shining with goodness, where each man protects his brother's dignity as readily as his own, where war and want have ceased and all races live under the same law of love and honour.

I have seen a land bright with truth, where a man's word is his pledge and falsehood is banished, where children sleep safe in their mother's arms and never know fear or pain.

I have seen a land where kings extend their hands in justice rather than reach for the sword; where mercy, kindness, and compassion flow like deep water over the land, and men revere virtue, revere truth, revere beauty, above comfort, pleasure or selfish gain. A land where peace reigns on every hill, and love like a fire from every hearth; where the True God is worshipped and his ways acclaimed by all.”

- Quote from "Arthur" by Stephen R. Lawhead

Sincerely, Laura-Lee

View all my reviews

Frederick Davidson (aka. David Case)

REALITY

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21:1-4

"Dear Jesus. The End is Really Here!"

When COVID-19 hit, I knew for sure we were in the Last Days spoken of in the book of Daniel (Old Testament) and in the book of Revelation (New Testament) and by Jesus himself in Matthew 24 and Luke 21. I thought to myself that THE Peace Treaty would show up "at some point". Probably sooner than later. I first discovered this event would come when I read about it in 1980. Forty years ago!

 I held my tongue through Y2K. I held my tongue at 9/11. I held my tongue when the Mayan calendar predicted 2012 would signify the End of the world. I held my tongue as I watched the scientists move the Doomsday Clock through the years as it went from twenty minutes to midnight to two minutes to midnight. I've held my tongue as Christian after Christian got "weird" and decided to try and figure out and calculate the exact day of Christ's return, even though Jesus said NOBODY knows the exact moment except the Father. I said nothing because they didn't EXACTLY fit what the Bible said would happen. And if it was the "real deal" it would be precise and exact because God knows ALL and His prophecies are specific and would be PRECISELY fulfilled.

Then when COVID-19 hit and I knew for sure we were in the very last days of the world, I still held my tongue. To be honest, I was a little freaked out to see it actually happen before my eyes and was unsure what to say.

Now I've just discovered that while I was napping yesterday President Trump witnessed the Peace Treaty that is spoken of in the Bible and after four decades I am holding my tongue no longer. 

The Abraham Accords Peace Treaty, spoken of thousands of years ago in the Bible, brings stability, prosperity and safety to Israel. It is the precursor of the soon to be invasion of Israel by Russia, Iran, Turkey and their allies recorded in great detail in Ezekiel chapters 37-39.  When you add that to the anarchy and "lawlessness" started by the Black Lives Matters movement, and many other specific world-affecting events there is no doubt we are here at last in the few final years of human history before Jesus returns.

All I want to do is weep. I feel so overwhelmed by it. How do we just go on living a regular life knowing this and seeing it all happen before our very eyes? But before I go into even more details I will hold my tongue just a little more. I need to be alone with Jesus right now. But I will say this, because it may be the last post I have the chance to write, if my caution, suspicious nature and silence for all these years has earned me any credibility at all than listen to what I simply tell you. Grab the nearest Bible and drop to your knees and call on the name of Jesus because the End IS finally here and you and I will live to see it.

That Doomsday clock is now chiming midnight and it is "tolling for thee."

This was the Scripture Jesus led me to directly and miraculously on Monday. He told me to "hold fast to it during this coming week." Now I know why.

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 

11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 

13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

(Romans 10:8-13)

I humbly thank you for all the time you've spent through the years coming here and reading my hundreds of posts. I pray that you will find Jesus in each and all of them. Because of infinitely more important than me being here is that "Jesus Was Here" as we wrote the story of my life ... Together.

"To Christ be the glory great things He has done".

Love always, Laura-Lee

ABRAHAM ACCORD PEACE TREATY via White House website

"Left Behind" Film Review: For the SAVED or UnSAVED?

UPDATE:  (July 2017) This was originally part of my  "Wholesome Weekend Date Movie" Feature (January 2017),  but after viewing this version of the film "Left Behind" with Nic Cage again, I wanted to take some time to visit the issue of WHO is responsible for this film being remade and the message(s) it gives. You may be surprised at the answer this 40 year follower of Jesus gives.  (This UPDATE continues. Immediately below is the orginal "Wholesome Weekend Date Movie" post)



By now you have probably figured out that I think Nicolas Cage is not just a massively talented actor but also quite scrumptious. So when I discovered he was in a 2014 version of the film "Left Behind" I scooted around to find a good quality upload of it.


Nicolas plays the Captain of a plane who discovers that several of his passengers and flight crew have suddenly vanished into thin air during a flight to London.

Nicolas Cage
Being Intense & Sensitive

Based on the [very] Best-selling series of books (of the same title) which are a fictionalized account of what Bible Prophecy predicts will happen in the near future, when the earth enters it's darkest period of time, the anti-Christ (AKA. Satan) takes over and World War III looms big on the horizon.

Nicolas Cage
[STILL] Being Intense & Sensitive

I"m not going to say anything more about this movie because I'm going to write a full review of it and I want you to see it first without any bias from me.
 Let me just say, I may be making the ultimate Christian 'faux pas' (AKA. Big Boo Boo) by liking this NON-Christian version of  "Left Behind" more than the Christian version that was made several years ago. 

At any rate, whatever your Christian views may be, this film is a good action movie, it meets "Laura-Lee's Requirements" and (did I mention) it has NICOLAS CAGE in it?!

I hope this is "the start of a beautiful friendship" for you and, of course, a wonderful weekend too.

Sincerely, Laura-Lee


LAURA-LEE'S   REQUIREMENTS:   

• Good Story
• Appeals to BOTH Men & Women
• Funny
• Witty
• Good acting
• Plot Twist
• Evokes "warm fuzzies"
• Motivates snuggling
• No Graphic Sex, Violence or Swearing
• Leaves you with good feelings/thoughts
• "Jazzed" and anxious to share it
• Available on the Internet right now for FREE (so you can watch it Immediately)

LINK to "Left Behind" 2014 film (at YouTube)

LINK to More Info "Left Behind" 2014 (IMDb website)

Now THAT'S how you do a
Promo Poster

"Left Behind"
(Another Promo Poster)

(I encourage "Lookie-Loos". So go to my YouTube Channel and see more PlayLists and Recommendations)

LINK to Laura-Lee's YouTube Channel

Nic enjoying Breeze

Nic is watching You

Nic [More] Intense & Sensitive

Nic as Shrek

Nic as Happy Person

Nic as , uh, ???

(The "something extra" for scrolling to the bottom of the page)

LINK "Left Behind" 2014 Official Trailer

UPDATE continued: (July 2017)

Above  is how this film was originally published when it was part of my "Wholesome Weekend Date Movie" feature, but I just went to YouTube to view this film again and found that several more Christians had uploaded it but were referring to it as the "UnSaved version of  Left Behind".

So I wish to aim this review of the film primarily at Christians and let you in on two very important facts about this "UnSaved" version of Left Behind that helped me open my mind a crack before viewing it myself.

1) There is no way this film could have been made unless the authors of the Left Behind series of books, Jerry Jenkins and Tim La Haye "signed off" on it. Which basically means there was a bunch of contract negotiations going on and they had to agree to it.

2) This script was enhanced or had some rewriting done by someone named Paul Lalonde. When I saw that name in the opening credits for the movie, my mind suddenly popped open a crack and I entertained the possibility that I might actually enjoy this film more than I expected.

You see, Peter and Paul Lalonde are no strangers to Canadian Christians. They have been at the forefront of their own Bible Prophecy Ministry even before Jerry & Tim got together to write their first book in their very popular "Left Behind" series of books. The Lalonde brothers produced some of the first films to deal with the topic of  what is commonly now known as the "Rapture".  And even though they had a shoe string budget and the Lalondes' films were primarily shown in Churches, they were some of the best Biblical movies I had ever seen.

Now let me give you a short review of this particular version of the movie, "Left Behind".

Christians who believe the Bible isn't just "some book written by old men" but actually tells the truth, mostly hold the belief that Jesus will physically and literally return to earth IN THE FUTURE to set up His Kingdom here. These future events are described in detail in the Bible. Primarily in the book of "Daniel", (a prophet who lived a long time before Jesus,) "Revelation" (the last portion of the Bible), and from Jesus himself  (mostly recorded in the gospel of Matthew. Chapter 24).

Though all these parts of the Bible were written hundreds of years apart they completely agree with each other and describe an event known as the "Rapture". This word is not actually found IN the Bible but it basically means "to be caught up or snatched away". (Check your local dictionary).

It is the belief of every Christian who believes the Bible tells the truth from cover to cover that Jesus will snatch away all people who have an honest and sincere faith in Jesus and will take them with him to Heaven, without us dying first. 
This is to be a Global event and will happen in "the twinkling of an eye." We will all be just going about our usual business and then millions of people will just suddenly be gone. This is such a thrilling, unique and fascinating concept that it is no surprise that it has captured the imagination of Christians and non-Christians alike. Christians because it is our "hope" and non-Christians because, hey, who isn't interested in knowing the future BEFORE it actually happens.

I personally started watching and hoping for this event to literally occur back in 1980 while heading for an appointment to my dentist. In spite of making me feel rather old, that is before many of you were even born. This film version of "Left Behind" focuses on that event and it's immediate aftermath. 

We are in the air with commercial pilot Ray Steele, with the Oscar winning and scrumptious Nicolas Cage in that role, as the Rapture happens and several of his passengers and crew suddenly disappear MIDFLIGHT over the Atlantic ocean while on their way to London.
It's up to the wonderful Captain Steele to keep order, try and find a way to get his plane back on the ground amidst the chaos and try to figure out what happened to the missing people.
In my opinion, what makes this film so good and sometimes even better than the book is the added dialogue and actions among the handful of first class passengers who are also "Left Behind". As they talk amongst themselves and discuss their various theories of  what happened to the people who disappeared right in front of them, it runs the gamate of sounding ridiculous, being humorous and sometimes causes them to take desperate and dangerous measures.
During this the supporting cast gets to demonstrate their acting talents, make us care about each of their characters and contemplate the possibles of what their future holds. It's at that time one can't help but imagine what we would do when faced with the same scenario. From sublime and funny to desperate and fearful I believe this movie to be superior (Yes. I said "SUPERIOR") to the first version of this film made by "Saved" people and this cinematic plane ride worth the trip. Whether you're a Christian or non Christian, "saved' or "not saved" I would encourage you to watch or rewatch this movie.

As a side note, let me say that since I first started looking into what the Bible had to say about future events back in the "olden days" of the 1980's (Yes. I'm having one of my common 1980's flashbacks), the quality and quantity of films made about the Rapture and Bible Prophecy has dramatically and exponentially increased.
Jesus has made sure to leave a record of these future events to prepare us for them. After all, the words "Revelation" and "apocalypse" literally mean to "reveal" something. (Check your local dictionary).

Or better still check any Bible you can get a hold of because the Rapture is just one of many things about the future that Bible Prophecy reveals. And whether you are reading my words before or after the Rapture has occured, you have nothing to fear if you have given your life to Jesus.
In keeping with the "airplane theme" let me use the example that faith in Jesus is like a parachute. It does you no good to simply know such a thing exists. In order for it to actually "save" you, you need to get it and put it on. Then you can wear it with the confidence that whatever happens, you  will  be  saved.

"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ ..." Romans 13:14

"Put on the whole armour of God ..."  Ephesians 6 

"Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ ... Romans 13

Love Laura-Lee

 This film has some adult themes (like cheating on your wife) and some violent scenes, so it holds a PG rating. But otherwise, it is alright for family viewing. I'm giving it an official "The Bible and the Biz" rating of  8 out of 10 little, golden, Christian fishies:

Will Nicolas Cage figure out why some people vanished into thin air and some were "Left Behind"?

OR 

Will Nicolas Cage simply go insane trying to answer that question?


OR

Will Nicolas Cage start a "Latter Days" Cult?


OR

Will Nicolas Cage shave off ALL his hair?

OR 

  

Will Nicolas Cage ..., uh, will he, ...
 ?????????

Thank you for visiting my blog. You are always welcome here.

  Love  Laura-Lee

  

LINK "Left Behind" "UNSaved" version (YouTube)

Left Behind (Saved Version) Free on YouTube

Final: The Rapture: (Film Review)

Finally "The Rapture" is depicted through this well made Drama/Thriller/Tear-Jerker.

Based on the Christian belief that millions of Christians from around the world will suddenly and bodily disappear when Jesus "kidnaps" them is seen through the eyes of four main characters simultaneously.
Filmed around the world: L.A, Tokyo, Buenies Airies and Hawaii helps gives this film an authentic feel. But what sets this End of the World movie above the rest is the superior acting of it's international cast.as you are "caught up" in the characters' plights as they search for the truth to the disappearances amidst all the theories and trying to survive the chaotic aftermath.

You might not believe in Jesus by the end but you'll KNOW you've seen a good movie.

But, as is usually the case, the Book version of this story is better. (From the Bible).

No swearing but some violence makes it a PG.

I give it 8 Golden Christian Fishes. (It probably deserves 9 but I'm judging it on a harsher scale because I'm trying to overcome my own Christian bias)

**NOTE:  Several different languages spoken in this film, so if you want it ALL translated into English, just turn on the SDH or English Subtitles or CC. Almost every film has "audio" (dubbing) & "subtitles" settings attached to them these days 
     On TV's made in the past 20 years there is the CC/Text "channels" on them. Having everything I watch written in English at the bottom of my screen is a habit I picked up several years ago.