Fremont native Jennifer Graeser Dornbush, daughter of Dr. Ron and Gail Graeser, points us toward thankfulness in her latest blog entry entitled, How Gratitude Makes You A Better Artist (and Person)! In her third point she writes: “I wish I had known how to be more thankful at first! I spent a good many years dwelling on the woulda, coulda, shoulda’s—which is negative and basically a huge waste of time and energy. Having a daily gratefulness practice and keeping a gratitude journal fosters goodness and kindness and creativity—not just in myself, but in how I can positively shape the world and the people I see every day. Doing little things every day with love and thankfulness is upper level living. Gratitude attracts opportunity. Gratitude rewires the brain to accept and receive. Gratitude keeps you sane when the rejections come. Gratitude is a form of seeing and expressing truth, goodness and beauty. Who doesn’t need more daily doses of that? …”
It’s with this same attitude of gratitude and desire to liberate “people from their prisons of loneliness by lifting them into hope, joy, and purpose,” that she wrote the book and movie screenplay God Bless the Broken Road. Although Jennifer lives in Hollywood now, you have an opportunity to meet, reacquaint yourself, or ask questions of her at the American Decency Association’s showing of this film on Friday, December 7 at either 1 pm or 7 pm. She has made herself available for both showings, to introduce the movie and to participate in a Q&A session afterward. Join us at the American Decency headquarters (203 E. Main St, Fremont) for this free family film event. It’s certainly a unique opportunity for which we are very grateful.
Not yet available on DVD, “GOD BLESS THE BROKEN ROAD tells a profound, poignant story of a war widow named Amanda who gets angry at God, loses her faith and is brought to her knees to restore her life. The movie is very clean and evangelical, with brief war violence and deep, insightful discussions about why bad things happen to good people.
“The movie opens with a scouting party of American 101st Airborne soldiers in Afghanistan treating their expedition with humor and grace. Cut to Amanda leading the church choir. She is a picture-perfect wife and mother with a beautiful voice. Then, two soldiers walk in to tell Amanda her husband, Darren, has just died in combat. She collapses.
“Cut to Amanda sometime later not wanting to get up to go to church, but her daughter, Brie, wants to go to Sunday School. She drives Brie to church. Then, a professional race car driver named Cody, who’s been sent to train under Joe, a racing expert who runs an auto repair shop in disrepair, sees Amanda in the church parking lot and is impressed. Cody is full of himself and unwilling to learn how to drive his race car properly so he can finally win a race. Amanda wants no part of anybody, including Cody. She’s running out of time and money.
“Amanda starts working longer hours as a waitress. She gets a loan from a disreputable pawnbroker because the bank is heartless and wants to foreclose on her mortgage. Amanda’s mother-in-law wants to take care of Brie and thinks Amanda’s doing a bad job raising Brie. All Amanda has left from Darren is the house and her ring, and she pawns the ring and loses the house.
“How can Amanda see God’s love in the midst of all these trials and tribulations? How can she be reconciled with Patty, her mother-in-law, and Brie? How can Cody turn into the man he should be, not only to win races but also to win Amanda?” (from movieguide.org)
Also, “MOVIEGUIDE® advises a slight caution for younger children and people who are sensitive to psychological pain. That’s because of the death of the father in the movie, the spiraling out of control of the mother, the potential for self-destruction, and some other serious themes.”
To see the trailer click here.
Although only a movie, it does show how God will lovingly turn the broken road back to Him with healing, love, and a reminder that nothing is impossible for Him. Perhaps someone you know is experiencing some kind of brokenness. Maybe we’re overwhelmed and this season of Light and joy seems more like a journey of darkness and despair. It’s possible that everything is going great and you’d just like to relax and enjoy this movie with some friends. Whatever the reason, come join us for this wonderful opportunity to view God Bless the Broken Road and talk with its author or others who care.
Don’t forget! This Friday, December 7, 2018 at either 1 pm or 7 pm at 203 E. Main St, Fremont, we look forward to seeing you!
With the Christmas season upon us, we can’t help but think of gifts—either giving or receiving. The Apostle Paul shared with Titus these words of salvation (v. 11), sanctification (v. 12), securing (v. 13-14), and sending (v. 15)—all grace-wrapped gifts from our Heavenly Father. “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” Titus 2:11-15 (ESV)
In our writing and events, indeed in all that we do, we strive to share these grace-wrapped gifts with others by the empowering of the Holy Spirit. We daily rely upon God’s grace to do the things we do. There are many ways in which God shows us His grace and favor. One of those ways is His prompting you and others like you to graciously give monetary gifts, prayerful support, and words of encouragement.
We are so very grateful for the many ways God uses you to bless us.Frankly, we stand in great need right now; our finances are very low. Won’t you help us spread the grace of God to others as we warn, inform, and stir others to holy living? Please pray and ask the Lord what He would have you to do during this season of giving.
By faith, we are thanking God for your gift of financial support, prayer, and/or words of encouragement.
To support our efforts please click here or mail your gift to American Decency Association (ADA), PO Box 202, Fremont, MI 49412.
American Decency Association is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
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