Captive
As a long time fan of movies based on a true story, I can honestly say that I was on the edge of my seat while watching Captive.
Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. Romans 5:20 is a bible verse that appears on the screen as the movie begins to play.
Imagine just recently losing your husband and attempting to recover from a Meth drug addiction in an effort to improve your life and regain custody of your daughter.
After attending a recovery group meeting, a lady gives Ashley the book entitled The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Being only two days clean this time, Ashley does not have a lot of hope, so she promptly chunks the book in the trash as she exits the building.
Meanwhile, a convicted rapist, Brian, overpowers the authorities in the jail, takes the gun and radio, and is able to escape after killing several people and severely injuring one on his way out of the building.
Ashley makes her way into work where she finds that the same lady that gave her the book earlier in the day has now dropped off a package with a note saying, “You forgot something …” with the same book inside of the package.
As the story progresses, the escaped convict takes Ashley hostage in her own apartment! Things were completely intense as she was not sure what his next move would be. Then, he asks for drugs, which she gives to him but refuses to do herself. There she is, trapped in her apartment with Brian, who has now just used drugs and would be capable of anything at this point!
Since we sat down to watch this movie as a family I will admit that there was a certain part in the movie where I had to turn it off until everyone else cleared the room so I could make sure it was suitable for us to continue watching it with our 11 year old present. The part I’m referring to was strongly suggestive based on the character, Brian, having been in jail for rape, among other things. Leading up to this scene, it appeared that while he was holding Ashley captive in her apartment that he may rape her at this moment. However, he did not. When I realized this, I allowed my family to come back into the room to finish the movie together.
What ends up happening is something I never would have imagined. Ashley begins to use The Purpose Driven Life to offer hope and light in the mist of despair. Brian seemed to receive the message in this book well, and it provides hope for them both in this situation and what they are facing in their individual lives.
This movie takes you deep with the characters as the plot thickens and things begin to play out.
I have watched this movie twice now. It is amazing to see how God provided hope in this situation to both Brian and Ashley. At the end of the movie, it has a snippet of the real Ashley as she appeared on Oprah and got a chance to meet the author of the book, Rick Warren. It also provided updates on the individuals involved throughout the movie.
If you would like a copy of Captive, please enter our giveaway below.
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 a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller/FlyBy Productions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.
Which Source?
“I need to get back into reading Joel Osteen,” my husband said one evening as we were talking together after work.
I paused for a moment to consider what he said and then offered these words, “We need to get back into reading the Bible instead of going to another source to tell us what Jesus said.”
His eyes shifted up from the mail he was thumbing through as he said, with raised eyebrows, “You’re right.”
It was as if the thought hadn’t really occurred to either of us until that moment in time when we had an “ah ha” moment.
What better source to go to than the Bible itself, though. Really. Honestly. Truthfully. No one is going to express it better than God’s Holy Word.
I know that there are many that do not like Joel, and I am not here to hold a debate on that at all. I will say that Joel speaks with encouragement and inspiration, as well as from a Biblical standpoint, and it helps my husband. That’s enough right there to convince me that Joel can’t be all bad if he got a man that used to never dive into books of this sort to have a stack of them now on the night stand or coffee table in our home. And what’s more is that they aren’t just dust collectors sitting there. He actually reads them!
For me, my excuse, at times, has been that the King James Version is so hard to understand. With the NIV bible. the English Standard Version, and The Message Bibles, that excuse goes right out the window now because they help to make it easier to absorb and apply to your life.
Which source is better for you to gain a clearer understanding of what God wants for us and has in store for all who believe in Him? For me, I’m going back to the Bible!
I have a fancy journaling Bible now with a beautiful print on the front that looks like branches, leaves, and even grapes. The crisp, clean pages invite me to carefully turn them to reveal God’s promises.
I even joined a Bible Journaling Facebook Group!
Feeling determined, I am choosing the source which will feed my soul and light my path in life. I am choosing the one that offers hope, Salvation, and eternal life through Jesus.
Picking up my weapon, I am arming myself with the Word of God!
Which source will you choose?
Life Change
We are 19 days into January 2016. Can you honestly say that you’ve been successful with keeping your New Year’s Resolutions? Most cannot.
Have you realized, like I have, that it is about making a life change instead?
What did you set out to do on January 1st of this brand spanking new year? Was it a weight loss challenge that you issued for yourself? Maybe you wished to save more money? Or, perhaps, you wanted to appreciate each new day that God has given you and be present; in the moment with those that you love. Here is a really good one, too: Getting right with God by praying more, focusing on His Word, feeding your soul with His goodness and filling your mind with all of the wonderful things God says about you?
All of these things are still possible. You CAN still achieve greatness in this new year. Please do not throw your hands in the air and give up at this point. If you haven’t stayed on track, today is a new day! Get right back up, dust yourself off, and vow to try again tomorrow. You CAN do this, and God will provide strength for you each and every day to ensure that you achieve the goals you set for yourself on implementing these life changes!
I’ll be honest and admit that I haven’t stayed on track. But, I am determined to try again. This time, I will succeed because I am focusing on God and drawing from His strength. I know that I cannot do this alone. God wants me to turn to Him in ALL things, so why not turn this area of my life over to Him, too?
And I am … right here, right now. Today!
Are you with me? You, too, can make a life change!
