Tuesday, January 26, 2021

FILM REVIEW: Trafficked: A Parent's Worst Nightmare

Release date (DVD & VOD): January 26, 2021
At first, I didn't want to watch this movie. I knew it would make me feel uncomfortable, and I didn't want to feel that way. But, then, I thought, "What if promoting this video could help just one family become more aware of the horrors of human trafficking. What if it saves just one young person from becoming the slave of a demented panderer." After all, January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, in case you didn't know; and, so, I agreed to do this review. 

ABOUT THE FILM:
TRAFFICKED: A Parent’s Worst Nightmare is new feature-length drama directed by Joel Paul Reisig, and written by Reisig, George Sunders, and Scott Voshel. It is a "gritty" no-holds-barred story based on real-life events that have been experienced by too many families. It dramatically portrays how the lives of families are uprooted by the abduction and trafficking of a child. 

Bob Elder, President of Collide Media Group, shares this: "Awareness is the first step towards putting an end to these atrocities in our world. Trafficked is a heart-pounding feature film reminding us of how urgent this topic is and why we need to act now."

STORY LINE:
Allison Riley (Sophie Bolen) is a beautiful young girl with a bright future and a dream of becoming a veterinarian. On the eve of her 16th birthday, she sneaks out of her house to meet a handsome boy she met online, and then disappears. Her parents, Joanna (Kristy Swanson) and Case (Mark Boyd), contact the police who assume that Allison is just out with a boyfriend. The parents, then, reluctantly hire Private Investigator John Belton (Dean Cain) who has a reputation for making his own rules. Belton quickly discovers Allison had likely been trafficked by a handsome young man she met online, and that he’s on a race against time if the Rileys ever hope to see their daughter again. 

TRAILER:
 

MY THOUGHTS:
What this movie is NOT:  
  • Not a "feel good" movie 
  • Not really a faith based movie, aside from having a couple church/prayer scenes
  • Not family friendly, meaning I would not recommend it for younger children
What it IS:
  • Gritty (meaning it contains some graffic physical violence, mild language, drug use, and insinuating sexual scenes that would not be appropriate for younger children.)
  • Informative about human trafficking, and the heartbreak it causes
  • A movie that serves a specific purpose
  • A good conversation starter among teen groups and families
This movie is not something I can say I "enjoyed" watching. But, I know its not really meant to be entertaining. It has a specific purpose, which is to cause awareness about the awfulness of human trafficking, and how a lot of teens get brought into it. It is devastating! And, not only to the teens who are stolen away, but also to the families. 

I recommend this movie for teenagers and their parents/guardians to watch together. It could produce a lot of questions, emotions, and conversations that parents should be a part of, if at all possible.

If it were up to me, I would have included more closure at the end of the movie. It was left open, and I felt like it needed to show more of the after-math. Perhaps this was intentional, to help spur on more conversation. Or, maybe they plan on making a second movie based around families who are recovering from situations like this. If so, I hope they also explain how faith in Christ can help victims and families be over-comers. 
 
GIVEAWAY:
I am able to give away a code to one e-mail address for a link to watch this movie in its entirety. If you are interested, please leave a comment on this blog post, or leave a comment (or a "like") under the post on our Facebook page: HE HOLDS MY RIGHT HAND MINISTRIES. Entries will be accepted until Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. Central Time. A random drawing will be held and the winner notified shortly after. Open to North America only.

PURCHASE LINKS:

DISCLOSURE: Many thanks to Collide Distribution for providing this product/product information for review. 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.

#TraffickedFilmMIN
#MomentumInfluencerNetwork


Thursday, January 7, 2021

18 Birthdays for Our Youngest Child

Eighteen years ago, David and I held our newborn son, our youngest child, in our arms for the first time. We thanked God then for this precious blessing, and continue to thank God today for giving Jonathan to us, and for making our lives a lot more fun...  



Take a walk with us down memory lane as we share a birthday photo from the past 18 years...

AGE 1


AGE 2


AGE 3


AGE 4


AGE 5


AGE 6


AGE 7


AGE 8


AGE 9


AGE 10


AGE 11


AGE 12


AGE 13



AGE 14


AGE 15


AGE 16


AGE 17


AGE 18

This is the day the LORD has made. With all that is going on in our country, and in our world today, we choose to focus on the good things about this day. On this day, we celebrate the birth of our son, Jonathan. Thank you, Lord, for this day, and for the special gift you gave us. We love you, Jonathan! Happy Birthday!!


Friday, January 1, 2021

HHMRH Top 10 Posts of 2020


This past year, I posted regularly on the Facebook page for He Holds My Right Hand Ministries. So, the following top 10 posts were the most viewed, liked, and commented-on posts of the year. 

I don't know yet what 2021 will look like as far as blogging and posting. This has been a strange year, to say the least, and I haven't taken much time yet to think or pray about what goals/projects to pursue. I'm sure God will guide me to what HE wants me to do. 

No matter what happens in 2021, I know for sure I want to trust in the Lord with all my heart, focus on His goodness, choose to seek His face always, and continue holding His hand. I encourage you to to the same. 


10th Place

Posted on August 18, 2020 - You may be having a hard time right now, but that doesn't mean God has forgotten you. If you belong to Him, you have been ENGRAVED on the palms of His hands. Not just one hand, but both of them. It is a permanent reminder that you are His, and He will forever be yours. So, He will continue to work on your behalf, behind the scenes, and in ways you may never fully understand. But, rest assured, He has not forgotten you.


9th Place
Posted on February 2, 2020
David took this photo while pastoring in Mendota, IL, in 2005



8th Place
Posted March 24, 2020 - While reading Isaiah 26:3-4 this morning, the idea of perfect peace jumped out at me. Perfect peace is a COMPLETE peace that comes only from staying focused on our Creator - the Everlasting Rock - and trusting in Him at all times. When we take our eyes off of Him, that's when anxiety begins to creep in.

Isaiah 26:3-4 - "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."



7th Place
Posted on April 2, 2020 
Perspective...



6th Place
Posted on July 27, 2020 - In the middle of all the chaos, God IS STILL THERE. Trusting in Him can bring peace to your anxious thoughts.


5th Place
Posted on August 2, 2020 - God's Word tells us our days on Earth are numbered and things could change for us at any moment. Are you ready for it? We (David and Vicky) are "imploring you" today (pleading with you) to think about your relationship with God and what Salvation is truly about.

Many have been told to just believe in Jesus and that will get them to Heaven when they die, sort of like buying a ticket into Heaven. But, even Satan believes in Jesus. Will he be in Heaven?

TRUE SALVATION is not a ticket we purchase to get us into "the pearly gates" at the end of our lives. The real purpose of our salvation is to be RECONCILED TO GOD - to mend our relationship with Him that was broken by sin (read 2 Corinthians 5:18-20). Living in Heaven is a benefit of our mended relationship, but its not the main idea.

BASED ON GOD'S WORD, HERE IS HOW YOU CAN MEND YOUR RELATIONSHIP (BE RECONCILED) WITH GOD:
1. Admit you are a sinner in need of a Savior (Romans 3:23).
2. Believe Jesus Christ is God's Son, and that HE is the Savior you need. (John 14:6)
3. Believe that Jesus' death on the cross, and only that, provided the way for your sins to be forgiven (John 3:16).
4. Believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, giving victory over sin and death (Romans 10:9).
5. Confess your sins to the Lord, and ask for forgiveness (John 1:9).
6. Place your faith in Jesus alone for the forgiveness of your sins. (Ephesians 2:8-9).

HERE'S A SAMPLE PRAYER YOU CAN PRAY (Please note: Praying this prayer, or any prayer, will not "do" anything for you. It is only your FAITH and TRUST that will mend your broken relationship with God. But, this prayer can be used to help you express that faith):

"Dear God, I know I am a sinner and am not worthy of your forgiveness; but I am sorry for the sins I have committed and I want to live a life that pleases you. I accept what Jesus did for me on the cross; and I believe that His sacrifice and resurrection has provided for the forgiveness I need for my sin. Please make things right between You and me, and be a part of my life starting now. Thank you. In Jesus name, Amen."

It is our desire for YOU to be reconciled to God today. If you have questions about this, please ask. We would be happy to discuss it with you more.


4th Place
Posted on November 8, 2020 - A good reminder for all of us...

Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.



3rd Place
Posted on October 13, 2020



2nd Place
Posted on November 4, 2020



1st Place
Posted on September 29, 2020