"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
1 Corinthians 15:58
My Bag My Story is a heartfelt initiative that addresses a painful truth faced by many
children in foster care. As they move from one temporary home to another, their
possessions are often carried in a trash bag. For every bag purchased, My Bag My
Story donates a high-quality, durable bag to a foster child. These bags are more than
just practical; they are symbols of support and recognition, affirming the inherent
value and worth of every child in the foster care system. Through this gesture, it not
only provides something functional, but it also helps foster children feel seen and
valued.
"I started My Bag My Story after becoming a foster parent and watching children always having their belongings in a trash bag or grocery sack or nothing. Everyone
kept saying this was normal. I said it doesn’t have to be normal, so I set out to have
bags made for kids," said Cara Finger, Founder of My Bag My Story. "Having a bag to
call your own instead of a trash bag gives a child dignity and makes them feel valued. A bag seems so small but makes a huge difference in their foster care experience. Making a child feel like they are worth more than trash is so important to me."
There are over 400,000 children in the U.S. foster care system right now. (US Department of Education).
Children can remain in foster care for varying lengths of time, from a few days to several years, depending on their situation and the progress of reunification or the adoption process.
Each year, around 20,000 young people age out of the foster care system at age 18 (or 21 in some states) without being reunited with their families or adopted, which can present significant challenges for their transition to independent living. (US Department of Education (ED))
Lighten the Load of Foster Care. For every bag purchased, a bag is given to a child navigating the foster care system. One Bag Purchased = One Bag Donated.
1. Donations: Through its donation program, every dollar donated goes towards giving a child in foster care a bag they can call their own.
2. Dignity Program: My Bag My Story has partnered with over 30 Tennessee-based organizations who work directly with children in the foster care system in order to get them high-quality duffel bags and backpacks.
3. Supporters: As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, My Bag My Story depends on the support of local and national corporations, including Dell, The Predators Foundation, St. George’s Episcopal Church and Target.
Help support this wonderful organization that seeks to make a difficult situation more comfortable, and gives dignity by gifting a child in foster care a high quality bag to carry their belongings.
It was cool to learn about how this organization offers care and dignity to children in need with this program, and how every dollar donated goes toward giving a bag to a child in foster care. And I just can't help but think a small thing like a real bag for their belongings, could be a comfort to a child going through an unstable living and family situation.
My Bag, My Story, offers an easy way to reach out and show love to those who are hurting. On the website you can choose from a duffel bag, backpack, or pouch, in fun and inviting colors, and for each item you buy, one is given to a child.
For each bag purchased, one is donated to a child in foster care.
Many thanks to My Bag, My Story for providing a sample of the product for this review.
Welcome to the Blog Tour for JustRead Rendezvous 2024, hosted, sponsored, and organized by JustRead Publicity Tours!
You are Invited
JustRead Rendezvous November 15, 2024 DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel & Conference Center Chicago-Downers Grove
Join fellow readers and authors at the JustRead Rendezvous to celebrate Christian fiction and sweet reads. This event, modeled after the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat, aims to sweeten reading and storytelling experiences with fellowship and encouragement. Activities will include corporate worship, speaker sessions, author panels, small group discussions, games, giveaways, a pop-up book shop, and author signings.
Baker Publishing Group fiction imprints (Bethany House and Revell), Enclave Publishing, and Kregel Publications have joined JustRead Publicity Tours as event sponsors.
Keynote speakers include Amanda Dykes, Becky Wade, and Ronie Kendig. Kimberley Woodhouse and Lisa Phillips will lead worship. More authors will be added to the event as reader registration increases!
The registration fee (including a book tote, lunch, afternoon snack, and more) is $124 for readers. We’re nearing the reader registration mark to add more best-selling, debut, and indie authors to the 2024 event. Tell your friends and register today to pave the way by August 1!
P.S. Join us on Thursday at the same location for the Art of Writing conference and The Christy Award Winners Gala. The Christy Award honors and promotes excellence in Christian fiction and is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Visit christyawards.com for more information and registration.
Giveaway
(1) winner will receive one paid registration to JustRead Rendezvous 2024 courtesy of '23 Rendezvous author Tamara Leigh
(1) winner will receive a canvas tote bag, an A6 journal notebook with a ballpoint pen, a 12 oz enamel mug, a scented candle, and a reading blanket
(5) winners will receive a $10 egift card (Baker Book House, Christianbook, or Amazon)
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 4, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 11, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for physical prizes. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
“God’s Country Song” is a heartfelt movie on what it means to be a father and place your family before your ambitions. Watch as Noah rediscovers his faith, reconnects with his own father and follows God’s plan for his life.
Only God knows if Noah can be the man and father he’s meant to be. Will Noah stop chasing selfish dreams, heal broken relationships and start down God's path for his future?
Watch God’s Country Song exclusively on Pure Flix starting June 16th!
Noah Brian is a rising Country Music Star blazing his way to a successful career when a surprising turn of events has him going back home to face his past in hopes of making a future for his son.
A heartwarming romance, a story of second chances and fresh starts. I liked how Noah's manager was willing to tell him tough truths and encouraged him to make positive changes in his life, praying for him along the way. Noah has a wonderful family, and I liked how they welcomed JJ into their lives, as well as asking for accountability. JJ is such an adorable child, I loved how he has a big heart for others.
This is a story of forgiveness, faith and second chances, with characters that you can cheer for, as well as great music. I liked the strong message of faith and second chances. A wonderful movie that families with older children can watch together.
Content is PG. Drinking is shown, but in a negative light. A child is born to an unmarried couple years in the past. Some kissing. A drunken fistfight.
#GodsCountrySongMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork
Many thanks to Pure Flix for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.
Giveaway: 3-month subscription to Pure Flix
(Note: This is limited to US winners only, and only to those who have NOT won a subscription in the last 6 months).
When their pastor encourages the congregation to sign-up for a week away at family camp, Grace believes she’s found the perfect cure for her imperfect clan—even if they’d all rather be anywhere but at rustic Camp Katokwah. The first feature film from The Skit Guys, FAMILY CAMP is a laugh-out-loud comedy that will touch the hearts and tickle the funny bones of every family member from eight to eighty. https://familycampmovie.com
Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison when his high school basketball team’s state championship dreams are crushed under the weight of unexpected news. When the largest manufacturing plant in town suddenly shuts down and hundreds of families begin moving away, John must come to grips with the challenges facing his family and his team. Urged by the school’s principal to fill-in and coach a sport he doesn’t know or like, John is frustrated and questioning his worth ... until he crosses paths with a student struggling with her own journey.
Filled with a powerful mix of faith, a twist of humor, and a ton of heart, the Kendrick Brothers return to theaters with OVERCOMER, their newest feature following FACING THE GIANTS, FIREPROOF, COURAGEOUS, and the #1 box- office hit, WAR ROOM. The inspiring family film stars Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, Shari Rigby, Cameron Arnett, and introduces Aryn Wright-Thompson. Opening nationwide on August 23, OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you?
ABOUT PROVIDENT FILMS
Provident Films, a division of Provident Music Group, a Sony company, develops, produces and markets faith-based films. A pioneer in the genre since 2006, Provident Films’ partnerships include Sherwood Pictures/Kendrick Brothers (WAR ROOM, COURAGEOUS, FIREPROOF and FACING THE GIANTS), The Erwin Brothers (WOODLAWN, MOMS’ NIGHT OUT and the $83 million box office surprise, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE), Kirk Cameron (CONNECT) and Graceworks Pictures (INDIVISIBLE released Oct. 26, 2018). For more information, go to www.providentfilms.org.
ABOUT KENDRICK BROTHERS PRODUCTIONS
Kendrick Brothers Productions is the company of brothers Alex, Stephen and Shannon Kendrick that exists to honor God and share the truth and love of Jesus Christ through movies, books, curriculum and speaking. By blending engaging stories with doctrinal integrity, the Kendricks seek to encourage and inspire audiences with resources that positively impact their lives and strengthen their faith, families, and personal relationships.
2018 marks the 15th anniversary of the release of FLYWHEEL, the Kendrick Brothers’ first feature film. Produced with a shockingly modest budget of only $20,000 and intended for Albany, Georgia residents where the brothers served on staff at Sherwood Baptist Church, FLYWHEEL went on to sell over a million copies in DVD format.
“We’re just amazed at what the Lord’s done with it,” says Alex Kendrick.
2018 also marks the production of the Kendricks’ 6th film, OVERCOMER. Between those two milestones, the Kendricks’ first film and the production of their latest film, the Kendrick Brothers’ body of work has been credited with creating a subcategory known as faith-based films.
With more than $150 million in box office receipts across five films plus millions more in DVD and on-demand sales worldwide, the Kendrick Brothers are recognized as leading the genre.
WHY IDENTITY?
“The movie OVERCOMER is about identity, an issue that everyone deals with. Everyone needs to answer the questions: ‘Who is God?’, and ‘Who am I?’, and the Scriptures deal with both of those things. When a person discovers who they are in Christ, it opens up an understanding of how they can live that out in a daily basis in what they do in their relationships with others,” said Stephen Kendrick.
“When we started the process with OVERCOMER, Alex began to unpack this idea of a cross-country runner who’s dealing with the issue of identity, and at the same time, I’d been studying Ephesians 1 and 2. We can see how the Lord was paralleling our paths to specifically make this movie.”
“Cross country is a very difficult sport. From the time you start, you do not stop or pause until you cross the finish line. And in many regards, that’s like our life; that’s our journey of faith,” said Alex Kendrick.
“As people are walking out of the theater, we hope that they begin to ask questions about where their identity is found, because too often we find it in our circumstances, in our titles, in what other people are saying about us, in our jobs, in our positions or awards. Those things can be taken away,” said Stephen Kendrick.
“I hope moviegoers will realize their salvation is about much more than just having a ticket to eternity. They were actually given a brand-new identity. Which means, they have access to spiritual blessings, they have an inheritance, they have all this stuff that’s available to them, this side of eternity. And when you realize that, that means the decisions you make, the relationships you have, the trajectory you choose, the ambitions that you hold, all of that stuff will reflect, and be indicative of your brand-new identity. That changes and transforms the way you live,” said Priscilla Shirer.
WHAT IS AN OVERCOMER?
“OVERCOMER in many regards, is a discovery of who we are in Christ, who gets to determine our identity and what we have to overcome to embrace the life God has for us,” said Alex Kendrick.
“Overcoming is about powering through and realizing that on the other side of it you are stronger and more courageous than when you started,” said Shari Rigby.
“Being an overcomer means you keep your head up and you know that you’re going to get through it; you figure out a way to get through it, you keep your faith strong, you get through it, and you just thank God,” said Aryn Wright-Thompson.
“Being an overcomer means there is pain, discomfort, inconvenience, life’s tough, and yet you have joy and peace and all the stuff that you can only have if there is an anchor in your soul,” said Priscilla Shirer.
SHARE You can share memes, pictures, trailers and more to help promote the movie. You can also access promotional materials like a parental guide and sports team devotional here: https://www.overcomermovie.com/share-tools
The contest will run from August 19th, 2019 thru August 22nd, 2019. The winner share receive Fandango promo codes that are good for 2 tickets to see Overcomer in theaters. In order to enter to win please use the rafflecopter installed below.
“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 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 Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.Winner is subject to eligibility verification. No Canadian winners please, Fandango does not reach to our Canadian friends.
The ticket codes are only good as long as Overcomer is in theaters.
They can not be used for any other movies, they are for Overcomer only. (Won’t work for any others)
Prison Fellowship has released a brand-new documentary series, Jonathan's Walk, with 5 videos averaging about 5 minutes in length following one man who has been incarcerated since age 18, for 15 years, as he re-enters civilian life.
Jonathan found saving faith in Jesus Christ while in prison, with the help of Prison Fellowship Academy. He also met his loving and faithful Christian wife Nikole, with whom he shares a young daughter. While in prison he has missed out on big moments in his family's life, and his wife has had to be mother and father to their daughter. I loved how the documentary talks about the challenges of re-entering society, recidivism is at a high, with 2 out of 3 released being re-arrested. This is is just a snap-shot of a few of the challenges faced by families with a member coming out of incarceration, but is gives me hope seeing their faith, and how God can completely turn around even the most broken of situations.
The Academy is a program in select prisons that teaches prisoners to live holy God-glorifying lives, productive, and full of purpose, inside and outside of prison. They learn to identify unhealthy and relapsing behaviors, how to be a responsible family member, as well as money-management, life-skills, with a Christ centered focus.
This docu-series shows the story of one man, his family, and how Christ changes everything.
You can find out more, as well as about how you can donate, volunteer, and pray by visiting the Prison Fellowship website: https://www.prisonfellowship.org/
“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 a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Lucie is Faith's mom, and reviews books that catch her eye that are sitting on her daughter's bookshelf. She is a big fan of pretty much anything western, with mystery and a good love story.
