Muhammad Rahman
Christine A. Young
Don Enzo
Juanita Headley
Paul Denikin
Ann Lenaers
David Chandler
Bonita Shelby
Negetee Hawkins
Nkozia Bethune
Nelson Hawkins, Jr.
Candace Paul
- Entertainment
- February 11, 2021
- 1 views
MINARI – the American Dream retold
Minari is a film about all of us – told through the unique perspective of a Korean-American family. Starring, Steven Yeun, best known for the Walking Dead, and Burning, the film depicts what life is like for an immigrant family just trying to live the American Dream. At its core, this movie is about trying to seize an opportunity and build a legacy, while continuing to hit unexpected roadblocks at every turn. Background In the early 80’s, a Korean-American family purchases a small plot of farmland in Arkansas – hoping to become a food supplier for local grocery stores. The parents in this close knit family make ends meet by working factory jobs by day, then working late into the night and on weekends cultivating the farm. In an effort to help, the grandmother assists with the children, so even more hours can be devoted to farm life. Over time, the family becomes part of the community, the children adjust, and the father can finally see the vision he initially had coming together. Then, he learns: the American Dream is easy to ponder, but very difficult to attain. Wait…What’s the American Dream, Again? Whenever someone mentions “the American Dream” my mind immediately goes back to black and white 1950’s films. Most often, the middle class family living the American Dream was depicted as white…in a nice house, with a perfectly manicured lawn, a white picket fence, two kids, a two-door garage, and a dog (probably a Golden Retriever). Somehow, this lifestyle was funded solely by a father with a well paying corporate job, while mom was the cheerful and loving homemaker preparing a casserole for dinner. In fairness, I’m sure there are still some families like this, but that is only one of many American stories. In fact, According to AAP.org, one in every 4 children in the United States, approximately 18.4 million children, live in an immigrant family. Eighty-nine percent of these children are born in the United States and are US citizens. Furthermore, immigrants start businesses at a higher rate than the U.S.-born, as reported by the Immigration International Forum. For every 100,000 immigrants, 520 became entrepreneurs in a given month. That means, soon the average American household won’t look like the one I described, but will be ethnically diverse and likely led by entrepreneurial parents. This movie sheds light on that American story. One about coming to this country, investing in this country, and believing in what this country can help your family achieve. Ultimately, Minari shows that we all actually share the same dream: to find fulfilling and meaningful work, provide for our families, find joy doing it, and eventually see the fruits of our labor. Minari’s release is February 12, 2021!
- Book Reviews
- February 9, 2021
- 5 views
Book Review: Eye Witness
When I received the mail and unwrapped the packaging, I was floored by this beautiful book! Eye Witness: The Visual Bible Experience is a 256-page, fully illustrated coffee table book that brings to life 39 Bible stories and beloved scripture passages. The book contains 120 original works of art by 16 artists from around the world. Each story is written in plain language from the first-person point of view. The back cover explains, “You’ll walk alongside David as he faces a giant, bloodthirsty warrior. You’ll hear the whisper of Queen Esther as she remembers the perils of being a royal sex slave. And you’ll explore up close what it must have been like for Jesus as Satan did his best to lure Jesus away from his destiny.” Understandably, there is creative license used to imagine what these characters may have been thinking and feeling, but the author, Jeff White, does a good job of staying true to the story and its central meaning. For instance, this is what Sarah says: “You can’t tell me God doesn’t have a sense of humor. I’ll never understand why God waited till I was a wrinkly old granny to give me a baby. This whole thing would have been a whole lot easier, oh, 60 or 70 years ago. But I do know God is in the business of showing us he’s more powerful than our circumstances, and often when we least expect it.” It’s definitely a fascinating read – and for a visual person, the illustrations will draw you in. Each illustrator has his or her own style, and you immediately appreciate the diversity of their perspectives. My only critique is that I would have loved to see how illustrators from African and Caribbean nations might have imagined a Bible story. The illustrators where from: Poland, Italy, Indonesia, Spain, California, UK, Columbia, Canada, Argentina, Greece, Brazil, and Russia. In fairness, I don’t know how the illustrators were selected for this book project. It’s possible that these illustrators answered a call for submissions. Nonetheless, this is a beautifully composed book, with emotive language and visuals, that really helps the reader imagine each story and extract its deeper meaning. It’s a book that I’d proudly display on my coffee table!
- More about "Spiritual Warfare"
- January 17, 2021
- 1 views
The retailers that support Aknowingspirit – let’s support them too!
The following retailers have first editions of the Spiritual Warfare series! We wanted to shout them out for supporting this publishing company and its work! If you are looking for the first editions, you can find them at the retailers below, while supplies last: Amazon Barnes & Noble Walmart Porchlight books Book Depository Thriftbooks Better World Books Waterstone.com loot.ca.za bokus alibris Indigo elefant.md bol.com eBay You can order the books directly from the links above! Happy reading!
- More about "Spiritual Warfare"
- January 13, 2021
- 4 views
Check out the NEW look for the Spiritual Warfare series!
Spiritual Warfare and Spiritual Warfare: Rise to Power have new book covers! Ever wonder what Jade, Sarah, Steven, Jessica, and Jeremy may look like? Well, these new covers give you a great idea! Don’t fret! There are still limited editions of the earlier book covers in circulation at various retailers. Visit the Aknowingspirit bookstore to get the limited editions while they last. In celebration of the new look, the Spiritual Warfare series will be available for FREE download on Amazon Kindle from January 14 – January 18th! Download the series and don’t forget to leave a review! You can also listen to the first 6 chapters of Spiritual Warfare on the Aknowingspirit Podcast! The readings are labeled: COVID-19 Reading Series. Check them out HERE!
- Entertainment
- December 29, 2020
- 4 views
Chadwick Boseman speaks bodly against God in his final performance
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, an August Wilson play, has been adapted for the screen and is currently on the popular streaming platform Netflix. The film is already getting Oscar buzz for its star-studded cast, eerily relevant themes, and its highly charged emotional performances. But one scene in particular may be considered the most controversial part of the entire film: When Levee, played by Chadwick Boseman, boldly speaks against God. Background Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom takes place in 1920’s Harlem. The movie centers on Ma Rainey, a legendary Blues musician, recording the smash hit “Black Bottom” for white record executives. While the band comprised of four talented musicians wait for Ma Rainey to arrive, these four black men share their stories and unique perspectives on racism, class, equity, and religion. During a highly charged discussion about black exploitation in the music business by white executives, Levee played by Chadwick Boseman threatens his bandmate at knife point and tells him to ask God for help – like God “helped my momma!” Then he proceeds to go on a rant, taunts God to strike him down, then uses profanity against His holy name. Even though it was “acting”, for me, it was still very shocking and uncomfortable to watch. The Aknowingspirit team had a discussion about the growing trend in Hollywood to create art that pushes the limits, with the aim of bringing forth strong emotional responses from the audience. This is considered the cathartic view of cinema and it’s used quite often to push certain themes and controversial perspectives. For instance, in September of 2020, the Oscars released new criteria for considering films for Best Picture. While the stated purpose is “to reflect our diverse global population in both the creation of motion pictures and in the audiences who connect with them”, it may also be a subtle attempt to steer the types of movies made and the content of those films. See our full discussion on this topic below. Let us know what you think.
David Matteo
- Understanding Your Faith
- December 15, 2020
- 2 views
Election Integrity
After so many years, my mind still can’t seem to fathom, That from every descendant in my past who survived relentless torment, you chose me to be among living now; Despite all who existed throughout my history, to be present at such a time as this; Out of curiosity, what did you see? It would truly help me to know; I find that in my moments of sorrow, it’s the mystery of your selection that gives me hope; Meditating on the words you spoke in Jeremiah 1:5, I can’t help but ascribe them as personalized note to me; A sacred promise and assurance that you knew me before I was formed; So after being born, you knew the mess I’d turn out to be; Provoking the question of what qualities you deemed worthy for my preservation; Is there an explanation my elementary intellect can comprehend? Am I too inept to grasp the depth of your preference because at times, I feel like a mistake… A waste of space that offers no real value for the investment made but don’t get me wrong, By no means do I wish to dissuade your interest; nor do I intend to question your decision but to finally end this debate, please tell me… Was I the best candidate?
- Spiritual Living
- November 13, 2020
- 4 views
Poem: Had Enough?
There’s nothing more to say that hasn’t already been said; Neither anything further to do to persuade disbelievers; The painful truth is that our continued fight for democracy we seem to labor in vain, Blindly amidst “compatriots” who swear by the law of liberty, but deign to uphold that very oath; Is it me? Or does the promise of freedom quickly fade with each slain body laid to rest; Every life lost through negligence in this unprecedented year at our leaders behest; What a travesty when our tragedies are mourned less especially by those we elect; Viciously ravaged by death via an “unknown” threat, was sadly only “unknown” to the people most affected… Their deceit the ultimate sign of disrespect; The blatant disregard for our intellect stripped us the ability to protect ourselves and what do we have left? Confusion and discord quickly spreading to every corner; Until the trusted are discredited and the liars faithfully adored; Well I, for one, can no longer afford to place my faith in a system that profits me nothing; Haven’t I paid enough? Haven’t we paid enough? David Matteo, Author The Freedom in Surrender
- Entertainment
- September 30, 2020
- 5 views
Movie Review: “Then Came You”
“Then Came You” is a romantic comedy about a woman, who after losing her husband, decides to travel the world with his ashes as her way of honoring him. While on her first stop in Scotland, she meets a sarcastic and brutally honest innkeeper. Although their personalities clash (often), there’s an undeniable spark between them, and a choice to make: Hold on to a past love, or allow new love to blossom? This movie starring Kathie Lee Gifford and Craig Ferguson, is a slow build – but a cute movie worth watching. For those who have lost someone they love, that feeling of trying to hold on to their memory – while also trying to move forward with life, can be very challenging. It’s a mixture of making every effort not to forget them, but realizing that your life must continue. This widow wants to do everything with her husband’s ashes. She carries them around with her, talks to them, and tries as much as possible to integrate them into her daily life. The innkeeper helps her to see that this is not only unreasonable, but it is also emotionally unhealthy – especially when the prospect of a new love is present and right in front of her. For me, the movie was particularly timely. My dad recently passed away. He and my mom had a beautiful and loving marriage for 44 years. Watching the movie made me think about her. Eventually, this too will be something my mom has to figure out in her own life. How to cherish the memories of my truly amazing father, while also allowing herself to love and be loved again. This movie captures that inner struggle well. Nevertheless, my favorite parts of the movie were the breathtaking views of Scotland. To me the message was: while you’re living there’s still so much to see and do. Most importantly, that our loved ones would want us to carry on, because they are still with us. “Then Came You” premieres 9/30 in select theaters for one night only!
- Entertainment
- August 20, 2020
- 3 views
Movie Review: Words on Bathroom Walls
Adam, a senior in high school, has a mental breakdown in Chemistry class. While performing an experiment with his lab partner, he suddenly sees a black ghost-like figure enter the classroom. Understandably panicked and scared, Adam accidentally knocks down a glass beaker which leaves his lab partner with a chemical burn. As the class looks at him with a combination of pity and fear, he soon realizes: nothing was ever there. Soon after, Adam is diagnosed with Schizophrenia and asked to leave the school. Words on Bathroom Walls makes the audience take a long walk in someone else’s shoes. Schizophrenia is a complex mental illness that many people don’t quite understand. This film forces us to consider what it might feel like if you can’t trust what you see or hear, and how that might impact the relationships you have and the relationships you want. In Adam’s new private Catholic school, he meets a confident young lady who seems drawn to him and unbothered by his condition. But, it becomes increasingly clear that Adam’s greatest fear is the impossibility of leading a normal life and finding love, while trying to ignore the voices and visions no one else can see. Why this movie matters Schizophrenia tends to affect men and women equally, with no compelling difference between ethnic groups. However, symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions usually start between ages 16 and 30, and men experience symptoms earlier than women. So, why does that matter? This movie lets us feel what that is like. Think about it, one day you are leading a normal life then you just start seeing and hearing things! Everyone tells you “it’s all in your head” but it is REAL to you. How will this change your life? How can you cope? How will you move forward? The film also tackles more controversial issues like prescription drugs to cope with this mental illness, and other forms of treatment – which includes isolation and psychiatric facilities. We see that there isn’t an easy answer. Often choosing one treatment, while forfeiting the others may have consequences.
Neo Lloyd
- Spiritual Living
- August 8, 2020
- 1 views
Poem: Our ways
It’s amazing how comforting You are when I go through storms. It’s amazing how steadfast and solid you are, where we are half-hearted and hallow. It’s amazing how consistent in your love and faithfulness you are. Our way always leads us astray. Our way is always hostile and deceptive. Our way always leaves us lost in the belly of the whale. Our way always follows the “what if?” that fear presents. Our way always says, follow your heart Yet, you say the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, Who can know it? You know what is in our hearts because you search our hearts and test our minds, To give each of us according to our ways, according to our actions. Even so, in your great mercy O Lord, Knowing our hearts. Knowing our minds. Knowing our intentions. You choose to give us a greater inheritance. You gave us one who covers a multitude of sins. You gave us the grace to repent. You gave us the power to triumph. You paved The Way back to you. You put The Truth on the cross. You gave us back The Life that defeated death! That no one comes to you except through him. No words are enough to give you glory! Your name is lifted high! Your name is hallowed! Neo M. Lloyd @NeoinChrist [twitter]