Monday, August 22, 2016

Old-Fashioned: A Sweet, Sensitive, Christ-Honoring Love Story

I want to share with you a film that has deeply touched my heart over the past several weeks ~ Old Fashioned.



Old Fashioned was recommended by someone very close to me. Because I have two small children, I'm not able to watch many movies, but for some reason this one really piqued my interest. It is a beautiful, beautiful film. I'm so glad that someone recommended it to me. I'm so glad that I watched it. And I am so glad that I may share it with you! 



My husband and I watched Old Fashioned together the first time on our somewhat-fuzzy TV. I watched it later on my laptop because it so deeply drew me in and I was able to better observe some of the beautiful imagery and symbolism in the film~ Rik Swartzwelder, the Producer/Director/Screenwriter of this film is extremely gifted in painting an exquisite canvas of the images/scenes that make up this movie. I think that a person has to watch it at least twice to fully appreciate his artistry and sensitivity in making this film.

Old Fashioned is not your typical sweet love story served Hallmark-style. It is a gritty, sometimes-painful look into the lives of two flawed ~ but deeply-searching human beings who find, through the grace of Christ, deep love for one another. And yet at the same time, it is fun to watch, peppered with enough humor to lighten the heaviness of some of the themes. The storyline also just draws the viewer in; it was so excellently done.



Description of the movie:

Clay Walsh is a "former frat boy" (from the back cover of the film) who has turned to Christ and forsaken his formerly-sinful lifestyle. He lives in a small midwestern town in the state of Ohio where he works in an antique shop restoring "old-fashioned" odds and ends. He holds high ideals for a flawless courtship, one in which he has pledged not to be alone in a room with a woman who is not his wife. As the film unfolds, the viewer learns that Clay still struggles with severe guilt over his past sins and is trying in his own strength to keep his high standards. Later, he embraces the grace of Christ over his past regrets and a beautiful transformation occurs in Clay's life. 

The main female character, Amber, is a fun-loving unbeliever who goes wherever the wind takes her, who has been hurt in past relationships, and who providentially ends up in Ohio, renting the small apartment above the building where Clay restores furniture.  She is mystified by Clay's gentlemanly behavior, sincerity, and high ideals, although she thinks him a "little odd." 



Clay and Amber slowly and sweetly, though sometimes painfully, fall in love with one another. Clay ultimately sheds his legalistic mindset toward romantic love while at the same time still maintaining his high standards and respect towards women. Amber, in my understanding, embraces Christ as her Savior toward the end of the film, realizing that "all things have been made new," (referencing her past sinful life of mistakes and broken relationships), and Clay and Amber become engaged in a very tender love scene (enter box of tissues and replay button ;-)).

Some things (among others :-)) that I LOVED about this film:
  • Clay's sensitivity towards Amber and his genuine love and respect for her that is not "forced."
  • Amber's conversion and her very realistic portrayal of a woman who has been hurt in past relationships but who comes to know Christ and understand His forgiveness.
  • The artistic spin that Rik Swartzwelder gives to the film.
  • The beautiful biblical message of redemption and grace and true Christlike behavior from a man towards a woman.
  • The film writer's willingness to take on difficult issues with tact and grace in a realistic manner.
Some things to consider before viewing this film:

I highly, highly, recommend this film. However, it deals with some heavy topics ~ a scene with a "stripper" at a bachelor's party - which is very carefully done, (in my judgement); several nightclub scenes (also carefully done); and a scene in a bar. There are a few instances (very rare) of somewhat "crude" language - spoken by unbelieving characters (for example, the radio host uses the phrase "knocked-up" - which is probably the strongest language used - this is in order to show how degrading his behavior is, in contrast to Clay's). Someone may feel uncomfortable with these things; the film is Rated PG-13 for those reasons. I believe that the film was beautifully, tastefully done, but if you think that these issues would be offensive, I wanted to make sure that I let my readers know about them ahead of time.

I would  recommend this film for anyone over the age of 16-18. I tend to stay on the conservative side of things, because I always believe that it is better to wait until a person is mature enough to handle the content that they view. So, even though this film is a sweet, sensitive, Christ-honoring love story, I wanted to be sure to give that heads-up. :-)


So go grab your husband, or a friend, or several friends and watch this movie! :-) It is a wonderful film for couples to watch together - it is a wonderful film to watch alone with a nice big slice of cake :-). I hope that it will bless you as much as it blessed my heart. We need more films like it. 



Official Website

Trailer: 




You might find me on these link-ups:

Strangers and Pilgrims on EarthInspire Me MondayLiteracy Musing MondaysThe Modest MomWhat Joy is Mine, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Time Warp Wife, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, Raising Homemakers, Classical HomemakingA Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, Testimony TuesdayTell His Story, Women With Intention WednesdaysMessy Marriage,  Graced Simplicity, Children Are A Blessing, Imparting Grace, Thought Provoking ThursdaySoul SurvivalGood Morning MondaysThe Weekend BrewCounting My BlessingsThe HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link UpGrace and Truth LinkupFaith Filled FridayTell It To Me TuesdaysSHINE Blog HopA Little R&R WednesdaysTGI Saturdays Blog HopRaRaLinkupWord of God SpeakBooknificent ThursdayLiving Proverbs 31Sharing His Beauty Blog LinkupCoffee For Your Heart Weekly LinkUp

Sunday, August 14, 2016

The Blessed




From prisons dark, in caverns deep-


They gather; round the world, they creep


To meet in hidden places


Tucked in silent alleys,


Tiny homes,


And fields.


They meet to rally round the Word-


Their bread, their life


For this they dared


To come


And risk their everything


On earth-


For this, the Word of Truth.


It burns within their hearts, their souls


With grace


And boldness


Sharpened like the angel’s sword


By troubles, persecutions, torture-


Great is their reward.


They are the blessed ones-


They come-


The world cannot conceive


What they believe and why


Each one would risk their all


For this Great One-


The Son of God,


His favor rests upon their heads . . .


“Blessed are those


Who are persecuted


For righteousness’ sake”—


For they will wake


In light-


Some with a martyr’s crown-


No frown will be upon them.


And they will cry before the everlasting throne –


“How long, O Lord?”-


And He will answer-


“Just a little while; wait-


Until the hour is complete-


For now, you sit here at My side-“


The glorified


Redeemed in love,


Refined,


And blessed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




You might find me on these link-ups:


Strangers and Pilgrims on EarthInspire Me MondayLiteracy Musing MondaysThe Modest MomWhat Joy is Mine, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Time Warp Wife, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, Raising Homemakers, Classical HomemakingA Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, Testimony TuesdayTell His Story, Women With Intention WednesdaysMessy Marriage,  Graced Simplicity, Children Are A Blessing, Imparting Grace, Thought Provoking ThursdaySoul SurvivalGood Morning MondaysThe Weekend BrewCounting My BlessingsThe HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link UpGrace and Truth LinkupFaith Filled FridayTell It To Me TuesdaysSHINE Blog HopA Little R&R WednesdaysTGI Saturdays Blog HopRaRaLinkupWord of God SpeakBooknificent ThursdayLiving Proverbs 31Sharing His Beauty Blog LinkupCoffee For Your Heart Weekly LinkUp

Monday, August 1, 2016

A Time of Grace Delightful Summer Giveaway!


Recently, my author-sister, Alicia G. Ruggieri, completed her beautiful Christian Fiction trilogy--A Time of Grace. You can read my reviews for her books and learn more information by clicking the following links:

Book One~The Fragrance of Geraniums
Book Two~ All Our Empty Places
Book Three~ A Love To Come Home To

I want to share these books with you with a special giveaway. I pray that the Lord would use these books to greatly touch someone's heart! They are books filled with redemption and mercy and driven by a powerful and touching story line. Alicia is a gifted author, and I know that the stories that the Lord has given her will bless you greatly.


The Giveaway Includes: 

  • A paperback copy of each of Alicia's beautiful books, The Fragrance of Geraniums, All Our Empty Places, and A Love To Come Home To
  • A lovely "geranium" address book bearing the Scripture verse, "For I know the plans I have for you . . . " (Jeremiah 29:11)
  • A tumbler for iced tea or coffee inscribed with the Scripture verse "Sing to the Lord . . . " (Psalm 96:1)
  • Replacement straws! :-)
  • Iced tea -for the tumbler, of course!! :-)
~Open only to readers in the continental United States, due to shipping costs~

About the Author:
Alicia G. Ruggieri writes grace-filled, Christ-centered fiction, including the A Time of Grace Trilogy. She’s a graduate of Rhode Island College, where she studied Communications and History, and her adventures include children’s theatre direction, restaurant management, and small business ownership. Alicia and her husband live in coastal New England, where she may be found drinking far too much coffee and penning stories with her emotionally-disturbed second-hand pug by her side.


AUTHOR LINKS:


If you would like to purchase these books apart from the giveaway, here are the purchase links:

The Fragrance of Geraniums

All Our Empty Places

A Love To Come Home To

Please feel free to ENTER and to share about this giveaway! The Lord bless each and every one of you, dear readers!!! :-)


a Rafflecopter giveaway


You might find me on these link-ups:


Strangers and Pilgrims on EarthInspire Me MondayLiteracy Musing MondaysThe Modest MomWhat Joy is Mine, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Time Warp Wife, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, Raising Homemakers, Classical HomemakingA Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, Testimony TuesdayTell His Story, Women With Intention WednesdaysMessy Marriage,  Graced Simplicity, Children Are A Blessing, Imparting Grace, Thought Provoking ThursdaySoul SurvivalGood Morning MondaysThe Weekend BrewCounting My BlessingsThe HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link UpGrace and Truth LinkupFaith Filled FridayTell It To Me TuesdaysSHINE Blog HopA Little R&R WednesdaysTGI Saturdays Blog HopRaRaLinkupWord of God SpeakBooknificent ThursdayLiving Proverbs 31Sharing His Beauty Blog LinkupCoffee For Your Heart Weekly LinkUp