JOIN IN ON KICKSTARTER FOR THE NEW "FARMER AND THE BELLE" MOVIE!

The accomplished actress of the big screen and television (Frost/Nixon; God's Country, Doonby etc.) Jenn Gotzon-Chandler is now a wonderful new Movie Producer and producer of many other things including products to lift up the lives of young girls and women.

The Pennsylvania native now lives outside New York City with her husband Jim E. Chandler, who is himself seen quite regularly on made for TV movies and other television series. Jim and Jenn have produced a wonderful family Christmas comedy called "The Farmer and the Belle". It is based on a true story. 

This is now in the Kickstarter stage in order to complete the production and distribution of the film, which has already been recorded and directed.

Here is the Kickstarter page for anyone who would love to be a part of this really nice family holiday classic. 

Please visit their Kickstarter page here.

Also check out the following trailer:

NEW CHRISTIAN CD TESTIMONY TO GOD'S GRACE AFTER TRAUMATIC ACCIDENT

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THIS UPCOMING CHRISTIAN MUSIC ALBUM

Two years ago, Ava and her husband Keith Rousseau were involved in a horrific automobile accident which still requires physical therapy and rehab. In all those years, I never saw a complaint posted in public from either of them about their plight. In fact they testify to the goodness and Grace of God in getting both Keith and Ava through that time! The end result of this is Ava's first Christian music project.  Read more from Ava below and then visit her website here (www.avaaston.com) to find out more on how to support this vivid testimony which could be major blessing to someone going through severe long time physical trauma, as they had to endure....and persevere through! (BL)

THE FOLLOWING IS WRITTEN BY AVA ASTON:
Most readers of this blog know all about Greek Girl.  However for those who may be visiting my blog for the first time, Hi!  I'm Ava Aston.  We are launching "Operation Mustard Seed", a campaign to fund my very 1st Christian Music Album. The campaign is chock full of creative rewards and benefits for your involvement! We thought it would be fitting to have launched on Veterans Day being that my husband is a Veteran. My mom also works for the Purple Heart helping Veterans, and my passion for our supporting our Military. 

Hopefully I'll be able to fulfill one of my dreams and do a USO Tour one day! So for anyone new to my music, I’m an Independent Recording Artist, and I live just outside of New York City.  For my entire life I have been working on building a music career. When things finally started to move, my husband and I were both rear-ended in a car accident and my career came to a screeching halt, “literally.” We both suffered several injuries including both of us having a Traumatic Brain Injury.

For the last two years we’ve spent countless hours in recovery as I watched what was moving in my career slowly dwindle and drift away.  I found myself very upset not knowing why or how God could let something like this happen. Through much prayer and reflection I came to understand that the bad thing that God allowed was in fact for my good.  What I realized was that I was on the potter’s wheel.  For my entire life I had been trying to do things “my way”.  I wanted a music career for my reasons & for my purpose and finally just as it seemed like it was moving, God stopped me.

He showed me during this time that the voice He gave me was for Him and His purpose, that He wanted me to use it for his glory, not mine.  Now trust me, if any of you know me you would know this was not exactly the easiest thing for me to swallow, as this Greek Girl likes doing things my way and patience is not one of my redeeming qualities.

This experience though has been a turning point in my life.  I realized God has spent this time breaking me down and building me back up. But this time, it was going to be done “His way”.  So I’m setting out on a whole new journey, taking music in a new direction by making my very first Christian Music album.

I have songs ready to record that are all rooted in the message faith, hope, not giving up and they embrace and promote the American Values I am so passionate about. So as my own act of faith I am stepping out.  I am asking you to join me on this journey. Because just like me, God wants to do a work in each one of us.  Music is a very powerful tool, it can speak where words can’t. That is why I have come to making this campaign because I cannot make this happen on my own.

This campaign is my act of faith in Him that through people like you who share my values, who are saddened by what they see throughout pop culture with the decline in the moral fabric of our society… that I will be able to raise the financial support necessary to make my first Faith-based album. It’s part of a multi-phased plan. Step one is to produce the album, so I am asking for your prayerful consideration in helping it come to fruition.

There are a number of rewards to show my appreciation for getting involved.  My hope is that you would take the time to consider helping me do what I believe God has called me to do with the gifts and talents he gave me; to spread the positive message of faith, hope, and love.  To make music to encourage and lift people up in a world that is far too often busy tearing them down.

I am asking you to join me.  There are rewards for all levels, even as low as $5 - no level is to small and will help get the music & message out to the masses.  Please share the campaign with your friends, family, on social media, and email.  Most of all I am asking for your prayers as I set out on this journey. I hope to have you join me. This is a 30 day campaign, so please pledge then #share - Time is of the Essence!  Thank you so much for your time!  I would be honored to have you join me on this journey!

Blessings, Love and Music ~

Ava :D xo

www.avaaston.com

WATCH THE TESTIMONY WHICH LAUNCHED THIS CD

THINK ON THESE THINGS - SUNDAY

COMFORT THE BROKEN

As if times are not confusing and crazy enough these days, here come the annual end of year holidays where Faith, Family and Food all mix in a fluid flow of fantastic fellowship. 


It is the kind of fellowship which runs for the better part of a month. 
It is the kind of fellowship which brings so much joy to many. 
But it is also the kind of fellowship and season which brings depression, sadness and loneliness to many!


In fact, this time of year - starting from Thanksgiving week to New Year's day - is an officially recognized type of depression call Seasonal Affective Disorder or S.A.D.

What an appropriate abbreviation for all of this - S.A.D!


What we find, even in the midst of large groups in some families, community groups, churches and in offices, is the absolute despair and inability to cope with life, as we know it today. Without getting into detail, which we don't really need to, let's see this week...and yes, this Christmas season, if we can't reach out and bless someone who is adrift in such a sea of despair.


Many people do not have a support mechanism or even a friend they can rely on....the type of friend who is a phone call away to encourage and pray with you....the type of friend who is closer than a Brother, like Jesus is! The vast majority of depressed folks this time of year, fall into that category.


Can YOU be that friend....to the older man at work, who has health problems or maybe his wife was sent to a nursing home?
Can YOU be that friend....to the single mom, who has been made to feel like trash by men who gave other men like us, a bad name?
Can YOU be that friend....to that young person in your church, who comes week after week, sings praise songs, listens to a sermon going over her head which means nothing to reality...and leaves even more confused and hurt than when she/he came in?
Can you?

There is so much, we can fill up a book. The issue is - how can we love on that person? How can we "comfort the brokenhearted" as Christ did? What does that love LOOK like?


First, let's not attempt to solve one problem by creating another! This love is not emotional or physical! It is AGAPE love! The kind of love Christ has for us! Another thing - be careful about hugging another member of the opposite sex, who is NOT a family member...and especially if you or that other person is married! This is a prescription for potential disaster.


All we need to do in this time of despair, loneliness, tumult and chaos is give Grace! That is the same Grace which Jesus Christ showed us, friends!  


Grace is unmerited favor. 
When you give that grace, do not expect anything in return! 
Give it freely! 
Share your blessings!
Buy them a gift from a Christian bookstore or something!
Listen to their complaints! 
Point out YOUR testimonies! 
Tell them how God dealt with similar issues in your life! 
Tell how God's provision came when you least expected it. 
Tell how Jehovah Shammah - will be there, if He is called upon with a true and hurting and repentant heart. Tell of His love before you show them the Scriptures. 
Then show that Word to confirm your blessings.


Here is a short list, to underline my list above,  from a book by the son of Henry Blackaby - Richard- who said in his book called "Putting A Face on Grace", the following:
•    Speak words intended to build up, not to bring down.

•    Focus on their need rather than your own.
•    Freely forgive.
•    Swallow you pride and say, “I’m sorry”, and “I was wrong.”
•    Live your life with a goal of “no regrets”.
•    Don’t keep score of what is fair.
•    Grace doesn’t condemn or give up on people.
•    Grace emphasizes mercy, not justice.
•    Read 1 Corinthians 13 regularly.

Friends, if you want Grace yourself, show some. If you want mercy, show some and if you want compassion, show some!

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Micah 6:8 which says "He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

This is the command! If you wish to be like Christ, as most Christians say they do, this is your verse!

Jesus said "the Spirit of the Lord is upon me...and He anointed Me to bring good news....and bind up (or COMFORT) the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:1)" Are you sure you wish to be like Him? Well, here is your chance to prove His Love - by Compassion to His People!

(Image by Google Images)