Friday, December 10, 2010

The Ultimate Gift

As we enter the season of the true "Ultimate Gift", my mind  rehearses the materialistic view that can captivate me and pull me under, while missing the daily gifts God gives us.  My last seasonal movie review brings me back, once more, into the reality that gifts lay unopened all around us....if we could just have a chance to see them through the eyes of lessons learned in this movie and book. Each of these lessons can be found in His Word.

The lessons from the book were so well illustrated and valuable that I read the book out-loud and will read it again to my sons. One of my friends bought a copy of the book for all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was so convicted by the teachings that she wanted them all to read this fictional story.

During the holiday season, I love to pull out inspirational movies, curl up with some popcorn, and share time with my family.  So here is one of my favorites... "The Ultimate Gift".

Here is a web site that has discussion questions to be used with this movie.
http://www.theultimategift.com/public/docs/TheUltimateGift-FaithDiscussionGuide.pdf

The book expands further than what can be covered during the movie.
1) The Gift of Work
2)  The Gift of Friends
3)  The Gift of Money
4)  The Gift of a Day
5)  The Gift of Dreams
6)  The Gift of Learning
7)  The Gift of Problems
8)  The Gift of Family
9)  The Gift of Laughter
10) The Gift of Giving
11) The Gift of Gratitude
12)  The Gift of Love
13) The Ultimate Gift

I look forward to viewing this movie again this year and seeing what my fourteen-year-old gleans from it. I think I will curl up with the book again. This movie is at the top of my "Top Ten" list of movies and the upcoming holidays are a great time to enjoy watching it. If I am going to take time to stop and watch something, I want to come away either inspired or laughing...this one leaves me inspired!
Do you have an inspirational movie to share?

24 comments:

  1. I bought this movie last year and we haven't watched it yet this year. I LOVED it...Just the kind of movie I can really get into. I also like the ones about the dancing shoes for his dying mother..can't think of the name of it. I LOVE Christmas movies. I like Little House on the Prairie's Christmas one too. = ) Have a wonderful week-end Janette...can't believe it's Friday again already. HUGS, Debbie

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  2. I will have to get this and watch it-I don't think I have seen it. I love Christmas movies.
    I love the Luke Scripture written in the shape of a tree on the side of your blog here-where did you find that?
    Hope you have a blessed weekend-I think I will be home trying to nurse 3 of my babies back to health-they aren't doing so well still. Still running fever and coughing.
    Long week. I am ready to sleep again. lol
    Have a great day.
    Jill

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  3. I haven't seen it, so onto my list it goes! Thank you.

    My favs? It's a Wonderful Life; Little Women (both old & new renditions); Miracle on 34th Street; The Little Princess.

    Have some popcorn (and warm reflections) on me!

    Kathleen

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  4. I have not seen this one. Where did you find it at? I too love the tree with scripture. Have a great weekend.

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  5. We got this movie awhile back from Netflix as a suggestion from a friend. LOVE IT!! Now we've seen it on Hallmark I think..

    Great post!

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  6. I didn't know there was a book. I liked the movie but I kept thinking there should have been more to it. I will track down the book. Ever since my Mom died I haven't been able to watch anything inspirational. I watched UP with my kids last year and that about finished me. I don't watch a lot of T.V. any more except of course I watch, things like Bleak House just because It presents so many different kinds of Christians in it. But I will track down this book. Books don't bother me as much.

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  7. I saw this last year and LOOOVED it! Thank you for reminding me about it. I MUST add this to our list of movies to watch before Christmas. What a wonderful gift you've given me! :-)

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  8. I haven't seen this movie before... thanks so much for telling about it! I will look for it now!
    You know... I really really love the Bible Collection all year round - not just at Easter! To watch them is just so inspiring. And at Christmas time they really help to keep the meaning of the season in mind. But I love all Christmas movies too - Like, It's a wonderful Life, It Happened One christmas, While you were Sleeping, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (are you laughing yet...:)I do like a mix!
    Again, thanks for telling me about this movie!
    Blessings!
    Ann

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  9. hi jeanette,

    thank you for the inspiring movie review. i
    have read the book and enjoyed it immensely.
    now i will have to BUY the movie.

    thank you, thank you, thank you for your
    heartfelt, anointed prayer. it brought tears.

    bless you, sweet friend!

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  10. Janette,
    Haven't seen this movie. It sounds like a must-see, however!
    Have a wonderful weekend.

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  11. How have I never heard of this movie? I'm going to have to check it out.

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  12. Beautiful and inspiring post! I will have to get this movie. I so love all Christmas movies. Thank you for sharing with us.
    Enjoy your evening.
    Blessings

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  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  14. I'm not familiar with this movie
    but it sounds like something I'd
    enjoy. I'll have to look for it.
    Thanks for telling us about it.
    Your prayer over at Lea's today
    was filled with Holy Ghost power,
    Janette. Praying with you for this
    boy!
    Blessings,
    Sandy

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  15. oh I love this movie too! I've seen it twice and think it's terrific!!

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  16. that is also one of my favorite movies. i think the message is so fabulous and so needed for today!

    this Christmas, me and my husband drew names with all of our girls and their spouses and children. then we have to make the gift with our own hands. it has been so much fun!

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  17. Oh, my, we have that movie right here and have not watched it yet. Now, I can't wait to watch it.

    Heavenly blessings to you!

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  18. Janette,

    Thank you for your comment in regards to the comment that I left here earlier.

    I decided to delete the comment that I had left here earlier, as I did not want to upset anyone. It's just something I have been thinking about.

    I hope that I have not upset you with my comment. If I did, I truly apologize. I probably came across a little more strongly than I intended. I feel bad now . . . I'm truly sorry. :(


    Your Blog Friend,


    -Lady Rose


    P.S. By the way, you still never told me that author of the book that you mentioned in this post. :)

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  19. I remember when it came out, but I've never seen it. I've got to hunt this one up!
    Blessings,
    Marcia

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  20. Oh, Janette....this was so great to read!
    And did I need to read it indeed!
    As for the movie, it looks like a must see.... normally when I watch a trailer of a new movie, if it brings tears to my eyes I must see it!! lol

    Hoping you are doing fine.... and enjoying this holiday season.

    Love&Hugs,
    Lis

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  21. I have never heard of this book or movie! I must be so out of it. I will have to check this out.

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  22. Thank you for the wonderful recommendation! We don't watch a lot of movies/tv yet as the kids are just getting old enough to sit still and LISTEN. ;-) Sarah n I just watched Little Women after reading the book together. LOVE IT! Before that was Secret Garden... Will check this one out next!
    xo
    Leslie

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  23. This is a new one to me...I will look for it. The past two weeks, we've watched 2 movies - Amelia (about Amelia Eahart) and The Holiday. (I'd read about it on someone's blog and we checked it out at the library. Both were interesting.

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  24. This looks wonderful Janette!
    I'll look forward to watching it.
    There are so few good movies made anymore. Last night, we watched "It's a wonderful Life" and I cried again! It's such a pure movie. I wish I had counted the number of times in my life that I've watched it!
    Have a beautiful week! xo

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