Finish the Prodigal Movie---so close and so amazing!

Soooo, lots of you have been emailing me, messaging me and texting me about this movie. The Lord is at work and amazingly, on such a small budget so much has been accomplished and God has indeed blessed! You will be encouraged to believe in your children's dreams as you read this story.

Help Bring a Prodigal Home (Film)Confessions of a Prodigal Son is a cinematic story of young man who is lost and found, ruined and redeemed, broken and restored. It is a modern retelling on film of the parable of the prodigal son from the Bible. I wrote the screenplay simply to encourage prodigals to come home.

This 90-minute Indie film is almost finished, but I can’t bring this Prodigal home to DVD and distribution without some help. I hope you will take a minute to learn more about my first journey into filmmaking, and to help me bring this project to completion. See some of the amazing screen shots below.

Kevin Sorbo Michael Bolten and Rachael Lee Nathan Clarkson (Me)

Real life is the best source for good fiction, and I wrote Prodigal out of my own experiences and observations as I journeyed through film school in NYC and tried to break into the film industry in LA as a 22 year-old unknown newbie. When I decided to try writing my own film, I wanted to create a role I could believe in, tell a story others could believe in, and make a difference in the lives of other prodigals.

To make a long story short, I put my idea on a crowd-funding site last spring. With God’s help, and the support of many amazing friends, the first round of funding allowed us to film the entire story in two weeks in LA. We had very little money, but we had a committed and talented director and some amazing talent who wanted to be involved, including Kevin Sorbo, Michael Bolten, and Tanya Chisholm, all recognized Hollywood actors. We wrapped filming on August 30.

As a first-time filmmaker, I am humbled and excited to see my story coming to life on screen. I named my new production company Lighting Dark, because that’s what film should do.

But here’s where you, and the wonderful GoFundMe community, can help me make sure this film actually does light the dark. I have enough funds to start the editing of the film, but then I will need new funds to finish the edit, pay for the film score, sound editing, mastering, and production.

Joel Clarkson my brother (composer), Aaron Eberhardt (Sound Engineer), Sean Waldron (Editor). All of which are lending their professional skill, working tirelessly behind the scenes for next to nothing. We would love to reward their passion and dedication.

To finish this project, I need a minimum of $3,000 in additional funds. No donation is too small, and every dollar will be gratefully and faithfully used to pay the editors, composers, musicians, sound mixers, and other providers who will move this film from dream to reality. If you believe in the power of returning prodigals, and you share my passion for storytelling in film that can write new stories in people’s lives, then I hope you will consider helping me bring this Prodigal home. Thanks!

If we could get 100 people to give just a little, the goal would be reached. Most of all, though, please pray for this movie to reach and help prodigals all over the world. We can't wait to get it out there! Our family is so grateful for all the ways you have teamed with us over the years. Blessings and blessings to all of you for the encouragement!

Here is the link to find out more and where you can give and share the movie! Thanks so much!

http://www.gofundme.com/598bwc

**used blog 12/2/21 And once again, our home is "Christmas-fied" as Joy says

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament.  Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Even as God prepared the garden as a first home for his first children, Adam and Eve, He did not make it merely utilitarian, but a place of color, variety, design, eye-pleasure and personally satisfying-- a place of visual, emotional, intellectual and physical comfort for his first son and daughter. Fruit of every sort--probably at the peak of sweetness, with spices, herbs, nuts, grains, trees, flowers--the reflection of His own artwork in every square foot of garden.

A part of God's inherent nature was to create and provide pleasure to his creatures through what He made.

And so, as a co-creator, made in God's likeness, we extend beauty, creativity, pleasure within the confines of her own realm as a reflection of God's own creativity.

My Grandmother made this creche scene for my own mother when I was a child and so it has become a treasure passed down.

Over the years, cultivating seasonal beauty has become a pleasure for me  and a gratifying one--as our home "feels' like the most wonderful place in the world for my children to be because of all the heart strings we have tied by sharing in the atmosphere of this through life-giving moments and traditions over many years.

I do not buy much, as I have used mostly things passed down or something bought one at a time over 33 years of marriage. I have lived in tiny apartments and sprawling old homes, but it is the loving placement of your own imprint of God's beauty through you that matters. Sometimes a small light in a cozy room is all that is needed to create a place of rest and a sense of haven.

The living room--the tree, wall of windows to the outdoors, lots of lights come together to craft a home into a sanctuary and  place of beauty.

So many words have been crafted about whether we devalue the beauty and simplicity of the Christ story through all of the contemporary ways we have marketed and made Christmas into a pagan holiday. Should we celebrate with Christmas tree and validate the pagan ways? I have prayed and pondered all of these issues over the years.

Yet, there has never been any confusion in our home with our own children. We are not pagans--we love Jesus in front of our children every day of the year. We have used our tree as a symbol that God is eternally the same--the ever-green is a picture of His never changing throughout eternity. We talk about the lights and how beautiful they sparkle as a picture of our need to bring light to a dark work and to sparkle with the life of Christ wherever we go. We have spent hours and hours of memorable "discipleship" moments sitting in our lit room, candles flickering, sharing hearts and growing closer.

In our home, though, we have used the magnificent Christmas story as one more way to celebrate God's beauty, life, love, goodness and building memories together in our home. Home should be a haven, a storehouse, for creativity and the glory of workmanship that shows the divine spark of our ability to create an atmosphere that breathes the life of Christ. Home should encompass all that is good, inspirational, true, comforting, loving and real.

The Hearth, that holds stockings, and our kids favorite gift to open, as it has many tiny treasures and surprises within.

The world around us holds temptation and darkness.That is why we all long for a place of comfort, a retreat of rest, a sanctuary of life where we may find a haven in which to restore the light in our souls.

When we, as women, create an atmosphere that invites and welcomes our children, husbands and families every day, they will always see our home as a place of restoration, a haven in the storms of life. It is one of the glories of womanhood to craft, uniquely, her own home into that place that warms the hearts, stills the fears, captivates the imagination of those who live there for the glory of God.

The dining room Christmas table where many a memory has been made--I have simplified over the years and use wreaths, bought from a local mission agency, to do the decorating work for me. Simple and beautiful.

As my older children have forayed out into this contemporary world where post modern thinking prevails, and there is temptation, darkness, cynicism on every side, they all long to come home to refuel, to find harmony with God's design, to feel loved and to remember why they need to be warriors for His kingdom. Home art creates a legacy of memories and longings that ties the strings of our children's hearts to our own home, values and faith, where they will return again and again to remember all that is of true value.

Creating a beautiful haven gives all who enter a place for their work, play, creating and living of life. And so, though the work is long, we seek every day, to create the beauty of His presence, not only in our words, but also in the atmosphere that supports our messages.

Child friendly--the Raggedy Dolls my mother made me as a little girl.

Swedish Elves to pull down and to pretend with on the den mantle.

A camel carrying gold, frankincense and myrrh

Interest to explore in every nook and cranny, collected and saved over the years to make this the unique, "Clarkson" haven.

Of course, beautiful books everywhere to cuddle up to read aloud together.

Beauty and candlelight adorning every available space.

More treasures from past days--my grandmother's ceramic handiwork!

The big old copper pot on the porch that held geraniums now holds the smells and greens of the winter outdoors.

An English cottage and church village, purchased Sarah's first Christmas--always on our dinette table for 29 years.

So much more, but each item lovingly placed with hopes that all who come here, especially my children, who will return home to celebrate life, will feel welcomed, embraced with the peace, beauty, serving of friendship and comfort and life of the Lord Jesus, who so meticulously worked to make our own home on earth such a place of beauty to behold, a soul-filling masterpiece of His own handiwork.

Peace to you this day.

Black Friday--giveaway! A Mom Heart Conference! Don't wait to register--they are filling up!

As Christmas approaches, I also begin to get so excited about the conference season ahead. Be sure to enter to win a free conference entrance. Ask for the conference as a Christmas gift. We alway have so much fun and hope to see so many of you there. Please help us spread the word! All of us at Whole Heart are THANKFUL to God for you! We are blessed to be able to serve families around the world for Christ, and are grateful that you allow us to share your journey of Christian parenting. May your Thanksgiving celebration be a joyous reflection of God's bountiful blessings in your life this year.  Register by November 30 to Enter to Win a FREE RegistrationWe enjoyed giving away a free conference registration so much last month that we're doing again this month. To get your name in the drawing all you have to do register for one of the conferences before midnight on Sunday, November 30. If you registered in October, you'll automatically get a second chance at winning. If you haven't registered yet, don't wait! You can find out everything you need to know and register online at the brand newMomHeartConference.com website. We can only be in three states this year because of Nathan's wedding in March, so we'll make the most of each one. Sally will speak this year on Inspired! ~ Reaching Beyond What Holds You Back. If you need to move ahead spiritually, relationally, and personally in your life, come and get inspired. CO: January 24-25 — Denver Marriott South, Littleton, CO (DEN airport) CA: February 7-8 — Irvine Marriott, Irvine, CA (SNA airport) TX: February 21-22 — Dallas Marriott Las Colinas, Irving, TX (DFW airport) Get Joel's New Piano Music for Christmas: "Midwinter Carols"Advent starts this Sunday, December 1! If you're thinking that's too soon, you need some good music to warm your spirit in preparation for Christmas. Joel's new collection of 10 piano arrangements of familiar English carols and hymns, and original compositions, will be the perfect soundtrack for the season for your family. Enjoy traditional tunes such as The Sussex Carol, The Conventry Carol, and I Saw Three Ships, as well as three original compositions by Joel for this project. It's not yet available as a CD, but you can purchase and download it from CD Baby or iTunes. This is Joel's fourth collection of original piano instrumentals, all of which are also available online. For those who don't know, Joel, 27, is now a musician in Los Angeles, doing orchestrations and film scoring, and creating original choral compositions for churches. You can read an interview with Joel about his album on Sally's I Take Joy blog (click here). 10 Gifts of Wisdom: Now Available in Paperback"Excellence of character comes only through rigorous training, instruction, and practice. Every parent wants their child to grow up into a vibrant, gracious, competent adult, yet few today have a vision for cultivating those traits in their children. Giving children moralistic rules and policing their behavior is not enough to captivate their imagination in such a way that they will want to be men and women of strong character. They need vision." ~ Sally Clarkson The ebook version of 10 Gifts of Wisdom has been flying off the digital shelves since it's release, and now there is a paperback version for those who prefer holding the book they're reading. It's available on Amazon.com for $11.95, in addition to the $4.99 ebook version. If you have children at home, this book is filled with commonsense and biblical wisdom about the kinds of wisdom gifts you want to be sure you impart to your children before they leave your home. Whole Heart Beats: In Other News... Be sure to visit ForTheFamily.org. Clay's post on "What Would Jesus Be Thankful For" will give you something meaty to chew on before your Thanksgiving meal. Be sure to read it for a fresh take on what to be thankful for on Thanksgiving. For the Family is the new blog by Pat and Ruth Schwenk, and we're honored to be contributors. Ruth will be our keynote speaker for the Irvine, Caliornia Mom Heart Conference this year.​ Just a pre-official preliminary announcement for our book-loving friends. Sarah is working on a new fiction imprint for Whole Heart Press called Storyformed Books. You'll be hearing more in the coming weeks and months as it takes shape. It's all about story, imagination, reading, and books that can shape your life, and the lives of your children. Stay tuned!​ Our 24 Family Ways is currently out of print and out of stock. Many of you are asking about it, and we apologize for the inconvenience. We're making some edits, and including a bit more, and it will be available again as soon as we can make it all happen. May your Thanksgiving be rich and full of love as you enjoy the tasteful gifts of God. We thank God with you for the wonderful heritage of freedom we all share in this country, and even more for the blessings we enjoy from God as his people. Thank you for being our wholehearted friends in ministry. Grace and peace to you as we press onward in faith.Clay & Sally Clarkson Whole Heart Ministries Find Us Online: www.WholeHeart.org — Whole Heart Online website for Christian parents www.ITakeJoy.com — Sally's blog for Christian women and mothers www.MomHeart.org — A blog for mom hearted mothers www.ThoroughlyAlive.com — Sarah's blog on life, faith, beauty, and art www.MomHeartConference.com — The Mom Heart Conference website Whole Heart Calendar: January 24-25: Mom Heart Conference, Denver/Littleton, CO February 7-8: Mom Heart Conference, Irvine/OC, CA February 21-22: Mom Heart Conference, Irving/DFW, TX March 8: Nathan Clarkson and Rachael Lee Stroud wedding in CA

From my home, this morning, I am grateful for you!

This morning, I have been reflecting on the many, many ways God has blessed my life. I have not deserved His abundant graces sprinkled through all of my days--when I was aware of them and when I was not.

But I must tell so many of you how very much your comments, letters, personal notes, emails have meant to me over these years. I often marvel at my own weaknesses and inability to be faithful to God at times, and so to know that my encouragement to you on this journey has been of some grace and encouragement, has deeply encouraged my heart and soul. Thank you for everyone who has taken the time to give to me words of life. Each one has been so very appreciated.

I pray for each of you today who read this, that you may truly know and believe in His love and grace for you. Wherever you are, whatever your circumstances, he sees you, He is with you in the battle, he knows your heart and hears you prayers whispered only to Him. May you be aware of His lovingkindness anew and have hope for your year to come.

Today, I am truly grateful for you.

** used blog 11/25/21 Happy Thanksgiving Week-Enchanting All Of The Senses!

Thanksgiving_Dinner

This Thanksgiving, you are investing eternal memories into the soul of your children that will feed them the rest of their lives. Thanksgiving is a marvelous, magical time that is filled with fond memories and cherished traditions. Over and over, my children tell me it was the feasts, traditions, rhythms that speak to them of our close ties and community that we all share now! This is a holiday in which all of our senses are involved in the memory-making process on this one very special holiday that we so look forward to in our family. (The photos below are from last year's Thanksgiving week.)

Touch:

thanks2

"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service."

-1 Timothy 1:12

In our home, the bustling of family members getting involved in the hospitality process makes Thanksgiving so much fun.  Remind your children what a great delight to you to have such a great team and what an honor it is to be a part of such a great working team. Tell them the work of beauty of a feast and the life of the day would not be complete and full without their help and personal touches. What a gift to be a part of a family sharing togetherness.   On Thanksgiving, through using our hands to make pies, set tables, decorate, or hold hands during prayer, the things we touch and cultivate as a family turn into life-long memories.

Sight:

thanks

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

-1 Thessalonians 5:18

I know that for many of you sweet mamas, burdens and hard work come along with the turkey, pies, and memories. Remember that your hard work is so worth it, because you are creating visions for your children to behold that will shape who they are forever. Take a deep breath, relax, and allow yourself to look around and take it all in, seeing with your own eyes the value and worth of your labors. The beautiful table, the delicious meals, and most importantly, the smiles on the faces of your family should be your visual reminder that it is all worth while.

Taste:

thanks3

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." -1 Corinthians 10:31

It is a beautiful gift that God allows us to taste. Not only is our food nourishment, but it is a way for us to bond over something so wonderful that fills us with joy. I know my family is very thankful for flavors of many kinds that bring so much variety to our taste buds and warmth to our souls. The meals you make this Thanksgiving will not be ordinary-they will be creating the palate of memories that enchant your children's taste buds for a very long time. (Just like the verse in Corinthians says-we shall be thankful and do all things to the glory of God. This includes our feasting!)

Smell:

thankssss

"And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." -Ephesians 5:2

Is it just me, or does it seem that people tend to gravitate and crowd around the kitchen once the enticing aromas begin spilling from the oven? Nathan, my 24 year old son, was recently telling me about one of his very favorite Thanksgiving memories:

"It's the best thing, waking up on Thanksgiving morning to the smell of your homemade cinnamon rolls. All of us kids lose our patience as we sit and watch the parade in our PJ's, eagerly wondering what second they will be ready to devour!" They say that scent is the strongest link to memory, so do not underestimate the importance of the candles you light and treats you bake.

Hearing:

thanks4

Our hunt for a Christmas tree and the decorating of it always happens on this weekend and so we begin with a mug of something hot and then adventure out into the wilds of Christmas tree land.

"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." -Romans 10:17

Your Thanksgiving day will be filled with many sounds, some joyful noises, and some possibly not so pleasant. Be intentional about the sounds of your home's Thanksgiving day. Select calming music, encourage singing, allow plenty of conversation, and be wise about what words are said, as they will remain in the hearts of our loved ones.

There is so very much to be thankful for as we prepare to embark on another Thanksgiving holiday. I hope that you have a blessed Thanksgiving day with your family, and that all of your senses are delighted.

Giving Your Family the Gift of a Spirit-Filled Mama this Thanksgiving!

Last Year's Table-

Psalm 70:4 - Rejoice!

Let all who seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee; And let those who love Thy salvation say continually, "Let God be magnified."

Holidays are filled with fun but also stress. Our home is loud, antics, opinions, laughter and of course lots of expectations from my children---the food, the traditions and all who are returning home have such requests--cooking, movies, tea times, time alone "just to talk" amidst so much cooking, washing dishes, the stress of different personalities--and most of it resting on the mama!

So many times, I would have such high expectations--and so many times, fusses would spoil the moment or burned rolls that I had spent so much time making and then forgot the timer or adding family members and friends who did not get along. So much potential for happiness and good memories and also stress when the larger family comes together. Or when the toddlers just want attention and to be fed, now! Or teens who are moody--you get the picture! A normal season of life. :)

I was thinking this morning about how to prepare myself for this wonderful holiday weekend. I love Thanksgiving and enjoy the feast--maybe my favorite holiday of the year. But sometimes with all the cooking and work and family and ideals flying about--and most of the responsibility of doing it all on time and keeping everyone happy in the midst--, we can find ourselves in the midst of a lot of extra tension.

I wish I had known earlier in my life that holidays can be so delightful and so stressful. Children have more sugar, less sleep, have to share more, are in unexpected places, and so the potential for disaster is higher. Knowing this, the best way to arm ourselves is by clothing ourselves with the Holy Spirit

and give them the gift of a Spirit-filled mom!

Galatians 5:22 "And the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control!"

So today, as I prepare to ease back into life at home and into Thanksgiving expectations, I am going to mentally and spiritually clothe myself with:

Love--seeking to love, affirm, look at my sweet ones with eyes of gratefulness that they are my beloved

Joy--I am so blessed. God is good. He is with us. I will choose to be joyful in what He has provided

Peace--Peace will rule my inside no matter what happens, spills, fusses, pettiness, I will keep peace and give peace in every situation

Patience--If I choose to exercise my patience in every situation and prepare my heart to be patient in every situation, I will bring the music of God's heart to the atmosphere of our holiday--no matter who wants to destroy the harmony.

Kindness--Giving a kind spirit to each person, seeing their heart needs, serving them, will bring a spirit of His presence to my day.

Goodness--Because He is good, I will rejoice and be glad in the reality of His promises and in His willingness to provide

Gentleness--on a day heightened with emotion and expectations, I will bring Jesus' gentleness to each person, each moment. A gentle answer turns away wrath--today is not a time for confrontation or arguing--gentleness will soothe tired bodies

Faithfulness--I will be faithful to serve all in my wake--to do the hard work of cooking, washing, serving, that others might know the joy of celebration and beauty that comes from my heart of gratefulness to God for His faithfulness.

Self-control--I will also be a little more weary today. I will choose to control my spirit, my tongue, my attitudes, my complaining and give to God my worship through my spirit-controlled attitudes and heart. My thanksgiving will be through choosing to obey and submit my heart to Him, my precious Lord.

Each moment, as we make the choice to "clothe" ourselves with the Spirit who lives within us, we will have a holiday worth remembering because we will be bringing His life, our source of all light and strength, to reflect everywhere we go, and all in our lives need and will be blessed by His love through us.

I am thankful for you, my friends. May you have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving Week! Love to all of you, Sally

**used blog 11/18/21 A Little Thought For Your Home This Weekend

"Home is the place where the whispers of God's love are heard regularly, the touch of His hands are given intentionally throughout the day, the words of His encouragement and affirmation pointed to lay the foundations of loving relationships."-The Mission of Motherhood

Today, I simply want to leave you a little thought for your weekend on the importance of home. It is such an honor that God has trusted each of us mothers to be cultivators of beauty and life-givers within the walls that our loved ones reside. Perhaps you've lived in your house forever, watching all of your children grow up. Or maybe you've just moved and are feeling exhausted in the midst of so much transition.

Whether you've spent years in your home or are starting over, it is easy for us to feel overwhelmed by work when we think about home. This weekend, I challenge you to be inspired by all of the amazing, beautiful, lively moments that can and will happen in your home.

Home is the place where chairs are rocked...

home3

Home is the place where relationships are nurtured and prioritized...

home

Home is the place where souls are refreshed...

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Home is the place where hands are held...

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Home is the place where you are able to bring hearts together though meals, prayers, memories, laughter, and conversation.

What will you do with your home this weekend?

Introducing: Storyformed Press!

by Sarah Clarkson

Six years ago, I was simply a book-loving girl intent upon sharing my favorite stories with the world. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I agreed to write a guide to children’s literature. I had been speaking on children’s books for quite awhile, telling parents how great books had shaped my own heart. I felt that the reading culture my parents had cultivated in my childhood was a gift and I wanted other children to know the rich gift of story as well. Write a book about that? Of course!

But I was in over my head. I went from scratching out impromptu booklists and enthusiastic talks on my favorite books to a major research project. I spent months studying publication dates, author histories, and original illustrators. I learned how to pare my wordy self down to a paragraph or two of enthusiastic recommendation per book. I read literacy statistics. But most of what I did was simply read. Right in the middle of my twenties, I went back to explore the picture books and historical fiction, the hero tales and imaginative novels that had shaped my childhood years. For six months, I immersed myself in the land of children’s literature.

I emerged with a book written and a heart ablaze with story.  I entered the project intent upon proving the educational benefits of reading. I came out convinced that stories shape not only the brain, but also the soul. I felt almost awestruck to realize how deeply the stories of my childhood had shaped my moral imagination, my interior self, and my idea of what it means to live well. I realized that many of the virtues and standards I hold as an adult began with the richly imagined stories I read in childhood. Not only, I discovered, is childhood reading an educational golden key, it is a source of deep spiritual nourishment that forms the interior of a child to a love of what is true, beautiful, and good.

Stories, I realized, taught me how to live a great story myself.

In the years since the publication of Read for the Heart, I have continued my research, read dozens more children’s books, studied imagination at Oxford and have found that my passion to get great books into the hands of children only grows. But a large part of that is equipping parents to know which books to read and why. The more I study, the more I want parents to understand that a lively imagination is central to a great education and a vibrant soul. I want parents to grasp how a great story embodies the virtues they want their children to learn. I want them to understand that great stories help to form great lives, and then I want to help them know which stories to choose for their children.

So with great delight, I am here to announce the upcoming launch of Storyformed Books.

Storyformed will be a publishing imprint of Whole Heart Ministries, dedicated to offering quality literature and imaginative resources to families as well as creating an online community around the love of great children’s books. I hope to provide families with a wealth of stories, ideas, and resources as they jump into the reading world. Storyformed Books will include:

• Storyformed.com: A website crammed with literary resources for parents. There will be multiple booklists and book reviews, links to resources on reading and imagination, quotes, and a blog with guest posts by authors and parents who are passionate about bringing great stories to kids.
• Storyformed Books: This publishing imprint of WholeHeart Ministries will be focused on publishing great stories (old and new) as well as providing information and essays on the realm of the imagination. I’ll be publishing three lines of books:
  • Storyformed Classics: For years, we Clarksons have collected antique and out-of-print stories. There are hundreds of beautiful stories that have simply been forgotten. Now, we intend to put them to good use by culling the absolute best and republishing them for a modern audience. The Storyformed Classics collection will include an author biography and reading guide with each story.
  • Storyformed Books: I have a few stories up my sleeve. In the next couple of years, I’ll be publishing a series of children’s stories, as well as seeking out new, unpublished fiction from other authors.
  • Storyformed Ideas: This will be a series of essay collections by authors who thought deeply about story and imagination and the impact those bear on the formation of a child’s heart. These will include thoughts from authors old (George MacDonald, Charlotte Mason) and new (myself and other current writers), and will provide the philosophical foundation for the storyformed life.

The official launch of Storyformed Books will take place sometime around the first of the year. I’ll be speaking about “The Storyformed Life” at the MomHeart conferences this year, as well as launching it all with the release of my own book: Storyformed: The Tale of a Girl and the Books Who Loved Her. Keep an eye out here for more information as we move nearer to the launch date. We’re hoping to have some special giveaways and events at that time. Meanwhile, read on!

Because great stories help to form great lives.

We have had some very fun giveaways this week, and are excited to announce our winners! ***The two winners who will receive a copy of "10 Gifts of Wisdom" in print are: Kristina Tuttle Kimberly Peters

***The two winners who will receive Joel's wonderful new album, "Midwinter Carols", are: Katie (no last name was provided, but you have been sent an email) Penney Hawkey Douglas  Congratulations! If you see your name above, check your email inbox for a message from us! 

***You can find Joel's marvelous album by clicking on this link.

Don't forget that "10 Gifts of Wisdom" is available for print! Grab your copy now!

Son Joel's Wonderful New Christmas Album!

 

Today I got to spend my son Joel's 27th birthday with him here in England. He showed me his amazing new Christmas album, which is a true delight. I asked him if he would give away two of his albums to my friends at itakejoy, as a Christmas gift to the winning reader to open the holiday season. So many have been waiting for this album, and I'm so thrilled he was able to release it in time for Christmas, so that you can enjoy it with your family. I asked Joel to share a bit more about this album and his current world of music.

What advice would you have for Moms who want to encourage their kids’ musical interests?

From my perspective and experience, the best thing is that kids learn to love music first, before getting deeply involved in a formal study of it. I think exposure to the great composers—Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, Vivaldi, and others like them—is very important. The more children develop a taste for that music, the more they will learn to love it, and the more they will be able to really comprehend and enjoy what they are learning when they begin formal study. Keep it as background music throughout the day in the house; look for classical concerts where you can take your kids—a lot of orchestras do kids' days. Our tastes and habits shape us into the people we become, and immersing children in the midst of such music enriches their souls.

Why did you decide to write this album?

While I enjoy the better-known Christmas classics with which we’re all familiar, I have come to have a deep appreciation for ancient Christmas Carols, tunes which were once part and parcel with the advent season but which are often less familiar to our modern ears. Some of the melodies from this album are nearly a thousand years old, and are from all over ancient Europe. There is a beauty and simplicity to these tunes, and I wanted to give them a new life and audience.

Tell us about your recent musical pursuits.

It’s been a busy year musically for me. I’ve been working in Los Angeles in the film world, orchestrating music, conducting, and writing scores for films. I’m especially excited to start work on a film my brother Nathan wrote and is producing, entitled, “Confessions of a Prodigal Son”. The movie is a modern take on the prodigal son story. We're so excited to share the redemptive tale with so many people who can relate to this story.

How can we buy your album?

You can buy it wherever music is sold online, or you can buy it directly from CD Baby:

"Midwinter Carols" on CD Baby

It has been a very exciting journey arranging these beautiful carols, and I hope that everyone who listens to the album will experience the same joy I felt in discovering them.

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To be entered into the contest for a free album, share the album page ("Midwinter Carols" - By Joel Clarkson) on your Facebook, Twitter, or become a fan of Joel on Facebook (Joel Clarkson Music on Facebook). You will receive an entry for each individual way that you promote this. I know you will enjoy this album as much as I do. I keep these tunes with me all day long! Here's a sample of a lovely piece from the album:

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*used blog 11/11/21 Mentoring Monday: Guess What I Have In Print?

10gifts

Now, after many requests, we have redesigned 10 Gifts from Kindle to print,  so you can hold it and mark it up!

Several years ago as my son, Joel, was considering where he should go to school for training in composing and music, an older friend suggested, "Put yourself into the best school in which you can get accepted. Place yourself in the presence of the very best musicians, those who will always pull you upward in excellence, and you will find yourself to become a more excellent musician."

His advice was absolutely perfect for Joel. There was only one school in the United States he wanted to attend, and studying there, for Joel's skills have opened doors in many areas because his training was so excellent. He is now scoring and orchestrating music for PBS, for music that is being played all over the world with a well-known composer, movie scores and choral projects. Those who have influenced his education were some of the best in their field.

Similarly, when Joy attended a national competition for acting, singing and performance, she did well and received lots of affirmation. However, a wise judge said, "Joy, you are a big fish in a little pond. If you desire to become really excellent in your field, you need to move to a city where others much more excellent than you will challenge you and bring up the standard of performance which you have found acceptable. Training to excellence and accountability is always the key to growing in your skill and talent."

These two stories have propelled my children to seek to be influenced by people more excellent than themselves and because of this, their growth has been amazing. These stories are a picture of training--Training is defined as: the process of bringing a person to an agreed standard of proficiency by practice and instruction.

Children will become excellent in character because of being instructed in what is true, excellent, right, lovely, pure, and then in becoming proficient in practicing these virtues in their lives to become proficient in them.

A mother's glory is to be able to so imprint the soul of her children, that they become strong morally, emotionally, spiritually and in the skills of life. Yet, training must be intentional, prepared, with very specific goals in mind.

The 10 Gifts of Wisdom came out of my families desire to address what seem to be essential areas of life foundations that will prepare children to become young adults who are strong, stable, spiritual and influential in their sphere of influence. Jesus desires that we send our children into the world as lights in the darkness and as salt--the savory spice of life to those longing for truth, for life to make sense, for forgiveness and redemption.

Yet, as we look at the landscape of culture, it seems that Christians have been powerless to influence it. Many believers are passive and think their job is just to get by without engaging in "corrupt" issues of life--to withdraw from culture. But Jesus says, "I do not pray that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one." He wants there to be such light, beauty, faith, confidence in our children, as we have prepare them to be warriors for His kingdom, that they go into life, ready to make an impact for His kingdom, ready to stay strong, instead of being rendered powerless or ineffectual because of lack of training.

And so, I wrote this book with the idea of giving mamas a clear picture of the goal of instruction. I will be giving away 2 copies this week. To enter, please share about this book on your facebook, twitter, leave a comment, or to your friends in any way you deem (emails, support group, etc.) and you can get an entry for each way you have shared.

I pray that it blesses you and your precious children.

Click here to get your copy of 10 Gifts of Wisdom IN PRINT!

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