Caged No More

According to UNICEF, 1.2 million children are enslaved every year. Sex trafficking is the world’s fastest growing global crime, and it takes place everywhere—even here in America. Caged No More is a scary eye-opening movie, which highlights the very real dilemma of the sex trade. It will also have you riveted.

As Macy dies in the arms of her loving godmother Aggie (Loretta Devine), she manages to express her fear that her girls are in danger at the hands of their own father, Jack (Kevin Sorbo). To Aggie’s horror, Macy was right. Jack had kidnapped the girls with intent to sell them off as sex slaves.

In desperation and fear, Aggie prays and begs God to intervene. Answers to her prayers came as she stumbled across Jack’s laptop and learned that Jack had a twin brother, Richard Lalonde. Aggie tracks Richard and his family—albeit under risky circumstances and pleads with him to help find the girls, Skye (Cassidy Gifford) and Elle (Abigail Duhon).

Lalonde’s son, Wil (Alan Powell), previously worked for Special Forces and was a ripe candidate to help locate the girls, even all the way over in Greece.

The Lalondes set off to find Jack and rescue the girls with little information to go by and no real security net. All they have is a praying church and a praying grandmother to watch their back.

In a series of dark escapades and adventures, the team are led to their prize. It is here they discover the sheer horror of human trafficking.

Caged No More is an entertaining story, although it (sadly) based on true events. Everyone should see this film, which hits theaters on January 22nd, in honor of human traffic awareness month.

Find out more about Caged No More here: http://www.cagednomoremovie.com/.

Or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cagednomore

Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/JRo_pHxuLhE

This article will also appear in Assist News Service.

Janey DeMeo M.A.

Copyright © January 2016

www.orphansfirst.org

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http://janey-demeo.blogspot.com

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War Room, a film to change lives

War Room, which premieres this weekend, is creating quite a buzz—and not just among people. This movie catches Heaven’s attention.

Most people would expect War Room, Alex and Stephen Kendrick’s fifth movie, to deliver a powerful message—especially considering the impact of the Kendrick brothers preceding movies: Flywheel, Facing The Giants, Fireproof and Courageous. But who knew that this story of an all-American family in trouble, and the simple way they worked through it would start an entire movement?

Tony Jordan (T.C. Stallings) and his wife Elizabeth (Priscilla Shirer) are living the American dream. Both enjoy successful professions; they have a beautiful home in a good neighborhood and, most of all, a delightful young daughter, Danielle (Alena Pitts). But life has a way of souring, and discontentment creeps in, leaving the family unit vulnerable.

It is at this point, with a shaky marriage and a young daughter who is hurting in the mix, that Elizabeth meets Miss Clara (Karen Abercrombie)—a rendezvous that changes everything.

No young’un, Miss Clara has learned a thing or two in her time. But the thing she has learned most is the life-changing power of prayer. This is what she teaches her new protégée, Elizabeth.

The message behind War Room—which, by the way, is great entertainment—is so simple yet so powerful that Moms In Prayer International (MOPI) have endorsed it and promote it as an inspiring tool in their mission to encourage moms to pray for their kids. In fact, it is being heralded in many Christian circles and is creating a movement towards prayer in households and small groups alike. This film changes lives.

If you’re looking for something fun yet meaningful to do this weekend, go see War Room. Not only will it likely change your life, but it will also send a strong message to Hollywood that these are the kinds of movies people want to see.

Find out more about War Room here on Facebook. And here.

War Room is not just inspirational, it is instructional. Consider bringing a friend or loved one who just might need concrete hope amidst their struggles. (And, if you live in Southern California, and want a double boost to change lives this weekend, attend the Harvest Crusade in Anaheim: http://www.itickets.com/events/344034/Anaheim_CA/Harvest_Crusade_2015.html.)

Janey DeMeo M.A.

Copyright © August 2015

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All In -- You are one decision away from a totally different life

All In – You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life by Mark Batterson (Zondervan) is one of those books that rattles your comfort zone and leaves you hungry for more of God—antsy to get in on God’s action. (That is, if you can wade through the catchy phrases and get to the substance.)

Batterson distinguishes between following Jesus and asking Jesus to follow us. We are deceived to think we can hold out on God and not lose out in our own lives. Only when we take Him at his Word and take up our own cross, can we live all that He has for us.

Batterson’s writing is pithy and poignant albeit a tad annoying because of the cliché overkill. Still, the content is rich with Scriptural examples and profiles as well as stories from secular history illustrating the message.

But the message isn’t new. In fact, the core teaching found in All In follows a trend to go deeper with God. Batterson’s book is on par with Radical by David Platt and Crazy Love by Francis Chan and equally echoes the teaching of Bible teachers such as Tim Keller. 

Read the rest of this review -- & watch a video of Batterson's preachign -- in my article in The San Diego Christian Perpectives Examiner. 

I received an advanced reader copy of this book as a Booksneeze book reviewer. All In is scheduled to be released in September. 

Janey DeMeo M.A.

Copyright © July 2013

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