Audio Theater: Under Drake's Flag ~ Based on G.A.Henty

" Imagination is more important than knowledge." Albert Einstein 

I am one who has enjoyed reading books by the inspiring historian Henty, yet I wasn't fully able to share his stories with younger children because of the advanced writing of his works.

Our family just got the thrill of listening to one of G.A. Henty's most inspiring stories, through live audio!  Henty's works have been literally brought to life.
Bill Heid took a group of employees--including his son Nick--to London and reproduced G.A. Henty's adventure book, Under Drake's Flag: A Tale Of The Spanish Main in audio theatre format. "I spared no expense in hiring some of the finest English actors... most of whom are in the Shakespearian theatre and movies over there. And, as a special treat, we were able to convince prominent British actor Brian Blessed to join our team as the narrator," says Heid. Adding, "In addition, the production crew we hired was top notch including award-winning composer John Campbell who did the original score for C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia."

Bill Heid took a group of employees--including his son Nick--to London and reproduced G.A. Henty's adventure book, Under Drake's Flag: A Tale Of The Spanish Main in audio theatre format. "I spared no expense in hiring some of the finest English actors... most of whom are in the Shakespearian theatre and movies over there. And, as a special treat, we were able to convince prominent British actor Brian Blessed to join our team as the narrator," says Heid. Adding, "In addition, the production crew we hired was top notch including award-winning composer John Campbell who did the original score for C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia

Bill Heid, founder of Henty Alive, introduces the first audio dramatization of Under Drake's Flag: The Extraordinary Adventures of G. A. Henty.

Bill Heid took a group of employees--including his son Nick--to London and reproduced G.A. Henty's adventure book, Under Drake's Flag: A Tale Of The Spanish Main in audio theatre format. "I spared no expense in hiring some of the finest English actors... most of whom are in the Shakespearian theatre and movies over there. And, as a special treat, we were able to convince prominent British actor Brian Blessed to join our team as the narrator," says Heid. Adding, "In addition, the production crew we hired was top notch including award-winning composer John Campbell who did the original score for C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia."

Our children are living in a world that is increasingly bombarding them with visual imagery. And the effect of all this visual imagery (television, video games, online videos, et cetera) and all other kinds of image-based "education" and entertainment is that it creates a world that's highly artificial.

And this highly artificial world, quite literally... shuts down their imagination! Give the children in your life timeless stories of character, courage and commitment that will ignite a lifetime of passion for living boldly in God's world. Bill and his creative audio were recently featured on Glenn Beck's TV Show (please watch:http://bit.ly/1j5WydZ) and described by Glenn as "Old style storytelling- done really wel

Applauded and recommended by Glenn Beck:
" Under Drakes Flag is a..."rip roaring" adventure story that teaches foundational moral values and brings "true" Christian to life. There's simply nothing like it."

Hop over to the main website to learn more! Under Drake's Flag

Reading to Your Children May Be More Important than You Think

Guest post by Kelly Crawford:

“If we would only consider the subtle strengthening of ties which comes from two people reading the same book together, breathing at once its breath and each giving the other unconsciously his interpretation of it, it would be seen how, in this simple habit of reading aloud, lies a power too fine to analyze, yet stronger than iron in welding souls together. To our thinking, there is no academy on earth equal to that found in so many homes, of a mother reading to her child.” Elisha Schudder, The Riverside Magazine for Young People

Reading is good,M everyone knows that. It enriches your thought life, aids your reasoning, enhances your communication, and in general, educates the mind.

But what if that is only the beginning?

A Family Program for Reading Aloud provokes me to think that maybe reading aloud to my children is more beneficial to our relationship than even their education...

Read more  HERE

Jane Austen & Vampires~ Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin

"What do handsome heroes, bonnets, and vampires have in common? Not much, but they’re all pieces of the most famous and influential girls literature of all time — literature that has revamped the way thousands of young women view reality, the world, themselves, and romance. In this audio message, we attempted to analyze authors from Jane Austen to Janette Oke to Stephanie Meyer, and lay out the basics of a healthy literary diet." (Click here for more information.)"

I know this isn't a book but it's too wonderful to pass up and something every girl that loves to read should listen to.

Join Elizabeth and Anna Sophia Botkin as they discuss the dangerous temptation to feed on romance and fantasy novels. Do we really consider what we are feeding our literary appetites? Do we care? Why should we care? The Botkin girls explains it all in their captivating and humorous discussion of what we should be 'feasting' on from our libraries. I highly recommend getting this riveting and convicting discussion that motivates every girl to really examine what her bookshelf 'pantry' contains.

This would actually be a wonderful tool for the whole family as it could pertain to more than just girls and romance novels. My mother and I listened to it together and it opened up wonderful discussion examining our literature more closely, studying authors before we decide to read their books, the worldviews therein, etc.

O Leave Novels Ye Mauchline Belles!

"Oh this is the best part yet!" Thought Beth as she excitingly continued her novel. Just as the maiden's throbbing heart was about to meet its end, the dashing, courageous knight with dazzling armor flew into action to save the endangered maiden. " Beth, come finish your chores!" Shouted Beth's mom. "Hang on a second mom!" Beth rushed through the words on the pages. "Beth, I want immediate obedience, come down please." Huffing Beth reluctantly bookmarked her spot. "I can't stand chores! If only this were still a time when I could look for my knight to take me away."

Sound familiar? I think we have all been like Beth. Falling in love with a world that doesn't exist. Never liking to come back to reality. Always wanting something more than what real life has to offer. Ladies this is what romance novels do to us!

O leave novels, ye Mauchline belles,

Ye're safer at your spinning-wheel;

Such witching books are baited hooks

For rakish rooks, like Rob Mossgiel;

Your fine Tom Jones and Grandisons,

They make your youthful fancies reel;

They heat your brains, and fire your veins,

And then you're prey for Rob Mossgiel.

Robert Burns

And I am at fault just as much as anyone else. I went through a phase of not being able to get enough romance through the books I read.

" We have an industry devoted to producing sappy romantic novels, hours of TV time filled with soap operas, and films that aim to seduce women by drawing them into a vicarious illicit relationship." Nancy Wilson

I know we all LOVE Janet Oke and Lori Wick, Beverly Lewis etc. It is amazing how blind we can be to the damage being done by the lives these authors paint that are far from realistic. But as much as we don't want to, we must take a serious look at how these books may be pulling our hearts away from God's best for our lives.

"For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you cannot do the things that you wish." Galatians 5:17

As much as we try to tell ourselves that romance novels are harmless, they can easily tempt us to become discontent with reality. And some may think that I am making too big a deal about literature, but this is serious. What these books are doing to us is stirring emotions prematurely, getting in our heads at a young age a false idea of our dashing, ideal future spouse.

Once you attach yourself to these anchors in the depths of romance, be they words or images, it is very difficult to cast them away and be buoyed back up.

C.S. Lewis points out in The Discarded Image three essential tests of literature" It should teach what is useful, honor what is honorable, and appreciate the delightful."

This leads to the way we treat our brothers in Christ around us. Are we treating them as brothers with all purity? Or are we gleaning ideas from the books we've read on how to get a guy's attention?

Here are some ways that really helped me. If this encourages you to work on putting romance novels away from you I would love to hear how you did it!

5 ways I overcame romance novels:

• I got rid of all my romance books -don't give them a second thought!
• I started reading books that really challenged me-i.e. apologetics, theology, etc.
• I began reading God's Word first thing in the morning; then scripture filled my thoughts the whole day.
• I prayed and asked God to give me a desire for wholesome, pure and truthful thoughts
• I put away any books of mere pleasure except every now and then; and only indulge in those at night after all my work and school and family time is finished for the day. Plus I made sure that those books weren't just fluff and nonsense. I started really questioning what I was reading even though it wasn't romance.

Matthew 5:29 warns, “If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”

6 reasons to quit romance novels:

• They cause us to be discontent with the life we have
• They cause us to have a false perception of who we want to marry
• They waste our time
• They cause us to look at young men with romantic ideas
• They cause us to have premature thoughts about marriage and thus distract us
• They do not all honor God even though they have a 'godly' message in them

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:9

"Finally, Brethren, Whatever Things Are True, Whatever Is Noble, Whatever Things are Just, Whatever Is Pure, Whatever Things are Lovely, Whatever Things are Of Good Report, If there be any Virtue, If there be anything Praiseworthy-- Think On These Things." Philippians 4:8

Guest Quote: Where are the Authors?

By Kyle Shepherd

"Where are the Authors? The world of children's literature today is often fraught with rubbish or, at best, "neutral" stories for children. While there is nothing necessarily wrong with many of these "neutral" stories (and indeed some of them are truly delightful and wonderful stories we grew up with); where are those authors who will set a standard for the writing of godly children's books in the reformed vein?

Where are those who will be brave and daring and write Reformed books for children?—storybooks for us to read to our little boys and little girls?—storybooks of godly family life?—history books that are unafraid to tell history accurately and point out the Providences of God?—biographies of great Christian men and women?—books that are willing to take the fundamental and absolute authority of the Word of God as the fundamental and absolute starting point for children’s literature?

Where are the Authors? Are they nowhere to be found? Is there no one who will advance the Standard of God in the arena of modern children's literature?"