MOVIE & BOOK CORNER

While Phil is recovering from his recent stroke, he has mentioned Robert Sheffey several times, so I thought this movie was worth including again.

There’s a rare and little known movie about a man named Robert Sheffey simply titled Sheffey. I’ve never written a review about the movie but I have referenced it and I’ve quoted Brother Bob many times in previous newsletters so it’s about time I plugged the movie officially.

Sheffey is a true story taking place in the 1800’s in the Appalachian Mountains where Robert gave his life to Christ and traveled throughout the hills tending his flock. They called his kind, circuit-riding preachers.

Some of his methods seemed unorthodox and he locked horns with church officials but he reached everyone in a multi-state area. Friends simply called him brother Bob and would do anything for the man that brought Christ into their lives.

Robert Sheffey developed a campground where people from all over would gather annually for a massive tent revival. That’s the part of the story that appealed most to me. He had an incredible knack for helping people make the decision to live for Christ and the filming of the tent revivals are so charming and heartwarming that it will leave you wanting the real thing.

When you read a history of religious trends in America, you will find that Christianity was in decline at the beginning of that century. Tent revivals lasted until the early 1900’s and were very successful.

Our country experiences highs and lows in commitment to the Lord and Christians are struggling now with the ACLU and social indifference and a level of decadence that reflects the mood of Mr. Sheffey’s days. The things he said about faith are something we all need to hear today.

If you like historically accurate period pieces, this is in a class all its own. Unusual Films is the name of the production company that made the film, based on the book, Saint of the Wilderness. They are from Bob Jones University and the cast were students there.

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For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Matthew 18:20

I was able to find the film through Netflix and online at a site called, christianbook.com and added a copy to the church library. The movie not only touches a religious chord but a patriotic one as well. Watch it with family and friends but beware; it will touch your heart and leave you yearning for simpler times.

But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18

Book of Life

He who conquers shall be clad thus in white garments, and I will not blot his name out of the book of life; I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.
Revelation 3:5

Secularism pervades our world. By accepting all kinds of philosophies, people can no longer decipher right from wrong, nor can they bridle their desires. They coddle and support false gods, but hate and ridicule the Christian Church. They don’t reject religion, but they reject the one true God.

This is nothing new. In a spiritual stupor, the Church in Sardis closed its eyes to the flourishing secularism in its community (Revelation 3:1-6). They had no opposition or troubles. Satan watched over their deadly slumber.

But even in Sardis, some were alive in Christ. They resisted indifference and were ever on guard against the evil of the world. Christ, the one who conquers, promised to dress them in white garments and keep their names written in His Book of Life. His robes of purity cover the faithful. His righteous blood etches the names of the forgiven in His Book of Life.

Through His Law, God calls us to repent. Through His Gospel and Sacraments, He raises us from the deadness of our sin to life in Jesus Christ. By His grace alone, we wear Christ’s holiness and ever remain in His Book of Life.

Lord Jesus, bless Your Church with sound doctrine and true faithfulness. Amen.