Unconditional Movie

A Call To Action

By: Jody McPhearson

I wanted to personally let you know that The Re-De-Fined Project has entered into a national partnership with the filmmakers of the movie Unconditional. Unconditional is an inspiring movie that raises awareness of ministry with “at risk” youth and moves its viewers to action in their community. Unconditional is a tool that can highlight the work of The Re-De-Fined Project and engage new funding and resources in our community.

MOVIE SYNOPSIS: Samantha Crawford (Lynn Collins - X-Men Wolverine & John Carter), an acclaimed children's book author, went from a woman of faith to a woman in despair when her husband was killed in a senseless act of violence. With no leads and no hope, Sam's moments from taking her own life when God's providence intervenes, uniting her with an old childhood friend, Joe Bradford (Michael Ealy - Barbershop & Think Like A Man).

Dying of kidney disease, Joe spends his last days serving fatherless children in an under-resourced community. Observing "Papa Joe's" tireless love for his "kids", Sam begins to find new purpose, but has difficulty letting go. The innocence of a child competes with the lure of revenge and answers. When Sam finally learns about her husband's last moments her life and others are never the same.

CALL TO ACTION:
UNCONDITIONAL is the first feature film from Harbinger Media Partners, which creates and produces high-quality theatrical films to inspire moviegoers to pursue God and serve others.

Partnering with scores of ministries and non-profit organizations around the country like the one run by the real-life Papa Joe Bradford, UNCONDITIONAL is encouraging people to ACT on the needs in their communities. Learn more about ACT. http://unconditionalthemovie.com/act

Unconditional inspires its viewers and calls them to action in their community by partnering with local organizations such as The Re-De-Fined Project. We are currently the only national partner in the state of Arizona.

The filmmaker’s motivation for making this movie was to motivate people to ACT! Their strategy is to partner with local ministries who will facilitate their viewers in giving, volunteering, and partnering.

HOW YOU CAN SPREAD THE WORD:

As a national partner, the movie will advocate for The Re-De-Fined Project cause and connect Unconditional viewers with our work.

We invite you to help spread the word about Unconditional in your community by sharing this message to as many people as you know and inviting them to visit the website http://www.unconditionalthemovie.com and to follow Unconditional on Facebook, Twitter, and share the trailer.

Jody McPhearson
Founder/President
The Re-De-Fined Project
Hire Jody McPhearson to speak to your organization, school, or group.
http://www.unconditionalthemovie.com/act_orgpage.php?id=96

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MOVIE AND SEE A TRAILER CLICK HERE
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MOVIE'S CALL TO ACTION CLICK HERE

YOLO - MAKE IT A LIFE THAT MATTERS

By Jody McPhearson

"Teaching Teens Their Lifes Matter'

 

 

Thursday, this was the headline that caught my attention. "Ervin McKinness, Aspiring Rapper, Tweets 'YOLO' About Driving Drunk And Dies Minutes Later!" Is this really YOLO?

There is no doubt that “YOLO” (You Only Live Once), from the song "Motto", has grown to be the coolest new thing for young people to say this year. The new saying has been used to describe everyday life, and has gone as far as being tattooed on celebrities! Let me tell you something...It's only cool if you are doing something cool with your life! And just so there is no confusion, by cool, I mean purposeful.

YOLO, or "You Only Live Once," is sort of a teen interpretation of "Carpe Diem". You know, "Seize the Day!" The problem is that the interpretation does not resemble anything close to seizing the day. It appears to be more about seizing the moment, in a way that relieves the person of all responsibility. It has become an excuse for irresponsible, immoral, reprehensible, and even sinful behavior.

That's not YOLO! YOLO is making a difference in someone's life. Yolo is making a decision to move away to follow your dreams of being an engineer by enrolling at a university across the country. YOLO is committing to a year abroad as a missionary to have an impact on the lives of people who can not help themselves. Yolo is volunteering right here in your own community to teach teens they matter.

This is YOLO! Being a teen and giving up a Saturday morning to help others.

You Only Live Once! Make It A Life That matters!
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A PLAY DESIGNED FOR SUCCESS

Did your favorite NFL or college team win over this past weekend? Here at The Re-De-Fined Project, we are still undefeated (1-0) as the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears won their opening games.

More importantly, it’s the work put in while no one is watching that helps teams remain good year after year. Regardless if your team is winning or losing, the hard work and dedication of the organization has to reflect a supportive base.

As it is in sports, it is behind the scenes where our young people gain the upper hand on the rest of the competition. Those nights when school, home or work is so challenging, they are ready to give up. It will always take discipline, hard work and dedication for our young people to rise to the top. What is more critical than their determination is the supportive base of the COMMUNITY.

We as the supportive base, COMMUNITY, have to learn to be more unconventional with our approach. If a team runs the same play 55 times a game, they will never win because the defense will always know what is coming. This is true with our kids and with our young people. Changing the setting or routine can shift the balance and have the desired effect. Many parents report that while riding in the car their teens open up and talk more. It also helps to intentionally ask questions and show that you care about what they have to say.

Set up a conversation with comments like, "Growing up can be hard, and I've been wondering how it's going for you"; or "I realize you are at a point in life where your friends can really influence the choices you make." Another is "I want you to know that I will always be here to support you."

-Here are some suggestions for questions to discuss together:

-What's been easiest for you this year?

-What's been the hardest thing so far?

-What's a decision you made that was wise?

-What's a decision that you regret?

-How have you handled it when other kids wanted to do something you knew wasn't a good choice?

-How have you made your decisions?

-What's something you could do if a friend offers you drugs or alcohol?

-What could you do if you are curious about some of the things your friends do, but you know they are probably not so smart?

-Have you faced any situations that made you feel really uncomfortable? How did you handle it?

Raising kids can and will be difficult with last minute adjustments and challenges that at times will seem insurmountable. The road to success can become more manageable with a few basic steps. By showing support, asking thoughtful questions, listening with care and staying involved, parents and COMMUNITY can help our youth win in more phases of life. I dare you to run the above mentioned designed play. Watch the response from our hungry youth. It will be much appreciated.

Travis Hardin

Pay it Forward

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YOU HAVEN'T EARNED IT YET!

 

So this is my first and hopefully last time ever mentioning Kimberly Noel Kardashian formally.

Now, don’t get me wrong, this isn’t just about her. This is also about the media, and I suppose, society as a whole.

Here is how all this came about.  I ran across this quote. "I think there was a quote where somebody said that reality stars will never get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame," [said Kim], "So, of course I'm so competitive that I think that it would be a huge achievement and a goal that anyone would want. I would love to break that mold." –Kim Kardashian

One of the biggest honors in the entertainment industry is achieving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. While Kim Kardashian has appeared in a few TV series and films, she has not come close to having earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

"She is a reality star. We don't do reality stars," a Chamber of Commerce rep responded. "She needs to get a real acting job then come to us."  Kim Kardashian not getting star

Here’s a look at her credits:

Disaster Movie, Beyond the Break TV series, CSI: NY TV series, Deep in the Valley straight to DVD, and Drop Dead Diva TV series.

This list doesn’t even mention her most famous role, you know the one that started it all, opposite Brandy’s little brother! What makes her think that she is deserving of a star. Maybe a star on The Walk of Shame would be more appropriate? By now this probably sounds like a Kim Kardashian bashing blog. It is not!

Here is what this blog is really about. You! Just because you want something does not mean that the world owes it to you. It is good to know that there are still some things that you are expected to earn.  It is good to know that money cannot buy everything.

It seems as if everyone wants to be famous for doing nothing more than what the last person did. I am sorry, that is not entirely true. Some want to be famous for acting more foolishly and outlandish than everyone else. For pushing the envelope!

How about putting all of that energy into making your community a better place to live, making your neighborhood a safe place for kids to play in front of their homes, solving some of the more serious issues in society, tackling issues like homelessness and teen suicide? If you want your star, your fifteen minutes of fame, EARN IT!

If you want to be famous, rich, well known, Earn it! You are not special just because you want to be. Do something! Create something! Help somebody! Like this guy!

Mark West from Phoenix Suns hosts annual free basketball and education camp.

Get involved

Jody McPhearson
Inspiring Teens to Live a Life of Purpose
Invite Jody to speak for your group, school, or event

New Blog tomorrow!

 

 

From all of us here at The Re-De-Fined Project, we salute all the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces!