Book Review Still Growing: an autobiography by Kirk Cameron

BOOK SUMMARY

Kirk Cameron is best known for his role as loveable teenage troublemaker Mike Seaver on the award-winning TV series Growing Pains, but his rise to fame and fortune is only part of his incredible story. In this intimate autobiography, Kirk opens up about his early years, his rocket to stardom, his life-changing encounter with Jesus and the hard choices he s made along the way to live in the Way of the Master. Fans will get an up-close and personal look at what drives the former teen-magazine heartthrob and find out how God and family became the secrets behind his celebrated smile. In his own words, Kirk shares how he s still growing even through the triumphs and temptations of his Hollywood career. (Publisher description)

THEMES IN THE BOOK

BOOKROOM REVIEW

It seems that almost every few months we hear about a child star who is in trouble with substance abuse, the law, or other hardships. Kirk Cameron is a rare exception. I remember watching Growing Pains episodes.   I thought the show was a bit cheesy, but I enjoyed watching it once in a while. I wasn’t one of those girls who was in love with Mike Seaver though, I was more of a Jesse Katsopolis girl. I liked “bad boys” and Mike Seaver wasn’t one. After reading “Still Growing,” I now know why his character wasn’t one. Kirk fought for his character to be a good role model for young fans of his show, and this wasn’t an easy battle for him. He chronicles his life as a teen idol and a proclaimed athiest and how he came to give his life to Christ.

I admire his honest account about how he struggled at the height of his fame and learned fame and money isn’t the answer to happiness. The tone of the book isn’t preachy at all and I think fans and even others would find “ Still Growing” an interesting and enlightening read. As a Christian myself, I was pleasantly surprised and blessed by his testimony. I think you will be too.  P.S. I no longer like “bad boys”. They are just trouble. I am married to a wonderful Christian good guy.

Kirk Cameron is a television and film actor best known for his Golden Globe nominated work on the TV series Growing Pains and for his role as journalist Buck Williams in the Left Behind feature films. Kirk produces and co-hosts The Way of the Master TV series, winner of the National Religious Broadcasters Best Program of the Year award, and produces and appears regularly on The Way of the Master radio show (www.wayofthemaster.com). He is married to Growing Pains and Left Behind co-star Chelsea Noble, with whom he has six children, and they live in Southern California. Together they run Camp Firefly (www.campfirefly.com), a retreat for seriously ill children and their families.  You can purchase “Still Growing” at Amazon and bookstores everywhere.  You can win a DVD of Fireproof now through February 17th here on Bookroom Reviews!

Fireproof DVD Giveaway

At work, inside burning buildings, Capt. Caleb Holt (Kirk Cameron) lives by the old firefighters adage: Never leave your partner behind. At home, in the cooling embers of his marriage, he lives by his own rules. Growing up, Catherine Holt (Erin Bethea) always dreamed of marrying a loving, brave firefighter…just like her daddy. Now, after seven years of marriage, Catherine wonders when she stopped being “good enough” for her husband. Regular arguments over jobs, finances, housework, and outside interests have readied them both to move on to something with more sparks.
As the couple prepares to enter divorce proceedings, Caleb’s father challenges his son to commit to a 40-day experiment: “The Love Dare.” Wondering if it’s even worth the effort, Caleb agrees-for his father’s sake more than for his marriage. When Caleb discovers the book’s daily challengesare tied into his parents’ new found faith, his already limited interest is further dampened. While trying to stay true to his promise, Caleb becomes frustrated time and again. He finally asks his father, “How am I supposed to show love to somebody who constantly rejects me?” When his father explains that this is the love Christ shows to us, Caleb makes a life-changing commitment to love God. And with God’s help he begins to understand what it means to truly love his wife. But is it too late to fireproof his marriage? His job is to rescue others. Now Caleb Holt is ready to face his toughest job ever…rescuing his wife’s heart. Read about Fireproof from our movie reviews partner and view the trailer here.

Fireproof is the #1 independent film of 2008 and you can win the DVD of Fireproof right here!  Yeah!

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The Love Dare Book Giveaway

Have you seen the movie Fireproof yet?   I haven’t but I have read great reviews of it.  Kirk Cameron is in the movie.   I was especially impressed with an interview of Kirk Cameron,  when he said he wouldn’t kiss any other woman then his wife when they asked him to do a kissing scene.  They accommodated him by shooting the kissing scenes in a silhouette and his wife stood in for the actress playing his wife, so he could stay true to his vow of only kissing her.  I know he was made fun of for that around the Internet,  but personally I am standing up and shouting ” Way to Go!”   Maybe if everyone in Hollywood followed his example, there wouldn’t be such an incredibly high divorce rate.  We all know one of the most famous examples of a married actor falling in love with his co-star after kissing her on a movie set.  I am excited I received a couple copies of the book that was inspired by the movie,  The Love Dare.  My husband and I are planning on going through it together and completing the love dares.  It looks like a wonderful way to connect with your partner, learn Bible verses together and remember to keep God at the center of your marriage.   I am looking forward to it and I will give you updates.  You can read the summary about the book below and if you think it is something you would enjoy doing with your spouse, you can go to my contest page to enter to win a copy!

Summary of Fireproof
At work, inside burning buildings, Capt. Caleb Holt (Kirk Cameron) lives by the old firefighters adage: Never leave your partner behind. At home, in the cooling embers of his marriage, he lives by his own rules. Growing up, Catherine Holt (Erin Bethea) always dreamed of marrying a loving, brave firefighter…just like her daddy. Now, after seven years of marriage, Catherine wonders when she stopped being “good enough” for her husband. Regular arguments over jobs, finances, housework, and outside interests have readied them both to move on to something with more sparks.
As the couple prepares to enter divorce proceedings, Caleb’s father challenges his son to commit to a 40-day experiment: “The Love Dare.” Wondering if it’s even worth the effort, Caleb agrees-for his father’s sake more than for his marriage. When Caleb discovers the book’s daily challengesare tied into his parents’ new found faith, his already limited interest is further dampened. While trying to stay true to his promise, Caleb becomes frustrated time and again. He finally asks his father, “How am I supposed to show love to somebody who constantly rejects me?” When his father explains that this is the love Christ shows to us, Caleb makes a life-changing commitment to love God. And with God’s help he begins to understand what it means to truly love his wife. But is it too late to fireproof his marriage? His job is to rescue others. Now Caleb Holt is ready to face his toughest job ever…rescuing his wife’s heart.  View the trailer here.

Summary of The Love Dare

B & H Publishing Group (a division of LifeWay) decided to publish The Love Dare and that LifeWay Church Resources will be publishing a small group curriculum in early 2009 that will be out the same time the Fireproof DVD will release.

*The Love Dare was written by Steven and Alex Kendrick. Here are the basics …”The Love Dareis a 40-day guided devotional experience that will lead your heart back to truly loving your spouse while learning more about the design, nature, and source of true love. Each reading includes Scripture, a statement of principle, the day’s ‘dare,’ and a journaling area and check box to chart progress.”In the introduction to The Love Dare, the authors lay out the three elements of each chapter.
First, a unique aspect of love will be discussed. Read each of these carefully and be open to a new understanding of what it means to genuinely love someone.
Second, you will be given a specific dare to do for your spouse. Some will be easy and some very challenging. But take each dare seriously, and be creative and courageous enough to attempt it. Don’t be discouraged if outside situations prevent you from accomplishing a specific dare. Just pick back up as soon as you can and proceed with the journey.
Last, you will be given journal space to log what you are learning and doing and how your spouse is responding. It is important that you take advantage of this space to capture what is happening to both you and your mate along the way. These notes will record your progress and should become priceless to you in the future. (*copied from a Pastor’s Blog)