Customer Reviews

Be Still

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Silence used to be the norm, but in the last 50 years it has become the exception; now we have to create a special time and place to experience silence...and "still the constant noise" that surrounds us. And if we want to grow in our walk with the Lord, it's crucial that we do so. For those who long with all their hearts for more than a Sunday only kind of Christianity, but don't know how quite to start, this DVD has some wonderful guidance, that will spark the light within you.

Jesus is the core and substance of this documentary, and His Word the source. I fail to comprehend the Pharisaic mentality that would find the teaching in this DVD to be heretical, but as Quaker author Richard Foster says, "It's much easier for people to debate the Bible than to submit to it." All the teachers, pastors, and authors interviewed for this documentary have wisdom to impart, making this film a good investment of your time.

"Be Still" is not only a good source for those seeking to learn on their own, but would also be an excellent tool for small study groups to use, and for pastors and Bible teachers as well. One of the 7 chapters of the DVD is on "Small Groups," and gives ideas on how to use contemplative prayer in a gathering of believers.

WARNING: The DVD has a very peculiar set-up. My only complaint of this documentary is that it does not have a "Play All" option, and one must keep the remote close at hand. The 1st chapter is approximately 55 minutes long, and has a long list of credits after it, making one think that "this is all there is," and stop the DVD. Wrong! There are about 40 minutes more in the subsequent 6 chapters.

"The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him." Habakkuk 2:20

I was one of the lucky people who had the chance to see this DVD before it was released. It is a tremendous resource both to motivate your prayer experience and also to guide you in learning how to experience the great benefit of reflective prayer and bible reading. The narration is beautiful and moving. It does an incredible job of setting a mood and inviting the viewer to enter into the prayer experience. The men and women sharing their experiences is a veritable who's who of spiritual leadership. I highly recommend this beautiful and moving resource for the spiritual journey. It will not only move you to a deeper desire to pray - it will also teach you how to fulfill that desire.

So many Christians pray only to be heard by God. But prayer is more that that. The authors and speakers on this video program offer help toward a way of prayer that has been all but lost in our day. Prayer is also meant to change us, to let God speak to us through the reflective reading of the Bible. Please don't listen to well meaning Christians who criticize this film for its superficial resemblence to New Age spirituality. Their criticisms are off the mark. There is plenty of biblical and historical support for the practices discussed here. Don't miss out on something that will bring you closer to God. See the film for yourself and decide if this is helpful to you.

My Sunday School class wanted to do a retreat that included a component about prayer. We looked at many resources and found this to be exactly what we needed. The speakers provide interesting and helpful insights that spark discussion and learning. There are plenty of how-to's on contemplative prayer, which is the focus of this DVD. It is not an encyclopedia of types of prayer: it takes one type of prayer and shows you how you can use it to bring new meaning to your life. One of the best resources I've ever seen.

There is too much noise everywhere in modern life, including modern religious life. TV preachers and direct mailers compete for who can shout the loudest to promote, condemn, convict and on occasion, preach a salvation message unrelated to politics. save. God says, "Be still and know that I am God." This excellent DVD serves as an important reminder that if we will keep quiet more than we talk, we might actually hear more of God's voice and less of our own. Wouldn't that be nice for a change?
Cal Thomas

BE STILL is a continual joy! We've watched it several times. It delves deeply into the real meaning of prayer. Every follower of Jesus and every seeker of God should have a copy. My wife, Doris and I wept when it was finished. I encourage you to see this!

I really love this video. After reading the 2 or 3 negative reviews here, I was curious and went back and watched it through again -- trying to discern if there was any truth to their opposing claims. I do hear the heart of their message as a concern for people who might be led astray into new age, me-centered spirituality. I think we should all be aware that from from the beginning of time, even with Adam and Eve, it has been the intent of the enemy (the devil, Satan) to distort the things of God. The enemy seeks to lure us away from humility and repentance which can be found in TRUE contemplative prayer, or "listening prayer" as taught by this video.

Rather the devil endeavors **always** to slip us a cheap substitute -- i.e., meditations focused on SELF -- mindless chanting repetitions and mantras as found in secular new age teachings, guided imagery, etc. Music as another example, was designed by God to stir men's souls toward God -- however the enemy is great at serving up cheap lyrics with good rhythm, which can ignite a more shallow feeling. Another example is cheap sex, vs. true intimacy between a committed husband and wife. These are all just cheap substitutes offered by the devil in an effort to contort and distort the blessings God has reserved for His children. God built us all with this LONGING to connect with Him, listening to Him as He listens to us, communing with Him in holiness and purity. I believe the scriptural principles in this "Be Still" video are intended for those who are seeking a deeper communion with Christ and I personally find this message to be a very needed teaching for the modern day fast-paced church of 2007. This video is SO full of Bible scripture and full of God's Truth. His sheep will know His voice ~~~ that is a guaranteed promise in the Bible, that true Christians will be able to discern the difference between the voice of the Enemy vs. the voice of the Good Shepherd. We can take Him at His Word that if we are truly seeking Him in a posture of humility, and surrendering our own wills (and cheap thrills!) to Christ, He will certainly direct our paths and guide us into all truth.

I can appreciate the negative reviewers' warnings to beware the cheap thrill served up on a silver platter -- it breaks my heart as well to see anyone led astray or deceived. Especially if it's me, LOL! However since this video is now in wide circulation, it IS what it IS. Let's pray that God's Word in this video will not return void -- that His Word will bind up the brokenhearted and lead men into deeper relationships with Christ.

For anyone who is considering this video and truly seeking God: The Bible promises that we WILL find God when we seek Him with all of our heart. I recommend this video for anyone who is humbly searching for the true God.

The first review (positive) gave me the idea that I would enjoy this DVD in a deep and meaningful way, but it was the two negative reviews that sold me on it! Everyone needs to be reminded that the way to God is within (yes, and Jesus even said so) and that we find the 'still small voice' of God in the silence. Beautiful ...

If you long to go deeper in your faith walk with JESUS CHRIST this dvd is a rare treasure.If you are tired of the empty cliche's of much of evangelical christianity then get this dvd.I am a s.b.c. pastor of 25 years in a local church.I have seen fad after fad so I am not easily impressed.this dvd moved me.I found myself saying to the screen yes ,yes finally some one in media has taken us to our histoical roots as lovers of GOD.Beth Moore ,Calvin Miller, Max Lucado and many others talk about how to grow in your love for CHRIST.I used this beautiful media presentation as a small group study .People were so encouraged to see people throughout the history of the church longing for JESUS just like us.The church staff loved it.Even my own children ages 8-22 watched it and all were refreshed and not bored.The music and the filming is superb.I know this sounds like an add but it is not .Watch this and I think you'll agree.

The negative reviews should be discarded by any serious student of Christianity for the rejection of Christian teachings for the first 300 years after Christ's Crucifiction. "Into the Silence", "Dark Night of the Soul", and "In the Spiritual Desert" were all known to mean contemplative prayer among Abraham's Children of both the New & Old Covenants. Several of the reviewers cited obviously reject the writings of the gentlemen and ladies who gave us the Canon of OT & NT alike. Christ in the Gospels, and Paul in several of his letters, tell us to go into the silence of the desert so we can encounter our Creator - how - by shutting up so He can get a word in edgewise! Anthony of Egypt, Benedict, Augustine, and other greats of Eastern & Western monasticism say "centering prayer" as a means of "going into your room", without the distractions of everyday life for a few minutes, and placing yourself in God's presence mentally, spiritually and emotionally.... Not in the Bible? Yes it is - Solomon, John the Baptizer, Sampson and others all went thru the process and practice...