Actress Patricia Heaton isn’t your average Hollywood celebrity. An outspoken Christian and the star of ABC’s “The Middle” and the long-running “Everybody Loves Raymond,” she’s been open about her faith — and told TheBlaze that, contrary to popular belief, she isn’t alone in Tinseltown.
Heaton, who plays a pastor’s wife in the upcoming comedy “Moms’ Night Out,” said that there are actually a lot of Christians and “seekers” in Hollywood.
“Most creative people have a deep spiritual well that they’re drawing from even if they don’t know it,” Heaton said. “The arts are being creative — I mean, God is a creator, He creates constantly, and when you’re in a creative place like Hollywood, there’s a lot of opportunity to talk and share and find common ground.”
Christian celebrities who keep quiet about their faith might do so because of the perceptions and stereotypes about what it means to be a Bible believer, Heaton said — a paradigm Christians can sometimes bring upon themselves.
The “cheap” way that Christians are often portrayed in media, she believes, creates fear among some in Hollywood when it comes to opening up about their faith.
“You know, my older sister is a Dominican nun, and nuns are always portrayed as weird, sexually repressed, old maids who are bitter. Listen, I went to Catholic school, there are a few of those, but the Dominican sisters that I know are lovely, lovely ladies,” she said. “So I think there has been this idea out there and the media kind of runs with it, portrays Christians as bad guys.”
As for living out one’s faith, Heaton, a self-described Catholic who attends a variety of Christian churches, said she believes actions truly matter.
“If you’re on a set everyday with 12 people, they get to know you and see how you treat number one on the call sheet and number 49 on the call sheet and how you act,” Heaton said. “Whether you act entitled or whether you are kind and generous and compassionate, and also, do you show up on time? Do you know your lines? Are you professional? All of that stuff speaks volumes.”
Heaton isn’t sure if she’s paid a professional price for her Christianity, because those who haven’t hired her would never admit if her faith was the reason why.
But considering her Emmy Award-winning performance as Debra Barone on “Everybody Loves Raymond” and her current role as Frankie Heck on “The Middle” — now in its fifth season — Heaton doesn’t seem to be too bogged down when it comes to success.
Heaton told TheBlaze that she is delighted that “The Middle,” a show revered for being safe to watch for all ages, has become a program that is “smart and edgy — and warm and appreciative” of life in the Midwest.
Plus, she said, the show offers a realistic look at how many American families actually live.
In “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “The Middle,” for instance, Heaton pointed out that the families attend church — but that the themes don’t hit viewers over the head with the message.
“It’s unusual that really two shows I have been on have had that in common, ‘Raymond’ and ‘The Middle’ — both families were churchgoers, and they never made a big deal about it,” she said. “It was just part of the fabric of their lives which is true for many many families in the United States, but it is never portrayed.”
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Friday, February 28, 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
As I Lay Dying Singer Tim Lambesis Pleads Guilty to Hiring Hitman to Kill Wife
The singer of a heavy metal band has admitted that he is guilty of hiring a hitman to kill his wife.
Tim Lambesis, the former lead singer for "As I Lay Dying," pleaded guilty to one count of solicitation of murder and admitted that he had hired an individual to kill his estranged wife Meggan Lambesis.
Lambesis' wife, Meggan, filed for divorce in September 2012, The Guardian reported. The estranged woman claimed that Lambesis had multiple affairs during their marriage, was "obsessed with bodybuilding," neglected to care for their adopted children, and spent thousands of dollars on tattoos. Sources say he lost faith in God after his arrest last year.
According to emails sent in August 2012, disclosed during the trial, Lambesis revealed to his wife that he no longer believed in God and that he had been cheating on her.
The following year, as Lambesis' band was on the verge of trial, the singer explained that he sought to end his wife's death because she was going up to 60 percent of his income and had forbidden their three children, who were 4, 8, and 10 at the time, to accompany him on tour, the deputy testified.
In April of 2013, Lambesis approached Brett Kimball, a personal trainer at his gym, and asked him if he knew of anyone who could kill his wife.
"He wanted to know if maybe I could find someone to do it for him," personal trainer Brett Kimball testified at a pre-trial hearing.
In May, Lambesis informed an undercover agent named "Red." He then gave "Red" "an envelope containing $1,000 cash for expenses, his wife's address and gate codes, pictures of her and specific dates when he would have the children and thus, an alibi," reported NBC San Diego.
Lambesis is currently out on $3 million bail. He will be sentenced on May 2. He could serve up to nine years behind bars.
In January last year, Lambesis spoke with Noisecreep about whether or not he conceived "As I Lay Dying" as a Christian band.
"Five or so years ago when magazines would try and press that point we decided to stay silent on the spiritual topic so that they would have to pay attention to our music and nothing more," he said. "We didn't preach at our shows, our goal has always been to just write the best music we can write. Of course religion has some influence on the things that we write about just like all of our life experiences do but as a band, we want to be judged on the music rather than what our personal beliefs are."
Tim Lambesis, the former lead singer for "As I Lay Dying," pleaded guilty to one count of solicitation of murder and admitted that he had hired an individual to kill his estranged wife Meggan Lambesis.
Lambesis' wife, Meggan, filed for divorce in September 2012, The Guardian reported. The estranged woman claimed that Lambesis had multiple affairs during their marriage, was "obsessed with bodybuilding," neglected to care for their adopted children, and spent thousands of dollars on tattoos. Sources say he lost faith in God after his arrest last year.
According to emails sent in August 2012, disclosed during the trial, Lambesis revealed to his wife that he no longer believed in God and that he had been cheating on her.
The following year, as Lambesis' band was on the verge of trial, the singer explained that he sought to end his wife's death because she was going up to 60 percent of his income and had forbidden their three children, who were 4, 8, and 10 at the time, to accompany him on tour, the deputy testified.
In April of 2013, Lambesis approached Brett Kimball, a personal trainer at his gym, and asked him if he knew of anyone who could kill his wife.
"He wanted to know if maybe I could find someone to do it for him," personal trainer Brett Kimball testified at a pre-trial hearing.
In May, Lambesis informed an undercover agent named "Red." He then gave "Red" "an envelope containing $1,000 cash for expenses, his wife's address and gate codes, pictures of her and specific dates when he would have the children and thus, an alibi," reported NBC San Diego.
Lambesis is currently out on $3 million bail. He will be sentenced on May 2. He could serve up to nine years behind bars.
In January last year, Lambesis spoke with Noisecreep about whether or not he conceived "As I Lay Dying" as a Christian band.
"Five or so years ago when magazines would try and press that point we decided to stay silent on the spiritual topic so that they would have to pay attention to our music and nothing more," he said. "We didn't preach at our shows, our goal has always been to just write the best music we can write. Of course religion has some influence on the things that we write about just like all of our life experiences do but as a band, we want to be judged on the music rather than what our personal beliefs are."
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Bullochs Appear on Fox and Friends
Rusty and Julie Bulloch from Bulloch Family Ranch appeared on Fox & Friends this AM. View here
Top Hollywood Exec Says Christians Must Produce True-to-Life Stories to Engage Entertainment Industry
A top Hollywood studio executive has called on Christians to focus on producing real, well-written, true-to-life stories to really capture the attention of the entertainment industry.
"I absolutely believe that a lot of times, when it comes to faith-based content, we portray sometimes the ideal of what we believe," DeVon Franklin, senior vice president of Production for Columbia Tristar Pictures, said during a panel on Christian engagement with the media, at the NRB International Christian Media Convention on Monday.
"We all have gone through tragedy, we all have gone through trauma, some of us are in pain right now – because life is not where we want it to be. Some of us are depressed, some of us are angry, some of us are frustrated, some of us have lost some loved ones, we all have gone through massive things that have happened to us."
Franklin, who oversaw notable films like "Sparkle," starring Whitney Houston in her last on-screen role, as well as "The Karate Kid" remake, and "The Pursuit of Happyness," and who is now helping with the upcoming film "Heaven is for Real," said Christians need to get beyond the points that divide them.
"If we aren't united, we will continue to see little blips on the radar, but fail to make a significant impact," he stressed.
Although Christians are making strides this year with a lot of content coming out in theaters, including "Son of God" this week, "Noah" in March and "Heaven is for Real" in April, there is still a lot of work to be done to really engage the entertainment industry, he said.
"It's not good enough to say 'I'm a Christian writer.' You have to be a great writer, a great director, a great actor. And I think part of what God has called me to do is try to really help because if we can make great content, [it] will break down barriers," he continued.
The Columbia Tristar VP insisted that if a film fails to represent the true journey of life, which is hard, then that movie will have a limited impact.
"So in faith-based films, we try to present an image of what we want to be, but not the reality of what really is. If a movie does not acknowledge the reality of life, even us as Christians, we won't want to see it."
The NRB panel was moderated by author, filmmaker Phil Cooke, also included Michael Harrison and Russell Moore.
Harrison called for authenticity and transcendence.
"Be authentic, and transcend the petty differences and the petty goals that separate us and create hostility. Be authentic, seek truth ahead of victory," he said.
"I think the business of broadcast industry will be best served if it's on the side of good, if it tries to help people, and talks about solutions to problems as opposed to the problems with other people. If we do that, I think ultimately we will be successful, healthy, and move in a positive direction."
Read full article
"I absolutely believe that a lot of times, when it comes to faith-based content, we portray sometimes the ideal of what we believe," DeVon Franklin, senior vice president of Production for Columbia Tristar Pictures, said during a panel on Christian engagement with the media, at the NRB International Christian Media Convention on Monday.
"We all have gone through tragedy, we all have gone through trauma, some of us are in pain right now – because life is not where we want it to be. Some of us are depressed, some of us are angry, some of us are frustrated, some of us have lost some loved ones, we all have gone through massive things that have happened to us."
Franklin, who oversaw notable films like "Sparkle," starring Whitney Houston in her last on-screen role, as well as "The Karate Kid" remake, and "The Pursuit of Happyness," and who is now helping with the upcoming film "Heaven is for Real," said Christians need to get beyond the points that divide them.
"If we aren't united, we will continue to see little blips on the radar, but fail to make a significant impact," he stressed.
Although Christians are making strides this year with a lot of content coming out in theaters, including "Son of God" this week, "Noah" in March and "Heaven is for Real" in April, there is still a lot of work to be done to really engage the entertainment industry, he said.
"It's not good enough to say 'I'm a Christian writer.' You have to be a great writer, a great director, a great actor. And I think part of what God has called me to do is try to really help because if we can make great content, [it] will break down barriers," he continued.
The Columbia Tristar VP insisted that if a film fails to represent the true journey of life, which is hard, then that movie will have a limited impact.
"So in faith-based films, we try to present an image of what we want to be, but not the reality of what really is. If a movie does not acknowledge the reality of life, even us as Christians, we won't want to see it."
The NRB panel was moderated by author, filmmaker Phil Cooke, also included Michael Harrison and Russell Moore.
Harrison called for authenticity and transcendence.
"Be authentic, and transcend the petty differences and the petty goals that separate us and create hostility. Be authentic, seek truth ahead of victory," he said.
"I think the business of broadcast industry will be best served if it's on the side of good, if it tries to help people, and talks about solutions to problems as opposed to the problems with other people. If we do that, I think ultimately we will be successful, healthy, and move in a positive direction."
Read full article
Monday, February 24, 2014
'Nashville Wives': Beliefs and Morality Helped Us to Bond
They're not your typical reality TV housewives.
Former Hooters girl Cassie Chapman said her life has changed tremendously since she married Christian music singer and songwriter Gary Chapman.
The couple recently adopted a baby and religion has become a central part of her day-to-day life.
“I was a Hooters girl when Gary met me. Obviously, I had some cleavage showing,” she told Fox News. “But when you get older or married—we have a baby now—it’s time to be a little more conservative and for his line of work I can’t be like that anymore. I respect my husband.”
That’s something Chapman and fellow “Private Lives of Nashville Wives” star Erika Page White have in common. The two said that their morals are what brought them together on the new TNT reality show.
“We’ve very similar with a lot of the stuff that we like, morally, our beliefs,” White explained. “We get each other. I feel like I never have to explain myself to Cassie whereas some of the other girls may not understand me as well.”
For the two women, who are about to be thrust into the spotlight when their reality show premieres, religion often takes center stage.
“God is center of our marriage for sure,” Cassie said of her relationship.
White added that her future in the limelight is in God’s hands.
“I always believes if God wants me to do more he’ll open doors, and if not he’ll close them.”
Former Hooters girl Cassie Chapman said her life has changed tremendously since she married Christian music singer and songwriter Gary Chapman.
The couple recently adopted a baby and religion has become a central part of her day-to-day life.
“I was a Hooters girl when Gary met me. Obviously, I had some cleavage showing,” she told Fox News. “But when you get older or married—we have a baby now—it’s time to be a little more conservative and for his line of work I can’t be like that anymore. I respect my husband.”
That’s something Chapman and fellow “Private Lives of Nashville Wives” star Erika Page White have in common. The two said that their morals are what brought them together on the new TNT reality show.
“We’ve very similar with a lot of the stuff that we like, morally, our beliefs,” White explained. “We get each other. I feel like I never have to explain myself to Cassie whereas some of the other girls may not understand me as well.”
For the two women, who are about to be thrust into the spotlight when their reality show premieres, religion often takes center stage.
“God is center of our marriage for sure,” Cassie said of her relationship.
White added that her future in the limelight is in God’s hands.
“I always believes if God wants me to do more he’ll open doors, and if not he’ll close them.”
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