Andrew Smith's Blog

Book, Music, and Movie Reviews

I Think My Therapist Hates Me: A Memoir by Chris Olsen Book Review




I Think My Therapist Hates Me is a personal memoir from Chris Olsen. He is a social media star most famously on TikTok. He cohosted the red carpet at the Oscars. In the book, he wrote it like he was talking with his therapist, Lizzie. He shared about his childhood and how he learned first learned he might be gay. When he was growing up he would sit with all girls and hang out with them daily. He chose to play with Barbies, dresses, and he enjoyed the color pink. He opened up about in fourth grade he tried to become more manly and hang out with boys his age. He discovered that he had some athletic. He tried to get into rap listening to Drake and Lil Wayne like all the guys were doing. His room was decorated with gay posters like Hannah Montana and High School Musical. When guys were coming over he would careful roll them up and storage them where they wouldn’t be wrinkled. He recalled one time that she sister stole his High School Musical shirt and walked right in when he had a friend over. He was able to convince him that it wasn’t his shirt. He never invited that friend ever over again. He shared other events that led to him slowly letting people know that he was in fact gay. He shared about his first crush and later on his relationships ups and downs. 



His mother was an alcoholic and this led to wounds he at first didn’t realize they were there. He didn’t understand how come she couldn’t just stop drinking to beat the addiction. She went to rehab and attended AA meetings. He admitted to how he preferred the before rehab version of her.  He later went into detail about his own struggle with drugs and drinking and how they planned a intervention to try and reach him. They were all worried about could happen if he didn’t get the help that he desperately needed. 



This book is for readers who enjoy watching his videos and want to see more from the man behind the curtain. Before reading this book, I didn’t know much about him and his life besides seeing a few of his videos online. I liked how he wrote some of the book like he was speaking to his therapist and revealing the truths of his life the parts people didn’t see. A big part of the book is his journey to coming out and his experiences with what he faced. 



Check it out below:


https://www.amazon.com/Think-My-Therapist-Hates-Me-ebook/dp/B0GPJ4LDGP  





Even If: Trusting God Through the Fire (The Official Book for I Can Only Imagine 2) by Bart Millard, Shannon Millard, and Robert Noland Book Review






Even If is an incredible book about the story behind the hit song that in turn also got turned into another movie. This song appears on MercyMe’s ninth studio album. It charted faster than the hit song, “I Can Only Imagine”. Even if is a personal story about everyone longs for the greener pastures and quiet waters. We all tend to have to face at some point a walking through the difficult valley of the shadows of death. He compared it to Job and how he experienced trials and at least ten translations use the exact phrase even if. See Job 13:15, “Even If God kills me, I’’ll still put my hope in him”. 



The book begins with sharing about the Shannon and her brother, Chris and what he was dealing with. Bart had just returned home from touring and Sam their first son was upstairs sleeping. Chris came over experiencing a heartbreak at age 20 seeking his sister advice. Chris was also begging her for evidence that God was in fact real. They discussed and talked about God and faith into the night. She went to wake up Bart at 1:30 a.m. and Chris took it as Bart’s delayed response as he didn’t care about him. At around 3 a.m. Bart stated how someone needed to knock some sense into you. Before he got upset and left he told them to tell Sam that he loved him. Later on it was discovered that Chris has been involved in a car crash that took his life and he was thrown from the truck. Chris died right before Sam’s birthday and Bart admits to asking God why. He faced guilty over his comments and actions. This was also left out in the movie. They wanted to movie to focus more on a father and son’s theme. 



Another big part of the book was Sam and how he struggled with being a diabetic. It was discovered right after MercyMe won Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist at the American Music Awards. Sam started sweating profusely, acted aggressively, and a insatiable thirst. Sam’s blood levels was at 847 a normal two to three year old is about 80 to 100. They had to give him insulin to get his sugar to come back down. He had type one diabetes and they had to teach them how to use a needle and how to check his blood levels. He admitted how he wanted to declare war against satan and how he wouldn’t harm his family. In the book readers will get a glimpse from Sam’s perceptive and what he went through with dealing with diabetes. It also shows how Sam also went into music and part of this was in the actual movie as well. This story is a part of the inspiration behind, “even if”. 



I loved reading more about the new hit movie that was recently released. I enjoyed the first one and even read his first book. I liked how this book shared thoughts from the entire family and all his children. It was interesting to learn about Chris and what happened and how this affect their lives. Before reading this book, I didn’t ever know this part of the story. I first learned of Sam’s story in watching the film but this book takes the story into a great depth. Bart Millard story is very inspiring and readers will get to see the message and ideas behind the hit songs. Which comes from living life. 


Check it out below:


https://www.amazon.com/dp/0830791914 


Do the True You: Stop Faking It for Others and Find Out Who God Says You Are by Steven Furtick Book Review





Steven Furtick has written a new book encompassing about the importance of being your authentic self and not settling for what you have always known. We don’t need to be critical of ourselves or saying that we are a depressed person, shy, dumb, or not enough. These label often trap us into a negative cycle. He encouraged readers to be the true you instead. We can be the person God created us to be. This book was written to guide young teens and adults into seeing ourselves like God sees us and align our vision with His. The book also shared insights and personal stories from his children Elijah, Abbey, and Graham to assist other teens that may one dealing with the same challenges that they are.



He stated how Jeremiah was called to be a prophet. But at the start of it he was just a young teen. God reminded him that He created and formed him in his mother’s womb. He was seeing himself as too introverted, too weak, too young, and was too afraid to step out. God reminded him that he knew him before. God was trying to teach him to see him as He sees him. 



Steven goes on to helping readers to see how God knew us in the beginning and it was our true you. He stated how we need to see ourselves free from depression, us filled with peace no matter what happens to us, and overcoming bad habits and obtaining freedom. He shared mindsets that we can all live by throughout the chapters. These included, “I’m not stuck unless I stop, Christ is in me. I am enough, God has given me everything I need for the season I’m in”, and much more. 



One of my favorite lesson discussed do we really know and understand our worth. Are we valuing ourselves? Looking in the Bible we will discover our worth and how much God loves us. The Holy Spirit lives inside us. We are more than a conqueror. We have the mind of Christ. We are chosen and called. 



I would recommend this book mainly to any teenager or young adult but any age could benefit and learn more about being the true you. A lot of us struggle with our true identity and living in our authentic self. I thought this book was unique in also sharing lessons from his own children and what they have went through and learned growing up. I believe this will help other teens to realize that their struggles aren’t so much different. It helped to see their experience with their own identity and struggles with being who God created them to be. 



Check it out below:


Kidney Stone Buster: The Quick Guide To Prevent Stones Fast by Anthony Dat Book Review

book cover for Kidney Stone Buster



Kidney Stone Buster is a book written to assist readers in preventing from getting kidney stones. Kidney stone pain is one of the worst physical pain our bodies can go through. It’s excruciating and can lead to trips to the emergency center. It estimated that 1 in 10 people will suffer from having to deal with kidney stones. 50% of kidney stone suffers could have another episode within 5 to 10 years. Kidney stones are often called renal stones and they are made up of solid crystal stones that form from the kidneys. It’s basically waste products made up of acids, salts, and minerals. They look like a small zagged rocks and come in all different shapes and sizes. There are four types: calcium oxalate, uric acids, struvite, and cystine. Some of the symptoms are nausea/vomiting, blood in urine, frequent urination, fever or chills. 





Anthony Dat is determined to help readers to prevent them from occurring. He discussed hydration, diet and nutritions, and lifestyle habits. He strongly suggested readers to consume 2.5 - 3 liters (10 to 12 cups) of fluids daily. Your goal is to make your urine a light color. You could also increase drinking citrus juice such as lemon and lime this could help prevent formation of stones. In turn, we need to avoid any drinks that could make us even more dehydrated. He explored the diet aspect and how we need to aim for 1,000-1,200 mg per day of calcium from food only. Theses include salmon, yoghurt, low-fat milk for some suggestions. He gave a list of high oxalate foods such as spinach, beets, almonds, dark chocolate, sweet potatoes. If you do eat them make sure to consume them with a serving of low-fat cheese or something to bind the oxalate. Another important area was salt and how cooking from scratch and limiting processed foods. These were just some of the topics of this book. 



I would recommend this excellent book to anyone who is struggling with kidney stones and reoccurring stones. I personally have been dealing with stones for a few years now. I just passed a 7mm roughly about a month a go and that’s my biggest one so far. It also led me to having to have a trip to the ER. I still have three more to pass at some point and one is another 7mm. One of the biggest takeaways was probably learning to limit the amount of salt that’s in every single food. I realized how I also need to increase my water intake and add lemon or lime to try and balance out my body. I also need to increase my servings of vegetables and fruit to 5 like he suggested. This book is one to be reread and studied to try and prevent the dreaded stones from forming. 



Check it out below: 


https://www.amazon.com/Kidney-Stone-Buster-Prevent-Stones-ebook/dp/B0GDG6QFWD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3W4WPAEKTLQ8L


KJV Color Code Study Bible, Revealing God's Truth Color by Color (Purple Leathersoft, Red Letter)





This brand-new Bible is enclosed in a purple leather soft cover. It is soft to touch and easy to hold onto while you are reading the word of God. It is written in the King James Version. The Bible uses different colors to highlight seven unique topics of the Bible. They are God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, Salvation, Sanctification, Sin and Temptations, and Last Things. This makes it super easy to study the word and to see the many different truths. It also has red letting to show Christ’s spoken words. There is a monies, weight, and measures chart, a concordance, colorful maps, topic-by-topic articles. It has a ribbon also to hold your reading place in line. I liked how this Bible included colors to make the Bible more appealing to read and follow along with. The topic articles help you to grow and go deeper into God’s word and they are written by a pastor. One of favorites thing he discussed how he hopes that God has a video room that actually shows the Red sea, the stone rolling away from the tomb, Jericho tumbling, and creation beginning. He uses this to lead into how God created us and how we are His most prized creation. We are may in His image. This Bible is simple to read and follow along with and reader will enjoy using it as study Bible. 


To purchase:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1400350972

Radiant Mobile Review and Giveaway

 




Join Radiant Mobile today! Use my link/code to get your 1st month free!  

 

 

Check it out:

 

https://www.radiantmobile.com/?aff=runningtowardschrist&promo=FIRSTMONTHFREE

 

 

 

Radiant Mobile is a brand-new Christian based mobile service that is partnered with Compax and integrated with T-Mobile. They have 5G service. The main features of this awesome cell services are that it has a built-in filter that helps shields you and your kids from back influences of the world such as porn, bad games, racism, spyware, and much more. This network stops bad content before it arrives on your phone. There is a whole list on the site. It also has parental controls that helps you to set time limits on how long a kid or teen can use the internet. They stand behind the verse that states, pray that you may not enter temptation see Matthew 36:40-41. There is Geo-Fencing that allows you to track your kids and lets you know when they are school or home. They also have a series of videos that they released periodically featuring a Bible story character animated that is aimed at kids. There is an adult version. They have fun reel games that allow kids to enter to win raffles for real prizes. Overall, this new cellular company offers a ton of features to keep your family safe and to encourage your devotion to digging deeper into scriptures. 

 

 

Check out this awesome video:

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure:  

Many thanks to Radiant Mobile for providing a sample of the product for this review.  Opinions are 100% my own. 

 

 

 

Giveaway: $10 Amazon giftcard  

 

(Note: This is limited to US winners only.)

The Story of Everything Movie Review and Giveaway



 Buy The Story of Everything now on Prime Video!  

• After a successful nationwide theatrical run that sparked  

conversation across faith, science, and culture, The Story  

of Everything is now available to purchase on Amazon  

Prime Video!  

• Inspired by Stephen C. Meyer’s bestselling book Return of  

the God Hypothesis, the cinematic documentary invites  

audiences to explore one of humanity’s oldest—and most  

consequential—questions: Does the evidence point to a universe shaped solely by blind chance, or is there evidence of purpose and design?  

• Synopsis: The Story of Everything is a cinematic exploration of the cosmos that reveals the hidden hand behind our universe. From the precise laws that govern the stars to the intricate patterns found in every living cell, the film traces evidence of intentional design throughout nature. Whether examining distant star-forming clouds or the spiral structure of DNA, we discover a consistent signature woven into the fabric of existence.  

 

 

My Review:

 

This documentary is very eye opening in exploring the meaning the cosmos and how the universe began. They looked at what the Bibles vs what scientist believe. They included insights from key historical people: Galileo, Johannes Kepler, Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, and more. They searched the answers in the Goldilocks universe and how some believe in the multiverse. They discussed the living cell and DNA and protein play a part in forming life. It was very interesting in seeing the different theories and point of views from Christians to non-believers. This is an excellent film to lay the foundation on the story of life and universe and how we may have all got here. 

 

 

 

 

• Buy The Story of Everything now on Prime Video!  

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0H3KTVBGX/ref=atv_sr_fle_c_sr52cdbe_1_1_1?sr=1-1&pageTypeIdSource=ASIN&pageTypeId=B0H3L22WB2&qid=1780491456054

Disclosure:  

Many thanks to Sypher Studios for providing a sample of the product for this review.  Opinions are 100% my own. 

 

Giveaway: $10 Amazon gift card  

(Note: This is limited to US winners only.)

The Sacred Thread TV Series Review and Giveaway


Most people know the Lord’s Prayer. 

Very few understand the world, language, and meaning behind it. 

The Sacred Thread takes viewers deep into the historical and cultural context of Scripture, helping audiences experience the Lord’s Prayer the way Jesus’ original audience would have heard it. 

This is not just another Bible study. 

It’s a cinematic journey through the land, history, language, and deeper meaning of one of the most important prayers ever spoken. 

Angel continues to create thoughtful, high-quality series that make Scripture feel alive, relevant, and deeply personal. 

 

 

Angel is distributing Biblical content that goes deeper. 

The Sacred Thread combines cinematic storytelling, Biblical scholarship, historical context, and spiritual insight in a way that feels engaging, accessible, and emotionally meaningful. 

This series helps viewers experience Scripture in a richer and more personal way. 

It’s thoughtful, visually compelling, and spiritually grounding without feeling academic or overwhelming. Angel is doing something many platforms have stopped doing. 

They are telling stories with depth, meaning, and purpose. 

The Sacred Thread is not loud or cynical entertainment. It is thoughtful storytelling that encourages reflection, gratitude, and connection. 

This is content designed to leave audiences better after watching. 

About the Series 

The Sacred Thread is a cinematic documentary series exploring the Lord’s Prayer through the historical, cultural, geographical, and literary world in which Jesus first spoke it. Hosted by Brad Gray and featuring insights from scholars including N.T. Wright, the series takes viewers across biblical landscapes to uncover the deeper meaning and context behind one of the most well-known prayers in Scripture. (angel.com) 

Through cinematic storytelling and accessible scholarship, the series invites audiences to see Scripture with fresh eyes and rediscover the richness, depth, and relevance of the Biblical text. (angel.com) 

 

 

My Review:

 

This series takes readers through the historical and cultural. It takes watchers thru the land of Israel and brings to life the meaning behind all the words of the Lord’s prayer. It is hosted by Brad Gray and his voice is very interesting to listen to and he has a great speaking voice. It won’t make you fall asleep while watching it. One of my favorite scenes was when he was being taught how they made the bricks in the Egyptian times like the Israelis did. It was part gross on the things they had to use but also a deep appreciation of how we don’t have to do this in today’s times. He explained how the Israelis were given the ten commandments and His people were given instructions on how to live their lives. This has been passed down to us. We are called to righteous and living in a good relationship with others. Jesus tells us to strive for a hungry for justice. John called us to repent for the time is near and he is also the one who was known for baptism. This became an act of obedience and a public declaration of your faith in Christ. This became a way of righteous. He explained how satan is known as the tempter and how he tries and derail us into sinning. Satan is best at twisting lies and trying to make them sound like the truth. Jesus was even tempted by satan in the wilderness. Jesus was being tested by God. He explained how powerful this prayer is and how we can all learn to pray the scared prayer. 


Stream The Sacred Thread now on Angel. 



Join the Angel Guild and support stories that bring meaning, hope, and purpose  back to entertainment. 




Check it out below:


https://www.angel.com/shows/sacred-thread


Disclosure:  


Many thanks to Angel for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own. 




Giveaway: $10 Amazon giftcard  


(Note: This is limited to US winners only.)

Just One More Movie and Giveaway

 


Everyone reaches a moment where they feel exhausted, defeated, or ready to quit. Just One More is about what happens when someone finds the courage to keep going anyway. 

This is a story about second chances. About redemption. About the people who fight for one more day, one more conversation, one more opportunity to make things right. 

Angel is bringing audiences a film that reminds people hope is still worth fighting for.

 

 

About the Film 

Just One More follows Jess, a recovering addict struggling with shame, doubt, and the weight of her past, whose life unexpectedly collides with Charles, a dying man praying that God would use him “just one more” time. As their stories intertwine, Jess begins to discover forgiveness, healing, and the hope to fight for a future beyond addiction. 

This is an emotional, character-driven story about redemption, perseverance, and the life-changing impact one person can have on another. 

At its heart, Just One More is about choosing hope one more time, even when life feels impossible. 

This is the kind of movie that stays with audiences long after the credits roll. 

 

 

My Review:

 

 

The film features mainly Jess who is a struggling addict who takes pills to try and feel normal. She is trying to cover up the pain from her past. In the process she meets Charles who is dying from cancer. He lives his life like Jesus would and he reaches out to others who don’t need Jesus. He keeps praying to Jesus that he would allow him to use his life and let him reach just one more. He reminded her that she has a testimony that He is going to use for good. She meets a Christian group who each one has a story and watchers will be able to relate to them. Later on, she realized how one tiny pill can potentially change your entire life. Even when she faced the temptations of a relapse and setback, Charles chose to forgive her and show her the love of Christ. This story has the power and potential to remind readers about the importance of making an impact on others and never giving up on hope. This is an excellent example of offering someone a second chance. Angel did a great job in releasing a new film that will touch lives. Even though sometimes our lives are in darkness redemption is always possible. 

 


Check out the trailer:

 


 

 


 Official website: 

 

 

 

https://www.angel.com/movies/just-one-more





Disclosure:  

Many thanks to Angel for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions  are 100% my own. 

Giveaway: $10 Amazon giftcard  


(Note: This is limited to US winners only.)





NKJV New Testament, Tracing Edition Bible Giveaway and Gift Card




• Purchase your copy of the NKJV New Testament,  

Tracing Edition, today! www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/nkjv-new-testament-tracing-edition/




• Easy to trace, 17-point 

• Entire New Testament is in a gray-scale, ideal for  

tracing  

• Wide margins invite note taking and/or art designs  

• Unique, lay flat spine design makes tracing comfortable right or left-handed  

• Familiarity with Scripture is deepened by reading AND writing  

• Excellent activity to do with your family  

• Write God’s Word into your heart by tracing Scripture verse-by-verse through the New Testament. 

For years, scientists have connected handwriting with improved learning. Designed for a unique, devotional experience, the NKJV New Testament, Tracing Edition provides an opportunity to read and write through the beautiful gospel and promises of the New Testament from Matthew to Revelation.  

This special edition has lightly printed text allowing you to trace the words of Scripture easily. Wide margins and a clean, single-column typesetting complete the intentional design. Chapter headings are printed regularly for easy navigation, or you can engage more deeply using the included tracing themes and reading plans on love, hope, grace, comfort, peace, eternal life, anxiety, spiritual gifts, community, heaven, Holy Spirit, and faith.  




 

Features include:  

• Lightly printed text in a clean single-column typesetting  

• Substantial 60gsm paper ideal for writing  

• Topical reading plans included: love, hope, grace, comfort, peace, eternal life, anxiety, spiritual gifts, community, heaven, Holy Spirit, and faith  

• Wide outer margins for notes  

• Chapter headings for easy navigation  

• NKJV translation: Beautiful. Trustworthy. Today.  

• Clear and readable 17-point type 






 

My Review:

 

This Bible is enclosed in a unique spine bound book that allows readers to lay the Bible down flat. I loved this feature and it will make it even easier to use the Bible and journal. It provides easy access to trace the words of the New Testament. I thought this Bible was very interesting and tracing over the scriptures can help you to recall the information more clearly. I haven’t ever heard of a Bible containing the tracing feature and it could possibly the first in its kind. The words are written in a 17-point font and it makes it easy to read and trace. The Bible is written in the NKJV version. The Bible contained topical reading plans that covered topics like grace, hope, peace, spiritual gifts, comfort, anxiety, Heaven, and much more. It is super easy to dig deeper into a section on where you are seeking encouragement to get thru the day. 




 

Video (Gray version): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy7DcRwQDZE

Video (Brown Leathersoft version): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOC1z7eSlGo&feature=youtu.be

Video (about NKJV Bible translation): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESqmP4yMoPw&feature=youtu.be

 

 

• Purchase your copy of the NKJV New Testament, Tracing Edition, today! 

 

Main Website: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/nkjv-new-testament-tracing-edition/  

 

Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1400353912?ref=emc_s_m_5_i_atc  

 

 

 

 

Disclosure:  

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Bibles/HCCP for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

 

 

 

Giveaway: $10 Amazon gift card AND 1 copy of the NKJV New Testament, Tracing Edition (Gray version) 

Qualifications: Giveaway winners must be US residents who have not won via another blogger’s giveaway for this campaign.