Father of murdered JonBenét Ramsey tells how he find grace in the midst of unspeakable tragedy

Suspects in their daughter’s murder, John and Patsy Ramsey’s names were eventually cleared, but not before enduring great suffering. Then, when Patsy died of ovarian cancer at age 49, John Ramsey had another test of his hope and faith—one of many stories he tells, with Marie Chapian, in The Other Side of Suffering: The Father of JonBenét Ramsey Tells the Story of His Journey from Grief to Grace.

A highly successful businessman, Ramsey was enjoying the fruits of his labor, while Patsy enjoyed entering JonBenét in pageants. But their idyllic life was shattered in 1996 when an intruder entered their Colorado home and brutally killed JonBenét—he discovering her body Christmas day.

As hard as that tragedy was, it wasn’t the first time the family suffered the loss of a child. Ramsey’s 22-year-old daughter died in a car accident in 1992, just four years before JonBenét’s murder. The crime remains unsolved.

“Before all this happened in my life, my faith was hardly a faith at all,” Ramsey told Christian Retailing. “I just accepted that there was a God because it was easier to do that than to be convinced there was no God. Suffering caused me to really address whether I believed in God or not. More specifically, it helped me understand who Jesus is.”

His faith has grown from the time his older daughter died. “When Beth died, my reaction in screaming ‘There is no God!’ was based on my immature faith at the time.” 

A good friend became Ramsey’s spiritual mentor. “I think God gave me the gift of faith as I progressed,” he said.

“I hope readers will be encouraged to not give up on God when difficulty strikes, as I did for a period,” he said. “Most important, I hope it will help people to trust God, understand His promises to us as His children and take comfort that He loves us and is with us always.”

To order The Other Side of Suffering, call  FaithWords at 800-759-0190.

Award-winning Canadian band Newworldson was the first group signed to Inpop Records’ founder Dale Bray’s new label, Platinum Pop. Lead vocalist Joel Parisien discusses the new album, Rebel Transmission, releasing April 17 and distributed by New Day Christian Distribution.

How would you describe the music on Rebel Transmission?

Uplifting pop music with an obvious nod to ’60s soul and old school rock ’n’ roll.

Part of the music business for three decades, Don Moen, singer-songwriter and former Integrity Music executive, releases his next album, Uncharted Territory (EMI CMG Distribution), March 27, 2012, under a different label, in:ciite Media.

Why did you title this album Uncharted Territory? 

In December 2007 I felt compelled to pursue a new direction in my ministry, which led to my resignation as an executive from Integrity Music after serving there for over 20 years.  Essentially, I left everything that was secure and familiar to me—job, friends, church, doctors, schools, and moved to a new city where nothing was familiar.  I struggled with fearful thoughts and loneliness, wondering if I had made a mistake putting my family at risk to pursue this new direction. Uncharted Territory was birthed as a result of my honest searching to find God in all the chaos.  I realized that many people find themselves in uncharted territory every day due to circumstances that are beyond their control, like the loss of a job, divorce, sickness or the death of a loved one, and I was determined to find a way to “sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land” (Ps. 137), offering sincere and honest worship, even through the toughest times. This album is probably the most vulnerable project I’ve recorded, and yet each song reinforces the truth that “God is faithful.”

Since GRAMMY-nominated and Dove Award-winning artist Jaci Velasquez recorded 2008’s Love Out Loud on her own Apostrophe Records label, she began co-hosting radio’s “Your Family Friendly Morning Show” with Doug Griffin and has moved to Inpop Records (EMI CMG Distribution) for new album Diamond. She and husband Nic Gonzales, of the band Salvador, have two sons. She is also currently appearing in two films, The Encounter and Jerusalem Countdown. 

Produced by the Alcon Entertainment, the movie studio that made The Blind Side, the family-friendly movie tells the story of 11-year-old Sawyer who rescues a beached dolphin named Winter that was caught in a fisherman's trap in Florida, forming a unique connection with the animal.

Starring Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd and Oscar winner Morgan Freeman, Dolphin Tale was a suprise hit, making $70 million in the box office when it was released in more than 3,500 theaters in September, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com.

Rated PG for some mild thematic elements, the film—suitable for children—was marketed to the faith-based community, especially home school group screenings. Connick portrays Dr. Clay Haskett, an animal doctor and a Christian in real life who runs the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Fla.

The movie received positive reviews. "Adversity abounds on both land and sea in a well-meaning if stridently heart-tugging film about overcoming challenges," the Los Angeles Times observed. Christianity Today magazine added: "Though overly schmaltzy, this is still a cute and inspiring true story for the whole family." MovieGuide magazine said that the movie "respects life and extols intelligent design." Focus on the Family's Pluggedin.com said noted that "it's one of those rare movies families can have fun wading through without fear of stepping on some sharp junk hidden just beneath the surface."

The single disc DVD retails for $28.99. Click here for more information on Dolphin Tale.

Seven Days in Utopia

The sports drama about a struggling young professional golfer who discovers the difference between success and significance made $4.3 million in the box office when it was released in 561 theaters in September, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com.

In August, Zondervan released a movie tie-in edition to the film—which stars Academy Award-winners Robert Duvall and Melissa Leo. Cook was one of the screenwriters of the movie.

In the film, Texas golfer Luke Chisholm (Lucas Black) drops out of the sport after being publicly humiliated during a tournament. When Chisholm unexpectedly gets stranded in Utopia, Texas for a week, he meets an eccentric rancher and former professional golfer Johnny Crawford (Duvall) who teaches him not only about a better swing, but a better way of life.

The G-rated film was heavily marketed to the faith-based community, especially pastors' screenings. The producers created a grassroots campaign, which includes a ministry resource site.

The movie received some mixed reviews. "While corny at times, this sports drama is sure to find a welcoming audience with its down-home Christian message," The Hollywood Reporter observed. "An otherwise cornball, inspirational tale about finding God through golf, Seven Days in Utopia must be given full credit for coming up with something new in movies: To learn what happens at the end, you've got to go online."

The Orlando Sentinel noted that the film "treats its subject as if it's a tap-in for par, and thus, most of the best clubs were left in the bag." Variety added that the movie was "little more than a pleasantly passable Christian sports parable delivered as a sort of Texan golfer's version of The Karate Kid."

The DVD retails for $28.99. Click here for more information on Seven Days in Utopia.