Miracle movie inspires me

May 11, 2023

I just watched one of my favourite movies again – Miracle. No it is not about a miracle in the God’s Kingdom sense, but in a sport sense.

Miracle is a 2004 American sports film about the United States men’s ice hockey team, led by head coach Herb Brooks, portrayed by Kurt Russell, who won the gold medal in the 1980 Winter Olympics.

There are a number of things in this movie I find inspiring.

  • The way the coach brings the team together and the different psychological tactics he uses.
  • How the coach did not just picked the best players, but the team he thought could win the gold medal. He wanted the right players.
  • How a team of young amateur players from very different backgrounds became a “family” and played for the name on the front of the jumper, not the back.
  • The way they all pushed themselves to get the absolute best out of themselves. As someone who skated the lines, I know how hard that can be. Look out for “again”.
  • And of course that they won. They beat the invincible Soviet team who had won gold at the previous five Olympics.

The thing that inspires me in this movie is not so much the end result of the gold medal, but the daily hard work, the struggles and the bonding the team does. It is more about the journey than the goal.

I am not sure how many times I have watched Miracle, but each time I get inspired. If you are interested you can find it on Disney.

Grace and change

May 5, 2023

I really like this from from today’s Our Daily Bread…

Moses, though now recognized as a great man of faith, also committed a shocking crime. After he witnessed “an Egyptian beating a Hebrew,” he looked “this way and that” and “killed the Egyptian” (Exodus 2:11–12). Despite this sin, God in His grace wasn’t done with His imperfect servant. Later, He chose Moses to free His people from their oppression (3:10). In Romans 5:14, we read, “Death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command.” But in the following verses Paul states that “God’s grace” makes it possible for us, regardless of our past sins, to be changed and made right with Him (vv. 15–16).

We might think that what we’ve done disqualifies us from knowing God’s forgiveness and being used for His honor. But because of His grace, in Jesus we can be changed and set free to help others be changed for eternity.

Most productive?

May 2, 2023

When do you feel most productive?

I feel most productive when I am one on one with people. When I can sit and talk, or walk and talk with others, I feel I am in my sweet spot. When I can listen, ask questions and encourage them I feel God can use me to bless them. It is this one on one time that is a big reason that God put me here on earth. Often I go away feeling blessed and like I have used my God given gifts to help others.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10 NLT

A prayer for today

May 2, 2023

I read this prayer in a Bible app plan today and thought I would share it…

God, thank you for creating a specific purpose just for me. Help me to see myself through your eyes and to throw off all the lies that might hold me down. Help me to believe that I am fearfully and wonderfully made in your image and that there is no one else like me. Continue to refine me and prepare me for the purpose you have for me. Show me the next step I should take to grow closer to you and to help fill the space you made for me in your Church. In Jesus’ name, amen.