Friday, March 15, 2013

There is always a new hope to be found..

     I never thought that you could get so many messages from one movie. I just didn't think it could happen. But, it actually can happen. And it did. For me, at least. The movies name is "New Hope." It was made last year, in 2012. Now, without further adieu  I'd like to tell you about the lessons I found in the movie. 


~WARNING: If you haven't seen the movie I'd recommend watching it before you read anything below, because I'll be talking about some of the plot and I don't want to ruin it for you!~ 

     
     God DOES Care
After losing her boyfriend Chase to suicide, Jasmine starts to believe that God doesn't care about "some troubled high school kid." Michael, the preacher's kid, who is also new in town, reassures her that God does care. He tells her "We all have struggles, but God hasn't given up on you." God doesn't give up on anyone, especially those that are going through struggles.
1 Corinthians 10:13 says; "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
God also tells us; “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Heb.13:5).” 

     There will be PEACE
After losing a son, things will never go back to the way they were, but Chase's parents want it to. They go to counseling with the new pastor (Michael's father). Sometimes we don't think we will ever get past the current struggle, but God promises us peace, and his unfailing love. 
Isaiah 54:10 says: "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you." 

     Love those that  DON'T love you back
Michael's father explains this one pretty well in the movie. He says "Loving the ones that love us, that's easy, anybody can do that. It's loving the ones that hate us..well, that's the real challenge." It can be a challenge, physically and emotionally, and Michael takes the challenge. Sometimes, a friendship can be born out of the greatest challenges of our life. 
God tells us; "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44)."

     Losing someone you loved, is NEVER easy
Lucas Green is eighteen and just went through the tragic loss of his brother. They must have been close in age because they played high school basketball together. I could never image losing my twin sister or brother at this age, but it could happen..today, tomorrow, or fifty years from now (or if I'm lucky I could die before they do..LOL). Lucas takes his anger out at Michael the most because Michael plays Chase's position on the basketball team and starts dating Chase's girlfriend. At the end, Michael tells Lucas that he'll never give up on him..and that proves true. The movie ends and then their are pictures that tell of a wonderful friendship between the two. 

I ABSOLUTELY recommend watching this film. I have never felt so touched by a movie even though I didn't shed any tears. I think it reminded me of some great lessons, that I'll never forget. It's an unforgettable and powerful film!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

An Act of Courage...for Christ!

Courage..it can tear your life apart and build you up, all at the same time. I never knew what it meant to have courage, until I read "The Pastor's Wife" by Sabrina Wumbrand. Twelve years ago she passed away, but her story still lives on and is very inspiring. There is one specific story that I will always remember:
     Her and her husband, Richard, agreed to go to the parliament building (where there was a meeting called the Congress of Cults) to speak out against the Romanian government who wanted to make it a "religiously free" country.  4,000 people of all different religions watched as ministers, rabbis, pastors, and priests came up to speak. Most of them shared how happy they were that the church was coming under one roof. Some shared how scared they were, but then would end up agreeing, with sayings of flattery. 
                  "It was if they spat in Christ's face. I could feel that Richard was boiling. 
                   So, I told him what was already in his heart and said, "Will you not wash
                   this shame from the face of Christ?" Richard knew what would happen:
                   "If I speak , you will lose a husband." 
She replied to that, "I don't need a coward for a husband." Silence fell upon the crowd as he stood to speak and as he spoke the whole atmosphere changed. The audience began to applaud and soon the Minister of Cults cut the wires for that microphone. But the applauding continued for many minutes and during that time Richard and Sabina were able to exist from the building. They had feared arrest after the meeting, but God had his hand on them. Instead of arrest, they had crowds gather in the streets for quick, but moving street meetings. 


I highly recommend reading this book, along with Richard Wumbrands book: "Tortured for Christ."