12 Jun, 2008
The hero returns!
Movie Review: INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL
Rated: PG-13
Run time: 2 hrs 4 mins
Theatrical Release: May 22, 2008 Wide
Synopsis: When we last saw Indiana Jones on screen, it was 1938, and the world stood on the brink of war as Dr. Jones chased down evildoers to find the Holy Grail. Nineteen years later, he’s cracking his whip again, and many things have changed ... but some have remained the same. Again, the world is at a... When we last saw Indiana Jones on screen, it was 1938, and the world stood on the brink of war as Dr. Jones chased down evildoers to find the Holy Grail. Nineteen years later, he’s cracking his whip again, and many things have changed ... but some have remained the same. Again, the world is at a precipice, this time caused by the specter of nuclear annihilation, and Indy’s struggle is once again to ensure that a precious, mysterious object remains safe from those bent on destroying humanity. --© Paramount Pictures
Starring: Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen
photo & story courtesy rottentomatoes.com, 6/7/08
Hebrews 11:1
By Faith
11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:32-40
32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. (ESV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about the main quality of a Godly hero?
Hebrews 11 has often been called the Bible's "Hall Of Fame". The names listed have one quality in common - FAITH IN GOD! These heroes were not great in their own right, but only because they trusted the supernatural God to lead them and empower them!
Basically they were ordinary people doing extraordinary acts because their faith pointed to the Almighty God! Our world today is looking for heroes. It needs to see ordinary people letting God do something extraordinary through them.
If you have seen the new Indiana Jones movie or you go see it, you will notice that even heroes have a dark side.
It's the same way with us. We have a dark side because of the sin in our lives. But when we humble ourselves before our loving forgiving Father, He does the extraordinary through us even though we are ordinary.
If someone did a "review" of your life, would your faith get a "two thumbs up"?
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
According to Hebrews 11, it starts with faith. Within ourselves, we don't have what it takes. We must ask God to give us the faith we need to be able to believe Him for Who He is and what He wants to do in our lives and through our lives. You don't have to be a hero. Just let God do His thing in you. And you can apply God's Story by:
- Reading Hebrews 11:1-31 for more stories of God's "heroes".
- Praying every day for God to help you live by faith.
- Looking for a weekly opportunity to be a "hero" in someone's life by helping them in some way that seems very ordinary to you. Your faith in God may seem quite extraordinary to them!
Spend a couple of minutes in prayer.... Thank God for the stories of faith He has provided in His Word. Ask Him to use these examples to show you how to live by faith. Thank Him and praise Him for the extraordinary ways He has worked in your life. Let Him know that you're willing to honor Him by serving Him even in the "ordinary" details of life.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story and our story to others?
This whole 3Story way of living will become more and more natural for us as we consistently make ourselves available to our extraordinary God. He will lead us into opportunities to build relationships with people who need to know Jesus. Focus on knowing Jesus and you'll get to know their stories.
One idea would be for you to get some friends together to go see the new Indiana Jones movie and then hang out and talk about it.
Talk about the movie...do your own reviews...ask your friends why they think our culture likes heroes? Ask them if they have a hero? Talk about yours...if they seem interested in spiritual topics, talk about the heroes in God's Story in today's scripture...
- November 2008 [13]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [13]
- May 2008 [20]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [19]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [19]
- November 2007 [16]
- October 2007 [20]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [10]
- May 2007 [12]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [11]
- June 2006 [3]
