I just watched Facing The Giants! It's such a wonderful, touching and God-inspiring movie! One of the best Christian movies I had watched! It is totally awesome! I teared at several scenes. Well, there are miracles happening in the show. And some may argue that it's just a show; it may not happen in real life. But what touches me from this movie is not that there is a happy ending at the end, but how real the movie is--portraying the fears in us, the struggles we face, God's promises and His wonderful hand that can and is at work right now.

I like this short story that Mr Bridges was telling the coach:
"Grant (Coach's name), I heard a story of two farmers who desperately needed rain. And both of them prayed for rain, but only one of them went out to prepare his fields to receive it. Which one do you think trusted God to send the rain?"
"The one who prepared his fields for it."
"Which one are you?"
"God will send the rain when He's ready. You need to prepare your field to receive it"

This story reminds me that faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:26) Yes. Prayer is the way to turn to. And faith is involved in prayer. But acting upon that faith, preparing yourself (or whatever it is) and doing your part while praying is what goes "wow!". Playing your role, doing your part, co-operating with God is what God requires of us. Indeed, what is prayer without belief? What is faith without action?

Here are some conversations that I would like to write and take note of. Look at how real the struggles and fears are portrayed!

David's dad talking to David:
"Why not kick for the football team?"
"They've already got a good kicker...Dad, I'm too small. I really just don't feel like getting killed."
"Are you saying you're not interested? Or you would like to try out but you're afraid?...David, you can't be afraid of failure. Everyone fails at some point."

I feel this fear is so true and real. Indeed, at times, I really feel small and inadequate. I'm willing to venture, interested, but just afraid. Afraid of falling and implicating everyone. Yeah. Everyone fails at some point. The impt thing is to get up and stand up again.

David's dad talking to David after a failed football game:
"At the end of the game, I'm kinda glad I didn't play. That way, I can't mess up."
"That's fear, son."
"I just don't want to embarrass the team."
"David, I've asked God since you were a baby that he would show how strong he is in your life. And that through you, people will see how good he is."
"Then why would he make me so small and weak?"
"To show how mighty he is."

How wonderful is the father! Such a great father who prays for his kid since young! Great! A role model to follow. "When I am weak, then he is strong". Amen!

Coach after reading Psalms 18:1-3
"Lord Jesus would you help me? I need you. There are giants of fears just staring down at me, waiting to crush me. And I don't know how to beat them, Lord. I'm tired of being afraid. Lord, if you want me to do something else, show me...You're my guide. You're on the throne. You can have my hopes and my dreams."

May this echo the prayer of my heart too.

Coach to wife:
"If the Lord doesn't give us children, will you still love him?"

It sure isn't easy to still love God in spite of the downs we face. When I saw this scene, I teared because haing own kids are the next nearest thing in my heart. Can empathise with the wife. Still having faith in God and trusting Him that He has the best plan. And above all, to bind these with love for Him aren't easy. It takes time and conviction to say it from the heart. But may the answer forever be "yes, I will". Keep me strong in the faith.

David's dad talking to David after a football game where David failed to score a field goal:
"Dad, I don't even know why they let me on the team...I knew I was gonna miss it before I kicked it."
"Your actions will always follow your belief."

Quite an interesting quote at the end...your actions will always follow your belief. Whatever we do stems from our values and convictions.

Mr Bridges talking to Coach Taylor before the farmer story begins:
"Coach Taylor, the Lord is not through with you yet. You still have an open door here. And until the Lord moves you, you're to bloom right where you're planted."
"But I've also been praying. But I don't see him (God) at work here."

Amen! Until the Lord calls me somewhere, I'm to shine for Him where-ever it is! Fulfil the purpose God has called me to ministry, to church, to NTU, to the course, to my frens, to my hall etc. Yeah. And it takes alot of sensitivity and faith and prayer on Mr Bridges to be used by God to read Rev 3 and speak to the coach like this. May I be sensitive like Mr Bridges and bless others.

Coach to team on the football philosophy:
"The more I read this book (Bible), the more I realised life's not about us. We're not here to get glory, make money and die. The Bible says that God puts us here for him, to honour him. Jesus said the most important thing you could do in your life is to love God with everything you are and love others as yourself. So if we win every game and we miss that, then we've done nothing...I think that football is one of the tools we use to honour God." "So you think God does care about football."
"I think he cares about your faith. He cares about where your heart is. If you can live your heart on the football field, then, yes, God cares about football because he cares about you...I want God to bless this team so much that people talk about it. But it means we gotta give our best in every area. And if we win, we praise him. And if we lose, we praise him. Either way, we honour him with our actions and our attitudes. So I'm asking you, what are you living for? I've resolved to give God everything I've got and then I'll leave the results to him. I wanna know if you'll join me."

What an amazing and motivating coach! Though not all the team players are Christians, he dared to stand up and speak about his faith! And motivate them and change their perspective. WOW! And I pray that God will use me as instrument too--bold and courageous and sensitive. Honour God! May He be honoured in everuthing I say and do and where-ever I am.

Coach at the field:
"Your attitude is like the aroma of your heart."

Coach talking to team about a miracle:
"I want you to know that I serve a big God and he can do whatever he wants to do. He can open what he wants to open and shut what he wants to. A team that plays for his honour and glory will have his blessings."

Amen! God's promise for all!

Coach on the state championship field praying:
"Alright God. You got us here. Whatever happens, may you get the glory."

Coach Taylor's previous Coach talking to him:
"Well, in God's word, he said 365 different times, 'Do not fear.' If he says that many times, you know he's serious about it, don't you?"

Really? So many times? That's one "do not fear" for each day! Haha. Sweet! Why can I have such strong assurance not to be afraid? Because there is a God that is bigger than my problems and situations! He's the one who is sovereign and can work miracles and do things in the best interest! And I believe in Him!

Coach talking to team before the BIG game:
"I wanna say two things. Number one. I love you and I'm proud of you...Secondly, you're about to play the biggest team you've ever faced. They're strong, fast and But I want you to remember where God has brought us. I want you to remember how hard you've worked...So if anything in you that says this is a losing effort, throw it out. Because as I stand here, I believe that as long as we honour God, nothing is impossible. Nothing. Leave everything out on the field. Give your best to God."

Indeed, remembering the goodness He has given us in the past will push us to look forward with confidence to the situation we are facing.

Coach talking to David then being questioned why David is chosen to kick the ball:
"David, I need a 51-yard field goal."
"Coach I can't kick that far...the furthest I've kicked is 39 yards. There is no way I can kick a 51-yard field goal"
"I believe you can. Do the best you can. Leave the results to God...I'm preparing for rain"

At times, I do feel inadequate. Unprepared and untrained. Lord, please guide me, help me and take control of me. For it's only through you. Not by human efforts but yours. Lord, I want to have the faith with deeds to perpare for rain.

Coach confronting David before the field goal kick:
"David, come here. You're telling yourself you're gonna miss this kick"
"Coach, it's too far."
"Listen to me. Do you think God could help you make this kick?"
"Yeah, if he wants to."
"So do I. Give me your best and leave the rest up to him. Will you do that for me?...Make this field goal or not, we'll praise him. But don't you walk off that field having done any less than your best."

Like the last quote. "don't you walk off that field having done any less than your best". How many times have I not given my best? How many times have I quit before I give it all? Give your best and all you got in the coming semester and in the new ministry, Sharon.

Coach talking to David and team after the victory:
"Don't you ever let anyone tell you that you're under par, second rate or inferior. I just watched God do a miracle through you...Now you tell me what's impossible with God?...God can do whatever he wants to do, however he wants to do it. And he chooses to work in our lives because he loves us, because he's good. Hope today's a milestone for what he can do for the rest of your life, if you trust him."

AMEN! Nothing is impossible with God! Hallelujah!

Like the part where the other coach talks about the wide and narrow gate to tell David to kick a good field goal. Funny but relevant. Then Coach Taylor talks about Nehemiah asking the people to rebuild the wall. Each one played their part and build the wall that is in front of their houses. Then it linked to building up a stone wall as a defence in the game.

Well, good movie. Thank God for such a great movie! Hope it'll continue to bless others just as how it had blessed me. And used me to use this movie to bless others!

The song: With You

You have been so good to me
How can I find the words to thank You?
Healer of broken hearts and broken dreams
Lord, I will never cease to praise You

With You, all things are possible
Like an eagle I can soar
With You the giants fall
They rise no more
With You I overcome when fear and faith collide
There’s nothing I can’t do
Anything is possible with You

I am constantly amazed
You are a God forever faithful.
As I look back on my history of grace,
how could I be anything but grateful?

No mountain is too high, there’s no valley that’s too deep
You’re calling me to walk by faith so I will take a
Leap...take a
Leap

Anything, anything is possible with You
With You
It’s possible with You