Dear Lord; Happy Monday Father!
Thank You Father, for yet another lovely weekend! Shannon and I were able to get out with some friends for a “date night” Friday evening, and on Saturday a friend of Jonathan’s from Kay’s Kamp came for a visit. He hadn’t seen Matthew since Kamp last summer, so it was a wonderful reunion and the kids had an absolute blast. As for me, with Shannon focused on her schoolwork I got to spend lots of time in the kitchen (the kids really enjoyed making fried wontons), got some housework accomplished and still had “down time” to spend on Sunday watching movies and playing with the kids. All in all, a busy but very satisfying couple of days.
One of the movies I watched on Sunday afternoon was an old favorite of mine (I actually have it on Laserdisc). It’s a 1992 film called “Leap of Fath” which starred Steve Martin as a con-man Christian preacher and faith healer named Jonas Nightengale who travels across the country hosting revivals and performing “miracles” for the crowd. On his way to Topeka, one of the trucks breaks down and strands the troupe in a depressed farming town called Rustwater. Jonas decides to do their show in the small town while waiting for the truck to be repaired, and is quickly met with resistance from the local sheriff (played by Liam Neeson) who seeks to expose him for the charlatan that he is. Jonas’ perspective however, soon changes when a local handicapped boy begins to make him examine his faith in a different light.
This is one of those films I can watch again and again, and yet gain something new from it each time Lord. It highlights some of the depths that in our brokenness we can sink to, and yet also delivers a powerful reminder of Your capacity for love and the spiritual transformation that can only come when we actively seek You. Watching this time, the thing that struck me the most was the look on Jonas’ face when he witnesses an actual miracle of healing during one of his shows. From the chasm of his self-centeredness and disbelief, he’s forced to see past himself and realizes that he’s truly not in control of things.
Mr. Martin does an amazing job portraying the character in this scene. The look of awe on his face at that moment describes quite eloquently the feeling I get when I spend time in Your Presence. 🙂
Heavenly Father, thank You once again for a rejuvenating weekend. It always refreshes me to find Your Messages to us in so many varied ways and places. You truly are the God of “Miracles and Wonders”. Amen.
~Phather Phil
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
Great picture of the boys. Sounds like you had a good weekend. I have seen that movie once. We could all exercise our faith like the boy in the clip. I know I want to.
Thank you Jenifer! They had a great time, and it gave me a wonderful opportunity to do some fun cooking! As for the movie, it’s a wonderful reminder to me that we’re surrounded by miracles every day, and that we just need to keep our eyes on Him for the true answers.
Have a Blessed Day!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen that movie! What a great scene though… I need to see the rest! I’m glad you had a good weekend have a blessed week too!
Heidi, it’s a wonderful and inspiring film (and the music alone is worth the price of admission). I highly recommend it!
Have a Blessed Day!
Great post. I love that God isn’t offended by people’s cynicism, doubt our unbelief. He just shows up anyway. I’m following your blog on Networked Blogs now. If you have time you can check out my blog:
http:\\newsongsofpraise.blogspot.com
Thank you David, and welcome! I read and enjoyed your blog last night, and am following you as well.
Have a Blessed Day!
Sounds like you had a full weekend. Glad you were able to relax a little. I’ve seen that movie a couple of times. Love how God speaks to us in different ways.
Thank you Lisa, yes I did. It was a bit hectic, but thankfully I was able to rest and recuperate a bit on Sunday afternoon. God actually had quite a bit to say to me this weekend, so it was wonderful to get that communal time.
Have a Blessed Day!
Glad you all had such a wonderful time as a family doing things together.
Thank you Desiray! Family time is such an amazing Blessing!
Have a Blessed Day!
Good reminder we are not in charge of things at all! I remember that movie and hate to confess I even remember Laserdisc! LOL
glad you were blessed with a great weekend – May this week be full of blessing for you too.
That is hard to remember sometimes, isn’t it Jean?! I actually have quite a laserdisc collection, and still watch some of them now and again… lol
Thank you, and have a Blessed Day!
oh I remember that movie! Gotta see if I can find a copy so we can watch it again.
Love the photo of your boys. And glad to hear that you had a great weekend!
joy & blessings,
Alida
It’s one of those movies I keep coming back to Alida, and gain something new from each time I watch it. And thank you! The two on the left are mine, and the boy on the right is Jonathan’s friend from Kay’s Kamp.
Have a Blessed Day Dear Lady! Have fun with your painting!
mmm…fried wontons!!
I have never seen this Steve Martin movie! I will need to add it to my netflix queue. Looks good!
I really like them too Eileen… We made several filling options (Szechwan Chicken, Sesame Teryiaki Steak, steamed broccoli, etc.) and let the kids put them together. It was load of fun, and tasted great as well!
In my opinion, it’s the best film he’s done… I highly recommend it. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!