Teams
– It Takes Two or More
Now
Think On This
Steve
Martin
“In the Antioch congregation were
prophets and teachers — Bar-Nabba, Shim‘on (known as “the Black”), Lucius (from
Cyrene), Menachem (who had been brought up with Herod the governor) and Sha’ul.
One time when they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Ruach HaKodesh
said to them, “Set aside for me Bar-Nabba and Sha’ul for the work to which I
have called them.” After fasting and praying, they placed their hands on them
and sent them off. So these two, after they had been sent out by the Ruach HaKodesh,
went down to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus.” Acts 13:1-4 CJB
Movies
get our attention as much or more than any other image we may see. They can
convey a message and impart a vision like no other media.
I
like movies. I like to sit in the theatre, watching the big screen, being captivated
by the action and emotion for that hour and a half, and then think about it
later, reliving some of that which I experienced.
Movies
have impact on people. That is why so many of us go to them, or watch on TV and
on our iPads if we have one. They get us “out of here” and take us to a place
we may not have been before, or will never get to go to in this life.
Sports
can have that same emotional and lasting impact in our situations. We have our
favorite players and teams, whom we give ourselves to, sometimes with our whole
hearts. Growing up for me it was the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball team
that I cheered on. For my good wife Laurie, well, it was the Chicago Cubs. (I
will just leave it at that and continue to write on.)
When
you combine a good human life story with a sports theme, you really can have an
impact on people, producing an inspiring movie. I will always remember the
heart moving film Rudy, about the
Notre Dame Fighting Irish college football player, getting his one moment to
have his lifetime dream fulfilled. Both my Dad and I, and later my two sons, could
relate to much of what Daniel
Eugene "Rudy" Ruettiger grew up with, and desired.
Ruettiger's story was told in that 1993 film, which starred
actor Sean Astin in
the title role as Rudy. The film was written by Angelo Pizzo, directed by David Anspaugh and
produced by Rob Fried, both of whom were involved in Hoosiers.
Ruettiger appeared in a cameo as a fan behind Rudy's
father and brother during the final scene. Dad and I later met Rudy a few years
before Dad died of lymphoma cancer in July, 2000. It had been a real desire of
his to do so.
Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger – 1975 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Most sports we cheer on are of teams, where two or more
players, whether men or women, combine their skills, work together after much
practice time, and compete against another team for the joy of winning and the
winning prize. They can achieve something that those going at it alone will not.
They accomplish victory together. If they have tried doing it by themselves, it
would not have been possible to get it done. Two or more contending for the
same goal indeed are better than one. Teammates get it done.
In these last days, as He did in the first century, I believe
the Lord is forming teams to accomplish His end time purposes. He is not
wanting one man or one woman going at it alone, knowing they will fall and
fail. We have been created to live and work together as a team, on a team. Something
more, something greater happens when we do so, rather than going at it alone.
Rudy
could not have had that moment of glory out there on the football field
battling against the opposing group of 11 players by himself. Because his
teammates were there and did their individual parts, he was able to fulfill his
dream, resulting in that dramatic action that made a good movie, and touched
lives for so many more years.
I
want to impact this world with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to
give myself to accomplishing the dreams He has placed in my heart, as part of
His eternal plan and purpose in the nations. I know you do too.
The
Lord is putting together His teams to get the job done. He is connecting bone
to bone, joints and ligaments, which will provide the means and support to move,
to go, whereby we will get the job done. As my wife and I connect with a team,
our gifts given to us to serve others with will be joined with those having their
gifts, which together as a team will change lives forever in the nations.
May
your heart’s purpose be to connect, to find those you are to team with, and as
one fulfill the calling you and those you walk with will have in His wide
Kingdom realm. Be a team player.
Now
think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People. Inc.
Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization
started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.
If these messages minister to you, please consider sending
a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless
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Pineville, NC 28134
Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)
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Now Think On This #142 “Teams – It Takes Two or More” by
Steve Martin
Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (04.16.14) Wednesday at 5:30
am in Charlotte, NC.
All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on
this Blog, and on our newest website: Now Think On This
