Best of Times with Paul McDonald and Britt Mooney
Coming up on the Men at the Movies podcast, we get you excited about football with Best of Times. We see two ways we frequently get trapped: we are either like Jack, constantly replaying our worst mistakes and identifying with them. Or we are like Reno, feeling like our best days are behind us, identified by a greatness we can no longer achieve. We find ourselves stuck, because living a broken life is easier than fixing it. But God can’t move a parked car, and won’t fill a net that we don’t cast. We’ve got to wake up, break out of our lethargy and follow where God leads. Join us as we discover God’s truth in this movie.
Quotes
A lot of men feel like it takes a lot of hard work to connect with the people in their life, so they don’t.
If we transform ourselves, we transform our families which transforms the communities. But we can’t start if we’re still broken.
God can’t move a parked car.
Living a broken life is easier than fixing it. But at some point a broken life becomes unlivable.
When we say that this is all we ever can be, we are limiting the freedom that God can bring.
No one has all that they need from the start.
The devil wants us in the lethargy.
God can’t fill a net that I don’t cast.
Themes
Character contrast between Jack and Reno
Jack: replaying his greatest mistake/regret, identified by a failure
Reno: feels like his best days are behind him, identified by past greatness he can no longer achieve
Both are dissatisfied with who they are, and the life they find themselves living. Feel stuck, and need to move towards something.
When we try to break out of something, we are going to face resistance. Part of the resistance is the message, “You don’t have what it takes.” But if you wait to have all that you need, you’ll never start.
Using action to move past the past.
Resources
“The Lord said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face?” - Joshua 7:10 (NIV)
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.” - Lamentations 3: 22-23 (NIV)“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” - Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)
Questions
How do you define what a “good week” looks like?
Is it worse to never have a glory moment, or to have a glory moment and fail? Explain.
What time do you consider your glory days?
Where do you feel stuck?
What action do you feel like God is asking you to do?
Describe the man your wife married. Describe the man she is married to today. What is the difference?
How does resistance appear in your life?
Where do you feel like giving up?
Where is Jesus asking you to cast your nets one more time?
Where do you need to wake up?
Where have you been getting by, living a broken life?
What are you doing in your life right now that excites you?
More info
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Edited and mixed by Grayson Foster
Logo and episode templates by Ian Johnston
Audio quotes performed by Britt Mooney, Paul McDonald, and Tim Willard, taken from Epic (written by John Eldredge) and Song of Albion (written by Stephen Lawhead).
Southerly Change performed by Zane Dickinson, used under license from Shutterstock.
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