You Can Learn A Lot from a Movie~

Last evening, I watched a movie on television: The Emperor's Club.  It revolves around the career of a passionate, but very human, teacher.  A history teacher creates in his students a love for ancient history, delving into not only the events, but the men who impacted global thinking for generations.  Even more importantly, he teaches his students the importance of integrity, honesty, and acceptance. 

Perhaps the saddest moment in his life is the realization that even though he wants these life lessons ingrained in his students, he recognizes that one young man in particular chooses to disregard them and uses cheating and lying to gain prosperity and influence.  It forces him to remember a time when he, too, made a choice that was not ethical, but he faces his demon and makes things right with the young man he had offended.

Other movies have also tugged at my heart.  How many of you have see the movie with James Garner, The Ultimate Gift? This movie was so powerful that I arranged a showing of it to the students at the middle school where I taught at the time. Sometimes an amazing viewing opportunity arises and can change the life of the viewer.  Using pain, humor, passion, and more, the screenwriter imparts a wisdom that few can capture.  It is important for me to remember and to remind others of these very important gifts we have opportunity to receive and to pass on to our children and grandchildren.

The twelve gifts in the movie "The Ultimate Gift" were:

1) the gift of work (he must learn to work for his money)
2) the gift of money (he must learn to handle his money wisely)
3) the gift of love (he must learn to love unconditionally)
4) the gift of friends (he must find friends who accept him without his money)
5) the gift of laughter (he must learn to see the joys of life)
6) the gift of giving (must learn to be generous, especially with money)
7) the gift of family (he must spend time with family)
8) the gift of problems (he must learn to face and solve problems for himself)
9) the gift of learning (he must learn to learn, he doesn't know everything)
10) the gift of dreams (he must have dreams, dreams for his life)
11) the gift of gratitude (he must learn to be thankful for what he has)
12) the gift of a day (What would you do with your last day on Earth?)

As you can see from the list, what a wonderful reminder of the preciousness of this life God has given us.  See how you can apply these gifts to your life.  You will be "ultimately blessed!"