A dear friend of mine, Jimmie Guyman, an American basketball player many regard as the best to play in the UK recommended two films (he calls them movies) for me to watch. The first was “Redeeming Love” made in 2022 which is based on Francine Rivers’ 1991 novel of the same name, The story is based on the Biblical story of Hosea, and is set in the American Old West during the California Gold Rush. It stars Abigail Cowen, Tom Lewis and Logan Marshall-Green.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Redeeming Love” but was less keen on the start of Jimmie’s second recommendation “I Can Only Imagine”. However, I went back to it and was so very pleased that I did. I had not realised that the song by band “Mercy Me” had, as of March 2018, sold 2.5 million copies, making it the best-selling Christian single of all time.
As you may know I am a huge fan of “Les Misérables” and was, therefore especially interested to find that the actor who plays Bart Millard, the composer and singer of “I Can Only Imagine”, is J. Michael Finley who was discovered for the role while playing understudy to Jean Valjean on Broadway.
Some words of the song I found particularly inspiring.

Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?1
Will I dance for You Jesus
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees, will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine.

Quote of the week