On September 15, 2012, I posted a blog entitled "Feet of Clay" about a sermon that I had written in which Lance Armstrong was used as an example of a "Miraculous Turn Around." At that time, it had not been proven to my satisfaction, that Lance Armstrong had actually cheated in winning his many cycling titles. It now seems certain that he was indeed guilty of cheating by using performance enhancing drugs. This is very disappointing. Lance Armstrong could have served as a shining example of how through hard work and perseverance one can rise above seemingly insurmountable adversity.
With the Lance Armstrong story being in the headlines all over the world, I had two choices. I could delete the sermon from the web site, or I could rewrite the sermon. I chose the second option. For several days I searched my memory and scoured the web in an attempt to come up with an idea. I just couldn't seem to find the right story to serve as an example of a miraculous turn around. Then I stumbled onto the web site of Bethany Hamilton. I was familiar with her story and had even seen the movie "Soul Surfer." It was the answer for which I had been searching.
If you are not familiar with the Bethany Hamilton story, I encourage you to visit her web site and I also recommend that you watch the movie "Soul Surfer." It is available on Netflix and probably any other source for video sales and rentals. While on her web site, don't miss the "Connect with God" page where she expresses her own faith in God and puts forth the plan of salvation.
Later this year, I plan to use the sermon "A Miraculous Turn Around" as our Sermon of the Week. If you want to check it out now, be my guest.
