I Can Only Imagine

Good morning,

I watched a movie over the weekend titled, I Can Only Imagine. Wow, I had no idea it was a Christian movie. It was about the awful childhood the writer of the song, Bart Millard, went through at the hands of his abusive father.

The actor who played the father was Dennis Quaid. Funny thing is, I saw Dennis in Colorado at the Ritz Carlton one day last winter when he was trying to get into the Bachelor Gulch club.  The door was not opening. I tried to help him by waving him back, talking, and laughing through the glass that opening this door should not be this hard. We finally got the electronic door to work and spent a minute shaking our head and laughing. I remember thinking I had always thought he looked a lot like my husband, Steve. Handsome and healthy. But, he looked really skinny, old, and haggard looking, hardly recognizable. When I watched the movie I thought back to our encounter and realized he had just played a monster father who gets pancreatic cancer and dies. No wonder he looked awful in Colorado.

Back to the movie! It shows how God can change anyone. Short summary: The Son found Christ at about 10 years old by going to a Christian camp. He loves to sing and after high school goes on the road to pursue a music career in the Christian genre. The father in the movie reluctantly starts to listen to his son on the radio and starts to listen to preaching that would come on after music. He becomes a Christ follower and completely changes, the son reconciles, and stays with him until his death. It is after his death he writes the song for his father.

Only Christ can change us! Only Christ can make a way through the Holy Spirit to provide love, joy, peace, patience, forgiveness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. You see the provision for an awesome life is provided; our part is to say no to the voice in us that wants to hate and have the spirit in us choose love. Our part is to say no to the voice in us to want unhappiness and have the spirit in us choose joy. Our part is to say no to the voice in us to want worry, anxiety, and upset and have the spirit in us choose patience and prayer. Our part is to say no to the voice in us that wants harshness and violence and choose patience with people and situations. Our part is to read and know what God tells us to do in situations and have the spirit in us provide the faith because we know the facts of God, which provide faith. Our part is to say no to the voice in us that indulges in any habits or activities that seem fun at first, but make us slaves in such a short time. Our part is to have the spirit in us provide self-control.

Bart wrote the song because of a transformed father who now knew Christ and that he deeply loved and knew he would see again in heaven! We have a God who is so good and nothing is impossible with God, even a son forgiving such a monster from childhood.

Love you, Teri

Below is the song that he wrote after his father died!

I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by Your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When Your face is before me
I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel
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
I can only imagine

I can only imagine when that day comes
And I find myself standing in the Son
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship You
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine