I didn’t like Michael Irvin much when he was a brash football player for the Dallas Cowboys. I thought he was cocky, pompous, and selfish. However, my perception of him has changed drastically beginning with this incredible speech during his Hall of Fame induction in Canton, OH. I could hardly believe this was the same man. See how faith in Christ transformed this arrogant receiver into a humble father in this 29 minute speech:
Dick Hoyt Isn’t Just Another Ironman… He Deserves to be in a Hall-of-Fame-for-Fathers
Anyone who completes an Ironman competition is worthy of respect, but this is one of those stories that I’ll never forget. When I first saw it, I didn’t think it was physically possible for this man to accomplish such feats with his son, Rick. What makes this story so incredible is not just the sheer determination to endure the grueling test of an Ironman race, but it’s the motivation that I find so compelling. Dick Hoyt could have been content to compete in relatively short races; however, he chose to try a much more strenuous test. I’m not sure I could match the physical endeavors of that father, but his selfless sacrifices for his son have motivated me to “go the extra mile” with my daughter… be a little more patient… and be willing to give more of myself. That’s why I chose to feature this inspirational father-son relationship. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a 10 minute video with a higher approval rating anywhere on YouTube with as many views.
After Winning Gold in the Olympics, Gymnast Dominique Moceanu Discovers She Has an Older Sister
This is undoubtedly one of the most incredible videos I’ve ever seen. Dominique Moceanu’s life changed dramatically after the 1996 Summer Olympics, but not just because she won a gold medal as part of the women’s gymnastic team. She discovered she had an unknown sister that was given up for adoption after birth. However, that’s just the beginning of her unbelievable revelation. The details reveal a stark contrast between a home filled with love — and one filled with ambition. Dominique Moceanu’s story definitely qualifies as an exceptional 8 minute video for faith and family:
If you want to learn more about how Dominique dealt with some of the emotional trauma and forgiveness, click here for an Interview with Christianity Today.
Adopted Child (Jessica Long) Reunited with Her Birth Mom in Russia
Jessica Long was one of the features vignettes during the Olympics. It’s a remarkable story about an adopted child reuniting with her Russian family after many years. Jessica was born in Russia, but she was adopted by an American family. She grew up to become one of the most successful paralympic athletes of all time. One year, she had the opportunity to meet her birth mom. My takeaway is that life can be difficult at times — but God is able to take difficult circumstances and produce something positive — if we do things His way. Note: the first 30 seconds are in Russian, but the remainder of the 25 minute video is all in English: