After 48 music, movie and television award nominations and four Grammy Award wins, one might think that celebrity Michael Bublé has little to be humble about. But the 43-year-old mega-talent appears to have kept his pride in check through faith and a dose of God’s glory.
During a recent appearance on an episode of Carpool Karaoke, host James Cordon broke with the common lighthearted theme of the show and asked Bublé a serious question. Cordon wanted to know how Bublé and his family have managed after his eldest son was diagnosed with cancer.
“We got the diagnosis and that was it, man, my life ended. Basically, they just said that it wasn’t great. And so, we took it day by day,” Bublé said. “We all moved, and we lived at (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles), and we just had the best doctors and, God, thank you, Jesus Christ, God.”
The star’s son, Noah, was diagnosed in 2016. Although shaken at the time, Bublé took to social media to share his family’s challenge, ask for prayers and explain why he would be absent to his millions of fans.
“We are devastated about the recent cancer diagnosis of our oldest son Noah who is currently undergoing treatment in the US. We have always been very vocal about the importance of family and the love we have for our children,” Bublé posted on Facebook. “Luisana and I have put our careers on hold in order to devote all our time and attention to helping Noah get well. At this difficult time, we ask only for your prayers and respect for our privacy. We have a long journey in front of us and hope that with the support of family, friends, and fans around the world, we will win this battle, God willing.”
It took a two-year battle, but 5-year-old Noah’s cancer was forced into remission thanks to fine doctors, family love and prayer.
Eagles Redefining Christian Faith in Pro-Football
When the upstart Philadelphia Eagles won last year’s Super Bowl that was something of a sports miracle. Rookie quarterback Carson Wentz started the team off to an amazing winning streak. But after getting injured, the team turned to journeyman backup Nick Foles to take them the rest of the way.
Although sports stories are best when underdogs overcome the odds and dethrone a team like the Tom Brady-led New England Patriots, it was more a case of Christian fellowship than anything. Wentz had used his platform to spread the Gospel and worked with other devout Christians to form a bond through Jesus. Bible studies were as big a part of the championship run as practice for the Eagles.
“On every Monday night, we have a couples’ Bible study. We have a Thursday night team Bible study,” Wentz reportedly said. “On Saturday nights, we just get together before the game and just kind of pray, talk through the Word of what guys have been reading, what they are struggling with, and just kind of keep it real with each other. To have that here in an NFL facility like this, it is really special.”
This year, the team welcomed star wide receiver Golden Tate into their flock. Another devout Christian, Tate was quickly embraced by his teammates, and his wife and children accepted an offer to attend church with Wentz and his family. Tate, who was busy learning the new playbook, joins a team that has redefined faith in professional football.
Tiny Homes: Doing God’s Work for Veterans
Too many American soldiers have returned from war suffering health and emotional disorders. Veterans dealing with depression and PTSD struggle to stay afloat stateside. But one combat-wounded soldier has put his training and determination to work making a difference.
US Army Corporal Chris Stout was forced to medically retire from the War on Terror in 2005 and suffers PTSD himself. After returning home, he helped create the Veterans Community Project with other young former military personnel to connect struggling vets with services.
“We are the place that says ‘yes’ first and figures everything else out later,” Stout reportedly said. “We serve anybody who’s ever raised their hand to defend our Constitution.”
While connecting veterans with appropriate services makes up the bulk of the organization’s good works, they have a headline-grabbing aspect as well. They build so-called “tiny houses” for veterans in need. The organization has already constructed dozens of 240-square-foot homes in a Veterans Village.
The group’s website reportedly says the tiny homes “provide the Veteran with privacy, a sense of security, and the ability to reintegrate at a comfortable pace.”
Stout says, “Tiny houses are the sexy piece.” But however you slice it, Stout and his comrades are doing God’s work for those who sacrificed for our freedom.
