Good morning, The Bible Recap Reading: Joshua 12 - 15) The Bible Recap Podcast Day 85 Pureflix - if you are desiring Entertainment Good for the Soul, a Pureflix subscription is an awesome choice. Last night, I was able to finish the Karen Kingsbury" production of "A Thousand Tomorrows". Sad, but uplifting story as most of Karen's books are. Then, I found my way to a movie called "Woodlawn" which was an earlier release from The Erwin Brothers (Jesus Revolution) set in the early 70's in Birmingham, Alabama. I apologize if you visited the other site and read through this already THERE... but, this is really a more appropriate candidate for this site. Amazing story. Woodlawn High School, Birmingham Alabama in 1972 is on the verge of needing to be shut down due to racial tensions. The football coach, Coach Geralds (Nic Bishop), struggling with fights breaking out against his black players and feeling frustrated to know what to do to stop the violence. In fact, the problem was school wide. Enter Hank Erwin (played by Sean Astin), a traveling Chaplain (directly affected by the Jesus Movement after having attended Explo 72 in Dallas, TX) who asked permission to give a short inspirational chat to the team in an effort to help. Two hours later, the entire team had embraced faith and learned to accept each other despite their differences. This unified the team in an incredible way. Which in turn affected Coach Geralds, the entire school, their rival team (Banks High School) and their coach (played by C Thomas Howell), and their community and brought forth a spiritual awakening very much like what was happening in California at the same time. Tony Nathan (played by Caleb Castille) was one of Woodlawn's black players who was an incredible talent (some avid football fans might recall his name as he did go on to play college football for Alabama and then played in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins so in some ways this is HIS story). Now, with a team ready to accept him, he became the star, much to the angst of some of the parents and the coach of their rival Banks, who had an incredible quarterback of their own (Jeff Rutledge (played by Richard Kohnke - also a former Alabama player who spent some time in the NFL as well). The greatness of young Tony Nathan gets the attention of the Alabama Coach (the famous Paul "Bear" Bryant) who is played by Jon Voight - always fun to see him. Don't wish to give all the story away, but suffice it to say, it is an incredible one and one I am happy I took the time to watch. It is not your average inspirational high school football story. Notable events of this "based on a true story" story: An entire public school breaks out into a full weekend prayer meeting getting the school board all up in arms. A high school football game between Woodlawn and Rival Banks had so many people show up to watch, they had to turn 20,000 people away. The two coaches and the two teams want to say the Lord's prayer before the start of the game. A disgruntled official turns off the sound system to put a stop to it, but the teams and the crowd in the stands continue the recitation anyway. "This is what happens when GOD shows up"... Hank Erwin If you ever get a chance to see this wonderful movie, do. It's a highly inspirational one! Oh... and btw... Woodlawn High School is still open today. Okay, heading up the mountain today to visit daughters' college. Hope you all have a blessed day!
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July 2024
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