G R E A T E R



 

Is GREATER a must-see movie?
Yes!


Told he wasn't good enough to play Division I football, Brandon Burlsworth took a risk and walked on in 1994, and he became the most respected player in the history of the program.


My daughter Trisha recommended to me "GREATER" as a must see movie. She mentioned it a number of times...
I recently rented it and watched it by myself...

MY CONCLUSION:

IT IS DEFINITELY A MUST SEE MOVIE.!!!


Why?

A couple days ago Tudi and I were with 3 other couples (we all go to the same church and are close friends). We encouraged them to watch GREATER with us...they did! (We all saw it at Louis and Nancy's place in Florida...another highlight was seeing the Clemson vs Alabama at their place too)

Here are some of their comments re GREATER:

"If you struggle with James 1:2-- 'Count it all joy...', this movie will help you better understand that scripture."
Mo

"Brandon Burlsworth lived the scripture, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Darryl

"He retained a Godly perspective in all that he did; in his relationships,  in academics, and in football, not always seeing the results right away, but he remained steadfast, hanging on to the Word of God even when others put him down. He was faithful and the Lord Jesus did not 
disappoint him"
Tudi




The message of "GREATER" can inspire us :

...to never give up on our dreams until God closes the door (not others) 

...to not be defeated by parents who let you down

...to not be defeated by our weight

...to live with conviction

...to fellowship and have Bible study with others

...to respect your parents

...to be humble in success

...to leave a legacy of a God fearing man with a desire to help others



Film Description:

Brandon Burlsworth is perhaps the greatest walk-on
in the history of college football. Brandon had always dreamed of playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks, but was considered too short and too fat to play Division I for Arkansas. Undeterred, Brandon took a big risk and walked on in 1994.
Written off by fellow teammates and  some coaches, Brandon displayed dogged determination in the face of staggering odds.
 An extremely devoted Christian, Brandon never cursed or drank. He was genuinely humble and low-key. He worked harder than anybody, on and off the field, becoming the first Razorback to earn a Bachelor's "and" Master's degree while still playing. The overly-fat kid who was once an embarrassment to his teammates and an annoyance to some of his coaches, ended up becoming the most respected player in the history of the program, changing the lives of all he touched.



"GREATER" and WITNESSING


It is such a common question:
"HAVE YOU SEEN ANY GOOD MOVIES LATELY?"

HERE is a great answer:

"YES...I saw a very good movie recently...GREATER!"


Then BOLDLY, COMPELLED BY LOVE...tell someone
why you liked the movie based upon some of the insights previously listed
 
 
 
HERE'S A PROBING QUESTION:
 
 
Do we have the positive personal qualities of Brandon Burlsworth?
 
He would be described as a very ordinary young boy who amazed everyone by his achievements in high school and college...and ongoing 
(please see the movie to understand "ongoing")
 
Brandon overcame:
 
*His overweight condition
*Ridicule by his teammates
*Having an alcoholic father
*Weakness, poor coordination, a lousy diet, and laziness
 
WOW!
 
 
CAN WE APPLY SOME OF THOSE SAME 
CONDITIONS/WEAKNESSES TO OUR WITNESSING?
 
*Our "weight problem": H eavy fellowship but very little reaching out

*Fear of being singled out and ridiculed for our faith

*Drugs and alcohol hindering our witness

*Weak spiritual health: Our spiritual health can be strengthened through 
determination and application of the Word 
to our daily walk and opportunities with other people






PLEASE MEDITATE ON AND APPLY 
THESE VERSES TO YOUR DAILY LIFE...

"Ordinary" is most often what God prefers people to be...
this should give us great hope as we desire to WITNESS 
more effectively of our faith in Jesus Christ

PETER SAID- Acts 4:12-13 

"'Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.' When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."

Boldness, clarity, and courage were the attributes attributed to "ordinary" PETER and JOHN...why not boldness, clarity and courage for us "ordinary" people too?

Ted Sprague


P.S.
 
AN EVENTFUL EVENING
 
Last Tuesday night 4 couples went to a very good Italian restaurant coordinated by Gary and Marsha...including Louis and Nancy, Darryl and Marty plus Tudi and me (John and Mo had to leave earlier) 

During the dinner I observed the excellent teamwork of the manager( Fidel) and waiter( Aaron), who I found out were on  the well known restaurant staff for a number of years. Near the end of our meal I gave  a wristband to Fidel and Aaron 
and also shared my short testimony guided by the inscription ..."I am a sinner, Jesus Christ is my Savior, John 3:16"...  it was a small but very meaningful gift in thanks for our very good service...they both were very sincere in their thanks and seemed moved by the witness and they both immediately put on the wristbands


Also a man and his party who had just finished dinner walked by and caught my eye. He was well spoken and outgoing and as we talked we discovered he was a close friend of VP elect Mike Pence. I shared my testimony and a wristband. He left but returned after a few minutes and gave me a book he had written... we all had delightful interaction

...this enjoyable dining experience and powerful evening and conversations were started through the qualities listed in Acts 4:12-13...Peter proclaimed Jesus in 
boldness, clarity and with courage...people were astonished

Bottom Line: 
It was an "ASTONISHING" evening enjoyed by all