SecondIron's Blog

Sharpening Iron to Live Second

23 Blast – Inspiring Us to See Differently

Vision Comes From Within When you look for a movie to watch over the next couple of weeks the pickings are slim. It almost seems that family movies get buried behind movies like John Wick starring Keanu Reeves which people will go see just because it is Keanu. Then there is Ouija which no matter how you spin cannot turn out well for anyone. Buried among the weekends travesties is 23 Blast, a movie that everyone that likes inspirational true stories should see, yet many never heard of. We went to see it on opening weekend last weekend. Like many faith filled, feel good or family movies it was tucked in the back of the theater. for we walk by faith, not by sight Click To Tweet The movie itself was thoroughly enjoyable, it has a PG-13 rating due to football violence and some teen drinking. It carries a faith undertone unlike many recent faith-based movies. You are not burdened with cheesy scripts and a heavy message. The acting is actually top-notch compared to the budget. Being that the movie is based on a true story made it all the more enjoyable. Without giving away too much of the story, here is a brief synopsis. The movie is based on the true story of Travis Freeman (Mark Hapka) a high school football player that loses his eyesight his junior year. His football coach (Stephen Lang) talks him into coming back and playing for the team. Needless to say he comes back and plays and inspires […]

Album Review – Lately by Alice Summers

Lately by Alice Summers – A music Review As a music aficionado I am always on the lookout for new and upcoming artists with a new sound. I recently had the fortune to be able to preview the newly released album Behind the Noise by Alice Summers. Disclaimer Alice Summers provided the album “Lately” free of charge for review. So let’s dive right into the track list of the album that should be added to your play-list. For the Rainy Days – starts out with an upbeat almost country-like guitar and is a prayer of thankfulness. The song takes us through mistakes and missteps and yet finding the smile as it is His path not ours. The song of gratitude can make anyone’s bad day a bit brighter while it points us to Him. “A flower never grows if the Sun is all it knows.” This is Grace – A slower tempo song of reassurance through Grace. Alice’s beautiful voice is displayed with precise emotion in this song of God’s Grace. Under the Shadow – Possibly my favorite track on the album, Alice’s prayer to provide comfort through darkness and overcoming of fear. Under the shadow of His wings we are able to find peace through trusting Him to be our refuge. Rock of Ages – No this is not the musical , much better in my opinion, a beautiful ballad of redemption through our baptism and the age of life. May we find healing until our last breath through the cross. It takes the listener […]

Lessons from When the Game Stands Tall

Lessons from When the Game Stands Tall Teaching that there is more to life than just the game, When the Game Stands Tall is a true inspirational movie.  As like many football or even sports related movies they come with a little dose of predictability.  This is one that although that may be the case it is also thoroughly enjoyable for the whole family (rated PG). When the Game Stands Tall starts Jim Caviezel as Bob Ladouceur head coach of the De La Salle Spartans, the winning-est team in sports history.  The cast is supported by Michael Chiklis who plays assistant coach Terry Eidson. As well as Laura Dern as Bev Ladouceur the coach’s wife, and even a cameo appearance of Maurice Jones Drew as himself. “Winning a lot of games is doable, teaching kids there is more to life, that’s hard.” Throughout the story there are lessons than we could all learn and live by.  Lessons that even though they are applied to football and winning they can also apply to life, leadership and manhood. This success formula consists of-love, brotherhood, sacrifice, discipline, heart, courage, passion, honesty. Love – Several times throughout the movie is love stressed both between players and coaches.  This is displayed in their actions and where they stand up for each other both on and off the field.  The love for the game is not enough they have to love and trust one another to win.  This goes for any team or family, love needs to be the focus to be able to work together and win.  Family […]