Beyond the Chariots

We had such a fun school day yesterday. First Brenda and I (and Troy slipped in as well) watched Chariots of Fire. I hadn't seen the movie since college and Brenda had never even heard of it??? (It won best picture in the Acadamy Awards in 1981)

For those others of you who have been in the dark like Brenda - here is the discription from Wikipedia...

The movie is based on the true story of two British athletes competing in the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. Englishman Harold Abrahams, who is Jewish, overcomes anti-Semitism and class prejudice in order to compete against the "Flying Scotsman", Eric Liddell, in the 100 metre race.

Liddell sees running as a way of glorifying God before traveling to China to work as a missionary. He preaches a sermon on "Life as a race" afterwards.

Eric's sister Jenny worries he is too busy running to concern himself with their mission, but Eric tells her he feels inspired: "I believe that God made me for a purpose... (the mission), but He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure."

Liddell refuses to run a heat of the 100 metres at the Olympics because his Christian convictions prevent him from running on Sunday. Liddell is allowed to compete in the 400 metre race instead. Liddell at church on Sunday is seen quoting Isaiah 40, verse 31:
'But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and be not weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.'

Last night we went to Limestone College (which is just at the end of our road) to a one man play - Beyond the Chariots. It was wonderful!!!

It was performed by Rich Swingle and picks up where the film left off, showing Eric in his greatest race, as a missionary to war-torn China.

Rich was wonderful!! So talented. Funny, intertaining, thought provoking. Eric's life continued to be amazing. Rich finished the play with a salvation prayer. Wonderful!!

There are many plans ahead - to perform the play at the upcoming Olympics in China, and documentary and even a full feature film. I can't wait to hear more of his progress with the story.

I'm sure he would appreciate your prayers as he ventures out more and more to tell of the salvation through Jesus.


Today I believe we will look more into the story and see what is fictional from the film and play, some geography lessons, and the poem by William Blake that the title is taken from.