Faith&Friends
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you’ve got yourself a deal.” “No,” they said. A big-name actor would play the part. The producers offered him $250,000, then $360,000—a small fortune in the 1970s. When Stallone held his ground, they finally agreed, but gave him a small slice of their original offer. When they did, Stallone tracked down the man who purchased his dog and bought Butkus back for $15,000. Going the Distance Rocky went into production on a shoestring budget, using handheld cameras, and family and friends in the cast—including Stallone’s dog, Butkus. Rocky grossed $200 million, won three Academy Awards including Best Picture, became one of the most beloved underdog stories of our time and launched one of the most successful sports movie franchises ever. But “Sly” Stallone’s personal life was a rocky road. “I was raised in a Christian home,” he said. “Then I was presented with temptation, lost my way and made a lot of bad choices. After 12 years of a downward spiral, I realized it had to
stop. I had to get back to basics and take things out of my own hands and put them in God’s hands.” Following the release of the latest Rocky film, he said, “This is a story of faith, integrity and victory. Jesus is the inspiration for anyone to go the distance.” Sticking With It Few things inspire us more than an underdog story. Think of Moses, Esther and Joseph. When the prophet Samuel came looking for Israel’s next king, David the shepherd boy was overlooked by his father. But David was God’s choice to lead the people. And, of course, there’s Jesus, who became a man to deliver death the ultimate knock-out punch and reconcile us to God. Have you been knocked down? Think of those who have faced overwhelming odds with courage, persistence and faith. Romans 8:37 says, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Let’s be a little more like a postage stamp. And stick with it until we reach our destination.
(left) Phil Callaway’s Laugh Again radio program airs 700 times a week in Canada. Visit him at laughagain.org.
24 • APRIL 2020 I faithandfriends.ca
