LetterstoGod

Endurance by Dave Dravecky for "Letters to God"

2010-01-26T08:24:00.000-08:00

DAVE DRAVECKY – WORLD SERIES BASESBALL PHENOM & CANCER SURVIVOR

HIS STORY – IN HIS OWN WORDS:
Growing up, I had two hero’s: Sandy Koufax and Vida Blue. They were both left-handed pitchers. All I cared about as a little kid was throwing a baseball just like they did—I’m left-handed. That dream came true when I made it to the Major Leagues.

During my seventh year in the Major’s, I was pitching for the San Francisco Giants, and a cancerous tumor was discovered in my left arm—my pitching arm. Surgery was successful but removing the tumor meant also removing half of the muscle. I couldn’t believe it when the doctors said I would never pitch again.

Miraculously, 10 months after surgery, I was back on the mound. That was August 10, 1989, a comeback I’ll never forget. Unbelievably, just five days later, I threw a fastball but as I let go of the pitch my left arm snapped. The tumor had returned.

Another surgery took not only the tumor but also my left, pitching arm. I’d lost my arm and my childhood dream. But through it all I realized there was something going on in my life, something that was a whole lot bigger than baseball. For all the endurance training I’d had as an athlete, I was just beginning to learn the real meaning—the personal and spiritual meaning—of endurance.

When I was out there on the mound in my comeback game, I knew I wasn't out there alone. I was out there with every other person who had faced adversity and who had the opportunity to overcome. Now, even though I’ve lost my arm and the possibility of another comeback, know I'm not alone here either.

Q: DAVE, IF YOU WERE TO WRITE LETTERS TO GOD, WHAT WOULD YOU WRITE?

A: If I were to write letters to God, I would write about all I've learned from other people, from those who have suffered, from those who have loved me, and from all that God has shown me of His mercy and comfort. I would even write about the blessings that have come from all of this, how my small measure of suffering has enabled me to encourage others.

Q: IN LETTERS TO GOD WE SEE HOW CANCER CHANGES LIVES. HAS THERE BEEN A POSITIVE OUTCOME FOR YOU?

A: My battle with cancer was the catalyst for the formation of Endurance, a national ministry that provides resources for encouragement for those who are traveling through the journey of suffering. My wife, Jan, and I serve together in this ministry and would welcome you to learn more at www.endurance.org . We pray that you, too, will experience God’s provision of strength to endure.

Hebrews 12:1 Let us throw off everything that is unnecessary and slows us down, and let us run with endurance and persistence, the course that is set before us. (paraphrased).

You can read my whole story in my book, "When You Can't Come Back" by Dave Dravecky, Zondervan Publishing, Copyright 1992.

Production Update

2009-11-24T07:13:00.000-08:00

Many new developments are taking shape at Possibility Pictures! The marketing and publicity of our upcoming release, “Letters to God,” is now in overdrive! The film is complete, picture is “locked” and our final cut is a step closer to the theaters. After some coordination and review we have the official release date, April 9, 2010, mark your calendars! We are working in conjunction with Big Finish Media and reaching out to church leaders in top markets across the country--based on performance data collected from David Nixon’s previous project “Fireproof,”--for a series of screenings of “Letters to God.” Our tour bus is gassing up to head to a city near you, with director/producer David Nixon in tow!

Contests, contests, contests!

2009-11-23T09:12:00.000-08:00

Our current contest has the burgeoning singing/songwriting community buzzing. Artists are submitting their original songs of “hope” to our competition for the opportunity to have their cut added to the “Letters to God,” soundtrack--très exciting! Hope is universal and we have so many wonderful submissions coming in from both the Christian and secular communities. We are working in conjunction with Bonded Records to make this all possible and the contest ends on Saturday, November 28, 2009. Stay tuned for the top 3 finalists and your chance to vote on the winner via our Twitter page! If you missed this contest there will be many more opportunities to come, so be sure to check our blogs and website for the most updated information. Last but not least, we are thankful for your interest and support of our film. There is so much to be thankful for. From all of us: Have a wonderful and Happy Holiday Season!

Originial Motion Picture Soundtrack Song Contest

2009-11-23T08:14:00.000-08:00

Check out our soundtrack contest on www.sonicbids.com.

The soundtrack will be released under Bonded Records; distributed through Universal Fontana and Universal Music Christian Group. Release date for the soundtrack is February 23rd, 2010.

While all of the songs have been chosen for use in the movie, they are offering an opportunity to aspiring artists, bands, and songwriters to have a song placed on the soundtrack. While this will be a gratis license, Bonded Records will be paying royalties as well as a statutory mechanical rate. In addition to the huge exposure as well as showcasing your song to a large demographic, the winner of the contest will get a free music video. One of their key production personnel will produce and direct a high caliber music video.

Judges include:

• David McKenna - President, Bonded Records, Music Supervisor
• Bonded Records Staff
• Danielle Nixon
• Kim Dawson - Producer
• David Nixon - Director

They are seeking songs of hope. Any song that presents a message of hope will be accepted - any and all genres welcome. While the movie is faith-based in nature, entries need not necessarily be "Christian" songs. The top three submissions will be announced via Letters_to_God on Twitter and will be voted on by our twitter followers. So, follow us at www.twitter.com/letters_to_god to find out if your song made it in the top 3!

Check out the website

2009-08-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

www.letterstoGodthemovie.com

The website is now fully up and running with all kinds of good stuff for you to check out. We have videos from behind the scenes, information about the film, photos, and all the latest news about what is going on behind the scenes. Take a look, let me know what you think and tell all your friends out this movie that is more then just a movie it is a movement!

Prayer

2009-08-13T07:48:00.000-07:00

I got this in an email today and thought I would share.

May today there be peace within..

May you trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into our bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing and dance. It is there for each and every one of you.

Rough Cut

2009-08-10T12:03:00.000-07:00

So the rough cut of the film is done! Isn't is crazy that the rough cut is done but there still so much to be done that it will be at least 8 month before it is in theaters. Our producer will be able to show it to some of our partners and I will be able to put behind the scenes videos and maybe some scenes from the film on the website soon. We have so much amazing content I can't wait to get it out for all of you to see.

Now having seen the film we can all see that this film shows the reality of cancer and is going to touch so many lives. We want people to see that although cancer is a destructive disease there can still be hope for those living with it or living around it. The biggest message in this film is finding hope through prayer. We want to teach people that prayer can be done in many forms and can provide hope.

The website should be up very soon and an email will go out to all the people that have registered on the current stop page. If you have not done it yet go to the site and sign up so you can check out all the content as soon as it is up.

IN HIS AMAZING LIGHT!

WOW!

2009-07-31T09:05:00.000-07:00

I again find myself sitting behind Patrick Tyler (the editor), watching what of the film has been cut together. It is intense, inspiring, moving, absolutely amazing. This movie is going to touch so many lives, we can't even begin to image what this movement is going to do . I can't wait for all of you to see it. We will start to show some of it on the website when it is up and running mid August. Keep checking for updates.

Hello

2009-07-30T10:45:00.000-07:00

Thanks for checking out the newest blog for Letters to God the movie. An inspiring story about a young boy coping with cancer and the amazing impact the letters he writes to God has on the people in his community. This film was inspired by a true story and has already started to touch lives. We are done with principle photography and are editing the film together now. This film is being produced by Possibility Pictures out of Orlando, Fl. Please check out our website for more information and come back for more updates. In His Light!