And Now For Something Different

And Now For Something Different: 7 Days In Utopia

One of the most exciting things that I get to do as I write for http://absolutelygospel.com is the opportunity to take readers behind the scenes of different projects. Today, I’m going to take you behind the scenes of a movie that was released this fall that stars Robert Duvall and Lucas Black called 7 Days in Utopia. Before you start to wonder what that has to do with Southern Gospel Music, Christianity or anything at all, let me share a little bit about the author of the book, Links of Utopia-Home of Golf’s Sacred Journey. Dr. David L. Cook is one of the friendliest and Godliest men that I have ever had the privilege to interview. Sometimes as I do behind the scenes reporting about particular projects whether movies or books, sometimes it’s hard to know exactly where they stand when it comes to Biblical principles and spiritual issues. As I sat down in my office and talked with David on a Friday afternoon, my heart was encouraged as he began to share with me what God was doing in his life.

Dr. Cook is a noted life coach. He has worked for The San Antonio Spurs, The Washington Wizards and many other PGA golfers when it comes to motivation and being a role model among many other things. It is important that you are aware of that because 7 Days In Utopia uses his position with a different character. Robert Duvall portrays a rancher in a small town in the “hills” of Texas who is going to become a huge influence in a young man’s life, similar to what Dr. Cook does on a daily basis. Before I get the cart before the horse, let’s take a look at the movie and why Christians should rent it and buy it.

Luke Chisolm (Lucas Black) is a young man who is a gifted golfer. His father has pushed him into playing golf and excelling at it but Luke is a humble young man. After he makes a bad shot in a tournament, humble is the last adjective that you would use to describe Luke. He threw his clubs, broke one over his knee and left the course but not before he saw his father, who was his caddy, walk off into the distance. Discouraged and angry, Luke drove at high speeds throughout the small rural Texas towns until a steer was standing in the middle of the road and he drove through a fence to miss what could have been his supper! Anyhow, the fence is owned by Robert Duvall who Luke finds out later was on the PGA tour. This man became a mentor and a friend as he kept Luke in the guest house for a week. Many lessons were learned in 7 days that we learn on a daily basis.

This movie is more than just a feel good movie. It is more than just great actors with a great plot in a unique small town. The last lesson that Johnny (Robert Duvall) gave to the young Luke Chisolm was at a cemetery. Johnny asked Luke what he wanted people to say about him when he was gone. He then told him to bury the lies that he had been told, the lies that Satan had filled his head with and get rid of them and to kneel at the throne of Glory. I was moved to tears as I saw this scene. I was encouraged by the direction this movie had taken and then at the end, there is a website to go to called http://www.didhemaketheputt.com . Here, is an opportunity for you to hear more about the Gospel, more about eternity and more about making your life count for the right reason.

This was an incredible story with lasting impact that I am sure readers of my column will go out to get! Let me know what you think of 7 Days in Utopia. A sequel will be out at least in print form at some point, I am sure there will be a sequel to the movie as well.