Cobra Kai, Season 4

 

Cobra Kai, Season 4 has just been released to Netflix.  This highly acclaimed follow up series to The Karate Kid has drawn fans from season to season and this series which started originally on YouTube has gone on to become on of the most binged, watched, fan favorite seasons of any television series.

This program and season once again bring back many of the original characters in the series. The series largely follows the much older Daniel LaRusso played by Ralph Macchio, and Johnny Lawrence played by William Zabka.  The Characters John Kreese played by Martin Kove and Thomas Ian Griffith makes his return as diabolical Terry Silver. 

 

This season is again, well directed with some twists and turns as if follows the dojos Cobra Kai, Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang. We continue to see changes in the characters of Johnny and Daniel as well as their children, and those they are closest to developing their own identities outside of the ones that would typically be chosen by their predecessors, no matter which dojo they happen to fight for. We see struggle with letting go as well as struggle in areas like forgiveness and cooperation. Of course, all of this comes at a cost, much like it does in real life and those consequences are one of the things that continues to make this series among the top-rated series in television. 

 

This season we see attempts at working together, but with such strong personalities, and so much pride can two leaders, who haven’t resolved their conflict come together to defeat a common enemy who could, would destroy their very existence?  Can anyone be trusted in a world where pride rules?  Then how can two views of life, and/or karate coexist?  Those are all questions among many others that are approached in season 4 of Cobra Kai. 

 

Cobra Kai is about much more than karate. It is about family, conflict, opposites, working through problems, consequences and much more in conjunction with living life in a sometimes-difficult world.  It is a series I highly recommend and appreciate due to the real-life situations approached. 

 

I personally really enjoyed the season, but I have enjoyed all the seasons and appreciate the binge ability of this. I watched all 10 episodes in less than 24 hours. The series has a way of doing that and then keeps you thinking even after you have completed it. 

 

On a scale of 1 – 10, for Season 4 I give a very deserving 8 and am already highly anticipating Season 5 as I know many others are. 

 

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For going on some thirty years now I have done the work of The Virtual Pew, in part planting seeds but another huge part is getting to know people and being called by many Pastor Mike by my involvement in social media. From engaging in life, I have seen the impact of my work on people on the fringes all over the world. I have run homeless programs, housed homeless people worked with drug addicts, prostitutes and much more. All while giving back my salary, and for the last 8+ years not taking a salary. You can help tremendously by supporting the work, not just from the movie reviews but the work that goes along side that in the development of relationships of helping save lives and give purpose to the lives of others. I appreciate your consideration in this calling that I have seen and know God uses. 

If willing to help, it is greatly appreciated. I ask you, do not write checks or make contributions to me. All contributions should be made either to The Virtual Pew or Mosaic. The Virtual Pew is a Religious Organization and Mosaic is a 501-C3 nonprofit. 

If willing to help this ministry continue you can donate online at the following.

Pay Pal to The Virtual Pew at mike@furches.org

Pay Pal to Mosaic at mikefurches@yahoo.com

If making contributions via pay pal, please designate as a gift to family or friends as to prevent us from having to pay additional fees to pay pal. 

You can donate at cash app at $MichaelFurches

Donations can be made at FaceBook via messenger to my facebook account Mike Furches

Or you can send a check to The Virtual Pew or Mosaic at the following address.
1249 North Saint Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214

If desiring more information about this ministry or the testimonials from others, please don’t hesitate to ask. I really am dependent on others to support this missional ministry to keep it going. I have nothing left to give as I’ve depleted, and I’m not complaining, my savings and retirement accounts, now, it really is dependent on you to allow yourself to be used by God to help us out.

I am more than willing to share at your church, business and so forth. I have shared across America as to the work God has done and done for me. I love those opportunities.

Blessings and thank you,

Mike Furches

To Donate via Cash App, donate at $MichaelFurches

Click here to follow The Virtual Pew on Twitter

Mike Furches on Faceboook.

Click to subscribe to my blog

You can also check out Mike's Musical ventures by searching for Mike Furches and Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band. Mary Jane's album is available online and by contacting Mike and the Pastor Mike and Demon Slayer Blues Band album is available on over 150 download formats.

There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives on The Virtual Pew and Mike Furches Reviews. You can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/.

Hopefully, you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

You can donate via paypal at mike@furches.org or cash app at $MichaelFurches

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word. Here is our contact information

The Virtual Pew
1249 N. St. Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214
Email: mike@furches.org

To follow Mike's Band, Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band, click the following link:

 

The Pastor Mike and Demon Slayer Blues Band

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5lrkdvEZGg

https://www.facebook.com/TheDemonSlayers 

The Movie Guys

Donations to The Virtual Pew

The Virtual Pew Blog

Reviews With Mike

The Virtual Pew Sermons

The Virtual Pew News

 

 

 

Sidney Poitier Remembered on Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday

 

Sidney Poitier is one of the actors of my childhood that I have always respected, so much so in fact that 2013 I purchased Life Beyond Measure: Letters to My Great-Granddaughter written by Sidney Poitier.  As a man, this man born February 20, 1927, and deceased on January 6, 2022 had a dramatic impact on life in America, not just among Afro Americans, but also among all peoples of America. As I write this, we are approaching Martin Luther King Jr. Day in America. With Mr. Poitier’s recent death, I thought it fitting to pay tribute to a man who as well had such a dramatic impact on Civil Rights in this country, for you see, Mr. Poitier wasn’t just an actor, he was an instrument of change and an example when America especially needed that example that he so eloquently, much like Jackie Robertson presented in his life, actions, and impact on their respective fields.
 
Sidney Poitier was known for his involvement in the world of movies. He became the first Afro American man to receive an Academy Award for the 1964 for Best Actor for the movie Lilies of the Valley. Hattie McDaniel, a Wichita Kansas Native was the first Afro American to receive an Oscar for her role in Gone with the Wind.  While she played in some ways a stereotypical character of the time, Mr. Poitier was among the first, and certainly among the most important Afro American actors to bring the perspective of the Afro American in a respectful way during what prior to and during the civil rights era. His roles in films such as Lilies of the Valley, Blackboard Jungle, The Defiant Ones, Porgy and Bess, A Raisin in the Son and even some fun movies but important impact such as Buck and the Preacher and other such powerful films as To Sir with Love, In the Heat of the Night and the all-important, Guess Whose Coming To Dinner, Mr. Poitier and his roles on screen helped change America. 

Sidney Poitier’s impact started in the 1940’s while working in stage work and being a founding member of the Committee for the Negro in the Arts, an organization dedicated to presenting an alternative analysis to the current state of class and racial exploitation at the time. This was critical in getting Afro Americans in the arts, in such a way as to have a dramatic impact on America at the time. That struggle in many ways would continue and be a part of Mr. Poitier’s life efforts until his last stages of life. While progress was made over the course of time, he never forgot about his dedication to his people, as he sought and desired for his people to have, and experience the benefits of all Americans not just some Americans.  
 
Over the years we could see others who would work with exploiting the strength of Poitier, individuals such as Wild Bill, William Wellman the director and film maker who won the first Academy Award for Best Picture of the Year with the movie Wings. Mr. Wellman was a white film maker who was innovative in the history of making film by making an effort to show the power of equality of not just African Americans in his movies, but notably women and the poor.  There is little doubt of the impact of individuals like Wellman in the belief in himself by Sidney Poitier and others. This only helps to show the importance of being there to support and encourage others in their own talents and beliefs. They are in many ways, if you will, ways that shows others the importance of going after and achieving their dreams, while believing in oneself in the beauty of one’s dreams. It is one of the reasons that Langston Hughes would feature among many others Sidney Poitier in his book Black Magic which focused on the talents of Afro Americans in the arts. 
 
Over the years many have contributed to the concept of having dreams as presented by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Among those who had a dramatic impact were Sidney Poitier.  It is with his recent death, and his many contributions which helped break down and destroy the walls of racism and inequality in America that is a worthy concept to remember this holiday.  To that, I say, thank you Sidney Poitier for the sacrifices and contributions you made to America through film. You showed that without question, The Big Screen is more than “Hollywood” and that Hollywood if you will, can, and often does, makes a difference in a good way for not just America, but the world. 

In the following video we can hear Sidney Poitier early in his career speak on race, Dr. King, and the media.  

Reporters Ask Sidney Poitier His Views on Race (1968) - YouTube  

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For going on some thirty years now I have done the work of The Virtual Pew, in part planting seeds but another huge part is getting to know people and being called by many Pastor Mike by my involvement in social media. From engaging in life, I have seen the impact of my work on people on the fringes all over the world. I have run homeless programs, housed homeless people worked with drug addicts, prostitutes and much more. All while giving back my salary, and for the last 8+ years not taking a salary. You can help tremendously by supporting the work, not just from the movie reviews but the work that goes along side that in the development of relationships of helping save lives and give purpose to the lives of others. I appreciate your consideration in this calling that I have seen and know God uses. 

If willing to help, it is greatly appreciated. I ask you, do not write checks or make contributions to me. All contributions should be made either to The Virtual Pew or Mosaic. The Virtual Pew is a Religious Organization and Mosaic is a 501-C3 nonprofit. 

If willing to help this ministry continue you can donate online at the following.

Pay Pal to The Virtual Pew at mike@furches.org
Pay Pal to Mosaic at mikefurches@yahoo.com
If making contributions via pay pal, please designate as a gift to family or friends as to prevent us from having to pay additional fees to pay pal. 

You can donate at cash app at $MichaelFurches
Donations can be made at FaceBook via messenger to my facebook account Mike Furches

Or you can send a check to The Virtual Pew or Mosaic at the following address.
1249 North Saint Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214

If desiring more information about this ministry or the testimonials from others, please don’t hesitate to ask. I really am dependent on others to support this missional ministry to keep it going. I have nothing left to give as I’ve depleted, and I’m not complaining, my savings and retirement accounts, now, it really is dependent on you to allow yourself to be used by God to help us out.

I am more than willing to share at your church, business and so forth. I have shared across America as to the work God has done and done for me. I love those opportunities.
Blessings and thank you,
Mike Furches

To Donate via Cash App, donate at $MichaelFurches
Click here to follow The Virtual Pew on Twitter
Mike Furches on Faceboook.
Click to subscribe to my blog

You can also check out Mike's Musical ventures by searching for Mike Furches and Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band. Mary Jane's album is available online and by contacting Mike and the Pastor Mike and Demon Slayer Blues Band album is available on over 150 download formats.

There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives on The Virtual Pew and Mike Furches Reviews. You can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/.
Hopefully, you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

You can donate via paypal at mike@furches.org or cash app at $MichaelFurches

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word. Here is our contact information

The Virtual Pew
1249 N. St. Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214
Email: mike@furches.org
To follow Mike's Band, Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band, click the following link:
 
The Pastor Mike and Demon Slayer Blues Band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5lrkdvEZGg
https://www.facebook.com/TheDemonSlayers 
The Movie Guys
Donations to The Virtual Pew
The Virtual Pew Blog
Reviews With Mike
The Virtual Pew Sermons
The Virtual Pew News
 

 

 

 

Netflix's Procession, Sexual Abuse In The Church and Its Impact

Procession is a documentary movie that explores the impact of sexual abuse at the hands of some in the Roman Catholic Church from various priests largely out of the Kansas City Kansas, Kansas City Missouri locations.  Released in November of 2021 on Netflix this documentary maintains legs and continues to draw viewers.  The issue of sexual abuse is one that hits hard as me as an award winning short and documentary regarding my own abuse, along with 2 hours of special features has been released as well as my book The Keystone Kid chronicles my life of abuse and its impact. My own experiences made watching the film difficult and although my abuse didn’t come at the hands of the church, some within the church were involved and the longtime trauma was certainly much the same as what I saw on screen and that is something unique about this documentary. So it was, after being made aware of this movie by a listener to the weekly radio show I participate on at KFH Radio in Wichita Kansas with Jeff and Bob Lutz that I decided to watch this one right away after the recommendation. My willingness to appreciate the listeners and readers who make recommendations is one of the few smart things I’ve done in life. This is an example of that.

 

Procession is a documentary that is largely directed and edited by Robert Green. The film follows the stories of 6 men who have been sexually abused. The uniqueness and beauty, complete with its own sadness is that all 6 men are involved in the telling of the story where they reenact there, and each other’s stories in dramatic form. As the men go through the process, we see their stories and the impact of their experience’s years later not just on screen, but in real life. I could personally relate to the dream and nightmare sequences we see portrayed as well as the triggers of going back to locations where the abuse took place.  We see the long-term impact of abuse as well, especially in situations where people either don’t want to hear, know about, or act on the abuse of the perpetrators of abuse. We see the impact of many within the “Church,” that either does not seem to care or certainly is unwilling to act on the abuse. They focus more on maintaining the image of the Church and less on the life-time trauma on the victims of abuse.  The place of healing is difficult to come to in part because of the long-term trauma and the realization that people either don’t seem to care or are more concerned about their religious dogmas.

 

This film is powerful as we see everyone relive and work through their stories. Each person’s experiences are responded to differently. We see one individual who is gone to a place of withdrawal from society, another who has developed difficulty relating to others, another who has become a rather brash confrontational individual, and more.  They feel largely misunderstood because they are misunderstood. Their being misunderstood is a point I strongly related to. I often tell people, if they really want to understand me, they will read my book, but often, if not most of the time, they won’t.  For those who have they understand the impact of abuse on the life of an individual, it is painful to relive experiences of this sort, and this movie details that, not just me, but the six characters in the film and ultimately, for virtually everyone who has gone through a level of abuse. I don’t know if it is different for women, but as a man, this is very much the case. 

 

There is a lot to ponder in this film. I ponder the reasons as to why the Roman Catholic Church, and I believe other churches, are so reluctant to address sexual abuse cases within their congregations?  I know from experiences as I offer to speak at churches and other groups regarding my own abuse, that I have had people actually get up, walk out of a service, because according to those individuals as they have told me, these are issues that should not be addressed in churches. I also know for a fact, that virtually every church I have ever spoken at I have had individuals in every case come to tell me about abuse in the church, from janitors, to pastors, and from deacons to others in the church.  Yet, many churches do now want to have this discussion despite the reality that I know I have seen healing from people being able to discuss it for the first time in their lives. That is the starting point of healing. 

As questioned in the documentary, I wonder what these religious leaders will say to Jesus when they see Jesus regarding their abuse. I can’t help to think of Jesus own words in Luke 17: 1-3 “that it would be better to tie a heavy stone around your neck and throw yourself into the sea than to do harm to a little one.” Yet, many, (not all) of those in ministry purposes where they are called to help others, spend time doing a lifetime of harm instead of good, to of all people, initially children when in reality, the harm to that child doesn’t just last for a moment, but lasts for a lifetime.

 

In today’s world of social media and a world where it seems easier to argue, be critical and condemning of others for whatever reason, maybe just maybe we can take the time to learn more about issues like abuse. One of the beautiful things about some things we can see on the screen can have an impact on providing knowledge and understanding. Maybe the person we don’t understand has reasons or things that are going on that have driven them to that point. While this isn’t always the reason, sometimes maybe it is. I do believe though, again from my own experiences, that sometimes, a friend who is willing to be there during tough times, or even someone who cares enough to say things like, I would really like you to watch this movie to let me know what you think in one way, or another is being used by God to help you address issues you are going through. Then again, maybe writing about a movie like Procession is a way to let others know who may read this review realize they are not alone. 

 

To those who have been abused, male, or female, you are not alone. I realize that due to the trauma for some of reliving experiences reliving or being reminded of those experiences may not be a good thing, for others it provides a sense of reality that you are not alone.  I can’t recommend this to everyone for that reason, but I can say, think about it, consider it. For others though, I highly recommend it to understand the emotions, traumas that some have gone through. I also challenge though to the Church and individual churches, STAND UP! Speak out against abuse and provide help to those abused in your congregations.  We either act on the concept of love, or we just run our mouths and are no better than those priests/pastors with their clanging bells on their robes who make a lot of noise but in reality do nothing more than make obnoxious deafening noise.

On a scale of 1 -10 I would really like to have seen the documentary acted out in docudrama form in its entirety.  This one would have made two great movies, instead of one very good documentary, so I give it a very well deserved 8, just a tad short of what I wanted, but still what I needed.

 For going on some thirty years now I have done the work of The Virtual Pew, in part planting seeds but another huge part is getting to know people and being called by many Pastor Mike by my involvement in social media. From engaging in life, I have seen the impact of my work on people on the fringes all over the world. I have run homeless programs, housed homeless people worked with drug addicts, prostitutes and much more. All while giving back my salary, and for the last 8+ years not taking a salary. You can help tremendously by supporting the work, not just from the movie reviews but the work that goes along side that in the development of relationships of helping save lives and give purpose to the lives of others. I appreciate your consideration in this calling that I have seen and know God uses. 

If willing to help, it is greatly appreciated. I ask you, do not write checks or make contributions to me. All contributions should be made either to The Virtual Pew or Mosaic. The Virtual Pew is a Religious Organization and Mosaic is a 501-C3 nonprofit. 

If willing to help this ministry continue you can donate online at the following.

Pay Pal to The Virtual Pew at mike@furches.org

Pay Pal to Mosaic at mikefurches@yahoo.com

If making contributions via pay pal, please designate as a gift to family or friends as to prevent us from having to pay additional fees to pay pal. 

You can donate at cash app at $MichaelFurches

Donations can be made at FaceBook via messenger to my facebook account Mike Furches

Or you can send a check to The Virtual Pew or Mosaic at the following address.
1249 North Saint Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214

If desiring more information about this ministry or the testimonials from others, please don’t hesitate to ask. I really am dependent on others to support this missional ministry to keep it going. I have nothing left to give as I’ve depleted, and I’m not complaining, my savings and retirement accounts, now, it really is dependent on you to allow yourself to be used by God to help us out.

I am more than willing to share at your church, business and so forth. I have shared across America as to the work God has done and done for me. I love those opportunities.

Blessings and thank you,

Mike Furches

To Donate via Cash App, donate at $MichaelFurches

Click here to follow The Virtual Pew on Twitter

Mike Furches on Faceboook.

Click to subscribe to my blog

You can also check out Mike's Musical ventures by searching for Mike Furches and Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band. Mary Jane's album is available online and by contacting Mike and the Pastor Mike and Demon Slayer Blues Band album is available on over 150 download formats.

There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives on The Virtual Pew and Mike Furches Reviews. You can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/.

Hopefully, you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

You can donate via paypal at mike@furches.org or cash app at $MichaelFurches

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word. Here is our contact information

The Virtual Pew
1249 N. St. Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214
Email: mike@furches.org

To follow Mike's Band, Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band, click the following link:

 

The Pastor Mike and Demon Slayer Blues Band

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5lrkdvEZGg

https://www.facebook.com/TheDemonSlayers 

The Movie Guys

Donations to The Virtual Pew

The Virtual Pew Blog

Reviews With Mike

The Virtual Pew Sermons

The Virtual Pew News