Lights Out by Travis Freeman - REVIEWED

About the Book:

WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT—PLAY HARDER.

Travis Freeman plunged into a world of darkness at 12 years old. A rare occurrence of a routine illness stole his sight, leaving the small-town Kentucky boy’s dreams of football and fun languishing on the sidelines.

Having given his heart to Jesus merely a year before the illness, Travis knew one thing: God was still the light for his life.

That life story is now the inspiration for a major motion picture, “23 BLAST” that hits theatres in October 2014. Starring Dylan Baker (SPIDERMAN, THE GOOD WIFE) and Mark Hapka (DAYS OF OUR LIVES, CRIMINAL MINDS), the film focuses on Travis’s football career playing Center for the Corbin Redhounds – a team that went on to make the playoffs.

Yet there is even more wisdom and hope for us to find in a full telling of Travis Freeman’s story. So much more to hear that couldn’t be included in The Today Showand Dateline coverage of his football exploits.

This graduate of the University of Kentucky and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary now joins with seasoned writer Rebeca Seitz to share his story in his own words. His is a story that is destined to turn the lights on for millions of readers.

My Thoughts:

“We’re a disabled people….Disability does not equal inability…But we aren’t done.  We have an ability to be conduits of hope, kindness, love, joy, peace, and inspiration to a crippled world.  We can be the oasis in some one’s desert.”  ( p. 9-10)

“Do not allow circumstance to tell you about God.  Let God tell you what to think of your circumstance.”  (p. 148)

Lights Out….what a treasure!!  What a spiritual challenge!  Oh, dear reader, you need to read this book!!  I’ve seen the film that is based on the book in preview – 23 Blast.  While the movie is definitely inspiring, Light’s Out takes Travis Freeman’s story to an entirely new and much deeper level!  To have your sight taken from you is a pretty brutal experience.  Many pieces of Travis’ story are painful to be sure.  But the light of his faith shines so brilliantly throughout his story that it almost makes your heart ache with gladness!!

Not only did Travis play football blind, but he played football well!  And I can’t help but be inspired by his parents’ faithfulness and sacrifice!  Travis is not the only hero in his story!!  His parents just take my breath away!  But Travis moved forward from football into an academic and spiritual realm that give even more strength and power to his testimony!!  He completed his PhD in ministry, and now preaches the gospel.  Again, the testimony of his parents to Travis’ close, personal relationship with Christ just inspires me greatly!

 

The Freeman family are such a great example of family, relationship, and an unshakable faith in the Father’s best plan for each of His children.  How thankful I am to know Christ as my Savior!  I hope I can trust God more completely every day.  Lights Out….don’t miss this story!!

About the Author:

Raised in foothills of Appalachian mountains, Travis spent his early childhood skiing its lakes with his parents on their boat, playing games with his friends, and dreaming of the day he’d play for the Corbin Redhounds.

At 12 years old, Travis became sick with what was eventually diagnosed as Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis (CST). It had settled and taken hold, masquerading for 9 days as nothing more than a severe headache. After the surgery that saved his life, Travis lost his eyesight.

After a year of adjusting to life in the dark, Travis joined the football team his 8th grade year as Center. Together, they won their conference championship. Travis continued to play all four years of high school. His story made its way to New York and was featured by The Today Show, Dateline, and other national media.

Travis obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Kentucky, where he also served its football team as an equipment manager. He went on to earn his Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Philosophy from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Travis is now an adjunct professor at University of the Cumberlands and serves as CEO of The Freeman Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the truth that disability does not equal inability