A couple months ago I launched the Million-Miles Film Contest in which participants were invited to upload a 90-second film that told a story. A story is simply a character that wants something and overcomes conflict to get it. Many of the entries were great. Thanks so much for taking part. I’m pleased to announce the winner of the Million Miles Film Contest is Mark Nehrenz, for his film “Holding Out for Justice.” Congratulations, Mark! We will be sending that check for a thousand dollars right away. Great work.
Here is Mark’s film, along with the runner up:
Runner Up: Josh Avery, I Protest for Love
Both of those films are awesome and inspirational!
I love it!
These things make me so happy and proud to be human! What wonderful videos. Thanks for sharing and thank you guys for making these!
Grats!
nicodemusatnite.blogspot.com
Wow! So very moving! Can you post more of them? These two were especially inspiring.
Whoa…I have to admit, I’ve been infuriated along with everyone else by Westborough, and it’s true that my gut instict is to “nuke them.” To go out and love such a publicly hated group takes all kinds of courage-I’m inspired!
Mark! I know him! That is so awesome. Heroic stuff.
Anyone who can show love for Phelps is a better man than me. I lvoe that 2nd one!
I love this! I really love your book and bringing this idea into something I can wrap my head around. People always talk about writing down your goals, planning and being purposeful but it never really clicked with me. This makes sense to me. Thanks for doing all of it and taking these risks. It makes me want to work for you … I wish we could get coffee and talk about all this in person, it fascinates me. It is just so awesome!
HA! I know him too. Mark is quite the guy. He deserves this. God bless.
Congrats, Mark! GREAT story.
What?! LOVE our enemies? What a concept! haha
That’s what makes these two videos great. Engaging. Inspiring.
This is what love looks like. Not mushy, anemic, politically correct love but strong, JESUS-MADE-ME-DO-IT, courageous, selfless love. Thanks for sharing, Don.
Nice job on these videos! Congrats to the winners… and to the people who benefited from your efforts.
Mark is a great guy, amazing filmmaker that truly has a heart for the poor, hurt and broken. Thanks for posting this!!
AWESOME! Both of them! Thank you Mark and Josh, and everyone who joined their causes!
Thanks guys, I really had no idea we were this close to winning, lol.
Now I have random crap from Don’s guest room closet to look forward to as my prize, if his original blog was actually true. lol
The trip to Topeka was an amazing experience. Life changing. So much more happened on that trip than I had the chance to fit into 1:30 for the video. If you want to hear more about the trip, I posted the story on the iprotestforlove.com message boards. Or, email me iprotestforlove@gmail.com
Thanks guys for your votes.
GREAT stories!
Wow, how moving! Hats off to to all who are taking action to correct wrong. I think the future of this country looks bright.
Wow, great choice!
Wow, Mark, your story is so wonderful. I love what you have done… thank you for serving the children of Uganda!!!!
These are really awesome. It is so hard to love those who make it hard. but your right, Matthew 5 is still a command…. There are some people I need to love….
Right on!
YEAH! Congrats to both of these stories. Wonderful and inspiring. Both moved me for different reasons. Thanks for the contest and for inspiring people to think about their story and take action. YEAH!
Jesus said it all…”Love One Another” and didn’t put one qualification around it…just hard to wrap my head around the call for the groups that spread hate and give the Lord a bad name. This 2nd video rocks our world with such a call.
Both of the videos are amazing! Thank you for sharing!
GREAT ! The film makers nailed it..Bang! in a big way. Love does make all the differences seem small…
Both of these are awesome, so glad I did not have to chose a winner.
Thanks for letting these stories be told. It’s easy to get cynical or discouraged at times when you feel like you’re beating your head up against a wall. We need to tell the stories of making a differences made. I add mine to the list of those who’d like to see more of these in the future.
Thanx. It was so encouraging to watch these.
[...] I just came across this video, which happened to win Donald Miller’s video contest for a person living a great story. At the end of the video take a look at who’s invested in [...]
Thanks to everyone for all the support and kinds words! Don, thanks a million times over for hosting this contest.. it really challenged me to try and figure out how to tell our story from the “OKC Holdout” and it was a really awesome exercise! More short stories to come I think!
I think it really does say something about our times that people respond so strongly to two stories about standing up for love, sacrifice and cooperation. Josh, very well done on yours! Hope to meet you one of these days! Love the I protest for love idea!!
Thanks again to Don for doing the contest and for everyone who voted!!
If you want to know a little more about our OKC Coburn Holdout story check out this little column I wrote for Relevant mag’s website right when this all happened! http://www.relevantmagazine.com/unjust-war/blogs/20828-holding-out-for-justice
enjoy!
I live in DC, and I can tell you that Sen. Coburn really is a stand-up guy. I’m proud of the filmmaker, and I’m pleased with Sen. Coburn’s response.
Congratulations, Mark & Josh!
Your stories encourage and inspire…!
Thanks Don for the putting out the contest, for the opportunity to share our stories. Writing and filming my entry prompted me to share a part of my story that I’ve only dared to share with handful previously. It’s been a healing and integrating process to from others who connected with the story.
I’m in tears from Mark’s video. Truly inspiring!
Bravo to Josh! I’ll be looking into his org for more info.
Hullo,
My friend and I work for an NGO here in Thailand, and we are having a competition to see who can write the best non-creepy letter. We have selected you to be our objective judge. We are well aware that this has nothing to do with you current blog subject, however, you lack of personal contact information is leaving us with no choice but to inquire here for further contact details. Please, email us the best place to send an old fashioned hand written letter for your personal enjoyment.
Thanks.
Well Done Mark & Josh.
Very Inspiring stories from both of you.
[...] of Donald Miller’s Million Miles and a Thousand Years video contest. It’s pretty [...]
Yay! I cheered after the first one and the second one was good too. I agree – show us more!
Wow, Shirley Phelps dancing!!!????!!!! I live near Topeka and encounter this group on a regular basis. I’m shocked they allowed this group into WBC in the first place. And for Shirley to dance . . . Well, maybe there is hope afterall.