Was watching ‘Black Belt Jones’, a rather stodgy 1974 blaxploitation/karate/mafia picture with Jim Kelly, and came across this fella Mel Novak, who’s a second string gangster in it. He’s definitely a familiar face - you’ll probably remember him from things like ‘Game Of Death’, or perhaps ‘Truck Turner’… Or maybe even one of his more recent flicks, like, ah, ‘Vampire Assassins’ or ‘Pocket Ninjas’. Or maybe not.

Anyhow, this dude doesn’t just star in Hollywood’s finest films; he also does his own stunts! And not only that, he’s “a dedicated Soldier for Christ, is an Ordained Minister called by God to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and salvation to the homeless on skid row and in prisons”!!!

According to Mel, he’s been blessed with personal experience of Teh Lord’s Good Workz:

Although Mel believes that Christ heals more important things than bodies, he has personally experienced God’s miraculous healing power. As a child, Mel’s leg was saved from amputation through prayer. Years later, his throat was healed by the Lord after having ten failed surgeries in ten years. The Lord healed a serious injury to the eye, a torn cornea, only hours before surgery. During Easter of 1983, Mel was spared from death after serious hemorrhaging from surgery. On March14, 1998, Mel almost died from peritonitis caused by an anti-inflammatory prescription medication. For the fourth time God spared Mel’s life. It was his twenty-first surgery.

A native of Pittsburgh, Mel was an outstanding athlete in several sports. He passed up 60 football scholarship offers and signed a pro baseball contract with the Pirates. His career was cut short by a massive rotator cuff injury. Despite the pain and setback from his injury, Mel learned even more clearly “that God works all things together for the good of those who love him and for those called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28), After sixteen years, he once again experienced a miracle. His shoulder was healed, including a complete deliverance from pain.

Crikey dude, if that’s miraculous then pass the smelling salts, I’m steering well clear, sounds all too painful

Anyhow, Mel documents all this and more in his personal Give For God page, where he also talks about some of the films he’s been in and stuff you godless heathens might be interested in…

Sunday, June 24th, 2007 @ 9:30 pm Films, TV, and Video, Funny, Serious Shizzle, Meatspace, >> Bristle-KRS
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