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Tenacious: How God Used a Terminal Diagnosis to Turn a Family and a Football Team into Champions
Jeremy Williams captured the nation’s imagination
by coaching his high school football team to unprecedented heights
while combating ALS and caring for a son with spina bifida.
This is his family’s inspiring story.
America first met Jeremy and Jennifer Williams when Extreme Makeover: Home Edition rebuilt their Depression-era farmhouse into a beautiful, handicapped-accessible haven. Friends, family, and neighbors from their west Georgia community — and all over the state — came together to support the ailing high school coach who had won their respect and their hearts. It made for compelling television but only told a little slice of the story. Tenacious gives you the rest — a tender love story, a thrilling sports story, and an unforgettable testimony to the power of faith and grit in the face of almost overwhelming adversity. In Tenacious you’ll meet:
• The distraught parents learning their son would be born with spina bifida.
• The young father facing his own devastating diagnosis of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) with matter-of-fact courage.
• The coach who guided his underdog team to a 10–0 Cinderella season — while struggling to walk, talk, and even breathe.
Packed full of faith, hope, love, and miracles, Tenacious is a story you don’t want to miss.
by coaching his high school football team to unprecedented heights
while combating ALS and caring for a son with spina bifida.
This is his family’s inspiring story.
America first met Jeremy and Jennifer Williams when Extreme Makeover: Home Edition rebuilt their Depression-era farmhouse into a beautiful, handicapped-accessible haven. Friends, family, and neighbors from their west Georgia community — and all over the state — came together to support the ailing high school coach who had won their respect and their hearts. It made for compelling television but only told a little slice of the story. Tenacious gives you the rest — a tender love story, a thrilling sports story, and an unforgettable testimony to the power of faith and grit in the face of almost overwhelming adversity. In Tenacious you’ll meet:
• The distraught parents learning their son would be born with spina bifida.
• The young father facing his own devastating diagnosis of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) with matter-of-fact courage.
• The coach who guided his underdog team to a 10–0 Cinderella season — while struggling to walk, talk, and even breathe.
Packed full of faith, hope, love, and miracles, Tenacious is a story you don’t want to miss.
7 pages, Audio CD
First published September 3, 2013
7 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 9, 2013
This is the story of Jeremy and Jennifer Williams high school sweethearts living in a small southern town. He is the football coach at the local high school, while Jennifer is a stay-at-home mom to their daughter, Josie. They had challenges in their lives, but as Christians, they believed God had brought them through everything. Suddenly their lives start having Old Testament Job-like challenges hurled at them.
While Jennifer is pregnant with their second child, an ultra-sound reveals their new child, who they name Jacob, has spina bifida. The doctors predict a gloomy future, sure Jacob will be mentally and physically handicapped. They ask them if they want to abort their child. Jennifer is devastated that the baby she is carrying will be handicapped, but both Jennifer and Jeremy are determined to keep their baby. Jennifer, after a rough few days, is able to give all the worry about their child's future to God, and relax.
Jennifer and Jeremy do ask everyone they know to pray for Jacob. They even ask perfect strangers to pray. When Jeremy is born, is has no mental retardation. In fact, when he begins talking, no one is ever a stranger to this charismatic child. They believe it was a miracle from God, along with all the prayers, that Jacob has no mental problems. Jacob does have physical handicaps, but the family has every confidence that God will bring them through any hardships.
No sooner has the Williams family adjusted to life with Jacob and his challenges, then another calamity enters. This time with Jeremy. Although Jeremy has been fit all his life, first as a high school and college athlete, then as a coach, Jeremy starts having some physical problems. He tries to ignore it, but eventually has to see a doctor. The news is devastating. Jeremy has ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease. Jeremy could have as little as a year, or maybe a handful, of years left. He will gradually loose function of his body, although his mind will never be touched.
Jennifer and Jeremy both admit to struggling with the news. Jeremy sought God and came to peace with the situation in a relatively short time. Jennifer had a longer journey. She had loved Jeremy since she was a teenager. Jacob was a blessing in all their lives, but realistically, lots of work was involved taking care of him. Now Jennifer found her husband was dying and would become devastatingly handicapped during his last days on earth. She was sad and upset with God. Despite that, Jennifer eventually came to peace with the situation, and claims God gave her that peace.
This story was a book that had some very sad events in it. But because of the strong faith of both Jennifer and Jeremy, the story has more positive accounts than negative ones. The Williams want every experience they go through to reflect God. Because of that, a very positive story emerges despite distressing circumstances. The love of family and God shines through in this story.
Amazing events happened to this family in the midst of tragedy. Their family was featured on the television show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. As a result, they received a brand new home, completely accessible for both Jeremy and Jacob. The community steps forward and donates time and money to give them even more tangible blessings. Their small hometown, school and local churches all rally behind this family.
I will be honest and say I thought this would be a sad story to read, so was reluctant to start it. But this tale is the opposite of that. Despite living with daily difficulties, the Williams want to point everyone to Jesus. They are concerned that people need to understand the only way to get through life, especially one as challenging as theirs, is to be a follower of Christ. I am glad I read this story. It is amazingly uplifting. Sound impossible? Read this story and find out. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 stars.
The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through Thomas Nelson Publishing for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner. Despite my receiving the book free, it has not influenced my judgment, and I have given an honest opinion.
My blog: http://fushiacat.wordpress.com/2013/1...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpecialFundF...
While Jennifer is pregnant with their second child, an ultra-sound reveals their new child, who they name Jacob, has spina bifida. The doctors predict a gloomy future, sure Jacob will be mentally and physically handicapped. They ask them if they want to abort their child. Jennifer is devastated that the baby she is carrying will be handicapped, but both Jennifer and Jeremy are determined to keep their baby. Jennifer, after a rough few days, is able to give all the worry about their child's future to God, and relax.
Jennifer and Jeremy do ask everyone they know to pray for Jacob. They even ask perfect strangers to pray. When Jeremy is born, is has no mental retardation. In fact, when he begins talking, no one is ever a stranger to this charismatic child. They believe it was a miracle from God, along with all the prayers, that Jacob has no mental problems. Jacob does have physical handicaps, but the family has every confidence that God will bring them through any hardships.
No sooner has the Williams family adjusted to life with Jacob and his challenges, then another calamity enters. This time with Jeremy. Although Jeremy has been fit all his life, first as a high school and college athlete, then as a coach, Jeremy starts having some physical problems. He tries to ignore it, but eventually has to see a doctor. The news is devastating. Jeremy has ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease. Jeremy could have as little as a year, or maybe a handful, of years left. He will gradually loose function of his body, although his mind will never be touched.
Jennifer and Jeremy both admit to struggling with the news. Jeremy sought God and came to peace with the situation in a relatively short time. Jennifer had a longer journey. She had loved Jeremy since she was a teenager. Jacob was a blessing in all their lives, but realistically, lots of work was involved taking care of him. Now Jennifer found her husband was dying and would become devastatingly handicapped during his last days on earth. She was sad and upset with God. Despite that, Jennifer eventually came to peace with the situation, and claims God gave her that peace.
This story was a book that had some very sad events in it. But because of the strong faith of both Jennifer and Jeremy, the story has more positive accounts than negative ones. The Williams want every experience they go through to reflect God. Because of that, a very positive story emerges despite distressing circumstances. The love of family and God shines through in this story.
Amazing events happened to this family in the midst of tragedy. Their family was featured on the television show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. As a result, they received a brand new home, completely accessible for both Jeremy and Jacob. The community steps forward and donates time and money to give them even more tangible blessings. Their small hometown, school and local churches all rally behind this family.
I will be honest and say I thought this would be a sad story to read, so was reluctant to start it. But this tale is the opposite of that. Despite living with daily difficulties, the Williams want to point everyone to Jesus. They are concerned that people need to understand the only way to get through life, especially one as challenging as theirs, is to be a follower of Christ. I am glad I read this story. It is amazingly uplifting. Sound impossible? Read this story and find out. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 stars.
The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through Thomas Nelson Publishing for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner. Despite my receiving the book free, it has not influenced my judgment, and I have given an honest opinion.
My blog: http://fushiacat.wordpress.com/2013/1...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpecialFundF...
September 11, 2013
This is the touching story of Jeremy and Jennifer Williams and their two children Josie and Jacob.
Born and raised in a small town in western Georgia where sports and God are considered top priority.
This book follows both Jennifer and Jeremy's lives from a high school crush to there wedding made in heaven, and eventually to the earth shattering news of spina bifida and ALS.
Bringing a story of true courage. The courage it takes to live everyday... to live TENACIOUS!
Wow... is all I could say after reading this book. What an inspiring story!
At first I thought " it would be so much better if it was written in first person" by the end of the story I thought " oh.. now I understand".
Such a truly beautiful story!!
I just have to include the closing lines of the book as they spoke to my heart so clearly..
"You know, we all have a choice, every day, every hour, every minute - do we lay down our story (our plans, our dreams, etc.) and live out the story that God ordained for our lives, or do we not? What would happen if we, as an individual, as a church, as a world gave our all to Christ? What would happen if we made the decision to be- Tenacious."
.... I don't know but I personally intend to find out!! What about you?
"Tenacious- Persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired."
I highly recommend this book to other teens, although I would assume any age would be inspired by it! :)
I received this book at no cost in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Born and raised in a small town in western Georgia where sports and God are considered top priority.
This book follows both Jennifer and Jeremy's lives from a high school crush to there wedding made in heaven, and eventually to the earth shattering news of spina bifida and ALS.
Bringing a story of true courage. The courage it takes to live everyday... to live TENACIOUS!
Wow... is all I could say after reading this book. What an inspiring story!
At first I thought " it would be so much better if it was written in first person" by the end of the story I thought " oh.. now I understand".
Such a truly beautiful story!!
I just have to include the closing lines of the book as they spoke to my heart so clearly..
"You know, we all have a choice, every day, every hour, every minute - do we lay down our story (our plans, our dreams, etc.) and live out the story that God ordained for our lives, or do we not? What would happen if we, as an individual, as a church, as a world gave our all to Christ? What would happen if we made the decision to be- Tenacious."
.... I don't know but I personally intend to find out!! What about you?
"Tenacious- Persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired."
I highly recommend this book to other teens, although I would assume any age would be inspired by it! :)
I received this book at no cost in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
November 26, 2023
This is the true story of Jeremy and Jennifer Williams...how they met, fell in love, raised a family, and followed after God with hearts on fire - even through life's difficulties - including disabilities and terminal illnesses. Theirs is a story of hope and of determination, one of strength and of courage. The unconditional love they had for one another is evident on every page of this book and the depth of their relationship with Jesus Christ is clear in every single word. With sheer transparency and brutal honestly, this book gives you an inside look at their lives. And oh what a life they built!
September 22, 2016
This is a powerful model of trusting God through whatever comes. After having a "story book" life this couple has a son with spina bifida and then the father develops ALS ("Lou Gehrig's disease").
Meanwhile through all this he also models what a football coach ought to be. There's a documentary out there about their experiences that I'm going to have to see.
Meanwhile through all this he also models what a football coach ought to be. There's a documentary out there about their experiences that I'm going to have to see.
October 7, 2013
An uplifting story of courage and determination through faith & trust in God. I wasn't compelled by the writing style that seemed to be a bit drawn out.
October 22, 2013
Tenacious is a very moving spiritual story that deserves 10 stars. I plan to re-read it every Thanksgiving to thank God for loving me and saving my soul.
February 12, 2014
Definitely a tear-jerker -- don't read in public.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews