courage | Heartstone Journey

Why The Remake Of Ben-Hur Is About Forgiveness, Not Chariots!

The pile of books that I’d like to read keeps growing and so does the list of movies I’d like to watch. One of the movies on my watch list was the remake of Ben-Hur. So, recently after digging out from a New England snow storm…I made some dinner, poured a glass of wine and rented Ben-Hur.

Didn’t know what to expect from this remake since the 1959 film, based on Lew Wallace’s nineteenth century novel ‘Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ’, starring Charlton Heston was so epic. I think just about everyone would agree that Charlton Heston would be a tough act to follow.

That didn’t stop Roma Downey and Mark Burnett from considering a streamlined remake of the 1959 film. Like its predecessor, the remake of Ben-Hur, features a charismatic actor (Jack Huston) as Ben-Hur, epic scenery of the period, and an absolutely stunning chariot race! But the remake takes a bit of a different path from the original with more of an emphasis on the power of Jesus Christ to bring about forgiveness — a welcome emphasis that is so needed today.

Spoiler Alert

Why Mentorship Is A Solution To A Fatherless Generation

I believe one of the most valuable tools a man can possess in walking out this adventure called life is a mentor.

Have you sought out a mentor to help you navigate your personal and professional spheres? Maybe you found your mentor at church, in a professional setting, during your first job search or perhaps it was when you transitioned careers. Either way — your mentor was that valuable compass that most likely provided much needed guidance helping you overcome challenges and life’s obstacles. And if you’re fortunate to link up with a solid mentor, they inspired you along the way.

I’ve been blessed to have had a handful of mentors that took the time to walk with me on my journey. Not seeing the value of a mentor early on in life, I wish I better understood that having someone older and wiser than me speaking into my life would have saved me from many pitfalls. Definitely would have helped me navigate the road of life better too.

I can count my life mentors on one hand and my most recent mentor helped me through some of the toughest trials of my life. He helped me walk out of some really tough circumstances, he helped me get my book out there and is always available to walk with me as a life coach if needed. Entering into a place of accountability with someone who you trust, who can share life experiences with and provide the much needed wisdom to navigate it — is invaluable.

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.

—William Arthur Ward

Pause for a moment and consider your own need for a mentor at this place in your life. Many people I talk to, convince themselves that they can navigate life in their own strength and it’s sad to watch them stumble and fall. I’m not saying that a mentor will prevent all stumbling in your life, but they will definitely help you avoid some landmines along the way if you listen to them. I recommend mentors for men and women, but I’m speaking to the guys here because many boys have had fathers who were not involved or just absent. A boy without a compass is like an explorer without a map!

Consider the following story.

Worship In The Midst Of A Secular Culture

Matt Redman singing his worship song “10,000 Reasons” live in Times Square, New York. The advertisements in the background are flashing, promoting different products and services, while the crowd sings praises to God.

During a time of such global turmoil in a growing secular culture…it’s just awesome that worship to the one true living God can happen in such a place as Times Square!

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. -2 Chronicles 7:14

My Thoughts On Our Divided Nation

Post Presidential election, America is still a very divided nation where people — not happy — with the results of the election have resorted to violent protests. The lives of people living in these areas have been turned upside down, police officers are being threatened, protestors have been shot, many others have been arrested and property is being destroyed. There are some that have been able to keep their protest of the 2016 election civil, but unfortunately many others have spiraled out of control with very few voices calling for peace.

With almost every major urban area in chaos, the divisive rioting is heading towards civil war. The atmosphere is so negatively charged, people need only the slightest “justification” to mark another person an enemy creating “lines” between us and them. Whether its black, white, Christian, Muslim, secularist, atheist, Republican, Democrat, LGBT, fill in the blank ______, we’re extraordinarily adept at creating a framework that allows us to “justify” making another person our target of violence.

Where Is The Courage Of Patrick Henry Today?

America is at a crossroads and I love to review history to get inspired from brave men and women who helped shape that history.

Recently I came across that famous speech from Patrick Henry which I’m sure you’ve heard, at least in title, called “Give Me Liberty, Or Give Me Death”.

Lets cover a bit of background first. The Second Virginia Convention convened in Richmond, Virginia – in what is now called St. John’s Church – instead of the Capitol in Williamsburg. Delegate Patrick Henry presented resolutions to raise a militia, and to put Virginia in a posture of defense. Henry’s speech was a call to arms but it also just shouts a spirit of courage. His words remind us that a just freedom can be held securely only by those who are willing to risk everything to preserve it. He urged his fellow Virginians to rise up uttering the timeless words: “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

Why The Remake Of Ben-Hur Is About Forgiveness, Not Chariots!

Why Mentorship Is A Solution To A Fatherless Generation

Worship In The Midst Of A Secular Culture

My Thoughts On Our Divided Nation

Where Is The Courage Of Patrick Henry Today?

Favorite Quotes

Cool Scripture

Never Out Of The Fight!

Resources