Audio & Video

Stewarding Hardship: “Shut Up and Listen” (Mark Herzlich – 1/10/20 – NCS New Canaan)

January 10, 2020 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment

We all go through hardship–but how do we steward the “gift” of that hardship to bless other lives? After a touching introduction by Rob Brinkman (with an amazing story of how God used Mark Herzlich in Rob’s life, unbeknownst to Mark), Mark recounts with tremendous humility and transparency (and a wonderful dose of NCS humor) the journey that took him from hearing he would never play football again to winning a Super Bowl ring. Herzlich also shares how he first met his wife, and the extraordinary way she helped him realize his true manhood, which wasn’t on a football field.

Mark also explains how he and his wife made a conscious choice to use the platform God has given them–“Super Bowl Champion”–to make a difference in marriages, in how men treat women and in how people face challenges. In partnership with his wife, Mark Herzlich is stewarding well the gifts of extraordinary blessing and extraordinary hardship that God has allowed in their lives. It is a story worth hearing–so be like Job (and Mark) and “shut up and listen”. Job 40:5 (MSG).

Hearing and Surrendering to God’s Will (Eventually) (Brig. Gen. Tim Gibson – 12/13/19 – NCS New Canaan)

December 15, 2019 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment

With a wonderful mix of humor and humility, Brig. Gen. Tim Gibson, USAF (Ret.) shares the extraordinary journey of his career through the ranks of the Air Force and eventually to the position of President of The King’s College in New York. He tells how, time and time again, God closed the doors he most wanted open and often pushed him through the ones he most wanted closed. Each time, Gen. Gibson recognized in hindsight why the door God opened was exactly the right door, often because it qualified him for, and opened, future ones he could have never imagined. Rather than fight the path God had him on, he embraced each step and surrendered to God’s will. He told how, with each adventure, he and his wife became better and better at hearing God’s will and trusting in it. What he tried to cut short after just a few years turned into a distinguished 32-year Air Force career.

How Did a Kid from Stamford Get To Be Standing Here? (Chief Don Anderson – 12/6/19 – NCS New Canaan)

December 6, 2019 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment

Don Anderson, the newly commissioned 11th Chief of the Darien Police Department, shares the journey that took him from a young boy growing up in Stamford as the son of a policeman and the grandson of a preacher to Chief of Police for the Town of Darien. With tremendous humility and authenticity, Chief Anderson shares the details of an horrific evening when the exemplary service of a New York State Trooper inspired him to pursue law enforcement.

Chief Anderson talks about the importance of faith in his family when he was young, as well as how his faith has played a role during his police career. He also details his police career, which began with long hours “walking the beat” on lonely streets with little prospect of promotion. Through perseverance and humility, he rose through the ranks to take the position that his father held as the 7th Chief of the Darien Police Department.

This recording includes an eye-opening introduction by John Revell (founder of Life Line Chaplaincy, Chaplain for the Stamford Police Department, Chaplain for the Connecticut State Police), as well as the Q&A session following Chief Anderson’s talk. Perhaps the most dramatic example of how faith has impacted Chief Anderson’s work as an officer is shared in the Q&A–so keep listening!

Live to Forgive Through Empathy (Jason Romano – 11/22/19 – NCS New Canaan)

November 22, 2019 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment

With tremendous transparency and authenticity, Jason Romano shares the painful story of estrangement from his father. He takes us on a journey from childhood to the depths of hurt, resentment, unforgiveness and bondage, and then explains how that journey finally took a God-orchestrated turn toward forgiveness, freedom and healing. Romano also reflects on the rampant unforgiveness in our society and the damage it is doing.

In recounting the journey, Romano admits how difficult it is to truly forgive as Jesus forgives us. He vulnerably shares how for many years he responded to hurt by hurting back from a place of bitterness and anger. He finally came to understand that forgiveness is not about the other person–it is about you. But most importantly, he came to understand that the key to forgiveness is empathy–what Romano now calls “the antidote to life”. Romano shares that being able to finally have empathy for, and forgive, his father, started him on a life of forgiveness.

A Call to Virtuous Masculinity (Fr. Louis Leonelli – 11/8/19 – NCS New Canaan)

November 8, 2019 by NCS New Canaan 1 Comment

Father Louis Leonelli starts by sharing a bit of his life story, including his radical and miraculous conversion from a successful Wall Street businessman pursuing wealth, woman and a music career to a humble Franciscan friar serving the homeless in the South Bronx.

Father Louis then examines “masculinity”–real “toxic” masculinity, the normal masculinity that our politically correct culture has deceptively labeled “toxic”, and finally, the “virtuous” masculinity we are called to pursue as followers of Jesus. In exploring virtuous masculinity, he explains and stresses the virtues of temperance, sacrifice and humility. Father Louis ends by sharing what he believes to be the three most important priorities in the pursuit of virtuous masculinity: (1) develop and nurture a relationship with God, (2) develop and nurture relationships with the small circle of people whom we love and who love us and (3) in whatever our stations or callings in life, strive to be the very best version of ourself we can be, all to the glory of God.

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