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The Journey from Loss to Hope to Happiness (Mark Negley – 6/4/21 – NCS New Canaan)

June 4, 2021 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment

Mark Negley has experienced loss experiences and struggles that would make most people say “dear God, please don’t let me go through that.” Mark shares with tremendous vulnerability about the challenges that have crossed, and even shaped, his journey: a son with special needs; a cancer diagnosis (followed by a miraculous healing); an accident that nearly killed his wife; and fallout from the accident which led his wife into a severe depression that took her life.

Mark explains how the loss of his wife to depression and suicide ignited a passion for raising awareness about depression and helping others through difficult life experiences. He describes how he has spent the last four years studying, reading and learning about loss and grief, interviewing numerous people about their own loss and grief experiences, and facilitating grief support groups. His life experiences and work led to revelations about the nature of grief, about how we deal with grief, and about the healing and hopeful words of Scripture regarding God’s promises in difficult times. His efforts have culminated in a new book, Survive-Alive-Thrive: Navigating the Journey from Loss to Hope to Happiness, that redefines the loss experience and provides a new model for understanding grief recovery for the millions of Americans who suffer loss each year. Mark notes that in a WebMD survey 71% of Americans self-reported as having directly suffered a “loss event” within the last few years. It has also led to a new non-profit he started called Survive-Alive-Thrive with a vision to equip churches and other organizations to help people through the grief process.

Mark reveals why the often-quoted “5 Stages of Grief” were really designed for those diagnosed with a terminal illness and are not particularly helpful for other loss experiences (e.g., loss of a loved one, loss of a marriage, loss of a business, loss of a job). He presents the experiential “3 Stages of Grief” that have come from his discussions with others who have suffered loss as well as his own experiences–Survive, Alive, Thrive, always tying the process and hope to the hope we find in God’s word, in God’s grace and in Jesus. Mark also explores the nature of “joy” and how joy rooted in God sustains, while joy rooted in worldly measures will always disappoint–echoes of the NCS theme song “Knowing You” (see the link below to listen).

He even presents a a very “NCS-like” path to healing–sharing with others, sharing with God, not doing it alone, and recognizing that the “sufferer” can become the “comforter”–all of which are at the foundation of the New Canaan Society and NCS Energy Groups–brothers “showing up” authentically, having each other’s back, and together pursuing deeper friendship with Jesus and with each other.

Filed Under: Audio & Video, Uncategorized, Video Tagged With: Audio & Video, Calling and Purpose, Career and Financial Disappointments and Transitions, Chapter Friday, Christianity-Theology, Crisis and Adversity, Dealing with Emotions, Divorce, Energy Groups, Faith, Fear and Worry, Friendship, Gratitude, Healing, Health Challenges and Losses, Isolation-Loneliness-Depression, Nature of God, NCS New Canaan, Prayer, Relationships, Transparency and Authenticity

When It’s Over . . . No Regrets (Dr. Randall Peeters – 5/21/21 – NCS New Canaan)

May 21, 2021 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment

Dr. Randall Peeters is an aerospace engineer, adventurer, sportsmen, author and inspirational speaker. He is the 8th person in the world to complete the “Adventure Grand Slam” which consists of climbing the highest mountain on each continent (known as the “7-Summits”) and reaching both the North and South Pole. He has designed rocket engines and coached numerous CEO’s. But he tells us what matters most is his marriage of 56 years and the fact that Jesus has been at the center of his life for 45 years.

In addition to climbing the highest peaks (including Everest at age 57), Randy has skied from helicopters in avalanche zones, kayaked class 5 rapids, base jumped, sky-dived, surfed, and climbed some of the most challenging rock formations (including El Capitan) among other extreme sports, and he is still going strong at 76 (including off-piste powder skiing and surfing whenever he can). Although Randy has shared his adventures with many groups and organizations over the years, he shares with us his adventures as a follower of Jesus.

With incredible transparency and humility, Randy discusses his upbringing in the Lutheran church, his search for God through many other “isms” (including spiritualism, mysticism, buddhism, hinduism, etc.), his unforgettable encounter with Jesus at a marriage retreat, his miraculous healing from a marijuana addiction, his exploration of many Christian worship experiences and his eventual return to the Lutheran church. Peeters also talks about how he came to understand spiritual warfare, describing times when he recognized attacks.

Throughout sharing his life story, Randy describes how his faith has been central to his work life as well as his “adventure” life–seeing him through tragedies as well as physical, mental, emotional and spiritual challenges. He also shares advice on the adventure for which he says he would trade all the others–being married to his wonderful wife for 56 years.

Randy is also the author of “Journeys to the Edge: Where will your vision take you?”

Filed Under: Audio & Video, Uncategorized, Video Tagged With: Addiction, Audio & Video, Calling and Purpose, Career and Financial Disappointments and Transitions, Chapter Friday, Christianity-Theology, Crisis and Adversity, Dealing with Emotions, Faith, Gratitude, Healing, Health Challenges and Losses, Marriage, NCS New Canaan, Prayer, Salvation, Spiritual Warfare, Substance Abuse and Addictions, Transparency and Authenticity

From Rebellion To Obedience (Scott Simon – 4/23/21 – NCS New Canaan)

April 23, 2021 by NCS New Canaan 1 Comment

With extraordinary humility and vulnerability, Scott Simon shares an incredible journey that, upon reflection, he realized is captured by the phrase “From Rebellion To Obedience”.

Scott describes a journey that took him from a “privileged” upbringing in a dysfunctional home to the hallowed halls of a prep school and then the Ivy League. He transparently shares a “rebellion” stage that resembles a painful movie almost too crazy to imagine: a secret double life in the drug world of New York City while “studying” in Philadelphia, walking away from Penn’s Wharton School after a year, hitchhiking to Seattle, working in a crab cannery in Alaska, getting “evicted” from Alaska, living in a trailer in Colorado and working at a water treatment plant. Scott explains that this is when he had the first of several dreams and visions that changed the course of his life.

Scott shares that his Colorado dream eventually led him back to Wharton where he met his wife, Margaret, and eventually graduated. He describes a successful Wall Street career as a bond trader in which pride was encouraged and nurtured among fellow “Masters of the Universe”. He then vulnerably shares how everything changed on September 11, 2001, when his brother and many close friends were killed in the attack on the World Trade Centers. Scott talks about this unbelievable tragedy beginning a new faith trajectory and a profound new experience of God’s love and inexplicable peace.

Scott describes the new faith journey that he and Margaret embarked on together, including incredible experiences, encounters, visions and dreams that eventually led him to leaving Wall Street behind and “obediently” following a path toward Christian counseling and a ministry of healing. Scott shares how this phase of his journey taught him the power of listening and the power of the ministry of presence–of “showing up”. Finally, Scott talks about the recent, sudden and tragic loss of their daughter and how God once again was a source of unimaginable strength.

Every NCS brother should listen to this amazing journey of God patiently leading a man to lay down rebellion for obedience and pride for humility and of God “showing up” during the most painful moments–to listen and to be present.

Filed Under: Audio & Video, Video Tagged With: Audio & Video, Calling and Purpose, Career and Financial Disappointments and Transitions, Chapter Friday, Christianity-Theology, Crisis and Adversity, Faith, Friendship, Gratitude, Healing, Nature of God, NCS New Canaan, Prayer, Relationships, Serving Others, Speak Truth, Substance Abuse and Addictions, Transparency and Authenticity, Worship the King

What I’ve Learned from What I’ve Lost (Ron Hutchcraft – 2/5/21 – NCS New Canaan)

February 5, 2021 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment

Ron Hutchcraft shares vulnerably and from his heart about the sudden loss of his dear wife Karen a few years ago when she went home to be with Jesus. He opens up about their life and partnership together and how devastating it was to be without her. Ron talks about how his loss led to him writing his newest book Hope When Your Heart Is Breaking: Finding God’s Presence in Your Pain.

Ron then explains in detail five important lessons God revealed to him during the grieving process, even showing some of the notes he made in his journal (with his book and his talk exemplifying how he is personally living out the first lesson):

  • If you are going to have pain, get the point.
  • Repair now what you will regret later.
  • Let your heart feel.
  • Rise above the rubble.
  • The breaking of a man is the making of a man.

Ron’s talk echoes something we have said at NCS New Canaan many times (thanks to Dan Tocchini)–“Our today is robbed by our expectation of a tomorrow.” Think about what you would do if you were told you had one month to live, particularly in the relationships in your life–then JUST DO IT!

For those interested in learning more about, and possibly supporting, Ron’s work, his website is https://hutchcraft.com

Filed Under: Audio & Video, Video Tagged With: Audio & Video, Career and Financial Disappointments and Transitions, Chapter Friday, Christianity-Theology, Crisis and Adversity, Dealing with Emotions, Evangelism, Faith, Healing, Health Challenges and Losses, Marriage, Nature of God, NCS New Canaan, Prayer, Salvation, Transparency and Authenticity, Worship

The Painful Path to Possibility (Phil Zaldatte – 1/22/21 – NCS New Canaan)

January 22, 2021 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment

With incredible NCS vulnerability and authenticity, Phil Zaldatte shares his painful wilderness journey with advanced Lyme Disease and the amazing way God used it to bring freedom from past hurts and coping patterns in order to unlock new possibilities in his life.

Phil describes the devastating physical, mental and emotional impact of Lyme Disease. He vulnerably talks about wondering why God was not bringing healing, and about struggling with the guilt and shame of not being able to be present, or provide, for for his wife and son. He talks openly about suffering depression. Phil also explains how wilderness experiences include temptations to listen to voices that lead us away from God–temptations to return to the coping mechanisms and self-medicating practices that can hold us back from God’s possibilities.

Phil also shares the key Biblical passages and promises that he clung to in the pain and that have come to define and direct the next chapter of his life:

  • Isaiah 43:2 – When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
  • Psalm 105:19 – God’s promise to Joseph purged his character until it was time for his dreams to come true.
  • Hebrews 12:1-3 – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
  • Isaiah 58:6 – “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed[b] go free, and to break every yoke?”
  • Luke 4:18 – “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.

Phil reveals that it was during this painful journey that God showed him the “Signs of God’s Rising Reformers” message (see video below) he shared with NCS New Canaan in December 2020. He was also led to a new slogan for his ministry and coaching practice “Unlocking Xtreme Possibilities”. Phil also describes his realization that the plans put “on hold” by Lyme Disease (a television show and a new radio program) were dreaming “too small”. He explains the new focus on his ministry/coaching–raising up Josephs, Daniels and Esthers and helping people understand the “greatness” and possibilities God is calling them and helping them navigate the refining wilderness journey that unlocks those possibilities. Phil shares that he now knows Luke 4:18 and Isaiah 58 are meant to guide his work.

Before Phil’s talk, he played the following video “The Path To Greatness”.

Here is Phil’s teaching on “Signs of God’s Rising Reformers”:

Filed Under: Audio & Video, Video Tagged With: Addiction, Audio & Video, Calling and Purpose, Career and Financial Disappointments and Transitions, Chapter Friday, Christianity-Theology, Crisis and Adversity, Dealing with Emotions, Faith, Fear and Worry, Healing, Health Challenges and Losses, Isolation-Loneliness-Depression, Nature of God, NCS New Canaan, Prayer, Shame-Guilt, Speak Truth, Spiritual Warfare, Transparency and Authenticity

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Recent Posts

  • A Tale of Tragedy, Triumph and Changed Lives
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  • Three Lessons from a Journey with Jesus (Bishop Frank Caggiano – 12/2/22 – NCS New Canaan)

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