Stewardship and Generosity

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).

Add Virtue Above All (Joseph Holland – 10/25/19 – NCS New Canaan)

October 25, 2019 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment

Drawing from his own experiences as well as his knowledge of American history, Joseph Holland shares 3 of the 12 virtues highlighted in his upcoming book “Vigorous Virtues”. Holland explains what he calls “The Three C’s”–Courage, Compassion and Civility. Joe posits that the deterioration of public and political discourse in America reflects a loss of foundational values. He points out that 2 Peter 1:5 instructs Christians to add “virtue” to their faith before anything else.

Holland describes how Courage requires us to be “pugnacious” and “prayerful”. He then explores Compassion and urges that it come with guidance (help people grow beyond the need for the assistance) and caring. Finally, Holland discusses “Civility”, which he believes is the most important virtue in light of the diminishing civility in America. He describes Civility as a process of “letting go” of cultural and sociological baggage and “leaning in”–taking action toward reconciliation and forgiveness.

Holland’s talk is an important one for this chapter of American history.

Christianity Matters (David Maloof – 11/16/18 – NCS New Canaan)

November 16, 2018 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment

After describing the fascinating way that he came to be a part of the New Canaan Society, international transportation attorney David Maloof shares the journey that led to writing the book Christianity Matters: How Over Two Millennia the Meek and the Merciful Revolutionized Civilization — and Why It Needs to Happen Again.

While acknowledging that many injustices were committed in the name of Christianity, Maloof talks about the significant ways that the world has benefitted from the efforts of Christians living out the Beatitudes. He explains that they are things we often take for granted today, such as hospitals and the Red Cross, animal rights and the ASPCA, the YMCA, formal education for the masses, democracy, care for the poor, protection of religious freedom, the abolition of slavery, and the Civil Rights movement. He also shares why the morality and ideals of Christianity are desperately needed in the world today.

Maloof ends his talk by addressing various audience questions.

Building a Faith-Based Company (Bill Blezard – 5/4/18 – NCS New Canaan)

May 5, 2018 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment

Bill Blezard shares the extraordinary faith journey that ultimately led to the founding, growth and success of Packaging Technology Group, Inc., a “Kingdom” class developer of thermally engineered, transport packaging solutions for the biotech and biopharmaceutical industries. PTG is a Christian faith-based company with its core values centered on faith, relationships, courage, and creativity.

In addition to recounting highlights of his personal life story, challenges and faith walk, Blezard describes the numerous acts of faith and obedience and the miraculous events that allowed PTG to achieve profitability in its first year of operations, exceeding revenue projections by nearly 1000%. He also shares how PTG’s faith-based culture serves, and has opened doors to prayer and transformation in, PTG’s employees, suppliers and customers.

Wounded Warriors: Calling the Wounded to Battle (John Bishop – 10/6/17 – NCS New Canaan)

October 6, 2017 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment

John Bishop shares the life journey that led him in 2007 to begin processing life through the lenses of spiritual warfare. He explains how his first 12 years of faith in Jesus were spent learning about war, training for war, going to war (in Vietnam) and recovering from war. In 2007, God showed him that “those days were for these days”.

John helps us understand that (1) we are at war against Satan (“the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy” and mass shootings like Las Vegas are instances where the thief found a willing ally to further his agenda), (2) we are all wounded (by our own sins and the sins of others) but in Jesus’s world we heal by getting INTO the fight and (3) we have weapons to fight spiritual warfare (chief among them are forgiveness and generosity) and are called to use them (we are called to be allies of Jesus in establishing His Kingdom and bringing the fight to the thief). Bishop explains how fellowship as a band of brothers (like NCS Energy Groups) is a strategic weapon in the fight.

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