Lessons from Rocky Balboa

Last Saturday night, my wife and daughter were out so the dogs and I watched the original Rocky movie from 1976. Something three guys (albeit two canines) could enjoy.

Although I've seen it before, one scene in particular struck me. It was the night before the big fight with Apollo Creed and Rocky was doubting his ability to compete, much less beat the champ. His comments that night were telling. He said, "I just want to go the distance with him. No one ever has. If I could just hear that final bell, then I know I've done something..."

As the fight wages on, Rocky is knocked down several times. In the second to last round, he goes down for the count only to rise at with one count to go before losing. He makes it to the final bell and although he lost the fight, he won his battle.

It amazes me how many times I get knocked down during life. No, they aren't always big blows, but if you live long enough you will have your shares of shots to the body and staggering right hooks. Do I always have the resiliency to stand up and take more?

As Rocky got up the final time, I thought of Jesus getting up after the third fall on the road to Calvary. We have a cross to bear during our journey of life. I can envision Jesus in our corner saying "Get up! Get up! I'm here with you."

My lesson learned from this 33-year old movie is that we need to fight until the final bell. Our nemesis may not be Apollo Creed. It may be the devil and all the doubts, hurdles, and temptations he throws in our paths. Like Job, we too will overcome as long as we have Jesus in our corner.

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

Twitter for Faith

One of the cover stories in this month's National Catholic Register is using social media tools like Twitter to evangelize the Catholic faith. I have found a multitude of Catholic Twitter accounts and follow many of them.

If you would like to better learn how to effectively and efficiently use Twitter, I have a training to do just that. It's set up as a business teleseminar, however the same strategies may be used to advance your message of faith.

If you are interested in learning more about how to use Twitter and Facebook, click here.

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

A Pro-Life Victory

Check out this great news from Rob K who is the founder of the Catholic Dads blog page to which I'm a contributor. The fight goes on...

Read the blog post here

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

Book Review - Quiet Strength

Hey Dads, here's a great book to read. I just finished the book Quiet Strength by former Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy. Coach Dungy isn't Catholic but he has a very strong Christian faith that resonates throughout his book. In fact, more than football, Quiet Strength discusses issues dealing with being a loving husband, a strong father, a good son, and a great friend. In fact, one of his mentors is the Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll who is a strong Catholic.

How did it impact me? It led me back to a conversation my wife, Barb and I have been having for the past three years. Tony and his wife , Lauren have adopted two children in the past several years. Barb and I have discussed the same thing, but I was the one dragging my cold feet. Reading this book during my Holy Hours helped me see that God is telling me its time. So, we have contacted Catholic Community Services and have started down that path. I believe God put this book in my lap in part to lead me this way.

Great book - inspirational and powerful. Oh, by the way, if you're a football fan like me, there's plenty of that in there, too!

Vivat Jesus,

Dan