A few weeks ago I spent the morning out in the 'burbs hearing from Gordan MacDonald with a group of about 60 pastors (including our pastoral team.) I wasn't able to stay for the entire day but received some good nuggets to chew on during the morning sessions.
MacDonald's key word for the day was "Resilience". He spent the day expounding on these four disciplines for the "Way of Resilience":
1. Create a "big picture"
2. Settle the past
3. Master yourself
4. Connect with "a few"
Related to point 4, there was one big standout quote from Shakespeare's Henry V (which he recited from memory) that moved me deeply. Not sure what rock I've been living under that I hadn't heard it before but with the possibility that you may live under that same rock, here is a portion of this powerful address from King Henry's speech to his outnumbered generals on the eve of battle:
No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England:
God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more, methinks, would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made
And crowns for convoy put into his purse:
We would not die in that man's company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
I am convinced that a "happy few" are the greatest asset a man can have.
Comments