Fill the Stage

Daniel Dignan

Fill The Stage

“Character is Destiny”

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Archives for August 2025

Hand Me Another Brick

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This book is a guide to Nehemiah, an Old Testament story about a man who rebuilt and revived Jerusalem. Many believe Nehemiah is the best leadership book ever written.

Nehemiah, the subject of the book, served Artaxerxes the king of the Persian Empire, ensuring the safety of his food and drink. Nehemiah lived during the time of Socrates, over 400 years before Christ. The story begins with the arrival of messengers from Jerusalem who told Nehemiah that Jerusalem was in ruins and unable to protect itself or prosper.

In response, Nehemiah wept bitterly and prayed for about four months, all the while developing a plan to rebuild the city. One day, the king asked him why he looked sad, Nehemiah’s moment had arrived; he told the king and requested permission to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall, and revealed a sound plan for doing so.

Chuck Swindoll, a well-known pastor, wrote several books about great leaders of the Bible, including Moses, David, and Esther. In Hand Me Another Brick, he helps leaders and aspiring ones learn how to lead well. Topics include the following:

  • Prayer
  • Preparation
  • Motivation
  • Opposition and criticism
  • Discouragement
  • Financial issues
  • Handeling success
  • Intimidation
  • Priorities

I highly recommend the book.

1 Samuel For You

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Samuel is an epic story about the early days of Israel, one thousand years before Christ. The nation comprising twelve tribes had experienced almost constant war and bondage. They had rejected their God, seeking a king like their neighbors, who would fight their enemies. Consequently, a man named Saul was anointed king. He united the tribes, won a great military victory, but eventually became corrupt.

In a war between Israel and the Philistines, a giant named Goliath taunted Israel and God, demanding one-on-one combat with one of Israel’s warriors to decide the outcome. Neither Saul nor any of Israel’s warriors volunteered. Yet, a shepherd boy named David told the king he would fight the giant. Refusing the king’s armor, he stepped onto the field of battle with a sling and a few small rocks. Perhaps you’ve heard what happened.

Throughout the story, Saul turned away from God and, over time, lost everything, including his family and self-respect. On the other hand, David endeavored to live a life devoted to God. He suffered severe persecution, but over time, David gained a kingdom, a family, and friends. Though imperfect, David functions as a pointer to a greater king, Jesus of Nazareth.

Samuel is not only a fascinating story but also an entry point for understanding the Bible as a whole. Tim Chester’s commentary is a fascinating guide, one I highly recommend.

Chester’s guide will help you:

  1. Understand the Bible better
  2. Learn how to make friends
  3. Learn how to handle difficulties
  4. Learn how to lead well
  5. Learn how to become a happier person

What did you find most helpful about 1 Samuel?

Land of Hope

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This is one of the most interesting books I’ve ever read. It’s the story of America from its discovery and founding to recent times. Wildred McClay overviews the significant events, people, and ideas that shaped America, aiming to show what made America a land of hope.

Events include the unsettlement of Europe, Christopher Columbus’s journeys to the New World, the Revolutionary War, Westward expansion, the Civil War, industrialization and modernization, the World Wars, the Cold War, and more. Highlighted leaders include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin Roosevelt.

The book offers a positive account of America’s rise and greatness without glossing over grave issues such as slavery and our national debt. The author reveals the unique ideas, convictions, and traditions that spurred American energy, generosity, purpose, commitment, and self-criticism. Moreover, McClay insightfully describes the role of America’s Christian heritage and its leaders in shaping American destiny. Along these lines, America’s literature is integrated into this retelling of American political and religious history, showing its impact and effect on the generations that followed.

This book is a tremendous educational experience. If you want a fascinating story about the land of hope that is America, this book is for you.

Beowulf

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Beowulf, a Scandinavian warrior, fights a monster named Grendel, then Grendel’s mother, and finally, years later, a fire-breathing dragon. Winning great honor, he eventually became a king, the bulwark of his people.

An ancient and renowned tale, over 1,000 years old, Beowulf was initially written in Anglo-Saxon, or Old English. This translation is regarded as one of the finest—poetic, epic, and gripping. About one hundred pages, it’s a quick read and hard to put down.

The unknown author offers a glimpse into the ancient heroic age of the Germanic peoples, who migrated to England and Denmark. They lived by the warrior code and sought glory through warfare.

Beowulf achieves great honor, and there are thrilling moments, and indeed, happy seasons. However, a perceptive observer noted that the book begins and ends with a funeral, revealing that the world is not enough.

Some of the great literary minds studied the tale. J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of The Lord of the Rings, translated Beowulf in his 30s and went on to teach it for decades, writing a commentary. (I have not read it.) In this translation, you can see the Old English on the left-facing pages; modern English is on the right.

Finally, after you read the epic, I recommend reading Seamus Heaney’s introduction.

What did you think about the story?