We all want courage. We want to be able to face uncertainty, daunting odds, and those nagging internal voices that erode our confidence. Fear is natural. The only people without fear are the crazy and the naive. Neither are recommended traits in a leader. Instead, consider: getting our fears in order. What we spend time fretting about reveals much about our true life priorities. So, if fear is natural and even somewhat helpful, the first goal is to ensure our fears are "rightly ordered ."...

Writer and director Francis Ford Coppola had millions of dollars of his own money on the line. He had a great screenplay to work with from writer John Milius, as well as Joseph Conrad's classic novel, Heart of Darkness, to use as a guide for the film. However, many thought the project he was embarking on was a tragedy waiting to happen, or at least a bloated art-project from a self-absorbed young director about to embarrass himself. This was a distinct possibility. After all, he wasn't even...

A priest recently explained to me that Judas Iscariot's primary fault was not that he betrayed Jesus. That was just a consequence of a deeper disorder in his mind and soul. No, Judas' primary fault was that he refused to be formed by Christ. Jesus did not conform to Judas' idea of what they Messiah should be. Judas, like the other apostles, was thrilled that the long awaited One had finally entered history. However, he expected something entirely different. Judas was awaiting an earthly King...