Fill the Stage

Daniel Dignan

Fill The Stage

“Character is Destiny”

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How To Really Live It Up

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A few weeks ago, I was scrolling through a list of books on Amazon by the late pastor James Montgomery Boice. I found an interestingly titled book, one of his first, at the bottom of the stack. It’s one of the most helpful short books I’ve ever read.

The book appeared to be about happiness, and I was not far off. Boice introduces the book in the preface as a practical work. Its purpose is to show what the Bible has to say about complex life problems and challenges.

Chapters include How to Become a Christian, How to Pray, How to Know the Will of God, How to Have a Happy Marriage, How to Be Happy as a Family, and How to Be Free From Worry.

The chapters are short, thought-provoking, and systematic. Overall, the book is profound and helpful. Boice was for many years a trusted Bible teacher and leader; his sermons were heard (and still are listened to) across the country on the radio and now via podcast.

Anne of Green Gables

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Anne of Green Gables is the first in a series of eight stories about a young orphan girl who is adopted into a home on Prince Edward Island. Anne is not like other young girls. She sees the world through a thick, imaginative lens, often daydreaming about the beauty she notices around her. She is independent, resourceful, and kind. But her absentmindedness and pride frequently get her into trouble.

The story is full of scenes about friendship, country life, neighbors, school, and adolescent ambition. The dialogue is thrilling and enjoyable. The larger-than-life Anne is a heroic figure, astonishing her adopted parents, friends, and neighbors with her imaginative fervor, love of life, and courage.

One benefit for young readers is that they see Anne flourish in a world without smartphones and social media. Readers notice the fullness and beauty of life, including its difficulties. They experience the power of in-person relationships and the enrichment of nature in a world that is less distracted than our online one.

Through Anne, the reader gains glimpses of rigorous education and Christian upbringing. The author’s powerful and beautiful lines make one think seriously about the gift of life and relationships. And Anne’s self-sacrifice is a powerful picture of living life well. I strongly recommend this book to middle and high school students.

How to Gain Strong In-Person Friendships

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David Morton, pastor, teacher, and musician, returns to talk about in-person relationships, something we have lost in our social media world. We discuss what a true friend is like, why strong in-person friendships matter (sharing examples), and how to gain strong friendships.

I have posted this video on the Fill the Stage site for middle school students, here.

America Fest 2025

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AmericaFest

America Fest is “The Biggest Conservative Movement in the Country” for students. An opportunity of a lifetime for young people to make new friends, develop leadership skills, and widen their awareness of conservative organizations and opportunities.

I will be there. Let me know if you are coming. It would be an honor to meet you!

For conference and registration details, please see Turning Point USA.

High School Student Roadmap for Success

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I recommend that students do the following:

First, read the Bible. (I recommend starting with Mark and Romans.)

Second, connect with a church that rigorously teaches the Bible, like this one.

Third, read a great book little by little. (I recommend reading at least 10 pages a day.) Here’s a guide.

Fourth, attend a Christian camp (i.e., leadership, adventure, or sports-related). (I’ve heard great things about Alert Academy.)

*Fifth: find a deep interest: something that you are interested in and that provides a service.

*Read Andy Kessler’s “There Are No Rules for Success.”  He recommends trying Replit and Cursor. (If your student is interested in tech, these tools might be worth investigating.)

If you have questions, drop me a line at info@movingship.com.

Photo by Stephen Monroe on Unsplash

Remembering Charlie Kirk

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If you are within driving distance of Glendale, Arizona, consider attending Charlie Kirk’s public funeral. It will be held at State Farm Stadium, starting at 11 AM tomorrow. Details here. (The event will be livecast.)

The assassination of Charlie Kirk is a national tragedy. His funeral is an opportunity for young people to reflect on the brevity of life, to witness family and leaders honor a life well lived, and to consider how they want to steward the freedoms, opportunities, and time they’ve been given.

It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. (Ecclesiastes 7:2, ESV)

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”… (12:1, ESV)

Photo by Troutfarm27, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Introducing Fill The Stage Book Club

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One of the most important things a student can gain a love for is reading books. One way to encourage this is by reading a book together. A great deal is achieved by joint reading and discussing great books; at the very least, it is really enjoyable.

I am a big fan of C.S. Lewis and his writings. His books for young students, The Chronicles of Narnia, are hard to beat. A few of my middle school students and I have been reading these books in an online book club.

If you know a middle school student who would enjoy reading The Chronicles of Narnia and discussing it with peers, see our book club page for details.