Posts Tagged ‘catholic’

This story has everything. A boy growing up in Refugee Camps in Hungary, to living as a crime reporter in Cleveland. It was during the time as a crime reporter that this person was immersed into all things dark in this world.

Later, this would lead to some incredibly dark, and successful movies. Movies steeped in violence and sex. Movies such as Basic Instinct, Showgirls, and Jagged Edge.

During this time, this man was caught in the perpetual party scene. Drinking and smoking until he fell with cancer.

At 56, after having 80 percent of his Larynx removed, the urges did not stop and he was thrown closer to bottoming out. Facing the overwhelming urge for a drink or a smoke, the words, “Please God, Help Me,” came from his lips.

Then followed the peace. The Lord reached out and claimed yet another soul, a true conversion. That is a beautiful thing.

At 56, Joe Eszterhas was called back into the Lord’s grace.

This full story is available in his latest book, Crossbearer: A Memoir of Faith, which you can find at the amazon link at the bottom of the page.

Also in the book you will find Joe’s views on the importance of the Eucharist, and how this keeps him in the Catholic Faith even as he has some mistrust of the Church. How his Mega-Church experience left him feeling less than full of Faith. And how he still gets offers to reenter the territory of dark movie scripts, but he stays clear.

Also, how his oncologist used the word “cured” about his throat cancer. That is truly a blessing.

This story also relates one of my strongest beliefs, a belief I based Jesus Pirates on. That belief is that there is nothing that can bring a person to Faith until that person is ready. And when that person is ready, there is nothing that will keep the grace of God from reaching in and taking that soul.

Remember this story the next time you are dealing with someone with darkness in their life. Don’t push them, and by default push them away. Be there for them, no matter what, and when they are ready, share all the grace that you can. Be a channel for God to reach them.

That is a beautiful thing.

Argh,

Eban

Now here is the link to the book