Legends of the Fall with Paul McDonald and Bryan Byrd
Paul McDonald and Bryan Byrd discuss the 1994 movie Legends of the Fall with Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins. They discuss the power of a father’s love, how forgiveness brings freedom, and how we are called to live in the borderland between this world and the other.
Join us as we discuss God’s truth in this movie!
About Bryan
Bryan Byrd jumped at the chance to join Paul on "Men at the Movies" through a friend connection through Wild at Heart. Bryan found so much common direction with the Idaho movement he helps lead called Wild Courage. Wild Courage's tagline is to, "Experience Hope through Stories of Redemption" . The Wild Courage crew meet monthly around a fire in Emmitt, Idaho to share story and meet the redeemer. Bryan enjoys mountain biking, coaching, water skiing with wife Jenni and sons Calvin and Drew. When not looking for the next redemption story or spending time with his family, he often can be found looking through his binoculars preparing for his next hunt.
Find out more at Wild Courage’s website: thewildcourage.life
Listen to the Wild Courage podcast.
Quotes
The law says if you can control what’s going on, you can control the outcome.
A loving father doesn’t allow his sons to ride off on nags.
We are at war and a lot of it is unseen.
It’s important how we interpret suffering in our daily walk.
Alfred couldn’t keep his brother alive, but he’s going to make a name for himself.
How we handle suffering reflects how we’re guarding our hearts.
Tristan came into the quiet heart of his life.
The Redeemer comes for his sons.
Jesus says, “You are not damned, I will not allow it.”
When we can’t fix it, forgiveness is the answer, either by accepting it or offering it.
Forgiveness feels like weakness, but brings us freedom.
Themes
Response versus reaction
We must guard our hearts in order to navigate the madness
The difference between living from law, rules, for success and living from the heart
Living for following the rules will not give us the results we want.
A good father loves his children even when they don’t do what he wants.
Two responses to failure/disappointment: Alfred-logical, rules, winning, work. Tristan-goes dark, seeking soothing in things that will never satisfy (anger, revenge, women, adventure).
We want a chance to prove ourselves
We live in competition with someone who isn’t competing
We look for false lovers and find them empty
We are called to live in the borderland, somewhere between this world and the other.
A father’s affection for his sons
Comparison between Tristan and Alfred: Living from his strength and chasing after it.
Resources
John 15:18-20: If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
Final scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zA12kVDm6M
Questions
What one job did you have where you failed?
How do your respond when you fail? When you suffer?
How are you looking for your heart?
What would a quiet heart look like?
What do you do to soothe the ache in your heart?
How do you live in competition with someone who isn’t competing with you?
Which prodigal son do you relate to?
How is God going out to you?