Word of the Week - Trust

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will direct your paths and make them straight." – Proverbs 3:5–6

Trust Defined - Merriam-Webster defines trust as “firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, character, or strength of someone or something.”
Biblical trust goes further—it’s complete surrender and reliance on God. It’s believing in His faithfulness, placing confidence in His character, and standing on His promises.

The Tension Between Trust and Control
There’s a fine line between fully trusting and trying to control—especially in our walk with God and our relationships. Most of us naturally want to manage our environments, but the question is: are we limiting our potential—and the potential of those around us—by holding on too tightly?

I’ve wrestled with this my whole life. By God’s grace, I’ve grown, but He keeps showing me there’s more room to surrender. He is our Good Shepherd, trustworthy in every way, who desires the best for us. Faith equals trust.

The Consequences of Half-Trust
When we cling to control, even in the small things, we reveal areas where we aren’t trusting God. Jesus told us plainly: “Do not worry about tomorrow… Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34). Worry creates anxiety in us—and often in those around us.

Yes, we must take responsibility for our roles, but micromanaging people and circumstances is not healthy or productive. Instead, God calls us to rest in His power and sovereignty—producing power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

Trusting Generously
Ephesians 3:17 reminds us that as we trust in Christ, our roots grow deep in His love and keep us strong. Trust grows like a muscle: the more we use it, the more capacity we have for it. As we trust God, He proves Himself faithful—strengthening our faith for the future.

The same is true with people. The more we extend trust, the more trustworthiness we often cultivate in them. Yes, people will disappoint us, but trusting generously over time bears more fruit than controlling relationships. As Paul wrote: “Whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6).

So how do we Trust God and others more Generously? 
As I reflect on this in my own life and think about my level of trust toward God and others, it really comes down to how well I know the person I desire to trust.  If I really know someone well and know their character I tend to trust generously.  If I don’t really know them and don’t really know their heart motivations or true character, I am less inclined to trust them generously.  It is also this way with God.  If we really know Him and who He is at His very core, we will be more willing and able to trust Him.  If we just know some things about Him and see Him as a distant God, it will be very difficult to “Trust Him with all of our heart”.  The key to trusting God and others is truly getting to know them.  We get to know God and others by spending time with them by investing in our relationship. This is why it is so important to our faith and relationship with Jesus that we stay connected to the vine of Christ by abiding in Him daily through His word, prayer, and worship.  “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27

Challenge Question:
Where in your life right now do you need to loosen your grip and trust God—or someone close to you—more generously?

I pray we can all grow in our Trust in God and with others so we can live in the blessing that comes from knowing and trusting God and others!

Word of the Week - Generational

“One generation shall commend your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts.” — Psalm 145:4

Amy and I are keeping four of our eight grandkids this week to allow my daughter Saige and her husband to attend a marriage enrichment retreat at Scott River Lodge (SRL) in northern California.  We attended the same retreat a few years ago and it was life changing for us.  SRL is a couples ministry of  JH Ranch.  Over the years, I have shared much about both and how they have shaped our generational view and approach to marriage, family, and life.   

As the years pass and the number and ages of my grandchildren increase, I become more focused, passionate, and intentional toward building a godly heritage and legacy for my family and business. Over the years I have written several “WOWs” on Heritage, Legacy, and Generational blessing.  Most of these were focused on family, which I believe is most important.

In this week’s “Word of the Week” I am applying the same concepts and principles that I have shared about family to building a company/organization that is truly built to last — not just for the next 5 or 10 years, but for generations. A business with clarity of vision, mission, purpose, and values that remains Kingdom-focused and impact-driven long after the first and founding generation passes the torch.  I have been thinking about this and laying the foundation for this transition process at Founders Advisors for at least a decade.  We initiated the transition process recently by putting an equity purchase plan in place for our next generation of leaders. This was a big step in the process that will likely take decades to complete.  I am excited about the opportunity to be part of building a business that will remain on mission for generations to come with the hope that it will be the gift that keeps on giving long after I am gone.

So how do we build something that lasts 100+ years and honors God in the process? 

Start with a shared God Vision, not just our own - A generational company begins with a Kingdom-centered vision. It’s not just about what we want to build, but about what God wants to accomplish through us. As leaders we must Abide in Christ and stay connected to the Vine of Christ so we can hear from God.  We must lead with a long view — seeing our work as part of His eternal story. We must also work to build deep buy-in from leadership by including them in the process.  This starts with who you hire and their alignment to your vision, mission, values, and purpose. 

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” — Psalm 127:1

Instill and Reinforce Clear Values and Purpose - Culture will drift unless it's consistently and intentionally shaped. We must clearly define, model, and protect values that reflect Christ — values like Servant Leadership, Order/God First, Growth, and Excellence.  We must talk about our values and purpose often and always look for ways to model and reinforce them.  We should include our team, especially our leaders in the process of reinforcing our values and hold each other accountable.

“As iron sharpens iron, so does one person sharpen another.” — Proverbs 27:17

Think and Build Multi-Generationally – We must live with a generational mindset and be thinking about the future.  We don’t just build for today — we build for those who come after us. That means developing leaders, transferring ownership wisely, and staying faithful to the mission. God calls us to think beyond our own timeline. It also means we are putting structures and systems in place that align with our longer-term vision.  This can include board governance structures that can include stewarding the vision, mission, purpose and values of an organization such as a Perpetual Purpose Trust.     

“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children…” — Proverbs 13:22

Challenge for the Week:
What are you building today that will still matter 100 years from now? What legacy of leadership, culture, and Kingdom impact are you leaving behind?

Let’s build something that lasts — for His glory, and for generations to come.

Word of the Week - Team

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.  For if they fall, one will life up his fellow.  But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!  Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?  And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him-a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” -Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

The Power and Synergy of Relationships - I love how God designed humanity with a focus on relationship—with Him and with others. This is the heart of the Great Commandment and the essence of our faith: to love God and love others.

In His wisdom, God wove certain principles into creation that are both practical and divine—like the synergy of Team. We all recognize that we’re better together than trying to do life solo. Still, human nature (and often American culture) nudges us toward independence. There’s value in rugged individualism, but it has its limits.

We can only go so far in our own strength. But when the right group of people comes together with a shared mission and God’s blessing, something powerful happens—our gifts are multiplied. That’s the divine synergy of Team: 1 + 1 = 5 (or more!) when God is in the middle of it.

Joy and Protection in Team - Beyond results, life is simply more joyful when we do it with others. Wins are more meaningful, and setbacks more manageable. Even the most gifted among us will face seasons of adversity, discouragement, or temptation. If we’re isolated in those moments, there may be no one to help us up—or hold us accountable.

Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” We need teammates who sharpen and protect us. The enemy wants to isolate us, especially when we’re living for God’s Kingdom. Staying connected in honest, vulnerable relationships provides covering—and it gives us the chance to be that covering for others. That’s the beauty of Team.

You Have a Place on God’s Team - Even if you don’t feel part of a team in certain areas, know this: you have a place on God’s Team. The Kingdom is incomplete without you stepping into your role. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12 that every part of the Body matters, especially those that may seem hidden or weak.

So, pursue the journey: Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Your Purpose, and Make a Difference. Use your gifts to serve alongside others. There is no doubt that together we are better—God’s glory is most demonstrated through the body working together in the name of Jesus.

Challenge Question:
Are you living life with a team and community perspective as it relates to your vocation and your God purpose, or are you trying to do too much in your own strength?

We are way better together!!!!!!!

Word of the Week - Godly Wisdom

“For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” - Proverbs 8:11

As Kingdom-minded servant leaders, we’re called to lead with something far more valuable than success, recognition, or wealth—godly wisdom. Proverbs 8:11 reminds us that nothing we desire can compare to her. In a culture that chases personal ambition, quick wins, and worldly “smarts,” God calls us to a different kind of wisdom—godly Wisdom defined as supernatural skill for day-to-day living.

James 3 makes it clear that not all wisdom is the same. There is a wisdom from above—pure, peace-loving, and full of good fruit—and there’s a worldly counterfeit rooted in envy and selfish ambition. One leads to harmony and impact. The other leads to disorder and regret. Here are three consolidated attributes of godly wisdom worth pursuing in our leadership and our lives:

• Pure Hearts and Authentic Lives – Godly wisdom starts in the heart. It’s not just about having the right answers—it’s about being the right person. We’re called to live with integrity, keeping our hearts clean and motives honest. This means guarding what we consume, how we speak, and who we allow to influence us. Authenticity follows purity. We don’t put on masks to impress others—we become the best version of who God created us to be. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)

• Peaceful, Others-Focused Leadership – A wise leader values peace over proving a point. We’re not called to mirror the strife of this world but to model grace, harmony, and humility—even in conflict. Wisdom considers others first, speaks gently, listens well, and serves freely. This kind of leadership isn’t weak—it’s power under control. As Paul said, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18)

• Humble Strength and Gracious Authority – Wisdom yields without losing conviction. A kingdom-hearted leader knows when to speak and when to submit. We admit our wrongs, seek counsel, and show mercy because we’ve been shown mercy. In a world that prizes dominance and being right, godly wisdom elevates humility and grace. “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”(Proverbs 12:15)

The best news is that according to James 1:5 godly Wisdom is available to all of us; we simply have to ask God for it. “If anyone lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”  So, let’s make it a daily priority to pray and ask God for His wisdom in our lives because godly wisdom doesn’t just make us better leaders—it makes us brighter lights in a dark world. “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:18)

Challenge Question :  Where in your leadership today are you relying more on worldly wisdom vs. godly wisdom. Are you asking God for Wisdom?

I pray for an impartation of godly Wisdom this week and the fruit that come with Wisdom from above!

Word of the Week - Serve

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45

Service is simply helping others—but at its best, it’s about adding value to those we serve. I believe service is more than just the task—it’s an attitude. Most of us spend our days serving others through the work we do—whether it’s food, home, tech, or financial services. And we all know the difference between poor, average, and great service—because we’ve experienced the spectrum. We tend to measure service against what we’ve received elsewhere. For example, we don’t expect a fast-food experience to match fine dining—but when someone consistently goes above and beyond, it leaves a mark.

That’s the opportunity: Service is one of the most powerful ways to influence others and make a lasting impact. Just look at Chick-fil-A. They’ve raised the bar and reshaped expectations by doing ordinary things with extraordinary care.  We are following their lead and striving to become the “Gold Standard” M&A Advisory Firm.  We desire to become the “Chick-fil-A” of our industry! 

The Heart of Service
Great service starts inside—with our heart. It’s a privilege to serve others, not a burden. As Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) When we see service as a joy, not a job, we begin to reflect Christ more clearly. That’s the essence of the Gospel—Jesus gave everything for us and modeled what it looks like to serve selflessly. As believers, we’re called to follow that example—to show love in practical ways to our families, communities, and workplaces. Often, it’s the simplest acts of kindness that open hearts to the love of Jesus.

Going the Extra Mile
“If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two.” (Matthew 5:41)
Exceptional service isn’t about checking a box—it’s about showing up with a willing spirit. When we exceed expectations—not out of obligation or to be noticed, but from a genuine desire to bless—we create trust, goodwill, and lasting impact. This mindset works in every part of life, especially in business. Going the extra mile is often what turns clients into friends and colleagues into allies. And in God’s Kingdom, the one who serves with humility and joy is highly honored.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves…” (Philippians 2:3–4)

Walking It Out Together
At Founders Advisors, Service is one of our core values. We strive to serve our clients, our teammates, and our community with excellence. A few times each year—like on MLK Day and during the summer—we intentionally step out together to serve in tangible ways. Just yesterday, I had the opportunity to work alongside over 25 of our team members and their families for a Serve Day.  We were able to complete several projects at Cornerstone Christian School’s middle school campus. Cornerstone is an amazing school that serves over 700 underprivileged kids (k-12), offering students a godly and safe environment for education and much more.  It was a simple but powerful way to be the hands and feet of Jesus—and to live out the heart of service.

I’m grateful for Christ’s example and for the opportunity to serve alongside others. There’s something sacred about coming together to serve—not for recognition, but for impact.

Challenge Question:
What is your heart attitude toward serving others?  Do you see it as an obligation or opportunity?  Do you see serving as an opportunity to influence and impact others for God’s glory?

Have a great week!

Word of the Week - Freedom (Independence Day)

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” — 2 Corinthians 3:17

July 4th – Independence Day – marks the moment in 1776 when America officially declared independence from Great Britain. Despite the turmoil and division we see today, we must still recognize the blessing of living in this great nation and thank God for His hand over the United States these past 247 years. We have much to celebrate.

Our family celebrated Independence Day in Dauphin Island, Colony Cove Community (CCV) this year, a community we recently joined.  CCV has an annual tradition that includes a family parade through the community ending at the flagpole where we all recited the pledge of allegiance and sang the Star-Spangled Banner.  CCV ended the afternoon with BBQ at the pool and fireworks, see parade pic attached.  It was a great and memorable day!

The Price and Value of Freedom:
Beyond the fireworks and festivities, July 4th should be a day of remembrance and gratitude. The freedom we enjoy came at a high price—countless lives sacrificed over generations to secure and defend our rights. As Americans, we are blessed to live in a land that values individual liberty. The Declaration of Independence boldly proclaims, “all men are created equal” and “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,” including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These truths must not be taken for granted.

The Responsibility of Freedom:
Freedom also comes with responsibility. President Reagan warned that it’s never more than one generation from extinction and must be fought for and preserved. Spiritually, Christ paid the ultimate price for our eternal freedom—freedom from sin and death. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Gal. 5:1). But this freedom isn't about independence from God—it’s about dependence on Him. In John 15:5, Jesus reminds us that we must abide in Him to bear fruit. Through Him, we are freed not for selfish gain but to love and serve others (Gal. 5:13).

A Grateful Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the freedoms we enjoy—freedom of belief, worship, prayer, and speech. Help us steward them well and honor the sacrifices made to secure them. Most of all, thank You for the freedom we have through Christ’s sacrifice, granting us eternal life and peace.

Challenge Question:
How are you actively using your freedom—in both your country and your faith—to serve others, honor God, and advance His kingdom?

God Bless you and God Bless America, the land of the Free!!

Word of the Week - Friendship

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” – Proverbs 17:17

I just returned from my second trip to the Amazon Basin of Brazil fishing for Peacock Bass.  I shared the experience with six friends and it was unforgettable. We had an amazing experience and caught some really nice Peacock Bass, see pics attached. But more than catching big Peacock Bass, which is an experience I highly recommend for any serious angler, what made the trip meaningful was sharing it with godly brothers.

Together we experienced beauty and adventure, celebrated each other’s wins, shared our fears and stories around the dinner table, prayed for one another, and ministered to the camp staff. That kind of rich, spiritual camaraderie is a glimpse of what God intends for His people—the joy of deep, biblical friendship. It’s part of “the life that is truly life.”

True Friendship
Few things in life are more fulfilling than solid, Christ-centered friendships. A friend is someone you trust, enjoy, and love without conditions. They don’t flinch at your flaws or fade in tough times. They create a safe place for honesty and growth. And the best friends? They’ll tell you the truth—even when it’s hard. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17

Friendship in Adversity
Life will bring trials. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) When those moments come, godly friends help carry the burden. They offer presence, prayer, perspective, and perseverance. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2

What Does a Real Friend Look Like?
True friends love you at your worst and call you toward your best. They forgive quickly, speak well of you, and show up when it counts. “Encourage one another and build each other up.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Choosing Your Inner Circle
Scripture reminds us to be discerning with close friendships. “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” – 1 Corinthians 15:33. Look for friends who share your values, your faith, and if possible, your mission. Shared interests like fishing or golf are great, but alignment in purpose and beliefs runs deeper.

Being a Great Friend
The best way to have great friends is to be one. Live out the golden rule. Be present, loyal, encouraging, and Christlike. “Two are better than one... If either falls, one can help the other up.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Challenge Question:
Are you intentionally building and investing in the kind of friendships that help you become the man God created you to be—and are you that kind of friend to others?

Encouragement:
Take a minute to text one or two of your good friends today and let them know you love and appreciate them and value their friendship!

Have a great week and blessed Independence Day!  God Bless America!

Word of the Week - Father

“Our Father in Heaven…” – Matthew 6:9

The Power of a Father’s Influence
The impact of a father is profound—especially in shaping faith. Consider these statistics: when a child is first in the family to find Christ, only 5% of families follow. When the mother is first, 22% follow. But when the father is first, 93% of families follow. That’s the unique and God-given influence of a father in leading a home spiritually.

A father’s role—protector, provider, teacher, encourager, example—is deeply formative. But the most essential gift a father gives is unconditional love. Love is the key, for as 1 Peter 4:8 says, “Love covers a multitude of sins.”

Knowing the Unconditional Love of Our Abba Father “A father doesn’t tell you he loves you, he shows you.” – a great Dad. I’m blessed to have a father whose love for me was never in question. My dad’s unconditional love for me, combined with Jesus’ healing in my life, has allowed me to fully embrace the love of God the Father. Now, as a dad to three amazing daughters, two sons by marriage, and eight wonderful grandkids, I count fatherhood as the most joyful and fulfilling role of my life. Like my own dad, I’ve tried my best—but I’ve also made mistakes and unintentionally hurt my kids along the way. 

That’s why I’m so thankful for our perfect Father in Heaven—“gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8). God gives us the model for fatherhood, and by His grace, we can sow love and blessing into the generations after us. “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him” (Psalm 127:3).

Our Eternal Father
No matter your story with your earthly father—good, painful, or absent—God is your eternal Father. Through Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, He longs to restore and heal what is broken. He is the Good, Good Father who leaves the 99 to find the one. “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:13).

“And He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6).

Challenge Question:
How is your view of God shaped by your relationship with your earthly father—and are you willing to let God redefine “Father” through His perfect love for you?

Happy Father’s Day!

Word of the Week - Sabbath Rest

“Jesus said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.’” – Mark 2:27-28

I am just returning from a week of family vacation with Amy and our daughter Saige and family (4 of our grandkids), see pics attached.  We spent a week down at our place in Dauphin Island watching sunrises and sunsets and operating at a much slower pace than normal.  I also had the opportunity to spend time doing one of my favorite things, fishing for speckled trout and redfish on the coast.  This has been a passion of mine since I was a young boy.  It was a fun and refreshing week, and even though I was active fishing, cooking, and playing with my grandkids, I feel rested and refreshed.  I'm reminded how God blesses and speaks to us through Sabbath rest when we step away from our daily work.

The Sabbath is often misunderstood. Many associate it only with Jewish custom or as a rigid rule from the Old Covenant. Others reduce it to just going to church. But Jesus clearly tells us the Sabbath was made for us—a gift for our good and health.

Since God created us, He knows what we need. In Exodus 20:8–11, He models Sabbath by resting on the seventh day of creation. Observing the Sabbath affirms that God is both Creator and Sustainer. If He rested, how much more do we need it?

Taking a Sabbath is also an act of faith. If we trust God as our provider, we can rest in Him. While we are called to work diligently and with excellence (Colossians 3:23), we are not machines. God made us for fellowship with Him and with others. He wants us to be whole—spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Even if we love our work, we need space to recharge.

Sabbath is about starting your week from a place of rest and trust, not depletion. It’s a rhythm of pausing work to refocus on God, relationships, and renewal. While Sunday is the Sabbath for many, the actual day can vary. For example, pastors often choose another day for rest.

My Story: For years, this wasn’t easy for me. But over the last 15 years, I’ve made Sabbath a weekly priority—from 5:30 p.m. Saturday to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. I intentionally unplug from work, emails, and business tasks unless there’s an emergency. It hasn’t always been easy, especially since I love being productive, but it’s been a huge blessing. I genuinely believe this practice has fueled my health, joy, and even business success.

If you’re not currently observing Sabbath, I encourage you to try it—one 24-hour period each week. Use it to rest, worship, connect with family, enjoy God’s presence, and do things that refresh you. Take a walk, fish, play golf, have a great meal, spend quality time with loved ones, or simply be still.

Summer is also a good time of year to take an extended Sabbath (vacation) and get away from your work for a week or two.  Taking time away from our work can really be a refreshing process and give us new energy and perspective. 

Challenge Question:
If you are not doing so already, what would it look like for you to intentionally set aside one day each week to rest, reconnect with God, and recharge—trusting that He can do more with six days of work than you can with seven?  Try it for a few weeks and see what you find!

Word of the Week - Be Refreshed

“The Lord is my Shepherd… He refreshes my soul….” – Psalm 23

I hope your summer is off to a great start! I am on family vacation this week enjoying time with my family and grandkids down at Dauphin Island, AL. I love summer and the opportunity to slow down and enjoy some of these special times with family and friends.

Our Need to Be Refreshed
The universal law of entropy is always at work in our world and lives, causing disorder, uncertainty, and fragmentation. It especially creeps in during seasons when we drift out of rhythm—like summer—making us more prone to apathy. So, how do we oppose this force and find refreshment in God? By connecting with Him through His Spirit. He is the God of Refreshing, Renewal, Redemption—He is the God of Re-everything! God designed us to need Him, so He alone can overcome the entropy of this world and bring us true refreshment.

Refresh Your Mind
Let’s be honest—our culture and the world’s patterns distort our thinking. We’re all susceptible to believing things that aren’t true or aligned with God’s Word. That’s why Romans 12:2 urges us to “not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” If we reject the world’s patterns and turn to God’s ways, He promises to renew our minds and align our thinking with Christ. Renewing our minds in Him gives us peace, hope, spiritual clarity, and a deeper purpose aligned with God’s will.

Refresh Your Strength
Similar to entropy, our physical and spiritual strength fades with time. Life wears us out. But 2 Corinthians 4:16 reminds us that while our bodies are wasting away, inwardly we’re being renewed daily. Isaiah 40:28-31 promises that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength and soar like eagles. God is the only source of this renewing strength—“The joy of the Lord is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Daily pursue Him, and He will empower you.

Refresh Your Soul
Our soul is the wellspring of life—where we dream, feel deeply, and long for meaning. Only God can truly fill that longing and make us whole in Christ. Psalm 23 paints a beautiful picture: “The Lord is my shepherd... He refreshes my soul.” He invites us to give Him our heart, let Him shepherd us, and drink from His living water. When we do, our souls overflow, and we can’t help but share His love with others. This is the abundant life Christ promised!

There is so much to love and enjoy about summer to include the fun travel adventures and slower pace, but let’s remember the ultimate source of refreshing is Jesus. I pray we will maintain our priorities of abiding in Jesus this summer so we will be refreshed as we enjoy this wonderful season remaining connected to the vine of Christ!

Challenge Question:
What’s one way you can intentionally seek refreshment in Christ today and pour that refreshment into someone else?

Word of the Week - Memorial Day - Remember

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:12-13

Greetings from Rwanda, Africa!  My daughter Bella and I are in Rwanda and spent yesterday morning trekking Silver Back Gorillas in the Verunga Mountains of Northern Rwanda, see pics attached.  It is quite a unique experience that was special to share with my 20-year old daughter Bella.  Bella and I first visited Rwanda together 10 years ago and at the time she was too young to do the Gorilla Trek.  She is now back with me on her 3rd trip to Rwanda and has made plans to stay here and serve in a missional internship this summer with Bridge2Rwanda, a ministry I have served on the board of for over a decade.  Rwanda is an amazing country with a miraculous redemption story https://compassionrwanda.com/after-genocide-an-astonishing-story-of-forgiveness-and-redemption/. 

Bella and I visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial on Friday, and it was a staunch reminder of the fragility of life and the amazing sacrifice that so many people have made.  It was also a clear reminder of the importance of “Remembering” what happened to honor all the people that lost their lives and to do our very best to ensure that these terrible tragedies don’t repeat themselves. 

This Memorial Day weekend, we are prompted to remember something that can be hard to comprehend: the ultimate act of love—laying down one’s life for others. This is the sacrifice of our fallen service men and women who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. I've heard conflicting views on this over the years, but I believe it’s important not to see these brave souls as mere victims. Each fallen soldier has a unique story, but every one of them is a hero who gave their life for a greater cause.

Our struggle to understand this comes from how we view sacrifice, especially one that seems so final and without an obvious reward. In a world focused on gaining and achieving, the idea of giving up everything—even for people you may not know—is hard to grasp. That’s why remembering the fallen soldier can feel uncomfortable. Yet, it’s essential. This is the only way we stay willing to do what’s needed to protect our freedom. May we never forget!

On this Memorial Day, we remember the 1.2 million men and women who gave their lives for our country. It’s a sobering reminder of freedom’s price and how fortunate we are to live in the “land of the free” because of their sacrifice. I’m deeply humbled and grateful for this reality. Click the link to watch a short 5-minute video, "Path of the Warrior" as a tribute to their memory.

In a similar way, I’m even more grateful for God’s ultimate act of love: coming to earth as Jesus, our Messiah, and dying for our sins so we can have eternal freedom. “For it is for Freedom that Christ set us free” (Galatians 5:1). “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love” (Galatians 5:13). Let us remember what God has done for us through the Cross. May His sacrifice motivate us to love and serve others. Lord, help us never forget the price of our freedom as Americans, and even more so, the price You paid for our eternal freedom. May we fully receive Your love and sacrifice.

Jesus our Messiah who Died to give us Life and Freedom both now and for Eternity, the ultimate Sacrifice.

Word of the Week - Spiritual Order

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 1 Thes 5:23

God created us in His image as triune beings—body, soul, and spirit. Unlike animals, we are eternal beings with the ability to choose between walking with God or following our own desires. When disconnected from God, we are naturally inclined toward fleshly desires that lead to spiritual death: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). Understanding the purpose of these three dimensions helps us navigate our faith journey.

Body/Flesh – “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." — Romans 8:5 Our physical body, with its senses—sight, touch, taste, hearing, and smell—is where desires are felt most intensely. Left unchecked, these desires can take control, leading to chaos and self-destruction. The enemy thrives in this realm, luring us away from God. Discipline is key to mastering the flesh; practices like fasting, exercise, and surrounding ourselves with healthy environments help us stay aligned with God's will.

Soul/Mind – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind..." — Romans 12:2 The soul is the seat of our mind, will, and emotions—the part of us that thinks, feels, and chooses. Our thoughts and emotions are heavily influenced by what we consume and who we surround ourselves with. “Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8). Feeding our mind with truth from God’s Word allows us to walk in alignment with God's purpose.

Spirit/God Within Us - "For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh." — Galatians 5:17 Our spirit is the eternal part of us that connects with God. When we are born of the Spirit, we are awakened to new life in Christ. This rebirth often requires dying to our old ways, allowing the Spirit to thrive. In this new life, we access God’s power to overcome the flesh and live victoriously. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). True life flows from staying connected to Jesus.

Living from the Inside Out - Our natural tendency is to live from the outside in—reacting to our senses and emotions. But the abundant life Jesus promised is experienced when we live from the inside out, prioritizing our spirit's connection with God. When we feed our spirit through prayer, scripture, worship, and fellowship, we become Spirit-led, gaining victory over the soul and flesh. This Spirit-led life produces fruit: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22–23).

Challenge Question:
Are you living from the inside out, led by the Spirit and bearing spiritual fruit? What steps can you take today to prioritize your spirit's connection with God, so that your soul and body follow His lead?

I pray we will experience the fullness of the abundant life in Spirit, Soul, and Body as we live from the Inside-out in Christ…

Word of the Week - Motherly Love

“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem”.  Isaiah 66:13

Love of a mother – Have you ever contemplated the amazing innate love of a mother?  How a mother’s love is so natural and pure that it is hard to put into words.  There is something so very special about the love of a mother.  There is no doubt that God designed woman with an amazing motherly instinct.  It has been scientifically proven that a woman’s body and brain change when they get pregnant and become mothers.  There is no love greater than a mother’s love except the love of God.  A mother’s “Love is patient and kind. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres” 1 Corinthians 13:4&7

Motherly love is yet another way God shows His love for us – I think God’s design for life and family is so amazing and perfect.  There are so many different ways He could have brought human beings into this world and developed them into adults, but He chose to deliver us into the world through our mothers.  As we all know, life is formed as a man and woman come together to sow the seed of life through a pretty amazing process, which is made holy and sacred through the sacrament of marriage.  The process of a mom getting pregnant, and a baby being formed inside a mother is really a miracle in and of itself.  Then the mother has a 9 month period of pregnancy where she carries the baby in her womb until the baby is born.  I have 3 daughters and witnessed all of them being born and it was definitely the most special experiences of my life, a true miracle.  I can only imagine what it must feel like to carry and birth the baby, but as am man I will never know. What an amazing privilege and sacrifice for moms.  After going through such an intense process, it is no-wonder why they are so attached and connected to their babies/children.  I think we would all agree that a mother’s love for her children is an amazing godly blessing that is yet another way that God shows His unconditional love for us.  He is the One who designed this perfect process. “For You formed my innermost parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:13-14

Unconditional and all-consuming love  – It is apparent to me that most mothers possess deep unconditional love for their children no matter the circumstances.  Children don’t have to earn maternal love it just comes naturally and it is always there.  As the number of children increases, a mother has amazing ability to show and give love to all of her children and make them all feel uniquely loved.  There is a special feeling of love and security that comes from a mother that we can only get from mothers and God.  Motherly instinct is so critical as it is what is needed to give a baby what it needs to survive and thrive as it comes into this big world needy and defenseless. Maternal love is of divine nature and something we should deeply cherish and all value.  Only God’s love emulates this special dimension of love. 

I have personally experienced this with my own mother Lillie who loved me unconditionally and was always there for me, even at my worst.  I lost my mom 22 years ago and there are very few days that go by that I don’t think about her and how much I love and miss her, see picture of my mom below with my eldest daughter Mary Kathryn from over 33 years ago.  I am so grateful for my mom who loved me so well, she had an amazing influence on me becoming the person I am today. 

I have also witnessed my wife Amy’s unconditional and all-consuming love for our 3 daughters over the years and have always been amazed at the depth of her love and connection with all of our daughters.  It is truly a beautiful thing that I deeply value but don’t fully understand as a man.  Now I am watching my two eldest daughters Mary Kathryn and Saige birth, raise and mother our 8 grandkids 😊, and it is truly amazing to see the depth of their love and sacrifice towards their children, our amazing grandchildren.  This is a view from another angle that helps me see an appreciate the love and significance of mothers and their roles in our lives.

I have often heard it said that a mother has one of the most significant jobs on earth and I think we would all agree that there are few roles more important than that of a mother.  Billy Graham once said “Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in molding of character in her children”

Happy Mother’s Day to you mom, Mamie, Amy, Mary Kathryn and Saige and to all you mother’s.  We are so thankful for you and all you do!!!!!

Word of the Week - Freedom - Part 2 - Tree of Life

“Jesus said, “If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth and the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves to anyone.  How can you say that we shall be set free?”  Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.  Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.  So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” John 8:31-36

In my “Word of the Week” last week, see below, I shared a message on “Freedom” grounded in the scripture above.  The reality that Jesus sacrifice on the cross gives us access to salvation and so much more.  To live the abundant life that Jesus talks about in John 10:10, we must intentionally pursue the healing power of Jesus and be set free from the things that we all carry from our past that hold us back from the fullness of what God has for us.  This is the process of sanctification that God calls every follower of Jesus to choose daily.  Based on my personal experience and walk with Jesus over the past 24 years, second only to surrender and salvation, I believe this to be the most important aspect of our spiritual journey; making a decision each morning when we awake to choose God’s way “The Tree of Life” and be “transformed by the renewing of our minds” vs. “the pattern of this world” “Tree of Knowledge” Romans 12:2.  The truth is that we have been programmed by the way of the “World” and we must choose to allow God to reprogram our minds and hearts toward Christ and the Tree of Life.  This is how we live in the fullness of the abundant life that God promises us.

The Tree of life is a biproduct of daily fellowship with Jesus – “I am the vine you are the branches, if you abide in me, I will abide in you, and you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 This is my single favorite scripture in the bible because it is so simple and clear.  Jesus himself promises us that if we pursue a connection with Him that He will reciprocate by connecting with us and this will produce spiritual fruit in our lives.  This is how we live in the “Tree of life”, we simply make our connection and relationship with Jesus the first and highest priority.  This is simply a daily decision we all make.  It is not complicated; it’s a simple choice we all make every morning when we awake.  What will be our “First Fruits”.  Will we eat from Jesus “Tree of Life” by getting in His word to renew our minds and spirit or will we start thinking about our to-do list and start checking our text and emails, “The Tree of Knowledge”.  Living from the Tree of Life means staying connected to God, trusting Him rather than relying on our own understanding.  “The tree of life is not about what you know, but who you know” John Maxwell

Fellowship with God results in Innocence – “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest of heaven.  And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” Matthew 18:3-5.  As we spend time walking with God, listening to His voice, talking to Him, obeying Him, worshipping Him, and enjoying Him, we will notice transformation taking place both on the outside (our behavioral patterns) and most importantly on the inside (our view of who we are in Christ).  We will become in a sense “naked and unashamed” before Jesus.  Think of children running around with no clothes on after taking a bath.  They are innocent and free with no shame! Childlike innocence is an amazing and powerful virtue.  Adam and Eve were living in nakedness and innocence before they sinned and ate the fruit of “The tree of Knowledge” where they lost their innocence and were filled with guilt and shame and started to hide from God.  They lost their connection and fellowship with God. God wants us to be mature in our thinking, but for us to live in the fullness of God’s power, we must foster a childlike spirit.  Jesus said we should be “shrewd as a snake and innocent as a dove” Matthew 10:16  Simple innocence is born out of a friendship with God and fosters deeper intimacy and relationship with God and others.  

Innocence is a conduit for God’s power in our lives – “The spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” Luke 4:18-19.  This scripture says God anointed Jesus to preach the good news.  Being “anointed” to do something means being empowered by the Holy Spirit.  When we are filled with the Holy Spirit and abide in Jesus, we become free and live in freedom.  We become vessels of honor to be useful in God’s Kingdom.  Innocence keeps our minds and hearts pure, helping us continually recognize our need for God.  An attitude of dependance on God is fertile ground for anointing of the Holy Spirit.  As we seek God and submit our lives to Him, He equips us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17). 

Living from the Tree of Life – Our relationship with the Father through our ongoing connection with Jesus is essential to living in the “Tree of Life”.  God loves us where we are as stated in Romans 5:8, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  He made the first move in love, He simply desires for us to respond by making Him our first and highest priority.  We are made righteous before God by the finished work on the cross not by our works and what we do.  We simply need Jesus plus nothing!  We pursue and serve Jesus not out of duty or obligation (religion) but out of love and friendship (relationship).  God is our loving Abba father, and we are His sons and daughters who He loves deeply.  It is our choice to live out of the Tree of Life vs. the Tree of Knowledge, an attitude of grace and dependance vs judgement and self-reliance.  We need to ask the Lord to help us make life-giving decisions every day in every aspect of our lives.  We will not always get it right, God knows I have fallen short too many times to count, but if we make it our heart desire then God will continue to transform our hearts and minds into His image.  I am not where I want to be, but by the power of God at work in me, I am a totally different man than I used to be.  We must remember that God is for us, He loves us and desires the best for us.  “Our Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love” Psalm 145:8

The truth is that every day God invites us to live from a place of trust, intimacy, and dependance symbolized by the “Tree of Life” (connection to Jesus and His ways) rather than from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.  “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.  Now choose life, so that your children may live.” Deuteronomy 30:19  Lets choose life “today”!

“It is for Freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

Have a great week and live in the Freedom of Christ!

Word of the Week - Freedom - Part 1

“Jesus said, “If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth and the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves to anyone.  How can you say that we shall be set free?”  Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.  Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.  So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” John 8:31-36

Amy and I attended a Freedom small group this past semester, you can learn more by clicking this link https://freedom.churchofthehighlands.com/curriculum. This is a huge an powerful ministry that has impacted thousands in an amazing way over the years.  To get a better fell for Freedom Group, I would recommend watching week one teaching on “The Tree of Life” by PC.  The semester culminated in the Freedom Conference this weekend. This was a powerful day and a half experience filled with worship, prayer, and a thorough process of evaluating many aspects our lives such as fear, shame, abuse, pride, anger, purity etc. to identify areas where we may have allowed sin and the enemy of our soul to have a foothold in our lives.  After determining areas of personal struggle, we had one on one prayer and then made declarations to be freed from these specific areas that were holding us back from Freedom.  The goal of Freedom is simple, to get free of the things that keep us from living the life that Christ has for us.  Jesus himself made it clear to us in John 10:10 that “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; but He came that we may have life, and have it to the full (abundant life).

The truth is that we all have stuff that we accumulate over the course of life through our family of origin and experiences that weigh us down and keep us from experiencing God’s best for our lives.  The reality is that we don’t have to carry these things with us.  As believers we have access to the abundant life, which is living a life of Freedom. As this relates to personal freedom, we may be able to relate with the pharisees quoted in John 8 above, many times we don’t even know or realize how we are bound up by sin in our lives.  It has become such a part of how we operate it is too familiar for us to really see it.  Many times we need to step away from our busy routines and the things we fill our time with to make space for God to reveal these things.  We may think life is good, but it is likely God has something much better for us if we can get to the breakthrough and find true Freedom in Christ.  I have experienced this over the past 24 years since I have been walking with Jesus.  I have come a long way and the level of Freedom I enjoy is nothing less than miraculous based on where I have come from.  That being said, I know God has more and I deeply desiring that He would heal me at deeper levels and show me how to go to higher heights of experiencing His amazing grace and Freedom in every aspect of my life, especially in my close relationships. I found new levels of Freedom this weekend at the my second Freedom Conference.

What is the Freedom Jesus is referring to – Romans 3:23 says we are all sinners and fall short.  That is not great news since sin is what separates us from God.   The simple concept is that God allowed sin to enter the world through the garden, the fall of mankind.  But, He has made provision for us all to be washed clean and made new through the blood of Jesus on the cross.  Our first step to being set free is to fully accept Jesus as our Savior and surrender our hearts to Him.  There is no greater gift than this.  The amount of Freedom we experience through this miraculous gift is overwhelming.  I will never forget the feeling I experienced when I realized that I was washed clean starting afresh and assured of my eternal destiny.  This is the first major step to true Freedom.  But it does not stop there.  Even though we are saved and have assurance of our eternal destiny, there is a lot to be worked out in our lives that has accumulated over the years.  I was 33 years old when I experienced this Freedom and it was amazing, but the sanctifying work of the God’s Spirit was just beginning.  Over the past 24 years, I have steadily been tested and refined by fire and have continuously realized new levels of Freedom in my life from things that at one time really had a grip on me.  Things like bad habits, attitudes, mindsets, tones, how I see and treat family, colleagues and people in general.  This is our sinful nature.  I simply had formed some bad thinking over many years and had bad examples and experiences that scard me.  Many of these things I didn’t even see until God revealed them to me through people around me that could see better than I could.  Jesus desires us to be “Free Indeed” and have nothing that binds us and keeps us from His best for us.  This is the abundant life he promises us.   

Living from the Tree of Life vs. the Tree of Knowledge – Salvation is the first step toward Freedom in Christ, but we can be saved and still not be free. The second part of experiencing Freedom is choosing to live out of the “Tree of Life” vs. the “Tree of Knowledge”.  “But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden-except the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  If you eat the fruit, you are sure to die.”  Genesis 2:16-17 Every day we choose between the Tree of Life characterized by Freedom, Grace, Eternal Life, God is good, God is Forgiving and being convicted in our sin vs and the Tree of Knowledge characterized by Bondage, The Law, Leads to death, God is only judge, we are condemned by our sin!  There is nothing wrong with knowledge in of itself it is the motive behind wanting knowledge.  In the case of Adam and Eve, they wanted the knowledge to become a sort of God in their own right.  This is the danger of the pursuit of knowledge.  We must ask ourselves why we desire knowledge, is it to gain God’s wisdom and understanding, or is it to somehow exalt ourselves?  We should desire goldy wisdom vs worldly knowledge, which is much different.  Wisdom from God is pure, peace loving, gentle, yielding to others, seeks unity, full of mercy and good deeds, show no partiality and is always sincere whereas Worldly wisdom is characterized by jealousy, selfishness, division, an earthly temporal perspective, villainizing others and motivated by evil intent at the expense of others. The tree of knowledge produces shame and victimization whereas the tree of Life produces Freedom and life that is truly life. The truth is that every day we have a choice to live out of the Tree of Life (connection to Jesus and His ways) or the Tree of Knowledge (the wat of the world), let’s choose life and Freedom “today”!  “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.  Now choose life, so that your children may live.” Deuteronomy 30:19  I choose life “today”!

Next week I will share more about the Tree of Life and how we live out of the Tree of Life and the fruit that comes from living in the Tree of Life.

“It is for Freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

Have a great week!!!!

Word of the Week - Easter - Christ is Risen!!!!!!!!

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.  Romans 8:11

The death and Resurrection of Jesus over 2000 years ago is by far the most significant event in world history.  Jesus death by crucifixion and His resurrection from the grave are historically recorded events that changed the world.  These facts are most meaningful because of their spiritual significance in that through His death on the cross Jesus bore the sin of all mankind (past, present and future). 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16. 

By receiving this gift and placing our faith on Christ and what He did for us on the cross, we receive the full benefits of the Resurrection.  First and foremost, we receive access to forgiveness of our sins by the blood of the Jesus, the lamb of God who was slain on our behalf.  This is what allows us to be restored to fellowship with God our Father and have eternal salvation.  This is the “Good News” and truly the focus of this day, but there is much more for us to receive in Christ through what transpired on the cross at Calvary.  Through the cross we have access to the same power that allowed Jesus to rise from the dead.  God has empowered us as His sons and daughters to walk out our faith with confidence and trust in Him, which is what activates this power in our day to day lives.

The following are 5 additional benefits/opportunities for His resurrection power to come alive within us:

• Resurrect Hope – “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5

• Resurrect Purpose – “ For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works that He prepared for us in advance” Ephesians 2:10

• Resurrect Faith –  “Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for and the assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

• Resurrect Joy – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

• Resurrect Life – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 

In a world that lacks hope, purpose, faith, joy and life; Easter (Resurrection Day) is a day that reminds us that we have access to God’s power so His life can come alive in each of us.  Jesus is the source of our Resurrection power.  "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;” John 11:25

Remember that we are REDEEMED, RENEWED, RESTORED, RECONCILED, RESCUED & made RIGHTEOUS in Christ. 

Hallelujah Christ is Risen!!!!!  Have a blessed Easter!!!!!!!!!!!!

Word of the Week - Testimony (God Story) - Part 3 - My Vocational/Business Testimony

They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.  - Rev 12:11

Personal Testimony – In last week’s “Word of the Week”, see below, I shared my personal testimony (God Story).  This week I wanted to share how my personal walk with the Lord has impacted and influenced my vocation as a business owner/leader.  My walk with God has created chapters of my testimony related to certain key aspects of my life.  I started Founders Advisors in 2003 shortly after I came to faith.  The new Duane approached business in a totally different manner from the old one, which over the last 22 years has developed into something more than I have could have imagined, Ephesians 3:20.  I wanted to share a short overview of this chapter of my God story that I hope will encourage you to invite the Lord into every area of your life, especially your vocation.  If you are in business, I would encourage you to invite God into your business and see what He can do in you and through you!

Before I knew Jesus in a personal way, I saw my vocation in business as a means to an end, to achieve and get the things I desired for my family and myself.  I saw the people in business that worked for me and with me as resources to help me and the business achieve our goals.  I felt no real desire or responsibility to invest in people beyond the task and mission at hand.  I did understand that if people liked me and/or respected me they would likely produce more, so I worked to gain favor with others, but it was mostly out of selfish ambition.  As taught in business school while obtaining my MBA, I bought whole heartedly into the idea that the goal of a business should be to maximize profits and use whatever tactics needed, as long at legal and ethical, even if it meant pushing myself and others to unhealthy places.  I am not just talking about working hard or being challenged or stretched, which I still believe are important to a winning attitude and culture.  I am talking about trying to squeeze as much as I could out of myself and those around me to a point that was not healthy or sustainable.  I had a scarcity mentality, which translated into more of a zero-sum view of the world.  This drove me to operate more out of fear vs. faith.  This is the more secular worldly approach to business.  Operating in this way brought a small measure of success, but the cost and damage to me, my family and those around me was high.  This was not a life giving or sustainable path.  Deep down I knew there was a better way but I did not have a map or model to know how to change from the mode of operation that I had learned developed over the years.  The trauma and pain of my first entrepreneurial venture made me question many things about myself and life.  This put me on a path of seeking the things of God to answer these questions.

How my faith came alive in my vocation/business – As I shared last week, I had a life changing faith awakening at the age of 33 when I connected the dots of knowing my life purpose by knowing God and surrendering my life to Jesus.  A few weeks after having this life changing experience, I had lunch with Pastor Chris and shared what God had done in my heart and my life.  He encouraged me and asked me where God was leading me in this new paradigm of faith.  I told him I was thinking about going into full time ministry.  He asked me why, and I said “well I thought that is what you did when you were really serious and fired up about God”.  He laughed and said not necessarily!  He asked me what I did for a living, and I told him I was an investment banker who did M&A advisory.  He asked me if I enjoyed my job and if I felt like I was good at it.  I told him that I really loved my job/career and felt like I was pretty good at it and could be great at it one day, especially if I had Jesus with me. He encouraged me to continue to work in my current job/career and suggested that I could think about vocation as a platform for my life and ministry.  That I could minister to others in the marketplace and possibly reach people who would not come to “church”.  That doing business and making money was as holy a calling as being a church pastor.  That I could love and serve God from the marketplace as well as I could working full time for a church or ministry.  This was such a gift that encouraged me and gave me tremendous energy as I began to think and dream about how God could use me to live out my God purpose through the marketplace.  After my first entrepreneurial experience I had pretty much resolved that I would never own a business again.  My newfound faith, coupled with the perspective I gleaned from my conversation with PC, ignited a new vision within me for how I might walk out my God purpose in the marketplace.  A few years later I started Founders Advisors with a God vision and different heart motivation.  

How God has impacted my vocation/business over the past 22 years – First and foremost, my new perspective on life from a lens of faith and surrender, changed how I saw my vocation/job/business.  As I began to walk out my faith day to day, it had a huge impact on my attitude and behavior.  My perspective shifted to a mindset of stewardship and understanding that God was the owner of all things, and I was being given the opportunity to manage and steward the business and people under my leadership.  This changes everything, especially how we see and deal with people.  There is a much higher calling and purpose to what we are doing and God’s standard on how we deal with people is very high.  I began to have a mindset of abundance vs. scarcity and understood that in God’s economy win/win is the way.  Simply add value to others and there will be plenty to go around.  When I started Founders Advisors in 2003, I prayerfully navigated the process and felt like it was truly a divine set of circumstances that led to the opportunity.  This time around I was determined to do things differently.  I started by committing the business to the Lord and acknowledging before God and others that this was not my business, even though the company stock was in my name, it was God’s business, and I was simply assigned as the lead steward. 

Ove the past 22 years I have held the company with a loose grip, knowing that it is not my business, and ultimately, I am not in control.  I simply get to be a steward and leader.  Since the beginning, we have framed our vision, mission, and values upon scriptural truths that we felt aligned with our faith.  I have also remained committed to a daily abiding walk with the Lord to remain dependent and attuned to God’s leading.  I am committed to give the Lord my First Fruit (time, energy, attention, resource) each day, this has become my most valued daily life rhythm.  God has spoken to me in amazing ways over the years and directed many of our decisions.  I routinely spend the first part of my day in God’s word along with prayer and praise, seeking my daily bread and fresh manna. 

In the early years of Founders, my partners and team decided they wanted to join me in practicing First Fruits to see what God would do, and we would set aside 45 minutes each morning for a time of “First Fruits”.  This was a special time that God blessed and used in amazing ways over the years.  We have always started the week with a desire to connect with God and with each other.  To this day, we encourage our team on Monday mornings to pursue First Fruits by putting on praise music throughout the office for the first 45 minutes of the day.  During this time, my partners and I connect and pray together.  We then have a time of connecting in small groups within the firm to be begin our week with a relational connection before we just get going.  We begin these meetings with prayer.  We are mostly a firm of type A go-getters, so it would be easy and natural to just get to plowing on Monday morning.  We intentionally practice the discipline of “Order”.  Put first things first, God and people before tasks.  This reinforces the essence of our culture and firm purpose which is Servant Leadership.  Thinking about and putting people first.  Our stated Purpose “Be Servant Leaders who value relationships and results”. Both are equally important, but people come first in God’s economy.  These are just a few examples of how we invite the Lord into our business. 

Our business has grown and realized much success over the past 22 years, which I attribute to many factors including our amazing team members. God has blessed me and our firm immeasurably in ways well beyond business success.  We have seen young men and women come to know God in a personal way and watched endless numbers of our team members grow and flourish in life both personally and professionally.  I would say that the health of our team and business is better than it has ever been, and I am grateful to God for working in and through me and our leadership team.  Our focus as a leadership team is to build a healthy and sustainable business through our Servant Leadership culture.  Profit is an important consideration but should be evaluated as a function of health and sustainability longer term. We are positioned to grow and flourish, and I do believe that this is a result of God’s hand on our business.  We have a bold Vision, Mission and Purpose that has been inspired by the Lord, that I believe will allow us to reach goals in our business that would have not been possible but for God and His leading and blessing. I believe that we are just beginning, and the best is yet to come.

I wish I could share more about what God has done and what He is doing, but hopefully this gives you a glimpse of this amazing chapter of my God story.  If you are interested, you can glean more of this story by watching some of the videos we put together for our firm’s 20th Anniversary Celebration in 2023.  See below:

Servant Leadership - https://vimeo.com/1023064952

History –  https://vimeo.com/821045048

Culture – https://vimeo.com/user17937465/ourculture

Future –  https://vimeo.com/820959786

Word of the Week - Testimony (God Story) - Part 2 - My Personal Testimony

They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.  - Rev 12:11

My Personal Testimony – In last week’s “Word of the Week”, see below, I shared a message on the power of our testimony (our God Story) and how it can and should be used to encourage others in their journey of faith.  In preparation for hosting our 15th Heritage Forum this week, I am once again reviewing and updating my personal testimony/God story. I begin the Heritage Forum with my testimony to give context and encourage participants in the Heritage process. The Heritage Forum is part of my God story that God is using to allow me to minister to high-capacity leaders to help equip them to live with a godly generational perspective.  Many of our lead team share parts of their testimony throughout the event to reinforce how God has and is impacting their lives, families, and businesses.  If we stay connected to the vine of Christ and allow Him to, God will continue to write new & exciting chapters of our God story until we go home to see Him.

In the context of this message, I felt led to share my personal testimony.  I hope it encourages you and increases your faith and hope in Jesus!

• Before I knew Jesus in a personal way my life from the outside looked somewhat normal, and most people who knew me back then would probably say I was good.  The truth is that I was deeply struggling on the inside.  I felt lost and without purpose. I lacked identity and thus I was terribly insecure.  I believed in God and knew that the answer to my identity and purpose crisis had something to do with God, but I didn’t know how to reconcile this, and I was fearful of what that might require of me.  I had a religious and performance-based view of God.  I lived with guilt & shame and felt like I was never good enough.  I had habitual sin in my life that I knew was not good or healthy, but I did not have the power to overcome it.  My thought life was not healthy.  I would try to escape my reality by dreaming and fantasizing about things that were not healthy and at the worst of times, not pure.  My key relationships (wife, children, family, friends) were ok but surely not thriving. I had several strained relationships on the verge of falling apart.  My basic view on life was how do I get through this life and my responsibilities in a way that is decent and admirable.  I lived with fear and anxiety.  I was chasing the things of the world (success, status, financial security) in my pursuit of happiness.  I did not really understand true joy or peace and surely was not experiencing it in my life.  

In pursuit of the American Dream, I underwent many trials in my late twenties and early thirties that rocked my world.  I started a business immediately following graduation from business school with lots of hope and enthusiasm.  Over a four-year period, the business nearly destroyed me and my family.  It cost me almost everything, but I was determined to succeed.  By brute force I poured everything I had and worked tirelessly to overcome the challenges I was facing.  To the world this was a noble pursuit but in hindsight it was terribly foolish and selfish.  It led to what I thought to be a near death experience.  At the ripe age of 29, I was rushed to the hospital by ambulance thinking I was having a heart attack to find out after an overnight stay and series of tests, I had an anxiety attack.  Financially, we had invested everything we had in the business and were on the verge of personal bankruptcy.  I had given everything to the business.  My life was a mess and empty.  It was even affecting my health in a major way.  “There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end leads to death” Proverbs 14:12 Fortunately, my dear wife Amy finally said enough is enough and gave me a clear ultimatum.  “She told me that I would either get out of the business or else it is over for us!” This began a long series of terribly painful events including having to ask my father-in-law to help me out of this situation, which was humbling for me due to my pride, insecurity, and fear of failure. This life experience impacted me in a way that made me question everything.  This painful experience led me to start asking the deeper questions of life and faith.

• How I came to receive Christ – After selling out of the business, I began focusing on getting my life back in order and somewhat healthy.  My life stabilized and got back to a more normal and sustainable pace but I was continually plagued with discontent and lack of identity and purpose.  Not to mention my wife Amy was enduring an intense battle with depression that was really challenging for us.  I felt God was calling me to a deeper relationship with Him.  My brother-in-law Hamp Green and my sister-in-law Colette had recently come to faith.  I had heard their testimonies and seen a major shift in their lives that got my attention.  They had joined a new church in Birmingham called Church of the Highlands.  They invited us to attend, and in the first service I attended I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me toward something new, but we were not ready to make that move.  I then started attending a men’s small group at Richard and Patty Ann Randalph’s house in Crestline where Pastor Chris Hodges (PC) was leading a group of young businessmen on a study of finding our “Life Purpose”.  I was dying to know my God given purpose.  PC made it so simple by saying “If you want to know your life purpose you must know the God, the one who created you for a specific purpose”.  He referred to Ephesians 2:10 and made it clear that God created every person for a specific and unique God ordained purpose.  To know our purpose, we have to know God in a personal way and surrender our lives to Him.  So that day in the fall of 2001 at the ripe age of 33, I surrendered my life to Jesus in Richard’s living room.  I have never been the same since!!!!!!  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, and the new is here.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

• After I surrendered my life to Jesus – I had always heard the term “Born again” but I never understood what that meant and was somewhat fearful of what that would mean if it happened to me.  Well, I learned what it meant to be “Born again”.  I know every salvation experience is different, but for me I experienced a miraculous and profound change in my life.  It was like I woke up the next day after surrendering my life to Jesus and my heart and brain had been reprogrammed.  I had a very new and different perspective on life, and I came alive in way I had never experienced.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that what is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not marvel that I said to you, you must be born again”. John 3:6-7 It was amazing and so encouraging for me.  I immediately began to know and experience my God purpose and for the first time in my 33 years of life, I felt true joy and peace.  I had true sense that God had forgiven me of all of my sins, and I was starting a “new life” with a new identity that was grounded in Christ.  It gave me so much joy and excitement and set me on a new path that I have been walking on now for 24 years.  I have experienced lots of trials and challenges in my life over the past 24 years since giving my life to Jesus, but I have found purpose and hope in all of these trials.  I see how God is using the trials of my life to sanctify me and do something great in me and through me for His glory and purpose.  I now find purpose and joy in my trials.

It is very hard to articulate the difference in my life from before and after knowing Jesus.  For me it is literally like two different lives.  Before Jesus, I lacked purpose and identity and lived in fear with a sort of survival got to attitude that made life difficult.  There was no eternal fruit being produced in my life that I can point to.  I will never know what would have been for my life and family if I would not have come to faith in Jesus, but it is likely I would not still be married and probably not leading Founders, to mention just a few.  Without knowing Jesus in a personal and intimate way and experiencing the hope that comes in knowing Him, I would likely not have had the conviction and internal strength to persevere through many challenges of life. “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” Romans 5:1-8

I have lived the past 24 years with a God purpose and knowing my identity in Christ.  I live my life with excitement and anticipation to see what God will do next.  I am blessed beyond measure in every area of my life. Starting with my marriage and family.  Amy and I have been married for 34 years and have experienced many trials in our marriage.  By the grace of God, our relationship is better than it has ever been, and we are now doing marriage ministry together.  I have 3 amazing and healthy daughters who love and serve Jesus, two amazing sons by marriage and 8 awesome and healthy grandkids.  Our grandkids are being raised in godly families.  We have a godly heritage that we believe will endure for generations to come.  To my knowledge, I have no broken or strained relationships in my family or amongst my friends.  I have an amazing life filled with life giving relationships.  I get to be part of an amazing church and live in a flourishing community of believers.  God is using me, our family and our business for God’s Kingdom in ways I could have never imagined.  I have abundance flowing in every aspect of my life, which allows me the opportunity to be generous with my time, treasure, and talents!!!  This is the abundant life that Jesus talks about that is available to all of us if we surrender our hearts and lives to Him, make Him Lord of our lives and stay connected to the vine of Christ through abiding.  The primary difference between the before and after is my abiding relationship with Jesus!  Jesus said “I am the vine and you are the branch, if you abide in me (stay connected) then I will abide in you (give us His power) and you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing”. John 15:5

Challenge Questions:  What is your personal testimony?  Do you have it written down?  If not, set aside time to write down your testimony and make plans to share it with someone.  You can let them know you are working on your testimony and want them to listen and give you feedback.

Next week I hope to share how our God Story can be integrated into every aspect of our lives to have impact and purpose, especially in our vocation/businesses.  God will use us and our story for His purpose and His glory in every area of our lives.

Word of the Week - Testimony (God Story)

They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.  - Rev 12:11

In my March 2nd and March 9th “Word of the Weeks” I shared on “Sowing and Reaping” and “Ministry”, see below.  We serve a God of multiplication who desires for us to be force multipliers in reproducing what He has done in us.  This can sound big and overwhelming, but it’s fairly straight forward.  It comes down to us taking the blessing and gifts that God has given us and sharing them with others in the name of Jesus.  This is Ministry and how God uses us to multiply and build His Kingdom on earth.

Our Testimony is one of most important components of our ministry.  I had the opportunity to share my Testimony “God Story” last week at an FCCI event I co-hosted for a group of faith driven CEO’s / Business Owners at Pursell Farms, see pics attached.  We had a great time together and God did a good work in each of us who attended.  From this experience, I was once again reminded that sharing our Testimony is one of the most powerful ways we minister and sow seeds into God’s Kingdom.  Thus, I feel prompted to share this “Word of the Week” to challenge us all to look for opportunities to share our “God Story” (Testimony).

Testimony" is translated from the Greek word martyria, which means "evidence." But not just any evidence. To put it simply, your Testimony is your God story, which includes the pain you've been through on the way to where you are today.  Every believer has a Testimony and even though they can be very different from person to person, they all matter and should be used to testify to what God has done in our lives. 

Power of our Testimony – It is quite profound what God outlines in Revelations 12:1 for victory in life, the blood of Christ through the Cross and the word of our Testimony.  I love hearing personal Testimonies/stories because it renews and reinforces my faith and allows me to get to know the person sharing their testimony at a deeper level.  Sharing a personal Testimony typically gives you a look into the heart of a person and how God is working in their lives.  No matter how dramatic or simple an authentic Testimony it is always impactful because God is the star of the story.  Of course, most of us tend to think that our Testimony/story is not as exciting or interesting as others so we shy away from sharing it; or we may be sensitive to being politically correct and concerned that we may offend others by sharing our God story. This is a lie and plays right into the plan of the enemy, to keep us quiet and ineffective.  The bottom line is that God has anointed every believer with a personal Testimony, and we should look for every opportunity to tell people our God story. “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect.”  1 Peter 3:15

Sharing our God Story – As followers of Christ, we are called to share our Testimony with others.  We are not necessarily called to convert people, that is really left up to God and the Holy Spirit.  Our part is to simply look for opportunities to share our God story with others in a loving and respectful way as noted in 1 Peter 3:15. It important to be authentic, humble and God honoring.  I can assure you that this pleases our Father in heaven and plants seeds of faith that will be harvested at the right time.  If others come to know Jesus through our Testimony is not up to us, but being willing to share our God Story is our choice.  In sharing we can certainly encourage others in their walk of faith and help in the journey towards faith in Christ.

The elements of a good Testimony/God Story – The primary objective of your Testimony is a clear presentation of your faith and what led you to faith in 3 basic pieces:

1. Before I knew Christ – What my life was like before I accepted Christ.  Use an attention getting first sentence.  Describe it in a way that communicates well to non-believers (don’t use religious terminology). What did my life revolve around? What did I get my security and happiness from?  How did those things let me down and come up empty?

2. How I came to know Christ – How and when did I realize that I was lost and had an issue of sin in my life?  How did I hear the good news in a way I could receive it?  What compelled me to faith?  What happened when I made my decision of faith and surrendered my lift to Jesus?

3. After I received Christ – What are the specific things that have changed in my life such as attitudes, actions, and relationships, since I became a Christ follower.  Try to include personal and relatable illustrations and examples such as how it impacted your marriage, family, and/or business. Share how understanding God’s grace and forgiveness impacted your perspective on your life and others.  Why I am motivated differently.  How my faith has served me in every area of my life and the encouraging journey I have been on through the ups and downs of life and why it matters.

Note: It is best to have 3 versions of your testimony: 1) A five minute elevator version that can be given in a short exchange, 2) A 10-15 minutes version that is bit more expansive but still short and to the point, 3) A 30-45 minute version that incorporates more detail and tangible examples of how God has worked and is working in your life. 

We benefit from sharing our Testimony - Whether you are a business leader, pastor, mom, or student, there is tremendous power in your testimony and when you share it with others it not only blesses the Lord and others but it has many benefits to you such as: 1) Connecting you in a deeper relationship with others, 2) reminding you of your past and keeping you aware of where you came from and accountable to not falling back into the sins of the past, and 3) building our faith and giving us hope for the future.  We are reminded of how much God loves us and what He has done and is doing in our lives.  It blesses us and others when we share our personal God story with others.

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me” 2 Timothy 1:8-12

Challenge Questions:  When was the last time you shared your testimony with someone?  Do you look for opportunities to share your Testimony with others?  Have you spent time thinking through your testimony and are you ready to share it with others on short notice?  I challenge you to pray for who God is leading you to share your testimony with and commit to sharing it with them this week!!!

Let’s sow the good seed of our Testimony into others this week in the name of Jesus and see the what God does!

Word of the Week - Generosity

“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” - 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Generosity defined by Marriam Webster as liberal in giving: openhanded; marked by abundance or ample proportion.  I love the spirit of Generosity because it is truly the spirit of the Lord.  Our God is an amazing and abundant giver of “all that we need”.  He desires to bless us so that we can be a generous blessing to others.

God our Provider – “And my God will supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus”. Philippians 4:19  One of God’s name’s is Jehovah Jireh, which means God our provider.  If we truly believe God is the creator of all things and our provider then we can understand that all things come from God and He can give us whatever we need and much, much more.  Our God is a God of more and He desires to bless abundantly in every way, so that we can be a blessing and share the love of Christ and expand His Kingdom during our short time here on earth.  First and foremost, He provides us with security in in our eternal destiny (salvation).  He could stop here and that would be more than enough, but He goes much further in His provision by blessing us with the richness of our gifts/talents, resources, and relationships so we can be generous toward God and others.   

Heart of Gratitude – “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give”. Matthew 10:8 It begins with understanding what God has done for us through His son Jesus.  If we really receive the amazing gift of grace and immeasurable Generosity that God showed to us through the Cross and all its benefits/blessings, then we cannot help but want to respond by giving and sharing what we have been given.  This is a heart of gratitude that leads to a life of generosity.  Our response to God’s amazing generosity towards us should be a desire to give, especially if we realize all that we have is a gift from God. As we begin to understand this reality, we hold things loosely and become more generous toward God and others.

Generous Living – It truly is “More blessed to give than to receive” Acts 20:25  Generosity is a state of the heart, not necessarily of your wallet.  It encompasses all areas of our lives and resources including time, talents and treasures.  As followers of Christ, I think we should always be asking ourselves if we are generous and open handed with the blessings that we have been given regardless of the measure of what we possess.  Generous living is truly having a posture of “giving” out of what God has given to us.  Some examples include giving your time to disciple or mentor others, taking time to understand the needs of others and connect them to people and resources that can bless them or giving financial resources to support Kingdom ministries.  You should consider this is above and beyond the tithe, which is the minimum threshold of 10%.  The tithe is a biblical model God gave us to build and sustain the local church, which is the foundation for expanding God’s Kingdom on earth.  We must be discerning and pray for wisdom in the process because we cannot say yes to everything but we should be open to be lead by God’s spirit towards what are the right things to invest in. 

The Blessing – “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others in the name of Jesus will be refreshed” Proverbs 11:25.  Just like all matters of faith, we must step out in faith and trust God by His word to experience the blessing.  I am continuing to grow in my journey of Generosity, but I can testify by personal experience over the past 24 years that God is true to His word.  There is an amazing blessing in living Generously and the spirit of giving.  It is an antidote to the spirt of fear, pride, scarcity, and greed.  When we recognize God as the provider of all things and live in Generously, we are blessed beyond measure.  The Lord truly loves a “Cheerful giver” and will bless those that “Sow Generously”.  Despite the challenges and difficulties in life, if we are Generous, we will experience His abundant life as described in Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ever ask or imagine, according to His power at work within us”. 

Challenge Questions:  Are we living Generous lives in how we love, serve and give to God and others?  Are we at peace, and confident in trusting God as our true provider?  Do we believe and trust that God knows what we need? 

Let’s step into all that God has for us by trusting Him as our Generous Father who wants to bless us with “life that is truly life” 1 Timothy 6:17-18 in Christ Jesus. “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  Command them to do good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  In this way they will lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life”  

Let’s live our lives with abundant Generosity and experience the abundant life “life that is truly life”!!!!