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Category: Leadership (Page 1 of 19)

Busyness Kills Depth

March 27, 2025 / / 0 Comments

We live in an age where busyness is worn like a badge of honor. If you’re not busy, you’re lazy. If you’re not hustling, you’re falling behind. But somewhere between the endless notifications, the back-to-back meetings, and the scroll-induced insomnia, many followers of Jesus have lost something far more important than productivity—we’ve lost depth.

The Tyranny of the Urgent

Jesus warned about this exact problem. In the parable of the sower, He describes a group of people who hear the Word, but then “the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful” (Mark 4:19, ESV). Sound familiar? We claim to want intimacy with God, yet we schedule everything else first and then toss Him our leftovers.

We blame our schedules, our kids’ activities, or our jobs, but let’s be honest: we make time for what we value. If we can binge-watch Netflix or check social media for hours each week, we have time for prayer. If we can wake up early for a flight or a workout, we can wake up early to be in the Word.

The Cost of Shallow Christianity

The result of all this distraction? A generation of believers who know church but don’t know Christ deeply. We attend services, maybe even serve, but when the storms come, our roots are shallow. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their outward religiosity but lack of true relationship with God, quoting Isaiah: “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8, ESV). Ouch.

If we don’t fight for spiritual depth, the world will gladly keep us busy with everything else. The enemy doesn’t need to destroy you; he just needs to distract you.

Reclaiming Spiritual Depth in a Fast-Paced World

So how do we push back against the busyness that suffocates our faith? Here are three non-negotiables:

1. Prioritize the Secret Place

Jesus Himself—God in the flesh—regularly withdrew to be alone with the Father (Luke 5:16). If He needed that, how much more do we? The early church was devoted to “the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42, ESV). Spiritual depth doesn’t happen by accident; it happens by devotion.

Set an appointment with God and keep it. If your boss called a meeting, you’d show up. If your phone dings, you check it. Give God more priority than your notifications.

2. Sabbath Like You Mean It

Sabbath isn’t a suggestion—it’s a command. God Himself rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2). Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27, ESV). Yet many of us treat rest like a luxury instead of a biblical necessity.

Turn off the noise. Stop idolizing productivity. Make space for worship, reflection, and simply being with God.

3. Say No to Lesser Things

Not everything that demands your attention deserves it. Paul warns, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV). That means learning to say no.

No to unnecessary meetings. No to mindless scrolling. No to overcommitment. Every “yes” you give to distractions is a “no” to your spiritual growth.

The Call to Depth

Jesus never said, “Come, be busy for Me.” He said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4, ESV).

Spiritual depth isn’t about adding more to your schedule. It’s about removing what doesn’t matter so you can abide in what does. The question isn’t, “Do you have time for God?” The question is, “Is He truly your priority?”

“Wait… That’s Part of Your Job Too?”

March 25, 2025 / / 0 Comments

“So… what do you do the rest of the week?”

Every pastor hears it. The joke. The jab. The wild assumption that preaching a 25-minute sermon on Sunday is the entire workload.

Eh, we usually smile. Maybe laugh. But if we’re being honest? That question stings a little—not because it’s mean-spirited, but because it’s so far from reality.

The truth is, most pastors juggle more roles than people realize. One article claimed pastors carry the weight of 16 different jobs. That’s cute, but I stopped counting after 25.

Yes, we preach. We teach. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Beneath the Sunday morning platform is a whole world of behind-the-scenes work—most of it unseen, and a good chunk of it unexpected.

We’re spiritual counselors and crisis responders. We walk with people through death, divorce, depression, and diagnosis. We field phone calls at midnight. We hold babies and bury parents. We lead when things go well… and we absorb the blame when they don’t.

But that’s just the obvious stuff.

Here are a few less glamorous roles that end up on the pastoral plate:

Graphic Designer.
Someone’s got to make the sermon slides, flyers, Instagram posts, and event graphics. And no, we didn’t go to art school—we just Googled how to use Canva and hoped for the best.

Tech Support.
Why isn’t the livestream working? Why is the mic cutting out? Why did the ProPresenter file disappear? Ask the pastor. Apparently, preaching and IT now go hand-in-hand.

Janitor.
Overflowing toilet in the kids’ room? Trash left after the potluck? Glitter explosion from Sunday school? Guess who’s got the keys—and the gloves. I recently was seen taking out the trash and one of our members said wow you’re the garbage man too?

Crisis Communications.
Someone offended, a staff conflict brewing, or a sensitive issue threatening to divide the room? Welcome to the world of emotional landmines and leadership triage.

Mediator.
When tensions rise between team members, families, or committees, pastors often become the calm in the chaos. It’s less about choosing sides and more about shepherding hearts—without losing our own in the process.

Social Worker.
We help people navigate food insecurity, job loss, eviction, addiction, and broken relationships—not with all the answers, but with presence, prayer, and a Rolodex of local contacts. For you younger folks that’s a paper version of the contact list in your iPhone.

So yeah—pastoring is beautifully sacred work. But it’s also messy, heavy, and relentless. It doesn’t clock out at 5 p.m. It rarely fits in a tidy job description. And no, it’s not just “Sunday morning stuff.”

It’s real-life soul work.
It’s administrative chaos and sacred silence.
It’s wearing 10 hats before lunch and still needing to write a sermon.

But What If You Didn’t Have to Carry It Alone?

If you’re a pastor, you’ve probably asked the question—either quietly or in exhaustion: “Does it really have to be this heavy?”

The answer? Not if you’re willing to build the right team.

But let’s be real. Most churches can’t afford to hire a full staff. Budget constraints are real, and for many pastors, the idea of bringing on communications, operations, or donor development professionals feels like a distant dream.

But what if you actually had access to this kind of support—and so much more—through the right partnerships?

That’s what we found in the FiveTwo Network.

As pastors, we know the Gospel. We know how to do Sunday morning. But what I found in FiveTwo was the ability to better organize and manage the rest of the workload—the part that often gets overwhelming.

Through this partnership, we gained:

  • Laser-focused ministry strategy that helped us work smarter, not just harder.
  • Organizational gurus who cleared the clutter and streamlined some of how we operate.
  • A communications team that didn’t just tell us what to do—they gave us practical, field-tested best practices.
  • A donor development team that helped us see what we were missing—opportunities for growth, generosity, and long-term sustainability.

Bringing on staff is great if you can do it. But if you can’t, you don’t have to grind yourself into the ground doing it all alone. There are people and networks designed to come alongside pastors and churches and bring clarity to the chaos.

Because here’s the truth:
Ministry done alone is exhausting.
Ministry done together? Now that’s unstoppable.

If you’re a pastor or leader feeling the weight of it all—maybe it’s time to ask:
Who could stand beside me in this?

I found that answer in FiveTwo. If you’re looking for the same kind of support, I’d love to share more about how this partnership changed the way I lead.

Let’s talk. You don’t have to carry it all alone.

Stop Hiding Behind “Faithfulness”

March 10, 2025 / / 1 Comment

Let’s just rip the Band-Aid off:
The size of your church is not a spiritual scoreboard.
And no, your small attendance doesn’t automatically make you more faithful than the megachurch down the street. The same is true the other way around and we’ll address that one in a future post, but for now hang with me.

I’ve heard the quiet grumble all too often: “Well, we may be small, but at least we’re faithful.” It’s the humblebrag of dying churches. It’s what pastors whisper to themselves after another Sunday where it feels like the only thing multiplying is the empty chairs.

Here’s the hard truth: Faithfulness and fruitfulness are not enemies. Go ahead and read that again. They were never supposed to be. But we’ve turned “faithfulness” into a security blanket to shield us from the sting of ineffectiveness.

Not too long ago when talking with a brother pastor, I was asked, “What are you all doing that’s causing the congregation to grow? My reply was simple, We’re teaching the Bible man. That’s really all we’re doing right now. And God is just blessing it. The look on his face was one of sheer amazement. Then I was shocked by his reply “There’s no way that just preaching the gospel can draw people to the local church.”

Umm…What?!?! If we’re using anything other than the gospel to bring people to the church, then we’re doing it WRONG!

Let’s be clear—faithfulness does matter. Of course it does. God calls us to be faithful. Faithful in preaching the Word. Faithful in prayer. Faithful in loving people and making disciples. But faithfulness isn’t an excuse for fruitlessness. If your church hasn’t baptized anyone in years, if your community doesn’t even know you exist, if your idea of outreach is a potluck for people who already know Jesus—maybe it’s time to stop blaming “culture” and start asking better questions.

Sometimes we wrap our lack of impact in the language of purity. We say ridiculous things to excuse our laziness. Things like:
“We’re not about numbers.”
“We’re not here to entertain.”
“We’re not going to compromise to attract people.”

Sure. Fine. But are you actually reaching people? Are lives being changed? Is the Gospel going anywhere outside your four walls? Because Jesus didn’t say, ‘Go therefore and preserve a faithful remnant of the already converted.’

He said make disciples. Of all nations. That’s movement. That’s growth. That’s multiplication. As much as we may not like to admit it, Jesus was about growing the church! He wants heaven to be one heck of a family reunion for a family that’s growing larger everyday.

On the flip side, just because a church is big doesn’t mean it’s healthy. You can pack a room with smoke machines and still be spiritually bankrupt. A full building doesn’t always mean full hearts. But let’s not pretend that size automatically means compromise, either. Some churches are big because they’re faithful—faithful to the Word, faithful to the mission, and faithful to reaching people where they are.

We do not have to compromise the teachings of the faith in order to reach our community. We don’t have to give up the ghost for our churches to grow (wider and deeper).

God doesn’t grade on a curve based on attendance, but He does expect fruit.

Jesus cursed the fig tree not because it was small, but because it had no fruit. Let that sit for a minute. If you and the church you attend were that fig tree, what would Jesus do to you? I’m sorry if this sounds convicting. The reality is we’ve all grown a little complacent with just making it. But that’s not at all what God had in store for his church!

So what do we do with this?

We stop playing the comparison game. Get a group of pastors in a room and ask them how church is going. The first answer is generally the size of their worship on Sunday. That was not the question.

We stop idolizing bigness and romanticizing smallness. I talk to a lot of pastors these days and I hear this more often than I would like to admit. Not only is it a sheer numbers issue for them, it’s also a comparison game. Whether they’re not as big as the box church who has all the programs and young people in attendance. Or they just love how intimate they are so that no one gets lost in the crowd. Neither are the point of the church in the New Testament!

We stop blaming the world for not listening and start asking if we’re actually speaking their language. Why is the world and the culture around us not listening? It’s because we’re not saying anything they want or need to hear. We’re ignoring their biggest needs and preaching about our pet peeves. We start programs and ministries that we want, and totally ignore the main hurts present in our community.

And maybe—just maybe—we stop using “faithfulness” as a polite way to avoid talking about the fact that we’ve grown largely complacent – aka comfortable with not growing at all.

Being small isn’t a sin. But staying small while ignoring the Great Commission might be.

Let’s kill the pride that masquerades as humility. Let’s stop hiding behind noble-sounding phrases that excuse our lack of vision, creativity, or effort. Let’s be faithful—and let that faithfulness drive us to innovate, to risk, to adapt, to stretch, and to expect that the Holy Spirit might actually move when we do.

Because here’s the deal: God’s kingdom is not stuck. It’s advancing. And if we’re standing still and calling it faithfulness, we might just be missing the point.

Faithfulness isn’t passive. It fights. It moves. It multiplies.

So stop hiding. Own where you are. Repent if you need to. Dream again. Risk again. Plant seeds. The church of Jesus Christ is meant to grow. Not always in numbers. Not always overnight. But always in reach. Always in depth. Always in Gospel impact.

Small or large—be faithful. But don’t use that word to cover up what Jesus is actually calling you to do.

Let’s be faithful and fruitful. The world is too broken and Jesus is too worthy for anything less.

Top 3 Ways to Overcome Doubt and Strengthen Your Faith

March 4, 2025 / / 0 Comments

If we’re being honest, everyone wrestles with doubt at some point. Whether it’s questioning God’s timing, His goodness, or if He’s even listening, doubt creeps in when life throws curveballs. Maybe your prayers feel unanswered, or the world seems too broken to believe God is in control. Here’s the good news: doubt isn’t the enemy of faith—doubt can actually deepen faith when you face it head-on.

If you’re feeling stuck or unsure, you’re not alone. The Bible is filled with people who questioned, doubted, and struggled… and the cool part is God met them right there. Here are three practical ways to overcome doubt and strengthen your faith when life gets a little shaky.

1. Bring Your Doubts to God (Yes, He Can Handle Them)

You don’t need to hide your doubts from God. He already knows what’s on your mind, so you might as well be honest. The Psalms are full of raw prayers like, “How long, Lord? Will You forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1). God doesn’t get offended by your questions. In fact, He invites them.

When doubt creeps in, talk to Him. Say, “God, I don’t understand this. I’m struggling to trust You right now. Help me see what I’m missing.” That kind of honesty builds a real relationship. Doubt isn’t a sign of weak faith; pretending everything’s fine when it isn’t is what holds you back.

Pro tip: Write your doubts in a journal. Sometimes putting them on paper helps you see things more clearly—and you might notice how God answers over time.

2. Surround Yourself with People Who Build Your Faith

Doubt thrives in isolation. When you’re left alone with your thoughts, negativity and questions can and likely will spiral. That’s why community matters. Surround yourself with people who encourage you, pray with you, and point you back to God when you can’t see Him clearly. Sitting alone or pushing friends away in moments of fear or weakness rarely works to your benefit!

This is where being part of a church family, a growth group, or youth group (if you’re a student) makes all the difference. Sometimes you need someone else to carry the faith for you when yours feels weak. We weren’t meant to do this journey alone.

Bonus tip: Ask a trusted friend or mentor how they’ve navigated their own doubts. You’ll be surprised how common it is—and how their story can strengthen yours.

3. Look Back at God’s Faithfulness (Your Past Reminds You of His Track Record)

When doubt starts to take over, it helps to remember where God has come through in the past. Think about challenges you thought you’d never get through… but you did. That wasn’t by accident. Often God uses your past struggles to set you up for what you’re going through today.

God has a proven track record of faithfulness. Recalling how He worked in your life (or in others’ lives) fuels trust for the future. In the Old Testament, people would build altars or memorial stones to remind themselves of God’s help. You might not have a pile of rocks in your yard, but you can keep a list of answered prayers or moments when God showed up.

Encouragement: When you can’t see what God is doing now, look back on what He’s done before. His character doesn’t change—if He was faithful then, He’ll be faithful now.

Doubt doesn’t disqualify you from faith. It’s a part of the journey. What matters is what you do with it. Bring your questions to God, lean on your community, and remind yourself of how He’s come through before.

Faith isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about trusting the One who does. And guess what? He’s got you. Even in the doubt. Even in the questions. Keep pressing in. You might just find your faith growing stronger than you ever imagined.

Busy Is the New Lazy

February 24, 2025 / / 0 Comments

“I’d love to help, but I’m just too busy.”
“I really want to get more involved…but life is crazy right now.”
“I know I should spend more time with God, but there’s just so much going on.”

Sound familiar?

We’ve all said it. Life moves fast—work deadlines, family commitments, kids’ activities, social obligations. There’s always something demanding our attention. But here’s the truth: Busyness, while understandable, can easily become an excuse to not try.

If we’re not careful, being “too busy” becomes the reason we stop serving, stop growing, stop connecting, and stop worshiping.

Busy Isn’t the Problem—It’s our Priorities

The hard reality? We make time for what matters most to us.

We rarely “forget” to eat or skip our favorite shows. We carve out time for what fills us—whether that’s entertainment, hobbies, or scrolling through our phones. So why does time with God, serving others, or gathering for worship so easily get pushed to the bottom of the list?

Jesus lived a full life. Crowds followed Him, people constantly sought His help, and His mission was nothing short of saving the world. Yet, He still made time to step away, pray, and prioritize His relationship with the Father (Luke 5:16).

If Jesus needed that space, how much more do we?

Busyness Can Quietly Erode Your Spiritual Life

We tell ourselves, “It’s just a busy season—it’ll slow down soon.” But if we’re honest, another season of busyness always follows. The enemy doesn’t always need to tempt us with obvious sin; sometimes, he just keeps us distracted enough to prevent spiritual growth.

Think about it:

  • How often do you say, “I just don’t have time to pray,” yet find time to scroll social media?
  • How many weekends fill up with activities, while worship and community with believers take a backseat?
  • How often do good things—work, family events, hobbies—crowd out the best thing: time with God?

These are hard questions, not to induce guilt, but to invite reflection. Life will be full—but is it full of the right things?

Let’s Be Honest

We all juggle responsibilities. No one’s asking you to neglect work or family. But what if being “too busy” for God actually points to misplaced priorities rather than a packed schedule?

What if, instead of saying, “I don’t have time,” we just simply admitted, “It hasn’t been a priority”? It’s uncomfortable—but it’s also freeing. When we’re honest about what matters most, we can make meaningful changes.

Jesus asked, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:36).

Busyness might help us achieve goals, advance careers, or keep our families entertained—but if it costs us intimacy with God or the Spiritual wellbeing of our kiddos, is it really worth it?

Parents: Your kids notice what you prioritize. Making time for worship and spiritual conversations speaks louder than any lecture.
Professionals: No promotion is worth spiritual exhaustion. Your faith life will be there far after your new raise.
Students: Your schedule feels packed now, but forming good habits today shapes you for a healthy future.

Let’s Get Practical

You don’t need a complete life overhaul—just a few intentional steps:

✅ Reflect on Your Time: Where do the hours go? (Check your screen time or your calendar—you might be surprised.)
✅ Prioritize Worship: Sunday worship isn’t just another item on the to-do list—it’s soul-filling fuel. Missing periodically should be just that, periodically. I have to commend those people who I see come on Sunday even though they have to leave early. Making worship a priority, even if you have to scoot before it’s over, is a huge step in the right direction!
✅ Say “No” So You Can Say “Yes”: Not everything deserves your “yes.” Protect space for what truly matters. I heard one time that every yes represents a no somewhere else. By saying “yes” to this one thing, what are you also saying “no” to?
✅ Schedule God-Time: Put Scripture reading and prayer on your calendar like any other important appointment.

Let’s Not Miss What Matters

One day, the meetings, practices, and deadlines won’t matter. But your relationship with Jesus—that one’s gonna last forever.

Being busy isn’t a sin—but being too busy for God robs you of joy, peace, and even purpose. Let’s not settle for lives so full of “stuff” that we miss the fullness of life in Christ.

So here’s the gentle challenge: What’s one thing you can adjust this week to make more room for God?

You’ll never regret putting Him at the center of all you do.

Control What You Can, Drop the Rest

February 13, 2025 / / 0 Comments

You’re stressing over things you have zero control over. And it’s killing your joy. It’s thwarted your productivity. And your peace of mind is anything but peaceful! You’re worried about what people think of you, the economy, the weather, the political climate, the price of eggs, the latest social media drama—things that are completely out of your hands.

It’s time to stop. Right now.

Instead, focus on the one thing you can actually do something about: YOU.

What’s In Your Control?

We need to be totally honest about what’s actually within our power. You have 100% control over:

  • Your attitude – Nobody forces you to be bitter, resentful, or negative. That’s a choice. So is gratitude, positivity, and resilience. Choose wisely!
  • Your actions – You decide if you’re going to show up, follow through, and be consistent. No one makes that decision for you.
  • Your honesty – Telling the truth isn’t just moral; it simplifies your life. Lies pile up. Integrity is simple.
  • Your time management – Being on time isn’t about traffic, kids, or circumstances. It’s about priorities and respect. Plan ahead. Set alarms. Leave early. Be on time!
  • Your health habits – What you eat, how much you move, when you go to bed—these are all choices you make. No one is forcing you to eat garbage, skip workouts, or doom-scroll until 1 AM.
  • Your discipline – Success isn’t about motivation; it’s about discipline. You won’t always “feel” like doing what needs to be done. Do it anyway. Doing the hard thing when you don’t want to is often the time you grow the most.

What’s NOT In Your Control?

Here’s where people lose their minds—obsessing over things that will never be in their control:

  • Other people’s opinions – Listen closely. You could be the most perfect, kind, talented human on the planet, and someone will still dislike you. Ever heard of Jesus? Yeah they killed him because he was too kind! Stop living for approval that will never fully come.
  • The weather – Complaining about it won’t change it. Dress accordingly and move on. Grab an umbrella. Put on a sweatshirt. Turn on the fan.
  • Traffic – You’re not parting the Red Sea anytime soon. Plan for it or accept it. People won’t drive like you so complaining won’t matter. You could always just move to a location where your biggest traffic concern is a combine or three ladies riding horses down the road – that’s exactly what I did.
  • The past – Regret changes nothing. Learn from it, own your mistakes, and move forward. Failure does not have to be fatal if you learn from it and make the necessary adjustments.
  • Other people’s behavior – You can’t make people kinder, smarter, more considerate, or more rational. That’s their business, not yours. If people cross your values, you can easily love them from a distance.

The Cost of Trying to Control the Uncontrollable

When you waste energy on things you can’t change, you rob yourself of energy for the things you can. Your mental bandwidth is limited. Do you really want to use it worrying about someone’s comment on Facebook or whether it’s going to snow in Ohio…in January?!

When you hyper-focus on things beyond your reach, you become frustrated, anxious, and exhausted. Meanwhile, the things you CAN control—your habits, your mindset, your discipline—they all fall apart. That’s how you wake up one day feeling stuck, bitter, and overwhelmed.

Freedom

You want peace? Focus on what’s in your hands. When you take ownership of what you can control and release the rest, life gets simpler. You have more clarity, less stress, and a deeper sense of purpose. You start making real progress because your energy is spent on things that actually move the needle forward.

So today, right now, make the decision:

  • Stop obsessing over things you can’t change.
  • Start owning the things you can.
  • Be on time. Eat well. Exercise. Drink your water. Tell the truth. Get to bed at a decent hour. Show up for yourself and others.

That’s the stuff that changes your life.

Everything else? Let It Go Elsa!

Your Disorder Might Be Your Superpower

February 5, 2025 / / 0 Comments

When I was growing up I loved superheroes. Whether it was Superman or Batman, I would run through the house and around the outside thinking I could fly. Just about every little tyke wanted to be invincible and have lasers for eyes with superhuman strength. Then we were told that no one could be superhuman like that. But what if they were wrong? What if you had a superhero tendency that the world called a disorder?

I’ve never been clinically diagnosed as having ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) but when I look at descriptions I’m pretty much a textbook case. I was never medicated for being fidgety in school or unable to focus in class. For that I thank my parents! The more I read, the more I believe that ADHD is grossly misunderstood. The very name implies a problem—a “deficit” or “disorder” that needs treatment or management. But what if we’ve been looking at it all wrong? What if ADHD isn’t a condition to fix but a superpower to harness?

Some of the world’s greatest innovators, entrepreneurs, and creatives exhibit the very traits associated with ADHD. Their ability to think outside the box, generate ideas rapidly, and adapt to changing circumstances has propelled them to success. What some people see as chaos is the very environment in which some of the greatest innovations have been birthed. The key isn’t suppression—it’s learning to channel this incredible energy in the right direction.

Embrace the Gift of Hyperfocus

While ADHD is often associated with difficulty concentrating, it also comes with the remarkable ability to hyperfocus. When something captures your interest, you can become so deeply immersed that hours fly by without notice. This level of intense focus can lead to extraordinary creativity and productivity.

The trick is to set yourself up for success by working on tasks you’re passionate about and structuring your environment to minimize distractions. When you find your flow, let hyperfocus propel you forward. What can you do for hours and totally get lost in the moment? What types of activities can you do without even having to tune out the world?

Creativity Without Limits

People with ADHD are wired to think differently. Their minds make connections that others might overlook, leading to fresh ideas and innovative solutions. In creative fields like design, writing, or problem-solving, this ability to think outside the box is a game-changer.

I tend to call myself a chaos creator. A willingness to fail a million times in an effort to see the one direction I’m really supposed to move is a gift that I attribute to this ADHD tendency to have limitless creativity.

If you have ADHD, don’t stifle your creative impulses. Lean into them. Brainstorm, sketch, experiment, and create without self-censorship. Your unique perspective is a gift the world needs. This “disorder” is not a disease when it’s harnessed for productivity.

Boundless Energy: A Source of Momentum

From fidget spinners to stress balls to bouncing knees incessantly, this restlessness and need for movement are often seen as challenges for people with ADHD, particularly in structured environments like classrooms or offices. But that energy can be a huge asset when channeled properly.

Use physical activity as a way to reset and refocus. Take breaks to move your body, go for walks, or engage in activities that help you release energy. Many people with ADHD find that incorporating exercise into their daily routine supercharges their productivity and mood. Think outside the box a little. If you’re a restless fidgeter, do your meetings while taking a walk. Take phone calls while strolling through a park.

I work at a church that has a decently long driveway. When the weather is nice, I’ll walk to the mailbox 3-5 times a day just to get up and move. I’ll tap into a podcast or listen to a chapter in an audiobook while on the stroll. It became a joke whenever I’d get up to step out to “check the mail.” My coworker would laugh when she realized I was just a tad restless and simply needed to walk.

Resilience and Adaptability

Living with ADHD often means facing and overcoming challenges that others may not experience. But these challenges build resilience and adaptability—two essential qualities in a fast-changing world.

People with ADHD are often skilled at thinking on their feet and finding creative solutions when plans go awry. Their ability to adapt quickly to new situations can make them invaluable in dynamic environments.

I remember the starting days of the pandemic of 2020. We had a word that we used all the time in our context – pivot. We would pivot a dozen times a day. Pivot was a nice way to say what we were trying wasn’t working so we tried something else. This resilience and adaptability was demonstrated with each pivot on the leadership journey.

Building the Right Systems

Harnessing the power of ADHD requires finding tools and systems that work for your unique brain. Traditional methods of time management, like rigid schedules or to-do lists, may not be effective. Instead, here are a few strategies I find helpful:

  • Visual reminders and calendars
  • Task management apps
  • Breaking tasks into smaller steps
  • Using timers to stay on track
  • Working while moving

Finding the right system takes experimentation, but once you do, it can transform your daily life.

Rewrite the Narrative

The most important shift is in mindset. ADHD doesn’t have to be viewed as a disorder that holds you back. It’s not a disease that you have to medicate your way out of. It’s a different way of experiencing the world—a way that comes with its own strengths and advantages.

When we stop trying to “fix” ADHD and start harnessing its unique gifts, we unlock potential that can change lives, careers, and communities.

Superpower Activated

The world needs innovators, dreamers, and people who think differently. ADHD gives you a perspective and energy that can move mountains when harnessed effectively.

Don’t try to fit into a mold that wasn’t designed for you. Instead, lean into your strengths, celebrate your uniqueness, and unleash the superpower within you. The world is needs a superhero like you.

Jesus Should Not Be First

January 13, 2025 / / 1 Comment

Jesus does not want to be first in your life. That might sound shocking, but it’s the truth. Jesus doesn’t ask for first place—He demands the only place. Why? Because He’s not interested in being a slice of your life’s pie chart. He’s not satisfied with being another line item on your endless to-do list. He’s not here to share space with your career, hobbies, relationships, or even your family.

The first commandment makes it painfully clear:
“You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3)

The Hebrew here is intense. “Before me” literally means “in My face.” God’s saying, “Don’t you dare put anything in My face that tries to compete with Me.” He’s not interested in your priorities; He’s claiming everything.

Here’s the harsh reality: we’ve turned our lives into idol factories. We’re constantly elevating good things—family, work, fitness, finances—into god things. And we love to rank them:

  1. God
  2. Family
  3. Career
  4. Hobbies

That’s a nice, neat little list isn’t it? It feels spiritual. It feels balanced. But it’s a lie. If Jesus is just a “first among equals,” you’ve completely missed the point. He’s not “first.” He’s everything.

Let me say it another way: If Jesus isn’t your everything, He’s nothing. He doesn’t share the throne. He’s not a consultant for your life plan. He’s the King who demands full allegiance.

The Danger of “First”

When we say Jesus is “first,” what we really mean is, “I’ll give Him a little time, energy, and attention, but I’ve got other stuff to do.” We check the box by going to church, reading a quick devotional, or tossing a few bucks into the offering plate. Then we get back to building our own kingdoms.

But Jesus doesn’t want a piece of your life—He wants the whole thing. That’s why He said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

Deny yourself. Not rearrange your priorities. Not carve out a little Jesus time. Not give Him first dibs. Deny yourself. That means your dreams, your goals, your plans, and yes, even your family, take a back seat to Him.

“No Other Gods” Means NO Other Gods

If we’re being honest, we all have gods in our lives. Some are obvious, like money, success, or relationships. Others are sneakier, like control, comfort, or even religion and tradition. And every single one of them is a direct violation of this first commandment. God doesn’t want your idols managed—He wants them destroyed.

Jesus says it this way. “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” (Matthew 6:24)

There’s no middle ground. You can’t serve Jesus and your career. You can’t serve Jesus and your ego. You can’t serve Jesus and your comfort. You can’t serve Jesus and your tradition. It’s Him or nothing.

So what does it look like to live with Jesus as the only? It’s simple, but it’s not easy:

  • Surrender daily. Start each day by laying your plans, desires, and ambitions at His feet. One way to do this is through prayer. Just start your day with Lord today I need… Then fill in the blank and let God take it from there. Only caveat is that blank has to be something you cannot touch, so no Porsche or Lambo friends!
  • Hold everything loosely. Your family, career, possessions, and even traditions are gifts from God, not gods themselves. Treat them accordingly. When these things help you serve God, they are good things. When they distract you from God, they are god things.
  • Obey without excuses. Stop bargaining with Jesus. When He calls, answer. When He commands, act. No more excuses. It’s time for full on devotion.

Living this way will wreck your life—in the best way possible. It will strip away the false gods you’ve been clinging to and replace them with the only One worth worshiping.

Ok, so here’s the bottom line. Jesus doesn’t want to be first in your life. He wants to be the only. The first commandment isn’t a suggestion; it’s a declaration of war! War against every competing affection in your heart.

So stop ranking Him. Stop fitting Him into your schedule. Stop treating Him like a task to check off. Tear down the idols, clear the stage, and let Him reign as the one true King.

Because if Jesus isn’t the only, He isn’t anything.

Stop Non-Viting and Start Inviting

January 10, 2025 / / 0 Comments

The need for evangelism in churches has never been greater. People are desperate for hope, searching for meaning, and drowning in the chaos of life. The church has the answer: Jesus. Yet, too often, we fumble the ball when it comes to the most crucial part—inviting people into the life-changing power of the Gospel.

Too many believers think they’re doing evangelism when they say, “You should come sometime.” That’s not evangelism. That’s not even inviting. It’s non-viting.

Non-Vitation: The Lazy Evangelism Killer

Non-vitation is the ultimate cop-out. It sounds good in the moment, but it’s vague, noncommittal, and accomplishes nothing. You know the line, maybe you’ve even used it:

  • “You should come to my church sometime.”
  • “We’ve got great messages; you’d like them.”
  • “Yeah, my church is doing some cool stuff. You should check it out.”

The problem? There’s no invitation! No date, no time, no event, no urgency. You might as well be inviting them to the grand opening of a coffee shop that doesn’t exist.

Non-vitation is why people nod politely and then never show up. It’s why churches see empty pews and declining attendance. It’s why the Gospel is sitting on the sidelines while the world spirals out of control.

Invitation: The Evangelism Game-Changer

It’s time to ditch non-vitation and embrace invitation. Invitation is specific, personal, and compelling. It’s not “you should come sometime.” It’s “Hey, I’d love for you to join me this Sunday at 10:30. We’re talking about hope in hard times, and I think it could really encourage you.”

But invitation doesn’t stop there. It’s not just about getting them in the door. It’s about being there for them when they show up and investing in the relationship. If you invite someone to church, make sure you’re available to meet them at the entrance. Sit with them. Explain what’s happening in the service. And when it’s over, join them for lunch. That’s how relationships are built. That’s how the Gospel becomes real to someone.

I mean look – Jesus didn’t say, “Hey, you should come check out the kingdom of God sometime.” He said, “Come, follow me.” His invitations were personal and direct. They required a response. And guess what? People followed.

Why Evangelism Matters Now More Than Ever

The need for evangelism in churches has never been more urgent. Our world is fractured. Families are struggling. Anxiety, depression, and hopelessness are at an all-time high. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

Evangelism isn’t just a “nice idea” or a box to check on your Christian to-do list. It’s the heartbeat of the church. Without it, we’re just a holy huddle, a club for the already-convinced.

People need Jesus, and they need you to invite them to meet Him. That’s not someone else’s job. It’s yours. If you’re waiting for a sign, this is it.

Three Steps to Stop Non-Viting and Start Inviting

  1. Be Specific:
    Stop being vague. Name a date, a time, and a place. “Come to Easter service at 9 AM,” or “Join me for our family movie night this Friday.” Make it easy for people to say yes.
  2. Be Personal:
    People don’t just want generic flyers or mass emails. They want you. A personal invitation from someone they know and trust is 10 times more powerful than any social media post or billboard.
  3. Be Relational:
    Don’t stop at the invite. Free up your schedule to be there when they arrive. Sit with them. Answer their questions. Take them to lunch afterward and build the relationship. Evangelism isn’t just about attendance; it’s about connection.

Every non-vitation is a missed opportunity. Every vague, half-hearted “you should come sometime” leaves someone stuck in their pain and searching for answers. That’s the cost of non-vitation.

But the reward of invitation? Lives changed. Hearts healed. Families restored. That’s what happens when you step up and say, “Come and see.”

Let’s Get Serious

Friends, we can’t afford to sit back and hope people wander in. We can’t rely on programs, social media ads, or the “cool factor” to do the work for us. Evangelism is our job. Discipleship isn’t discipleship without inviting others into the journey.

So stop non-viting. Start inviting. Be specific. Be personal. Be relational. The world is waiting, and Jesus is ready to change lives.

What are you waiting for? Make the invitation today.

You Attract Who You Are, Not Who You Want to Be

January 6, 2025 / / 0 Comments

The life you’re living, the relationships you’re building, and the people you’re surrounded by are not random. They’re a mirror. Not of who you wish you were, but of who you actually are.

Some of us need to read that again. Here’s another way to say it.

You don’t attract the people or circumstances you dream about; you attract the ones that resonate with the person you’ve become. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s also the wake-up call most of us need.

“Wanting” Isn’t Enough

We all have big dreams. Maybe you want to surround yourself with healthy, driven, God-centered people. Maybe you’re praying for a partner who’s spiritually mature, compassionate, and ambitious. But here’s the kicker: simply wanting those things isn’t enough.

Imagine you’re in a coffee shop, sitting across from the person you want to become. That person exudes kindness, confidence, and discipline. Now imagine that person looking at you. Do they see someone who’s walking in alignment with those qualities? Or do they see someone just wishing for them?

The truth is, the gap between who you are and who you want to be isn’t closed by hope—it’s closed by transformation. It takes work and self discipline.

The Hard Truth About Self-Awareness

If you’re frustrated by your current circle or circumstances, it’s time to look in the mirror. Are you stuck in toxic relationships? Do you feel like you’re surrounded by people who don’t share your values or energy? That’s not always just about them. It’s often about you. Trust me I’ve preached this message to myself before typing it so it’s not intended to be condemning rather eye opening.

Proverbs 27:19 puts it plainly: “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” Your life is a direct reflection of what’s in your heart—your fears, your habits, your priorities. If you’re not seeing what you want in the people around you, it’s often a neon sign pointing back to areas in your own life that need some attention.

It’s not about judgment; it’s about alignment.

The brutal reality is that people don’t flock to what you say you want to be—they’re drawn to who you are. If you’re complaining that you’re stuck in shallow friendships, ask yourself if you’ve been a deep friend to someone else. If you’re complaining about a lack of spiritual depth in your life, how consistent have you been in your own time with God?

You attract the energy you emit. That’s not some fluffy, self-help nonsense. It’s biblical. Galatians 6:7 reminds us: “A man reaps what he sows.” If you want to be surrounded by people who inspire you, you have to sow seeds of inspiration in your own life, and in the lives of others.

Want to attract people who prioritize growth? Then you better be actively growing. Want relationships centered on grace and love? Then start showing grace and love, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable.

It’s About Alignment

When you begin to live in alignment with your values and your faith, something incredible happens: you stop chasing the wrong things. You no longer feel the need to “force” connections or relationships because the right ones naturally flow into your life.

Think about Jesus. He didn’t chase people down, begging them to follow Him. His life, His character, and His mission attracted people who were hungry for truth, healing, and purpose. The Pharisees, on the other hand, couldn’t handle Him because their hearts weren’t aligned with His.

Who you are attracts or repels people in the same way.

Five Tips To Live In Alignment

So, how do you attract better? How do you align with the person you want to be?

  1. Audit Your Habits: What you consistently do shapes who you are. Are your daily habits leading you closer to the life and relationships you want, or are they dragging you further away?
  2. Evaluate Your Inner Circle: Your closest relationships influence your mindset and behaviors more than you realize. If your circle isn’t challenging you to grow, it’s time to level up.
  3. Do the Hard Work: Growth isn’t always glamorous. It’s waking up early to pray, apologizing when you mess up, and choosing discipline over comfort. It’s forgiving the person who hurt you and choosing joy when life feels heavy.
  4. Anchor Yourself in God’s Word: You can’t transform without God. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” If you want to attract God-honoring people and opportunities, you need to walk the path He’s lighting for you.
  5. Be Patient: Change takes time. You won’t attract a whole new circle overnight, but little by little, as you grow, your environment will shift.

You don’t attract what you want; you attract who you are. So if you’re tired of the same old patterns and relationships, stop looking outward and start looking inward.

Be the person you’d want to meet. Live the life you’d want to join. And most importantly, align yourself with the One who transforms hearts and renews minds. When you do, you won’t have to chase what you desire—it will find you.

The question isn’t, “Who do I want to attract?” The question is, “Who am I becoming?”

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