The David Alliance

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]  #The brotherhood manifesto #TripleCsurvivor  Taking up your cross" is often viewed through a lens of submission, but when analyzed through the mechanics of character and endurance, it reveals itself as a high-level feat of internal power. Here are three talking points on why this act represents the ultimate expression of strength: 1. The Mastery of Volitional Suffering True strength is rarely found in the absence of pain, but rather in the voluntary adoption of responsibility despite it. Most people spend their lives fleeing discomfort or seeking the path of least resistance. To "take up a cross" is to consciously choose a difficult path for the sake of a higher purpose. It requires a level of psychological and spiritual fortitude that far exceeds mere physical exertion because it involves silencing the primal instinct for self-preservation in favor of duty. 2. The Weight of Integrity Over Ego The "cross" often represents the heavy burden of standing for truth, even when it is socially or personally costly. It is easy to be "strong" when the crowd is cheering you on; it is a monumental feat of strength to carry a conviction that makes you a target. This represents the shift from external validation to internal alignment. It takes more "lifting power" to carry the weight of one's principles through a storm of opposition than it does to follow the momentum of the status quo. 3. Absolute Discipline of the Will In any high-performance endeavor, the greatest enemy is the "inner quitter"—the part of the mind that seeks comfort when the load gets heavy. Taking up your cross is the ultimate exercise in willpower over whim. It is a daily, repetitive commitment to a mission that offers no immediate physical reward. This type of endurance builds a "moral callus," transforming a person from someone who reacts to their environment into someone who purposefully shapes their character through sustained, disciplined action. This concept suggests that the strongest person in the room isn't necessarily the one with the most power over others, but the one with the most po

[email protected] The David Alliance  Garth Heckman   The Busy Man's Substitute     There is something about a man that would rather build something than bow to something. Give a man a mission and he'll work himself to exhaustion. Ask that same man to sit quietly in prayer for thirty minutes and he'll suddenly remember seventeen things that need to get done first. We are, by nature, doers. And somewhere along the way, we convinced ourselves that doing things for God was the same as being with God. It is not.   The Scripture "But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!' 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed — or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her.'" — Luke 10:40–42   Now before you say "that's a story about women" — slow down.   Martha is every man who has ever stayed busy for God while quietly avoiding intimacy with God. She wasn't sinning. She was serving. She was working hard, doing good things, keeping everything moving. And Jesus gently called it a distraction.   The Honest Truth About Why We'd Rather Work 1. Work gives us something to show for ourselves. Prayer produces nothing we can photograph, present, or point to. You can't put thirty minutes of quiet conversation with God on a report. But a new ministry program? A mission trip organized? A church built? That's something. That feels like proof we matter. The hard truth is that a lot of what we call "work for God" is really work for our own sense of worth. We need to feel productive. We need to feel useful. Sitting in silence with God doesn't feed that hunger — it exposes it. 2. Work keeps us in control. When you're managing a project, you hold the pen. You make the calls. You set the timeline. Prayer requires the opposite posture. It requires you to come to Someone greater than yourself, admit you don't have all the answers, and wait. For a man wired to lead and fix and solve — that is genuinely uncomfortable. We don't like waiting. We don't like not knowing. And prayer, at its core, is an act of surrender. 3. Work keeps us from the conversation we're afraid to have. Here's the one most men won't say out loud: sometimes we stay busy because being still means being honest. And being honest with God means the real stuff surfaces — the fear, the failure, the sin we've been managing around, the doubt we've never admitted to anyone. A project never asks you how you're really doing. God always does.   The Deeper Problem When a man substitutes work for prayer, he doesn't just miss out on rest — he starts running on his own fuel. And a man running on his own fuel will eventually hit empty at exactly the wrong moment. Every great project built without a foundation of prayer is just a man's plan with God's name on it. Moses didn't lead two million people through the desert on strategy. David didn't defeat Goliath on confidence. Nehemiah didn't rebuild the wall on project management skills. Each of them had one thing in common before the great work began — they had been alone with God long enough to know it was His work and not theirs. The work they did for God flowed out of the time they spent with God. That order matters more than most men realize.   The Gut Check Ask yourself honestly: When was the last time I prayed longer than I planned for a project? Do I know God's voice — or just His assignments? Am I building His kingdom or building my reputation inside His kingdom? If God called a halt to every ministry project tomorrow, would I still have a relationship with Him — or would I have nothing left to talk about?   The Invitation Jesus didn't say Martha's work was wrong. He said Mary's choice was better. The better thing is not always the bigger thing. Sometimes the most powerful thing a man can do for God's kingdom is close the laptop, silence the phone, sit down in a quiet room and say — "I'm here. Not to report. Not to plan. Not to ask for anything. Just — here." That kind of prayer doesn't feel productive. It doesn't look like much from the outside. But it is the one thing that turns ordinary men into dangerous ones. Because a man who knows how to be with God is a man God can trust with the work.   Closing Prayer Lord, forgive me for the times I mistook my busyness for faithfulness. Teach me that You want my presence before You want my productivity. Still the part of me that needs to perform — and grow the part of me that simply needs You. Amen.   "Be still and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10

The David Alliance [email protected]  Garth Heckman Point 1 — Your Voice Creates Identity in Those Who Have Never Heard Their Name Called Right One of the deepest wounds of fatherlessness is not just the absence of provision or protection — it is the absence of being named. A father's voice is the first place a child learns who they are. When that voice is gone, the void doesn't stay empty. The street fills it. Culture fills it. Peers fill it. Trauma fills it. When a man speaks affirmation, correction, vision, and truth into a young person's life — especially a young man who has never had that — it is not a small thing. It is reconstructive. You are not just encouraging someone. You are building an identity that was never built. "The tongue has the power of life and death." — Proverbs 18:21 Words from the right man at the right moment can redirect an entire life trajectory. Don't underestimate what it means to simply say — "I see you. I believe in you. You have what it takes." Many young men are starving for exactly that sentence from a man they respect.   Point 2 — Silence Is Not Neutral — It Is a Decision With Consequences Many men stay silent because they feel unqualified. They think — "I have my own issues. Who am I to speak into someone else's life?" But in a fatherless generation, a good man's silence is one of the most destructive forces in a community. When men don't speak up — in homes, in churches, in neighborhoods, in the lives of boys watching them — those boys don't experience a neutral environment. They experience abandonment again. The absence of a voice teaches its own lesson: "You are not worth my words. You are not worth my time." "And I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap... but I found none." — Ezekiel 22:30 God is not looking for perfect men. He is looking for present ones. Men willing to stand in the gap. The bar is not perfection — it is availability. Your broken, imperfect, still-being-sanctified voice is infinitely more powerful than a polished silence.   Point 3 — Your Voice Has a Generational Reach You Cannot Fully See Most men who step up to speak into a fatherless generation will never know the full weight of what they did. You may pour into a 14-year-old boy for two years and feel like nothing stuck — and then that boy becomes a 30-year-old father who raises his children differently because of something you said that he never forgot. This is the nature of generational impact. You are not just speaking to the person in front of you. You are speaking to everyone they will ever raise, lead, or influence. The ripple goes further than your eyes can follow. "A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children." — Proverbs 13:22 That inheritance is not just financial. It is verbal, moral, and spiritual. Every word of truth, every moment of correction wrapped in love, every time you call out greatness in someone who couldn't see it themselves — that is inheritance. That is legacy. And in a generation starving for fathers, one man with a willing voice can father hundreds without ever being their biological dad.   Closing Charge to Men You did not choose the generation you were born into — but you were placed here on purpose. The fatherlessness around you is not just a social statistic. It is your assignment. Open your mouth. Speak life. Show up. The generation coming behind you is not looking for perfect men. They are simply looking for men who stayed.

The David Alliance [email protected]  Garth Heckman 1. Discipline over Impulse: * Weakness is being a slave to your temper or your ego. Strength is having the capacity for fury but the character for peace. The man who cannot control his temper or ego is not free—he is owned. Every outburst hands your power to the moment, the person, or the slight that triggered it. Real strength is keeping a loaded gun in your holster. You retain the capacity for fury (which earns respect when needed), but you keep the character to choose peace. That choice is what separates the slave from the sovereign. Impulse makes you predictable and weak. Discipline makes you dangerous and free.   Discipline Over Impulse: The Strength of the Sovereign Man   Introduction There is a lie our culture has accepted — that the loudest man in the room is the strongest. That the one who strikes first, speaks harshest, and bends to every impulse is somehow powerful. But Scripture tells a different story. True strength was never about what you can do. It's about what you choose not to do.   Point 1 — The Slave and the Sovereign "Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control." — Proverbs 25:28 A city with no walls isn't free — it's exposed. Vulnerable to any enemy that wanders by. The man who cannot govern his temper or his ego is the same. Every outburst is a breach in the wall. Every reaction hands your power to the person or moment that triggered it. You think you're expressing strength, but you're actually being owned — by your emotions, by your circumstances, by whoever knows which buttons to push. The slave obeys every impulse. The sovereign chooses his response.   Point 2 — The Loaded Gun in the Holster "Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city." — Proverbs 16:32 Restraint is not weakness. It is disciplined capacity. There is a profound difference between a man who is peaceful because he has no power, and a man who is peaceful because he has mastered it. One is gentle by default. The other is gentle by decision. God isn't calling us to be toothless. He's calling us to be trustworthy with teeth. The lion doesn't prove itself by attacking every creature it meets — its restraint is part of what makes it formidable. Keep the capacity for fury. Earn the character for peace. That combination commands respect in a way that raw aggression never will.   Point 3 — Impulse Makes You Predictable, Discipline Makes You Free "A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel." — Proverbs 15:18 When you live by impulse, you become readable. Anyone who wants to manipulate you simply needs to poke the right nerve. Your anger becomes their weapon. But the disciplined man is unpredictable in the best way — because he doesn't respond, he decides. He separates the stimulus from the response and in that space, lives his freedom. This is what the fruit of the Spirit is really describing in Galatians 5 — self-control isn't listed last because it matters least. It's listed last because it holds everything else together. Love, joy, peace — none of those survive without the man who can govern himself.   Conclusion The world will tell you to let it out, follow your heart, say what you feel. But undisciplined men don't build anything lasting — not families, not legacies, not kingdoms. The sovereign man understands that every time he chooses discipline over impulse, he reclaims a piece of himself that the moment was trying to steal. You were not made to be owned by your emotions. You were made to rule them — and in doing so, to be trusted with far greater things.  

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      #The brotherhood manifesto #TripleCsurvivor    Canker sores   Mark 6:10 Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. 11 And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”   1. Release Responsibility — You Are Called to Deliver, Not Convince   Jesus draws a hard line: You are responsible for faithful delivery, not forced results.   The disciples were sent to preach, heal, and proclaim—but not to argue people into belief. When rejection came, they weren’t told to try harder… they were told to move on.   Core truth:   Rejection of the message is not failure of the messenger.   This protects you from:   Emotional burnout Needing validation Over-investing in resistant people   Application (especially for you as a leader/coach): You can preach truth, coach men, build movements—but you cannot make a man receive it. Some people are assignments… others are distractions.   2. Refuse Contamination — Don’t Carry What You Were Never Meant to Keep   In Jewish culture, shaking dust off your feet was symbolic: “I will not even carry the residue of this place with me.”   Jesus is teaching:   Don’t carry rejection into your next assignment Don’t let offense poison your spirit Don’t let one closed door affect your next open one   Core truth:   What you carry forward will either fuel you or infect you.   If you don’t “shake it off,” you’ll bring:   Bitterness into your next conversation Hesitation into your next opportunity Distrust into your next relationship   Application: Every leader must develop the discipline of **emotional clearance**:   Release the offense Drop the disappointment Refuse to rehearse the rejection   You don’t need closure—you need clean feet.   3. Recognize Judgment — Rejection of Truth Has Consequences   Jesus says something intense: It will be **worse than Sodom and Gomorrah for those who reject the message.   That means:   Rejecting truth is not neutral Ignoring God’s invitation is a serious decision Accountability increases with exposure   Shaking the dust wasn’t just emotional—it was a testimony:   “You had your opportunity.”   Core truth:   Light rejected becomes judgment received.   This gives weight to your mission:   What you carry matters What people do with it matters even more   Application: This should produce:   Urgency in your message Clarity in your communication Peace in your departure   You don’t leave bitter—you leave **witnessing**.      Closing Statement (Sermon Punch)    “I will not beg where I was sent to bless.  I will not carry what tried to bury me.  And I will not stay where God said move.”

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      #The brotherhood manifesto #TripleCsurvivor      Acts 14 19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 1. Persecution is Real, But God’s Purpose is Greater Paul faced brutal opposition—Jews from previous cities followed him, stirred up the crowd, and stoned him, dragging his body outside the city gates thinking he was dead. This shows the cost of bold gospel preaching. Yet Paul’s story reminds us that opposition does not equal defeat. God can sustain His servants through physical danger, rejection, and apparent failure. Application: When you face pushback for your faith—at work, in relationships, or in culture—remember Paul. The same God who preserved him is with you. Difficulty doesn’t mean you missed God’s will; it may confirm you’re on the right path. 2. The Strength of Community and the Power of Getting Back Up After the stoning, the disciples gathered around Paul, and “he rose up.” The text doesn’t say an angel appeared or a dramatic miracle was described—simply that faithful believers surrounded him, and he got back on his feet. This highlights two powerful truths:   We need each other. Isolation makes recovery harder. God often uses ordinary acts of faithfulness (gathering, praying, encouraging) to bring supernatural strength.   Application: Don’t try to endure hardship alone. Surround yourself with disciples of Jesus, and be the kind of person who runs toward the hurting instead of away from them. God specializes in raising up what the world writes off as finished. 3. The Mission Continues—Don’t Stay Down The very next day, Paul got up, went back into the city (the same place that tried to kill him), and then traveled on with Barnabas to Derbe. He didn’t quit, hide, or take an extended break. His resilience propelled the gospel forward. This is a picture of relentless obedience. The enemy’s best shot wasn’t enough to stop God’s plan. Application: What “stoning” have you experienced—failure, criticism, health issues, betrayal? Paul shows us the next faithful step is often just getting up and taking the next step in obedience. The mission is bigger than our wounds. Keep moving forward. Key Takeaway for the Whole Passage: Faithfulness to Jesus doesn’t guarantee safety, but it does guarantee that God can turn even stoning into a stepping stone for greater impact. Like Paul, may we rise up, lean on the community of believers, and keep advancing the gospel no matter the cost.

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      #The brotherhood manifesto #TripleCsurvivor      Two mistakes in a mans life… caring about what everybody thinks… and Not caring about what anybody thinks. Both are extreme traps… What if you cared about what certain men in your life thought… men who were involved in a deep spiritual walk, men who were committed family men, men who were not ashamed of the gospel? What if you cared what they thought?    Men in todays world can make the mistake of looking for everyone's approval or not caring about anyones approval like personal autonomy. both have dangers. Can you give me a few talking points on this subject?Here are some clear, balanced talking points on the tension between seeking everyone's approval versus caring about no one's approval (extreme personal autonomy). Both extremes are common traps for men today, and both carry real dangers. You can use these as notes for a conversation, podcast, article, or self-reflection.   1. The Approval-Seeking Trap (People-Pleasing)   Modern culture (social media, corporate environments, dating apps) rewards constant validation-seeking. Likes, shares, and "being nice" get rewarded in the short term. Dangers: Loss of self: You slowly abandon your own values, goals, and boundaries to avoid conflict or disapproval. Resentment buildup: Constantly suppressing your real thoughts leads to quiet frustration and eventual blow-ups or burnout. Weakness signal: People (especially women and other men) subconsciously lose respect for men who need universal approval. It reads as low confidence and low status. Manipulation vulnerability: You're easily controlled by bosses, partners, friends, or social pressure.   Extreme version: The "nice guy" who finishes last because he has no spine.   2. The "I Don't Care What Anyone Thinks" Trap (False Autonomy)   This often comes as a backlash — "I'm sigma," "I'm my own man," "society is lame." It feels empowering at first. Dangers: Social isolation: Humans are tribal. Complete disregard for others' opinions cuts you off from feedback, alliances, and opportunities. Blind spots: No one is 100% objective. Rejecting all input means you never correct course on bad habits, poor decisions, or character flaws. Arrogance and immaturity: It can mask insecurity or emotional stuntedness ("If I pretend I don't care, I can't get hurt"). Practical failure: Career, relationships, and reputation suffer when you alienate everyone. Even high-agency men need sponsors, mentors, partners, and networks. Extreme version: The lone wolf who ends up bitter, alone, and wondering why life is so hard.     3. The Healthy Middle Path: Selective Approval + Inner Sovereignty   Strong men care deeply about the opinions of a small, high-quality circle — not everyone. Whose approval should matter? Your own (first), then people you respect: mentors, close friends with character, family worth keeping, romantic partners who have earned it, and competent colleagues. Whose approval should not matter? Random strangers online, low-character people, ideological enforcers, or those who don't have skin in the game with you.   Key principle: Internal locus of control combined with reality-testing. Judge yourself primarily by your own standards and results, not feelings or popularity. Use selective external feedback as data, not as your compass.   This builds real confidence: You're not fragile to criticism, but you're not delusional either.   4. Practical Advice for Men Today   Build a personal code or mission that is non-negotiable. When your actions align with it, external noise loses power. Practice "strategic disagreement": Be willing to politely say no or hold an unpopular view when it matters. This earns respect faster than constant agreement. Develop thick skin through exposure: Lift weights, take cold showers, face rejection deliberately (e.g., cold approaching, sales, public speaking). Emotional calluses help. Audit your relationships: Distance from chronic critics who drain you; invest in reciprocal relationships where honest feedback flows both ways. Remember biology and reality: Men are wired for status and competence more than constant emotional harmony. Chasing universal approval often clashes with masculine drive.   5. One-Liner Talking Points You Can Drop   "Seeking everyone's approval makes you a slave. Caring about no one's approval makes you a fool." "The mature man doesn't need the world's permission — but he isn't too proud to learn from worthy sources." "True autonomy isn't 'I don't care.' It's 'I care about the right things, from the right people.'" "Approval addiction is quiet self-betrayal. Total detachment is quiet self-sabotage." "Respect is earned through integrity and competence, not through people-pleasing or edgelord posturing."

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      #The brotherhood manifesto #TripleCsurvivor      Ever stop and ask someone for directions and they start out calling out numbers, highways, street names etc… and your like whoa wait just a second… how about you give them to me like this…   Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.     The fastest way from A to B is a straight line… not so fast there skippy. That is not always the case.    Lean not on your own understanding… You may think you see the fastest way, it may actually be a straight line.. but unless it is Gods plan, you are fooling yourself.      The loom affect The trajectory of a bullet Parbolic arc

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      #The brotherhood manifesto #TripleCsurvivor    Jesus spoke the truth even when it hurt. To the Pharisees, to the people of didn’t understand he was the bread of life, to the disciples… who do people say I am.. to Peter - get behind me satan, to Peter again you will deny me… he did not hold back. I belive he always spoke it in love, but nonetheless he spoke it. `   This is the "Hidden Invoice" for the leader. While you’ve focused on the financial cost to the company, the personal cost is often more devastating because it’s a slow-motion erosion of your professional soul. A banana in your backpack.    As a powerlifter, you know that if you have a hitch in your technique, you can muscle through it for a while—but eventually, that technical flaw becomes an injury that ends your career. Leadership is no different.   1. Burnout via "Emotional Friction" Avoidance is actually more exhausting than confrontation. The Insight: When a leader ignores a culture issue (like a Gen Z employee checking out), they don't actually stop thinking about it. They spend cognitive energy rehearsing conversations they never have, worrying about the "Contagion Effect," and managing the fallout of the dysfunction.   The Personal Cost: This constant "mental background noise" is what leads to burnout. You aren't tired from the work; you are tired from the friction of the things you aren't saying.   2. The Feedback Loop of Imposter Syndrome In your notes, you mentioned that Accountability must be seen in the top tier. When a leader fails to address a toxic team member or a lack of clarity, they know they aren't living up to their own standard.   The Insight: Every time you avoid a hard truth, you send a signal to your own brain: "I am not actually in control here." * The Personal Cost: This creates Imposter Syndrome. You feel like a fraud because you are wearing the "Boss" title but refusing to do the "Boss" work (which is the hard, honest conversations). You stop trusting your own judgment because you’ve stopped acting on it.   3. Career Stagnation & "Reputational Gravity" In the 2026 workforce, a leader’s "Vessel" (their reputation) is their most valuable asset. The Insight: People talk. If you are a leader who allows "Ambiguity Tax" to run rampant or ignores "Ethical Dissonance," that becomes your brand. High-performers (the "Gold Standards") will stop wanting to work for you. The Personal Cost: You find yourself "stuck" managing a team of C-players because the A-players have all fled. Your career stagnates because you can't hit the "High-Velocity" goals that get you to the next level. You become the leader of a "holding pattern" department.   4. The "Relational Debt" at Home This ties directly into your focus on how work helps real life. The Insight: You cannot turn off the "Avoidance Mindset" at 5:00 PM. If you are avoiding the truth with your Gen Z employees, you are likely training your brain to avoid the truth with your spouse and children. The Personal Cost: The stress of the "Unsaid" follows you home. You are physically present but mentally "reading the room" of your own household, looking for the same cracks you ignored at the office.   The "Diagnostic" for the Leader In your speech, you can give them this brutal metric to measure their own personal cost: "Look at the one conversation you’ve been avoiding for the last month. The mental energy you’ve spent avoiding it is likely 10x more than the energy it would take to actually have it. Avoidance is a high-interest loan; Truth is a one-time payment. Which one are you paying today?"  

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]    The NFL Draft….    Yesterday I got a new computer… no more lag time, no more excuses, no more late podcasts…   #The brotherhood manifesto #TripleCsurvivor    Westside training… its not how fast or how strong, its how long     1. Endurance Builds Christlike Character and Maturity   The Bible repeatedly links endurance (or perseverance) with spiritual growth and maturity. James 1:2-4 says: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Just like physical muscles grow stronger through resistance and stress, a man’s faith is forged in trials, temptations, and long seasons of waiting. Endurance teaches patience, self-control, and reliance on God rather than quick fixes or emotional highs. For Christian men, this is especially vital in roles as leaders, providers, and protectors—where short-term comfort often clashes with long-term faithfulness (e.g., staying committed in marriage, raising children, or standing firm at work).   2. Endurance Equips Men to Finish the Race God Has Set Before Them   Scripture portrays the Christian life as a marathon, not a sprint. Hebrews 12:1-2 urges: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith..." Men are called to lead with vision and consistency over decades—through financial pressure, spiritual warfare, family challenges, and cultural opposition. Without endurance, many start strong but quit when it gets hard (ministry burnout, marital struggles, or discipleship fatigue are common pitfalls). Building this "muscle" means training through daily disciplines like prayer, Scripture, accountability, and obedience, so you cross the finish line faithful, not just enthusiastic at the start.   3. Endurance Demonstrates Faithfulness and Brings Eternal Reward   Endurance proves genuine faith and glorifies God. Jesus said in Matthew 24:13, "But the one who endures to the end will be saved." Revelation also promises rewards to "him who overcomes" (a theme tied to endurance). In a culture that celebrates quitting when things feel unfulfilling, a man who endures models the steadfast love of Christ (who endured the cross for us). This strength inspires his wife, children, and church community. Practically, it counters the "spiritual ADHD" many men face—hopping between churches, commitments, or passions—and instead cultivates deep roots that produce lasting fruit for God’s kingdom.   Practical takeaway for building this muscle: Treat endurance like physical training—start small, stay consistent, embrace resistance (trials as workouts), and recover with God’s grace (Sabbath, community, repentance). Over time, it turns weak resolve into unbreakable spiritual strength. If you'd like Bible verses expanded, practical exercises, or how this ties into specific areas like marriage or fatherhood, just let me know!You've reached your full speed limit. We've moved you to a slower speed for now. Upgrade to SuperGrok for much faster reply speed.

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      #The brotherhood manifesto #TripleCsurvivor    What’s the best bible? NIV, NLT, GV, NASB, KJV, NKJV, IOU, NBA, NFL or the one I love the Wuest translation…. But you wanna know truly the best bible version? Its the one you read.  Wuest Study bible is the best near greek experience in English for a bible.    1. The Crisis of Identity (The "Manual" Problem) Many men today are trying to build lives, careers, and families without ever reading the "manufacturer's instructions." When we don't know the Word, we define our masculinity by cultural trends—which change like the wind—rather than the unchanging character of God. The Result: A generation of men who are "spiritual orphans," unsure of their true calling or value. The Fix: Realizing that the Bible isn't just a history book; it is the primary source for a man's identity. 2. The Erosion of Leadership (The "Compass" Problem) A man cannot lead his family, his business, or his community to a destination he hasn't seen. Biblical illiteracy leaves men without a moral or spiritual compass. When a crisis hits, an illiterate man reacts based on emotion or instinct rather than responding based on Truth. The Result: Passive leadership at home and a lack of conviction in the public square. The Fix: Internalizing Scripture so that decision-making becomes an act of obedience rather than a guessing game. 3. The Power of the "Sword" (The "Weapon" Problem) In the New Testament, the Word of God is described as a double-edged sword. A man who doesn't know the Bible is essentially walking onto a battlefield unarmed. We cannot fight temptation, pass on a legacy to our children, or stand firm against injustice if we don't know the promises and commands of God. The Result: Men who are easily discouraged, defeated by habit, and unable to mentor the next generation. The Fix: Moving from "casual reading" to "intentional study," treating the Bible as a vital tool for daily survival and victory.   "A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to a person who isn’t." — Charles Spurgeon

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      #The brotherhood manifesto #TripleCsurvivor    So what is it, Garth? What’s the most powerful question to ask as a salesperson? And I’m not talking about open-ended or close-ended questions here. You see, after being in the sales industry for 22 years, and coaching over forty thousand salespeople… I can tell you with no hesitation that every great salesperson I know asks themselves this question: “If I were the customer, would I buy this product?” Think about it. If the answer is YES. You’re no longer selling… You’re simply advising. You become an advisor, a friend. This is where selling becomes so easy and natural. But on the other hand, if your answer is NO. And if you find yourself trying to convince yourself to not feel guilty about the product you’re selling… That’s when all the objections, the struggles, and the embarrassing calls start to come up. Now having said that… Asking this question is so powerful, but it’s just the first step.   I was in a car ride with 2 other youth pastors and the one told me he grew up Christian light with a side of guilt. He would tell people how great Jesus was, and how much love he had for them and how fulfilling he was… but then he added - but not me- he can for you, but it doesn’t work that way for me. He said it took a solid 10 years to try to figure out why it worked for others (and he believed in it, he believed in Christ work on the cross etc…) but it just didn’t seem to work for him. After a long long long walk in faith he realized the difference was he did not fully understand Gods grace. As Spurgeon once said “grace is not grace until it is abused”. He came to realize that his whole walk up to that point was totally dependent on how well he performed. He would not let himself feel saved, righteous, loved fulfilled, hopeful etc… unless he knew he was not sinning for a long time… he had to earn it. Basically this mindset is “oh thanks for what you did on the cross Jesus, but its still completely dependent on wether or not I can earn it. Your death is null and void unless I perform on my end.  When he finally realized that it had nothing to do with him and all to do what Christ chose to do on the cross - it dug a hole so deep into his heart and filled it with humility…he was so humbled at what God would do for him… knowing he did not deserve it, he could not earn it and even more amazing he could not lose it. When you walk in that… everyone wants what you want. You go from evangelizing and hoping someday you experience what you are telling others - to actually having people see it in your life. 

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      #The brotherhood manifesto #TripleCsurvivor    Here are 5 of the all-time greatest commercial catchphrases (often called slogans or taglines). These have endured for decades due to their simplicity, cultural penetration, and ability to stick in people's minds—frequently ranking at the top of advertising historians' and critics' lists for impact and memorability.   "Just Do It" (Nike, 1988) This three-word imperative became a global motivational mantra, transcending sports to symbolize action, determination, and personal achievement. It's widely regarded as one of the most influential slogans ever created.   "A Diamond Is Forever" (De Beers, 1948) Often cited as the single most recognized slogan of the 20th century, this phrase transformed diamonds into the ultimate symbol of eternal love and commitment, profoundly shaping the engagement ring market for generations.   "Got Milk?" (California Milk Processor Board, 1993) The simple, direct question (often paired with celebrity milk-mustache ads) boosted milk consumption awareness and spawned countless parodies and imitations, proving how effective a minimalist approach can be.   "Where's the Beef?" (Wendy's, 1984) Delivered by feisty octogenarian Clara Peller in TV commercials, this catchphrase exploded into pop culture, becoming shorthand for questioning substance or value. It turned a fast-food ad into a national phenomenon.   "Think Different" (Apple, 1997) This grammatically bold slogan (intentionally avoiding "differently") celebrated innovation and non-conformity, perfectly aligning with Apple's brand during its resurgence and inspiring creative   What was Jesus catch phrase?   Here are 5 of the most iconic and enduring "catchphrases" from the life and teachings of Jesus, drawn from the Gospels. These short, memorable statements have shaped ethics, culture, and language for centuries—much like modern advertising slogans, they distill profound ideas into punchy, repeatable forms that people still quote today.   "Do to others what you would have them do to you." (Matthew 7:12; also Luke 6:31) Known worldwide as the Golden Rule, this positive command summarizes ethical living and appears in various forms across cultures, but Jesus framed it as the essence of the law and prophets. It's a timeless call to empathy and proactive kindness.   "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:31; part of the Greatest Commandment with loving God) Jesus elevated this as one of the two core commandments on which "all the Law and the Prophets hang." It challenges self-centeredness and has influenced moral philosophy, social justice movements, and everyday ethics for 2,000 years.   "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) This bold "I Am" declaration defines Jesus' exclusive role in salvation and relationship with God. It's one of his most direct and theologically central statements, often cited in discussions of faith and exclusivity.   "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44) Part of the Sermon on the Mount, this radical reversal of "eye for an eye" thinking promotes forgiveness and non-retaliation. It has inspired figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and remains a challenging ideal in a world of conflict.   "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." (John 14:1) Spoken in the context of his impending death, this offers comfort and assurance amid anxiety. It's a concise message of peace through faith that resonates in times of trouble.   These phrases stand out for their brevity, depth, and cultural staying power—many have entered everyday speech (e.g., "turn the other cheek" or "judge not" come from similar teachings). Honorable mentions include "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find" (Matthew 7:7) and "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). Which of these resonates most with you, or do you have a favorite saying from Jesus' teachings?856msFast     What is your catch phrase?

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]  #The brotherhood manifesto #TripleCsurvivor    2. Poor Sleep and Chronic Stress Disrupted sleep and elevated cortisol (stress hormone) are major saboteurs. Poor sleep increases hunger hormones (ghrelin), decreases fullness signals (leptin), and promotes fat storage—especially around the midsection. High stress from work, life demands, or overtraining triggers emotional or comfort eating and makes the body hold onto fat as a survival response. Many men underestimate how much "just pushing through" with less sleep or high-pressure jobs undermines results.   Not to mention poor sleep causes poor eating habits which can cause inactivity which is muscle loss, which increases visceral fat.   How to address it: Prioritize 7–9 hours of quality sleep nightly. Manage stress with short daily practices (walks, meditation, or hobbies). Avoid late-night screens and over-caffeine. Have a sound machine, a fan, a night mask that blacks out all light, cut out late snacking and caffeine… whatever it takes sleep is king! 

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      #The brotherhood manifesto #TripleCsurvivor    Paul says to run the race… most men are not in shape to run.. and yes it will affect your walk with God.    Here are the 5 biggest obstacles to weight loss that men commonly face, drawn from patterns in a mans life -  While men often have physiological advantages like higher baseline muscle mass and resting metabolic rate (which can make initial fat loss faster than for women), these challenges frequently derail progress, especially with age, lifestyle, or unaddressed factors.   1. Declining Testosterone and Hormonal Imbalances As men age (often starting in the 30s–40s), testosterone levels naturally drop, leading to reduced muscle mass, a slower metabolism, increased visceral (belly) fat, lower energy, and greater difficulty burning calories. Visceral fat is particularly stubborn and linked to insulin resistance, which promotes fat storage and cravings. This creates a cycle where lower T makes weight loss harder, and excess fat further suppresses T. Many men overlook this and treat symptoms with generic diets instead of checking levels. How to address it: Get bloodwork for testosterone, thyroid, and insulin sensitivity. Strength training (especially heavy lifts), adequate sleep, stress management, and sometimes medical evaluation for replacement therapy can help restore the hormonal environment for fat loss.   Again I truly believe a man who is in health has a much greater advantage serving his wife, kids, employer and the church if he is in shape. Not muscle bound, not run a marathon… but healthy. 

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]  THE MAN   ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS AGO I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO MULTI MULTI MILLIONAIRE… HIS FIRST QUESTION TO ME RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE “IF YOU WERE TO DIE TODAY WOULD YOU GO TO HEAVEN?  I ASKED HIM WHY HE STARTS EVERY CONVERSATION LIKE THAT? AT THE END OF THE CONVERSATION I SAID “HAVE YOU EVER BEEN AFRAID IT MIGHT COST YOU YOUR REPUTATION, BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY OR MONEY?  HIS REPLY: I HAVE FOUND OUT OVER THE YEARS JESUS DOESN’T CARE ABOUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK… HE BLESSES ME REGARDLESS!    Some day I will own a gym again, and when I sign people up on the contract I will have a place where I explain the plan of salvation to them… I may lose customers… but its always the gospel first!    When healing takes place, when forgiveness takes place it is the supernatural invading the darkness here on earth. YOU WALK AROUND LOOKING TO MESS UP SATANS PLANS! YOU ARE THE SECRET WEAPON!   Stages of faith seen in the scriptures. - You ask Jesus "if you can” Luke 5:12 Leper - You ask Jesus “if you are willing” Matt. 8:2 Leper - If I can only touch him Matt. 9:20 - If he touches me - He goes out and heals the masses - If he says the word - Matt. 8:8 The centurion - If I hear his word - Paul hears Jesus speak to him on Damascus - If I read his word - We read the Word and believe it  -  I AM HIS WORD 2 Cor. 3:3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. *Get people to Jesus at all cost (Mark 2:1-5 bring the paralytic man through the roof to Jesus)   -  What are you willing to do to bring people to the Gospel?   -  What are you willing to believe in order to get people to the Gospel?   -  What are you willing to risk to bring people to the gospel? 

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      Going to see G3 and not being able to get up front… but looking for a bathroom upstairs I walked in on him - “your Joe Satriani… Yes I am”.    Mark 2 When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. 2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word (OUR JOB- PREACH THE WORD OF GOD - Preaching Gods word always messes up the religious and the traditional) to them, 3 four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 4 They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, (PEOPLE ARE SELFISH EVEN WITH THE BEST INTENTIONS) so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. (SOMEBODY’S GOTTA GET DIRTY - uh…thats not how we do things here - the religious are always quick to point out the “right way”) 5 Seeing their faith ( GK-auton personal possessive pronoun all 5 had faith), Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” (CHILD, I AM YOUR FATHER, YOU ARE MY CHILD, I DISCERN YOUR BELIEF - you believe in me therefore you are now my child/I am your Father)  6 But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, 7 “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”  (WHY DO YOU THINK THESE MEN SAW JESUS AS THE MESSIAH BUT NOT THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS?) 8 Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? 9 Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? (RELIGIOUS LEADERS TAUGHT THAT SICKNESS WAS DUE TO SIN IN A PERSONS LIFE - so healing and forgiveness were intertwined) 10 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 11 “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” 12 And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”   a series of controversy stories (Mark 2:1–3:6) that highlight growing opposition to Jesus from Jewish religious authorities       Both reveal Jesus exercising divine authority in ways that clash with first-century Jewish expectations.     Jesus first declares, “Son, your sins are forgiven”—bypassing expected healing and striking at the root issue.     (forgiving sins is “easier” because invisible and unprovable; healing is verifiable), and performs the harder visible act to authenticate the invisible one. The healed man’s immediate obedience proves Jesus’ authority as the “Son of Man” who exercises divine power now, not just in a future kingdom. The crowd’s reaction (“We never saw anything like this!”) underscores the unprecedented nature of the claim.   Taxi drivers in NY - get out now. Uber is coming. It will change everything.     This incident challenges the entire religious establishment: forgiveness is no longer Temple-bound but available through Jesus’ word; institutional mediators (scribes, sacrifices, Pharisees, Rules and Temple system) are sidelined.

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      Sermon Psalm 103:5    who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. NIV   Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. KJV   He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! NLT       Desires/mouth/Glory/years/….souls desires -  the inner most parts of a person.            With good things • The “good things” are both spiritual and tangible. Notice the catalog earlier in the psalm: – Forgiveness of iniquity (v 3) – Healing of diseases (v 3) – Redemption from the pit (v 4) – Crowning with loving devotion and compassion (v 4) • God never rations goodness. “He who did not spare His own Son…how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). • Every blessing in the heavenly realms is already ours in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).     Youth GK - Juvenality, young youthful (youth in all that you are. Energy, mindset, optimist)   Eagle A symbol of strength and renewal in the Bible, the eagle is often used to depict God's provision and the renewal of strength for those who trust in Him.   God's Provision God is the ultimate provider who satisfies our needs with good things. Reflect on how God has provided for you in both physical and spiritual ways.   Renewal of Strength Just as the eagle renews its strength, God offers us renewal and rejuvenation. Consider areas in your life where you need God's renewing power.   Spiritual Satisfaction True satisfaction comes from God alone. Evaluate what you are seeking for fulfillment and ensure it aligns with God's will.   Trust in God's Timing Trust that God will satisfy you in His perfect timing. Be patient and faithful, knowing that His timing is always best.   Gratitude for God's Blessings Cultivate a heart of gratitude for the good things God provides. Regularly thank Him for His blessings and provisions.       What Does Psalm 103:5 Mean Who David’s “who” reaches back to the LORD he blesses in verses 1-2. The focus is personal: the Creator Himself stoops to care for an individual soul. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). Because He is unchanging (James 1:17), His benefits listed in verses 3-4—pardon, healing, rescue, love—flow straight into verse 5.     Satisfies you • God does more than meet needs; He fills the deepest hungers until nothing is missing (Psalm 107:9). • Christ echoes this promise: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me will never hunger” (John 6:35). • Satisfaction here is ongoing, not a one-time event. The verb shouts continual provision, the way manna arrived fresh every morning (Exodus 16:4).         So that your youth is renewed God’s gifts carry a purpose: revival. The picture is inward vitality overriding outward decline. • “Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). • Renewal keeps us useful, hopeful, and energetic for service—never merely comfortable spectators. • Isaiah connects waiting on the LORD with fresh strength (Isaiah 40:31), showing renewal is relational, not mechanical.     Like the eagle’s The eagle embodies altitude, longevity, and vigor. Scripture often uses the bird as a snapshot of God-given strength. • Eagles soar above storms, riding thermal currents instead of flapping in panic—an image of trusting rather than striving (Isaiah 40:31). • They enjoy remarkable life spans, fitting the idea of youth being “renewed.” • The LORD carried Israel “as an eagle stirs up its nest…spreading its wings” (Deuteronomy 32:11); He does the same for every believer, lifting us above circumstances into His higher purposes.     summary Psalm 103:5 promises that the LORD Himself continually fills His people with every good gift, bringing deep, satisfying refreshment that restores inner vitality. Like eagles catching fresh currents, we are lifted by His grace to live energetically and purposefully, confident that His goodness will never run dry.

  Some pharisees even argued that it was illegal to pray for someone on the sabbath.    When is the sabbath? The determination of the "actual" day of the Sabbath depends on the religious and historical context, as different traditions observe it on different days of the week. Judaism: Saturday In the Jewish tradition, the Sabbath (Shabbat) is the seventh day of the week. It commemorates the biblical narrative of the seventh day of creation when God rested. Timing: It begins at sunset on Friday and concludes at nightfall on Saturday. Significance: It is a day of rest, prayer, and cessation from all forms of creative work (melakhah). Christianity: Sunday (The Lord's Day) Most Christian denominations observe the Sabbath on Sunday, the first day of the week. Reasoning: This shift occurred early in church history to honor the Resurrection of Jesus, which took place on the first day of the week. Exceptions: Certain groups, such as Seventh-day Adventists and Seventh Day Baptists, continue to observe the Sabbath on Saturday, citing the original biblical commandment to keep the seventh day holy.     THE ORIGINAL COMMANDMENT Exodus 20:8-11 THE COMMAND 8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested (ABANDONED) on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.           The sabbath was given for man to rest and reconnect with God. Jesus said it was a day for Good… not evil. It was to Meet the deepest needs of man spiritual and physical renewal.       THE SABBATH: PRE-VIEW FOCUS ON GOD FOCUS ON WHAT HE IS ABOUT FOCUS ON WHAT ONLY HE CAN DO FOCUS ON HOW HE HAS USED YOU AS YOU SEEK TO HONOR HIM IN ALL YOU DO… Thats the secret!       The pharisees were mad that Jesus did not keep the rules… they were powerless, so rules are all they had to feel powerful!    Remember - rebellion is a false sense of power… but even if fake it sure can feel real… and taste good.  What rules do you hang on to when you feel powerless? We all do it.  DO YOU FIND IT EASY TO POINT OUT OTHERS WHO BREAK THE RULES? THAT STEMS FROM A PLACE OF POWERLESSNESS.    Have you ever said or thought “well at least im not as bad as them”. That is just simply your flesh acting out like the Pharisees… I have more power because I act better.   At least five things in these verses need special comment. 1. Remembering First, Israel is to remember the rest day. Sabbath means rest. "Remember the sabbath day," means, "Don't forget to take a day off.”     Remember: Make it a pattern. not just day off, NOT JUST A DAY YOU GO TO CHURCH…but a pattern of keeping it holy, focused on God and his works.      We live in a world where we revel brag and posture on how busy we are.... think about that for a minute... we are proud that we do not take time to focus on God, celebrate his holiness and goodness.     DON’T FORGET TO ABANDON!     It’s God showing us a discipline we all need more of. learning to say NO… No to people No to pressures and expectations No to purchases we think we need No to things we are not good at No to time that is spent on meaningless events   Abandon!

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]          Mark 2  23 One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples began breaking off heads of grain to eat. 24 But the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?” 25 Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 26 He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions.” 27 Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”      The Pharisees lived in cities… don’t miss the point. If they were following  Jesus they were a long way from home. They were simply there to find something wrong with him. ooohhhh people who spend all their time pointing out what others do wrong… powerless and religious!     The people were required to meet the requirements of the Sabbath… this is the law. JESUS NOW COMES TO FULFILL THE LAW     Lord even over the Sabbath.   The Pharisees tried to make the Sabbath Holy by following the rules… Jesus is Lord over the Sabbath. Its not about Rules it’s about Jesus being Lord of your life.     3 Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. 2 Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” 4 Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him. 5 He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! 6 At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus.     A great example of what happened to the sabbath could be wrapped up in what happened to healthcare. In the USA Churches started hospitals… care for the lost and poor If it was a country - It’s the 5th largest economy in the world  A paper pill cup on amazon is .2 cents, in a hospital it can be as much as $15 *what was once meant to be serving and healing is now consolidation, ownership for the sake of monopolizing profit!  its about the Benjamin's!  The pharmaceutical companies control the curriculum in the medical schools.      Some pharisees even argued that it was illegal to pray for someone on the sabbath. 

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      Did you know that yesterday EASTER was the exact anniversary of our Lord and Saviors death. Exactly 1,993 years ago on that exact day Christ rose from the grave.    Walking through the cemetery as a kid at night… We fear death.. Not birth Not life But death… we can’t relate.   I could claim to be born as a God I could claim to live as a God I could claim to die as a God But am I willing to CLAIM to resurrect 3 days later to prove it…   But because he did resurrect we now no longer need to fear death. He conquered it, he made a fool of it, he said where is your sting oh death. Thats all you got? And why wait 3 days until you come back to life?       1. Ancient Medical Understanding: When is someone truly dead?   In the ancient world (including Jewish and Greco-Roman thought), people didn’t have modern tools to confirm death (no EEG, no heart monitors). So they relied on observable signs:   What they looked for:   * No breathing * No pulse (very hard to detect accurately) * Body cooling * **Onset of decomposition**   The key issue: People could appear dead and revive (coma, shock, hypothermia)   So there was always a lingering fear: “What if they weren’t really dead?”   2. Why “Three Days” Became a Cultural Threshold**   In Jewish thought, there was a widespread belief (not formal doctrine, but common teaching) that:   The soul hovered near the body for about 3 days**   After that:   * The body began to visibly decay * The soul was considered fully departed * Death was **final and irreversible**   You see this hinted at in the story of Lazarus:   “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” (John 11:39)   That’s not just a detail—it’s a theological statement: “This is beyond recovery. This is real death.”     3. Modern Medical Insight: Decomposition Timeline   Even today, decomposition supports why 3 days is significant:   Within ~72 hours after death:   Rigor mortis comes and goes Autolysis** (cells breaking down) accelerates Putrefaction begins (bacteria causing decay) Odor becomes noticeable   By day 3, the body is unmistakably dead.   So even by modern standards: Three days removes doubt.     4. The Power of the Resurrection Timing   Jesus didn’t rise immediately. That’s critical.   If He rose:   * After a few hours → skeptics say “He fainted” * After one day → “Maybe He wasn’t fully dead”   But after three days: It destroys every natural explanation.   This is why the resurrection isn’t just miraculous—it’s strategically undeniable.   5. Biblical Pattern: “Third Day” = Divine Intervention   The “third day” shows up all over Scripture as the moment God acts decisively:   * Hosea 6:2 — “On the third day He will raise us up” * Jonah 1:17 — Jonah in the fish 3 days * Genesis 22 — Abraham receives Isaac back (figuratively) on the third day   The pattern: Day 1 = loss Day 2 = silence Day 3 = God moves   Jesus steps into that pattern and fulfills it.   6. Roman Execution Certainty   From a historical standpoint:   * Roman crucifixion was brutally efficient * Executioners ensured death (piercing, blood loss, asphyxiation) * Bodies weren’t casually misdiagnosed   So combine:   * Roman certainty of death * 3 days in the tomb * Sealed grave   The resurrection claim becomes *maximally bold*.   Bottom Line (Teaching Power Statement)   Three days wasn’t random. It was intentional.   It ensured that:   * No one could argue Jesus merely fainted * Death had fully taken its course * Resurrection could only be explained as supernatural     “Jesus didn’t come back early—He waited until death had fully won… and then He crushed it.”

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      Bearer of Measured Brutality.   Do You YOU, feel like I do! Peter Frampton comes alive…   Be the BOMB…  The man who would go off. Is it seen in your walk, talk, dress, your command of your kids, your eye contact, your voice, your mental involvement in your kids, your social setting awareness.   **Yes, I know exactly what you're referring to.** This comes from a 2017 interview with Jack Reynolds, a convicted child molester from Indiana who served over 12 years in prison for offenses in the 1980s (he claimed more than 300 victims). In the interview—conducted after his release and shared widely in child safety circles—he openly described his victim selection process.   One of the first things he assessed was the child's father. His exact words (from the interview footage and transcripts that have circulated): “If I thought the father was a threat, I would not approach the child.” He targeted boys who appeared isolated, from split or unstable families, or who lacked a strong, present father figure. If the dad seemed attentive, involved, capable of confrontation, or simply “in the picture” in a protective way, Reynolds moved on to easier targets. He wanted zero risk of exposure, confrontation, or interference—predators like him operate in secrecy and silence, and a vigilant father raises the stakes dramatically.   He scoped out potential victims in everyday places like school grounds, Little League fields, or neighborhoods, and he explicitly looked for vulnerability: no close friends the child would confide in, mothers who might welcome “help” from a friendly outsider (he’d position himself as a “superhero” offering to take the kid for outings), boys with little sexual experience, and families lacking strong values or structure.   ### Other insights from this and similar predator accounts This isn’t unique to Reynolds—multiple law enforcement interviews with convicted offenders (and research on grooming patterns) show predators treat “father presence” as a high-risk filter. Here are related patterns that consistently come up:   - **They prioritize low-resistance targets overall.** Beyond the father, they avoid kids who seem confident, assertive, or likely to speak up immediately. They test boundaries gradually (grooming) and bail if the child resists early or has a tight support network (close friends, involved siblings, or other adults who pay attention). Reynolds himself said he skipped kids “that he would tell” because the risk of the child disclosing was too high.   - **Absence or perceived weakness is the real opportunity.** Predators don’t necessarily need a completely absent dad—they exploit dads who appear distracted, disengaged, overly trusting, or unwilling/unable to act. The “threat” Reynolds described wasn’t just physical size or aggression; it was *perceived capability and willingness* to protect (being present, setting boundaries, staying alert). This is why child-safety experts emphasize that involved, visible fatherhood itself is a deterrent.   - **Grooming is calculated, not impulsive.** Reynolds stressed it wasn’t random or overnight—it involved scouting, building trust with the family, and exploiting cracks (e.g., a stressed single mom or a lonely kid). Modern versions often use social media for the same low-risk access, which he himself warned about in the interview as giving predators even more tools.   - **Broader deterrence themes from other interviews.** Similar accounts (from prison interviews and prevention programs) repeatedly highlight that predators scan for *opportunity + low consequence*. Strong parental involvement (dad *and* mom), clear family rules about strangers/adults, kids who are taught to recognize uncomfortable situations and report them, and communities where adults watch out for each other all shrink the “easy target” pool. Physical fitness or “intimidating” appearance can play a role, but consistent presence and boundaries matter more.   The core takeaway from Reynolds’ own words (and why clips of this interview keep resurfacing on parenting and men’s accounts) is simple: predators are opportunistic and risk-averse. They don’t want a fight or attention—they want silence and compliance. A father who is actively engaged, physically and mentally prepared to protect, and visibly part of his kids’ lives sends a clear signal: “Not this one.” It’s a powerful, evidence-based reason for dads to stay sharp, involved, and unapologetically protective. This interview was shared precisely because Reynolds hoped it would help parents close those windows of vulnerability he once exploited.             The Bible portrays fatherhood as a sacred responsibility that includes providing, guiding, disciplining, and actively protecting children—both physically and spiritually. While it does not contain a single verse that says "fathers must be aggressive defenders against predators," it repeatedly emphasizes a father's duty to guard his family from harm, sin, and vulnerability through presence, wisdom, instruction, and spiritual leadership. God Himself is often pictured as the ultimate protective Father, serving as the model. Key Direct Instructions to Fathers   Ephesians 6:4 (ESV): "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This verse gives fathers primary responsibility for raising children. "Bring them up" implies nourishing and protecting their growth, while "discipline and instruction" involves training them in God's ways to equip them against moral and spiritual dangers. The warning against provoking anger highlights balanced, non-abusive leadership that builds rather than breaks. Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not turn from it." This calls fathers (and parents) to proactively guide children onto a righteous path, which serves as long-term protection from poor choices or harmful influences. Proverbs 13:24: "Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him." Loving discipline is framed as protective care—guiding children away from folly and self-destruction. (This is balanced by calls for compassionate, non-exasperating leadership elsewhere.)   God's Example as Protective Father The Bible often compares human fatherhood to God's character:   Psalm 103:13: "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." A good father shows tender yet strong care, knowing his children's weaknesses and shielding them. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (instructions to Israel, applied to fathers): "These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." Constant, everyday spiritual instruction acts as a hedge of protection.   Jesus strongly warns against harming or causing children to stumble:   Matthew 18:6: "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." This underscores God's fierce concern for children's safety and innocence, implying fathers (as protectors) must guard against those who would exploit or lead them astray.   Biblical Examples of Protective Fatherhood   Job: He rose early to offer sacrifices for his children, acting as a spiritual "hedge" around them out of awareness of their vulnerability to sin or attack (Job 1:5). This models proactive vigilance. Noah: He obeyed God to build the ark, saving his entire family from destruction (Genesis 6-9). Joseph (earthly father of Jesus): He protected the child Jesus by fleeing to Egypt to escape Herod's threat (Matthew 2:13-15). Broader theme: Fathers in Scripture are called to be providers, leaders, and defenders of the household (e.g., 1 Timothy 5:8 on providing for one's family, or the general principle of headship in Ephesians 5:23).   Broader Insights on Protection The Bible ties a father's protective role to:   Spiritual warfare and awareness: Being alert to dangers (physical, moral, or demonic) and trusting God while taking action (echoed in passages like Psalm 127 on the Lord watching over the house, or fathers as "watchmen"). Teaching and presence: Deuteronomy 6 and Proverbs emphasize daily involvement—being there, teaching truth, and building character so children are not easy targets for evil. Compassion with strength: Protection is not harsh control but loving guidance that prepares children to stand firm (Proverbs 14:26 links fear of the Lord with confidence and refuge for children).   In short, Scripture presents the protective father as one who is present, spiritually vigilant, disciplining with love, instructing in God's ways, and willing to stand against threats to his family's well-being—modeling God's own fatherly care. This aligns with the idea that involved, attentive fatherhood raises the "cost" for anyone seeking to harm or exploit a child. Many Christian teachings on family draw from these principles to encourage dads to be both tender shepherds and strong guardians. If you'd like specific translations, more context on any verse, or examples from Old vs. New Testament, let me know!881msFast

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      One of my favorite lines from Chuck Norris movie was - If you come back in here Im going to hit you with so many rights you're going to beg for a left. It is a scene where a man shows up to threaten Chuck and ends up getting his chest kicked in and everyone running away.  Matthew 8:28 from screaming and threatening to begging and pleading.  Why doesn’t Jesus run scared? I know it sounds simple - uh… he’s God? Hello? But what is behind this moment really? He was man who laid down his deity in order to live completely through the power of the Holy Spirit. So what is going on here? First he went across the lake and storm on purpose… because after the demons get cast out he goes back… yes the city begs him not to come to their city… but he knew that already. He came for one demonic crazy man. No every day that you are heading into at least ONE ordained moment where its going to feel more natural to run than to stand in faith. Now you may not actually run.. but you may shut up, shrink back from speaking the truth, sharing Christ, praying for the sick, inviting the person to church or to accept Christ. Its easy to run from those situations. But stand your ground… and watch satan get angry and threaten you… but stand your ground. What does Ephesians say after standing your ground, stand firm and stand your ground.  He then calls them out and says what’s your name? Why would he do that? For those around him. He wanted the disciples to see that even when its on against 6000 you still have the victory. I can see Jesus asking the man and when the demons say “legion for we are many”… Jesus kind of smacks his lips, smiles and cackles… still not enough. YOU ARE OUTNUMBERED BY ONE AND ONLY ONE!  Then he casts them into the pigs… You have the right to cast out demons… notice Jesus did not ask the man if he wanted to be delivered. He just did it. I am not asking someone if they want to be delivered… I am just going to pray that the demon leaves them…then I will ask them if they want to accept Jesus as their lord and savior. If not I will warn them that this demon will be back with even more demons and they will be in far greater danger…  Finally, the man begs to come with Jesus, but he says no. Why? I think he would make an incredible disciple… right? Think of the stories and banter with the other disciples… well at least I never ran around naked and bloody…. Oh bob your killing me. Seriously… why not take him on the road? He needs to be the light to those he knows best. Your testimony is greatest to those who used to know you… don’t ever hesitate telling them - don’t be ashamed  - that is the power you have been given - that is the word of your testimony. 

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      The 13 Rules for Radicals   In 1971, community organizer Saul Alinsky published Rules for Radicals, a manual intended for "have-nots" to take power back from the "haves." His tactics focus on pragmatism, psychological warfare, and using an opponent's own rules against them. Here are the 13 tactical rules Alinsky outlined: The 13 Tactics  * "Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have." If your organization is small, hide your numbers in the dark; if it's large, flaunt it in the light.  * "Never go outside the expertise of your people." If your activists aren't comfortable with a tactic, they will fail or lose morale.  * "Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy." Look for ways to cause confusion and fear by forcing the opposition to deal with something they haven't practiced for.  * "Make the enemy live up to their own book of rules." If their rule is "every letter must be answered," send 30,000 letters. You can kill them with their own red tape.  * "Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon." It is almost impossible to counter-attack ridicule. It also infuriates the opposition, who then react to your advantage.  * "A good tactic is one your people enjoy." If people are having fun, they will keep doing it and come up with better ideas.  * "A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag." Don't let your movement become boring. Commitment has a shelf life.  * "Keep the pressure on." Never let the opposition rest or regroup. Use different tactics to keep the pressure constant.  * "The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself." Imagination and anticipation of what might happen often cause more damage than the actual action.  * "If you push a negative hard enough, it will push through and become a positive." Every move by the opposition can be flipped into a rallying cry for your side.  * "The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative." Never let the enemy score a point by asking, "Okay, what would you do?" Have a plan ready.  * "Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it." Don't attack "the system." Attack a specific person (a CEO, a politician). It’s harder for people to ignore or defend a single individual than a nameless institution.  * "The most important requirement for the tactic is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition." Action is a series of hits; you must keep the momentum going. The Philosophy Alinsky’s core argument was that in a fight for power, the ends often justify the means. He believed that the only way to effect change was through direct, often uncomfortable, confrontation. > Note: These rules have been used across the entire political spectrum, from labor unions to modern grassroots tea party movements and digital activists.     Comparing the principles in Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals with Biblical teachings reveals a fundamental tension between tactical pragmatism and moral absolutes. While both share a concern for the "have-nots" and the pursuit of justice, they differ sharply on the methods used to achieve those ends. Here is how a Biblical perspective might respond to the core themes of Alinsky’s work:   1. The Ethics of Means and Ends Alinsky famously argued that "the ethics of means and ends" are relative to the necessity of the situation—essentially, that the end can justify the means if the cause is just. Biblical Response: The Bible generally rejects the idea that a good outcome justifies a sinful method. Scripture emphasizes that the way a person conducts themselves is as important as the goal they seek. Key Principle: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21). The pursuit of justice must remain "blameless and innocent" (Philippians 2:15). 2. Ridicule and Polarization (Rules 5 & 13) Alinsky’s Rule 5 states, "Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon," and Rule 13 advises, "Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it." These tactics are designed to dehumanize an opponent to make them easier to attack. Biblical Response: The Bible warns extensively against the "scoffer" or "mocker" (Proverbs 21:24) and places a high value on the dignity of all people, including opponents. Key Principle: Jesus’ command to "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44) stands in direct opposition to the tactic of "personalizing" and "polarizing" an individual as a target for destruction. 3. Truth vs. Perception Alinsky viewed communication as a tool for power; he suggested that organizers must work within the "experience of the audience," sometimes using exaggeration or strategic deception to maintain momentum. Biblical Response: Biblical ethics are rooted in the concept of absolute truth. Deception, even for a "good" cause, is viewed as a violation of God's character. Key Principle: "Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor" (Ephesians 4:25). 4. Points of Convergence: Justice for the Oppressed Where the Bible and Alinsky find common ground is in the diagnosis of social ills. Both recognize that power is often concentrated in the hands of the few at the expense of the many. Biblical Alignment: The Hebrew prophets (like Amos and Isaiah) were "radicals" in their own right, fiercely condemning systemic corruption and the exploitation of the poor. Key Principle: "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow" (Isaiah 1:17).   Comparison Table Alinsky’s Rule / Concept Biblical Counter-Perspective Tactical Ridicule "Let your speech always be gracious" (Colossians 4:6). Polarization "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9). Power-Centric "Whoever would be great among you must be your servant" (Matthew 20:26). Social Justice "He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty" (Luke 1:53).   In summary, the Bible would likely support Alinsky’s objective of empowering the marginalized but would reject his methodology of using ridicule, deception, and the polarization of individuals as tools for change. Would you like to explore a specific Biblical case study where a leader successfully challenged an existing power structure?     Summary: Power vs. Transformation Ultimately, Alinsky’s response to injustice is a struggle for external power. He wants to shift power from the "Haves" to the "Have-Nots." The Bible’s response to injustice is a transformation of the human heart, which then works its way outward to change society. It suggests that if you use hatred, ridicule, and polarization to win power, you will simply become the new oppressor once you are at the top.

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]    Jimmy Carr - yes he needs to be listened to in small bites, but he is way more than just a comedian, he is a political assassin and has an incredible and unique way of looking at life. I saw a short clip where a young man asked him for advice on how to be a comedian. He said something… and maybe it just hit me more than most but he said - don’t try to be the best, try to be the only. Get it? Be you. But when he said it the way he said it - it reverberated in me. Yes, be the only - because God made us all uniquely individual and we are all ONLYS. Most people spend their entire life trying to be like others… and never feel complete and never hit the mark for what God has created them for… but if you try to be the ONLY - you most likely will fall into place where God can use you most, best and completely.      "OG" stands for Original Gangster, a slang term originating in the 1970s/80s to describe someone who is authentic, old-school, or a pioneer in their field. It is now commonly used to mean simply "original," referring to the first or classic version of a person, item, or concept. They are truly themselves, copying no one and not caring what anyone thinks.      Here are a few OGs (Original Gangsters / foundational legends) from the Bible—pioneers who set the tone, faced impossible odds, built legacies, and influenced everything that came after them:   Old Testament OGs: - Noah – The ultimate survivor and boat-builder. When the whole world went wicked, he stayed faithful, built the ark, and restarted humanity. OG of "prep and persevere." - Abraham – The father of nations. Left everything behind on God's call, pioneered monotheism in a pagan world, and became the root of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. True OG patriarch. - Moses – Delivered an entire enslaved nation from the world's superpower (Egypt). Parted the Red Sea, received the Ten Commandments, and led through the wilderness for 40 years. OG liberator and lawgiver. - David – Went from shepherd boy to giant-slayer to king. Warrior-poet who unified Israel, established Jerusalem as the capital, and laid the foundation for the Messiah's line. Ultimate underdog-to-legend story. - Elijah – Fearless prophet who called down fire from heaven, confronted corrupt kings and false prophets, and was taken to heaven in a whirlwind. OG of spiritual warfare and boldness.   New Testament OGs: - John the Baptist – The wild desert preacher who prepared the way for Jesus. Lived on locusts and honey, baptized crowds, and fearlessly called out hypocrisy (even Herod). OG forerunner. - Peter – Impulsive fisherman turned "Rock" of the church. Denied Jesus once but became the bold leader of the early church, preached at Pentecost, and helped spread the faith. OG of redemption and leadership. - Paul (Saul of Tarsus) – Former persecutor of Christians who became the greatest missionary and theologian of the New Testament. Wrote half the New Testament letters, planted churches across the Roman Empire. OG of radical transformation.   Bonus "Ride-or-Die" OGs: - Joseph (son of Jacob) – Betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, rose to second-in-command in Egypt through integrity and God-given wisdom. OG of forgiveness and divine comeback. - Esther – Orphan who became queen and risked her life to save her people from genocide. OG of courage and strategic influence ("for such a time as this").   These are the originals who walked by faith in hostile territory, changed history, and left blueprints for generations. Who’s your favorite Bible OG, or do you want more in a specific category (warriors, prophets, women, etc.)?   Eph. 2:10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.   Workmanship/Masterpiece… not really - more like divine craftsmanship.  It speaks of Gods specific and unique intentionality for each creation/person- his precision i.e. nothing as was before or will be. Like snowflakes…   Be the OG of your life and your walk - and watch what God can do! 

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]    Gumption Fortitude Tenacity Perseverance Spunk Guts Resilience Backbone Grit without grace   JEN - sin against her - no big MY WIFE? - its a big. I know how much she has given me, served me. Loved me, sacrificed for me.   Nancy - I love being around her. She always has a heart of “there is so much more, God keep me humble, tender in love”.    So we…  II. Repent   ** **The Truth is we think we need to repent if we have huge moral failure!  The church at Ephesus did not!  It was unnoticeable to all who saw them!     Teen Challenge someone stepped out to give their testimony and they talked about their addiction to work?  To Gossip?  To neglect of their spiritual gift?  Judgmental spirit, To not being in love with Jesus anymore!      Repeat: "Do the things you did at first."    Between Eph. 1 and Revelation Chapter 2 was 30-35 years. Thats all it took to lose ones love.  Key verses in Ephesus OF WHAT THE CHURCH WAS LIKE! A hate for sin in your life A love for fellow believers and the lost An active faith i.e. sharing X Growing in spiritual wisdom.   Here is the secret: it is a repeatable pattern Ask God to show you your sin Ask God to help you see the lost Ask God to grow your faith. Share the gospel. 

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]  Heb.10:32 Don’t ever forget those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail. When all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew you had better things waiting for you in eternity. 35 Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.   We must remember What love is like! Pedro Calderon the poet says “Without madness there is no love”!     Rev. 12:11 By the word of our testimony we overcome the enemy.   Memories are free Spiritual nitro glycerin - explosive in our soul. And here is the secret - they don’t have to just be our memories - they can be from other believers.    fMRI’s tell us the affect on the brain in real time: Reliving memories :  restore emotional grounding and clear thinking. It is the emotional, mental and spiritual reset button.  You see the big picture and God for who he is.    Stories of healing, winning muslims to christ, provision, salvation.  

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      GRIT WITHOUT GRACE  1 COR. 13:1 BUT  WITHOUT  LOVE  YOU  ARE  A CLANGING  CYMBAL.      3. The Path Back: Remember, Repent, Repeat Jesus doesn't just diagnose the problem; He provides a three-step recovery protocol in verse 5: Remember: Look back at the "height from which you have fallen." Recall the early days when the fire was natural. What were you doing then? What was your mindset?   I.  REMEMBER   V. 5 Remember from the height you have fallen.   When Kim and I were first dating I would do the craziest things for her because I was madly in love. Spent 1400 bucks on her for Christmas Drove all night from Dallas to Madison to see her And little things like leave here notes all over her house, car and work.       I Peter 1:9  But those who fail to develop these virtues are blind or, at least, very shortsighted. They have already forgotten that God has cleansed them from their old life of sin.     DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE IN LOVE HEAD OVER HEELS FOR JESUS? What were you like? What did you think about? What were your spiritual disciplines? Who were your friends? What was your conversation like?

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      Deigo Garcia Diego Garcia is a remote island located in the central Indian Ocean, just south of the equator. It is the largest island in the Chagos Archipelago and forms part of the British Indian Ocean Territory   Many have lived through this scenario: a parent enters a Childs bedroom. Explains they are getting a divorce. The reason: They just don’t love each other the same way they did.  CAN YOU IMAGINE TELLING JESUS THIS?    Yet I hold this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first." (Rev 2:4)   REV. 2+3  Jesus tells us here that there are churches that are in grave danger: You looked good but are dead You compromised culture over Christ You allowed adultery in the church You allowed idolatry in the church You look no different than the world You allowed false teachers in your pulpits   We see something here - catch it: You can have impeccable theology, Model Christian behavior and no sin to speak of… and be Dead! (Like fake dessert in the glass case)    **You have heard “the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing”.    Harry Burnette Reeses Reeses peanut butter cups… not using real chocolate or real peanut butter.   The scariest rebuke is to Ephesus: You look good. No one can tell by your actions… but I know - you no longer love me #1   Where’s the love? We desire love when we are stressed: 82% of men said they rely on physical affection and sex to cope with stress and burn out.    Many men have a hard time fully investing into Church/Christianity… because they do not feel the love of God.      We see a conundrum - we lost our love for God, we don’t feel Gods love.    On paper, they are the gold standard of a disciplined community. But then comes the "but." "Yet I hold this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first." (Rev 2:4)   *Jesus does not call them out on any behavior! He calls them out on heart!        mechanics vs. motivation.   Think of a musician who has spent years mastering every scale and every piece of equipment. They can play a perfect set without missing a note, yet the "soul" of the music is gone. They are hitting the right frequencies, but they aren't feeling the song anymore. In our own lives, we often fall into the trap of the "routine." We show up. We do the reps. We check the boxes. But duty is a poor substitute for delight. When we serve, work, or live out of a sense of "should" rather than "want," we aren't practicing love; we are practicing management.

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      John 18 Jesus before Pilate on trial for his life…. Innocent, guiltless, perfect and all knowing      1. **Stop explaining yourself — it gives away your power.**      Explaining every decision or boundary seeks permission and invites debate, doubt, and unnecessary energy drain. Destiny doesn't wait for approval; over-explaining hands control to others and delays your progress.   2. **Silence is a powerful strategy and strength.**      Silence confuses critics, disciplines emotions, guards your vision, and preserves peace. It says "I don't need your approval" without words, denies manipulators engagement, and allows quiet alignment and growth (like seeds growing underground before visible results).   3. **Walk away without warning or explanation — it's wisdom, not weakness.**      Leaving draining situations, conversations, or relationships silently protects your purpose, creates space for better opportunities, and commands respect through discipline. It's often a divine shift into alignment; don't negotiate your life or beg for understanding.   4. **Your purpose is sacred and must be protected.**      Purpose doesn't require everyone's understanding or validation — not everyone is assigned to your journey. Seeking approval leads to compromise and diluted convictions. Live for fulfillment of purpose, not applause; let your actions, consistency, fruit, and results speak louder than words.   5. **Stop chasing approval — it's a moving target and a trap.**      Approval from people is unreliable and conditions self-doubt. Break free to gain clarity, freedom, and strength. Your value isn't measured by others' reactions but by alignment with your destiny.   6. **Discern energy and set strong boundaries.**      Recognize what (or who) drains vs. builds you — energy doesn't lie. Guard your peace, time, and focus fiercely. Boundaries aren't walls but gates that control access; set them without guilt to prevent invasion of your assignment.   7. **Let results be your testimony.**      When you stop explaining and start moving in silence, your life, growth, and achievements become undeniable proof. True power shows in discipline, peace, and unapologetic alignment rather than endless justification.   Overall message: Reclaim your energy, protect your peace, and trust that walking away silently from what doesn't serve you opens doors to what truly does. This empowers self-respect, emotional maturity, and unstoppable progress toward your calling.

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]    Its not how you see yourself… Its not how others see you, its how you THINK others see you that changes your behavior.   IMAGE The bulldog’s nose is slanted backwards so that when it is in a fight it can bite down, hold on and still breathe.   IMAGE TL Osborn- was told one week how much he was like Jesus in every way.  the next week he was told how much he reminded someone of the devil... you cannot let your image hinge on others opinions.   Most men don’t live based on truth. They live based on a guess. Not: Who they are Not even who others actually think they are But: Who they think others believe they are. And that invisible belief… is quietly controlling everything: Your confidence Your leadership Your obedience to God   IMAGINATION Worry is a misuse of creativity and imagination. Yet adults use it 99% only for worry.     That statement is deceptively simple—but it’s actually pointing at one of the most powerful drivers of human behavior: perceived social judgment.   Let’s break it down clearly and then get to the power behind it. 1. What it means “It’s not how you see yourself”   Your internal self-image matters—but it’s not always what drives your moment-to-moment behavior.   “It’s not how others see you”   Reality doesn’t control you as much as you think. People may not even be judging you at all.   “It’s how you THINK others see you”   This is the key:  Your perception of their perception becomes your operating reality.   This is known in psychology as the “looking-glass self” (from sociology) and ties closely to social anxiety, identity formation, and behavior conditioning. Change the perception → change the behavior → change the outcome → change your life. How do I change my perception? Read gods word, pray, be with like minded Godly people.   

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      Lk. 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”   Now you might find yourself - like many of us at times - asking… God what do you want from my life? What is my life about? What should I be doing with my life? I think this verse if pretty clear - it answers those questions. I have found personally and in many conversations that the minute details I want are typically found when I obey the big details. I know I am to seek and save the lost for Jesus - and when I major on the majors - the minors seem to fill themselves in. And yes, your job, who you marry, where you move, should you buy a house, etc… those are actually minors for the most part… if you put Luke 19:10 as a priority.  Yes, who you marry is a big decision if you don’t have Luke 19:10 in place - but if you do… well it takes care of itself. Think about it!    Christians have wrestled with this question for centuries. Scripture actually gives a very clear pattern. When you look across the Bible, **three primary pathways consistently reveal God’s will**.   ---   ## 1. God’s Word (Scripture) 📖   The **first and most reliable way** to know God’s will is through **His written Word**.   God will **never guide you in a way that contradicts Scripture**. In fact, the majority of God’s will for your life is already written.   **Psalm 119:105**   > “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”   The Bible reveals:   * God’s **moral will** (how we should live) * God’s **character** * God’s **priorities for life**   Examples:   * Love God and others (Matthew 22:37–39) * Live holy lives (1 Thessalonians 4:3) * Make disciples (Matthew 28:19)   Many people wait for a mystical sign while ignoring the **90% of God’s will already revealed in Scripture**.   **Rule:** If Scripture clearly speaks on it, **you already know God’s will.**   ---   ## 2. Prayer and the Holy Spirit 🕊️   God’s will is also revealed through **relationship with Him**.   When you spend time in prayer, the Holy Spirit begins shaping:   * your **desires** * your **convictions** * your **direction**   **John 16:13**   > “When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.”   Often this comes as:   * inner conviction * growing clarity * peace about a direction * persistent burden for something   It’s usually **not a lightning bolt**, but a **gradual alignment of your heart with God’s heart**.   A good prayer to pray is:   > “Lord, close every door that is not Your will and open the doors that are.”   ---   ## 3. Godly Counsel and Circumstances 👥     God frequently confirms His will through **wise people and providential circumstances**.   **Proverbs 11:14**   > “In the multitude of counselors there is safety.”   This includes:   * mentors * pastors * spiritually mature friends * wise leaders   They help you see things you might miss.   God also works through **open and closed doors**.   **Acts 16** shows Paul trying to preach in certain regions, but the Spirit prevented him. Then another door opened.   So a helpful question is:   > “Is God opening this door, or am I trying to kick it down?”   ---   # The Biblical Pattern (When All 3 Align)   When these three line up, clarity increases dramatically.   **Scripture confirms it** + **Prayer produces peace** + **Wise counsel affirms it**   = **Strong confidence in God’s direction**   ---   # A Powerful Principle Most People Miss   God’s will is usually **less about a specific job and more about a type of person.**   God cares more about:   * your **character** * your **obedience** * your **faithfulness**   than the exact details of where you live or work.   **Micah 6:8**   > “What does the Lord require of you? > To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”   ---   # A Simple Framework You Can Use   Ask these 5 questions:   1. **Is it biblical?** 2. **Have I prayed deeply about it?** 3. **Do wise believers affirm it?** 4. **Is God opening the door?** 5. **Does it advance God’s kingdom?**   If the answer is **yes to most of these**, you're likely moving in God’s will.   ---   If you'd like, I can also show you something extremely powerful:   **The 5 specific ways God speaks in Scripture** (dreams, burdens, doors, Scripture illumination, and calling).   Most believers miss at least **two of them**, and understanding them changes everything.

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      The Snow Storm of snow storms… 14-18 inches and counting plus 45 MPH winds. But people didn’t miss the gym today…    Great weekend… a nice Sunday to just hang out and relax. Ate a lot of food, good work outs… finally got my ischial Tuberosity to calm down… did some deeds at 550 and had very little discomfort. My next birthday is in 4 months… what do I want to do at 61?  Last year deadlift 630, squat 650 bench 335…. Maybe this year I will do the splits… uhm no!    Chris Krymera 9mm sexy, mean, well built, feels great in the hand, feels like its already broken in…      Have you seen the memes “you only had one job”… and some are good most are bad!      What is our mission? Well I think we could agree it is the same as Jesus mission…right? So what is his mission? Where do we see the most concise definition of what he was called to do?  Luke 19:10 The Bible verse "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" is Luke 19:10 (NIV). It serves as a concise summary of Jesus Christ's mission and earthly ministry, spoken after his interaction with Zacchaeus, highlighting his focus on redeeming those spiritually separated from God.    Key Aspects of Luke 19:10  The Context: Jesus spoke these words in Jericho after visiting the home of Zacchaeus, a despised tax collector, demonstrating that his mission was for the outcast and broken, not just the self-righteous. The Mission: "Seek and save" signifies an active, purposeful pursuit of humanity. It highlights that salvation is initiated by Jesus. The "Lost": This refers to anyone spiritually lost due to sin and separated from God, emphasizing the universal need for redemption. "Son of Man": A title Jesus frequently used for himself, fulfilling prophecies regarding the Messiah.  This verse is considered a key statement in the Gospel of Luke regarding the purpose of Jesus’ incarnation—to bring salvation to all   Now you might find yourself - like many of us at times - asking… God what do you want from my life? What is my life about? What should I be doing with my life? I think this verse if pretty clear - it answers those questions. I have found personally and in many conversations that the minute details I want are typically found when I obey the big details. I know I am to seek and save the lost for Jesus - and when I major on the majors - the minors seem to fill themselves in. And yes, your job, who you marry, where you move, should you buy a house, etc… those are actually minors for the most part… if you put Luke 19:10 as a priority.  Yes, who you marry is a big decision if you don’t have Luke 19:10 in place - but if you do… well it takes care of itself. Think about it! 

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      2 Kings 22 2 Chronicles 32 ISAIAH 22   An old Jewish legend – and nothing more than a legend – says how it was that Sennacherib’s sons came to kill him. Sennacherib was troubled at how God seemed to bless the Jews so much, and tried to find out why. Someone told him it was because Abraham had loved God so much that he was willing to sacrifice his son to the LORD. Sennacherib thought he would be even more favored by God, and decided to kill two of his sons in sacrifice to the LORD, becoming even more blessed than Abraham and his descendants. But his two sons learned of the plan, and killed him before he could kill them, thus fulfilling the word of the LORD.         The "15-Year Bonus" Shortly after the invasion, Hezekiah falls terminally ill. He weeps and prays for mercy; God heals him and promises him 15 more years of life, confirming it by making the shadow on a sundial move backward.   **THINK OF IT THIS WAY: God I do not want to be in heaven. I do not want to be with you. I want my success here on earth.   This is when Manessah is born: Worst King ever!      The Diplomatic Blunder In a moment of pride, Hezekiah shows off all his treasures to Babylonian envoys. The prophet Isaiah warns him that this pride will eventually lead to the Babylonian exile of his descendants.     Three "Pro-Tips" from Hezekiah’s Life Start Strong: He didn't wait to "settle in" before making big changes. Take it to the Top: When he got a threatening "email" (the Assyrian letter), he went straight to God. Finish Carefully: His later-life lack of fear for God serves as a warning that even a great start requires a humble finish.     LIFE LESSONS!  Immediate action - The best time to plant a tree was a 100 years ago, the second best time is today. The Best time to quit smoking, over eating, read and pray, forgive someone, love your parents, invest, pray for the sick….  -   WAS YEARS AGO AND TODAY     Pure heart You may not do things right, but it is critical to keep your heart inline with God.    - There are numerous places in scripture where what people did was wrong, but God sees the heart.          David eating the show bread Disciples eating grain on the sabbath       Jesus touching the lepers Jesus teaching women             Letting a woman with the issue of blood touch him    Jesus touching the dead          Jesus talking to the woman at the well     *Sometimes its easy to have an impure heart by judging someone else’s actions.       ****Satanic trick. You get an impure heart because of what someone else did, not your actions - but their actions.   The Levinsion study: Doctors that did not get sued spent 3.3 more minutes with their patients!  **Patients felt like they new their doctors hearts.   PASTOR GREG LOCKE - PASTOR ___________________ DIDN’T LIKE HIM - BUT THEN SPENT TIME WITH HIM.       Seeks Gods intervention  First, middle, last, last minute… any time is a good time to seek him!      THIS MESSAGE IS FOR YOU TODAY: GOD SEES YOUR HEART      GOD WANTS YOU TO ACT TODAY           GOD WANTS YOU TO CRY OUT TO HIM TODAY! 

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]  2 Kings 22 2 Chronicles 32 ISAIAH 22   Hezekiah is not panicking but he is trying his best to keep his people safe from the Assyrians. They are brutal people. They kill the army, then maim the remaining citizens as if to mark their territory… you can see why Hezekiah is wanting to do anything he can to spare his people from this terror.    During this time God leads Hezekiah to prepare.  Covers up the springs and brooks Rebuilds the walls Raised the towers Made new weapons and shields  He set up captains over the people He encouraged them - For there are more with us than with him: “We have more power than they have. (These words he quotes from the prophet Elisha, 2 Kings 6:16.) He rerouted the water   But even after all this prep…  2 Kings 18:13-16, that Hezekiah unwisely and unsuccessfully tried to satisfy Sennacherib with gold and treasures from the temple.   He takes silver from the temple and strips gold from the doors of the temple: tendency to seek security through compromise - compromise Gods Glory - MGLG  * even at the cost of diminishing the visible honor due to God's house. Then he goes to God with Isaiah and cry’s out.   God never reprimanded him for his work, or his effort. Scripture describes these actions as part of Hezekiah’s strategic and faithful preparation for the Assyrian invasion…   A pure heart, not Gods plan.   The Supernatural Intervention In response to Hezekiah's prayer and the prophecy of Isaiah, the Bible records that the Angel of the Lord sweeps through the Assyrian camp. Sennacherib retreats to Nineveh, and Jerusalem is spared without a single arrow being fired.

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      2 Kings 22 2 Chronicles 32 ISAIAH 22   He Promoted Obedience to God’s Law   He restored:   * The priesthood * Temple offerings * Tithing systems   The nation became spiritually and economically stable.   How powerful is tithing… when you start it you will see blessing and then the enemy will come at you!  Don’t tithe if you don’t want to be attacked… oh and if you don’t want to be blessed by God.    The Assyrian Crisis (701 BC) The superpower of the day, Assyria, led by King Sennacherib, invades Judah. They conquer 46 cities and surround Jerusalem. This is Hezekiah's "darkest hour," where he takes Sennacherib’s threatening letter to the Temple and spreads it out before God in prayer.   The Propaganda War: Sennacherib attempts to demoralize Judah, but Hezekiah encourages his people to trust that "there is a greater power with us than with him".   c. Has not the same Hezekiah taken away His high places and His altars: The Assyrian accuser knew that King Hezekiah had implemented broad reforms in Judah, including the removal of the high places (2 Kings 18:3-4). Yet in the Assyrian’s thinking, Hezekiah’s reforms had really displeased God, so he should not expect help from the LORD God of Israel. The Assyrian would say, “Look at all the places there used to be where people would worship the LORD God of Israel. Now, since Hezekiah came in, there is only one place. More is always better, so the LORD God of Israel must be pretty sore at Hezekiah!”     The enemy of our souls has an amazing way of discouraging our obedience. If Hezekiah was not careful, this argument of the Assyrian would start to make sense, when really it was demonic logic through and through. Doubt leads to fear and then it leads to our own self building fear and we defeat ourselves before we even fight.    Satan can sound so caring and convincing: You choose to go on a diet and a friend comes to you and says - “Wow, good for you. That shows great discipline and that you want to take care of your body. You will look and feel so much better, way to go. Did you know that sometimes a person on a diet needs extra protein and carbs for energy? Hey you know what… cake has eggs, milk, flour in it. With your daily intake of sodium… boy if you get low on sodium you can cramp up. Plus what I like is that cake gives you an immediate burst of energy… and lets not forget how good it tastes. THIS IS ALL TRUE - BUT THE MOTIVE IS YOUR DESTRUCTION.  

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      2 Kings 22 2 Chronicles 32 ISAIAH 22   2 Kings 18:5 "Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him.”   Hezekiah’s reign was defined by a radical, almost stubborn reliance on God during a time of national crisis.   He became king after one of Judah’s worst rulers, **Ahaz**, (HIS FATHER!) who had plunged the nation into idolatry. Hezekiah reversed the spiritual direction of the nation.   How does this happen… a 25 year old in the prime of life, sex drive, life drive and power… how did he turn out completely different from his father? Well… he had a mom called Abijah the daughter of the prophet Zechariah… Now I don’t know why she married him, but she did. Ahaz's wickedness—idolatry, child sacrifice, and alliances with pagan powers (2 Kings 16)—developed or became evident during his reign, but he was likely already crown prince or young king when the marriage was arranged. Ancient betrothals or marriages could occur in youth (Ahaz was around 20 when he became king, and Hezekiah was born when Ahaz was quite young), often before a person's full character was manifest or before major moral failings were public.   Beside the point… King Hezekiah was a complete 180 from his father… Mom did something right!    Our tendency is to think that when we are genuinely faithful to God we will be immune from attack. The experience of Hezekiah and countless other men and women of God tell us otherwise.   He does everything right in the face of unbelievable circumstances… truly an uphill demonic battle and for his faithfulness and troubles he gets attacked from the worst enemy in the world.

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      If you want crazy results you gotta train with crazy people. If you wanna be rich you gotta hang out with rich people, if you want to be smart you gotta hang out with smart people and if you want to be Godly… you guessed it - and thats where we are going today.      My Granddaughter has one functioning kidney…  Since birth, her non-functonal left kidney has had fluid surrounding it. They’ve monitored it because if it gets to be any more, she has risk for infection or something more serious.    Today, for the first time, our urologist said that the dilation around that kidney was GONE.    They don’t wanna see her again until she’s 13!   BUT UNDERSTAND LIFE IS SHORT Life is short Olympics is years for seconds. The 100 meter dash, years of training, dieting, working out, stretching, overcoming injuries, saying no to normal life activities - all for less than 10 seconds…  I run the race to finish (Apostle Paul) life is short! The training isn’t for life, its for eternity.      THE LAST DANCE  Key Quotes and Descriptions:  Jud Buechler: "People were afraid of him... The fear factor of MJ was so, so thick". Will Perdue: "Let's not get it wrong: He was an a--hole... He was a jerk. He crossed the line numerous times". Horace Grant: "It was a bully approach... If you didn't confront Mike, he would ride you every day, all day, all the time". Scottie Pippen: "He Couldn't Have Been More Condescending If He Tried". Steve Kerr: Regarding their practice fight, Kerr noted that Jordan "tested everybody he played with”. BJ Armstrong: "Was he a nice guy? He couldn't have been nice. With that kind of mentality he had, you can't be a nice guy. He would be difficult to be around if you didn't truly love the game of basketball". Michael Jordan (defending his approach): "Winning has a price. And leadership has a price".  MJ emotional in the last dance: You ask my teammates and they will say One thing about Michael Jordan was he never asked me to do something that he didn’t do when people see this well he wasn’t really a nice guy. He may have been a tyrant well that’s you because you never wanted anything. I wanted to win, but I wanted them to win and to be a part of that as well, but I don’t have to do this. I’m only doing it because it is who I am. That’s how I played the game that was my mentality, if you don’t wanna play that way, don’t play that way. Break     When Jesus says “take up your cross” he says it in this same context as MJ. Right here in verse 22 Luke 9:22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]    Nice shoes…     Luke 9:23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.   Would you give up your shoes to follow Jesus? Your wardrobe, your education, your house, your friends, your spouse, your dreams, goals amibitions…  WOULD YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING?      Lets talk gym membership   PEOPLE TODAY PICK A CHURCH BECAUSE ITS EASY.   -  Great worship     -  Great preaching        -  Great friends           -  Great technology               -  Great ministries                 -  Great location                    -  Great facilities … coffee… etc… BUT IF THEY DO NOT CHALLENGE YOU TO PICK UP YOUR CROSS - THEY ARE AN APOSTASY.  Def: abandonment or renunciation of one’s religious faith, principles, or cause.   Churches are competing with other churches to attract people to their church - RATHER THAN… preaching the cross of Christ!     What is the price of your cross… what is the cost of the cross: Loneliness, misunderstanding, lack of friends or lose friends, viewed as odd or religious, fired, financial loss… old school

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]    The Best football names in the NFL Dick Butkus — Sounds like a no-nonsense enforcer (and he was one of the most feared linebackers in history). Bronko Nagurski — Old-school powerhouse name that matches his legendary fullback/linebacker dominance. Johnny Blood — Rugged and mysterious; fits a tough early-era player perfectly. Frank Zombo —The zombie    LUke 9: 23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. NASB     Jonathan Goforth (1859–1936) A Canadian missionary to China and Korea, Goforth witnessed powerful revivals (e.g., the Manchurian Revival of 1908), with thousands repenting, confessions of sin, and spiritual awakenings spreading like wildfire. The cost was staggering: five of his eleven children died during his ministry (due to harsh conditions and disease), he faced intense persecution, physical exhaustion, and personal grief. Yet he pressed on through prayer and humility, seeing God move in extraordinary ways—proving revival often follows deep personal sacrifice.   In all things seek to know God's Will and when known obey at any cost. Jonathan Goforth     Would you give up your shoes to follow Jesus? Your wardrobe, your education, your house, your friends, your spouse, your dreams, goals amibitions…  WOULD YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING?      Lets talk gym membership   PEOPLE TODAY PICK A CHURCH BECAUSE ITS EASY.   -  Great worship     -  Great preaching        -  Great friends           -  Great technology               -  Great ministries                 -  Great location                    -  Great facilities … coffee… etc… BUT IF THEY DO NOT CHALLENGE YOU TO PICK UP YOUR CROSS - THEY ARE AN APOSTASY.  Def: abandonment or renunciation of one’s religious faith, principles, or cause.   Churches are competing with other churches to attract people to their church - RATHER THAN… preaching the cross of Christ!     What is the price of your cross… what is the cost of the cross: Loneliness, misunderstanding, lack of friends or lose friends, viewed as odd or religious, fired, financial loss… old school

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      I have spoken to groups of 20k, I have spoken to a 1000 dentists, I have spoke to professional sports teams, I have spoken to kindergartners and I have even spoken to men in prison… like Jeffery Dahmer… but nothing could have prepared me for that day…     INTRO: I stood in front of a group of boys who were all under 18 and were in prison. They were hardened criminals… in for stabbing, shooting, killing, raping… You are not in here because you made a bad choice, you are not in here because you got caught, you are not in here because you chose the dangerous path… You are not in here because you chose the hard way You are in here because you chose the easy way!      The ultimate choice!  LUke 9: 23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. NASB       Chew on this: Your health right now is because you chose hard or you chose easy… your feelings. Your finances - you chose your feelings or you chose the cross. Your marriage to your spouse - you chose your feelings or you chose the cross.  Your spiritual depth - feelings or cross. EVERYTHING IN YOUR LIFE… INCLUDING YOUR ATTITUDE IS FEELINGS OR CROSS.   *TO be the BOSS you gotta choose the CROSS!      CROSS - what does it mean?    Context: In 1st-century Roman culture, this phrase meant carrying the instrument of one's own execution, signifying absolute surrender and a, willingness to die to one's own desires. The Cost: It means putting aside personal ambition, comfort, and, if necessary, one's own life to follow Jesus. The Reward: Jesus contrasts this by saying, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it”.   Daily Application: It is not just about extreme sacrifice, but daily choosing obedience, patience over anger, and selflessness over comfort.        In the first-century Jewish context under Roman occupation, the cross symbolized the most degrading, torturous death imaginable—not a mere "burden" like a difficult circumstance (a common modern misinterpretation). Jesus' audience would have immediately understood "take up your cross" as a vivid metaphor for being willing to face execution, shame, and total loss of life for His sake. It was shocking and countercultural: no one "took up a cross" expecting to survive or gain worldly power.   Cross = shame, guilt, suffering, rejection, 

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]    What do you want for your kids? Happiness? Great life? Money? Health?    Proverbs 24:16 For a righteous person falls seven times and rises again,   Rising After the Fall: The Resilience of the Righteous Scripture: “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.”(Proverbs 24:16)   1. The Reality of the Fall - the gun will go off, someone will get shot The first thing we notice in this verse is a sobering honesty: the righteous fall. Many people operate under the misconception that a life of faith is a life of perfection or a shield against gravity. But Solomon doesn’t say the righteous might fall; he says they fall "seven times." In biblical terms, the number seven often represents completeness. This suggests that the righteous will face complete, repeated, and sometimes exhausting setbacks. The Fall is not a Failure of Faith: Falling is simply part of the human condition. Whether it is a moral lapse, a financial collapse, or an emotional breakdown, being "righteous" does not mean being “bulletproof." I love Mauy Thai because you get kicked and punched and elbowed and kneed and that is the real world… most people don’t like to fight because they don’t want to feel pain… but once you get over that you become deadly.  2. The Definition of Righteousness If both the righteous and the wicked face "calamity," what is the difference between them? The difference isn't found in the descent, but in the response. The Wicked: When they stumble, they stay down. Their foundation is built on circumstances, so when circumstances crumble, they are undone. The Righteous: Their righteousness isn't based on their ability to stand perfectly; it’s based on their relationship with the One who pulls them back up. Righteousness is a matter of orientation, not just performance. 3. The Grace of the "Again" The power of this verse lies in two words: "rise again." This is the theology of the second chance (and the third, and the seventh). God is more interested in your recovery than your stumble. The "rising" is an act of grit fueled by grace. It implies that as long as there is breath in your lungs, the story isn't over. "Failure is not the opposite of success; it is a stepping stone to it. In the Kingdom of God, failure is often the classroom where we learn the most about God's strength and our own weakness."   Application: How Do We Rise? Acknowledge the Fall: Don't waste energy pretending you didn't trip. Honesty is the first step toward upward mobility. Reject the Label: You may have fallen, but you are not "a failure." You are still "the righteous" because of whose you are. Lean on the Lifter: We don’t rise by our own bootstraps. We rise because we serve a God who reaches down into the pit. Conclusion: If you find yourself on the ground today—spiritually, mentally, or professionally—take heart. The "seven times" you’ve fallen are not a tally of your defeat, but a setup for your next rising. Dust yourself off; your Storyteller isn't done writing yet.   Would you like me to expand on this with some specific modern-day illustrations or perhaps draft a concluding prayer to go with it

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      A lot of pastors recently have told me they are burning out, they are looking for different churches, bigger churches… one of the reasons is because they are tired of people coming to church… they give them everything they can on Sundays and through church… and then people leave. But now thats what the pastor is doing… he is walking out on his members… Look here is the bottom line… Being a Christ follower is not supposed to be easy. Its not easy, and its not supposed to be easy. Do you know here in the USA we whine about everything… here is a quick cure to that… go plant a church in China, in North Korea, in Sudan, in Nigeria… Maybe just one of our own inner cities in the US. Learn just how easy you have it.  People tell me all the time… Im leaving my job its to hard, Im leaving this relationship its to hard, Im leaving this group, Im leaving this church, Im leaving this family, Im leaving this sport…    Its supposed to be hard - God put you there as the change agent!      Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV):     “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”       This passage describes the way of life in Christ as **narrow** and difficult (or "hard-pressed" in some translations), in contrast to the easy, broad road many choose.   Matthew 16:24(also paralleled in Mark 8:34 and Luke 9:23):     Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”       "Taking up your cross" refers to embracing suffering, self-denial, and even potential death—hardly an easy commitment. Jesus repeats this call to daily cross-bearing.   Luke 14:27   “And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”       In the larger context of Luke 14:25-33 (the cost of discipleship), Jesus emphasizes counting the cost and that true discipleship requires giving up everything, making it a demanding, all-in commitment.   2 Timothy 3:12     “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”       Paul straightforwardly states that pursuing godliness in Christ guarantees opposition and hardship.   These verses highlight that while Jesus offers rest for the soul (e.g., Matthew 11:28-30, where His yoke is "easy" and burden "light" in the sense of grace and purpose rather than legalism), the Christian life often involves trials, sacrifice, and swimming against the current of the world. The path isn't promised to be comfortable or popular, but it's the one that leads to true life.   If you're reflecting on this personally or preparing a message/sermon, these passages together paint a clear picture that authentic Christianity demands cost and effort—yet it's worth it for the eternal hope it brings. Let me know if you'd like more context or related verses!

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]        Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy one to those who send him.”** – Proverbs 10:26 (NASB)   When Laziness Becomes a Liability***     Most of us have experienced irritation that lingers: – Smoke burning your eyes – Sour vinegar shocking your teeth   Solomon compares laziness to these two deeply uncomfortable sensations. This is not mild annoyance. This is painful frustration.   God is showing us that laziness doesn’t just hurt the lazy person — **it hurts everyone connected to them. The lazy Dad hurts his wife, his kids, his boss and his own psyche…      Laziness is not a personal weakness — it is a communal burden.   1. The Cultural Meaning of Vinegar and Smoke**   Vinegar to the Teeth   In the ancient world, vinegar was cheap, acidic wine. If you expected refreshing grape juice and received sour vinegar instead, your mouth would recoil.   It shocks. It irritates. It disappoints.   Smoke to the Eyes   Smoke was a daily irritation in ancient homes. Cooking fires filled small houses, burning eyes, blurring vision, causing tears and coughing.   Smoke disorients. Smoke blinds. Smoke frustrates.   together, these metaphors paint a picture:   Laziness creates irritation, disappointment, confusion, and emotional strain.       2. The Problem Isn’t Slowness — It’s Unfaithfulness**   The proverb says:   “So is the lazy one **to those who send him.”   This isn’t about personal motivation. This is about assignment, responsibility, and trust.   The lazy person:   * Was sent with a purpose * Was trusted with a task * Was expected to deliver   But instead:   * They delay * They deflect * They disappoint They act drained… but its only those around them that are truly drained due to their behavior.      Biblical Insight:   Laziness is not neutral. It is unfaithfulness with delegated authority. - ITS DOING NOTHING AT ALL THE WHILE GIVEN THE POWER AND THE PRIVILEGE TO DO IT.    Jesus echoed this principle in **Matthew 25 (Parable of the Talents)** — the servant who buried his responsibility was not rebuked for inability, but for slothfulness and fear.

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      Proverbs 3: 31  Don’t envy violent people     or copy their ways. 32  Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord,     but he offers his friendship to the godly. 33  The Lord curses the house of the wicked,     but he blesses the home of the upright. 34  The Lord mocks the mockers     but is gracious to the humble.[c]     Proverbs 3:31–34 serves as the "sharp turn" at the end of a chapter famous for its beautiful imagery of wisdom as a "tree of life." While the earlier verses focus on the internal benefits of wisdom—peace, long life, and favor—these final verses pivot to how we should view others, specifically those who seem to get ahead through ruthlessness.   The Biblical Context Chapter 3 is a fatherly discourse intended to guide a young person through the complexities of social and spiritual life. At this point in the text, the author is contrasting two very different lifestyles: the covenant-keeper (the righteous) and the covenant-breaker (the wicked/scoffer). Verse 31: The Trap of Envy "Do not envy a violent man and do not choose any of his ways." The Background: In the ancient world (much like today), it was easy to look at the "strongman"—the person who used force, intimidation, or exploitation—and admire their results. They often gained wealth and power quickly. The Wisdom: Wisdom warns that "success" built on violence or oppression is a mirage. To "choose his ways" is to adopt a mindset that people are tools to be used rather than neighbors to be loved. Verse 32: The Divine Reaction "For the devious man is an abomination to the Lord, but He is intimate with the upright." The Contrast: The word "devious" refers to someone who is crooked or slippery in their dealings. The Reward: The "upright" receive something far more valuable than the spoils of violence: intimacy with God. The Hebrew word used here for "intimacy" (sôd) refers to a confidential, friendly conversation or a secret counsel. While the wicked get "stuff," the righteous get "God’s ear." Verse 33: The Home and the Heart "The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the dwelling of the righteous." The Scope: This verse suggests that the consequences of our character leak into our environment. A "house" in the biblical sense isn't just the architecture; it's the lineage, the family, and the legacy. The Reality: The wicked may have a mansion, but it carries a "curse" (instability and spiritual decay), while even a humble "dwelling" of the righteous is a place of divine favor. Verse 34: The Law of Reciprocity "Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor." The Principle: This is one of the most famous verses in the Old Testament, later quoted by both James (4:6) and Peter (1 Peter 5:5). The Mechanics: God mirrors the attitude of the heart. If you are a "scorner" (someone who thinks they are above the rules and looks down on others), you will eventually find yourself looking up at a God who opposes you. Conversely, "favor" (grace) is a gift that flows to the lowest point—the humble.   Summary Table Verse The Human Action The Divine Response 31 Envy/Violence (Warning) Avoid these paths 32 Deviousness vs. Uprightness Abomination vs. Intimacy 33 Wickedness vs. Righteousness Curse vs. Blessing 34 Scorn vs. Humility Scorn vs. Favor/Grace   Modern Application The "background" of these verses is essentially a reality check. They remind us that character is more than just personal morality; it is a social and spiritual trajectory. We are encouraged not to be "gaslit" by the visible success of the ruthless, but to value the quiet, steady blessing of walking in integrity. Would you like me to look into the original Hebrew meanings of any specific words in these verses to give you a deeper look?

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]      That viral video features a young girl named Jessica, and it is widely known as "Jessica's Daily Affirmations." In the video, which was originally recorded in 2001 but became a massive internet sensation years later, Jessica stands on her bathroom counter in front of the mirror. She energetically pumps her arms and shouts positive phrases to herself, including: "I can do anything good!" "My whole house is great!" "I like my pajamas!" "I like my hair!" "I am great!"     Proverbs 19:8 To acquire wisdom is to love yourself;     people who cherish understanding will prosper.     The Core Meaning At its simplest level, this verse is about enlightened self-interest. It suggests that seeking knowledge isn't just a dry, academic exercise or a moral obligation—it is the highest form of self-care. 1. "Loving Your Own Soul" In the ancient Hebrew context, the "soul" (nephesh) refers to the whole person—your life, your being, and your vitality. The verse implies that if you neglect your mind and character, you are essentially being unkind to yourself. By acquiring wisdom, you are equipping yourself to navigate life’s traps, which is the ultimate act of self-love. 2. "Keeping" Understanding There is a distinction here between getting wisdom and keeping it. Getting: The initial act of learning or seeking advice. Keeping: The discipline of applying that knowledge consistently. The promise is that those who hold onto their discernment don’t just "have" information; they "find good"—meaning they experience practical success, peace, and favor.   The Context of Proverbs 19 To understand this verse fully, it helps to look at the surrounding themes in Chapter 19: Integrity vs. Wealth: The chapter opens by saying it’s better to be poor and honest than a rich fool. Verse 8 reinforces this by showing that true "wealth" is found in the mind and spirit. The Consequences of Folly: Much of the chapter warns against laziness, false witnessing, and hotheadedness. Verse 8 stands as the "positive alternative"—the way to avoid the disasters mentioned in the rest of the chapter. Relationship with God: In the Book of Proverbs, wisdom is never purely secular. It begins with "the fear of the Lord." Therefore, "getting wisdom" implies aligning your life with divine order.     To get the "3D" version of this verse, look at these two specific Hebrew words: Qoneh-leb (Getting Heart): The literal Hebrew says "The one who acquires heart." This implies that wisdom isn't just something you're born with; it’s something you purchase or acquire through effort, discipline, and sometimes painful experience. Shomer (Keeping/Guarding): The second half of the verse uses shomer, which means to watch over, guard, or preserve. It’s the same word used for a watchman on a city wall. It suggests that once you learn a truth, you have to defend it against your own impulses or the world's distractions.

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]    Ever say something that immediately provoked a beating? Just one slip of the lip and you got jacked? Not me, but my buddy did, sitting in the stands of a high school football game… smarted off to the wrong person… clip, down goes Frasier…    Prov. 18: 6 A fool's lips walk into a fight,     and his mouth invites a beating.   16 A man's gift makes room for him     and brings him before the great.   It is fascinating to put these two verses side-by-side because they represent two opposite ways a person's "mouth" or "actions" can open doors. While Verse 6 shows how words can get you into trouble, Verse 16 shows how generosity can get you into "the room." Comparison: Proverbs 18:6 vs. Proverbs 18:16 Feature Verse 6: The Fool's Lips Verse 16: A Man's Gift The Action Speaking recklessly and provocatively. Giving a gift (generosity or social grace). The Motion "Walking into" a fight. "Making room" for the person. The Result Conflict and "a beating." Access to "great men" (influence). The Direction Downward spiral into trouble. Upward movement into opportunity. The Contrast: Verse 6 describes someone who forces their way into a situation with loud, aggressive words, only to find pain. Verse 16 describes someone who clears a path through excellence or generosity. One uses their mouth to create a wall; the other uses their resources to open a door. (Note: In Hebrew, "gift" can mean a literal bribe or a sincere gesture of honor. In a wisdom context, it generally refers to the "gift" of one's talents or a spirit of generosity that makes people want to welcome you.)   Discipleship Lesson: "The Door-Opener" Scripture: Proverbs 18:6, 16 Theme: Controlling our influence through restraint and generosity. 1. Check Your Entrance A disciple of Christ is called to be an ambassador. Verse 6 warns us that if we enter conversations with a "fighting" spirit—ready to argue, correct, or insult—we aren't just representing ourselves poorly; we are inviting unnecessary suffering. Question: Are you "walking into fights" on social media or in your family that could be avoided with a bit of silence? 2. Let Your Character Clear the Way Verse 16 tells us that a "gift" makes room. In a spiritual sense, your "gift" is the grace and talent God has given you. You don’t need to shout to be heard or kick doors down to get ahead. When you lead with generosity and excellence, God provides the "room" for your influence. Question: Are you trying to "talk" your way into leadership, or are you serving your way there? 3. The Gospel Connection Jesus is the ultimate example of these two verses. When He was insulted, He did not "invite a beating" by trading insults (1 Peter 2:23); He remained silent. Yet, His "gift"—the sacrifice of His life—opened the ultimate door for us to enter the presence of the "Great King."   Prayer Focus: Lord, keep my lips from inviting conflict today. Help me to lead with a spirit of generosity and excellence, trusting that You will open the doors You want me to walk through.   Would you like me to find a few more verses in Proverbs that specifically discuss how "the gift of the tongue" can be used for healing instead of fighting?

Garth Heckman The David Alliance [email protected]          Phil. 3: 2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the [a]false circumcision; 3 for we are the true [b]circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and take pride in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh, 4 although I myself could boast as having confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he is confident in the flesh, I have more reason:     2-6 Steer clear of the barking dogs, those religious busybodies, all bark and no bite. All they’re interested in is appearances—knife-happy circumcisers, I call them. The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ’s praise as we do it. We couldn’t carry this off by our own efforts, and we know it—even though we can list what many might think are impressive credentials.   To understand the weight of Philippians 3:2-3, you have to imagine Paul writing from a prison cell, not with a sense of defeat, but with a sharp, protective urgency for his friends in Philippi. These verses represent one of the most famous "tone shifts" in the New Testament, moving from joy to a stern warning.   1. The Historical Background When Paul writes, "Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh," he isn't just being grumpy. He is addressing a specific group known as Judaizers. The Conflict The Judaizers were early Christians who argued that for a Gentile (non-Jew) to truly follow Christ, they first had to become Jewish by being circumcised and adhering to the Mosaic Law. The Term "Dogs": In the first century, "dogs" wasn't a cute term; it referred to scavengers. Ironically, Jews often used this term for "unclean" Gentiles. Paul flips the script, calling the legalists the "unclean" ones because they were trying to add human effort to a divine gift. The "Mutilators": Paul uses a Greek wordplay here. He contrasts peritome (circumcision) with katatome(mutilation). He’s saying that if circumcision is done for the wrong reasons—as a requirement for salvation—it’s nothing more than a physical wound with no spiritual value.   2. Defining the "True Circumcision" In verse 3, Paul redefines what it means to be the people of God. He lists three marks of a true believer that don't depend on physical lineage: Mark Meaning Worship by the Spirit Authentic worship isn't about following a ritual checklist; it’s an internal prompting from God. Glory in Christ Jesus Our "boasting" or confidence is placed entirely in what Jesus did, not in our own resumes. No Confidence in the Flesh This means we stop trusting our background, our education, or our "goodness" to save us.   3. Application for Today While we aren't usually debating physical circumcision in modern life, the root issue—legalism versus grace—is still very much alive. Avoiding "Performance" Christianity It is human nature to want a "to-do list" to feel secure. Today, "the flesh" might look like: Thinking you are closer to God because you attend more services than others. Relying on your political stance or social activism as the source of your righteousness. Feeling "better" than others because of your specific lifestyle choices. Finding True Identity Paul’s message to us today is a call to spiritual exhale. If our standing with God is based on Christ’s performance and not ours, we are free from the "treadmill" of trying to earn God's favor. The takeaway: Religious rituals are fine as expressions of love, but they are "dogs" if they become the basis of our hope.   Would you like me to look into the verses that immediately follow this, where Paul lists his own impressive "religious resume" only to call it "rubbish"?