One Good Thing This Week
A brother in Christ showed me an insane amount of kindness this week. Reflecting on his actions, it hit me: I am the recipient of so much generosity. So much love.
Some of it I see—gifts given, words spoken, doors opened.
Much of it I don’t—prayers prayed in silence, sacrifices made in secret, grace poured out from above.
At times, it overwhelms me. And all I can do is receive it with open hands and a grateful heart. I am living in the overflow of faithfulness I don’t deserve, mercy I didn’t request, and grace I couldn’t manufacture.
To those who have given—thank you.
To my King who gives endlessly—thank You most of all.
I am learning that gratitude is not a season—it is a posture. And this week, with open hands, I chose it. Again and again.
It was a good and generous week.
Something Beautiful This Week
Appreciating
poetry more and more… Something beautiful here:"Go to church. If the sermon is boring, take a nap. If the sermon is compelling, well then, you’re blessed. Chances are you’re not gonna like the preacher or the worship leader or something like that. All churches are pretty lame tbh, but thank God. I can’t really handle a church that is so slick that I would actually pay attention enough to listen to the announcements. Hopefully at some point there will be a notice in the bulletin reminding you of the upcoming pot-luck directly following the service. Bring a covered dish: macaroni salad, turkey-noodle casserole, ambrosia salad or pineapple and mayonnaise sandwiches. Hot dogs will be provided.
Go to church. Maybe the praise team stinks. That’s okay. They’re giving it their all. Hopefully there is a song that everyone in the family will like. If the guy leading worship is wearing cargo shorts, believe everything he says LOL. But if the pastor has big muscles cuz he works out all the time, then there will be issues, LOL JK. I’m not working out I don’t care what anyone says. That’s not really true. I’ve been walking 4 miles a day lately cuz I’m trying to live a long time cuz once every seven days I’m sitting down IN CHURCH.
I go where the weirdos are: the crazy charismatics, the sexy liturgical types (them with their vestments and icons) and occasionally I might even hang with some of those middle-of-the-road-safe-as-milk Evangelicals who will do just about anything to make sure people don’t go to hell. The Church is sure as hell complicated.
Have you ever endured a church where all they have going for them is their perfect theology… I’m going to church to thrash about and make the perfect theology crowd nervous. I’m going cuz I need to be made nervous too. Life is too short not to go to church, where the old ladies go on and on about nothing, where the teenagers are given the gift of boredom, and where I can be saved from my own perfectly curated life."
Something Worth Imitating
Brothers, if you are going through hell, keep going. It does not mean you are on the wrong path; God may be working in you and through you, by doing something to you.
This week, I read this quote, and it was like rain on parched land:
"God tells you to go. So you go.
You expect milk and honey. You find thorns and thistles.
That does not mean you heard Him wrong.
The Promised Land has always been covered in giants.
Every prophet has had to bury their hopes in strange soil before resurrection touched them.
Obedience is not a magic trick.
It is a slow war against the kingdom of self!"
Keep going.
My 3 Favorite Quotes of the Week
RIP Hulkster. One of my first and great heroes…
"To all my little Hulkamaniacs: train, say your prayers, take your vitamins, and you will never go wrong."
"When you're nWo, you're nWo for life…"
"Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?"
Watch this video. The Hulkster talks about his conversion and faith. But my favorite part happens at the 3:52 mark. The interviewer asks Hulk about his favorite wrestling moment ever. Hulk says it happened out of the ring. Madison Square Garden, 1984, against the Iron Sheik. You can listen to the rest. Never underestimate the blessing of a father.
Stat(s) I Found Interesting This Week
and former President Obama came together… good insight and information HEREMy Favorite Pic This Week
Got to FaceTime with my brother this week, the guy holding the phone. True American hero. Blackhawk helicopter pilot/Captain. Where is he? Kosovo. What is he doing? Leading a BetterMan study. Going after the hearts of men, everywhere.
It’s not a moment, it’s a movement.
Book(s) I Read This Week
I read The Creative Act by Rick Rubin this week. Incredibly intriguing book. Despite Rubin's latest failure with Tyler Childers, he is, in the truest sense, a genius.
Rubin is an OG creative. And his book, at times sporadic and mythical, does a tremendous job of reminding us that we are all creatives. In fact, we are created in the image of the Great Creator. And though we do not create in the same way He creates, we are nonetheless little 'c' creators.
I loved Rubin’s diatribe on rules. "Rules," Rubin says, "are, by nature, limitations…" Rules are to be "tested," and if we want to create anything different, anything of exception, then most rules won't apply. "Average is nothing to aspire to," says Rubin, "the goal is not to fit in…" Break the rules.
I couldn’t agree more.
The Creative Act is not for everyone. But I loved it [thanks, RH, for the recommendation].
"The world isn't waiting for more of the same…" — Rick Rubin
Song(s) I Listened To This Week
True story: I was discipled by a toilet wizard [thank you for this gem JL]…
What God Taught Me This Week
"Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward." — Matthew 6:2
I was reminded this week that my "faithfulness in supporting someone else's calling is not a consolation prize; it's an essential expression of Kingdom life that God honors just as much as the work done in the spotlight." Backstage faithfulness is not second-tier. It is not "less than." The world may miss it. No headlines. No platform. No applause. But heaven sees, and heaven honors.
This week, I had the opportunity to do something that benefited someone else. No credit. No acknowledgment. No praise. And it was glorious.
Why? Because it reminded me that this is the way of the Kingdom. To decrease so others may increase [John 3:30]. To serve without being seen [Matthew 6:4]. To build foundations others may stand on— joyfully, sacrificially, anonymously.
For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was worshiping. Not because I was being noticed, but because I wasn’t. Not because I was being impressive, but because I was practicing anonymity.
The world loves the spotlight. But God often hides His best work in the shadows—in the margins, the intercessors, the quiet encouragers, the ones who hold up Moses’ arms without ever holding the mic.
I did something this week, and no one will ever know what it is. I did it, not for recognition, but for a reward that will not rust or fade.
God reminded me: To serve in secret is not to be overlooked, it is to be seen by the only eyes that matter.
Looking to connect in person? Here are some places I’ll be in the next few weeks:
Equip Conference [Texas] SBC, Houston First, Houston Texas, July 26
Sunday Service, Lake Church, Arlington Texas, July 27
Sagemont Men’s Gathering, Sagemont Church, Houston Texas, August 9
Advancing the Church Conference, Southern Indiana/Louisville, August 14-15
Mount Pisgah Men’s Gathering, Cropwell, AL, August 22-23
Brothers, my pledge to you…
"You will never suffer at my hands. I will never say nor do anything knowingly to hurt you. If you're down and I can lift you up, I'll do that. I will always, in every circumstance, seek to help and support you. If you need something and I have it, I'll give it to you. No matter what I find out about you, no matter what happens in the future, either good or bad, my commitment to you will never change."
For the King,
—Harp
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Hogan was a hero for me too man
Thank you, mate!