Raised to Walk

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4 NIV In my work discussing faith and contemporary challenges, I've observed that we often recite familiar passages without letting them truly sink in. Psalm 23 is powerful—it is David's declaration of the mighty power and faithfulness of the Lord, waging war in "high places." (Ephesians 6:12) The Modern Battlefield For the past several weeks, I've been discussing awareness and preparation for the challenges we face in the 21st century and the digital age. The battlefield today is not on rough and hot plains, but in the zeros and ones of the digital world. Criminals hide behind fake accounts and creep in through digital backdoors. This is the topic of tonight's livestream: "The Ministry's Wiretap: How CALEA Became the Dark Mark on U.S. Phones." It isn't just politicians and world leaders at risk of having their communications surveilled. Finding Security in Uncertain Times In my devotional #NoFear (2019), I wrote about the most common fears and how to combat them. The #1 fear among Americans at that time was government corruption. The government has not become any more trustworthy and there are even more areas of overreach and concern. Regardless of the turmoil our society faces, my answer is still the same. As David wrote, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the Name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7. We will all go through a "dark valley" at one point or another, whether it is illness, job loss, family betrayals, or societal upset. Whatever it is, our response is the same. Our security—our peace—is not found in what we have, where we live, or who we know … it is in who God is. The Lord is faithful. The Lord is good. We can trust in him. While we are in the valley, that end is obscured. That is the way the trials of life so often are, we are walking in the dark, not seeing the end, or sometimes even the way. But the light beyond is the good end God has promised. We have to keep walking until we reach the other side. That is what we were made for … we were raised to walk in that newness of life. Join the Discussion I invite you to join tonight's livestream where we'll examine how CALEA operates as a modern‑day vulnerability on our phones—an invisible mechanism that enables government surveillance. We'll decode the technology, expose the risks, and discuss protective measures. Tonight, Thursday, January 29th 5:30 pm EST / 4:30 pm CST / 2:30 pm PST Available on YouTube, Rumble, and RaisedtoWalk.org Bring your thoughts and questions—I look forward to the discussion. https://lnkd.in/e2ZAf95J

The 3,000-Year-Old Lesson in Leadership Communication That Still Applies Today "You are miserable comforters, all of you." - Job 16:2 In one of history's oldest texts, we find a masterclass in what NOT to do when someone on your team is struggling. The Scenario: A leader loses everything—his business, his family, his health. His advisors show up to help. They sit with him in silence for seven days (excellent move). Then they start talking... and everything goes downhill. Their Fatal Mistakes: ❌ They prioritized being "right" over being helpful "You must have done something wrong" became more important than "How can we support you?" ❌ They offered explanations instead of empathy They had a formula for everything, but formulas don't comfort people in crisis. ❌ They couldn't separate their worldview from someone else's reality Their theological framework said suffering = sin, so they forced that narrative onto someone who didn't fit it. Job's Response Was Revolutionary: "If the situation were reversed, I could make fine speeches against you too... but instead, my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief." (Job 16:4-5) He's saying: "I could tear you down with logic. But I would choose to build you up instead." Modern Applications for Leaders: 1. Presence > Answers The friends' best moment was sitting in silence. Sometimes your team doesn't need your analysis—they need you to show up. 2. Empathy > Explanation "I don't understand why this happened, but I'm here" beats "Here's what you did wrong" every time. 3. Support > Solutions Not every problem needs solving in the moment. Some need witnessing. 4. Listening > Lecturing Job's friends talked AT him endlessly. They never asked what he actually needed. The Deeper Insight: This ancient text also reveals something profound about hope and resilience. In his darkest moment, Job articulates a vision of an "advocate" who stands with him—someone who believes in him when all evidence suggests otherwise. "Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high." (Job 16:19) Every person needs advocates—people who will stand WITH them, not just advise them from a distance. The bottom line: The best leaders know when to speak and when to simply stand beside someone. Job understood this 3,000 years ago. We're still learning it today. What leadership lessons from ancient wisdom have shaped your approach? Drop your thoughts in the comments. 👇 #Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #CommunicationSkills #LeadershipDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #WorkplaceCulture #AncientWisdom #ThoughtLeadership #ManagementTips #EmpathyInLeadership #TeamBuilding #LeadershipLessons https://lnkd.in/gWxZarra

TRUSTING GOD'S PLANS WHEN EVERYTHING FALLS APART In January 2016, I wrote about Psalm 138:8 and how our best-laid plans often fail. I had no idea that at that very moment, colleagues I considered friends were already plagiarizing my work and plotting to steal my business and identity. "The LORD will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me." (Psalm 138:8, NLT) Different translations use different words: "fulfill," "accomplish," "vindicate." The Hebrew word "gamar" means "to complete, to bring to an end." When the sabotage came to light, I discovered that this specific Scripture graphic - one I'd used in multiple posts over the years - had been corrupted. Not deleted, but corrupted so it wouldn't display. Even that detail felt prophetic. THE LESSON: We can make all the resolutions and plans in the world, but we don't know what's coming. Professional betrayal. Identity theft. Ministry sabotage. Health crises. Market changes. But God knows. He sees the hearts of those who oppose us. He foresees every plot and every threat. And in spite of it all - or perhaps THROUGH it all - He will accomplish His purposes. When we trust Him for HIS plans rather than clinging to our own, we can have confidence that He will complete what He started. He is faithful. He doesn't abandon what He creates. --- What unexpected challenges have you faced in your professional or ministry journey? How has faith sustained you through them? https://lnkd.in/g6UXc5-C #Faith #Ministry #ChristianLeadership #Resilience #OvercomingAdversity #ProfessionalEthics #IntellectualProperty #Restoration #Trust #Purpose

How should Christian scholars engage with pseudoscience and fringe theories? Dr. Michael Heiser provides a masterclass. As an expert in ancient Near Eastern languages, he didn't ignore Zecharia Sitchin's ancient alien claims—he systematically refuted them with academic rigor on his website "Sitchin Is Wrong." But Heiser went further. He wrote The Facade, a science fiction thriller that explores UFO phenomena through the lens of biblical scholarship and Divine Council theology. My 2019 review examines: • How Heiser bridges academic circles and popular audiences • The intersection of spiritual warfare and contemporary culture • Historical realities woven into fiction (Operation Paperclip, Church Committee revelations) • Why narrative matters for apologetics and theological education The novel asks uncomfortable questions: What if "alien" encounters are spiritual deception? How do we maintain biblical worldview in a culture fascinated with extraterrestrial life? I've created a discussion guide for those interested in exploring these themes in small groups or educational settings. It includes questions on apologetics, government ethics, and critical engagement with pop culture.  📄 Full article with academic citations: & 📋 Free discussion guide: https://lnkd.in/gpHBCnCY For Christian educators, ministry leaders, and thoughtful believers navigating these cultural questions—this is worth your time. #ChristianApologetics #BiblicalWorldview #TheologicalEducation #CriticalThinking

On Truth, Justice, and the Day of Atonement: Lessons from Job 20 Tonight at sundown marks the beginning of Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. In a remarkable convergence, today's study of Job chapter 20 explores the theological tensions at the heart of this observance: judgment, repentance, and God's redemptive plan. Zophar's second response in Job 20 presents us with a critical leadership and ethical lesson: Truth without wisdom can cause significant harm. Zophar articulates orthodox theology—the wicked will indeed face judgment, generational consequences are real, and God's justice is certain. He is technically correct. Yet he fundamentally misapplies these truths to Job, an innocent man suffering not as punishment but as God's champion. Key Insights for Leaders and Communicators: Correct doctrine wrongly applied becomes false teaching. Context, timing, and motivation matter as much as factual accuracy. Identificational repentance is biblical and necessary. From Daniel 9 to Moses's intercession, Scripture demonstrates our responsibility to acknowledge and repent for collective wrongs, not just personal sins. Community over individualism. God's redemptive plan isn't about isolated individuals but forming a people—a concept that challenges contemporary Western emphasis on individual salvation divorced from communal responsibility. Job's story reminds us that faith transcends full understanding. Without complete revelation of Yahweh, Job still trusts in ultimate justice and vindication. His confidence in an advocate "interceding like a friend" foreshadows Christ's own advocacy. On this Day of Atonement, may we pursue both truth and grace, justice and mercy, holding them in the tension that divine wisdom requires. Full Bible study available: https://lnkd.in/g6wnJREu #Leadership #BiblicalWisdom #YomKippur #TheologicalReflection #Ethics #Faith #ProfessionalDevelopment #SpiritualLeadership

"A recent exchange about calling someone 'evil' sparked an important question: What actually defines professional integrity and moral leadership?" "I encountered a discussion where someone's Christianity was questioned for making a moral judgment about a public figure. This highlights a broader challenge we face in professional settings: navigating the tension between grace and accountability. Key insights from my analysis: • Clear standards matter: Just as organizations need defined values, personal integrity requires clear foundational principles, not shifting categories based on convenience. • Historical accuracy builds credibility: Many widely accepted 'facts' about institutional development are simply incorrect. Leaders who fact-check assumptions demonstrate intellectual rigor. • Authentic transformation vs. performance: The difference between genuine change and surface-level compliance shows up in both personal growth and organizational culture. Real transformation produces consistent fruit. • Discernment isn't judgment: Effective leaders can assess situations and call out problems without being self-righteous. The key is alignment with objective standards rather than personal bias. The most successful professionals I know operate from clear principles while maintaining humility about their own limitations. They can identify and address toxic behavior while extending grace to those willing to change. Whether in boardrooms or communities, we need leaders who combine strong moral foundations with practical wisdom." What's been your experience balancing principled leadership with grace in professional settings? #Leadership #ProfessionalIntegrity #EthicalLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #MoralCourage https://lnkd.in/gNZxjZ3Y