Great seeing all you Sheepdogs last night. Big thanks to Pastor Scott, Pastor Dr. George Anderson, and Retired Principal and Deacon Bill Hood for joining the discussion. It's always great to have great Christian leaders join us. And I'm always thankful for every man that comes and adds to the conversation. Every opinion and view point is valued and needed.

Our discussion started off with a short Steve Harvey video where he talked about his prayers, his vision board, his past struggles, and his successes. Although his speech was focused on how to help yourself rise above life struggles with the help of Christ, he did focus on material things BUT God gifts us all with different things in life and I truly believe that if we use our God given gifts, that we will be successful in lots of ways in life, financially, spiritually, morally, in our family life, in our leadership roles, and most importantly by having the ability to help others. I think the point Steve is trying to make, and I've discussed this lots in the past, is that you can't help someone fix their house if your house is broken. It all starts with you and you must prepare yourselves mentally and physically to be able to lead and help others. We can't lose sight of why God chooses to gift us with so much. We can do so much more for others when we are successful, educated, bold, gritty, and faithful.

From Steve's video: Steve grew up in poverty, with little education, dropped out of high school, no college degree, 3 marriages, living in a car for 3 years, lost everything twice in his life, but it all changed for him once he learned how to put God first and Pray. He used two simple verses to help focus him in life: James 4:2 and Habakkuk 2:2.

We must never forget to pray and don't be ashamed to pray. Prayer is one of most powerful gift we are given. Sometimes it's hard for a manly man to hit his knees and talk with God and sometimes our mind gets in the way of our faith. Knowing how to speak to God is Powerful! God isn't too busy for you and he knows who you are and he wants to talk with you. He is waiting to help you. It's easy, all you have to do is ask. Tell him you need him and that your tired of doing it on your own. Take risks, the best things in life are on the other side of fears. "Nothing in life worth having is easy" Jordan Peterson

Don't you hate it when people say "well if it was God's will it would have happened"... don't put that on God. God's will is that we prosper. Our decisions, fears, and lack of faith get in the way of God's will. We must apply what we know and apply God to our lives. We have to want it and live it. And when we do, great things will happen for us and others around us.

"Justice is when you get what you deserve. Mercy is when you don't get what you deserve. Grace is different than both. Grace is when you get what you don't deserve. God passes out grace and gives you things you don't deserve." Steve Harvey.  He gives us those things to serve him and live in his light.