Underrated Changes Churches Should Actually Consider

can we just admit that serving in church can we just admit that serving in church in 2024 is one of the hardest times ever in 2024 is one of the hardest times ever in 2024 is one of the hardest times ever the younger Generations are some of the the younger Generations are some of the the younger Generations are some of the least religious in modern history and least religious in modern history and least religious in modern history and the gap between the smallest churches the gap between the smallest churches the gap between the smallest churches and the largest churches continues to and the largest churches continues to and the largest churches continues to widen so what do we do especially if widen so what do we do especially if widen so what do we do especially if you've tried all the stuff that you you've tried all the stuff that you you've tried all the stuff that you always here getting talked about these always here getting talked about these always here getting talked about these are underrated methods every church are underrated methods every church are underrated methods every church should should should consider consider consider well hey there and welcome to the pro well hey there and welcome to the pro well hey there and welcome to the pro Church tools show we're here to help you Church tools show we're here to help you Church tools show we're here to help you and your church navigate the biggest and your church navigate the biggest and your church navigate the biggest communication shift in 500 years I'm communication shift in 500 years I'm communication shift in 500 years I'm brand sheer your host I'm joined as brand sheer your host I'm joined as brand sheer your host I'm joined as always by my co-host we call him the always by my co-host we call him the always by my co-host we call him the prickly Pope it's Alexander Mills hello prickly Pope it's Alexander Mills hello prickly Pope it's Alexander Mills hello hello that's in reference of course to hello that's in reference of course to hello that's in reference of course to your fuzzle yes and I hope I mentioned your fuzzle yes and I hope I mentioned your fuzzle yes and I hope I mentioned uh in a recent episode that I'm uh in a recent episode that I'm uh in a recent episode that I'm befriending uh father Daniel who uh is befriending uh father Daniel who uh is befriending uh father Daniel who uh is the priest next door I hope he doesn't the priest next door I hope he doesn't the priest next door I hope he doesn't listen to this show that might come off listen to this show that might come off listen to this show that might come off as a little Blasphemous uh to his father as a little Blasphemous uh to his father as a little Blasphemous uh to his father the pope of the the Catholic church but the pope of the the Catholic church but the pope of the the Catholic church but uh I don't think he I don't I haven't uh I don't think he I don't I haven't uh I don't think he I don't I haven't introduced him to the show yet so maybe introduced him to the show yet so maybe introduced him to the show yet so maybe he'll start listening forward and not he'll start listening forward and not he'll start listening forward and not quite this episode whatever you say quite this episode whatever you say quite this episode whatever you say father fuzzy my longstanding belief as father fuzzy my longstanding belief as father fuzzy my longstanding belief as we get into the topic for this episode we get into the topic for this episode we get into the topic for this episode is that one of the best ways to see a is that one of the best ways to see a is that one of the best ways to see a difference in your church is to first difference in your church is to first difference in your church is to first see that difference realized in you the see that difference realized in you the see that difference realized in you the leader and so with that in mind Alex and leader and so with that in mind Alex and leader and so with that in mind Alex and I wanted to share five what we're what I wanted to share five what we're what I wanted to share five what we're what we're dubbing underrated methods for we're dubbing underrated methods for we're dubbing underrated methods for change that we are committing to this change that we are committing to this change that we are committing to this year because the alternative is year because the alternative is year because the alternative is hypocrisy and we all know the ick that hypocrisy and we all know the ick that hypocrisy and we all know the ick that we get when some whether it's in church we get when some whether it's in church we get when some whether it's in church or not is encouraging us to behave a

or not is encouraging us to behave a or not is encouraging us to behave a different way and we know that they different way and we know that they different way and we know that they don't first behave that way yikes that's don't first behave that way yikes that's don't first behave that way yikes that's no good 100% yeah first one here I'm no good 100% yeah first one here I'm no good 100% yeah first one here I'm calling this the two calling this the two calling this the two self story time um so Steve Callahan is self story time um so Steve Callahan is self story time um so Steve Callahan is a is a man who famously survived 76 days a is a man who famously survived 76 days a is a man who famously survived 76 days a drift in the Atlantic Ocean he has a a drift in the Atlantic Ocean he has a a drift in the Atlantic Ocean he has a book that's so many days it's called a book that's so many days it's called a book that's so many days it's called a drift uh this was in drift uh this was in drift uh this was in 1982 um there's a book that I read last 1982 um there's a book that I read last 1982 um there's a book that I read last year called do hard things by another year called do hard things by another year called do hard things by another Steve Steve Magnus and he recounts a Steve Steve Magnus and he recounts a Steve Steve Magnus and he recounts a story during those 76 days where story during those 76 days where story during those 76 days where Callahan is having a conversation with Callahan is having a conversation with Callahan is having a conversation with his captain when the rations are low and his captain when the rations are low and his captain when the rations are low and he's saying to the captain like we need he's saying to the captain like we need he's saying to the captain like we need water like we have to drink water we're water like we have to drink water we're water like we have to drink water we're dying out here and the captain goes no dying out here and the captain goes no dying out here and the captain goes no okay maybe just a little bit no no like okay maybe just a little bit no no like okay maybe just a little bit no no like we have to stick to our plan if we have we have to stick to our plan if we have we have to stick to our plan if we have any hope of surviving any hope of surviving any hope of surviving this because the captain like we have this because the captain like we have this because the captain like we have this singular goal and we can't let like this singular goal and we can't let like this singular goal and we can't let like this shortterm desire or emotion or pain this shortterm desire or emotion or pain this shortterm desire or emotion or pain uh get us off track I think nine ships uh get us off track I think nine ships uh get us off track I think nine ships in the book it said nine ships passed in the book it said nine ships passed in the book it said nine ships passed them missed them until eventually them missed them until eventually them missed them until eventually miraculously they hit land the problem miraculously they hit land the problem miraculously they hit land the problem with the story as Steve tells it in this with the story as Steve tells it in this with the story as Steve tells it in this book is that this was from day one a book is that this was from day one a book is that this was from day one a solo expedition across the Atlantic solo expedition across the Atlantic solo expedition across the Atlantic there was only one person and in his there was only one person and in his there was only one person and in his book a drift Callahan he talks about how book a drift Callahan he talks about how book a drift Callahan he talks about how one of the ways that he maintained his one of the ways that he maintained his one of the ways that he maintained his sanity and ability to survive was that

sanity and ability to survive was that sanity and ability to survive was that he understood that like there's two he understood that like there's two he understood that like there's two parts of me going on right now there's parts of me going on right now there's parts of me going on right now there's the rational part of me that knows what the rational part of me that knows what the rational part of me that knows what we need to accomplish to give ourselves we need to accomplish to give ourselves we need to accomplish to give ourselves a chance at surviving there's the other a chance at surviving there's the other a chance at surviving there's the other part of me that is in horrendous pain part of me that is in horrendous pain part of me that is in horrendous pain and emotional anguish and what we've and emotional anguish and what we've and emotional anguish and what we've what we're starting to learn about what we're starting to learn about what we're starting to learn about Neuroscience according to this book by Neuroscience according to this book by Neuroscience according to this book by other Steve is that that's not just true other Steve is that that's not just true other Steve is that that's not just true when you're maybe going insane on a raft when you're maybe going insane on a raft when you're maybe going insane on a raft I yeah you said maintain his sanity that I yeah you said maintain his sanity that I yeah you said maintain his sanity that sounds a little bit sounds a little bit sounds a little bit insane what Magnus argues is that this insane what Magnus argues is that this insane what Magnus argues is that this is something that we do all the time is something that we do all the time is something that we do all the time there's the famous like devil on one there's the famous like devil on one there's the famous like devil on one shoulder angel on the other and how our shoulder angel on the other and how our shoulder angel on the other and how our brain is not made up of a singular self brain is not made up of a singular self brain is not made up of a singular self but that we have like competing selves but that we have like competing selves but that we have like competing selves that are that are that are all having different interests and the all having different interests and the all having different interests and the only difference between us and Steve only difference between us and Steve only difference between us and Steve lost at se is that he gave those selves lost at se is that he gave those selves lost at se is that he gave those selves names so have you named your two selves names so have you named your two selves names so have you named your two selves I have do you only have two I I only I have do you only have two I I only I have do you only have two I I only have two and and and they distilled it have two and and and they distilled it have two and and and they distilled it down to that I was like like there's The down to that I was like like there's The down to that I was like like there's The Emotional Self and the rational self and Emotional Self and the rational self and Emotional Self and the rational self and I was like okay that's easier than like I was like okay that's easier than like I was like okay that's easier than like splitting it into like oh now it's splitting it into like oh now it's splitting it into like oh now it's football football football Brady Pastor pigin yes so I I have given Brady Pastor pigin yes so I I have given Brady Pastor pigin yes so I I have given each of a name that I will not reveal on each of a name that I will not reveal on each of a name that I will not reveal on this because they are private to me but this because they are private to me but this because they are private to me but I have found it tremendously useful in I have found it tremendously useful in I have found it tremendously useful in times where to quote Paul I want to do times where to quote Paul I want to do times where to quote Paul I want to do one thing and yet I end up doing another one thing and yet I end up doing another one thing and yet I end up doing another and we all know this experience right at and we all know this experience right at and we all know this experience right at the end that there's a thing that they the end that there's a thing that they the end that there's a thing that they say to addicts like you know when you're say to addicts like you know when you're say to addicts like you know when you're tired when you're hungry when there's a

tired when you're hungry when there's a tired when you're hungry when there's a fun acronym like that's when you're not fun acronym like that's when you're not fun acronym like that's when you're not going to make good decisions because going to make good decisions because going to make good decisions because that part of your brain is like I don't that part of your brain is like I don't that part of your brain is like I don't care what our rational brain wants to do care what our rational brain wants to do care what our rational brain wants to do I have a goal and a desire and we are I have a goal and a desire and we are I have a goal and a desire and we are going to fulfill this and so I have I going to fulfill this and so I have I going to fulfill this and so I have I found it tremendously useful because found it tremendously useful because found it tremendously useful because when you call it by name and you address when you call it by name and you address when you call it by name and you address yourself in you're my oh oh X version of yourself in you're my oh oh X version of yourself in you're my oh oh X version of myself I see you are aiming to myself I see you are aiming to myself I see you are aiming to accomplish this people talk about naming accomplish this people talk about naming accomplish this people talk about naming your feelings or acknowledging your your feelings or acknowledging your your feelings or acknowledging your feelings like heyy you know what I am feelings like heyy you know what I am feelings like heyy you know what I am feeling very anxious right now sure okay feeling very anxious right now sure okay feeling very anxious right now sure okay anxiety I understand that this is a anxiety I understand that this is a anxiety I understand that this is a feeling I have and just like calling it feeling I have and just like calling it feeling I have and just like calling it out is very potent in like understanding out is very potent in like understanding out is very potent in like understanding what you're feeling and getting through what you're feeling and getting through what you're feeling and getting through those difficult feelings I've I've never those difficult feelings I've I've never those difficult feelings I've I've never really found too much traction in that really found too much traction in that really found too much traction in that so I've taken it one step further and so I've taken it one step further and so I've taken it one step further and named my two selves and I begun uh named my two selves and I begun uh named my two selves and I begun uh addressing them both so that's how my addressing them both so that's how my addressing them both so that's how my 2024 started yes so speaking of Sanity 2024 started yes so speaking of Sanity 2024 started yes so speaking of Sanity when you address them are you addressing when you address them are you addressing when you address them are you addressing them out loud or just interpersonally uh them out loud or just interpersonally uh them out loud or just interpersonally uh depends if someone's in the house I depends if someone's in the house I depends if someone's in the house I think I've done them out loud a couple think I've done them out loud a couple think I've done them out loud a couple of times when I've been really angry of times when I've been really angry of times when I've been really angry yeah and have you brought britty into yeah and have you brought britty into yeah and have you brought britty into this like have you told her like who this like have you told her like who this like have you told her like who your two selves are no I don't think so your two selves are no I don't think so your two selves are no I don't think so no not because I'm embarrassed though I no not because I'm embarrassed though I no not because I'm embarrassed though I am more because she'd be like okay I am more because she'd be like okay I am more because she'd be like okay I don't care yeah yeah that's fascinating don't care yeah yeah that's fascinating don't care yeah yeah that's fascinating uh so I was on board not all the way uh so I was on board not all the way uh so I was on board not all the way sure sure but I got all the way on board sure sure but I got all the way on board sure sure but I got all the way on board when is that a pun yes um when you when is that a pun yes um when you when is that a pun yes um when you mentioned the the rational and The mentioned the the rational and The mentioned the the rational and The Emotional Self because I was curious Emotional Self because I was curious Emotional Self because I was curious like how many selves are there what is a like how many selves are there what is a like how many selves are there what is a valid self what's what's not a true self valid self what's what's not a true self valid self what's what's not a true self but that makes a lot of sense to me and but that makes a lot of sense to me and but that makes a lot of sense to me and I'm curious because I know my wife uh

I'm curious because I know my wife uh I'm curious because I know my wife uh her most prominent self is her Emotional her most prominent self is her Emotional her most prominent self is her Emotional Self and my most prominent self is my Self and my most prominent self is my Self and my most prominent self is my rational self and I'm curious like what rational self and I'm curious like what rational self and I'm curious like what brings that you don't have the answer to brings that you don't have the answer to brings that you don't have the answer to this but I'm just wondering aloud like this but I'm just wondering aloud like this but I'm just wondering aloud like what why do some of us lead to one side what why do some of us lead to one side what why do some of us lead to one side or the other what brings out the the or the other what brings out the the or the other what brings out the the Shadow Self so for me like The Emotional Shadow Self so for me like The Emotional Shadow Self so for me like The Emotional Self well I was preaching on Sunday and Self well I was preaching on Sunday and Self well I was preaching on Sunday and I I properly cried in the middle of my I I properly cried in the middle of my I I properly cried in the middle of my sermon was not intending to um and sermon was not intending to um and sermon was not intending to um and somebody came up to me after the service somebody came up to me after the service somebody came up to me after the service and she said um I see your tears and I and she said um I see your tears and I and she said um I see your tears and I said that's I said thank you I said said that's I said thank you I said said that's I said thank you I said That's funny though because I don't ever That's funny though because I don't ever That's funny though because I don't ever cry anywhere else I'm like I I only cry cry anywhere else I'm like I I only cry cry anywhere else I'm like I I only cry here and I was I was like interrogating here and I was I was like interrogating here and I was I was like interrogating that a little bit afterwards wondering that a little bit afterwards wondering that a little bit afterwards wondering like why do I only cry when I'm like why do I only cry when I'm like why do I only cry when I'm preaching the gospel I I didn't I don't preaching the gospel I I didn't I don't preaching the gospel I I didn't I don't have a a reason for that I have more have a a reason for that I have more have a a reason for that I have more interrogation to do but it seems that interrogation to do but it seems that interrogation to do but it seems that for me I mostly operate in my uh for me I mostly operate in my uh for me I mostly operate in my uh rational self but for whatever reason rational self but for whatever reason rational self but for whatever reason when I'm when I'm preaching the gospel when I'm when I'm preaching the gospel when I'm when I'm preaching the gospel my emotional self shows up well surely my emotional self shows up well surely my emotional self shows up well surely and both of the needs both of the selves and both of the needs both of the selves and both of the needs both of the selves matter yeah and so giving them names matter yeah and so giving them names matter yeah and so giving them names acknowledging them wow the more I talk acknowledging them wow the more I talk acknowledging them wow the more I talk about this the less I like it the less I about this the less I like it the less I about this the less I like it the less I feel comfortable sharing the more that feel comfortable sharing the more that feel comfortable sharing the more that you do it the more that you become aware you do it the more that you become aware you do it the more that you become aware of those things and so for someone like of those things and so for someone like of those things and so for someone like yourself myself who he to listen more to yourself myself who he to listen more to yourself myself who he to listen more to the rational self someone like your wife the rational self someone like your wife the rational self someone like your wife perhaps my wife Who air more on perhaps my wife Who air more on perhaps my wife Who air more on listening to The Emotional Self the more listening to The Emotional Self the more listening to The Emotional Self the more that you just acknowledge hey this that you just acknowledge hey this that you just acknowledge hey this version of myself is operating as the version of myself is operating as the version of myself is operating as the King right now the more that you could King right now the more that you could King right now the more that you could realize which one happens more often realize which one happens more often realize which one happens more often which then maybe would give you reason

which then maybe would give you reason which then maybe would give you reason to listen to the other one a little bit to listen to the other one a little bit to listen to the other one a little bit more oh I've never listened to this more oh I've never listened to this more oh I've never listened to this person right yeah and this is person right yeah and this is person right yeah and this is reminiscent of uh I got this from like reminiscent of uh I got this from like reminiscent of uh I got this from like our therapy is Parts work um talking our therapy is Parts work um talking our therapy is Parts work um talking about like adult self and um child self about like adult self and um child self about like adult self and um child self um and that's been that's been really um and that's been that's been really um and that's been that's been really really helpful for both me and and really helpful for both me and and really helpful for both me and and Rebecca just um trying to be parents and Rebecca just um trying to be parents and Rebecca just um trying to be parents and and learning more about ourselves and and learning more about ourselves and and learning more about ourselves and realizing oh when I behave this way or I realizing oh when I behave this way or I realizing oh when I behave this way or I feel this way this is actually not feel this way this is actually not feel this way this is actually not 31-year-old Alexander here this is this 31-year-old Alexander here this is this 31-year-old Alexander here this is this is 6-year-old Alexander because what is 6-year-old Alexander because what is 6-year-old Alexander because what just happened reminded me of uh uh just happened reminded me of uh uh just happened reminded me of uh uh something really important to me that something really important to me that something really important to me that happened when I was six so the way I'm happened when I was six so the way I'm happened when I was six so the way I'm acting is actually more like a acting is actually more like a acting is actually more like a six-year-old than a 31-year-old so it's six-year-old than a 31-year-old so it's six-year-old than a 31-year-old so it's reminiscent of Parts work too in therapy reminiscent of Parts work too in therapy reminiscent of Parts work too in therapy um Rebecca and I are always talking um Rebecca and I are always talking um Rebecca and I are always talking about our adult selves and our child about our adult selves and our child about our adult selves and our child selves and and both being being valid um selves and and both being being valid um selves and and both being being valid um being they matter they're real um this being they matter they're real um this being they matter they're real um this is interesting I'm going to take this is interesting I'm going to take this is interesting I'm going to take this and I've given you so many self names and I've given you so many self names and I've given you so many self names already yeah yeah I get father fuzzy I already yeah yeah I get father fuzzy I already yeah yeah I get father fuzzy I get sobody to pick from Pastor bigin get sobody to pick from Pastor bigin get sobody to pick from Pastor bigin father fungi Bishop bstr they're all father fungi Bishop bstr they're all father fungi Bishop bstr they're all right there so the problem is I have two right there so the problem is I have two right there so the problem is I have two you are going to have 2,000 different you are going to have 2,000 different you are going to have 2,000 different versions of yourself okay big question versions of yourself okay big question versions of yourself okay big question how does this apply to Ministry that is how does this apply to Ministry that is how does this apply to Ministry that is the purpose of this type of exercise the purpose of this type of exercise the purpose of this type of exercise when I when I when I think about my time in Ministry I think think about my time in Ministry I think think about my time in Ministry I think about how that relational element the about how that relational element the about how that relational element the shepherding element took such a heavy shepherding element took such a heavy shepherding element took such a heavy emotional toll on myself that it could emotional toll on myself that it could emotional toll on myself that it could end up cascading into other areas of my end up cascading into other areas of my end up cascading into other areas of my life and so I can imagine and we talked

life and so I can imagine and we talked life and so I can imagine and we talked about this on last week's episode The about this on last week's episode The about this on last week's episode The need perhaps for pastors to live both in need perhaps for pastors to live both in need perhaps for pastors to live both in the world of being the shepherd but also the world of being the shepherd but also the world of being the shepherd but also like I run an organization and there are like I run an organization and there are like I run an organization and there are practical needs for that and how you practical needs for that and how you practical needs for that and how you kind of have to like go back and forth kind of have to like go back and forth kind of have to like go back and forth between those two modes the more that between those two modes the more that between those two modes the more that you're able to you're able to you're able to understand how you're feeling in a understand how you're feeling in a understand how you're feeling in a certain moment the more it might be easy certain moment the more it might be easy certain moment the more it might be easy to switch back and forth and the less to switch back and forth and the less to switch back and forth and the less likely you are to have on self being in likely you are to have on self being in likely you are to have on self being in charge and governing a moment where charge and governing a moment where charge and governing a moment where they're not behaving in health because they're not behaving in health because they're not behaving in health because both versions of that self have like both versions of that self have like both versions of that self have like healthy expressions of that self and healthy expressions of that self and healthy expressions of that self and unhealthy Expressions right and the unhealthy Expressions right and the unhealthy Expressions right and the reason I like describing it as two reason I like describing it as two reason I like describing it as two selves is we often think of ourselves as selves is we often think of ourselves as selves is we often think of ourselves as singular I am this way I am Brady I act singular I am this way I am Brady I act singular I am this way I am Brady I act this way sometimes I act this way other this way sometimes I act this way other this way sometimes I act this way other times the more we can can reshape that times the more we can can reshape that times the more we can can reshape that to understand that even ourselves to understand that even ourselves to understand that even ourselves internally have multiple like you know internally have multiple like you know internally have multiple like you know kind of people pulling the strings the kind of people pulling the strings the kind of people pulling the strings the easier it is to kind of understand why easier it is to kind of understand why easier it is to kind of understand why we act certain ways in certain moments we act certain ways in certain moments we act certain ways in certain moments and how we might change those behaviors and how we might change those behaviors and how we might change those behaviors in the future and of all vocations it's in the future and of all vocations it's in the future and of all vocations it's hard to imagine one as unique and hard to imagine one as unique and hard to imagine one as unique and challenging as a pastor where you have challenging as a pastor where you have challenging as a pastor where you have to act as a CEO as a lead Pastor all the to act as a CEO as a lead Pastor all the to act as a CEO as a lead Pastor all the times and also as like a shepherd with times and also as like a shepherd with times and also as like a shepherd with bedside manner like I just incredibly bedside manner like I just incredibly bedside manner like I just incredibly challenging the more we're able to kind challenging the more we're able to kind challenging the more we're able to kind of call out our own internal motivations of call out our own internal motivations of call out our own internal motivations the more we can hopefully shape our the more we can hopefully shape our the more we can hopefully shape our behavior in ways that are honoring to behavior in ways that are honoring to behavior in ways that are honoring to God yeah and for pastors and not just God yeah and for pastors and not just God yeah and for pastors and not just pastors a lot of folks who work in pastors a lot of folks who work in pastors a lot of folks who work in church um often that space demands of church um often that space demands of church um often that space demands of you to be the helper or the caretaker of you to be the helper or the caretaker of you to be the helper or the caretaker of the bodies and souls the spirits of the

the bodies and souls the spirits of the the bodies and souls the spirits of the people who are in the room or in the people who are in the room or in the people who are in the room or in the community and but you're also a person community and but you're also a person community and but you're also a person who needs taken care of and it can be a who needs taken care of and it can be a who needs taken care of and it can be a real challenge um especially in that real challenge um especially in that real challenge um especially in that Community but even outside that Community but even outside that Community but even outside that Community um to put yourself in a Community um to put yourself in a Community um to put yourself in a position to be taken of to not be position to be taken of to not be position to be taken of to not be theaker you're in and so like for me theaker you're in and so like for me theaker you're in and so like for me personally I P A group of people and personally I P A group of people and personally I P A group of people and part of that group of people are like uh part of that group of people are like uh part of that group of people are like uh are our friends like our contemporaries are our friends like our contemporaries are our friends like our contemporaries folks who are at the same age going folks who are at the same age going folks who are at the same age going through the same stuff of life and so in through the same stuff of life and so in through the same stuff of life and so in the church space I'm often their the church space I'm often their the church space I'm often their caretaker their Shepherd um but outside caretaker their Shepherd um but outside caretaker their Shepherd um but outside of the church space uh when we're just of the church space uh when we're just of the church space uh when we're just at my house or their house there are at my house or their house there are at my house or their house there are things that I'm going through personally things that I'm going through personally things that I'm going through personally that aren't really relevant um in the that aren't really relevant um in the that aren't really relevant um in the church community but are really relevant church community but are really relevant church community but are really relevant in my own life and in our in our in our in my own life and in our in our in our in my own life and in our in our in our friendships that I have friendships that I have friendships that I have to I have to to invite my shepherding to I have to to invite my shepherding to I have to to invite my shepherding self to take a seat and let my sheep self to take a seat and let my sheep self to take a seat and let my sheep self be shephered by somebody else um self be shephered by somebody else um self be shephered by somebody else um and that just takes self- awareness it and that just takes self- awareness it and that just takes self- awareness it takes humility um but you're right if if takes humility um but you're right if if takes humility um but you're right if if I looked at at myself as singular that I looked at at myself as singular that I looked at at myself as singular that would I can imagine that would that would I can imagine that would that would I can imagine that would that would be even more challenging to do um would be even more challenging to do um would be even more challenging to do um so having a little bit of Parts work so having a little bit of Parts work so having a little bit of Parts work there is is really helpful to like oh I there is is really helpful to like oh I there is is really helpful to like oh I need to be taken care of right now and need to be taken care of right now and need to be taken care of right now and and that's okay may I as you're kind of and that's okay may I as you're kind of and that's okay may I as you're kind of separating yourself as we're doing this separating yourself as we're doing this separating yourself as we're doing this live let's do it live into like Shepherd live let's do it live into like Shepherd live let's do it live into like Shepherd and sheep Bishop and sheep Bishop and sheep Bishop [Laughter] [Laughter] [Laughter] ba right yep my sheep s yeah yeah yeah

ba right yep my sheep s yeah yeah yeah ba right yep my sheep s yeah yeah yeah right like oh okay got to let Bishop ba right like oh okay got to let Bishop ba right like oh okay got to let Bishop ba out of the pen a little bit yes I I mean out of the pen a little bit yes I I mean out of the pen a little bit yes I I mean we Workshop it we Workshop it we Workshop it right okay underrated method number two right okay underrated method number two right okay underrated method number two Bishop is wild levite Lamb Chop take your pick right okay number Chop take your pick right okay number two number two here we go live off the two number two here we go live off the two number two here we go live off the land so this uh this comes from Nike in land so this uh this comes from Nike in land so this uh this comes from Nike in 1977 Nike director of marketing uh 1977 Nike director of marketing uh 1977 Nike director of marketing uh circulated a memo that he called circulated a memo that he called circulated a memo that he called principles this guy's name was Rob principles this guy's name was Rob principles this guy's name was Rob straser and there were 10 items on the straser and there were 10 items on the straser and there were 10 items on the memo some were rules some were memo some were rules some were memo some were rules some were perspectives the sixth item on the memo perspectives the sixth item on the memo perspectives the sixth item on the memo simply reads quote live off the land and simply reads quote live off the land and simply reads quote live off the land and uh there was an article in Inc that uh there was an article in Inc that uh there was an article in Inc that summed it up nicely quote routines are summed it up nicely quote routines are summed it up nicely quote routines are handy but rules deciding what you will handy but rules deciding what you will handy but rules deciding what you will or will not do in certain situations or will not do in certain situations or will not do in certain situations without fail are much more powerful so without fail are much more powerful so without fail are much more powerful so this live off the land Mantra has been this live off the land Mantra has been this live off the land Mantra has been for 2024 for my own life but also for for 2024 for my own life but also for for 2024 for my own life but also for our business one of like the key our business one of like the key our business one of like the key motivators and guiding principles that motivators and guiding principles that motivators and guiding principles that we are looking to this year and the we are looking to this year and the we are looking to this year and the reason is because what we found in our reason is because what we found in our reason is because what we found in our own organ organization was there was own organ organization was there was own organ organization was there was this this this creeping idea of like you know what we creeping idea of like you know what we creeping idea of like you know what we could do that if only X or we will do could do that if only X or we will do could do that if only X or we will do this when X and I think a lot of the this when X and I think a lot of the this when X and I think a lot of the time there was Credence and reality time there was Credence and reality time there was Credence and reality behind those beliefs and ideas and and behind those beliefs and ideas and and behind those beliefs and ideas and and just kind of like that that that culture

just kind of like that that that culture just kind of like that that that culture that was creeping in but it also wasn't that was creeping in but it also wasn't that was creeping in but it also wasn't serving us well in respect to what we serving us well in respect to what we serving us well in respect to what we were trying to accomplish and so when I were trying to accomplish and so when I were trying to accomplish and so when I came across this live off the land came across this live off the land came across this live off the land immediately the picture that I got as a immediately the picture that I got as a immediately the picture that I got as a Canadian who read this in the Canadian Canadian who read this in the Canadian Canadian who read this in the Canadian winter was exactly because the people winter was exactly because the people winter was exactly because the people that settled in the land that we now that settled in the land that we now that settled in the land that we now live in surely were like did we make a live in surely were like did we make a live in surely were like did we make a mistake like it was so cold today that I mistake like it was so cold today that I mistake like it was so cold today that I didn't go for my daily walk and I always didn't go for my daily walk and I always didn't go for my daily walk and I always go for my daily walk I still worked out go for my daily walk I still worked out go for my daily walk I still worked out in the garage which was bitterly cold in the garage which was bitterly cold in the garage which was bitterly cold but I was like you know what I just I but I was like you know what I just I but I was like you know what I just I can't bring myself to do it today the can't bring myself to do it today the can't bring myself to do it today the weather the weather is crazy and and and weather the weather is crazy and and and weather the weather is crazy and and and to be fair it does not get like this to be fair it does not get like this to be fair it does not get like this very often but I also lived in Edmonton very often but I also lived in Edmonton very often but I also lived in Edmonton for 4 the most northern major Metropolis for 4 the most northern major Metropolis for 4 the most northern major Metropolis in America and guess what it was way in America and guess what it was way in America and guess what it was way colder than this all the time and so colder than this all the time and so colder than this all the time and so there were people that were like hey there were people that were like hey there were people that were like hey okay sure would it be better if the okay sure would it be better if the okay sure would it be better if the winter was not this bitterly cold would winter was not this bitterly cold would winter was not this bitterly cold would it be better if Pastor preserves didn't it be better if Pastor preserves didn't it be better if Pastor preserves didn't have to preserve maybe but it's not so have to preserve maybe but it's not so have to preserve maybe but it's not so let's not worry about what it could be let's not worry about what it could be let's not worry about what it could be like or what we wish it would be like we like or what we wish it would be like we like or what we wish it would be like we have to live off this land and how does have to live off this land and how does have to live off this land and how does this apply to Ministry I think it's this apply to Ministry I think it's this apply to Ministry I think it's pretty straightforward right we know as pretty straightforward right we know as pretty straightforward right we know as churches we have fewer resources churches we have fewer resources churches we have fewer resources relative to most or relative to most or relative to most or organizations wish it was different organizations wish it was different organizations wish it was different don't we all but how can we live off the don't we all but how can we live off the don't we all but how can we live off the land MH this has come up since since you land MH this has come up since since you land MH this has come up since since you installed this in our psyche half a year installed this in our psyche half a year installed this in our psyche half a year ago or so this comes up in in our office ago or so this comes up in in our office ago or so this comes up in in our office all the time really was that sticky yeah all the time really was that sticky yeah all the time really was that sticky yeah you're probably encouraged to hear that you're probably encouraged to hear that you're probably encouraged to hear that um can we also all like name ourselves um can we also all like name ourselves um can we also all like name ourselves multiple ways like can we get that to be

multiple ways like can we get that to be multiple ways like can we get that to be a sticky yeah we should have a Monday a sticky yeah we should have a Monday a sticky yeah we should have a Monday meeting on a Wednesday after this BR meeting on a Wednesday after this BR meeting on a Wednesday after this BR that up uh but yeah this comes up all that up uh but yeah this comes up all that up uh but yeah this comes up all the time because it's just once you put the time because it's just once you put the time because it's just once you put a name to it and and install it as a a a name to it and and install it as a a a name to it and and install it as a a value or an axiom which we have here at value or an axiom which we have here at value or an axiom which we have here at at PR Church tools you realize how often at PR Church tools you realize how often at PR Church tools you realize how often uh that desire for a better situation uh that desire for a better situation uh that desire for a better situation comes up and and for us in the the state comes up and and for us in the the state comes up and and for us in the the state of our our company and and our products of our our company and and our products of our our company and and our products and our software and our work here it's and our software and our work here it's and our software and our work here it's just been so vital for us to like to just been so vital for us to like to just been so vital for us to like to take that deep breath and be like okay take that deep breath and be like okay take that deep breath and be like okay yes we wish we wish AB or C sure and we yes we wish we wish AB or C sure and we yes we wish we wish AB or C sure and we can get there somehow some way but right can get there somehow some way but right can get there somehow some way but right now we have to solve we have to solve now we have to solve we have to solve now we have to solve we have to solve for x we have to do this with what we for x we have to do this with what we for x we have to do this with what we have and it has encouraged us in our have and it has encouraged us in our have and it has encouraged us in our work to be so much more creative and um work to be so much more creative and um work to be so much more creative and um yeah just more proficient problem yeah just more proficient problem yeah just more proficient problem solvers right because you can't make the solvers right because you can't make the solvers right because you can't make the excuse to yourself anymore and that's excuse to yourself anymore and that's excuse to yourself anymore and that's where that creativity comes from or where that creativity comes from or where that creativity comes from or expect somebody else to do something expect somebody else to do something expect somebody else to do something better right all right well this is what better right all right well this is what better right all right well this is what I have these are the building blocks I have these are the building blocks I have these are the building blocks this the reality this is the budget and this the reality this is the budget and this the reality this is the budget and that like you said is is that not the that like you said is is that not the that like you said is is that not the state of of every Church regardless of state of of every Church regardless of state of of every Church regardless of the size it's like yeah we wish AB andc the size it's like yeah we wish AB andc the size it's like yeah we wish AB andc yeah we wish people tithed more sure but yeah we wish people tithed more sure but yeah we wish people tithed more sure but like this is what came in this week so like this is what came in this week so like this is what came in this week so what are we going to do with it and what are we going to do with it and what are we going to do with it and that's I mean that it becomes a matter that's I mean that it becomes a matter that's I mean that it becomes a matter of stewardship at that point right it's of stewardship at that point right it's of stewardship at that point right it's like how can we Steward the best what we like how can we Steward the best what we like how can we Steward the best what we have in this moment what can we make out have in this moment what can we make out have in this moment what can we make out of out of this and yeah I I think I of out of this and yeah I I think I of out of this and yeah I I think I think even just putting this on the think even just putting this on the think even just putting this on the radar putting it in the vocabulary of radar putting it in the vocabulary of radar putting it in the vocabulary of our organization your organization at a our organization your organization at a our organization your organization at a church just really inspires creativity

church just really inspires creativity church just really inspires creativity in the moment of problem solving and in the moment of problem solving and in the moment of problem solving and that is the Crux of it because we easily that is the Crux of it because we easily that is the Crux of it because we easily all of us settle in into the the belief all of us settle in into the the belief all of us settle in into the the belief that these are the resources we have we that these are the resources we have we that these are the resources we have we must be doing as well as we can with must be doing as well as we can with must be doing as well as we can with these resources what then you come to these resources what then you come to these resources what then you come to find out is when you challenge some of find out is when you challenge some of find out is when you challenge some of that creeping negative culture and that creeping negative culture and that creeping negative culture and suddenly you begin outputting more and suddenly you begin outputting more and suddenly you begin outputting more and outputting better than before you outputting better than before you outputting better than before you realize that you actually weren't realize that you actually weren't realize that you actually weren't stewarding those resources as well as stewarding those resources as well as stewarding those resources as well as you could and it was your self and your you could and it was your self and your you could and it was your self and your mindset that was getting in the way of mindset that was getting in the way of mindset that was getting in the way of that and and that then opens up the that and and that then opens up the that and and that then opens up the belief that wow maybe things are a lot belief that wow maybe things are a lot belief that wow maybe things are a lot more fluid and malleable than I thought more fluid and malleable than I thought more fluid and malleable than I thought you think hey this is how it is there's you think hey this is how it is there's you think hey this is how it is there's nothing else that can be done and the nothing else that can be done and the nothing else that can be done and the way that I've been and setting myself up way that I've been and setting myself up way that I've been and setting myself up to enforce this in my area of the to enforce this in my area of the to enforce this in my area of the business is like I don't want expenses business is like I don't want expenses business is like I don't want expenses to continue to creep so you think about to continue to creep so you think about to continue to creep so you think about your own church budget or your own your own church budget or your own your own church budget or your own family budget if you're not in charge of family budget if you're not in charge of family budget if you're not in charge of the church budget like just think about the church budget like just think about the church budget like just think about how expenses tend to creep because I I how expenses tend to creep because I I how expenses tend to creep because I I just need I just need and I was like you just need I just need and I was like you just need I just need and I was like you know what look this is where we stop we know what look this is where we stop we know what look this is where we stop we have to live off the land with this for have to live off the land with this for have to live off the land with this for the indefinite future and just having the indefinite future and just having the indefinite future and just having that kind of hard stop has been again that kind of hard stop has been again that kind of hard stop has been again radical for helping okay well we can't radical for helping okay well we can't radical for helping okay well we can't just look I famously solve things like just look I famously solve things like just look I famously solve things like well we'll throw more money at it so well we'll throw more money at it so well we'll throw more money at it so much so that like and I say this glibly much so that like and I say this glibly much so that like and I say this glibly you know there's a problem with our you know there's a problem with our you know there's a problem with our house the other day I go down to this house the other day I go down to this house the other day I go down to this the basement new house and I look the basement new house and I look the basement new house and I look upstairs and there's a little mold spot upstairs and there's a little mold spot upstairs and there's a little mold spot from a leak and I'm like oh no and it

from a leak and I'm like oh no and it from a leak and I'm like oh no and it turns out we had to like cut it open and turns out we had to like cut it open and turns out we had to like cut it open and the furnace d that they installed a the furnace d that they installed a the furnace d that they installed a couple of years ago like the piping just couple of years ago like the piping just couple of years ago like the piping just wasn't perfect so the condensation was wasn't perfect so the condensation was wasn't perfect so the condensation was leaking they fixed it with glue it was leaking they fixed it with glue it was leaking they fixed it with glue it was got to patch up the drywall way to go got to patch up the drywall way to go got to patch up the drywall way to go anytime there's been a problem in our anytime there's been a problem in our anytime there's been a problem in our house I have just always said well time house I have just always said well time house I have just always said well time to buy a new to buy a new to buy a new house as a glib way of just being like house as a glib way of just being like house as a glib way of just being like hey you know what this problem isn't hey you know what this problem isn't hey you know what this problem isn't worth it but this is challenging kind of worth it but this is challenging kind of worth it but this is challenging kind of my own uh disposition which is just like my own uh disposition which is just like my own uh disposition which is just like you hey the easiest way to solve this you hey the easiest way to solve this you hey the easiest way to solve this problem is just throw a bit more Capital problem is just throw a bit more Capital problem is just throw a bit more Capital at it hey instead we have the capital at it hey instead we have the capital at it hey instead we have the capital maybe maybe we don't but what if we maybe maybe we don't but what if we maybe maybe we don't but what if we solved it without because that actually solved it without because that actually solved it without because that actually might Force us to be more creative and might Force us to be more creative and might Force us to be more creative and come up with better Solutions why you come up with better Solutions why you come up with better Solutions why you stop smiling at me no I'm just thinking stop smiling at me no I'm just thinking stop smiling at me no I'm just thinking the next the next step of this evolution the next the next step of this evolution the next the next step of this evolution is you not even calling the handyman is you not even calling the handyman is you not even calling the handyman it's you getting on YouTube going to it's you getting on YouTube going to it's you getting on YouTube going to Home Depot getting getting those pants Home Depot getting getting those pants Home Depot getting getting those pants with the with the hammer sling on it BR with the with the hammer sling on it BR with the with the hammer sling on it BR hates the hammering a a ladder climbing hates the hammering a a ladder climbing hates the hammering a a ladder climbing up cutting out the drywall what do you think about that drywall what do you think about that well here's what happened remember last well here's what happened remember last well here's what happened remember last time that I called the plumber and they time that I called the plumber and they time that I called the plumber and they charged me like $2,000 for emergency charged me like $2,000 for emergency charged me like $2,000 for emergency plumber so when my neighbors found out plumber so when my neighbors found out plumber so when my neighbors found out about that they of course uh did the about that they of course uh did the about that they of course uh did the requisite making fun of me as they requisite making fun of me as they requisite making fun of me as they should and then said why don't you use should and then said why don't you use should and then said why don't you use like Reliance you know it's like 50 like Reliance you know it's like 50 like Reliance you know it's like 50 bucks a month and then you can just call bucks a month and then you can just call bucks a month and then you can just call anyone for HVAC heater air conditioning anyone for HVAC heater air conditioning anyone for HVAC heater air conditioning or plumbing and I was like okay so I or plumbing and I was like okay so I or plumbing and I was like okay so I signed up like four months ago and then signed up like four months ago and then signed up like four months ago and then this was the first time I was able to this was the first time I was able to this was the first time I was able to use it so they came and they fixed it use it so they came and they fixed it use it so they came and they fixed it and cuz my dad was like before you call and cuz my dad was like before you call and cuz my dad was like before you call anyone you should cut it open yourself anyone you should cut it open yourself anyone you should cut it open yourself and I was like well I have the ability and I was like well I have the ability and I was like well I have the ability to call cuz I didn't know who to call I

to call cuz I didn't know who to call I to call cuz I didn't know who to call I like it's a leak but I almost certainly like it's a leak but I almost certainly like it's a leak but I almost certainly know it's from the furnace so I call H know it's from the furnace so I call H know it's from the furnace so I call H or do I call plumber right so we called or do I call plumber right so we called or do I call plumber right so we called the plumber and 0 cuz we paid for the the plumber and 0 cuz we paid for the the plumber and 0 cuz we paid for the monthly subscription and he's like if monthly subscription and he's like if monthly subscription and he's like if there's a problem after we glued it call there's a problem after we glued it call there's a problem after we glued it call HVAC and they'll come and replace the HVAC and they'll come and replace the HVAC and they'll come and replace the pipe also $ Z because of the pipe also $ Z because of the pipe also $ Z because of the subscription so I knew I kind of had subscription so I knew I kind of had subscription so I knew I kind of had that as a as a fallback because last that as a as a fallback because last that as a as a fallback because last time I made such a terrible error so I time I made such a terrible error so I time I made such a terrible error so I am getting better yeah but you're am getting better yeah but you're am getting better yeah but you're prophesying a bit too far in the future prophesying a bit too far in the future prophesying a bit too far in the future at this point like you know one step at at this point like you know one step at at this point like you know one step at a time I got to I got to do writing you a time I got to I got to do writing you a time I got to I got to do writing you know I could write that's right it again know I could write that's right it again know I could write that's right it again matter of stewardship you have you have matter of stewardship you have you have matter of stewardship you have you have a company to run you have to write and a company to run you have to write and a company to run you have to write and if the more I focus on that the less if the more I focus on that the less if the more I focus on that the less time we get to spend together exact and time we get to spend together exact and time we get to spend together exact and that time already is very small yeah so that time already is very small yeah so that time already is very small yeah so we got to make use of it when we can all we got to make use of it when we can all we got to make use of it when we can all right number three third underrated right number three third underrated right number three third underrated method daily ribbons thanks for not method daily ribbons thanks for not method daily ribbons thanks for not putting any notes for this so I putting any notes for this so I putting any notes for this so I purposely did this I want you to tell purposely did this I want you to tell purposely did this I want you to tell the listeners what you think daily the listeners what you think daily the listeners what you think daily ribbons is if you are at home okay and ribbons is if you are at home okay and ribbons is if you are at home okay and I'm imagining like you know how when you I'm imagining like you know how when you I'm imagining like you know how when you have a toddler and you want them to stay have a toddler and you want them to stay have a toddler and you want them to stay in bed you make like a little chart with in bed you make like a little chart with in bed you make like a little chart with stickers yeah I'm imagining in your cuz stickers yeah I'm imagining in your cuz stickers yeah I'm imagining in your cuz I can see your office at home I'm I can see your office at home I'm I can see your office at home I'm imagining that you're congratulating imagining that you're congratulating imagining that you're congratulating yourself daily with ribbons on the wall yourself daily with ribbons on the wall yourself daily with ribbons on the wall for various uh for various tasks like for various uh for various tasks like for various uh for various tasks like writing an article launching uh writing an article launching uh writing an article launching uh portraits getting that off the ground um portraits getting that off the ground um portraits getting that off the ground um not spilling your coffee stuff like that not spilling your coffee stuff like that not spilling your coffee stuff like that H ribbon ribbon ribbon okay uh that's H ribbon ribbon ribbon okay uh that's H ribbon ribbon ribbon okay uh that's exactly right let me go get the ribbons okay I'm coming ribbons okay I'm coming back I'm coming back I brought the bin

back I'm coming back I brought the bin back I'm coming back I brought the bin for the thumbnail on this episode but for the thumbnail on this episode but for the thumbnail on this episode but also so you could see them ah so what also so you could see them ah so what also so you could see them ah so what these are like little Post-its they're these are like little Post-its they're these are like little Post-its they're sticky tag notes but they're like in sticky tag notes but they're like in sticky tag notes but they're like in really small rectangle rectangular really small rectangle rectangular really small rectangle rectangular Rhythm ribbons if you're listening how Rhythm ribbons if you're listening how Rhythm ribbons if you're listening how would you describe this to those that would you describe this to those that would you describe this to those that are it's like if you took a a a are it's like if you took a a a are it's like if you took a a a fluorescent Post-It note and cut it into fluorescent Post-It note and cut it into fluorescent Post-It note and cut it into like like U horizontal strips yeah yeah like like U horizontal strips yeah yeah like like U horizontal strips yeah yeah so so so I famously track a lot of my daily I famously track a lot of my daily I famously track a lot of my daily habits I call them habits Andy not habits I call them habits Andy not habits I call them habits Andy not analog you do it digitally right and analog you do it digitally right and analog you do it digitally right and that's true this is a big change for me that's true this is a big change for me that's true this is a big change for me analog so what I have done is I have analog so what I have done is I have analog so what I have done is I have kept a food journal for many years uh kept a food journal for many years uh kept a food journal for many years uh and I weigh basically everything that I and I weigh basically everything that I and I weigh basically everything that I put into my body and I keep track of put into my body and I keep track of put into my body and I keep track of protein carbs fats calories fiber and protein carbs fats calories fiber and protein carbs fats calories fiber and saturated fat and it's I write it down saturated fat and it's I write it down saturated fat and it's I write it down every day and then if I get off track I every day and then if I get off track I every day and then if I get off track I tend to really get off track especially tend to really get off track especially tend to really get off track especially when I travel because although I also when I travel because although I also when I travel because although I also famously um have weighed raw burger famously um have weighed raw burger famously um have weighed raw burger patties in the Athens airport on a scale patties in the Athens airport on a scale patties in the Athens airport on a scale and any other airport I've been in that and any other airport I've been in that and any other airport I've been in that doesn't always work so I've been at this doesn't always work so I've been at this doesn't always work so I've been at this for a few years I'm pretty good at for a few years I'm pretty good at for a few years I'm pretty good at estimating calories even when eating out estimating calories even when eating out estimating calories even when eating out and what I tried to do was kind of hack and what I tried to do was kind of hack and what I tried to do was kind of hack my my my own chemistry and and and and the way own chemistry and and and and the way own chemistry and and and and the way that my brain is wired to continue to that my brain is wired to continue to that my brain is wired to continue to achieve the same ends

achieve the same ends achieve the same ends but to do it in a way that's a little but to do it in a way that's a little but to do it in a way that's a little more holistic because the problem is is more holistic because the problem is is more holistic because the problem is is that it's all or nothing if like you that it's all or nothing if like you that it's all or nothing if like you miss a gram you're like I don't even miss a gram you're like I don't even miss a gram you're like I don't even know what's left I might as well just go know what's left I might as well just go know what's left I might as well just go like crazy so here's how the ribbons like crazy so here's how the ribbons like crazy so here's how the ribbons work specifically dedicated to food I work specifically dedicated to food I work specifically dedicated to food I have separated my eating days into three have separated my eating days into three have separated my eating days into three categories there's a Green Day an orange categories there's a Green Day an orange categories there's a Green Day an orange day and what I'm calling a red day but day and what I'm calling a red day but day and what I'm calling a red day but it's pink it's kind of pink a green day it's pink it's kind of pink a green day it's pink it's kind of pink a green day is a day where I consume zero ultr is a day where I consume zero ultr is a day where I consume zero ultr processed food it is not related to processed food it is not related to processed food it is not related to calories at all look at me it's only calories at all look at me it's only calories at all look at me it's only related to the quality of food okay so related to the quality of food okay so related to the quality of food okay so Whole Foods an orange day is I basically Whole Foods an orange day is I basically Whole Foods an orange day is I basically break my day up into like eight units break my day up into like eight units break my day up into like eight units and this why if you're cutting and you and this why if you're cutting and you and this why if you're cutting and you have lower calories or if you're eating have lower calories or if you're eating have lower calories or if you're eating the maintenance or bulking you have the maintenance or bulking you have the maintenance or bulking you have higher qualities it's not relative to higher qualities it's not relative to higher qualities it's not relative to categories uh calories it's relative to categories uh calories it's relative to categories uh calories it's relative to units so each day has about eight units units so each day has about eight units units so each day has about eight units an orange day is when no more than two an orange day is when no more than two an orange day is when no more than two of those eight units is dedicated to of those eight units is dedicated to of those eight units is dedicated to ultr processed foods so if you were ultr processed foods so if you were ultr processed foods so if you were having 3,000 calories and a day break having 3,000 calories and a day break having 3,000 calories and a day break that up into roughly eight units 400 that up into roughly eight units 400 that up into roughly eight units 400 units each roughly so you could have units each roughly so you could have units each roughly so you could have like you know somewhere around 750 800 like you know somewhere around 750 800 like you know somewhere around 750 800 calories in Ultra processed food that's calories in Ultra processed food that's calories in Ultra processed food that's an orange day and then a red day is an orange day and then a red day is an orange day and then a red day is anything that's worse than that and my anything that's worse than that and my anything that's worse than that and my dark day goal this year is to have only dark day goal this year is to have only dark day goal this year is to have only 12 red days one per month one a month 12 red days one per month one a month 12 red days one per month one a month Dark Day a month and then to have 250 Dark Day a month and then to have 250 Dark Day a month and then to have 250 green days which leaves roughly 100 or green days which leaves roughly 100 or green days which leaves roughly 100 or so orange days wow and where are you so orange days wow and where are you so orange days wow and where are you putting these uh daily ribbons that's putting these uh daily ribbons that's putting these uh daily ribbons that's what makes them so powerful I was in what makes them so powerful I was in what makes them so powerful I was in Costa Rica for 12 days and I brought the

Costa Rica for 12 days and I brought the Costa Rica for 12 days and I brought the ribbons and I didn't have my scale psych ribbons and I didn't have my scale psych ribbons and I didn't have my scale psych I have my scale but I could only use it I have my scale but I could only use it I have my scale but I could only use it for my oatmeal in the for my oatmeal in the for my oatmeal in the morning cuz we ate out for lunch and morning cuz we ate out for lunch and morning cuz we ate out for lunch and dinner every single day and the great dinner every single day and the great dinner every single day and the great thing is that I just took my ribbons and thing is that I just took my ribbons and thing is that I just took my ribbons and I stuck them on the wall of the Airbnb I stuck them on the wall of the Airbnb I stuck them on the wall of the Airbnb and of course my wife saw them and said and of course my wife saw them and said and of course my wife saw them and said you're such a loser and that was over you're such a loser and that was over you're such a loser and that was over and then no one else had to call me a and then no one else had to call me a and then no one else had to call me a loser and I came home from Costa Rica loser and I came home from Costa Rica loser and I came home from Costa Rica and not only had I not gained weight I and not only had I not gained weight I and not only had I not gained weight I had lost weight which in my time right had lost weight which in my time right had lost weight which in my time right now I was happy with but what it was now I was happy with but what it was now I was happy with but what it was reflective of is the fact that every reflective of is the fact that every reflective of is the fact that every single day I ate out at just the most single day I ate out at just the most single day I ate out at just the most delicious places of food and I kept my delicious places of food and I kept my delicious places of food and I kept my choices as measured choices and what's choices as measured choices and what's choices as measured choices and what's really cool about the colored Rhythm R really cool about the colored Rhythm R really cool about the colored Rhythm R ribbons that just are on the wall is ribbons that just are on the wall is ribbons that just are on the wall is that they just stare at you right and that they just stare at you right and that they just stare at you right and the colors are reflective of how you the colors are reflective of how you the colors are reflective of how you have actually lived and whether or not have actually lived and whether or not have actually lived and whether or not you lived up to your stated values I was you lived up to your stated values I was you lived up to your stated values I was so crazy close to right which is a so crazy close to right which is a so crazy close to right which is a little embarrassing for me little embarrassing for me little embarrassing for me I might need more cells because my I might need more cells because my I might need more cells because my existing cells I just guess the wrong existing cells I just guess the wrong existing cells I just guess the wrong room of the house it's the kitchen not room of the house it's the kitchen not room of the house it's the kitchen not the office but so cool man um how does a the office but so cool man um how does a the office but so cool man um how does a supply how does a supply to supply how does a supply to supply how does a supply to Ministry every human is going to be Ministry every human is going to be Ministry every human is going to be different yeah but for me one of the different yeah but for me one of the different yeah but for me one of the things that I have found is that things that I have found is that things that I have found is that the the barometer for how well I'm doing the the barometer for how well I'm doing the the barometer for how well I'm doing is almost 100% directly tied to how well is almost 100% directly tied to how well is almost 100% directly tied to how well I'm eating and one of the books that I I'm eating and one of the books that I I'm eating and one of the books that I have recently read and I'm now rereading

have recently read and I'm now rereading have recently read and I'm now rereading is called ultr processed people by Chris is called ultr processed people by Chris is called ultr processed people by Chris vellan who's a British doctor and the vellan who's a British doctor and the vellan who's a British doctor and the book just destroyed my worldview in a book just destroyed my worldview in a book just destroyed my worldview in a number of ways and it's one of the most number of ways and it's one of the most number of ways and it's one of the most compelling books that I have read ever compelling books that I have read ever compelling books that I have read ever and it's great because I just finished and it's great because I just finished and it's great because I just finished all my best of lists for 2023 and then I all my best of lists for 2023 and then I all my best of lists for 2023 and then I started it's the first book I read of started it's the first book I read of started it's the first book I read of 2024 and it was just it was amazing so 2024 and it was just it was amazing so 2024 and it was just it was amazing so well written not at all judgmental but well written not at all judgmental but well written not at all judgmental but incredibly well researched it's just one incredibly well researched it's just one incredibly well researched it's just one of those books that like every person of those books that like every person of those books that like every person should read this book it's quite should read this book it's quite should read this book it's quite depressing but also empowering in a lot depressing but also empowering in a lot depressing but also empowering in a lot of ways because of what it teaches you of ways because of what it teaches you of ways because of what it teaches you and I realized that like when I eat and I realized that like when I eat and I realized that like when I eat better it's not a coincidence that I better it's not a coincidence that I better it's not a coincidence that I lead better and I'm a better husband and lead better and I'm a better husband and lead better and I'm a better husband and I'm a better creative and I'm a better I'm a better creative and I'm a better I'm a better creative and I'm a better like CEO of this company every single like CEO of this company every single like CEO of this company every single thing Falls in line when I do this and thing Falls in line when I do this and thing Falls in line when I do this and what strange is it reminds me a lot of what strange is it reminds me a lot of what strange is it reminds me a lot of the daily walking that I started last the daily walking that I started last the daily walking that I started last year it's it's it's it's paradoxical year it's it's it's it's paradoxical year it's it's it's it's paradoxical every day I walk for an hour and I get every day I walk for an hour and I get every day I walk for an hour and I get nothing done related to work and that nothing done related to work and that nothing done related to work and that has been the best Roi in terms of has been the best Roi in terms of has been the best Roi in terms of running this company and being a dad and running this company and being a dad and running this company and being a dad and being a better Human by doing less I've being a better Human by doing less I've being a better Human by doing less I've done way more all of my best ideas all done way more all of my best ideas all done way more all of my best ideas all of my best realizations all of my of my best realizations all of my of my best realizations all of my ability to like stick to things has come ability to like stick to things has come ability to like stick to things has come from like that Cornerstone habit and so from like that Cornerstone habit and so from like that Cornerstone habit and so eating is the same thing it takes a lot eating is the same thing it takes a lot eating is the same thing it takes a lot more time to create food from scratch more time to create food from scratch more time to create food from scratch for every single meal which I don't have for every single meal which I don't have for every single meal which I don't have that time and yet the more that I do it

that time and yet the more that I do it that time and yet the more that I do it the more I'm able to do more in the time the more I'm able to do more in the time the more I'm able to do more in the time that I do have and so it's this weird that I do have and so it's this weird that I do have and so it's this weird Paradox and so for everyone listening Paradox and so for everyone listening Paradox and so for everyone listening what's cool about that book is it talks what's cool about that book is it talks what's cool about that book is it talks about it's like hey there are some about it's like hey there are some about it's like hey there are some people that are just like prone to people that are just like prone to people that are just like prone to obesity and I was like oh okay cool he's obesity and I was like oh okay cool he's obesity and I was like oh okay cool he's like and if you're the type of person like and if you're the type of person like and if you're the type of person that thinks about food all the time that thinks about food all the time that thinks about food all the time that's you and then he gives like the that's you and then he gives like the that's you and then he gives like the science for it and I was like oh my gosh science for it and I was like oh my gosh science for it and I was like oh my gosh that's me I don't think you think about that's me I don't think you think about that's me I don't think you think about food all the time the way I think about food all the time the way I think about food all the time the way I think about food all the time and it's strange food all the time and it's strange food all the time and it's strange because when we get together and because when we get together and because when we get together and Tristan's the same way my other. five Tristan's the same way my other. five Tristan's the same way my other. five best friend um not you you're a full best friend um not you you're a full best friend um not you you're a full best friend and sorry people are just best friend and sorry people are just best friend and sorry people are just dropping into this episode that has no dropping into this episode that has no dropping into this episode that has no context I apologize um Tristan will go context I apologize um Tristan will go context I apologize um Tristan will go on a trip with me he's like look man how on a trip with me he's like look man how on a trip with me he's like look man how you go is how I I end up going so when you go is how I I end up going so when you go is how I I end up going so when we're in the Pharaoh Islands at 9:00 we're in the Pharaoh Islands at 9:00 we're in the Pharaoh Islands at 9:00 a.m. with a bucket of candy from a gas a.m. with a bucket of candy from a gas a.m. with a bucket of candy from a gas station on a of a nation that has more station on a of a nation that has more station on a of a nation that has more Bishop B more sheeps than actual humans Bishop B more sheeps than actual humans Bishop B more sheeps than actual humans and we're driving through the ferals and we're driving through the ferals and we're driving through the ferals with the bucket between our legs at 9:00 with the bucket between our legs at 9:00 with the bucket between our legs at 9:00 A.M just gorging on Gummy candies he A.M just gorging on Gummy candies he A.M just gorging on Gummy candies he comes back he's like what were we doing comes back he's like what were we doing comes back he's like what were we doing and I was like I don't know we was and I was like I don't know we was and I was like I don't know we was eating gummies he was like I was just I eating gummies he was like I was just I eating gummies he was like I was just I just was doing what you did and then I just was doing what you did and then I just was doing what you did and then I come over like who was I on that trip come over like who was I on that trip come over like who was I on that trip and some people just think about food and some people just think about food and some people just think about food all the time and that's me so I need all the time and that's me so I need all the time and that's me so I need ways to like keep myself in check and ways to like keep myself in check and ways to like keep myself in check and the problem with my previous system was the problem with my previous system was the problem with my previous system was it was 80% good but the 20% of the not it was 80% good but the 20% of the not it was 80% good but the 20% of the not good it was was like wrecking the other good it was was like wrecking the other good it was was like wrecking the other 80% to the point where it was almost 80% to the point where it was almost 80% to the point where it was almost like offset and so this way it allows me like offset and so this way it allows me like offset and so this way it allows me to be more flexible and it is what to be more flexible and it is what to be more flexible and it is what empowers everything else in my life and empowers everything else in my life and empowers everything else in my life and so surely you have Cornerstone habits

so surely you have Cornerstone habits so surely you have Cornerstone habits yourself listener this is how it applies yourself listener this is how it applies yourself listener this is how it applies to Ministry you might have the same to Ministry you might have the same to Ministry you might have the same obesity quote unquote Gene you know obesity quote unquote Gene you know obesity quote unquote Gene you know disposition compulsion that I have disposition compulsion that I have disposition compulsion that I have meaning like you just just eat neat neat meaning like you just just eat neat neat meaning like you just just eat neat neat um or maybe your is something else but um or maybe your is something else but um or maybe your is something else but I'm confident this ribbon system can I'm confident this ribbon system can I'm confident this ribbon system can work for anyone for your own way of work for anyone for your own way of work for anyone for your own way of living wow how are you planning on living wow how are you planning on living wow how are you planning on installing the ribm system in your life installing the ribm system in your life installing the ribm system in your life I'm trying to think about like about I'm trying to think about like about I'm trying to think about like about things in my life that I need to things in my life that I need to things in my life that I need to like rhythms that I need to keep myself like rhythms that I need to keep myself like rhythms that I need to keep myself accountable to yeah you're pretty good accountable to yeah you're pretty good accountable to yeah you're pretty good at that already well I'm good at it at that already well I'm good at it at that already well I'm good at it right now because uh although I'm on right now because uh although I'm on right now because uh although I'm on this podcast like I'm not actually here this podcast like I'm not actually here this podcast like I'm not actually here working right now I'm on Parental that's working right now I'm on Parental that's working right now I'm on Parental that's true so I'm pretty fine at it right now true so I'm pretty fine at it right now true so I'm pretty fine at it right now um I've shared on the show for me it's um I've shared on the show for me it's um I've shared on the show for me it's like I need um time in nature and when like I need um time in nature and when like I need um time in nature and when it's hunting season that's easy CU I I it's hunting season that's easy CU I I it's hunting season that's easy CU I I our family has this agreement that like our family has this agreement that like our family has this agreement that like when it's hunting season I spend a lot when it's hunting season I spend a lot when it's hunting season I spend a lot of time in nature for the the N9 months of time in nature for the the N9 months of time in nature for the the N9 months at a not hunting season I I don't at a not hunting season I I don't at a not hunting season I I don't sometimes I don't spend as much time in sometimes I don't spend as much time in sometimes I don't spend as much time in solitude in nature as I as I need to and solitude in nature as I as I need to and solitude in nature as I as I need to and I only know that when I'm in a I only know that when I'm in a I only know that when I'm in a deficiency right which is probably deficiency right which is probably deficiency right which is probably similar to to like your physical similar to to like your physical similar to to like your physical activity your walking um folks are activity your walking um folks are activity your walking um folks are listening to the show it's something for listening to the show it's something for listening to the show it's something for them you usually only notice when you're them you usually only notice when you're them you usually only notice when you're in a deficiency because you're not your in a deficiency because you're not your in a deficiency because you're not your best self you're not your best uh father best self you're not your best uh father best self you're not your best uh father or mother you're not your best friend or mother you're not your best friend or mother you're not your best friend you're just you're just not operating at you're just you're just not operating at you're just you're just not operating at your full capacity and unfortunately your full capacity and unfortunately your full capacity and unfortunately that's easy to see in Hind it that's easy to see in Hind it that's easy to see in Hind it um that's that's the thing that comes to um that's that's the thing that comes to um that's that's the thing that comes to mind for me um but like I said right now

mind for me um but like I said right now mind for me um but like I said right now that's pretty easy cuz my days are that's pretty easy cuz my days are that's pretty easy cuz my days are pretty wide open and my our firstborn is pretty wide open and my our firstborn is pretty wide open and my our firstborn is in daycare too so we're kind of just in daycare too so we're kind of just in daycare too so we're kind of just taking it easy but I that'll become more taking it easy but I that'll become more taking it easy but I that'll become more challenging certainly when I come back challenging certainly when I come back challenging certainly when I come back to work and definitely when Rebecca goes to work and definitely when Rebecca goes to work and definitely when Rebecca goes back to work at the end of her friend to back to work at the end of her friend to back to work at the end of her friend to leave as well I just can't stress this leave as well I just can't stress this leave as well I just can't stress this enough if anyone's listening and they're enough if anyone's listening and they're enough if anyone's listening and they're like I tuned into this episode to learn like I tuned into this episode to learn like I tuned into this episode to learn underrated methods to help my church and underrated methods to help my church and underrated methods to help my church and they're talking about ribbons that you they're talking about ribbons that you they're talking about ribbons that you stick on a wall about you can't lead a stick on a wall about you can't lead a stick on a wall about you can't lead a you can't lead people if you're not a you can't lead people if you're not a you can't lead people if you're not a healthy person yourself so whether it's healthy person yourself so whether it's healthy person yourself so whether it's food or phys walking or whatever it is food or phys walking or whatever it is food or phys walking or whatever it is like you can't you can't lead people like you can't you can't lead people like you can't you can't lead people into health and wholeness if you're not into health and wholeness if you're not into health and wholeness if you're not if you're not healthy and whole yourself if you're not healthy and whole yourself if you're not healthy and whole yourself and I can say this from experience in and I can say this from experience in and I can say this from experience in the last year the more that I committed the last year the more that I committed the last year the more that I committed to these things the better everything to these things the better everything to these things the better everything got in the business even though that got in the business even though that got in the business even though that wasn't the aim of these things are wasn't the aim of these things are wasn't the aim of these things are you're not walking to be better at work you're not walking to be better at work you're not walking to be better at work no yeah I had nothing to do with it and no yeah I had nothing to do with it and no yeah I had nothing to do with it and then I got to the end of the year and I then I got to the end of the year and I then I got to the end of the year and I was like that was the single best Roi was like that was the single best Roi was like that was the single best Roi thing that I did this what a great thing that I did this what a great thing that I did this what a great Revelation yeah praise God number four Revelation yeah praise God number four Revelation yeah praise God number four and then the fifth one is Alex's we're and then the fifth one is Alex's we're and then the fifth one is Alex's we're going to turn it over to him number four going to turn it over to him number four going to turn it over to him number four and no one who advocates for walking and no one who advocates for walking and no one who advocates for walking gives that as a reason to gives that as a reason to gives that as a reason to walk like like no one you're going to walk like like no one you're going to walk like like no one you're going to listen to talk about walking it's like listen to talk about walking it's like listen to talk about walking it's like you know what if you if you start you know what if you if you start you know what if you if you start walking for an hour every morning you're walking for an hour every morning you're walking for an hour every morning you're going to be you're going to have more going to be you're going to have more going to be you're going to have more clarity of mind and creativity at work clarity of mind and creativity at work clarity of mind and creativity at work no one really says that so we're saying no one really says that so we're saying no one really says that so we're saying that here well that's funny because yeah that here well that's funny because yeah that here well that's funny because yeah uh maybe I'm saying it here because in a uh maybe I'm saying it here because in a uh maybe I'm saying it here because in a book I listened to yesterday this person book I listened to yesterday this person book I listened to yesterday this person was talking about how was talking about how was talking about how your job is probably creative in the way your job is probably creative in the way your job is probably creative in the way that most jobs weren't in the past that most jobs weren't in the past that most jobs weren't in the past creative jobs are not best fulfilled in

creative jobs are not best fulfilled in creative jobs are not best fulfilled in a 9 to5 like factory work size they're a 9 to5 like factory work size they're a 9 to5 like factory work size they're best fulfilled when you have like open best fulfilled when you have like open best fulfilled when you have like open work times like perhaps go for a walk work times like perhaps go for a walk work times like perhaps go for a walk every day for an hour and I was walking every day for an hour and I was walking every day for an hour and I was walking on my walk of course and I was like I on my walk of course and I was like I on my walk of course and I was like I will and I do I was like the science will and I do I was like the science will and I do I was like the science yeah except not today oh yeah not today yeah except not today oh yeah not today yeah except not today oh yeah not today because I got to be on we got to do like because I got to be on we got to do like because I got to be on we got to do like eight eight eight podcasts all right number four get the podcasts all right number four get the podcasts all right number four get the goal posts to stop moving good luck so goal posts to stop moving good luck so goal posts to stop moving good luck so this comes from Morgan howel same as this comes from Morgan howel same as this comes from Morgan howel same as ever that book um quote your happiness ever that book um quote your happiness ever that book um quote your happiness depends on your expectations more than depends on your expectations more than depends on your expectations more than anything else one of my favorite books anything else one of my favorite books anything else one of my favorite books last year in 2023 was the psychology of last year in 2023 was the psychology of last year in 2023 was the psychology of money also by Morgan how seems like it money also by Morgan how seems like it money also by Morgan how seems like it was a lot of people's like one of their was a lot of people's like one of their was a lot of people's like one of their top book I saw it a lot on the in on the top book I saw it a lot on the in on the top book I saw it a lot on the in on the interwebs which is funny because I feel interwebs which is funny because I feel interwebs which is funny because I feel like I just came across it in audible like I just came across it in audible like I just came across it in audible randomly um most of my books are randomly um most of my books are randomly um most of my books are recommended by someone else that book I recommended by someone else that book I recommended by someone else that book I was just like whatever I was reading was just like whatever I was reading was just like whatever I was reading some money book book I'll download that some money book book I'll download that some money book book I'll download that uh one of the most memorable parts of uh one of the most memorable parts of uh one of the most memorable parts of that book last year psychology of money that book last year psychology of money that book last year psychology of money was this line quote the hardest was this line quote the hardest was this line quote the hardest Financial skill is getting the goalposts Financial skill is getting the goalposts Financial skill is getting the goalposts to stop moving so Hower writes a new to stop moving so Hower writes a new to stop moving so Hower writes a new book it's called same as ever I just book it's called same as ever I just book it's called same as ever I just finished it and in that book he talks finished it and in that book he talks finished it and in that book he talks about the same lesson but not from a about the same lesson but not from a about the same lesson but not from a financial perspective but from a financial perspective but from a financial perspective but from a happiness perspective and he says that happiness perspective and he says that happiness perspective and he says that look this is a common story throughout look this is a common story throughout look this is a common story throughout history things get better and we get history things get better and we get history things get better and we get more miserable why well because as more miserable why well because as more miserable why well because as things get better our expectations that things get better our expectations that things get better our expectations that they will be better rise just as fast if

they will be better rise just as fast if they will be better rise just as fast if not faster then as fast as things get not faster then as fast as things get not faster then as fast as things get better so one example he talks about is better so one example he talks about is better so one example he talks about is the 1950s a decade that we didn't live the 1950s a decade that we didn't live the 1950s a decade that we didn't live through but is commonly like referred to through but is commonly like referred to through but is commonly like referred to with this nostalgic Aura like man if we with this nostalgic Aura like man if we with this nostalgic Aura like man if we could just get back to how things used could just get back to how things used could just get back to how things used to be and here is what is true about the to be and here is what is true about the to be and here is what is true about the 1950s the median income allowed you to 1950s the median income allowed you to 1950s the median income allowed you to live with a single earner normally the live with a single earner normally the live with a single earner normally the husband with the wife typically working husband with the wife typically working husband with the wife typically working as a homemaker and roughly three as a homemaker and roughly three as a homemaker and roughly three children that same median income children that same median income children that same median income permitted the purchase of modest track permitted the purchase of modest track permitted the purchase of modest track housing one late model car and one older housing one late model car and one older housing one late model car and one older one it allowed for a driving vacation one it allowed for a driving vacation one it allowed for a driving vacation somewhere and with care some savings somewhere and with care some savings somewhere and with care some savings sounds pretty good right for the for for sounds pretty good right for the for for sounds pretty good right for the for for the median income for all that to happen the median income for all that to happen the median income for all that to happen here's what is also true about that here's what is also true about that here's what is also true about that decade the median income adjusted for decade the median income adjusted for decade the median income adjusted for inflation was $29,000 in 1955 in 21 it inflation was $29,000 in 1955 in 21 it inflation was $29,000 in 1955 in 21 it was was was $7,795 the median hourly wages adjusted $7,795 the median hourly wages adjusted $7,795 the median hourly wages adjusted for inflation are nearly 50% higher for inflation are nearly 50% higher for inflation are nearly 50% higher today than in 1955 the home ownership today than in 1955 the home ownership today than in 1955 the home ownership rate was actually 12% lower in 1950 than rate was actually 12% lower in 1950 than rate was actually 12% lower in 1950 than it is today the average home was a third it is today the average home was a third it is today the average home was a third smaller than today with more occupants smaller than today with more occupants smaller than today with more occupants on average and the food consumed n uh on average and the food consumed n uh on average and the food consumed n uh 29% of the average household budget in 29% of the average household budget in 29% of the average household budget in 1950 versus just 133% today you were 1950 versus just 133% today you were 1950 versus just 133% today you were also three times more likely to die at also three times more likely to die at also three times more likely to die at work right yet we long for those days work right yet we long for those days work right yet we long for those days why here's why World War II left its why here's why World War II left its why here's why World War II left its mark on America economically and

mark on America economically and mark on America economically and socially because between 1942 and 1945 socially because between 1942 and 1945 socially because between 1942 and 1945 there was this thing called the national there was this thing called the national there was this thing called the national War labor board and they were the ones War labor board and they were the ones War labor board and they were the ones that were responsible for setting like that were responsible for setting like that were responsible for setting like all the wages okay country's at War this all the wages okay country's at War this all the wages okay country's at War this is what people are getting paid and what is what people are getting paid and what is what people are getting paid and what they favored was flatter pay meaning a they favored was flatter pay meaning a they favored was flatter pay meaning a smaller gap between the high income smaller gap between the high income smaller gap between the high income earners and the lowi income earners of earners and the lowi income earners of earners and the lowi income earners of course that lasted after the war for a course that lasted after the war for a course that lasted after the war for a little bit there was this philosophy little bit there was this philosophy little bit there was this philosophy like okay we're all in this together and like okay we're all in this together and like okay we're all in this together and so what that meant was when you looked so what that meant was when you looked so what that meant was when you looked around at the people near you they all around at the people near you they all around at the people near you they all had the same thing you did and there was had the same thing you did and there was had the same thing you did and there was no social media that could expose you to no social media that could expose you to no social media that could expose you to people living these different Lifestyles people living these different Lifestyles people living these different Lifestyles so you couldn't go on social and see so you couldn't go on social and see so you couldn't go on social and see someone being like Oh I'm doing this someone being like Oh I'm doing this someone being like Oh I'm doing this lavish thing and I own these lavish lavish thing and I own these lavish lavish thing and I own these lavish things and this is my home and you're things and this is my home and you're things and this is my home and you're like what people live like this and then like what people live like this and then like what people live like this and then you also didn't see that around you you also didn't see that around you you also didn't see that around you because the gap between high and low because the gap between high and low because the gap between high and low income earners was so much smaller income earners was so much smaller income earners was so much smaller historically than previously and historically than previously and historically than previously and definitely than it is now and so definitely than it is now and so definitely than it is now and so expectations are the biggest indicator expectations are the biggest indicator expectations are the biggest indicator of Happiness it's not that we're greedy of Happiness it's not that we're greedy of Happiness it's not that we're greedy per se it's that we are envious per se it's that we are envious per se it's that we are envious H wow and so I spent last year focusing H wow and so I spent last year focusing H wow and so I spent last year focusing on getting the goalposts to stop moving on getting the goalposts to stop moving on getting the goalposts to stop moving financially and what Morgan howel is financially and what Morgan howel is financially and what Morgan howel is challenging me to this year is that we challenging me to this year is that we challenging me to this year is that we don't tend to think about our happiness don't tend to think about our happiness don't tend to think about our happiness as a valuable commodity because there's as a valuable commodity because there's as a valuable commodity because there's no price tag on it you know how valuable no price tag on it you know how valuable no price tag on it you know how valuable your house is your car is anything that your house is your car is anything that your house is your car is anything that you buy because there was a price tag on

you buy because there was a price tag on you buy because there was a price tag on it what we don't tend to think about is it what we don't tend to think about is it what we don't tend to think about is how valuable our eyesight is or the how valuable our eyesight is or the how valuable our eyesight is or the strength of our heart or the state of strength of our heart or the state of strength of our heart or the state of our happiness if we could put a price our happiness if we could put a price our happiness if we could put a price tag on it we would probably take so much tag on it we would probably take so much tag on it we would probably take so much greater care for it because we know how greater care for it because we know how greater care for it because we know how valuable it is and it's just another valuable it is and it's just another valuable it is and it's just another good challenge similarly to live off the good challenge similarly to live off the good challenge similarly to live off the land when you stop worrying about like land when you stop worrying about like land when you stop worrying about like if only everything kind of just settles if only everything kind of just settles if only everything kind of just settles in mhm Rebeca and I were reflecting on in mhm Rebeca and I were reflecting on in mhm Rebeca and I were reflecting on this not too long ago uh you know just this not too long ago uh you know just this not too long ago uh you know just we've been together for a decade and we've been together for a decade and we've been together for a decade and just looking back over the decade and just looking back over the decade and just looking back over the decade and those early years when she was a a fresh those early years when she was a a fresh those early years when she was a a fresh immigrant from the United States so she immigrant from the United States so she immigrant from the United States so she couldn't work she was in schools for couldn't work she was in schools for couldn't work she was in schools for paying tuition I wasn't working here I paying tuition I wasn't working here I paying tuition I wasn't working here I was uh cleaning toilets at church making was uh cleaning toilets at church making was uh cleaning toilets at church making hund I was caretaking the church making hund I was caretaking the church making hund I was caretaking the church making $125 a week or something like just crazy $125 a week or something like just crazy $125 a week or something like just crazy and we were we were in the car together and we were we were in the car together and we were we were in the car together alone talking about this and we kind of alone talking about this and we kind of alone talking about this and we kind of just looked at each other and we're like just looked at each other and we're like just looked at each other and we're like how did we like how did we have enough how did we like how did we have enough how did we like how did we have enough like where like like how did we make it like where like like how did we make it like where like like how did we make it because now fast forward 10 years we're because now fast forward 10 years we're because now fast forward 10 years we're both well established in our careers and both well established in our careers and both well established in our careers and just compared to what what we used to just compared to what what we used to just compared to what what we used to make just making astronomical amounts of make just making astronomical amounts of make just making astronomical amounts of money and it just it doesn't feel the money and it just it doesn't feel the money and it just it doesn't feel the same way it often feels like oh we it same way it often feels like oh we it same way it often feels like oh we it feels like we don't have enough and it's feels like we don't have enough and it's feels like we don't have enough and it's like we're just like what are we talking like we're just like what are we talking like we're just like what are we talking about like we sound crazy considering about like we sound crazy considering about like we sound crazy considering where we are now versus where we came where we are now versus where we came where we are now versus where we came from from from and it's that thing about these goal and it's that thing about these goal and it's that thing about these goal post moving and the the most Troublesome post moving and the the most Troublesome post moving and the the most Troublesome thing about it is that you often don't thing about it is that you often don't thing about it is that you often don't recognize that it's happening yeah and recognize that it's happening yeah and recognize that it's happening yeah and you're not being like ah I'm going to you're not being like ah I'm going to you're not being like ah I'm going to become more envious but then it's

become more envious but then it's become more envious but then it's happened and you look back and it's like happened and you look back and it's like happened and you look back and it's like oh when did that happen how do I go back oh when did that happen how do I go back oh when did that happen how do I go back I can we go back can we go back um so I can we go back can we go back um so I can we go back can we go back um so that's why when when you call this one that's why when when you call this one that's why when when you call this one uh get the goal post to startop moving I uh get the goal post to startop moving I uh get the goal post to startop moving I say good luck because in my experience say good luck because in my experience say good luck because in my experience I've only ever recognized it in I've only ever recognized it in I've only ever recognized it in hindsight I don't know how to stop them hindsight I don't know how to stop them hindsight I don't know how to stop them from moving preemptively from moving preemptively from moving preemptively M any insight M any insight M any insight there yeah I mean for me at least there there yeah I mean for me at least there there yeah I mean for me at least there have been some like hard financial have been some like hard financial have been some like hard financial numbers right and sure inflation is real numbers right and sure inflation is real numbers right and sure inflation is real but I can also like tell the state of my but I can also like tell the state of my but I can also like tell the state of my heart like and the reason this is so heart like and the reason this is so heart like and the reason this is so challenging is because for you and I our challenging is because for you and I our challenging is because for you and I our personality is like ambitious by Nature personality is like ambitious by Nature personality is like ambitious by Nature it's climb the mountain by nature and so it's climb the mountain by nature and so it's climb the mountain by nature and so like famous words this isn't a problem like famous words this isn't a problem like famous words this isn't a problem to solve but attention to be managed I to solve but attention to be managed I to solve but attention to be managed I wouldn't want to shut off this part of wouldn't want to shut off this part of wouldn't want to shut off this part of myself because it's this part of myself myself because it's this part of myself myself because it's this part of myself that's like let's go do something that's like let's go do something that's like let's go do something special when where other people would special when where other people would special when where other people would say it can't be say it can't be say it can't be done I would say yes it can why not done I would say yes it can why not done I would say yes it can why not let's go try it it works last time so let's go try it it works last time so let's go try it it works last time so you need that bit of like self delusion you need that bit of like self delusion you need that bit of like self delusion and like almost overconfidence and and like almost overconfidence and and like almost overconfidence and belief in but it's that belief in but it's that belief in but it's that same part of you that is never satisfied same part of you that is never satisfied same part of you that is never satisfied yeah and like there's no such thing as yeah and like there's no such thing as yeah and like there's no such thing as enough and so it's more like just enough and so it's more like just enough and so it's more like just committing to the idea of like I want committing to the idea of like I want committing to the idea of like I want the goal posts to stop moving I have the goal posts to stop moving I have the goal posts to stop moving I have declared and set in my mind this is declared and set in my mind this is declared and set in my mind this is where I will be content with and it's

where I will be content with and it's where I will be content with and it's not that then then that would never not that then then that would never not that then then that would never change because like something crazy in change because like something crazy in change because like something crazy in the world happens every 10 years right the world happens every 10 years right the world happens every 10 years right like you can make plans but then God like you can make plans but then God like you can make plans but then God laughs in your face or terrible things laughs in your face or terrible things laughs in your face or terrible things happen or awesome things happen and you happen or awesome things happen and you happen or awesome things happen and you need to adjust those plans but we don't need to adjust those plans but we don't need to adjust those plans but we don't want like that that just that creep that want like that that just that creep that want like that that just that creep that creep where today's luxuries become creep where today's luxuries become creep where today's luxuries become tomorrow's problems yeah like that tomorrow's problems yeah like that tomorrow's problems yeah like that famous I the famous example of like the famous I the famous example of like the famous I the famous example of like the first time you had food on an airplane first time you had food on an airplane first time you had food on an airplane you were like oh my gosh this is food on you were like oh my gosh this is food on you were like oh my gosh this is food on an airplane and then like you you do an airplane and then like you you do an airplane and then like you you do that 100 times you're like oh great more that 100 times you're like oh great more that 100 times you're like oh great more cardboard more cardboard more cardboard more styrofoam and and so like styrofoam and and so like styrofoam and and so like just stopping that Comfort creep as much just stopping that Comfort creep as much just stopping that Comfort creep as much as you can and being aware of it and as you can and being aware of it and as you can and being aware of it and just committing yourself I don't want just committing yourself I don't want just committing yourself I don't want the goalpost to move and at least for me the goalpost to move and at least for me the goalpost to move and at least for me like it's always like financials right like it's always like financials right like it's always like financials right I'm thinking about the budget I'm I'm thinking about the budget I'm I'm thinking about the budget I'm thinking about the work budget okay this thinking about the work budget okay this thinking about the work budget okay this is fine we have enough does someone have is fine we have enough does someone have is fine we have enough does someone have more yes and the problem is that I'm so more yes and the problem is that I'm so more yes and the problem is that I'm so impressionable I'll just see something impressionable I'll just see something impressionable I'll just see something online and this is like one of the dark online and this is like one of the dark online and this is like one of the dark Parts about social I'll see something Parts about social I'll see something Parts about social I'll see something online but I can do that yeah but why online but I can do that yeah but why online but I can do that yeah but why like are is it not enough now uh so yeah like are is it not enough now uh so yeah like are is it not enough now uh so yeah so how do you see this applying to so how do you see this applying to so how do you see this applying to Ministry it's easy right you look down Ministry it's easy right you look down Ministry it's easy right you look down the road at another church and you go it the road at another church and you go it the road at another church and you go it would be better there and and this gets would be better there and and this gets would be better there and and this gets to our kind of like hot takes from last to our kind of like hot takes from last to our kind of like hot takes from last week and this is a really difficult week and this is a really difficult week and this is a really difficult tension because on the one hand we need tension because on the one hand we need tension because on the one hand we need to be reformers we need to be to be reformers we need to be to be reformers we need to be challenging the status quo we need to be challenging the status quo we need to be challenging the status quo we need to be continuing to look at the injustes and continuing to look at the injustes and continuing to look at the injustes and the things that are wrong and be like no

the things that are wrong and be like no the things that are wrong and be like no and challenging that on the other hand and challenging that on the other hand and challenging that on the other hand our inclination most of the time is to our inclination most of the time is to our inclination most of the time is to go this is the side of the pendulum we go this is the side of the pendulum we go this is the side of the pendulum we don't want let's go to the other and all don't want let's go to the other and all don't want let's go to the other and all we do is replace one form of Dogma for we do is replace one form of Dogma for we do is replace one form of Dogma for another and we say that we did it when another and we say that we did it when another and we say that we did it when we just replaced one form of Dogma for we just replaced one form of Dogma for we just replaced one form of Dogma for another you're in the same place just on another you're in the same place just on another you're in the same place just on the other side of the street the the the the other side of the street the the the the other side of the street the the the solution is somehow straddling the solution is somehow straddling the solution is somehow straddling the middle of the road and being like and middle of the road and being like and middle of the road and being like and this is not like a left right center this is not like a left right center this is not like a left right center thing but understanding that there is no thing but understanding that there is no thing but understanding that there is no perfect solution on this side of perfect solution on this side of perfect solution on this side of Eternity and how are we able to look at Eternity and how are we able to look at Eternity and how are we able to look at what we have now and say things aren't what we have now and say things aren't what we have now and say things aren't perfect let's continue to improve but to perfect let's continue to improve but to perfect let's continue to improve but to not let Envy or grasses green on the not let Envy or grasses green on the not let Envy or grasses green on the other side creep in how can those two other side creep in how can those two other side creep in how can those two things coexist because one part of you things coexist because one part of you things coexist because one part of you is going to say no matter what it is is going to say no matter what it is is going to say no matter what it is let's do it we want it the other side is let's do it we want it the other side is let's do it we want it the other side is going to be like you know what to going to be like you know what to going to be like you know what to prevent that type of attitude we're just prevent that type of attitude we're just prevent that type of attitude we're just never going to try right you have to never going to try right you have to never going to try right you have to somehow have both yeah it is a fine line somehow have both yeah it is a fine line somehow have both yeah it is a fine line between like complacency and between like complacency and between like complacency and envious you know gumption or whatever it envious you know gumption or whatever it envious you know gumption or whatever it is to like to just always be trying to is to like to just always be trying to is to like to just always be trying to run after the next thing or whatever it run after the next thing or whatever it run after the next thing or whatever it is the the next marker of of tithes and is the the next marker of of tithes and is the the next marker of of tithes and offerings the next um 25 people buttts offerings the next um 25 people buttts offerings the next um 25 people buttts and seats in the church the next and seats in the church the next and seats in the church the next whatever whatever it is um and and you whatever whatever it is um and and you whatever whatever it is um and and you said it already with the said it already with the said it already with the impressionability of social media we've impressionability of social media we've impressionability of social media we've alluded to it on on this episode and alluded to it on on this episode and alluded to it on on this episode and even last week's episode The the even last week's episode The the even last week's episode The the impressionability of due to our

impressionability of due to our impressionability of due to our connectedness thanks to the biggest connectedness thanks to the biggest connectedness thanks to the biggest communication shift in the last 500 communication shift in the last 500 communication shift in the last 500 years predominantly thanks to the years predominantly thanks to the years predominantly thanks to the internet um it's it's a real real internet um it's it's a real real internet um it's it's a real real challenge to to see what we see online challenge to to see what we see online challenge to to see what we see online and not either feel inadequate or or and not either feel inadequate or or and not either feel inadequate or or feel envious or or jealous or whatever feel envious or or jealous or whatever feel envious or or jealous or whatever that's that's if we're being honest that's that's if we're being honest that's that's if we're being honest that's that that can be a real challenge that's that that can be a real challenge that's that that can be a real challenge um not just in church but we're talking um not just in church but we're talking um not just in church but we're talking in the context of church right here in the context of church right here in the context of church right here right now um so I I mean maybe even right now um so I I mean maybe even right now um so I I mean maybe even having these conversations just out loud having these conversations just out loud having these conversations just out loud W with your team to say hey this is W with your team to say hey this is W with your team to say hey this is these are this is our our this is how these are this is our our this is how these are this is our our this is how we're trying to be faithful right here we're trying to be faithful right here we're trying to be faithful right here right now and like yes we'd like to do right now and like yes we'd like to do right now and like yes we'd like to do ab andc yes we see this yes we want this ab andc yes we see this yes we want this ab andc yes we see this yes we want this but like we're here with this today um but like we're here with this today um but like we're here with this today um and let's let that be good enough even and let's let that be good enough even and let's let that be good enough even just having that open conversation with just having that open conversation with just having that open conversation with your team might be enough to even not your team might be enough to even not your team might be enough to even not stop the goal post from moving but slow stop the goal post from moving but slow stop the goal post from moving but slow them from moving keeping each other them from moving keeping each other them from moving keeping each other accountable to stopping them from moving accountable to stopping them from moving accountable to stopping them from moving um because like I said it's it happens um because like I said it's it happens um because like I said it's it happens it creeps slowly over time and you don't it creeps slowly over time and you don't it creeps slowly over time and you don't often see it until until it's in often see it until until it's in often see it until until it's in hindsight that's why values are so hindsight that's why values are so hindsight that's why values are so awesome they don't solve things they awesome they don't solve things they awesome they don't solve things they just say this is how we want to behave just say this is how we want to behave just say this is how we want to behave this is how we want to approach the this is how we want to approach the this is how we want to approach the world the more they're spoken the more world the more they're spoken the more world the more they're spoken the more they're known by everyone the more that they're known by everyone the more that they're known by everyone the more that when they're not being lived out someone when they're not being lived out someone when they're not being lived out someone else can spot that blind spot and else can spot that blind spot and else can spot that blind spot and identify it yeah all right number five identify it yeah all right number five identify it yeah all right number five okay over to You Fifth and final one I'm okay over to You Fifth and final one I'm okay over to You Fifth and final one I'm calling this uh Rob robust rhythms of calling this uh Rob robust rhythms of calling this uh Rob robust rhythms of prayer wow so a couple weeks ago uh prayer wow so a couple weeks ago uh prayer wow so a couple weeks ago uh we're sitting at home doing nothing we're sitting at home doing nothing we're sitting at home doing nothing because we're both on Parental Eve and because we're both on Parental Eve and because we're both on Parental Eve and Rebecca said actually we weren't sitting Rebecca said actually we weren't sitting Rebecca said actually we weren't sitting at home doing nothing I was getting I at home doing nothing I was getting I at home doing nothing I was getting I was getting ready to go out for a winter was getting ready to go out for a winter was getting ready to go out for a winter walk I was going to get trail cameras walk I was going to get trail cameras walk I was going to get trail cameras out of the forest and Rebecca said hey

out of the forest and Rebecca said hey out of the forest and Rebecca said hey uh we have Aiden's hearing screen uh we have Aiden's hearing screen uh we have Aiden's hearing screen newborn hearing screen today I said oh I newborn hearing screen today I said oh I newborn hearing screen today I said oh I totally forgot I said can we just skip totally forgot I said can we just skip totally forgot I said can we just skip that and she said you know what we could that and she said you know what we could that and she said you know what we could but she's a midwife so she knows and she but she's a midwife so she knows and she but she's a midwife so she knows and she said we could but we should just do it said we could but we should just do it said we could but we should just do it it's it's routine we'll just do it so I it's it's routine we'll just do it so I it's it's routine we'll just do it so I went out to the Forest she goes to takes went out to the Forest she goes to takes went out to the Forest she goes to takes Aiden to the hearing screen and she Aiden to the hearing screen and she Aiden to the hearing screen and she called me on my my winter walk and when called me on my my winter walk and when called me on my my winter walk and when the phone rang I knew she needed the phone rang I knew she needed the phone rang I knew she needed something it my phone shouldn't ring something it my phone shouldn't ring something it my phone shouldn't ring when I'm in the forest and she said hey when I'm in the forest and she said hey when I'm in the forest and she said hey uh you don't have to freak out I just uh you don't have to freak out I just uh you don't have to freak out I just want to call and let you know that Aiden want to call and let you know that Aiden want to call and let you know that Aiden failed his first set of hearing screens failed his first set of hearing screens failed his first set of hearing screens and so we're going to do some more uh and so we're going to do some more uh and so we're going to do some more uh screening here I'll just I'll keep you screening here I'll just I'll keep you screening here I'll just I'll keep you posted okay so I hang up the phone and posted okay so I hang up the phone and posted okay so I hang up the phone and um walking in the woods just kind of um walking in the woods just kind of um walking in the woods just kind of wondering like what exactly that means I wondering like what exactly that means I wondering like what exactly that means I know that screening tools are not know that screening tools are not know that screening tools are not Diagnostics I know there they're screens Diagnostics I know there they're screens Diagnostics I know there they're screens and so a little bit of worry sets in and and so a little bit of worry sets in and and so a little bit of worry sets in and and being out in the woods is actually a and being out in the woods is actually a and being out in the woods is actually a good place to kind of wrestle with that good place to kind of wrestle with that good place to kind of wrestle with that and so I'm walking around and she calls and so I'm walking around and she calls and so I'm walking around and she calls again and she said hey um so Aiden again and she said hey um so Aiden again and she said hey um so Aiden failed both of his hearing screens um failed both of his hearing screens um failed both of his hearing screens um and my first question like what does and my first question like what does and my first question like what does that what does that mean and I know she that what does that mean and I know she that what does that mean and I know she doesn't know cuz uh she's she's a doesn't know cuz uh she's she's a doesn't know cuz uh she's she's a midwife she's a healthcare professional midwife she's a healthcare professional midwife she's a healthcare professional but she's not a hearing screener and but but she's not a hearing screener and but but she's not a hearing screener and but she was there and I said what does that she was there and I said what does that she was there and I said what does that mean and she said well it just means we mean and she said well it just means we mean and she said well it just means we have to go for like Diagnostics testing have to go for like Diagnostics testing have to go for like Diagnostics testing this doesn't mean he can't hear but we this doesn't mean he can't hear but we this doesn't mean he can't hear but we do need to go test his hearing Prof do need to go test his hearing Prof do need to go test his hearing Prof proficiency proficiency proficiency so they said they would call us with an so they said they would call us with an so they said they would call us with an appointment classic yeah so we get home appointment classic yeah so we get home appointment classic yeah so we get home and we start talking about what the and we start talking about what the and we start talking about what the implications of this could mean okay he implications of this could mean okay he implications of this could mean okay he failed his hearing screen so of course I failed his hearing screen so of course I failed his hearing screen so of course I do what any person or parent really do what any person or parent really do what any person or parent really shouldn't do is you get on Google it's

shouldn't do is you get on Google it's shouldn't do is you get on Google it's like why does a newborn fail a hearing like why does a newborn fail a hearing like why does a newborn fail a hearing screen and there's not a whole lot of screen and there's not a whole lot of screen and there's not a whole lot of reasons that a newborn would fail a reasons that a newborn would fail a reasons that a newborn would fail a hearing screen one is like congestion hearing screen one is like congestion hearing screen one is like congestion and the other is basically they can't and the other is basically they can't and the other is basically they can't hear and he's not hear and he's not hear and he's not congested so the worry really starts to congested so the worry really starts to congested so the worry really starts to set in and and um we let a day go by set in and and um we let a day go by set in and and um we let a day go by barely a day and we call we found the barely a day and we call we found the barely a day and we call we found the number for the place we're supposed to number for the place we're supposed to number for the place we're supposed to be referred to and we called and they be referred to and we called and they be referred to and we called and they said hey we haven't got your referral said hey we haven't got your referral said hey we haven't got your referral yet this is like a Friday give it the yet this is like a Friday give it the yet this is like a Friday give it the weekend call back Monday or Tuesday so weekend call back Monday or Tuesday so weekend call back Monday or Tuesday so we give it the weekend and we start we give it the weekend and we start we give it the weekend and we start doing like crazy stuff at home we're doing like crazy stuff at home we're doing like crazy stuff at home we're like snapping by his ears I was just like snapping by his ears I was just like snapping by his ears I was just going to say like that would that was going to say like that would that was going to say like that would that was the first thing I thought exactly the first thing I thought exactly the first thing I thought exactly started with a gentle snap then started with a gentle snap then started with a gentle snap then progressed to like me yelling from the progressed to like me yelling from the progressed to like me yelling from the other side of his head when he couldn't other side of his head when he couldn't other side of his head when he couldn't see me like hey hey see me like hey hey see me like hey hey and then the final the the the Apex of and then the final the the the Apex of and then the final the the the Apex of of the insanity was uh he had just woken of the insanity was uh he had just woken of the insanity was uh he had just woken up from a nap Rebecca said uh go get a a up from a nap Rebecca said uh go get a a up from a nap Rebecca said uh go get a a pot and a pan he's looking the other way pot and a pan he's looking the other way pot and a pan he's looking the other way and I'm I'm clanging pots and pans by and I'm I'm clanging pots and pans by and I'm I'm clanging pots and pans by Aiden's head and he's he's not startling Aiden's head and he's he's not startling Aiden's head and he's he's not startling he's not reacting he he can't he's not reacting he he can't he's not reacting he he can't hear so I'm like I'm not prone to worry hear so I'm like I'm not prone to worry hear so I'm like I'm not prone to worry or anxiety or certainly not panic or anxiety or certainly not panic or anxiety or certainly not panic attacks I've never had a panic attack attacks I've never had a panic attack attacks I've never had a panic attack but that night I was laying in bed in but that night I was laying in bed in but that night I was laying in bed in the middle of the night awake cuz he had the middle of the night awake cuz he had the middle of the night awake cuz he had just woken up up to feed or whatever and just woken up up to feed or whatever and just woken up up to feed or whatever and I'm like I'm right on the brink of a I'm like I'm right on the brink of a I'm like I'm right on the brink of a panic attack I feel a little bit sick I panic attack I feel a little bit sick I panic attack I feel a little bit sick I can't take a deep breath um just can't take a deep breath um just can't take a deep breath um just overwhelmed overcome by worry and I overwhelmed overcome by worry and I overwhelmed overcome by worry and I didn't know what to do um but I had I didn't know what to do um but I had I didn't know what to do um but I had I found the clarity of mind to do a breath

found the clarity of mind to do a breath found the clarity of mind to do a breath prayer I couldn't find a prayer to pray prayer I couldn't find a prayer to pray prayer I couldn't find a prayer to pray truthfully I don't think just praying a truthfully I don't think just praying a truthfully I don't think just praying a prayer would have done much for me in prayer would have done much for me in prayer would have done much for me in that moment I needed like a that moment I needed like a that moment I needed like a physiological uh like physiological uh like physiological uh like parasympathetic thing to take over what parasympathetic thing to take over what parasympathetic thing to take over what my body was going through my body was going through my body was going through inter but I'm a Christian and I believe inter but I'm a Christian and I believe inter but I'm a Christian and I believe in in the power of prayer and so I I I in in the power of prayer and so I I I in in the power of prayer and so I I I turned it into a prayer did a breath turned it into a prayer did a breath turned it into a prayer did a breath prayer I breathed in the peace of God I prayer I breathed in the peace of God I prayer I breathed in the peace of God I breathed out the Fe fear of the future I breathed out the Fe fear of the future I breathed out the Fe fear of the future I did that handful of times and that did that handful of times and that did that handful of times and that worked for me so fast forward a couple worked for me so fast forward a couple worked for me so fast forward a couple days we're through the weekend we call days we're through the weekend we call days we're through the weekend we call they say not yet they say it's still a they say not yet they say it's still a they say not yet they say it's still a little bit too early and um they ended little bit too early and um they ended little bit too early and um they ended up calling back later that day and they up calling back later that day and they up calling back later that day and they said hey we can get you in tomorrow okay said hey we can get you in tomorrow okay said hey we can get you in tomorrow okay and um that was really overwhelming um and um that was really overwhelming um and um that was really overwhelming um because we knew that he couldn't hear because we knew that he couldn't hear because we knew that he couldn't hear just based off our little testing at just based off our little testing at just based off our little testing at home but getting the phone call knowing home but getting the phone call knowing home but getting the phone call knowing like oh we're going to know tomorrow if like oh we're going to know tomorrow if like oh we're going to know tomorrow if he can hear or not that was like a lot he can hear or not that was like a lot he can hear or not that was like a lot so we endured the rest of that day the so we endured the rest of that day the so we endured the rest of that day the next morning we um we sent our oldest next morning we um we sent our oldest next morning we um we sent our oldest off to daycare and then off to my off to daycare and then off to my off to daycare and then off to my parents it was just me and Rebecca and parents it was just me and Rebecca and parents it was just me and Rebecca and Aiden and we're like getting ready to go Aiden and we're like getting ready to go Aiden and we're like getting ready to go we're packing he has to be asleep he's 8 we're packing he has to be asleep he's 8 we're packing he has to be asleep he's 8 weeks old he has to be asleep for the weeks old he has to be asleep for the weeks old he has to be asleep for the entirety of the test which is entirety of the test which is entirety of the test which is like I understand why now that we've like I understand why now that we've like I understand why now that we've gone through the test I know why he gone through the test I know why he gone through the test I know why he needed to be asleep but when I we read needed to be asleep but when I we read needed to be asleep but when I we read through the pamphlet I was like how are through the pamphlet I was like how are through the pamphlet I was like how are they expecting us to do this they said they expecting us to do this they said they expecting us to do this they said in the pamphlet like we recommend in the pamphlet like we recommend in the pamphlet like we recommend sitting in the backseat with your child sitting in the backseat with your child sitting in the backseat with your child while you drive and bringing a cold damp while you drive and bringing a cold damp while you drive and bringing a cold damp cloth to keep them awake and I'm like cloth to keep them awake and I'm like cloth to keep them awake and I'm like have you ever had a newborn like do you have you ever had a newborn like do you have you ever had a newborn like do you know what this so we do that we like we know what this so we do that we like we know what this so we do that we like we keep them awake we get to the place and keep them awake we get to the place and keep them awake we get to the place and we've packed all the stuff like soothers

we've packed all the stuff like soothers we've packed all the stuff like soothers and blankets and we packed his big and blankets and we packed his big and blankets and we packed his big snuggle me things so he can be snuggle me things so he can be snuggle me things so he can be comfortable while he sleeps and and um I comfortable while he sleeps and and um I comfortable while he sleeps and and um I also grabbed a prayer book it's called also grabbed a prayer book it's called also grabbed a prayer book it's called to light their way and it's a prayer to light their way and it's a prayer to light their way and it's a prayer book for parents with children and book for parents with children and book for parents with children and there's lots of different from prayers there's lots of different from prayers there's lots of different from prayers in there and there's a prayer specific in there and there's a prayer specific in there and there's a prayer specific called prayers for when you receive a called prayers for when you receive a called prayers for when you receive a diagnosis that I knew going into this diagnosis that I knew going into this diagnosis that I knew going into this that if we were to receive the worst that if we were to receive the worst that if we were to receive the worst news I'm not sure I knew exactly what to news I'm not sure I knew exactly what to news I'm not sure I knew exactly what to say or what to pray but I knew we needed say or what to pray but I knew we needed say or what to pray but I knew we needed to have words to pray so I like I to have words to pray so I like I to have words to pray so I like I reached for this book thank God for that reached for this book thank God for that reached for this book thank God for that book and um we drove to Hamilton and uh book and um we drove to Hamilton and uh book and um we drove to Hamilton and uh sat in the parking lot and we're about sat in the parking lot and we're about sat in the parking lot and we're about to get out and before we got out I I to get out and before we got out I I to get out and before we got out I I grabbed the book and there's breath grabbed the book and there's breath grabbed the book and there's breath prayers in there and there's one for prayers in there and there's one for prayers in there and there's one for when you're feeling anxious and so we when you're feeling anxious and so we when you're feeling anxious and so we did a breath prayer together before did a breath prayer together before did a breath prayer together before going into the Children's Health Center going into the Children's Health Center going into the Children's Health Center Because by the time you get there and Because by the time you get there and Because by the time you get there and and you're about to walk in like the and you're about to walk in like the and you're about to walk in like the heart is palpating you're like feeling heart is palpating you're like feeling heart is palpating you're like feeling anxious a short of breath again and so anxious a short of breath again and so anxious a short of breath again and so we we centered ourselves Rebecca and I we we centered ourselves Rebecca and I we we centered ourselves Rebecca and I with this breath with this breath with this breath prayer so we walk in and we get him to prayer so we walk in and we get him to prayer so we walk in and we get him to sleep and we start the hearing test and sleep and we start the hearing test and sleep and we start the hearing test and they start it with a little headphone they start it with a little headphone they start it with a little headphone and it's taking quite a while and she and it's taking quite a while and she and it's taking quite a while and she told us before she said hey if I can't told us before she said hey if I can't told us before she said hey if I can't get all the information I need from the get all the information I need from the get all the information I need from the headphone I'm going to going I need to headphone I'm going to going I need to headphone I'm going to going I need to do another test so they do the headphone do another test so they do the headphone do another test so they do the headphone one and we're in the dark it's quiet and one and we're in the dark it's quiet and one and we're in the dark it's quiet and she says okay I just need to get some she says okay I just need to get some she says okay I just need to get some more information and so she puts the one more information and so she puts the one more information and so she puts the one behind his ear and Rebecca and I look at behind his ear and Rebecca and I look at behind his ear and Rebecca and I look at each other and like this is not this each other and like this is not this each other and like this is not this can't be good and um I'll fast forward can't be good and um I'll fast forward can't be good and um I'll fast forward to the end of the story now after the to the end of the story now after the to the end of the story now after the testing was done the a audiologist came

testing was done the a audiologist came testing was done the a audiologist came to us and she said hey the good news is to us and she said hey the good news is to us and she said hey the good news is his his nerve behind his eardrum um his his nerve behind his eardrum um his his nerve behind his eardrum um responded really well to the cranial responded really well to the cranial responded really well to the cranial test so it basically vibrates his skull test so it basically vibrates his skull test so it basically vibrates his skull and she was getting a really good and she was getting a really good and she was getting a really good reading there which means he has reading there which means he has reading there which means he has remarkable potential to hear the bad remarkable potential to hear the bad remarkable potential to hear the bad news is the headphone test um was news is the headphone test um was news is the headphone test um was getting no response he's he can't hear getting no response he's he can't hear getting no response he's he can't hear right now it seems to be that it's right now it seems to be that it's right now it seems to be that it's likely temporary we won't know until we likely temporary we won't know until we likely temporary we won't know until we go see an ear nose throat go see an ear nose throat go see an ear nose throat doctor um so we have a journey ahead of doctor um so we have a journey ahead of doctor um so we have a journey ahead of us but I didn't have to reach for that us but I didn't have to reach for that us but I didn't have to reach for that uh prayer for when you receive a uh prayer for when you receive a uh prayer for when you receive a diagnoses I didn't have to reach for diagnoses I didn't have to reach for diagnoses I didn't have to reach for that book we Rebecca and I we went out that book we Rebecca and I we went out that book we Rebecca and I we went out afterwards we got tacos and margaritas afterwards we got tacos and margaritas afterwards we got tacos and margaritas and kind of celebrated like okay he's and kind of celebrated like okay he's and kind of celebrated like okay he's not we got the new we didn't get the not we got the new we didn't get the not we got the new we didn't get the worst news he's not permanently deaf but worst news he's not permanently deaf but worst news he's not permanently deaf but plenty of people have gotten that news plenty of people have gotten that news plenty of people have gotten that news we didn't get it um and I didn't have to we didn't get it um and I didn't have to we didn't get it um and I didn't have to pray that prayer for when you receive a pray that prayer for when you receive a pray that prayer for when you receive a a diagnosis but I had that prayer on the a diagnosis but I had that prayer on the a diagnosis but I had that prayer on the ready and the reason I share the story ready and the reason I share the story ready and the reason I share the story and and the reason you and I have talked and and the reason you and I have talked and and the reason you and I have talked about this the reason I share the story about this the reason I share the story about this the reason I share the story at church on Sunday is because I have at church on Sunday is because I have at church on Sunday is because I have been part of expressions of faith that been part of expressions of faith that been part of expressions of faith that like really prioritize um personal like really prioritize um personal like really prioritize um personal prayer you know like go to your prayer prayer you know like go to your prayer prayer you know like go to your prayer closet be alone with God and spontaneous closet be alone with God and spontaneous closet be alone with God and spontaneous prayer prayer in a prayer language prayer prayer in a prayer language prayer prayer in a prayer language that's not English which honestly Brady that's not English which honestly Brady that's not English which honestly Brady like I I believe are all good things but like I I believe are all good things but like I I believe are all good things but some of those expressions of Faith have some of those expressions of Faith have some of those expressions of Faith have prioritized those expressions of prayer prioritized those expressions of prayer prioritized those expressions of prayer to the point of like um demonizing other to the point of like um demonizing other to the point of like um demonizing other versions of prayer like um ancient versions of prayer like um ancient versions of prayer like um ancient prayers written prayers books of prayer

prayers written prayers books of prayer prayers written prayers books of prayer um and over the last year at our church um and over the last year at our church um and over the last year at our church we have been on a journey of like we have been on a journey of like we have been on a journey of like learning how to pray via the Psalms and learning how to pray via the Psalms and learning how to pray via the Psalms and so we actually open every worship so we actually open every worship so we actually open every worship service by collectively praying a Psalm service by collectively praying a Psalm service by collectively praying a Psalm together no music no nothing we we put together no music no nothing we we put together no music no nothing we we put the words up on the screen we pray the words up on the screen we pray the words up on the screen we pray through the Psalms together and we're through the Psalms together and we're through the Psalms together and we're learning how to pray because the psalm learning how to pray because the psalm learning how to pray because the psalm the Psalms are the prayer book of Israel the Psalms are the prayer book of Israel the Psalms are the prayer book of Israel they always have been they always will they always have been they always will they always have been they always will be we've just lost that a little bit in be we've just lost that a little bit in be we've just lost that a little bit in Western Christianity we're trying to Western Christianity we're trying to Western Christianity we're trying to reclaim that we're not alone in that reclaim that we're not alone in that reclaim that we're not alone in that there's plenty of churches trying to do there's plenty of churches trying to do there's plenty of churches trying to do that and we're we're in this like School that and we're we're in this like School that and we're we're in this like School of prayer in the Psalms and learning how of prayer in the Psalms and learning how of prayer in the Psalms and learning how to pray via a prayer to pray via a prayer to pray via a prayer book has been so helpful not just to me book has been so helpful not just to me book has been so helpful not just to me personally but to our church community personally but to our church community personally but to our church community and so I'm trying we're talking about and so I'm trying we're talking about and so I'm trying we're talking about this things that we need to model here this things that we need to model here this things that we need to model here first going on into 2024 and um and first going on into 2024 and um and first going on into 2024 and um and these prayers of old these prayers of these prayers of old these prayers of these prayers of old these prayers of saints these prayers of modern people saints these prayers of modern people saints these prayers of modern people the woman who wrote This Book her name the woman who wrote This Book her name the woman who wrote This Book her name is Kayla Craig the book is called to is Kayla Craig the book is called to is Kayla Craig the book is called to light their way for any parents light their way for any parents light their way for any parents listening to the podcast it's like in listening to the podcast it's like in listening to the podcast it's like in some ways it's it's saving us it's some ways it's it's saving us it's some ways it's it's saving us it's giving us language when parenting is giving us language when parenting is giving us language when parenting is hard and we're just learning that that's hard and we're just learning that that's hard and we're just learning that that's that's okay it's okay to not have the that's okay it's okay to not have the that's okay it's okay to not have the words to pray for yourself and to have words to pray for yourself and to have words to pray for yourself and to have to reach for for words from someone else to reach for for words from someone else to reach for for words from someone else uh to pray for your your own family or uh to pray for your your own family or uh to pray for your your own family or your own church and um I've gotten your own church and um I've gotten your own church and um I've gotten feedback from our church as we've been feedback from our church as we've been feedback from our church as we've been praying through the Psalms that it's praying through the Psalms that it's praying through the Psalms that it's been so helpful it's giv them language been so helpful it's giv them language been so helpful it's giv them language to pray when they're in the Valley of to pray when they're in the Valley of to pray when they're in the Valley of the shadow of death um which do anyone the shadow of death um which do anyone the shadow of death um which do anyone familiar with the Psalms knows that that familiar with the Psalms knows that that familiar with the Psalms knows that that phrase is actually language from the phrase is actually language from the phrase is actually language from the Psalms like it gives us language to Psalms like it gives us language to Psalms like it gives us language to navigate the mountains and The Valleys

navigate the mountains and The Valleys navigate the mountains and The Valleys of life and it's often in The Valleys of life and it's often in The Valleys of life and it's often in The Valleys where we need to we need to grasp for where we need to we need to grasp for where we need to we need to grasp for language where we often don't have many language where we often don't have many language where we often don't have many words to say and so um yeah uh learning words to say and so um yeah uh learning words to say and so um yeah uh learning a robust rhythm of prayer so yes time a robust rhythm of prayer so yes time a robust rhythm of prayer so yes time and space for personal prayers time and and space for personal prayers time and and space for personal prayers time and space for Spiritual prayers of course space for Spiritual prayers of course space for Spiritual prayers of course spontaneous prayers absolutely but when spontaneous prayers absolutely but when spontaneous prayers absolutely but when life throws you a curveball and you life throws you a curveball and you life throws you a curveball and you don't have either the faith or or the don't have either the faith or or the don't have either the faith or or the energy or the space to come up with a energy or the space to come up with a energy or the space to come up with a prayer on your own reaching for prayers prayer on your own reaching for prayers prayer on your own reaching for prayers of other people has been a lifeblood for of other people has been a lifeblood for of other people has been a lifeblood for us so um yeah robust rhythms of prayer us so um yeah robust rhythms of prayer us so um yeah robust rhythms of prayer Alex shared a really good thread on X Alex shared a really good thread on X Alex shared a really good thread on X about this and the way that it started about this and the way that it started about this and the way that it started was I had one of those moments where my was I had one of those moments where my was I had one of those moments where my wife and I are confronting something we wife and I are confronting something we wife and I are confronting something we thought our life might change Forever on thought our life might change Forever on thought our life might change Forever on this day and I think we've all been like this day and I think we've all been like this day and I think we've all been like in a few of those moments everyone every in a few of those moments everyone every in a few of those moments everyone every one of us has had a few of those moments one of us has had a few of those moments one of us has had a few of those moments where you're like am I on the precipice where you're like am I on the precipice where you're like am I on the precipice of like things changing and that of like things changing and that of like things changing and that language gripped me because that's how I language gripped me because that's how I language gripped me because that's how I always think about things I don't know always think about things I don't know always think about things I don't know if it's like healthy I'm like the if it's like healthy I'm like the if it's like healthy I'm like the trajectory of my life could be forever trajectory of my life could be forever trajectory of my life could be forever different if this goes this different if this goes this different if this goes this way it'll be the same if it goes this way it'll be the same if it goes this way it'll be the same if it goes this way and just the weight of that and I way and just the weight of that and I way and just the weight of that and I remember having that same like panic remember having that same like panic remember having that same like panic attack feeling I never would have attack feeling I never would have attack feeling I never would have thought it was a panic attack may maybe thought it was a panic attack may maybe thought it was a panic attack may maybe it was I don't know it was last it was I don't know it was last it was I don't know it was last Christmas and I Christmas and I Christmas and I remember like just you feel like your remember like just you feel like your remember like just you feel like your whole body's tensing up and you don't whole body's tensing up and you don't whole body's tensing up and you don't have control over it and that's why that have control over it and that's why that have control over it and that's why that breathing uh prayer the one that you

breathing uh prayer the one that you breathing uh prayer the one that you said is so profound like I I want to said is so profound like I I want to said is so profound like I I want to repeat it which is I'm breathing in the repeat it which is I'm breathing in the repeat it which is I'm breathing in the peace of God I'm breathing out fear of peace of God I'm breathing out fear of peace of God I'm breathing out fear of the future I need need this in me and I the future I need need this in me and I the future I need need this in me and I need this other thing out of me and I'm need this other thing out of me and I'm need this other thing out of me and I'm not proud to say this but like normally not proud to say this but like normally not proud to say this but like normally how I respond to those things is I have how I respond to those things is I have how I respond to those things is I have this Vision in my head of me clutching a this Vision in my head of me clutching a this Vision in my head of me clutching a baseball bat and I'm just taking it and baseball bat and I'm just taking it and baseball bat and I'm just taking it and I'm slamming it against a cinder block I'm slamming it against a cinder block I'm slamming it against a cinder block over and over and over again because it over and over and over again because it over and over and over again because it feels cathartic when I have all this feels cathartic when I have all this feels cathartic when I have all this like pent up fear anxiety rage whatever like pent up fear anxiety rage whatever like pent up fear anxiety rage whatever it might be to just imagine myself like it might be to just imagine myself like it might be to just imagine myself like just like taking it all out like it's just like taking it all out like it's just like taking it all out like it's exiting my body MH I would pause it exiting my body MH I would pause it exiting my body MH I would pause it that's one way perhaps a more healthy that's one way perhaps a more healthy that's one way perhaps a more healthy version of that would be to embrace that version of that would be to embrace that version of that would be to embrace that prayer that Alex just uh just shared and prayer that Alex just uh just shared and prayer that Alex just uh just shared and the reason I wanted him to close out the reason I wanted him to close out the reason I wanted him to close out this episode with that is because it's this episode with that is because it's this episode with that is because it's something that every one of us can take something that every one of us can take something that every one of us can take as a practical thing that we can all as a practical thing that we can all as a practical thing that we can all start implementing whether you're start implementing whether you're start implementing whether you're feeling like you're in that moment where feeling like you're in that moment where feeling like you're in that moment where life could forever change on this day at life could forever change on this day at life could forever change on this day at this appointment in this meeting at this this appointment in this meeting at this this appointment in this meeting at this interview or just like things are not as interview or just like things are not as interview or just like things are not as enjoyable right now as they could be and enjoyable right now as they could be and enjoyable right now as they could be and it's the minor stresses of life which we it's the minor stresses of life which we it's the minor stresses of life which we know play just as as as problematic of a know play just as as as problematic of a know play just as as as problematic of a role on our physical body and our mental role on our physical body and our mental role on our physical body and our mental faculties as as those big things do faculties as as those big things do faculties as as those big things do sometimes those big things our bodies sometimes those big things our bodies sometimes those big things our bodies protects us from them because like protects us from them because like protects us from them because like they're so big like we actually can't they're so big like we actually can't they're so big like we actually can't process them but all of those little process them but all of those little process them but all of those little ones like the death by a thousand paper ones like the death by a thousand paper ones like the death by a thousand paper cuts and so we can use that in those cuts and so we can use that in those cuts and so we can use that in those rhythms uh also I feel like this is rhythms uh also I feel like this is rhythms uh also I feel like this is actually one of my favorite episodes actually one of my favorite episodes actually one of my favorite episodes that we've done in a long time and I'm that we've done in a long time and I'm that we've done in a long time and I'm really glad that you were willing to

really glad that you were willing to really glad that you were willing to share that yeah of course and for share that yeah of course and for share that yeah of course and for everyone that's listening make sure to everyone that's listening make sure to everyone that's listening make sure to keep little Aiden in your prayers thanks keep little Aiden in your prayers thanks keep little Aiden in your prayers thanks Alex and Rebecca you know depending on Alex and Rebecca you know depending on Alex and Rebecca you know depending on when you listen or hear this episode we when you listen or hear this episode we when you listen or hear this episode we might know a lot more or nothing more might know a lot more or nothing more might know a lot more or nothing more about you know what's ahead for them um about you know what's ahead for them um about you know what's ahead for them um but yeah you were about to have to learn but yeah you were about to have to learn but yeah you were about to have to learn ASL so yeah oh you know I was like Mitch ASL so yeah oh you know I was like Mitch ASL so yeah oh you know I was like Mitch is ready Mitch is ready to go you know is ready Mitch is ready to go you know is ready Mitch is ready to go you know Mitch used to our first play used to uh Mitch used to our first play used to uh Mitch used to our first play used to uh volunteer at a at a deaf hearing camp volunteer at a at a deaf hearing camp volunteer at a at a deaf hearing camp for Christians or maybe run by for Christians or maybe run by for Christians or maybe run by Christians I don't think he had to be a Christians I don't think he had to be a Christians I don't think he had to be a hearing hearing impaired Christian to be hearing hearing impaired Christian to be hearing hearing impaired Christian to be there um yeah yeah it's was about there um yeah yeah it's was about there um yeah yeah it's was about to to to those are the worries man like yeah those are the worries man like yeah those are the worries man like yeah that's the first thing you think of that's the first thing you think of that's the first thing you think of right like if my life is about to change right like if my life is about to change right like if my life is about to change forever does it mean that like I always forever does it mean that like I always forever does it mean that like I always think about those practical things like think about those practical things like think about those practical things like maybe as a distraction almost from like maybe as a distraction almost from like maybe as a distraction almost from like you know the worry but yeah wow there's you know the worry but yeah wow there's you know the worry but yeah wow there's a there's a a meme in in NBA basketball a there's a a meme in in NBA basketball a there's a a meme in in NBA basketball culture of Adam Silver the commissioner culture of Adam Silver the commissioner culture of Adam Silver the commissioner and and like it's just him going get and and like it's just him going get and and like it's just him going get ready to learn Japanese baby and the ready to learn Japanese baby and the ready to learn Japanese baby and the meme is about like a player who is no meme is about like a player who is no meme is about like a player who is no longer good enough for the ba until longer good enough for the ba until longer good enough for the ba until they're about to play in like a they're about to play in like a they're about to play in like a secondary League yeah I don't know why secondary League yeah I don't know why secondary League yeah I don't know why I'm thinking about that I'm just Imaging I'm thinking about that I'm just Imaging I'm thinking about that I'm just Imaging Adam Silver get ready to learn ASL Adam Silver get ready to learn ASL Adam Silver get ready to learn ASL baby what a bizarre note to baby what a bizarre note to baby what a bizarre note to close on this episode uh you can tell close on this episode uh you can tell close on this episode uh you can tell how uncomfortable I am closing on this how uncomfortable I am closing on this how uncomfortable I am closing on this type of subject matter but thank you all type of subject matter but thank you all type of subject matter but thank you all for your time attention and Trust as for your time attention and Trust as for your time attention and Trust as always we'll talk to you next always we'll talk to you next always we'll talk to you next week Lord if you could just meet me in

week Lord if you could just meet me in week Lord if you could just meet me in my incredible incredible Darkness I'd my incredible incredible Darkness I'd my incredible incredible Darkness I'd appreciate you