In a world overflowing with noise, opinion, and reaction, the words of Colossians 4:2–6 offer a quiet but powerful call to intentional speech. Paul’s exhortation to the church is not merely about what to say—it’s about how to live, how to listen, and how to speak in a way that reflects the grace of Christ. For Christians navigating daily interactions with outsiders, this passage becomes a blueprint for wise, gracious, and purposeful communication.
Paul begins with prayer. “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Before we speak to others, we speak to God. Prayer is not a formality—it is the foundation. It shapes our tone, our posture, and our discernment. A prayerful heart is a watchful heart, alert to divine opportunities and grounded in gratitude. Paul himself asks for prayer so that he may speak clearly and boldly. If the apostle needed prayer to communicate well, how much more do we?
From prayer, Paul moves to conduct: “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” Outsiders are watching. They may not understand our theology, but they understand our tone. Wisdom is credibility in motion. It’s not just about avoiding foolish arguments—it’s about living in a way that gives weight to our words. Every interaction becomes a stewardship moment. We don’t force spiritual conversations, but we don’t waste open doors either. Time is a gift, and every conversation is a seed—some plant, some water, some harvest. God uses all three.
Then Paul turns to speech itself: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” This is where the Greek text adds richness. The word for speech, logos, implies more than words—it includes reasoning, tone, and message. To speak with grace (en chariti) is to speak with kindness, favor, and winsomeness. It’s not flattery—it’s Christlike kindness. Salted speech (halati ērtumenos) is pure, preserving, and pleasing. In the ancient world, salt purified and enhanced flavor. In our speech, it means truth that is clear, compelling, and engaging.
Paul’s final phrase—”that you may know how to answer each person”—emphasizes discernment. The Greek eidenai suggests intuitive, Spirit-shaped wisdom. Apokrinesthai means to respond thoughtfully, not react emotionally. Christians are not called to give canned answers. We are called to listen well, speak wisely, and respond with grace.
In today’s world, where sarcasm and outrage dominate, Christians are called to a different tone. We speak as ambassadors, not arguers. We speak with integrity, knowing that hypocrisy undermines our message. We speak with purpose, knowing that every word can be a seed of hope.
Your words may be the first taste of Jesus someone ever experiences. Let them be gracious. Let them be wise. Let them be seasoned with salt.
Long before the cross became a symbol of hope, it was a symbol of terror. Long before it was worn around the neck, it was feared in the streets.
Crucifixion did not begin with Jesus, nor was it invented for Him. It was a punishment shaped and sharpened by empires who understood that fear could control a population far more effectively than force. The Persians used early forms of it. The Carthaginians practiced it. The Greeks employed it. But it was Rome—the iron‑fisted empire of law, order, and intimidation—that perfected it.
Rome did not choose crucifixion because it was efficient. They chose it because it was slow, public, it humiliated the condemned, and it warned the watching world. A Roman execution was never meant to be hidden away. It was meant to be seen, remembered, and feared. The cross was Rome’s billboard, its message to every slave, rebel, and outsider: “This is what happens when you defy us.”
Crucifixion was not for everyone. In fact, it was not for most people.
Roman citizens were almost always exempt; the empire considered the method too degrading for its own. Instead, the cross was reserved for the lowest classes and the most despised offenders—slaves who resisted, rebels who rose up, violent criminals who threatened order, and anyone Rome wanted to make an example of. It was a punishment for the guilty, the dangerous, the unwanted. It was the empire’s way of saying, “You are beneath dignity, beneath mercy, beneath Rome.”
This is what makes the story of Jesus so striking. He did not die the death of a respected teacher. He did not die the death of a philosopher or a prophet. He died the death of the guilty. He died the death of the violent. He died the death of the rebel. He died the death Rome reserved for those it considered the worst of humanity. And yet, He was innocent.
Understanding the history of the cross forces us to see the weight of what Jesus carried. The cross was not a religious symbol in His day. It was not polished, carved, or decorative. It was not worn as jewelry or displayed as art. It was an instrument of shame, suffering, and slow death. When Jesus spoke of taking up a cross, His listeners did not think of a necklace. They thought of a death march.
This is why the statement matters: Jesus did not wear a cross on His neck. He wore it on His back. He carried the instrument of His own execution through the streets of a city that rejected Him. He stepped into the place of the guilty, though He was innocent. He accepted the punishment reserved for the worst, though He was the best. He took on the death sentence that belonged to others, and He did it willingly.
Before we ever reach Golgotha, before we ever see the nails or the sign above His head, we must understand the world that shaped the cross. Only then do we begin to grasp the depth of what Jesus endured. Only then do we see that the cross was not an ornament—it was obedience. It was not a symbol—it was a sentence. And the One who carried it did so not because He deserved it, but because we did.
Over the next eight months, I’m stepping up in every area of my calling.
I’ll be increasing my efforts in local ministry and in my personal ministry through Preacher’s Pen, while also expanding the reach of 4031 Coaching and Gratitude Media Group. Every part of this is driven by one mission: “to help others create better days today for better lives tomorrow.”
This isn’t a new desire. It’s something that has been growing in me for years. For years, I have carried a deep desire to reach people, encourage them, and help them move toward something better. That desire is rooted in a simple belief: every person needs hope, every person needs purpose, and every person needs to know they were created for more.
Why I Do What I Do
I entered ministry because I believe every person needs to know Jesus, discover their purpose, and find hope again. We were created by a God who gives calling, ability, and meaning. None of us are here by accident.
When we connect with our Creator, we begin to understand who we are and why we are here. We begin to see that even in hard seasons, our lives still matter. Even in uncertainty, there is direction. Even in pain, there is still hope for tomorrow.
That conviction is what led me to build 4031 Coaching, rooted in Isaiah 40:31.
From that verse, I see four stages of life—Wait, Walk, Run, and Soar.
I see a framework that has shaped my thinking about growth and life: Wait, Walk, Run, Soar.
Wait reminds us to trust God and rest in His presence.
Walk teaches us to take faithful steps forward.
Run calls us to move with courage and conviction.
Soar points us toward the strength and freedom God gives.
Each stage matters. Each stage has purpose. And in every stage, God is present.
When we wait on Him, He strengthens us.
When we walk with Him, He guides us.
When we run toward His calling, He empowers us.
And when we soar, He carries us higher than we imagined.
I believe God wants us near Him. When we wait on Him, He renews us, steadies us, and carries us through what we cannot handle alone.
Building Tools That Lift Others Up
Alongside ministry and coaching, Gratitude Media Group exists to help small congregations and Christian businesses grow through websites, marketing, and creative design. It’s another way to serve, support, and strengthen the Kingdom.
As all these efforts grow, I plan to release hundreds of resources—articles, videos, graphics, devotionals, coaching tools, and more. There are many ways to reach people, and I want to use every one of them.
Why Create Income Outside of Ministry?
Some have asked why I don’t simply keep everything under the umbrella of ministry. The answer is that while ministry will always be part of who I am, I also want to build income through coaching, entrepreneurship, and service-based work outside of ministry.
The truth is—I could. But I see a bigger picture.
Why does that matter so much to me?
By creating income outside of ministry, I free up the financial support I currently receive from congregations so it can be redirected to areas that matter deeply to God:
Caring for widows
Supporting orphans
Helping the elderly
Meeting the needs of the struggling and overlooked
This isn’t about stepping away from ministry.
It’s about expanding ministry.
It’s about building something sustainable so the church can do what the church is called to do.
My heart is to see more support given to those who are often overlooked.
A Bigger Dream: Caring for Those Who Have Served
For years, a deep desire has been growing in me: “To create a nonprofit that provides housing and care for aging ministers and their wives—those who have poured out their lives for the church and often find themselves with little support in their later years.”
Imagine a small, one-level apartment community where:
Ministers and their spouses can live with dignity
Costs are covered or reduced
The elderly in the church are cared for
Integrity is practiced by caring for those who cared for us
That dream runs deep.
A Place of Rest for Ministers
I also have a passion for preachers—especially those serving in small congregations, working tirelessly with little support. I dream of creating a place where ministers and their families can come for a short sabbatical:
A week or two of rest
A place to breathe
Encouragement for their souls
Support for their families
A retreat where they can be served instead of serving
One day, I’d love to see a conference center built for this purpose—workshops, support groups, shared wisdom, and a community of ministers lifting one another up.
These dreams will take resources.
That’s where 4031 Coaching, Gratitude Media Group, and speaking opportunities come in.
They’re not just projects—they’re pathways to something bigger than me.
Why I Am Pressing Forward
I know visions like these require resources, time, and teamwork. That is part of why I am pressing harder into local ministry, personal ministry through Preacher’s Pen, 4031 Coaching, Gratitude Media Group, and speaking opportunities. I want these efforts to serve something greater than myself.
Maybe you do not need my services personally, but perhaps you know someone who needs encouragement, direction, hope, or support. My prayer is that what I share this year will not stop with one person, but will reach many others through those willing to share, support, and pray.This year, I want to share enough that you have something worth sharing with others.
I need a team—people willing to share, encourage, pray, and help spread the message of hope and purpose.
Life Hasn’t Been Easy—But God Has Been Faithful
here is so much in this world that can weigh us down. But there is also still light. There is still goodness. There is still a reason to keep going.
I’m 51 years into this journey. I’ve seen the good, the great, the bad, the ugly, and the downright painful. I’ve been knocked down, run over, and dragged through the mud. But every time, without fail, the Son shines after the storm.
There is always light ahead.
There is always hope for tomorrow.
My purpose is not to draw attention to myself, but to point people to the Almighty—the One who is faithful, just, kind, and loving.
I don’t have all the answers.
But I know the One who does.
The Next 51 Years
If God allows, the next half of my life will be marked by momentum, purpose, and forward motion. I’ll want to quit at times. I’ll get tired. But He is greater, and this is about Him.
I’ve messed up. I’ve sinned. I’ve disappointed God and others. I haven’t always done what I should. But I’m learning. And now, the lessons of these 51 years are coming together.
There is hope.
There is purpose.
There is life.
Let’s Move Forward Together
No matter where you have been, no matter what you are carrying, and no matter how uncertain tomorrow may feel, your life still matters. Your story is not over. There is still good ahead.
Let us keep going. Let us keep serving. Let us keep believing.
I’m stepping into this next season with faith, courage, and expectation.
And I’d love for you to walk with me.
Let’s lift others up.
Let’s build something meaningful.
Let’s create better days today for better lives tomorrow.
From Convenience to Conviction: A Call for the Church to Move Today
For generations, faith has shaped families, communities, and entire cultures. But somewhere along the way, something subtle happened: religion became convenient. Not necessarily evil. Not intentionally shallow. Just… easy. And convenience, while comfortable, rarely produces conviction.
When Faith Becomes Convenient
Convenient religion shows up quietly. It doesn’t demand much, and it rarely disrupts our routines. It lets us feel spiritual without requiring spiritual formation.
Here are a few ways convenience has crept in:
Convenient attendance: We gather when it fits the schedule, not because we hunger for God (Hebrews 10:24–25).
Convenient discipleship: We like verses that comfort us but avoid the ones that confront us (2 Timothy 4:3).
Convenient service: We help when it’s easy, but step back when it costs time, energy, or comfort (Luke 10:31–32).
Convenient convictions: We stand for truth until truth becomes unpopular (Galatians 1:10).
Convenience is subtle because it feels harmless. But over time, it produces a faith that is soft, shallow, and easily shaken.
The Call Back to Conviction
Conviction is different. Conviction is costly. Conviction is steady. Conviction is rooted in something deeper than preference—it’s rooted in truth.
Scripture consistently calls God’s people to a faith built on conviction:
Daniel prayed even when it meant the lions’ den (Daniel 6:10).
Peter and John spoke boldly even when commanded to be silent (Acts 4:18–20).
The early church gathered, gave, served, and sacrificed because they were “devoted” (Acts 2:42–47).
Jesus Himself set His face toward the cross with unwavering resolve (Luke 9:51).
Conviction doesn’t ask, “Is this easy?”
Conviction asks, “Is this faithful?”
What Conviction Looks Like Today
Conviction in the modern church might look like:
Worship that is a priority, not an option.
Bible reading that shapes our decisions, not just our emotions.
Service that stretches us, not just fits our schedule.
Generosity that reflects trust, not leftover giving.
Holiness that stands firm, even when culture shifts.
Love that is sacrificial, not selective.
Conviction is not louder—it’s deeper. It’s not aggressive—it’s anchored. It’s not about being stubborn—it’s about being surrendered.
Why This Matters
Jesus warned about a faith that looks alive but is spiritually weak (Revelation 3:1–2). Paul urged believers to be “steadfast, immovable” (1 Corinthians 15:58). James reminded us that faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
Convenience produces spectators.
Conviction produces disciples.
And the world doesn’t need more spectators.
A Challenge for Today
Maybe the question for the church today is simple: Are we living by convenience or conviction?
Convenience asks for comfort.
Conviction asks for commitment.
Convenience fits God into life.
Conviction builds life around God.
Convenience fades.
Conviction endures.
May we be a people who choose the narrow road, the deeper faith, the costly obedience, and the unshakable conviction that Christ is worth everything.
Every day, we’re faced with choices—some small, some life-changing. One of the most important decisions we’ll ever make is whether to truly live the abundant life God offers, or simply drift through our days. In Deuteronomy 30.19, God sets before us “life and death, blessings and curses,” and urges us to “choose life.”
Choosing to live isn’t just about existing or going through the motions. It’s about embracing the hope, purpose, and joy that come from walking with Christ. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10.10). That abundant life is available to everyone who’s willing to step out in faith.
But let’s be honest—sometimes discouragement, guilt, or fear can hold us back. We may feel unworthy or stuck in the past. The good news is that God’s grace is bigger than our failures. In Christ, we are made new (2 Corinthians 5.17). We’re invited to let go of what’s behind and press forward to what lies ahead (Philippians 3.13-14).
So how do we decide to really live? Start by embracing God’s forgiveness and love. Discover your unique purpose—God has good works prepared for you (Ephesians 2.10). Live each day with intention: serve others, share kindness, and let your life reflect Christ’s love. Rejoice in the Lord, even when life is hard, and trust that God’s plans for you are filled with hope (Jeremiah 29.11).
Remember, living for God means making daily choices to trust Him, to step out of your comfort zone, and to invest in things that matter for eternity. True life is found not in what we possess, but in the love, grace, and purpose we receive from our Savior.
Today, the invitation is open: Will you choose to truly live? Don’t let fear or regret hold you back. Step into the abundant, joyful life God offers.
What step will you take this week to embrace the life God wants for you?
