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Making men MEN again. The David Alliance will help you slay your giants.
Episodes
Sunday May 11, 2025
Sunday May 11, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
Five ways to tame a lion… you heard that right. Five ways to tame a lion… yep, I have been lion taming for quite sometime now and I am going to give you some insight over the next 7 minutes!
*When you wake up in the morning you are probably not thinking through the cautionary steps of dealing with 10,000 volts of electricity
- being splattered with infectious blood
- coming in contact with a huge anaconda
- Deactivating a bomb
- or worse yet, dealing with harboring bitterness.
All of those things can become dangerously habitual.
* Gunther Gabel Williams - BE THERE.
- YOU MEAN DON’T SHOW UP LATE FOR WORK???
DONT SKIP WORK?
After 10,000 performances you can tend to not be there in the cage with wild animals.
1 PETER 5:7Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.…
When does a lion prowl looking for those whom he may devour? It’s typically on Tuesday mornings, the reason is due to the weather patterns in the Svengali desert plains… you see the wind comes up form the south On Sunday and by Monday afternoon leading into the next day the lion… ARE YOU BELIEVING A WORD I SAY? Hey dumb dumb…lions are seeking whom they may devour EVERY DAY 24/7!
Every day the enemy prowls like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. IT IS YOUR JOB TO BE THERE! BE AWARE! EVERY DAY… EVERY DAY EVERY DAY
- Key Verses:
• Matthew 13:22 (BSB): "The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful." Here, μέριμνα is depicted as a force that can stifle spiritual growth.
• Luke 21:34 (BSB): "But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life, and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a trap." This verse warns against being overwhelmed by life's anxieties, which can distract from spiritual vigilance.
• 1 Peter 5:7 (BSB): "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." This passage encourages believers to entrust their worries to God, emphasizing His care and provision. - THERE ARE ACTION STEPS IN THE VERSES…
- -1 BE WATCHFUL for the little things - seeds
- - 2 Watch yourself. Its your responsibility to know what triggers you and to look for it.
- -3 DO NOT BE OVERWHELMED KNOW THAT THEY ARE COMING.
- - 4 AND CAST YOUR WORRIES ON GOD -
- - 5 YOU GIVE THEM TO GOD BECAUSE YOU KNOW AND CAN TRUST THAT HE CARES FOR YOU. He wants to take your worries, troubles and anxieties.
• Theological Implications: The concept of μέριμνα underscores the biblical teaching that excessive worry can detract from faith and reliance on God. Believers are encouraged to seek first the kingdom of God and trust in His provision, rather than being consumed by temporal concerns.
• Practical Application: Christians are called to live with a focus on eternal values, casting their cares upon God and finding peace in His sovereignty. This involves a conscious effort to prioritize spiritual growth over worldly anxieties.
Thursday May 01, 2025
Thursday May 01, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
If I could put time in a bottle
Time is on my side
Good times bad times you know Ive had my share
Late is late.
30 seconds is late
30 minutes, 5 minutes, 1 minute, 30 seconds is late.
Better late than never… NOPE Late is Late. So what is early? It is respect, it is character it is integrity.
Time might be the greatest currency to spend in order to show someone just how much you care. Not money, not your talent, not your intelligence but simply hard time.
Matthew 26:36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
He didn’t ask the disciples to stand and fight. He did not ask them to give him advice or to prepare for life without him at this moment. He simply asked them for prayer… but not just prayer, but an hour of prayer. The disciples are hand fed for 3 1/2 years insight and miracles and the miraculous and more… and in turn Christ asks for one hour… not one month, not one day but one hour. AND at the most crucial time of his life… or should we say just before his death.
Look if you really want to impress someone, your spouse, your kids, your pastor your boss your neighbors… Your parents… it does not matter - if you really want to impress them. Give them time!
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
What is one of the biggest perks to hearing Gods voice? Your circle begins to trust you implicitly. Completely. You earn the right to do what others might think are crazy simply because your track record proves that you hear from God.
Christmas offering…
1st service and second service then home…
Kim says: Who is it?
POINT ONE: if you want to step into leadership successfully in any form you better be able to hear from God. OR IF YOU ARE GOING TO FOLLOW SOMEONE… THEY BETTER HEAR FROM GOD.
You don’t need to hear from God for the vision or mission (get to Canaan) you need to hear from God as to how.
Josh. 1;1-9
Josh. 3:7 - 4:1-8 - 5:2 - 6:2-5 - 7:10-15. - 8:12. - 10:8. - 13:4
POINT TWO: You better be battle tested. God recognized Joshua as a warrior before he was recognized as a leader.
Joshua was first mentioned in Exodus chapter 17 when he went to war against the Amalakites.
Godly warriors follow instructions. They fight to save lives.
IMAGINE ONLY WANTING TO SAVE A FEW IN A WAR….
I know men who have fought in battle - real battle. Life and Death… but they are intimidated and fearful quite when it comes to sharing Christ.
Joshua was proven by battle before ever being appointed as a leader.
He was proven to have the spirit of God in him. Numbers 27:18-23
Monday Apr 28, 2025
Monday Apr 28, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
When was the last time you were intimidated… you literally felt your heart shrink, your soul grow cold and you just felt embarrassed and humiliated because you just couldn’t step up??? It is so hard to even confess such a thing… but it happens.
**You can tell a lot about a person simply by studying their intimidation quotient
Milgram Experiment (1963): Authority and Obedience:
Administering electric shocks to people by the instructions given by an instructor.
Who intimidates you?
When are you intimidated?
I KNOW MEN WHO WERE IN ACTUAL BATTLE. They had live fire, bombs men die at their feet… and while I thank them for their service… they fold like a wet blanket when given the opportunity to share Christ. Their intimidation quotient was actually pretty low when it came to actually being a Christ follower.
Joshua was not intimidated: he was one of the 12 says… what was that conversation like walking back to see Moses with the report…
As you read the conversation between Joshua, Caleb and Moses.
Sunday Apr 27, 2025
Sunday Apr 27, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
Joshua born in slavery in Egypt.
Raised as a slave under Moses reign and exodus.
He was Moses assistant/understudy
He was the spy that testified YES
He and Calebs family was spared Gods wrath due to their belief and faith in God.
They still wandered 40 years.
It was Joshua NOT Moses that led Israel into the promise land.
Moses was known for a few things…
God reassured him of his mission
God Parted the Red Sea
God appeared to him as a heavenly messenger
God had him remove his sandals at the burning bush in his presence.
GOD DID THE SAME WITH JOSHUA.
Joshua was also with Moses at Mount Sinai when Moses was receiving the 10 Commandments.
Joshua was also at Moses side after he spoke to God face-to-face. God was obviously preparing Joshua for future leadership. Joshua was one of the 12 men sent as spies into Canaan.
Joshua followed in Moses footsteps first God appeared to Joshua after Moses died to reassure him of his mission and his promise. Secondly God part of the waters of the Jordan for Joshua as he part of the waters of the Red Sea for Moses
and third the Lord appeared to Joshua through a heavenly messenger. God instructed Joshua to remove his sandals, just as he had instructed Moses at the burning bush.
Thursday Apr 24, 2025
Thursday Apr 24, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
Who is the greatest in NBA? NFL? NHL? MLB? And of course powerlifting?
ALI: He talks a great deal and brags indeed-y of a muscular punch that's incredibly speedy. The fistic world was dull and weary. With a champ like Liston, things had to be dreary.
ALI: Then someone with color - someone with dash - brought fight fans running with cash.
ALI: This brash, young boxer is something to see. And the heavyweight championship is his destiny. This kid fights great. He's got speed and endurance. But if you sign to fight him, increase your insurance.
ALI: This kid's got a left. This kid's got a right. If he hits you once, you're asleep for the night
ALI: And as you lie on the floor while the ref counts 10, you pray that you won't have to fight me again
ALI: For I am the man this poem is about, the next champ of the world, there isn't a doubt. If Cassius says a cow can lay an egg, don't ask how. Grease that skillet.
ALI: He is the greatest. When I say two, there's never a third. Betting against me is completely absurd. When Cassius says a mouse can outrun a horse, don't ask how. Put your money where your mouse is.
ALI: I am the greatest.
SIEGEL: Those were excerpts from Muhammad Ali's poem, "I Am The Greatest," recorded in 1963
Who Is the Greatest? Luke 9
46 Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.”
Why do my sins bother me so much? The closer I get to Jesus the more I see how much I need him. In the little things and in the big things.
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
The life and times of Remus Reid
Check the source
Check the money trail
Check the background
Check the history
Check the
Someone trying to manipulate you might display a range of traits aimed at gaining control or influencing your decisions and feelings. Here are some common ones:
Emotional Tactics:
* Playing the Victim: They portray themselves as helpless or wronged to evoke your sympathy and make you feel obligated to help them.
* Guilt-Tripping: They make you feel responsible for their problems or emotions, leading you to do things you wouldn't normally do.
* Love Bombing: They overwhelm you with excessive attention, affection, and praise early on to create a strong emotional bond and make you more susceptible to their influence.
* Playing on Your Insecurities: They identify your weaknesses and use them against you to undermine your confidence and make you dependent on them.
* Emotional Blackmail: They threaten to harm themselves or others, or to withdraw affection if you don't comply with their demands.
* Gaslighting: They distort or deny your reality, making you doubt your memory, perception, and sanity.
* Using Charm and Flattery: They can be excessively nice and complimentary to disarm you and make you more agreeable.
* Creating Chaos and Drama: They thrive on instability and may create conflicts to distract you or make you rely on them to resolve the issues.
* Inconsistent Behavior: Their moods and actions can change unpredictably, keeping you off balance and making you try harder to please them.
Communication Tactics:
* Lying and Deception: They may outright lie or omit information to control the narrative and achieve their goals.
* Exaggeration and Generalization: They might exaggerate their own achievements or misfortunes and use sweeping statements to influence your opinion.
* Blame Shifting: They avoid taking responsibility for their actions and instead blame others, including you.
* Changing the Subject: They abruptly switch topics to avoid uncomfortable conversations or deflect scrutiny.
* Vagueness and Indirect Communication: They may not clearly state their needs or intentions, making it easier to manipulate the situation later.
* Using Confusion: They might use complex language or illogical arguments to confuse you and make you doubt your understanding.
* Withholding Information: They strategically omit details to give you an incomplete picture and steer you in their desired direction.
Behavioral Tactics:
* Boundary Violations: They disregard your personal boundaries and push your limits to see what they can get away with.
* Controlling Behavior: They try to control aspects of your life, such as your time, money, or relationships.
* Isolation: They may try to isolate you from your friends and family to increase your dependence on them.
* Triangulation: They involve a third party to manipulate the situation, often by creating jealousy or using the third person to relay messages.
* Pressuring You: They create a sense of urgency to make you act quickly without thinking.
* Ignoring or Dismissing Your Needs: They prioritize their own needs and disregard your feelings and desires.
* Playing the Martyr: They act as if they are making huge sacrifices for you to make you feel indebted to them.
It's important to remember that these traits can appear individually or in combination. Recognizing these patterns is the first step in protecting yourself from manipulation. Trust your instincts if something feels "off" in a relationship.
What does the Bible say about deception… well it actually comes down to one simple - not so simple thing: Words! Your mouth gives away your heart… but they are tied to your actions… meaning if I use the words “I love you… sounds good, but my words might be true OR they might be manipulative. So words are only as powerful as the actions behind them.
Again… think on this:
If I say one thing and it is true - it proves my heart and my words back it up.
If I say one thing and it is not true according to my actions- then it is just as powerful in that it reveals my deception.
Focus on Deception and Falsehood:
* Speaking Lies and Deceit: The Bible frequently warns against lying and those who speak falsehoods. Manipulators often rely on deception to achieve their goals.
* "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight." (Proverbs 12:22)
* "Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness speaks deceitfully." (Proverbs 12:17)
* Having a Double Heart: This refers to those who say one thing but mean another, or who act with ulterior motives.
* "They speak falsehood to one another; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak." (Psalm 12:2)
Emphasis on Selfishness and Pride:
* Seeking Their Own Interests: Manipulators are often driven by their own selfish desires and disregard the needs of others.
* "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." (Philippians 2:3-4) This verse highlights the contrast between selfless love and self-centeredness.
* Boasting and Arrogance: Manipulators may inflate their own importance and achievements to impress and control others.
* "The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished." (Proverbs 16:5)
Warning Against Flattery and Smooth Talk:
* Using Flattering Words: Manipulators often use excessive praise and charm to disarm and influence their targets.
* "A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet." (Proverbs 29:5)
* "For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue." (Psalm 5:9)
Importance of Discernment and Wisdom:
* Testing the Spirits: The Bible encourages believers to be discerning and not believe everything they hear.
* "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1) This principle can be applied to discerning the motives behind people's words and actions.
* Seeking Wisdom: Wisdom allows you to see beyond surface appearances and understand people's true intentions.
* "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1:5)
Focus on Actions and Fruits:
* Judging by Their Fruits: Jesus taught that we can recognize people by the results of their actions. Manipulative individuals often leave a trail of broken relationships, hurt feelings, and negative consequences.
* "You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So also, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit." (Matthew 7:16-17)
The Contrast with Genuine Love and Humility:
* True Love is Selfless: Biblical love (agape) is characterized by selflessness, patience, kindness, and a focus on the well-being of others – the opposite of manipulation.
* "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
* Humility Values Others: Genuine humility leads to valuing others above oneself, which stands in stark contrast to the manipulator's self-centeredness.
In summary, while the Bible doesn't provide a checklist of "manipulator traits," it equips us with principles to discern those who operate in deceit, selfishness, and pride. By focusing on truth, humility, genuine love, and the fruits of their actions, we can gain wisdom in recognizing and protecting ourselves from manipulative individuals.
Monday Apr 21, 2025
Monday Apr 21, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
Jesus punishment is equal for all who have sinned UNLESS does not punish some people more than others… Lk. 20:47
Sunday Apr 20, 2025
Sunday Apr 20, 2025
The David Alliance
Garth Heckman
Jesus the Contronym
Here are some more examples of contronyms:
OFF - turned off, turned on. The light went off, the alarm went off.
- Sanction: To approve or to punish.
- Fast: Moving quickly or fixed in place.
- Buckle: To fasten or to break.
- Clip: To attach or to cut.
- Consult: To seek advice or to provide it.
- Oversight: Supervision or a failure to notice.
- Apology: A statement of regret or a defense.
- Bound: Going to a destination or restrained.
- Left: Departed or remaining.
JESUS WAS A CONTRONYM
Jesus does not shame people Luke 13:16,17
UNLESS
Jesus would never be snarky and belligerent - UNLESS you question his authority MK. 11: 29 tell me whom Johns Baptism is from?
Jesus does not get angry UNLESS…
He gets mad at those in the temple and makes a whip and drives people out, turning tables… HE DOES IT TWICE!
Jesus would never punish some people more than others.
Jesus would never call you out in public
UNLESS…
Lk. 20:47
Jesus would only choose the best to be his disciples UNLESS…
They stole, argued, lied, doubted, self righteous, pious, presumptuous
Jesus would never be hyper critical of people, especially those in political and religious leadership. UNLESS Lk 11:37-46
Jesus would never condemn anyone… UNLESS you were leading people into hell. MT. 12:34 you snakes
Jesus rewards everyone equal. UNLESS….
Your works are burned up and you only get eternal life. 1 Cor. 3:12-13
UNLESS… you are persecuted more, live for God more openly and serve him more fully than others… MT. 5:11, 12 MT. 6:1-6
You will never enter and you will never enter the kingdom of God unless you are born again…
But it also says in John 3 you will never see the kingdom of God unless you are born again.
The word Again in the greek is a beautiful word that means
Again?
Who you were now marked by who you used to be.
AT BDubs - Kevin lost all that weight… his passed now marks his present.
Mk. 15:38 the veil was ripped from top to bottom. (Same word/ “again”) Complete and now new picture of who God is!
Jesus did some crazy stuff… and its hard to see and understand unless you are born again…
Jesus is from a different Kingdom… and they do stuff different there… and unless you are born again and can see the Kingdom and how it works you will forever be frustrated and confused. Seek to be born again… continual, never ending.
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
While it's impossible to definitively rank arguments against Christianity in a universally agreed-upon "top 10," here are some of the most common and significant criticisms raised against it, categorized for clarity:
I. Issues of Reason and Evidence:
* Lack of Empirical Evidence: Critics argue that many core tenets of Christianity, such as the existence of God, miracles, the resurrection of Jesus, and the efficacy of prayer, lack sufficient empirical or scientific evidence to support them. They contend that faith-based belief is not a reliable path to truth.
* Example: The claim that Jesus walked on water contradicts known laws of physics and lacks verifiable evidence.
* Internal Inconsistencies and Contradictions in the Bible: Skeptics point to numerous passages in the Bible that appear to contradict each other or present conflicting accounts of events, raising questions about its divine inspiration and reliability.
* Example: Different accounts of the same historical event in the Old Testament or variations in the Gospels' narratives of Jesus' life.
* Unfulfilled Prophecies: Some argue that specific prophecies within the Old Testament and New Testament have not come to pass, undermining the claim that the Bible is divinely inspired or accurately predicts the future.
* Example: Specific Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah that some argue were not fulfilled by Jesus.
II. Philosophical and Ethical Challenges:
* The Problem of Evil: The existence of suffering, injustice, and natural disasters in the world is a significant challenge to the concept of an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent God. Critics question how such a God could allow widespread suffering.
* Example: The suffering of innocent children or the devastation caused by natural disasters.
* Divine Hiddenness: The apparent lack of clear and unambiguous evidence for God's existence leads some to argue that if God truly wanted humanity to believe, God would make their existence more obvious.
* Moral Issues in the Bible and Christian History: Critics point to instances of violence, genocide, oppression, and intolerance within the Old Testament and throughout Christian history as evidence of moral failings, questioning the claim that Christianity is a source of absolute morality.
* Example: The conquest of Canaan in the Old Testament or the historical persecution of heretics and non-believers.
* The Concept of Hell and Eternal Damnation: The idea that individuals who do not accept Jesus as their savior will face eternal torment is seen by some as unjust and incompatible with a loving and merciful God.
III. Social and Cultural Criticisms:
* Historical and Contemporary Social Issues: Christianity has been criticized for its historical role in issues such as the suppression of scientific inquiry, the justification of slavery, and the oppression of women. Contemporary criticisms often focus on issues like homophobia, transphobia, and resistance to social progress.
* Exclusivity and Intolerance: The Christian claim that salvation is exclusively through Jesus Christ is seen by some as arrogant and intolerant of other faiths and belief systems.
* Negative Impact on Individual Autonomy and Critical Thinking: Some argue that the emphasis on faith and obedience in Christianity can discourage critical thinking, independent inquiry, and the development of individual autonomy.
It's important to note that these are just some of the arguments raised against Christianity, and each argument has been the subject of extensive debate and counter-arguments from theologians and apologists. Understanding these criticisms is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of different perspectives on Christianity.