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Making men MEN again. The David Alliance will help you slay your giants.
Episodes
Thursday Oct 02, 2025
Thursday Oct 02, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
I heard it again… I am broke and I need extra money… I don’t know what to do?
- Freelance Your Skills Online: Use platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer to offer services such as writing, graphic design, programming, data entry, social media management, or virtual assistant work. You leverage existing skills and set your own hours.
- Pet Sitting or Dog Walking: If you love animals, use apps like Rover or Wag! to find gigs watching pets in your home or theirs, or taking dogs for walks. This offers flexible hours and is often in high demand.
- Deliver Food or Groceries: Drive for services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Instacart. You can work on a flexible schedule and earn money delivering meals or groceries to people in your area.
- Sell Unwanted Items: Declutter your home and sell unused items like clothing, furniture, electronics, or books on platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, or at a local yard sale.
- Take Paid Online Surveys and Participate in Focus Groups: Websites like Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, or Respondent pay you for sharing your opinion. Surveys are low-effort and can be done in your spare time, while focus groups often pay a higher hourly rate.
- Rent Out a Room or Your Car: If you have a spare room, you can rent it out for short-term stays on platforms like Airbnb. If you don't use your car often, you can rent it out through car-sharing services like Turo.
- Test Websites and Apps: Companies will pay you to test their websites and apps for usability, providing feedback on your experience. Services like UserTesting often offer a quick, one-time payment per test.
- Tutoring (Online or In-Person): If you are knowledgeable in a specific subject, language, or skill, you can tutor students online or locally. Sites like Wyzant or Chegg Tutors can help you find clients and set your rate.
- Complete Local Odd Jobs/Tasks: Use apps like TaskRabbit to find small gigs in your community, such as assembling furniture, light yard work, cleaning, or running errands for others.
The Bible does not contain a specific book on "business" or "entrepreneurship" as modern concepts, but it offers numerous principles regarding work, wealth, diligence, and ethical conduct that are highly relevant to both.
Here are the key biblical principles applied to business and entrepreneurship:
1. Work and Diligence are Commended
The Bible encourages hard work and warns against laziness. This principle is fundamental to a successful venture.
- Diligence brings reward: "Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth." (Proverbs 10:4).
Diligent hands: active, eager, willing to try anything…..
When I first got online and saw the possibilities I figure out something pretty quick. Not every youth pastor had my creative skill and writing lessons for youth. I was already a regular contributor/writer for YouthWorker Journal - So I would put together these really good power point lessons with great applications. Then I sold them online… and guess what - people bought them!
To pay my bills I have lots of skills and I will try anything.
I have taught guitar, drums, I am a personal trainer. But all these things fit within my calendar. I can’t take on another hourly, full time job - I am still and first a pastor. So Diligent hands seek what works best for each person.
Just today I hit up a woman who has a unique skill for other women- I can’t give to much away just yet. But she absolutely loved my idea and wants to come on board. We will typically work with about 25 women for one night a week and make a few thousand dollars. Diligence - try anything and if you fail - keep trying.
YESTERDAY SOMEONE ASKED… Hey you said a $1000 bucks a week… how could you do that with just Uber… well my thought (and I did not explain it fully- sorry) is between uber, teach a lesson, sell something a $1000 a week is easy.
Hey first and foremost - you better have a budget and stick to it! Or you will never have enough money!
- Purposeful work: The creation narrative and later writings present work as a good, God-given activity (Genesis 2:15, Colossians 3:23-24). Work is seen as service, not just to people, but ultimately to the Lord…. Maybe you are asking the wrong question… maybe you should ask God what can I do to add value to your kingdom and get paid at the same time. A great friend of mine teaches martial arts/self protection… but he is also a strong believer. He gets paid well, has a strong client list, but uses this opportunity to share Christ all the time. It is a win win.
2. Stewardship and Investment
The concept of stewardship is central, suggesting that everything a person possesses—time, talent, and treasure—ultimately belongs to God and should be managed wisely… here is an idea, managing our time also means charging for our time. Listen I have a ton of people that would call me a friend - many times they want me to teach or train them for free because I am a friend and on top of that a pastor. Here is one simple rule I let them in on all the time. I have to charge my friends because my enemies won’t do business with me. I say it in a fun loving way, but it gets the point across.
- The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30): This parable is often cited as a direct encouragement for enterprise and investment. The master praises the servants who invested their money and produced a profit, while rebuking the one who buried his talent out of fear. This emphasizes the expectation of using resources (gifts, skills, capital, talents) productively, taking calculated risks, and seeking growth… is a God thing. It is a value to our maker.
- The lazy servant is called wicked. He acted in fear… fear kept him from seeing his investments take off. FEAR will stop 95% of all people who have ideas to make extra money… but if you are lazy fear is a great excuse to fall back on. I will forever nag my friend for not acting on his stupid idea… it was Uber, but he never acted on it… FEAR!
- Prudence and Planning: "For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?" (Luke 14:28). This speaks to the need for careful planning, foresight, and sound financial management in business… most buisinesses fail due to lack of financial backing and a lack of planning. I used to have the #1 powerlifting gym in the country. Now I have a nice small personal training gym. It has everything I need…in time I will open another gym for body soul and spirit. But until then I just keep planning, picking up equipment that is a steal… and when the time is right - Boom I will act. But I will no longer rush into things!
Wednesday Oct 01, 2025
Wednesday Oct 01, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
I heard it again… I am broke and I need extra money… I don’t know what to do?
- Freelance Your Skills Online: Use platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer to offer services such as writing, graphic design, programming, data entry, social media management, or virtual assistant work. You leverage existing skills and set your own hours.
- Pet Sitting or Dog Walking: If you love animals, use apps like Rover or Wag! to find gigs watching pets in your home or theirs, or taking dogs for walks. This offers flexible hours and is often in high demand.
- Deliver Food or Groceries: Drive for services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Instacart. You can work on a flexible schedule and earn money delivering meals or groceries to people in your area.
- Sell Unwanted Items: Declutter your home and sell unused items like clothing, furniture, electronics, or books on platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, or at a local yard sale.
- Take Paid Online Surveys and Participate in Focus Groups: Websites like Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, or Respondent pay you for sharing your opinion. Surveys are low-effort and can be done in your spare time, while focus groups often pay a higher hourly rate.
- Rent Out a Room or Your Car: If you have a spare room, you can rent it out for short-term stays on platforms like Airbnb. If you don't use your car often, you can rent it out through car-sharing services like Turo.
- Test Websites and Apps: Companies will pay you to test their websites and apps for usability, providing feedback on your experience. Services like UserTesting often offer a quick, one-time payment per test.
- Tutoring (Online or In-Person): If you are knowledgeable in a specific subject, language, or skill, you can tutor students online or locally. Sites like Wyzant or Chegg Tutors can help you find clients and set your rate.
- Complete Local Odd Jobs/Tasks: Use apps like TaskRabbit to find small gigs in your community, such as assembling furniture, light yard work, cleaning, or running errands for others.
The Bible does not contain a specific book on "business" or "entrepreneurship" as modern concepts, but it offers numerous principles regarding work, wealth, diligence, and ethical conduct that are highly relevant to both.
Here are the key biblical principles applied to business and entrepreneurship:
1. Work and Diligence are Commended
The Bible encourages hard work and warns against laziness. This principle is fundamental to a successful venture.
- Diligence brings reward: "Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth." (Proverbs 10:4).
Diligent hands: active, eager, willing to try anything…..
When I first got online and saw the possibilities I figure out something pretty quick. Not every youth pastor had my creative skill and writing lessons for youth. I was already a regular contributor/writer for YouthWorker Journal - So I would put together these really good power point lessons with great applications. Then I sold them online… and guess what - people bought them!
To pay my bills I have lots of skills and I will try anything.
I have taught guitar, drums, I am a personal trainer. But all these things fit within my calendar. I can’t take on another hourly, full time job - I am still and first a pastor. So Diligent hands seek what works best for each person.
Just today I hit up a woman who has a unique skill for other women- I can’t give to much away just yet. But she absolutely loved my idea and wants to come on board. We will typically work with about 25 women for one night a week and make a few thousand dollars. Diligence - try anything and if you fail - keep trying.
Monday Sep 29, 2025
Monday Sep 29, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
Mark 12:30, 31
30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
What if that neighbor is your spouse!
The Husband Store
A store that sells new husbands has opened in New York City , where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates:
You may visit this store ONLY ONCE! There are six floors and the value of the products increase as the shopper ascends the flights. The shopper may choose any item from a particular floor, or may choose to go up to the next floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building!
So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband. On the first floor the sign on the door reads:
Floor 1- These men Have Jobs
She is intrigued, but continues to the second floor, where the sign reads:
Floor 2- These men Have Jobs and Love Kids. 'That's nice,' she thinks, 'but I want more.'
So she continues upward. The third floor sign reads:
Floor 3- These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, and are Extremely Good Looking.
'Wow,' she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going
She goes to the fourth floor and the sign reads:
Floor 4- These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Good Looking and Help With Housework.
'Oh, mercy me!' she exclaims, 'I can hardly stand it!'
Still, she goes to the fifth floor and the sign reads:
Floor 5- These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Gorgeous, Help with Housework, and Have a Strong Romantic Streak.
She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor, where the sign reads:
Floor 6- You are visitor 31,456,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please. Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store.
PLEASE NOTE:
To avoid gender bias charges, the store's owner opened a New Wives store just across the street.
The first floor has wives that enjoy sex.
The second floor has wives that love sex and love to cook
The third the woman enjoy sex, love to cook and have money.
The store has 6 more floors all the way up to the ninth floor… But no one knows what’s on them because no man has gone past floor 3
Do you like a good mystery?
Ephesians 5:
31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.
- Marriage is called a “mystery” because it reflects Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:31–32).
Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
Mark 12:30, 31
30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Not words -
Not actions -
But heart, mind soul strength
Weird… and love your neighbor as yourself… but wouldn’t that be automatic?
So it is stated here as a qualifying statement. I.e. your neighbor will know how much you love God by how much you love them!
Neighbor means whomever you come in contact with!
What does John 13 say
35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
It would be a fair question to ask your neighbor - again whomever you are around during the day’s activities… how much they think you love God according to how much they feel you love them? THIS IS THE GRADE… THERE IS NO CURVE. YOU GET GRADED ON YOUR LOVE FOR GOD - NOT BY YOUR LOVE FOR GOD - BUT RATHER YOUR LOVE FOR OTHERS!
Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
Thursday Sep 18, 2025
Thursday Sep 18, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
Kill them, kill them all
John Wick: Winston... tell them... Tell them all... Whoever comes, whoever it is... I'll kill them. I'll kill them all.
Winston then smiles and says “of course you will”
In todays world we have to be willing to do something incredibly hard and that is kill… kill them with kindness.
The saying "kill them with kindness" means to respond to negativity, hostility, or criticism with overwhelming kindness, compassion, or generosity. The idea is to disarm or surprise someone who is being unkind or adversarial by treating them with unexpected warmth and understanding, potentially defusing conflict or changing their perspective. It’s a figurative way to suggest that kindness can be a powerful tool to overcome negativity, not that it literally "kills" anyone… but what it does kill -hopefully - is kill their response to continue to attack. Now it’s not easy to do, its not easy to put on replay a response of love, listening and caring. No matter how much they vomit hate, lies and vulgarity you still love them.
1. **Practice Active Listening**: Give the person your full attention without interrupting. Reflect back what they've said to show understanding, which can reduce defensiveness and open dialogue.
True Jesus would interrupt an idea, but never interrupt someone is mid conversation. You should’t either. We all know how frustrating it is when someone interrupts us- don’t be that guy.
2. **Stay Calm and Composed**: Maintain a neutral tone and body language. Your calmness can be contagious, helping to lower the emotional temperature of the situation.
This might be the most overlooked quality of Jesus. Now he did get mad, but only at the Religious leaders, not against the sinners.
3. **Use Empathy Statements**: Acknowledge their feelings with phrases like "I can see why that would upset you." This validates emotions without agreeing with the content, fostering connection.
This one thing alone is huge. The greatest negotiators the ones who close deals and talk people off the ledge - literally - first know how to listen. Jesus listened… quit forming a response during someone speaking, yelling or debating. Listen first then connect to how they feel not just what they say.
Jesus says in Matthew 25 “you have heard it said” seven times… what is he trying to do? He is connecting with what his listeners have heard and how they feel.
4. **Ask Open-Ended Questions**: Encourage them to elaborate with questions like "Can you tell me more about that?" This shifts focus from confrontation to exploration, potentially revealing underlying issues.
Make your questions direct that show you care. Not questions that try to stump that person. Questions that ask about their feelings and their past experiences.
5. **Find Common Ground**: Identify shared values or goals, such as "We both want what's best here." This builds rapport and redirects energy toward cooperation.
6. **Set Boundaries Politely**: Clearly state limits on unacceptable behavior, like "I want to discuss this, but let's avoid name-calling." This prevents escalation while keeping communication open.
7. **Take a Break if Needed**: Suggest pausing the conversation with "Let's step away for a moment to cool down." Time apart can allow emotions to subside and perspectives to shift.
8. **Focus on Facts Over Emotions**: Gently steer toward verifiable information to counter lies, saying "Based on what I know, here's the detail." Avoid accusations to prevent further defensiveness.
9. **Offer Solutions or Compromises**: Propose practical next steps, like "What if we try this approach?" This moves the situation from problem-focused to solution-oriented.
10. **Know When to Disengage**: If diffusion isn't possible, remove yourself gracefully with "I think we need more time on this." Prioritize safety and seek external help if the situation involves threats.
Wednesday Sep 17, 2025
Wednesday Sep 17, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
Kill them, kill them all
John Wick: Winston... tell them... Tell them all... Whoever comes, whoever it is... I'll kill them. I'll kill them all.
Winston then smiles and says “of course you will”
In todays world we have to be willing to do something incredibly hard and that is kill… kill them with kindness.
The saying "kill them with kindness" means to respond to negativity, hostility, or criticism with overwhelming kindness, compassion, or generosity. The idea is to disarm or surprise someone who is being unkind or adversarial by treating them with unexpected warmth and understanding, potentially defusing conflict or changing their perspective. It’s a figurative way to suggest that kindness can be a powerful tool to overcome negativity, not that it literally "kills" anyone… but what it does kill -hopefully - is kill their response to continue to attack. Now it’s not easy to do, its not easy to put on replay a response of love, listening and caring. No matter how much they vomit hate, lies and vulgarity you still love them.
1. **Practice Active Listening**: Give the person your full attention without interrupting. Reflect back what they've said to show understanding, which can reduce defensiveness and open dialogue.
True Jesus would interrupt an idea, but never interrupt someone is mid conversation. You should’t either. We all know how frustrating it is when someone interrupts us- don’t be that guy.
2. **Stay Calm and Composed**: Maintain a neutral tone and body language. Your calmness can be contagious, helping to lower the emotional temperature of the situation.
This might be the most overlooked quality of Jesus. Now he did get mad, but only at the Religious leaders, not against the sinners.
3. **Use Empathy Statements**: Acknowledge their feelings with phrases like "I can see why that would upset you." This validates emotions without agreeing with the content, fostering connection.
This one thing alone is huge. The greatest negotiators the ones who close deals and talk people off the ledge - literally - first know how to listen. Jesus listened… quit forming a response during someone speaking, yelling or debating. Listen first then connect to how they feel not just what they say.
Jesus says in Matthew 25 “you have heard it said” seven times… what is he trying to do? He is connecting with what his listeners have heard and how they feel.
4. **Ask Open-Ended Questions**: Encourage them to elaborate with questions like "Can you tell me more about that?" This shifts focus from confrontation to exploration, potentially revealing underlying issues.
Make your questions direct that show you care. Not questions that try to stump that person. Questions that ask about their feelings and their past experiences.
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
Ever get into a good fight. A good old fashion butt kicking, arse whooping fisticuffs. It isn’t necessarily an enemy just someone you are at odds with you both throw down. At the end of the fight even if you lost you can shake their hand and say well done my friend, I underestimated you. My last one was with my wife… just kidding, but thats where we are going today.
I love watching the UFC, I truly appreciate it when two men start banging and they both stop once and awhile tap gloves as if to say… heck of a fight, nice kick, nice hit… it shows respect. Why in todays world do we as Christians shy away from a good fight?
1 Tim. 6:12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.
Fight in the Greek
1. to struggle
2. (literally) to compete for a prize
3. (figuratively) to contend with an adversary
4. (genitive case) to endeavor to accomplish something
Fight in the Greek
1. (properly) beautiful
2. (chiefly, figuratively) good
3. (literally) valuable
4. (morally) virtuous worthy
{for appearance or use, and thus distinguished from G18, which is properly intrinsic}
The one thing this verse reminds us of is we are in a fight, so if we choose not to fight, we choose to lose. Its not a choice as a follower of Christ. You love Jesus, you fight the fight of faith.
We have confused peace with being a pacifist. It is true, Jesus is the prince of peace, but he is also King and as King he leads us into spiritual battle…and that spiritual battle is against other people. We can love them, but still fight them.
1 Timothy says we are fighting for eternal life… I don’t believe that is our eternal life but rather the eternal life of those who do not know Christ.
Having a "good fight" might seem like a contradiction, but it's a great way to think about how to handle conflict constructively. The goal isn't to win or dominate the other person, but rather to understand each other better and find a resolution that works for both of you.
Here's a breakdown of how to approach a conflict in a healthy and productive way:
Before the Fight
1. Pick the right time and place. Avoid bringing up a serious issue when one or both of you are tired, hungry, or stressed. Don't try to have a serious conversation in a public place or when you're in a hurry. Choose a private, quiet setting where you can talk without interruption.
2. State your intent. Start the conversation by explaining why you want to talk. This sets a collaborative tone. Try saying something like, "Hey, I've been feeling a little disconnected from you lately, and I'd like to talk about it. Is now a good time?"
During the Fight
1. Stay calm and focused. It's easy for emotions to take over, but try to keep your voice calm and your mind clear. Stick to the topic at hand. If the conversation starts to veer off into old arguments or other issues, gently guide it back. Avoid using aggressive or accusatory language, like "You always..." or "You never..."
2. Listen to understand, not just to respond. The most crucial part of a good fight is active listening. Put down your defenses and genuinely try to see the situation from the other person's perspective. Ask questions to clarify what they're saying and show that you're hearing them. You can use phrases like, "What I hear you saying is..." or "Can you tell me more about how that made you feel?"
3. Use "I" statements. Instead of pointing fingers, focus on your own feelings. For example, instead of saying, "You make me so angry when you leave your dirty dishes everywhere," try saying, "I feel frustrated when I see dirty dishes on the counter because it makes the kitchen feel messy." This shifts the focus from an accusation to an expression of your personal experience.
4. Take a break if needed. If the conversation gets too heated, it's perfectly okay to pause. Acknowledge the tension and suggest a break. Say something like, "I'm feeling really overwhelmed right now. Can we take a 15-minute break and come back to this?" This prevents things from escalating and gives both of you time to cool down.
After the Fight
1. Find common ground. Once you've both had a chance to speak and be heard, look for a solution together. This isn't about one person winning and the other losing. It's about finding a compromise that you can both agree on. It might be a small step, like agreeing to a trial run of a new behavior, or a bigger one, like seeking out couples counseling.
2. End with an apology and a hug. Even if you've done everything right, a fight can still be draining. A sincere apology for any hurt caused—even if it was unintentional—and a physical act of connection like a hug can help reconnect you and reinforce your bond.
3. Reflect and learn. After the conflict is over, take some time to think about what happened. What went well? What could you have done better? Learning from each fight will make the next one easier and more productive.
Think of a good fight as a team effort to solve a problem. It's an opportunity to strengthen your relationship, not weaken it.
Monday Sep 15, 2025
Monday Sep 15, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
"When the glory falls" versus "falling short of the glory"
It is important not to confuse the phrase with "falling short of the glory," which is a separate biblical concept from Romans 3:23. In that context, "falling short of the glory of God" refers to sin and the human failure to reflect God's perfect character. The saying "when the glory falls" is not about a personal failure but about a collective, supernatural experience of God's overwhelming presence
In Christian terminology, "when the glory falls" means the moment when the manifest presence of God becomes so powerful in a place or among a group of people that it is physically or spiritually tangible. It is often associated with intense worship, supernatural manifestations, and a profound sense of God's power and holiness.
Biblical roots
This phrase is inspired by multiple events in the Bible where God's presence was revealed in a powerful, undeniable way:
- The Tabernacle and Temple: In Exodus, after the Tabernacle was completed, the glory of the Lord appeared as a cloud and filled the tent, preventing Moses from entering. A similar event happened during the dedication of Solomon's Temple in 2 Chronicles, where God's glory was so overwhelming that the priests could not stand to minister.
- Pentecost: In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit "fell" on the disciples in the form of wind and fire, an event that empowered them and marked the birth of the Church.
- Isaiah's vision: The prophet Isaiah had a vision where the train of the Lord's robe filled the temple, and the sound of the seraphim praising God shook the building.
Meaning in modern Christianity
The phrase is used today, particularly within Charismatic and Pentecostal denominations, to describe a highly anticipated moment during a church service or revival.
- Deep spiritual encounter: It signifies a moment of intense spiritual experience where people feel a profound sense of awe and reverence for God.
- Tangible power: Believers describe the experience as the "weight" or "heaviness" of God's presence, an overwhelming spiritual force.
- Manifestations: During these moments, physical and emotional reactions can occur. Some people may fall to the ground in worship, a phenomenon referred to as being "slain in the Spirit." Others may cry out, shake, or feel waves of heat or energy.
- Supernatural occurrences: For many, the "glory falling" is associated with miracles and healings, where people are healed in their seats without physical touch, as the presence of God moves through the room.
- Divine heist or kidnapping - its a takeover: It represents a shift from a human-led service to one in which God is taking control. In these moments, planned sermons or prayers may actually stop the flow as worship takes over and the Holy Spirit moves in unexpected ways.
But here is the kicker, it almost always happens in context of believers meeting together in worship or in church (doesn’t have to be a church building, but it is the church that gets together)
My point… what if you went to church not hoping worship is good, the preacher is good, the sermon keeps your attention, you see sally and Bill… what if you go to church to be the church - to pray, worship and expect the glory to fall.
Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
Paul pulled the trigger.
Stephen and the apostle Paul are up in heaven and are rejoicing before God the Father together as fellow family members in Christ. But Paul pulled the trigger. Stephen was one of the first on fire converts to Christianity. He was a miracle worker, a preacher and an amazing man who knew God personally. He was making an impact. But Paul pulled the trigger. The Jewish nation needed a man like Stephen who boldly preached weaving the Old Testament into the life of Christ with great revelation and conviction… and Jews were converting daily… and yet Paul pulled the trigger. The Church scattered because of the great persecution at the hands of those who killed Stephen. His martyrdom sent shockwaves through the new believers, many were hurt, had questions, many did not understand and the church ran into all corners of the earth… all because Paul pulled the trigger. I cannot quote a verse but my guess is much like today many hated those who killed Stephen and much like those who have reveled in the death of Charlie Kirk… as cold and as heartless as it truly is and was… Many reveled in the death of Stephen… even Paul the man who pulled the trigger. Yes I know there was no real trigger, Stephen was stoned, but more true than fiction Saul who later became Paul was the one who led the campaign. He was the power behind the trigger and in a real sense he did in fact pull the trigger. Not only on Stephen but on many of the converts he persecuted, tortured and killed - and again I would assume many had to deal with hate towards those who were the tormenters and abusers and afflicters.
And what happened after the death, after the children scatter, after the pain… An unbelievable uprising happened, not in a nation- not at first any way, but an uprising in the heart of the man named Paul. In the heart of the man who pulled the trigger. God showed up… no he literally showed up and completely radicalized Paul. In one swift and sweeping and blinding light Paul came in contact with The God almighty. This man who was out to destroy a movement did not realize you could not destroy the son of Man- Jesus behind the movement. Paul became not just a force of supernatural power he became a wrecking ball the kingdom of darkness. He planted churches, he wrote letters, he traveled thousands of miles, he debated the best and the brightest minds and he fought for everyone to know Jesus. All this even after he pulled the trigger. I know we scream for justice in this world, and yes God is a God of justice… but his first concern for all mankind…even the shooters, is that they might know the power and forgiveness of who Christ is. That is might wreck them the same way it wrecked Paul. I pray for everyone involved from Charlies wife to his parents to friends and family and all the followers - but I also understand the power of redemption and so in that I also pray for the shooter. I pray God reaches into that dark black hole in his heart and In one swift and sweeping and blinding light reveals himself, The God almighty. I honestly think that is what Charlie would also want. That in all things it leads to glorifying God and helps reach those who do not know the love of Jesus Christ.
Lets pray
Lets pray for everyone involved
Lets love our enemies and pray
Lets believe God gets glorified and we pray
Yep… Paul pulled the trigger… but look what happened when people pray!