Humility and meekness. Especially fitting on this Maundy Thursday during holy week as we remember Jesus at the Last Supper with His disciples before the crucifixion. We remember the institution of the Lord’s Supper on this day, but also the perfect example of humility from King Jesus seen in this passage from John 13 below. God, becoming incarnate and putting on flesh, living amongst His creation, humbling Himself to the point of washing feet (of even Judas!) the night before He was to be brutally beaten and nailed to a cross, suffering the punishment WE deserved. Sobering thought. 1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him 12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant[c] is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I

Leaders serve, tyrants can only be served. Leaders have humility and a willingness to listen/collaborate/change if needed, tyrants do not.

If she’s truly repentant and seeking your forgiveness then you should forgive her – but, forgiveness doesn’t meant there aren’t consequences to people’s actions. You can truly forgive her and make peace, but that doesn't mean everything has to go back to the way that is was if you all don’t feel comfortable with the situation. I can forgive someone for stealing from me, but that doesn't mean I have to trust them, or allow them, around my valuable possessions in the future. And if you don’t feel like it’s sincere contrition on her part then I’d sit down face to face and have a conversation with her. My two cents

For me, it used to just be for athletics and aesthetics. While there is still an element of that for the reason I workout (I want to look like I'm in shape and I am active in sports still), it has shifted to being more so to being healthy and fit. I want to be healthy for my wife and kids sakes, when before it was 100% for selfish reasons. This added motivation drives my consistency. Physical fitness and discipline is important - the positives bleed over into many other areas of my life.

Hey Morgan – good questions. I don’t think a hunger for financial success should be a motivating factor in any Christian’s life – money should be viewed as a tool. After all, who are we letting define “success” in our lives? The world, or Christ? Our identity is rooted and found in Christ – not our job, possessions, children or the amount of money in our bank account. We’re called to be content when we have plenty and content when we’re in need (Phil 4:11-13), knowing that we have a faithful God who will provide our basic needs. When Jesus said “seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you” he was speaking about food and clothing (Matt. 6:33) [something we likely won't have to worry about in the US, thank God!] Practically speaking, how I personally view it knowing that we are called to do everything in the name of Jesus (as His representatives), giving thanks to God in all circumstances, and to glorify God in everything (Col 3:17, 1 Cor 10:31): 1. We glorify Him by working hard; if I have a task or responsibility (in my job or at home), I’m going to give my best effort and do the best possible job I can do. Whether it’s a menial task or a significant one. 2. We glorify Him by not compromising our Christian values and virtue in order to gain material wealth or status; obedience to Jesus first. Period. 3. We glorify Him by being faithful stewards of any gifts He’s bestowed to us. 4. We glorify Him when we, as His image bearers, display attributes that have value to God like honesty, integrity, dependable, faithfulness, patience, thoroughness. So whether or not the job we have is considered personally fulfilling or not, or we aren’t making the amount of money the world says we should be making, we are called to work hard as though we are working for the Lord, not for man (Col 3:23-24). I contend that if we display the attributes above, it will naturally lead to financial gain in the Western world – just be careful to not let that be your motivating reason.

@Morgan Sheets Agreed with both you and Alec - I apologize that I didn’t represent your initial question well with my 1st answer. My point is, while I agree that striving for achievement is not a bad thing in and of itself, you just don’t ever want to compromise by seeking achievement or success at the expense of Christ or family, which you just touched on in your example about working out. Also in strong agreement in holding other brothers accountable - iron sharpens iron 💪🏼