Christian Strategies for a Sin-Sick World 

Natalie Allison Brown is an award-winning author and motivational speaker. She is the author of Fifty-Two Cups of Coffee, a weekly devotional for the modern believer seeking intimacy with God. Passionate about the Gospel, she uses storytelling as a means to encourage, challenge, and inspire others.

Over the last decade, Natalie has traveled around the world to various countries and continents, including South Africa, China, Israel, Australia, and Jamaica. With each opportunity, she has walked away with a greater desire to transcend barriers of cultural difference, race, and religion through her writing. It is through this international lens that she has been able to connect with a diverse audience of readers, crafting multifaceted stories of hope along the way

Haggai 1 & 2 and Isaiah 43

Let's do a poll. How many of you do a spring cleaning every year? What about the fall? Do you like gardening? What about remodeling your home? Would you like to renew your furnishings, appliances, windows? How much joy does it give you to spend money to modernize your home? Does it sometimes feel like a money pit or are you happy with the changes? When I first thought about my sermon for today, God led me to Isaiah 43. I'm doing something new, can't you see? But then he led me to Haggai. My question to God was what the connection is, and boy has our Sovereign Father revealed to me His character, His heart for His people and His purpose.

For context, Haggai was the first of the prophets sent to the Jews upon their return from captivity. He was sent to encourage the people to rebuild the temple and to rebuke their neglect, according to the Matthew Henry Commentary. People have been assured that the latter will be better than the former by the appearance of Christ in it. Why so much attention to the temple? Because the neglect was due to the resistance and discouragement recorded in Ezra 4.

 But this time the motivation was different.  Was it because they were discouraged to complete the plan God set out for them? How does one go from being very resourceful, thankful and grateful toward God to thinking in the deficit? I don’t have enough? I am not strong enough? I am not good enough? I can put off God’s plan now for a more convenient date……………. When God is telling you all the time, But I Am More Than Enough. 

In the book of Haggai, after being disrupted and discouraged, the people keep putting off rebuilding the temple…saying the time is not yet come that the Lord’s house should be rebuilt (although Cyrus had ordered it done 18 years before).  And he asks the questions…… 

Is it not time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house (of the Lord)lies in ruin? 

Haggai Chapers 1 and 2

 Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” 

God cautions us to think about our ways; our return on our investments….what has it profited us? 

I’ve invested much; but profited little 

I eat a lot; but hunger continues to linger 

I put on clothes, but is not warm enough 

I make money; but it’s burns in my pocket 

 In Chapter 2 of Haggai, the people continued with their weakened ways, and the Lord asked Haggai to speak to Zerubbabel and to Joshua the High Priest and to the remnant of the people saying: Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And HOW DO YOU SEE IT NOW? Leaders must keep the big vision and purpose in front of their people.  Satan loves us to compare and be discouraged. Such was the case as they were working hard and with the vision of the former, Solomon’s temple, they could see no comparison on how it could be better.   

What am I profiting without the blessing of God…absolutely nothing. 

God wants our hearts, our souls, our mind.  

He wants us to trust in Him. He wants us to lean on Him. He wants us to abide in Him. 

 Parents and loved ones, I ask you today, 

Is God reflected in your conversations? 

Do you teach your children about the goodness of God? 

Do you allow God to choose your spiritual friends? 

God is indeed doing a new thing! He asks if you perceive it?  

Lionel Sweeny has 15-plus years of combined experience in Systems Engineering, Program Management, Human Resources, Organizational Design, and Change Management in Government Electronics, Education, and Telecommunications industries. Responsibilities at HS Partners include Leadership Development, Organizational Design, and Change Management Support.

As an accomplished Human Resources leader with worldwide, broad-based management and generalist experience, Lionel’s expertise includes building alliances to drive system-wide change strategies and performance improvement resulting in value-added quality services to clients that impact the bottom line. Academic experience includes being Director of EdD in Computer Science for Judson University, Adjunct Instructor for Roosevelt University, University of North Texas, Eastfield College, and Organization Development consultant at DePaul University.

Peers consistently recognize Lionel as a practical problem solver with sound business acumen, decision-making, excellent leadership, and communication skills.

Academic degrees and certifications include a Ph.D. in Organizational Development from Benedictine University, a Master’s degree from the University of Texas with Certification in Organizational Design and Change Management, a Bachelor’s from the University of North Texas with concentrations in Electronic Design and Secondary Education Certification, Associate Degree in Electronic Design (drafting), and LaMarsh & Associates Managed Change Certification.

Dr. Gary L. Neal, Sr., Th.D. is the founder of Simply Redeemed Ministries, LLC, which provide formerly and currently incarcerated individuals with virtual and in-person life coaching in the areas of spirituality, leadership, and life skill components that will help create and provide them with a solid and sure foundation through Jesus Christ.

Dr. Neal, Sr. is the author of the book “Embracing Your New Beginnings” which consists of life lessons and inspiration to help individuals embrace their Christian life every day with new excitement and zeal. Through his book, Dr. Neal’s desire is to teach individuals about the world God created for us, how our faith is woven into each area of learning, and how to find purpose and meaning through God's Will for our lives each day.

​Dr. Neal Sr. is a retired police Sergeant from the City of Elgin, Illinois, Police Department, to which he proudly served 26 years. He is currently employed at the University of Florida – Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida as the Manager for Security Operations.

​In addition, Dr. Neal, Sr. is the Associate Pastor at New Beginning Christian Worship Center in Micanopy, Florida.

Dr. Neal, Sr., earned his doctorate in Theology at the Adullam Bible College in Jackson, Tennessee, and a master of Art in Organizational Leadership from Judson University in Elgin, Illinois.

Darvel Desroches, Esq.
President & CEO

Darvel Desroches is a corporate attorney and business executive with significant experience in mergers and acquisitions, banking,
and real estate brokerage and development.

Darvel began his career at LaSalle Bank Corporation, where he worked on the bank’s strategic acquisitions and divestitures
and private placements and counseled key executives on national bank and bank affiliates’ regulatory compliance.

He was instrumental in creating LaSalle’s New Markets Tax Credit Program, through which the bank augmented its existing Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program by investing capital and making loans to businesses and real estate development
projects located in low-income areas throughout the United States.
During his career, Darvel has closed over $70 million of business
and real estate development transactions.

Darvel is the President and Chief Executive Officer of 1804 Realty Group LLC, a real estate development and consulting
on revitalizing underserved communities through responsible and sustainable development.

He creates and implements the company’s strategic acquisition and development plans; secures investment capital and financing; and oversees project management, design, and permitting.

Darvel is a 2004 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law, where he was a member of the College’s Dean’s
List for the 2003 academic year. Magna cum laude graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Boston, he is a 2001 recipient
of the University’s Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Leadership and a four-year letterman and captain of the University’s Men’s Soccer Team.

In his spare time, Darvel enjoys spending time with his family, physical exercise, and reading.

About Amy:

Award-winning author, speaker, and model turned advocate, Amy started her podcast Support Someone Saturday to promote charities and ministries after her son was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder. Amy inspires women to pray and seek God in order to discover their true source of power and purpose in life. She loves to encourage women and families to serve together and to be advocates in their community as they share the love of God with a hurting world. 

Amy’s 40-Day Prayer Journal, Unstuck: Step Into the New was just released on September 22, 2021. She and her family have weathered through many challenges and hardships. Amy shares how they have pursued God through prayer, overcome family betrayal through forgiveness, and started over after the pandemic. She hopes to inspire you to get unstuck and fulfill your God-given destiny.  

Amy and her husband Eric have been married for over 20 years and have two children, Arianna (16) and Ashton (12). They live in the suburbs of Chicago and own and operate AV3 Productions. They produce virtual, hybrid and live events for companies, churches and charities in Chicago and around the U.S. Amy’s first book, Model Behavior: Make your Career Path Your Calling (Redemption Press, 2019) is a memoir of her modeling career from a faith-based perspective. She has been featured on Fox News, Faith in the Marketplace Radio and in Inc. 500 Magazine.

Darius Grandberry, CEO, CPA, MBA

Thank you, Darius for sharing your knowledge on entrepreneurship, wealth equity, black excellence, challenges in raising capital, crowd funding, professional opportunities, effective communication and the importance of giving back to the community.  

Darius is the founder and CEO of League Swype, a digital payment platform that serves as the trusted one-stop digital wallet where fantasy and e-sport betters can manage all of their payment activity. 

LeagueSwype is the first and only digital wallet that targets the near $8B fantasy sports market.  It is the brand made by fantasy players and trusted by fantasy players.  

Darius education attainments includes a BS in Accounting from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a MBA from Northwestern University - Kellog School of Management.  

The G-Law Group

University at Albany – State University of New York, University of Miami School of Law.

Co-hosting this interview with me is Michael J Love, JD.

Simeon Genadiev’s Background

The Bulgarian scholar graduated with honors from the University of Miami School of Law; Mr. Genadiev went straight to work fighting for the people. At the Miami-Dade Consumer Protection Division, he helped fight consumer fraud, economic crimes, and unfair business practices. After serving the great citizens of Miami-Dade County, Mr. Genadiev went into private practice. He has spent his career in private practice working assiduously on getting compensation for his injured clients and communicating clearly with them every step of the way.

Through his experience litigating cases from the early stages to final resolution at trial, Mr. Genadiev has gained the tools necessary to get you the results you deserve. His involvement in national and state-wide class actions, such as the case against FPL for its failure to restore power to Floridians after Hurricane Irma and his 1.4 million dollar settlement case against Kia Motors and Hyundai, has shaped Mr. Genadiev’s legal career.

Kevin D. Johnson, MIT Lecturer

B.S. Computer Science (NASA Scholar) - Morehouse College

President & CEO of Johnson Media, Inc. – A multimillion media corporation

Author of Best Seller – The Entrepreneurial Mind

MIT Sloan School of Management – MBA, Business Administration

Harvard Business School – cross-registrant via MIT Sloan School of Management

Harvard Business Review Case Study: Kevin D. Johnson: To Be a Venture Capitalist or an Operator

Kevin D. Johnson, president of Johnson Media Inc. and a serial entrepreneur, has several years of experience leading his marketing and communications company that serves many Fortune 100 businesses. Johnson Media Inc. has worked with brands such as Porsche, Chase, Coca-Cola, Brooks Brothers, Microsoft, and more. As an innovative leader, Kevin has appeared on CNN, ABC’s Good Morning America, CBS, Oprah Radio, and in Forbes, The New York Times, Fast Company, and The Wall Street Journal. He is the author of the bestselling book, The Entrepreneur Mind: 100 Essential Beliefs, Characteristics, and Habits of Elite Entrepreneurs, which continues to reach number one on Amazon in various categories since its 2013 launch (https://amzn.to/3E5aAwA).

 Recently, Johnson Media Inc. received a 2019 Communicator Award and a 2018 Davey Award for its work for BMW. In 2017 it received an AMY Award for its work for Porsche. In 2015, the firm received two Telly Awards and a Davey Award for its work with financial institutions, including Wells Fargo and Bank of America. Collectively, the awards were chosen from over 20,000 entries, honoring the finest work from agencies around the world.

Over its two-decade history, Johnson Media Inc. has also started and spun off a few companies and brands, including Omni Publisher and Site Manager Pro, a web-based content management system and a user interface tool.

In 2015, Kevin was invited to the White House for a special event regarding entrepreneurship with President Obama and dignitaries such as Mark Cuban, Steve Case, and Brian Chesky. The White House assembled entrepreneurs from around the world to recognize them and to create innovative solutions to world challenges.

Kevin often speaks at conferences and universities around the world, covering topics ranging from entrepreneurship to marketing to self-publishing. He recently was a visiting lecturer at Universidad Anáhuac in Yucatan, Mexico, and was declared “Man of the Year” in 2017 by the Atlanta Tribune. He lives in Alpharetta, GA where he served as a commissioner. Kevin attended Morehouse College and studied computer science as a NASA scholar and Spanish, graduating with honors. He is an alumnus of MIT's Sloan School of Management where he serves as a lecturer.

Friday Night Chats celebrates a future leader in the Music Industry

"Kennedy Avery Smith"

Keyboardist, Producer, Songwriter, Arranger

Kennedy Avery Smith's Bio

Kennedy Avery is a 22-year-old keyboardist, producer, songwriter, singer, and arranger from Chicago, Illinois. She has been playing piano since the age of nine and is primarily self-taught. Now based in Atlanta and currently attending Clark Atlanta University as both a Piano and Composition major under the direction of Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist Phil Davis, she has a sound reminiscent of 90’s and 2000s R&B with heavy jazz influences combined with the edge of modern alternative R&B. With smooth basslines, lush vocal harmonies, and complex layering, she draws inspiration from artists like Alicia Keys, Marvin Gaye and Janet Jackson. Kennedy has also arranged multiple classical pieces for chamber groups and other ensembles. In January 2021 Kennedy released her debut EP, “First Take”-- an independent, five-song project that showcases her ability to produce, write and perform every aspect of her music from top to bottom. Prior to this release, she has also been a featured vocalist, producer, and keyboardist on multiple collaborative projects with other Atlanta-based artists, including the jazz-fusion band Anonymous. She now plays and sings at countless venues in the Atlanta area, and was most notably seen presenting the Inspiration Impact award to Grammy Award-Winning gospel singer Tasha Cobbs Leonard at the 2022 TV One Urban One Honors Awards.

FNC with Kennedy Avery Smith