You are in for a great time with us today. My subject is rarely discussed, yet it is critical to your life and leadership. 

I hope your first few days of 2026 have been purposeful, meaningful, and enjoyable. I have been so blessed and have enjoyed this time.  For the few or many like me, whichever it is, the game of football has been a thrill to watch. Both college and professional football are near crowning their champions. My wife, Jeana, loves watching games with me, so we have fun together. 

When these teams complete their final game, they will join those already sitting at home, busily working on next year, strategizing about what they need and how they can gain an edge over their competition when the new season begins this fall.  

One thing about sports like this is that there is a scoreboard. It does not lie. It gives us the result. That result is reality. One wins. One loses. Whether you are in sports, business, healthcare, or numerous other professions, the results usually reveal reality. 

Just remember, there is another reality, perhaps many, behind the scoreboards of your life. In life and leadership, we have to discipline ourselves and face reality. The real reality about who we are, where we are, what we are doing, how we are doing, and whether we are being as effective as God created us to be. Just as difficult as this is personally, it may be even more difficult in your workplace. In life, work, career, church, and the future, we have to peel back again and again to discover the real reality. This is why this podcast is about: DEFINING YOUR REALITY. 

As you enter 2026, there is one thing you know: Your life will be busy, and that busyness is an unavoidable reality. So how do you remain spiritually alive? It is a definite challenge, and on this podcast today, I am going to tell you how to be spiritually alive. 

Happy 2026! I am so excited today you are joining us on this 75th Podcast Episode. I do hope you had a meaningful Christmas season, and I am looking forward to the year ahead. We had our family here with us for some time and enjoyed it thoroughly. Jeana and I celebrated our 49th Wedding Anniversary on December 31. So we are praying and trusting God for the days ahead. 

As you enter 2026, there is one thing you know: Your life will be busy, and that busyness is an unavoidable reality. So, how do you live spiritually alive? It is a definite challenge, and on this podcast today, I am going to tell you how to be spiritually alive. We would do well to stop idolizing busyness 

I believe in the power of prayer. Prayer shapes my mindset, my attitude, and my will to conform to God’s Providential and Sovereign will for my life. I have discovered there is only one way to be spiritually alive in the busyness of your life. Are you ready to hear this? Listen closely...

This week’s podcast is helpful, but also challenging. On this final podcast episode I am releasing in 2025, I want to point your attention to the coming year, 2026. Before we get into this final episode, I am recording in 2025, I want to share a few quick updates with you:

 Merry Christmas from Jeana and me to you and your family. I hope these final days of 2025 are fantastic, and the celebration of Christmas will be special. For many of you who have lost a loved one in 2025, we are praying for you as you face this first Christmas without that loved one in your family being with you in person. May God’s grace and peace be with all of you. 

God has been so good to me in 2025, with the release of my newest book, entitled The Supernatural Power of Prayer and Fasting. I have conducted over 40 interviews or podcasts with various people since the release of this book. God is using it extensively. You can order it on Amazon to help you begin the new year with God in a way you've never experienced before.  I received a dynamic testimony just this past week from a pastor in Virginia about the impact this book has had on his life, including the salvation of one of his children. There is Supernatural Power when you Pray and Fast. Order a copy today. If you want to order by the case, contact us here and we can help you accomplish this. There are forty books in each case so those who are sharing it with Bible Study groups or churches, this may help you do it more effectively. 

God has opened up so many doors preaching God’s Word throughout the nation and even in Athens, Greece, this past August, at a large global missions conference with over 80 nations present. Hundreds were there, and it was powerful. God is at work in our country and world. 

I was born on November 11, 1955. Do the math. I just turned 70. On December 6, 2025, less than one month after my 70th birthday, I ran and completed the St. Jude Memphis Marathon. This was the first marathon that I ever ran. For those who might not know, a marathon is a long-distance running race measuring exactly 26.2 miles. Yes, you heard that right: 26.2 miles. 

To everyone involved with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital who cares for children with cancer and shows compassion to their families, thank you for everything you do—including your vision, preparation, and execution of this huge event for thousands of people. 

I never saw myself as competing against others in this marathon. If I were competing, it would be against myself and my personal desire: I want to run a marathon.  

When I was a high school athlete, I was a sprinter, not a long-distance runner. I never liked running long distances. But over forty years ago, I began running. Back then, three miles would have been my big goal. Even then, my goal was not speed, but endurance. Twenty years ago, I started running three to five miles a day, and periodically, I would run seven miles. Most likely, I have run 5 days a week for all these years. Then, over the past five years, beginning in the pandemic, I began lengthening these runs on many days. It was then that I started thinking: “One day, I may run a marathon.” 

In 2024, I began asking God to help me be healthy enough to run a marathon. In 2025, I started praying, “Lord, this year, help me to run a marathon.” Then, it became more specific and essential to me, and I began praying, “Lord, I want to run this marathon for Your honor as a testimony of Your power through me all the way through the finish line of 26.2 miles. Please Lord, do this miracle through me, and may people come to Jesus because of it. For Your Kingdom and to God’s glory, I pray that this miracle be done! I stand upon these words: “For nothing is impossible with God!” Luke 1:37

At this time of the year, you are around many people you know and some you may not know as well as others. Gatherings, parties, and events are important, and you will interact with people experiencing all kinds of situations in their lives. Some are facing many challenges, while others carry deep personal burdens for family or others in their lives. Additionally, you’ll be around people who are excelling in all areas of life and work, moving into the next year with clear vision and motivation. 

In Podcast #70, I talked to you about “4 Relational Values For Your Life, Family, Church, and Workplace.” These relational values are: LOVE, CARE, HONOR, AND WELCOME. 

In Podcast #71, I talked to you about “4 Actions That Make Every  Relationship Stronger.” These actions are: SERVE, ENCOURAGE, TEACH, AND FORGIVE. 

So now in this podcast episode #72, I want to talk to you about: “4 WAYS TO LIFT UP THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU.”

On today’s podcast, I am talking about “4 ACTIONS THAT MAKE EVERY RELATIONSHIP STRONGER.” Taking these valuable actions that I am going to share with you will strengthen every relationship in your life. 

Hello everyone, it is so great to have you join me today. Last week’s podcast was so helpful for all of us because we talked about “4 Relational Values For Your Life, Family, Church, and Workplace.”

Relational values move us to interact with people in the right way.  I highlighted the relational values of: LOVE, CARE, HONOR, AND WELCOME. 

On this week’s podcast, I am talking to you about “4 ACTIONS THAT MAKE EVERY RELATIONSHIP STRONGER.” Taking these valuable actions that I am going to share with you will strengthen every relationship in your life. Simultaneously, it will also strengthen your family, church, and workplace. Furthermore, the relational values I am about to highlight on this podcast are powerful and impactful in every way. Please share this podcast episode with other people. 

So, let’s get started! Today is about: “4 ACTIONS THAT MAKE EVERY RELATIONSHIP STRONGER.” 

What I am sharing with you now on this For Leaders Podcast Episode #70 is Leadership Gold! Not because of me, but because of the dynamic content that will benefit you personally, your family, your church, and your workplace. I am going to share with you today: 4 Relational Values for Your Life, Family, Church, and Workplace.  Introduction: Relational values matter. Relational values move us to interact with other people in the right way. As followers of Jesus, we should derive these values from Scripture and apply them in every area of our lives, including our personal lives, family life, church community, and workplace culture.

Providence determines what you do and where you are. I am discussing this on my podcast today. Please tell your friends. These words help you understand that what you do and where you are really matter, even on your worst day.

After Jesus issued his call to follow him, he knew some were still clinging to their success in the world. This should not surprise us because even when one has followed Jesus for years, stepping into the world and its measurement for success is still tempting. In your workplace, what matters most? In your vocation, how is success measured? Let the world measure it as they may; some measures of success are acceptable. 

When you get hurt in your life, it impacts every segment of your life. It is really difficult to compartmentalize your hurt and lessen the experience of it. We don’t talk about our hurt aloud many times, but it is real. 

Hurt people, hurt people. Each of us has been the target of someone else’s personal hurt. They want to get us back for something we have not even done. All because they are striking out at us.