FriDudes - Getting Real. Pursuing Truth.

If you dig that opening hook, that is Marcus Rogers, 'Best Life'.  Support and buy his music.

Non-Profits featured in this episode that help the homeless...

https://ochn.org/

https://www.overflowshowers.org/

When you live on this broken planet long enough, you will get teed up to help/serve and share with someone.  In other words, somebody is going to ask you for something.    It could be someone you know or a stranger.  I'm flashing back to the guy with a young Indian family (to be clear, immigrants from India)  in the middle of Nebraska.  You can hear that episode here.  He drove up to me with two young kids in the back and a wife that was on the verge of tears.  He claimed that he lost his wallet.  Old me would have probably ignored him.  He doesn't have back up cards?  No digital cards on his phone?  Perfectly understandable human questions and doubts...

• Yes!  You are in.  Confession, procrastination is an area of struggle for me.  It is.  My biggest holes dug have been via procrastination and pride.  Here you go...
• If you dig that opening hook that is Marcus Rogers, Best Life.  Please buy his music.
• Word!  Pastor Ricky Jenkins is that Play of the Day.  Southwest Church, Indian Wells, Ca.  That came from YouTube and you can find it at the link below (in the episode description) or simply search "What Would Jesus Say to the Procrastinator", March 24, 2025.
• https://youtu.be/MI2gNwBp_qk?si=ojDCx6ZvSyhq51x8
• If that resonates, I highly recommend you listen to the rest of it.  
• Well, one thing I learned is that I'm not alone.  You all procrastinate somewhere.  Yes, some do better than others.  Yet take a look in the mirror  (health, marriage, a strained family relationship, Faith, obeying God?).  Think about it.  You have a weak spot somewhere.  Otherwise, you would be perfect and don't need Jesus Christ.  Yet, I know you do via Rom 3:23 and your flawed nature.
• Now, I bet you are really good and proactive at some things.  For example, health comes super easy to me.  I exercise just about every day.  I eat healthy almost every day.  I fast often.  I can control my food and liquid intake.  How about you?  So you are procrastinating somewhere.
• Where do I stumble?  Finances.  I've been clear on that over this podcact.  Accounting for me is like eating spinach for some of you.  
• So I'm taking Pastor Ricky's advice.  I'm starting with a little bit or step each day.  So far, this week, I've done it.  I've already done more about my procrastination then I have in a long time.  By taking little, baby steps.
• Where do you need to improve?  What have you been delaying?  Who do you need to talk to?  Write it down.  Challenge yourself a little bit 6 out of 7 days per week.
• James 4:17 - Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.  New Living Translation
• Man that verse cuts.  I don't share it as a guilt check as much as a reality check.  We all have room for improvement.  Also, be free in knowing we all have room for improvement.  And then honor your Abba and say ok, here is where I'm going to start at better.  Please God, here is my area, guide me.
• Lastly, whatever you are trying to do, do it with love.  Love God, Love Others.  Matt 22: 36-40.  Everything else you are trying to do...even overcoming procrastination hangs on doing those two commandments first, loving God.  Loving Others.  Doing what you know you should be doing is loving God.  

• If you dig that opening hook, that is Marcus Rogers, "Best Life", please buy his music.  
• Yes!  You are in!  We are getting Real and Pursuing Truth.  Going through some tough times?  Welcome to the club.  An agnostic makes the play of the day, yeah you heard that right, atheists and agnostics have made the plays of the days.  Personally, I love it when secular points to Truth and the bigger picture.  Here you go...
• Right on!  As much as we may not like resistance, it can serve a purpose.  
• That Play of the Day came from the Adam Carolla podcast.  Not his first play on this platform.  Like I said, I have no problem using secular when it points to Truth and the bigger picture.  The guest is Joel Lambert, former Navy Seal.  
• Oh side note, this an independent podcast.  When it comes to politics and the bigger picture, one of the best pieces of advice came from one pastor Named Kenton Beshore of Mariners Church in Orange County, CA.  He said if a church chooses a side (in this case Democrats and Republicans) you put a wall to the other side.  
• John 16:33
  New International Version
  33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
• Avid listener, you know I've brought this up many times.  The Greatest in the Bible went through the hardest times.  Do you want to be the greatest?  Maybe not.  If you want to be part of the greatest, you are going to understand this.  
• Let's go to science for a bit.  How do you get stronger?  Physically?  Mentally?  How do you run a marathon or get a PHD?  A lot of resistance.  
• I am convinced the anxiety and depression that plagues this nation has a lot to do with avoiding resistance.  Wanting or getting things handed to us.  
• Ferverent prayers, you know that you don't get everything you pray/ask.  Well, you do, just not the way you expect.  Yes, I know the verse of what you ask you get.  I believe God is much more concerned about your and my character than comfort.
• Side note, I'm still being refined, especially economically.  Hasn't come easy.  I'm not a super wealthy man, monetarily.  Maybe that's to keep me humble.  So I owe and off to work I go.
• How about you?  Are you striving for more comfort or strength?  Hey, I don't blame you for going for comfort.  I've done the same.  Yet the wise want stronger.  Stronger in the Word.  Stronger in the Lord.  Stronger in the mind and heart.  So be reaffirmed your suffering/resistance has purpose.  Jesus was whipped, tortured and nailed to a cross...and it wasn't for nothing...and you benefit from it...if you choose.  
• Romans 8:28
  New International Version
  28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.  
• John 3:16 NIV:  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
• Side note, some of you are enduring or have endured some really hard things.  To be clear, I'm not trying to minimize them.  I'm not excusing that person or people that hurt you.  I am going to encourage you to handle it like Jesus Christ.  Hint: what did he say to those people in the peak of his pain on the cross?  
• Victim or Victor.  Your choice.  
• Lastly, put your hurts to use and help others.  Who better to help someone with cancer than one that knows that battle?  Where have you suffered the most?  There you go.  That is the key to have your heart overflow.  
• Now, go Love

Yes you are in!  Did you get attacked this week?  Welcome to the club.  For we are guilty of both.  Why?  You know we are in the Hope and Encouragement business.  Part of Hope is learning and understanding flaws yours and mine.  Here is your Play of the Day...

Thank you Pastor Rick Warren for another mic drop.  We don't have an official count yet I believe you are our mic drop leader.  Lots of wisdom in Daily Hope.  What a teacher.  God has blessed you for an extended season of wisdom.

Opening hook, Best Life by Marcus Rogers.

Okay, how about you?  Does that make sense?  Avid listener you know I play the Rom 3:23 card pretty much every week.  Why?  Because we are ALL flawed.  Ok, some more than others yet that verse explains a LOT!  

Most of us attract people with our best behavior.  Then, over time, our flaws get exposed.  Flaws = friction.  

The best relationships you know don't avoid friction.  They just navigate friction very well.  Whether you believe in Jesus Christ or not, your relationships will not last without implementing his teachings.  Matt 7: 24-27 is one of my favorites.  Jesus' words...

What are Jesus' teachings, fruits of the Spirit:  Grace, Forgiveness, Serving one another, Love, Choosing to Love.

Blessed are the peacemakers.  Doesn't mean you are supposed to be besties with everyone.  Some people you are best to keep your distance.  As for those that you took an oath in marriage in front of God or your children or best friends, you will navigate friction well by following Jesus' teachings.  Lori and I have been married for 30+ years now.  Jesus is the reason and why we have navigated some very hard times/storms.  Share what works.  

Confession, My worst holes dug and I have dug some biggies have come when leaning on my own understanding and pride.  

Tough Love is part of love.  Jesus gave tough love. If you listen to the rest of that Daily Hope, "What Destroys Relationships and What Builds Them Up, Part 3", published on 7 March 2025, Pastor Rick gets into it.  As the saying goes, friends tell you what you want to hear.  True friends will lovingly tell you what you need to hear.  Confession, I have lost friends over this.  Not everyone wants to hear what they should hear.  For the record, I will welcome them back with open arms.  I will also keep telling them what they need to hear.  Their choice to stick around.  

How do you know if you are sharing great advice?  Crucial question.  Let the Owner's Manual for Life be your guide.  Then let those that know the Owner's Manual for Life best also be your quality control.  

James 5:19-20 says, "My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins

Proverbs 12:1
New International Version
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
    but whoever hates correction is stupid.

Matthew 18:15-17
New International Version
Dealing With Sin in the Church
15 “If your brother or sister[a] sins,[b] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[c] 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

When in doubt, Matt 22: 36-40

Yes, more wisdom coming your way.  James from Compton is back!  3rd episode.  I love this brother from another mother.  His voice has power.  He is tuned into the Ultimate Power Source.  He shares what didn't work in life and what did.  You get to benefit from it.  Share it.  Here you go...

If you dig that opening hook, that is Marcus Roger and 'Best Life', subscribe and buy his music.

If you dig and would like more James from Compton.  Back up and listen to his extended episodes on 9/29/2023 and 6/28/24 (with his lovely wife Cathy).

• Yes!  You are in!  I'd say you are in for a treat.  This is way bigger than a snack treat.  This is some serious wisdom.  Meet Gary Paxton.  Former CEO of Dollar Rent A Car.  Made a ton of money yet something was missing.  He chooses to address the TuesDudesPM, a bunch of 25 year old men seeking wisdom with this them, "What Advice Would Gary Give His 25 Year Old Self?"  Confession, Gary gets real and raw.  The recording is a little choppy too as we deal with bandwidth issues.  Yet, you'll get the overall message.  Thank you Gary!  Thank you Young Bucks for choosing to tune in.  
• Oh, if you dig that opening hook, that is Marcus Rogers, Best Life, give him some love.  Buy/subscribe his music, here you go...

There are times in life where you will get Whoa moments.  So stunning and amazing that you are gifted to witness and share it.  I had one of those this week.  Stunning!  Since this is a podcast, I'm going to ask you to go to FriDudes.com and check out the video on the blog.  Or if you trust me, let me describe it for you.

• I'm driving my way to MonDudesPM in La Quinta, CA and I see a luminescent cloud stream in the air about the mountain.  Kind of like Northern Lights yet very distinct.  So compelling, I had to pull over and get out of my car to get a closer look.  As I veer to my left, I see what looks like a spaceship flying through the sky.  Okay, before some of you get too excited, it wasn't an alien.  It was SpaceX and their Falcon 9 over the SoCal sky.  So cool!  The video doesn't do it justice yet at least will give you an idea.  
• So how do I steer this to Deeper?  Oh yeah, you know I'm going to go there and encourage you.  Just like those brilliant engineers behind that rocket, you are gifted and called for an even greater mission.  Greater than that?!  Greater than that.  
• Think of those engineers behind the rocket.  Literal rocket scientists.  They are gifted.  Gifted with big brains for science and math.  What about you?  You may not be a rocket scientist yet I guarantee you are gifted...in something.  How do I know that?  
• Psalm 139:13-14
  New International Version
  13 For you created my inmost being;
      you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
  14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
      your works are wonderful,
      I know that full well.
• You are not here by accident.  You are here for a reason.  It is your job to tune in and know why.  Perhaps why you are listening to this right now.  By the plans to do good and to love, if you are not doing that well, then you know you are on the wrong path or not.  As for good and plans to prosper you, check this out...
• Bonus, if you dig that opening hook, check out Marcus Rogers!  Subscribe by his music.  That song is called 'Best Life'!

• Yes, you are in!  If you dig that opening hook, that is Marcus Rogers, Best Life.  Please subscribe/stream$ that music.  I bought his albums and love them.  Very strong!  Especially if you like high energy/pump up music.
• How often do you write things down?  How about your goals?  New Year's Resolutions dead?  What actually works?  Here you go...
• This is a lot of work.  You are right.  Do or drift.  95% of all American do not have any written goals.  Only 5% and they also happen to be the highest earners.  
• Is the next 10 years of your life worth a few hours of reflecting, planning and reviewing?  
• Thank you Pastor Rick. You can learn more from that Play of they Day at Daily Hope, that episode is entitled, "Your Choice - Blessed or Stressed - Part 2", published on the 21st. of January 2025.
• If you were motivated by that, will you let us know.  Simply hit us up at the Contact Us page at FriDudes.com.  We have a program called GCrossSurf and we would love to tell you more about it.  Living your Best Life starts by writing it down.  
• As for money, versed ones, you know that money isn't everything.  This goes way beyond money.  This goes to did you live your Best Life while on this broken planet.  Some of you are already getting played by the enemy and thinking you made too many mistakes.  Are you still breathing?  Then you can start rallying.  It's not about how you start.  It is about how you finish.  Finish strong.  
• 2 Tim 4 Verses 6-8
• 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
• But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken (Matthew 12:36). So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on one another (Romans 14:12)
• Are you in the 5%?  Start praying and writing it down.  Ask God boldly, why am I here?  What do you want me to do today?  In the next 10 years?  If looking for more inspiration, check out Pastor Rick's book 'Purpose Driven Life'.  Next contact us at FriDudes.com and we'll introduce you to the GCrossSurf, Best Life Planning Book.
• Now go, love God, love Others, that should absolutely be at the top of your plan.  Check Matt 22:36-40.  Everything else you are trying to do correctly hangs on doing those two first.  I love you.  Go...

• Normally I say Yes, you are in.  Definitely thanks for choosing to listen in.  Extra thanks when you give us input at FriDudes.com. We hear you.  More group and interviews on the way.  As for today and the subject of fires, I call Southern California home.  Yet even if you live in Alaska this will apply to you.  A reflection on fires, you all have them in life either figuratively or literally.  Here you go...
• Shout out to Marcus Rogers on that opener.  I bought and listening to his albums.  Some of my fave new music.  Please do the same if you dig that opening hook.  Give thanks for what is worthy.  Phil 4: 6-8, good segue as we talk fires.
• What fires do you have in your life?  Relationships stressed?  Finances?  Addiction?  You do have fires.  How do I know this?  Rom 3:23.
• Granted some worse than others.  On January 7, 2025, the LA fires have been a huge wake up call and some serious humble pie for some of the most proud and rich.  Instantly makes me think of an Insta post by my wife of a LA celebrity.  This celeb is known for her brashness.  I'm not going to name her.  For she has been humbled.  She asked that others avoid shallow posts based on beauty, etc.  
• Ironic part, didn't ask to pause those during the hurricanes in FL or pick your disaster of the day on this broken planet.  Truth, there are disasters and tragedy everyday for somebody on this broken planet.  For most, you only get proper perspective when it happens to you.  Think Job or any other MVP in the Bible.  That book is a tough read.  
• Whatever gets your mind gets you.  Rick Warren
• So many verses and so many directions we could go with this.  What gets your mind?  Which fire, good or bad?  Your wealth or desired wealth?  Your health?  Your home?  A relationship?  A drug?  Phil 4: 6-8
• Lastly, back to the MVP's, bad things do happen to good/great people.  A news bite I recently watched was of a man who lost his home in the Eaton Fire (Atladena), next to him was his neighbors house that looked untouched and now called 'Touched by God".  The reporter asked him why God didn't save his house.  His reply, "I guess God doesn't care about me.".  
• I do get that initial reaction.  I'm sure some of you do too.  Yet, it is a lie he is believing.  Versed ones.  You know what Jer 29:11 says.  You know what happened to Job and Moses and Elijah and Jacob and David and Daniel, jump ahead the disciples and Paul and most important God's own son.  Did God not care about seeing his son who was tortured and nailed to a cross?  Terrible things happen to the best.  Yet versed ones, you know Rom 8:28.  This podcast alone is full of stories of Hope and redemption out of awful.  
• Back to the LA fires, if you want to help.  Lots of options.  We have chosen to support Convoy of Hope.  As for further ideas hit us up and/or stay tuned.  
• Learn from these fires.  Palisades started with a spark.  And apparently a lack of preparation (water!) and resources.  Ironically, I can relate to that when my finances caught on fire.  I'm still working on that fire.  That's how big it was.  It's another reason I'm so passionate about Greg's GCrossSurf ministry, life planning with the Lord and infusing accountabilty in our lives.  Something I see sorely lacking in most small groups.  

• Yes!  You are in!  How are you doing with your New Year's resolutions?  1&Done?  More likel NoneDone  Per Greg, most people fail their resolutions by January 14th!  So you are not alone.  What works?  Lasting change?  Here you go...
• Yes, thank you again Marcus and the ThursDudes for that priceless nugget.  Listener, you are trying to do all these things yet do you have the Ultimate Power Source involved?  Do you know the verse Pro 19:21?
• Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails". 
• Pro 16:9 says, We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
• Pro 16:3 says, Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.
• Doesn't mean you don't plan and go for it.  It does mean you best check your goals with God.  And also don't be surprised when your plans change.  Can you imagine how much better our anxiety levels would be if we could make peace with that.  Confession, I'm still working on this.
• Versed listeners, your goal for life is clear, to become more Christ like each day.  Can you imagine this world if we all did that?  No more wars, no more killing, no more terrorist strikes, no more mass shootings, etc.  
• Ok, odds are that you don't commit horrific acts.  Yet being more Christ like is loving God with all your heart, soul and mind.  This includes daily in the Word, praying, fasting and of course loving others.  Check Matt 22: 36-40.  Confession, I have room for improvement.  So do you.  How do I know that?  Check Rom 3:23.  If you think your poop doesn't stink, that is a serious problem right there.
• For those inspired, I am reading Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer right now.  Next you need a small/accountability group.  To learn more about Marcus, Greg, the Dudes, Alpha, Rooted, GCrossSurf, hit us up at the contact page at FriDudes.com
• Now go, Love God, ask him what you should be doing this year, read the Bible to get your answers, all of it, not just an isolated portion to justify something (that's where people go rogue and justify evil in their minds).  Next love others, that includes the ones not so lovable.  I love you, go...