Most men were taught that strength means striving—pushing harder, moving faster, proving ourselves before someone questions our worth.

Boaz shows us a different way.

He is introduced in Scripture as “a man of standing,” not because of what he achieves, but because of who he is. His strength doesn’t create pressure; it creates safety. He notices, protects, and provides—without demanding anything in return.

In today’s episode of I Know a Guy, we explore what it looks like for a man to be at rest with his strength and how living from our identity as beloved sons frees us from striving, performing, and chasing validation.

If you’re a man who feels successful on the outside but restless or disconnected on the inside, this conversation may resonate deeply. And if you’re sensing an invitation to slow down and do deeper identity work, I offer 1:1 identity coaching for men who want to live and lead from who they truly are.

You can reach me at [email protected]

What if the Prayer of Jabez was never about getting more from God — but learning how to ask Him like a son?

In the middle of a long genealogy, Scripture pauses for one man and one prayer. Jabez asks boldly: for blessing, for expansion, for God’s presence, and for freedom from the pain that shaped his past. And God answers — without correction, hesitation, or warning.

In this episode of I Know a Guy, we explore how the Prayer of Jabez reveals the heart of a Father who isn’t threatened by our desire, annoyed by our asking, or distant from our growth. This isn’t a formula for success — it’s an invitation into beloved sonship.

Here’s what I’ve learned after walking with men for years:

Many of us live as servants in our relationship with God, even though we’ve been invited to live as sons. We believe God can bless us, but we’re not sure He delights in us. We want His presence, but we’re still driven by fear, performance, or unresolved pain.

That’s where identity coaching comes in.

1:1 identity coaching is a slow, intentional space where we help men:

Learn to hear the Father’s voice with confidence

Identify the beliefs that are quietly shaping their decisions

Break cycles of striving, shrinking, or self-protection

Live from beloved sonship instead of earning approval

This isn’t therapy.  It isn’t hype.  And it isn’t behavior modification.

It’s about learning how to ask God boldly — like Jabez — because you trust the heart of the Father.

If this message stirred something in you…

No pressure.  Just a conversation.

Sometimes the most courageous prayer isn’t asking God to fix something — it’s trusting Him enough to ask for more.

"I Am Your Beloved"  Written by Jonathan David Helser and Brandon Lake.  Performed by Jonathan and Melissa Helser.  ℗ & © 2022 Bethel Music. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

In this episode of I Know a Guy, Steve Cummings shares how Jamie Winship and Identity Exchange reshaped his understanding of identity, truth, and freedom.

Get a copy of Jamie Winship's book Steve mentioned on today's podcast called, "Living Fearless" 

More about Steve Cummings:

Experience: 42 years of mentoring and pastoral counseling with men’s groups in Southern California and now Georgia.

Education: Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary; certified by the Georgia Board of Examiners as a Pastoral Counselor; Certified Professional Coach; Identity Exchange Catalyst.

Are you struggling knowing your true identity?  I know a guy who can help.  Book some time with Steve and walk this journey with him.  Trained by Identity Exchange and Jamie Winship as an Identity Catalyst, Steve is equipped to help you discover your identity and live from it fearlessly.

Bringing Kingdom helps men rediscover who they are as beloved sons of God and live from that truth - one conversation, one connection, one community at a time.. Visit us at BringingKingdom.org and let's start a conversation.

 "I Am Your Beloved"  Written by Jonathan David Helser and Brandon Lake.  Performed by Jonathan and Melissa Helser.  ℗ & © 2022 Bethel Music. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

In this episode of I Know a Guy, Steve Cummings explores how Pete Scazzero’s work revealed the deep connection between emotional health and spiritual formation.

Get a copy of Pete Scazzero's book, "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: It's Impossible to Be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature," that Steve mentioned on today's podcast.

More about Steve Cummings:

Experience: 42 years of mentoring and pastoral counseling with men’s groups in Southern California and now Georgia.

Education: Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary; certified by the Georgia Board of Examiners as a Pastoral Counselor; Certified Professional Coach; Identity Exchange Catalyst.

Are you struggling knowing your true identity?  I know a guy who can help.  Book some time with Steve and walk this journey with him.  Trained by Identity Exchange and Jamie Winship as an Identity Catalyst, Steve is equipped to help you discover your identity and live from it fearlessly.

Bringing Kingdom helps men rediscover who they are as beloved sons of God and live from that truth - one conversation, one connection, one community at a time.. Visit us at BringingKingdom.org and let's start a conversation.

In this episode of I Know a Guy, Steve Cummings shares how Michael Thompson and The Heart of a Warrior awakened a deeper awareness of sonship, healing, and the importance of a man’s heart.

For a free copy of Michael Thompson's book, "Heart of a Warrior: Before You Can Become the Warrior You Must Become the Beloved Son" - send an email to Steve with your name and address: [email protected].

More about Steve Cummings:

Experience: 42 years of mentoring and pastoral counseling with men’s groups in Southern California and now Georgia.

Education: Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary; certified by the Georgia Board of Examiners as a Pastoral Counselor; Certified Professional Coach; Identity Exchange Catalyst.

Are you struggling knowing your true identity?  I know a guy who can help.  Book some time with Steve and walk this journey with him.  Trained by Identity Exchange and Jamie Winship as an Identity Catalyst, Steve is equipped to help you discover your identity and live from it fearlessly.

Bringing Kingdom helps men rediscover who they are as beloved sons of God and live from that truth - one conversation, one connection, one community at a time.. Visit us at BringingKingdom.org and let's start a conversation.

 "I Am Your Beloved"  Written by Jonathan David Helser and Brandon Lake.  Performed by Jonathan and Melissa Helser.  ℗ & © 2022 Bethel Music. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

In this episode of I Know a Guy, host Steve Cummings reflects on how John Eldredge and Wild at Heart reshaped his understanding of God—not as distant, but deeply personal.

If your faith has felt driven by duty more than delight, this conversation may open the door to experiencing God as a present and loving Father.

Resources by best-selling author John Eldridge mentioned on today's podcast:

1. "Fathered by God: Learning What Your Dad Could Never Teach You"

2. "Resilient: Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times"

3. "Experience Jesus Really: Finding Refuge, Strength, and Wonder Through Everyday Encounters with God."

4. One-Minute Pause App - a MUST have! Download it at the App Store or go to: https://wildatheart.org/pause

More about Steve Cummings:

Experience: 42 years of mentoring and pastoral counseling with men’s groups in Southern California and now Georgia.

Education: Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary; certified by the Georgia Board of Examiners as a Pastoral Counselor; Certified Professional Coach; Identity Exchange Catalyst.

Are you struggling knowing your true identity?  I know a guy who can help.  Book some time with Steve and walk this journey with him.  Trained by Identity Exchange and Jamie Winship as an Identity Catalyst, Steve is equipped to help you discover your identity and live from it fearlessly.

Bringing Kingdom helps men rediscover who they are as beloved sons of God and live from that truth - one conversation, one connection, one community at a time.. Visit us at BringingKingdom.org and let's start a conversation.

Men don’t grow spiritually by trying harder—they grow by being fathered.

Drawing from Scripture and personal experience, Steve explores why every man needs someone who’s gone before him—someone who helps move faith from the head to the heart and anchors identity in being a beloved son.

This episode launches a five-day series that just might change how you view mentorship, discipleship, and your walk with God.

More about Steve Cummings:

Experience: 42 years of mentoring and pastoral counseling with men’s groups in Southern California and now Georgia.

Education: Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary; certified by the Georgia Board of Examiners as a Pastoral Counselor; Certified Professional Coach; Identity Exchange Catalyst.

Are you struggling knowing your true identity?  I know a guy who can help.  Book some time with Steve and walk this journey with him.  Trained by Identity Exchange and Jamie Winship as an Identity Catalyst, Steve is equipped to help you discover your identity and live from it fearlessly.

Bringing Kingdom helps men rediscover who they are as beloved sons of God and live from that truth - one conversation, one connection, one community at a time.. Visit us at BringingKingdom.org and let's start a conversation.

 "I Am Your Beloved"  Written by Jonathan David Helser and Brandon Lake.  Performed by Jonathan and Melissa Helser.  ℗ & © 2022 Bethel Music. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

What do you boast about?

Most men would never say it out loud — but we all live from something that tells us who we are.

Wisdom.

Strength.

Success.

Being needed.

Being respected.

In Jeremiah 9, God confronts the false places we build identity and offers a better one:

Knowing Him.

Today on I Know a Guy, Steve Cummings challenges men where you’ve been boasting — and invites you back to the freedom of living as a beloved son, not a performer.

If your identity feels fragile, this conversation might change everything.

Did this hit home?  Ping Steve at: 714-742-9625 and start a conversation.

 "I Am Your Beloved"  Written by Jonathan David Helser and Brandon Lake.  Performed by Jonathan and Melissa Helser.  ℗ & © 2022 Bethel Music. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

What does a present-day Pharisee look like—and how do we avoid becoming one?

In this episode of I Know a Guy, host Steve Cummings explores how faith quietly shifts from relationship to performance, how identity gets built on rule-keeping instead of sonship, and why Jesus reserved His strongest words for religious people who refused inner transformation.

This isn’t about lowering biblical standards—it’s about trading religious striving for true freedom. If you’ve ever felt exhausted trying to “get it right,” this conversation might be exactly what you need.

Many men don’t need more information—they need identity clarity.

If today’s episode resonated, it may be because your faith has quietly shifted into performance mode. Identity coaching with Steve Cummings helps men move from striving to sonship—so obedience flows from love, not fear.

Learn more or begin a conversation at:

Book some time with Steve

More about Steve Cummings:

Experience: 42 years of mentoring and pastoral counseling with men’s groups in Southern California and now Georgia.

Education: Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary; certified by the Georgia Board of Examiners as a Pastoral Counselor; Certified Professional Coach; Identity Exchange Catalyst.

We don’t usually destroy relationships on purpose—we do it in reaction.

In this episode of I Know a Guy, host Steve Cummings introduces a powerful new framework for men who want to slow down, grow in awareness, and respond with wisdom instead of emotion.

More about Steve Cummings:

Experience: 42 years of mentoring and pastoral counseling with men’s groups in Southern California and now Georgia.

Education: Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary; certified by the Georgia Board of Examiners as a Pastoral Counselor; Member of AACC and GCCA; Certified Professional Coach; Identity Exchange Catalyst. 

Are you struggling knowing your true identity?  I know a guy who can help.  Book some time with Steve and walk this journey with him.  Trained by Identity Exchange and Jamie Winship as an Identity Catalyst, Steve is equipped to help you discover your identity and live from it fearlessly.

Bringing Kingdom helps men rediscover who they are as beloved sons of God and live from that truth - one conversation, one connection, one community at a time.. Visit us at BringingKingdom.org and let's start a conversation.

 "I Am Your Beloved"  Written by Jonathan David Helser and Brandon Lake.  Performed by Jonathan and Melissa Helser.  ℗ & © 2022 Bethel Music. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.