Impactus podcast

Our guest is Jonathan Lewis, a Financial Security Advisor in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the president of Eastport Financial Group Inc. He authored two books, Deep Water (2018) and More Than Money (2021). His More than Money podcast speaks to the stewardship of all our assets, from our time and talent to our agency, purpose, and responsibility. He is the dedicated husband to Sara Lewis and the father of two beautiful daughters. From his home in Nova Scotia, Canada, Jonathan's vibrant drive to further his faith, family, community, philanthropy, and entrepreneurialism has been constant throughout his life.

If we are the steward of something, that presupposes that we are not the owner of it.

In Matthew 25, we read a parable from Jesus about a man going on a journey. He called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. When he returns, he asks them to give an account of what they did with what they had been given.

The one who stewarded well was praised and given more. The one is acted out of fear and did not act rejected by the master.

Ultimately, we are only responsible for what we do with what we have been given. Regardless of how much you make or what you do for a living, we have all been given much.

In 2 Corinthians 9, we are told that "God loves a cheerful giver." A cheerful giver is a person whose heart and hope are not attached to what they are giving but instead sees everything they have as a gift from God for our stewardship.

We are constantly bombarded with stuff. We all recognize we have too much stuff and feel pressured to get more things. It is like gluttony on steroids in our society today.

Right now! It has nothing to do with what God has given you, how little or how much. Stewardship recognizes that God has given you skills, abilities, relationships, talents, and money.

He expects you to be a good steward of whatever you have right now.

First, realize that there are two of you. If you want to go fast, go alone. To finish the marathon, you must learn to run at the same speed together.

Second, consume good biblical resources together. Read, listen and share with each other.

Third, assess the areas of your life you are responsible for stewarding, including your money, time, and health.

Train yourself now with all that God has entrusted you with. This way, as you are entrusted with more, you will have developed the disciple of stewardship in your life.

Make a list of everything God has entrusted you with. Is there anything on your list you can steward better to the glory of God?

Items for Show Notes:

• Book: More Than Money: One man's journey to giving beyond the tithe: https://amzn.to/3RLpJdk
• Jonathan's Foundation: https://www.jdwlfoundation.org/
• Generous Giving - https://generousgiving.org
• MoneyWise Radio with Rob West https://www.moneywise.org/show
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jlewisdeepwater

• Previous podcast Jonathan did with us: Overcoming the Hole Left by Fatherlessness: https://www.impactus.org/podcast/facing-fatherlessness-for-men-with-jonathan-lewis/

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In this episode, we wade into the topic of masculinity. What is masculinity? How are real men supposed to act, and who are they supposed to be? We know toxic masculinity exists, and none of us wants to fall into that category, but millions of men lack a real vision for their lives, so they are left open to all kinds of influences. Because of this confusion, our world is hurting.

Listen for a fresh perspective on godly manhood from Brant Hansen. You may find your heart and life changed!

As culture seems to deconstruct masculinity, the question left unanswered is, what does it mean to be a man? What, if anything, is uniquely masculine? God's nature is both masculine and feminine, so masculine must refer to something.

We must find that beautiful, positive thing called masculinity.

We have been given a role to play, just as Adam in the garden was given a role to play. We are still care-takers of the garden. We use whatever we have---skills, talents, temperaments---as we tend our garden.

The keeper of the garden protects it. The keeper of the garden is a cultivator and builder of people.

Emotions can be helpful, but they can also be misleading. Taking responsibility for your spiritual life doesn't mean becoming more emotional; it's about becoming more loyal. God is looking for our loyalty.

We are all sinners, but we keep showing up. We fall, but we get back up.

Men may find anger helpful, believing it helps them get things done. However, anger creates a dangerous environment where the people around us can't feel safe and grow. If we are called to tend to our garden, we must not be a threat to our garden. Anger makes us exactly that.

Anger clouds your judgment. We should be reasonable, taking appropriate action against injustice, driven by love and compassion to do the right thing.

The world needs better men, and the world needs men who step into the hard work of "tending the garden."

• The Men We Need: God's Purpose for the Manly Man, the Avid Indoorsman, or Any Man Willing to Show Up.
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/branthansen
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/branthansenpage/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/branthansen
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branthansen/
• Podcast: Brant & Sherri Oddcast: https://www.christianfm.com/the-brant-hansen-show/

Have you ever wondered why you do some of the things you do? Why do you react a certain way, why do you get triggered or irritated so easily, or why do you sometimes lose it only to regret it later?

The apostle Paul asked similar questions in Romans 7:15 "I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate."

In this episode, Steve Carter shares the importance of abiding in Christ. One of the pieces that we often miss in scripture is the presence of God. When we break down the scriptures, we realize that God is everywhere, that He is present right now, and if He is here, He is up to something.

As men, we often have the mentality, "I have to do this for this person," "I have to provide for my family," "I have to do this for my community…for my church". The invitation from Christ is more than just to do something.

The invitation from Christ is first to come and follow Him, to be with Him and see how He does it.

With all the pressures and hurries in our world, it is no wonder many find it difficult to abide in God's presence, sit, rest and learn. However, when we take time and experience His presence, we will find our peace and joy in Christ.

We cannot microwave spiritual formation. It takes time to grow, to heal, to mend, to discover your passions, your prejudices, your fears and hopes, your strengths and weaknesses, just like a good bottle of wine. ~ Steve Carter

Spiritual formation is a process that takes time and requires we enter into the presence of God daily. We will see wholeness in our lives if we commit to abide in Christ.

Everyone that goes to the gym knows this is true. Muscle growth and development take time and consistency. In the same way, our spiritual growth requires the consistent presence of God.

When we react to something or someone, we are often reenacting something from our past. Our reaction points to a place in our hearts where we need healing and wholeness only found as we abide in Christ.

God wants us to be spiritually whole and healthy so that we can become better men, husbands, friends, and leaders.

Today, be willing to get to the thing beneath the thing. Talk to a friend, see a counsellor, and take a step forward.

Remember when Jesus said:

"I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 NRSV

- Craft & Character Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/craft-character/id1514214001

- https://www.SteveRyanCarter.com

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Website: https://impactus.org/ Check Our Resources for Men: https://impactus.org/resources/

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Where do we find our worth, identity, and value? What defines you? Your Title? Position? Degrees? Wealth? Success? Family? Our toys or technology? Or is there something deeper, more significant that can form us into the men we were created to be?

In this episode, Dean is joined by Daniel Im, the Lead Pastor of Beulah Alliance Church. His latest book is You Are What You Do: And Six Other Lies about Work, Life, and Love. He is also the author of No Silver Bullets and co-author of Planting Missional Churches. He co-hosts the IMbetween Podcast with his wife, Christina.

In recent years, the gig economy has grown rapidly, especially through the pandemic. This is because the gig economy promises a life of freedom and flexibility. You can control what you do and when you do it. In contrast to most 'day jobs', you are in control, you can achieve the freedom and flexibility you desire.

There are seven lies we tend to believe as we attempt to define ourselves, and they all come back to our core desire for more freedom and flexibility. This is nothing new. These lies can be traced all the way back to the garden when the serpent tempted Adam and Eve to be their own god and find freedom on their own.

Those seven lies are:

1. You are what you do.
2. You are what you experience.
3. You are what you own.
4. You are who you know.
5. You are what you know.
6. You are who you raise.
7. You are your past.

All these lies promise a life of freedom and flexibility when the truth is that freedom and flexibility are only found through Jesus. Through the one who gave up His freedom so that we could experience freedom through eternal life.

The invitation to step into the freedom that only Jesus Christ can provide is open to everyone today.

If you need that freedom today, take a step towards Jesus.

Listen to the full episode as Daniel and Dean expose these lies and help us understand how we can truly experience the ultimate freedom. Let us not live a lie; let us live in the truth of whom we were created to be! It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. In Him, we can find that freedom and purpose for each one of us.

• Daniel's books:
  • You Are What You Do
  • No Silver Bullets
  • Planting Missional Churches

• IMbetween Podcast

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Are you looking for a mentor? Are you interested in mentoring someone? What is mentorship? On today's episode, Jordan and Andrew discuss all things mentorship, including the importance of mentoring and how it has shaped them into the men they have become.

Mentorship is more than just influence. It's more than teaching someone something. There is an element of transferring information, however, mentorship is more than that. It is about life change.

What we are really talking about here is discipleship. As Christians, this means giving a part of yourself to someone else in a Christ-centered way that leads that person to be more like Jesus. It is allowing someone else to observe and see how you do your Christian life.

There is a huge need among young men who desire mentorship but have not gotten connected with an older mature man in the faith. Where are the men willing to help shape the next generation?

• Learn how to ask good questions
• Have a plan and don't be afraid to revisit it as needed
• Be honest with yourself and have reasonable expectations
• Do something together, live life together

• Respect the mentor's time
• Have a specific goal for mentorship
• Take the initiative and approach potential mentors
• Find different mentors for different things

It doesn't have to be complicated. If you desire to have a mentor, take a step in faith, pray and ask the Lord to bring someone into your life to receive mentorship from.

Have courage and start a conversation with the person you want to be mentored by.

Older men, make yourself available. Your experience and time are valuable to the younger men in your life.

On this episode we're joined with by Shaila Visser from Alpha Canada to discuss evangelism and the great commission. Shaila is extremely passionate about evangelism and the church. Her heart is to see the church engage in a deeper way in the great commission.

As we continue to navigate a period where our entire world has been turned upside down, Alpha Canada's research, in partnership with the Flourishing Congregations Institute at Ambrose University, offers an important pulse check on Canadian Christian leaders. Some of these important findings included:

• Only 48% of Church leaders believe that evangelism is central to their church's approach to discipleship.
• Most who come to the Christian faith do so as children, teens, or young adults, though 46-48% of those who work with youth, children, or families in congregations/parishes agreed or strongly agreed that it is wrong to share Christian beliefs with someone of a different (non)religion in hopes that they will one day identify as Christian.
• On the positive side, the more of a priority a congregation reportedly gives to evangelization, the more likely respondents and their congregations are to adopt beliefs or practices that are more evangelistic in scope.

The Gap in the Christian Worldview

Based on this research there are clearly some gaps in the Christian worldview when it comes to evangelism. Canadian Christians are looking toward their leaders for guidance. People's perception that they are in control of their lives has been shaken, and many are potentially more open to spiritual conversations.

As more people are asking significant questions on life and purpose, it's important that we're there to meet our neighbors where they are.

"Evangelism is joining a conversation the Holy Spirit is already having with another person." – Darrell Johnson

When we share our faith, we are not working alone. The Holy Spirit was there before our conversation, during it and stays behind when we leave. That is why prayer and evangelism are so interconnected.

"After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves." Luke 10:1-3

What Can You Do?

Shaila has a practical three step process every Christian can do starting today:

1. When you wake up everyday, pray "Holy Spirit use me today and let me join you in what you are doing".
2. Get to know your neighbors, by asking questions. Your neighbors might be on your street, co-workers, parents at your kid's activities.
3. When you find points of pain, step out in faith and ask if you can pray for them now.

You don't have to have all the answers. In fact, it might be best to not attempt to answer all their questions. As you meet your neighbor where they're at, allow the Holy Spirit to continue the work in their lives.

Fathers, do you find it is easy to get overwhelmed with the chaos of parenting? I'm talking about bathwater on the floor, fights between siblings and when they won't eat what you just spent an hour cooking. Not to mention managing the 3 different schedules of extracurricular activities. It can be a lot.

Oftentimes, family devotions or intentional discipleship can get lost in the noise.

In this episode Jordan talks with Justin Whitmel Earley, author of Habits of the Household about creating gospel-centered rhythms that will help transform the hearts of your kids, as well as the dynamic of your home.

They talk about how to make the most of your already-existing habits, as well as how to create new ones. They discuss how to discipline your children in a way that leads to reconciliation, giving bedtime blessings, and how God shapes our hearts as we seek to shape the hearts of our own children.

Did you know that 1 in 7 Christians worldwide face persecution? The word "persecution" has become more common in segments of the Western Christian church, especially through the difficult months of the pandemic. Health restrictions became equated with religious persecution.

From a global perspective, what is persecution?

What is really happening in the specific parts of the world to those who proclaim faith in Jesus?

As guys, how can we make a difference?

In this episode Dean speaks with Rev. Gary Stagg and Rev. Andrew Croft from Open Doors Canada, an organization that serves persecuted Christians in the world's most restrictive countries.

Website: https://impactus.org/

Check Our Resources for Men: https://impactus.org/resources/

Many Christian parents endure the emotional and spiritual pain of loving a prodigal child. Daily they suffer, often alone in their silence, watching from afar as their child makes poor choices. Unfortunately, the trauma and grief of the parents of prodigals are rarely addressed in the church setting, leaving so many moms and dads to wander alone.

On today's podcast, Dr. Doug Weiss shares about his upcoming book the Prodigal Parent Process and the real biblical solutions that are available to parents who have to navigate these difficult circumstances.

• Book: Prodigal Parent Process

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The great need of every human being is to be reconciled. In Matthew 5:23- 24, Jesus said, "if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."

Remaining embittered by past conflicts affects our personal relationships as well as strains our relationship with God. In this episode, we chatted with P. Brian Noble, the Executive Director of Peacemaker Ministries. He kindly shared his own experience on how he reconciled with his father after his parent's divorce, and the importance establish reconciliation in our relationships—independent of how the other person responds.

"I like to ask myself, 'How long do I really want a conflict to steal my joy? Do I truly want reconciliation?'", says Brian. "If I do, then I have to decipher how that reconciliation is possible. Reconciliation is possible only because of the gospel, and Jesus tells us to pick up our cross daily and follow him."

Mending broken relationships takes courage. But Jesus has given us all that we need to be a reconciler. Rejoice in God's promises, have the shalom of God today. "Rejoice in the Lord always" Philippians 4:4

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• Book: Living Reconciled: 7 Ways to Bring Peace to Your Most Difficult Relationships
• Peacemaker Ministry: peacemakerministries.org

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