IN MY OWN LIFE:

CHASING:

WORDLY APPROVAL

MATERIAL POSSESSIONS

STATUS & NOTORIETY

FLESHLY DESIRES

STRIVING:

MAN OF INTEGRITY

GODLINESS

HONOR & SERVE GOD’S PEOPLE

TO ADVANCE THE KINGDOM

REFLECT JESUS

5-H GUIDE TO TRUE PURPOSE

HABITS

Let me study and stand for discipline, and all the ways of worship, out of love for Christ; and to show my thankfulness; to seek and know his will from love, to hold it in love, and daily to care for and keep this state of heart.

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” John 4:23

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,”. Hebrews 12:28

HEART

Thou hast led me to place all my nature and happiness in oneness with Christ, in having heart and mind centered only on him, in being like him in communicating good to others; This is my heaven on earth.

”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” Galatians 5:22

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

HUSTLE

Here, it is my duty to be as Christ in this world, to do what he would do, to live as he would live, to walk in love and meekness; then would he be known, then would I have peace in death.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:” 1 Peter 4:10

HOLY HUMILITY

May I be equally convinced of the guilt and pollution of sin, feel my need of a prince and saviour, implore of him repentance as well as forgiveness, love holiness, and be pure in heart, have the mind of Jesus, and tread in his steps.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.””

1 Peter 1:13-16

HUMANITY

Help me to guide my affections with discretion, to owe no man anything, to be able to give to him that needeth, to feel it my duty and pleasure to be merciful and forgiving, to show to the world the likeness of Jesus.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:2

Lord, use me as thou wilt, 

Do with me what thou wilt; 

Promote thy cause, let thy kingdom come,

Let thy blessed interest be advanced in this world!

O do thou bring in great numbers to Jesus! 

Let me see that glorious day, and give me to grasp for multitudes of souls; 

Let me be willing to die to that end; While I live let me labour for thee to the utmost of my strength, 

Spending time profitably in this work, both in health and in weakness. 

It is thy cause and kingdom I long for, not my own. 

WHAT PREVENTS RISK TAKING?

BARRIERS TO ENTRY

• FEAR OF FAILURE & LOSS
• FEAR OF UNKNOWN
• LACK VISION & TARGETED MISSION 

“Where there is no vision, the people perish; but happy is he who keeps the teaching.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭29‬:‭18‬ ‭

WHY PEOPLE LACK PASSION FOR PURSUIT?

• APATHY
• COMPLACENCY & LAZINESS
• DEFEATED & DEFLATED BY PAST

“The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭19‬ ‭

HONEST SELF-ASSESSMENT 

PURPOSE

• WHAT DEFINES YOU
• WHAT FULFILLS YOU
• WHAT DRIVES YOU

PERSPECTIVE 

• WHO’S MOST IMPORTANT 
• WHO’S MOST IMPACTED 
• WHO’S MOST EMPOWERED

PLAN

• HOW IS GOD HONORED
• HOW ARE PEOPLE SERVED
• HOW DOES IT EXPAND KINGDOM

STEPS TO PURPOSEFUL SOVEREIGNTY 

1. Don’t Just Wait—Take Action

2. Work Hard and Be Bold

3. Don’t Be Ashamed to Pursue What You Want

4. God Blesses Those Who Take Initiative

1. Don’t Just Wait—Take Action

    •    James 2:17 – “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

    •    Proverbs 14:23 – “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.”

    •    Ecclesiastes 11:4 – “He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.”

→ If you wait for the perfect conditions, you’ll never act.

2. Work Hard and Be Bold

    •    Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

    •    Proverbs 10:4 – “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”

    •    2 Thessalonians 3:10 – “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”

3. Don’t Be Ashamed to Pursue What You Want

    •    Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

    •    Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”

    •    2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

4. God Blesses Those Who Take Initiative

    •    Matthew 7:7-8 – “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”

    •    Deuteronomy 8:18 – “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”

Letter to the church at Laodicea:

“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭17‬

EXCERPTS FROM THE VALLEY OF VISION:

WAVE HIM OFF

May I never fall into the tempers and vanities, the sensuality and folly of the present world!  It is a place of inexpressible sorrow, a vast empty nothingness;  Time is a moment, a vapour, and all its enjoyments are empty bubbles, fleeting blasts of wind, from which nothing satisfactory can be derived; Give me grace always to keep in covenant with thee, and to reject as delusion a great name here or hereafter, together with all sinful pleasures or profits.

• “Ya I will get to it later”
• “Things are going well and I’m a self made man”
• “Jesus is fine for some people but not right now”
• “I’m a good person”
• “I’m gonna get mine”

WELCOME HIM

Most men seem to live for themselves, without much or any regard for thy glory, or for the good of others; They earnestly desire and eagerly pursue the riches, honours, pleasures of this life, as if they supposed that wealth, greatness, mer could make their immortal souls happy; But, alas, what false delusive dreams are these!

• “I’m open to the teachings in scripture”
• “I’m receptive to the ‘stories’ in the Bible”
• “I’m saved and going to heaven”
• “I go to church”
• “I own a bible”
• “I believe Jesus is God”
• “I give money to charity”

WORSHIP HIM

Lord of all being, There is one thing that deserves my greatest care, that calls forth my ardent desires, That is, that I may answer the great end for which I am made to glorify thee who hast given me being, and to do all the good I can for my fellow men; life is not worth having if it be not improved for this noble purpose.

• “I’m a sinner needing Jesus daily”
• “I’m nothing without Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit in me”
• “I’m sold out to living for Him by serving His Kingdom”
• “I’m a broken, repentant follower of Christ”
• “He is worthy of my honor, adoration, and worship”

Ed holds multiple degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in Church Ministries from Clearwater Christian College, Clearwater, Florida, a Master’s in Religious Education from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee, a Master’s in Divinity, and a Doctorate of Ministry in Pulpit Communication from Trinity Theological Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana. He is also the author of several books, aimed at equipping and challenging readers to look more like Jesus.

https://ednewton.com/

BACKGROUND BEST AND WORST PART OF CHILDHOOD PERCEPTION OF GOD AS TEENAGER? WHEN AND WHY FAITH OWNERSHIP? WHAT CAREER IF NOT MINISTRY? MOMENT YOU KNEW CALLED TO PASTOR CHURCH? BURDEN YOU CARRY FOR MEN TODAY? WHAT DO YOU WISH SOMEONE WOULDVE TOLD YOU ABOUT VOCATIONAL MINISTRY CAUTION TO YOUNG PASTORS?CULTURE CHURCH DOWNSTREAM FROM CULTURE : HOW TO SHIFT? TEACHING POLARIZING TOPICS FROM PULPIT MOST DIVISIVE ISSUE TODAY? PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF LITTLE C CHURCH?? IMPACT AND IMAGE LAST 5 YEARS IN AMERICA? MOST CONCERNS YOU MOST ENCOURAGED BYBUILDING LEADERS MEN: 1 COR 16:13 “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” WHAT DOES CBC DO TO ATTRACT AND BUILD MEN? DISCIPLESHIP | KEY TO TRAINING UP LEADERS 2 TIM 2:2 WHAT IS A BARRIER TO BOLDNESS IN LEADERSHIP? WHAT IS A RISK WORTH TAKING IN SPIRITUAL LIFE?BOOK: WHY NOT YOU?RELEASE NOV 2025 WHY NOW AND WHY YOU? WHAT WILL RESONATE MOST? PERSONAL WHERE THIS MOST APPLIED IN LIFE? WHY PEOPLE BELIEVE LIES ABOUT THEMSELVES MORE THAN GOD’S WORD ABOUT THEM?

DEALING WITH FEAR:

You’ve heard death is part of life.  

Fear is part of faith

NEVER TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED 

NOTHING IS EVER AS BAD AS IT SEEMS

ANALYSIS PARALYSIS 

HUNG UP ON HYPOTHETICALS 

3 LESSONS FOR LEANING IN:

MIGHT SURPRISE MYSELF

• “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭
• GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES 
  

GOD SHOWS UP AND SHOWS OFF

• ““Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,”Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭
• GOD DOING A NEW THING
• FAITH GROWS
  

COST OF DOING BUSINESS 

• FEAR IS EXPECTED AND ACCEPTED
• FRANKIE FEAR
• TRIALS INEVITABLE 
• “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,”.  James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭

Bill Simmons is President and CEO of American Leprosy Missions (soon to be Hope Rises International), part of his two-decade journey leading national and international organizations. Bill brings deep insight to the intersection of organizational leadership and spiritual formation, and is currently pursuing post-graduate studies in spiritual formation at Gordon Conwell Seminary. Bill holds a BA from the University of Tennessee. Bill and his wife Cindi live in Greenville, SC.BOOK The Way of Interruption: Spiritual Practice for Organizational Life WHY NOW AND WHAT’S THE GOAL? IF YOU WERE A CRITIC: WHAT COULD BE A MISCONCEPTION OF THE BOOK? WHAT MIGHT BE A COMMON CONCERN ABOUT THE PSALTER GUIDE? MAIN CONCEPT? FAIR ASSESSMENT? ORGANIZATIONS MAKE ROOM FOR GOD: INTENTIONAL STRUCTURED TIMES OF MARGIN THROUGHOUT THE DAY TO CORPORATELY INVITE GOD INTO THE SPACE. WHAT WOULD YOU ADD? WHAT VALUE HAVE YOU SEEN?3 PRACTICES FROM BOOK1. Pause: Remove distractions. Breathe—deeply, slowly, and silently (for 30 seconds to 3 minutes). While you pause and breathe, take every thought captive. While you pause and breathe, recollect yourself.2. Psalms: Turn to the Psalm selected for the day in this book’s included Psalter guide. Read the Psalm together as a prayer.3. Pray: If you feel led to pray in your own words, choose a word, image, or phrase from the day’s Psalm; build your prayer around it, letting it nest in your heart and spill out into your work. Ask God to shape your work and pray for that work that it might be a part of God’s Kingdom come.LITURGIES DEFINE EXPLAIN BENEFITS EXPLAIN APPLICATION CHALLENGES FOR IMPLEMENTING THIS MODEL IN AN ORGANIZATION? CATEGORICAL TARGETED PRAYER THAT DIRECTLY ALIGNS WITH A PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE LITERAL PLUG N PLAY OF BIBLE INTO REAL LIFE SCENARIOS WHAT DOES A WIN LOOK LIKE FOR THIS BOOK?

3 STEPS TO SETTLE YOUR SPIRIT

PURPOSE

• WHAT DEFINES YOU
• WHAT FULFILLS YOU
• WHAT DRIVES YOU

PERSPECTIVE 

• WHO’S MOST IMPORTANT 
• WHO’S MOST IMPACTED 
• WHO’S MOST EMPOWERED

PLAN

• HOW IS GOD HONORED
• HOW ARE PEOPLE SERVED
• HOW DOES IT EXPAND KINGDOM

Sawyer Products is a leader in outdoor solutions and gives away 90% of its annual profits. Over the last 10 years, Sawyer has impacted more than 28 million lives worldwide by providing clean water access WHAT IS THE KEY TO YOUR SUCCESSWHAT DIFFERENTIATES YOUR PRODUCTS BOOKSAWYER THINKWHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR COMPANY?EXPLAIN THE PREMISE OF THE BOOKWhat motivated you to write Sawyer Think?Who do you believe will benefit from the principles in Sawyer Think?WHAT DO PEOPLE NEED TO CONSIDER MOST WHEN establishing a company?DISCUSS Creative Destruction What are some historic examples of it and why should business ownersand marketers understand this concept and human behavior?What are the three pieces of advice you have for entrepreneurs when it comes to financing their businesses?Can you explain Math Trap and its impact on making good business decisions?You use a tool called the Decision Matrix. What is it and how has it impacted Sawyer’s business?Who should be included in a business’ Circle of Customers?How does thinking in terms of “service” and not “products ” lead to customer loyalty?How do you turn customers into partners?It’s been said that nearly half of all business fail. How can leaders protect their business for future growth?How did the Incremental Variable Cost principle result in the Sawyer Mini and lead to a major disruption in the market?How has future thinking helped Sawyer remain profitable and how can other leaders implement this concept?What started your passion for clean water access?What one piece of advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneursor business owners?

JESUS BIRTH, LIFE, DEATH & RESURRECTION 

GROWTH THRU RESISTANCE 

PURPOSE THRU PAIN

“This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies,because the Spirit is the truth.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬ ‭

“Indeed, Under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭9‬:‭22‬ ‭

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬ ‭

JOHN 3:16

THE WAY TO GOD

• RESCUED FROM HELL
• SEALED IN HEAVEN’S ETERNITY
• CONNECTION IN COMMUNION (Holy Spirit)

HOPE THRU PERSECUTION 

• TAKE HEART
• VICTORY = TESTIMONY + BLOOD OF THE LAMB
• MORE THAN CONQUERS

ARMOR FOR WAR

• ABUNDANT LIFE
• EPH 6
• 2 COR 10:3
  

REDEMPTION THRU SIN

• ESCAPE TEMPTATION 
• REPENTANCE = FORGIVENESS 

SUPER BOWL CHAMP WITH 2002 New England Patriots

DECADE IN MORTGAGE AND REAL ESTATE BUSINESS

RESULTS COACH

NEW BOOK

• GAME CHANGER
• WHY THIS BOOK?
• WHY NOW?
• MOST PROUD OF?
• WHAT ARE A COUPLE THINGS THAT CAN POSITIVELY IMPACT THE COURSE OF SOMEONE’s DIRECTION?
• WHO DID YOU HAVE IN MIND?
• WHAT ABOUT YOUR RESULTS COACHING FLIPS THE SWITCH FOR PEOPLE?

FATHERS AND SONS

• HOW MUCH OF YOUR RESULTS COACHING BLEEDS INTO PARENTING?
• WHAT WOULD YOUR SONS SAY ABOUT YOUR LEADERSHIP?
• RIGHTS OF PASSAGE
• WHAT CAN DADS DO TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF YOUNG MEN IN OUR NATION?