Marketplace Proverbs and Coffee with Ernie-A Proverb Per Day Keeps Stinking Thinking At Bay

When I was writing the script for this episode, I could not help but think about how my family, friends, colleagues, listeners, and readers would view me. What lens have I created that filters their view or vision of me? This way of thinking can become what is referred to as the trap of the looking-glass, or, as Zig Ziglar is famous for cautioning against, “stinking thinking.

Today I unpack my feelings about The Looking Glass.

“Have you ever felt like life knocked you down one time too many? A lost customer, a health scare, a broken relationship, or a stalled dream? Proverbs 24 reminds us that righteousness isn’t proven by never falling—it’s revealed by getting back up. Today, we’re talking about why Gospel-Centric Customer Success Masters rise again.”

What makes a father’s heart swell… to the point of tears? It’s not the awards. It’s not the paycheck. It’s not the applause. It’s watching his child choose the right path when no one else is watching. Today’s Proverb paints a powerful picture—“When a father observes his child living in godliness, he is ecstatic with joy—nothing makes him prouder! So may your father’s heart burst with joy and your mother’s soul be filled with gladness because of you.”—Proverbs 23:24-25 TPT

A parent overwhelmed with joy, not because of success…but because of character. And whether you’re a parent, a mentor, or someone investing in others in the marketplace, this one goes deeper than business. Because the greatest return on investment you’ll ever see… is a life you helped shape… walking in truth.

Cory Patton, executive director of Just Abide Daily Ministries, joins me today to share his experience as a son and a father.

I messed up. I will explain in the video.

You Don’t Need a Title to Lead—But You Need This

You’ve likely heard the phrase, 'Leadership is influence.' However, my experience has shown that not all influence is equal. Some individuals exert pressure or push, some rely on their position, but true influence comes from inspiring genuine followership.

Proverbs 22 reminds us of this kind of life. While force might produce quick results, it doesn’t create sustainable impact.

So, here’s the key question: Are you leading because people are compelled to follow, or because they genuinely trust you?

It’s true, we rarely pay attention to something that is broken. An abandoned building rarely attracts attention after we pass it daily. A neglected relationship seldom faces resistance. And, a business in decline is often ignored by competitors. But watch out, the moment rebuilding begins, everything changes. Suddenly, people notice, critics emerge, doubters appear, and competitors become alert. From my perspective, the greatest challenge often isn’t the opposition around us. It’s the discouragement within us.

“The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.”—Proverbs 21:5 HCSB

Remember when you turned down a deal that seemed good on the surface but didn’t feel right? Over the years, I’ve realized that customers might not always grasp your strategy, but they can sense your true motives. In today’s market, it’s common to say the right things with a hidden agenda. However, trust isn’t solely based on words—it’s rooted in your underlying intentions. This Proverb today reminds us that integrity isn’t just about actions; it’s about the reasons behind them.

Did you know that one of God’s prescriptions for a healthier life doesn’t come from the pharmacy? In today’s episode, we’ll discover why a cheerful heart is more than a good mood—it’s good medicine. Grab your coffee and join me as we explore the healing power of laughter from Proverbs 17:22.

Ron Price, Conflict Resolution Coach, Joins us to talk about the benefits of laughter.

Do you ask yourself, “What am I doing and why am I doing it?” Frankly, most of us ask ourselves these questions at times, especially when we’re constantly facing challenges, navigating uncharted territory (shifting culture), or feel the mountain in front of us is too steep to climb. Sometimes I ask myself a simple question: “Is this desire to write, speak, and coach something I created, or something God placed inside me?”

To be fully transparent, sometimes I wonder whether my dream and vision to write, coach, and speak are truly God-inspired or just something I want to believe. We will unpack this on today’s episode.

We used to have three Cocker Spaniels. If I mentioned the word “bone,” their ears immediately perked up, and their tails started wagging. They loved bones. Big bones. Little bones. Milk-Bones. Even bones they buried and forgot where they buried them. They were bone experts. But the bones Ezekiel saw weren’t dog bones. They were people's bones. Dry bones. Scattered bones. The kind of bones most people would look at and conclude: “That story is over.” Then God asked Ezekiel a remarkable question: “Son of man, can these bones live?”

“A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.”— Proverbs 14:30 NLT

Today’s episode was inspired by reading Marty Stubbfield’s Old Lazy Dog Blog, a daily newsletter. It’s free. Please consider subscribing.