The David Alliance

By Garth HeckmanReligion & Spirituality

The David Alliance episodes

February 23 Its not supposed to be easy.
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
[email protected]

A lot of pastors recently have told me they are burning out, they are looking for different churches, bigger churches… one of the reasons is because they are tired of people coming to church… they give them everything they can on Sundays and through church… and then people leave. But now thats what the pastor is doing… he is walking out on his members…
Look here is the bottom line…
Being a Christ follower is not supposed to be easy. Its not easy, and its not supposed to be easy. Do you know here in the USA we whine about everything… here is a quick cure to that… go plant a church in China, in North Korea, in Sudan, in Nigeria… Maybe just one of our own inner cities in the US. Learn just how easy you have it.
People tell me all the time… Im leaving my job its to hard, Im leaving this relationship its to hard, Im leaving this group, Im leaving this church, Im leaving this family, Im leaving this sport…

Its supposed to be hard - God put you there as the change agent!

Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV):
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

This passage describes the way of life in Christ as **narrow** and difficult (or "hard-pressed" in some translations), in contrast to the easy, broad road many choose.

Matthew 16:24(also paralleled in Mark 8:34 and Luke 9:23):
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

"Taking up your cross" refers to embracing suffering, self-denial, and even potential death—hardly an easy commitment. Jesus repeats this call to daily cross-bearing.

Luke 14:27
“And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”

In the larger context of Luke 14:25-33 (the cost of discipleship), Jesus emphasizes counting the cost and that true discipleship requires giving up everything, making it a demanding, all-in commitment.

2 Timothy 3:12
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

Paul straightforwardly states that pursuing godliness in Christ guarantees opposition and hardship.

These verses highlight that while Jesus offers rest for the soul (e.g., Matthew 11:28-30, where His yoke is "easy" and burden "light" in the sense of grace and purpose rather than legalism), the Christian life often involves trials, sacrifice, and swimming against the current of the world. The path isn't promised to be comfortable or popular, but it's the one that leads to true life.

If you're reflecting on this personally or preparing a message/sermon, these passages together paint a clear picture that authentic Christianity demands cost and effort—yet it's worth it for the eternal hope it brings. Let me know if you'd like more context or related verses!
8 min
February 23 Smoke, Vinegar and YOU!
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
[email protected]

Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy one to those who send him.”** – Proverbs 10:26 (NASB)

When Laziness Becomes a Liability***

Most of us have experienced irritation that lingers:
– Smoke burning your eyes
– Sour vinegar shocking your teeth

Solomon compares laziness to these two deeply uncomfortable sensations. This is not mild annoyance. This is painful frustration.

God is showing us that laziness doesn’t just hurt the lazy person — **it hurts everyone connected to them.
The lazy Dad hurts his wife, his kids, his boss and his own psyche…

Laziness is not a personal weakness — it is a communal burden.

1. The Cultural Meaning of Vinegar and Smoke**

Vinegar to the Teeth

In the ancient world, vinegar was cheap, acidic wine. If you expected refreshing grape juice and received sour vinegar instead, your mouth would recoil.

It shocks.
It irritates.
It disappoints.

Smoke to the Eyes

Smoke was a daily irritation in ancient homes. Cooking fires filled small houses, burning eyes, blurring vision, causing tears and coughing.

Smoke disorients.
Smoke blinds.
Smoke frustrates.

together, these metaphors paint a picture:

Laziness creates irritation, disappointment, confusion, and emotional strain.

2. The Problem Isn’t Slowness — It’s Unfaithfulness**

The proverb says:

“So is the lazy one **to those who send him.”

This isn’t about personal motivation.
This is about assignment, responsibility, and trust.

The lazy person:

* Was sent with a purpose
* Was trusted with a task
* Was expected to deliver

But instead:

* They delay
* They deflect
* They disappoint
They act drained… but its only those around them that are truly drained due to their behavior.

Biblical Insight:

Laziness is not neutral.
It is unfaithfulness with delegated authority. - ITS DOING NOTHING AT ALL THE WHILE GIVEN THE POWER AND THE PRIVILEGE TO DO IT.

Jesus echoed this principle in **Matthew 25 (Parable of the Talents)** — the servant who buried his responsibility was not rebuked for inability, but for slothfulness and fear.
8 min
February 19The Condescending Club
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
[email protected]

Proverbs 3: 31
Don’t envy violent people
    or copy their ways.
32
Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord,
    but he offers his friendship to the godly.
33
The Lord curses the house of the wicked,
    but he blesses the home of the upright.
34
The Lord mocks the mockers
    but is gracious to the humble.[c]

Proverbs 3:31–34 serves as the "sharp turn" at the end of a chapter famous for its beautiful imagery of wisdom as a "tree of life." While the earlier verses focus on the internal benefits of wisdom—peace, long life, and favor—these final verses pivot to how we should view others, specifically those who seem to get ahead through ruthlessness.

The Biblical Context
Chapter 3 is a fatherly discourse intended to guide a young person through the complexities of social and spiritual life. At this point in the text, the author is contrasting two very different lifestyles: the covenant-keeper (the righteous) and the covenant-breaker (the wicked/scoffer).
Verse 31: The Trap of Envy
"Do not envy a violent man and do not choose any of his ways."
The Background: In the ancient world (much like today), it was easy to look at the "strongman"—the person who used force, intimidation, or exploitation—and admire their results. They often gained wealth and power quickly.
The Wisdom: Wisdom warns that "success" built on violence or oppression is a mirage. To "choose his ways" is to adopt a mindset that people are tools to be used rather than neighbors to be loved.
Verse 32: The Divine Reaction
"For the devious man is an abomination to the Lord, but He is intimate with the upright."
The Contrast: The word "devious" refers to someone who is crooked or slippery in their dealings.
The Reward: The "upright" receive something far more valuable than the spoils of violence: intimacy with God. The Hebrew word used here for "intimacy" (sôd) refers to a confidential, friendly conversation or a secret counsel. While the wicked get "stuff," the righteous get "God’s ear."
Verse 33: The Home and the Heart
"The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the dwelling of the righteous."
The Scope: This verse suggests that the consequences of our character leak into our environment. A "house" in the biblical sense isn't just the architecture; it's the lineage, the family, and the legacy.
The Reality: The wicked may have a mansion, but it carries a "curse" (instability and spiritual decay), while even a humble "dwelling" of the righteous is a place of divine favor.
Verse 34: The Law of Reciprocity
"Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor."
The Principle: This is one of the most famous verses in the Old Testament, later quoted by both James (4:6) and Peter (1 Peter 5:5).
The Mechanics: God mirrors the attitude of the heart. If you are a "scorner" (someone who thinks they are above the rules and looks down on others), you will eventually find yourself looking up at a God who opposes you. Conversely, "favor" (grace) is a gift that flows to the lowest point—the humble.

Summary Table
Verse
The Human Action
The Divine Response
31
Envy/Violence
(Warning) Avoid these paths
32
Deviousness vs. Uprightness
Abomination vs. Intimacy
33
Wickedness vs. Righteousness
Curse vs. Blessing
34
Scorn vs. Humility
Scorn vs. Favor/Grace

Modern Application
The "background" of these verses is essentially a reality check. They remind us that character is more than just personal morality; it is a social and spiritual trajectory. We are encouraged not to be "gaslit" by the visible success of the ruthless, but to value the quiet, steady blessing of walking in integrity.
Would you like me to look into the original Hebrew meanings of any specific words in these verses to give you a deeper look?
8 min
February 17Love yourself... go ahead!
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
[email protected]

That viral video features a young girl named Jessica, and it is widely known as "Jessica's Daily Affirmations."
In the video, which was originally recorded in 2001 but became a massive internet sensation years later, Jessica stands on her bathroom counter in front of the mirror. She energetically pumps her arms and shouts positive phrases to herself, including:
"I can do anything good!"
"My whole house is great!"
"I like my pajamas!"
"I like my hair!"
"I am great!"

Proverbs 19:8 To acquire wisdom is to love yourself;
people who cherish understanding will prosper.

The Core Meaning
At its simplest level, this verse is about enlightened self-interest. It suggests that seeking knowledge isn't just a dry, academic exercise or a moral obligation—it is the highest form of self-care.
1. "Loving Your Own Soul"
In the ancient Hebrew context, the "soul" (nephesh) refers to the whole person—your life, your being, and your vitality. The verse implies that if you neglect your mind and character, you are essentially being unkind to yourself. By acquiring wisdom, you are equipping yourself to navigate life’s traps, which is the ultimate act of self-love.
2. "Keeping" Understanding
There is a distinction here between getting wisdom and keeping it.
Getting: The initial act of learning or seeking advice.
Keeping: The discipline of applying that knowledge consistently. The promise is that those who hold onto their discernment don’t just "have" information; they "find good"—meaning they experience practical success, peace, and favor.

The Context of Proverbs 19
To understand this verse fully, it helps to look at the surrounding themes in Chapter 19:
Integrity vs. Wealth: The chapter opens by saying it’s better to be poor and honest than a rich fool. Verse 8 reinforces this by showing that true "wealth" is found in the mind and spirit.
The Consequences of Folly: Much of the chapter warns against laziness, false witnessing, and hotheadedness. Verse 8 stands as the "positive alternative"—the way to avoid the disasters mentioned in the rest of the chapter.
Relationship with God: In the Book of Proverbs, wisdom is never purely secular. It begins with "the fear of the Lord." Therefore, "getting wisdom" implies aligning your life with divine order.

To get the "3D" version of this verse, look at these two specific Hebrew words:
Qoneh-leb (Getting Heart): The literal Hebrew says "The one who acquires heart." This implies that wisdom isn't just something you're born with; it’s something you purchase or acquire through effort, discipline, and sometimes painful experience.
Shomer (Keeping/Guarding): The second half of the verse uses shomer, which means to watch over, guard, or preserve. It’s the same word used for a watchman on a city wall. It suggests that once you learn a truth, you have to defend it against your own impulses or the world's distractions.
8 min
February 16Loose Lips and Fists!
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
[email protected]

Ever say something that immediately provoked a beating? Just one slip of the lip and you got jacked? Not me, but my buddy did, sitting in the stands of a high school football game… smarted off to the wrong person… clip, down goes Frasier…

Prov. 18: 6 A fool's lips walk into a fight,
and his mouth invites a beating.

16 A man's gift makes room for him
and brings him before the great.

It is fascinating to put these two verses side-by-side because they represent two opposite ways a person's "mouth" or "actions" can open doors. While Verse 6 shows how words can get you into trouble, Verse 16 shows how generosity can get you into "the room."
Comparison: Proverbs 18:6 vs. Proverbs 18:16
Feature
Verse 6: The Fool's Lips
Verse 16: A Man's Gift
The Action
Speaking recklessly and provocatively.
Giving a gift (generosity or social grace).
The Motion
"Walking into" a fight.
"Making room" for the person.
The Result
Conflict and "a beating."
Access to "great men" (influence).
The Direction
Downward spiral into trouble.
Upward movement into opportunity.
The Contrast:
Verse 6 describes someone who forces their way into a situation with loud, aggressive words, only to find pain. Verse 16 describes someone who clears a path through excellence or generosity. One uses their mouth to create a wall; the other uses their resources to open a door.
(Note: In Hebrew, "gift" can mean a literal bribe or a sincere gesture of honor. In a wisdom context, it generally refers to the "gift" of one's talents or a spirit of generosity that makes people want to welcome you.)

Discipleship Lesson: "The Door-Opener"
Scripture: Proverbs 18:6, 16
Theme: Controlling our influence through restraint and generosity.
1. Check Your Entrance
A disciple of Christ is called to be an ambassador. Verse 6 warns us that if we enter conversations with a "fighting" spirit—ready to argue, correct, or insult—we aren't just representing ourselves poorly; we are inviting unnecessary suffering.
Question: Are you "walking into fights" on social media or in your family that could be avoided with a bit of silence?
2. Let Your Character Clear the Way
Verse 16 tells us that a "gift" makes room. In a spiritual sense, your "gift" is the grace and talent God has given you. You don’t need to shout to be heard or kick doors down to get ahead. When you lead with generosity and excellence, God provides the "room" for your influence.
Question: Are you trying to "talk" your way into leadership, or are you serving your way there?
3. The Gospel Connection
Jesus is the ultimate example of these two verses. When He was insulted, He did not "invite a beating" by trading insults (1 Peter 2:23); He remained silent. Yet, His "gift"—the sacrifice of His life—opened the ultimate door for us to enter the presence of the "Great King."

Prayer Focus:
Lord, keep my lips from inviting conflict today. Help me to lead with a spirit of generosity and excellence, trusting that You will open the doors You want me to walk through.

Would you like me to find a few more verses in Proverbs that specifically discuss how "the gift of the tongue" can be used for healing instead of fighting?
8 min
February 16Dogs being Dogs!
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
[email protected]

Phil. 3:
2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the [a]false circumcision; 3 for we are the true [b]circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and take pride in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh, 4 although I myself could boast as having confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he is confident in the flesh, I have more reason:

2-6 Steer clear of the barking dogs, those religious busybodies, all bark and no bite. All they’re interested in is appearances—knife-happy circumcisers, I call them. The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ’s praise as we do it. We couldn’t carry this off by our own efforts, and we know it—even though we can list what many might think are impressive credentials.

To understand the weight of Philippians 3:2-3, you have to imagine Paul writing from a prison cell, not with a sense of defeat, but with a sharp, protective urgency for his friends in Philippi.
These verses represent one of the most famous "tone shifts" in the New Testament, moving from joy to a stern warning.

1. The Historical Background
When Paul writes, "Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh," he isn't just being grumpy. He is addressing a specific group known as Judaizers.
The Conflict
The Judaizers were early Christians who argued that for a Gentile (non-Jew) to truly follow Christ, they first had to become Jewish by being circumcised and adhering to the Mosaic Law.
The Term "Dogs": In the first century, "dogs" wasn't a cute term; it referred to scavengers. Ironically, Jews often used this term for "unclean" Gentiles. Paul flips the script, calling the legalists the "unclean" ones because they were trying to add human effort to a divine gift.
The "Mutilators": Paul uses a Greek wordplay here. He contrasts peritome (circumcision) with katatome(mutilation). He’s saying that if circumcision is done for the wrong reasons—as a requirement for salvation—it’s nothing more than a physical wound with no spiritual value.

2. Defining the "True Circumcision"
In verse 3, Paul redefines what it means to be the people of God. He lists three marks of a true believer that don't depend on physical lineage:
Mark
Meaning
Worship by the Spirit
Authentic worship isn't about following a ritual checklist; it’s an internal prompting from God.
Glory in Christ Jesus
Our "boasting" or confidence is placed entirely in what Jesus did, not in our own resumes.
No Confidence in the Flesh
This means we stop trusting our background, our education, or our "goodness" to save us.

3. Application for Today
While we aren't usually debating physical circumcision in modern life, the root issue—legalism versus grace—is still very much alive.
Avoiding "Performance" Christianity
It is human nature to want a "to-do list" to feel secure. Today, "the flesh" might look like:
Thinking you are closer to God because you attend more services than others.
Relying on your political stance or social activism as the source of your righteousness.
Feeling "better" than others because of your specific lifestyle choices.
Finding True Identity
Paul’s message to us today is a call to spiritual exhale. If our standing with God is based on Christ’s performance and not ours, we are free from the "treadmill" of trying to earn God's favor.
The takeaway: Religious rituals are fine as expressions of love, but they are "dogs" if they become the basis of our hope.

Would you like me to look into the verses that immediately follow this, where Paul lists his own impressive "religious resume" only to call it "rubbish"?
8 min
February 12Would you Rather.... Well would you?
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
[email protected]

Would you rather game: Would you rather put your hand in a blender with lemon juice or kneel on a drill bit in salt water?
Would you rather have a billion dollars and be the fattest ugliest person in the world, or be poor the rest of your life but be absolutely ravishingly beautiful?

Proverbs 15:16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
Than great treasure, and turmoil with the treasure.
17
Better is a portion of vegetables where there is love,
Than a fattened ox served with hatred.

Proverbs 15:16–17 offers a profound "this is better than that" comparison, focusing on the relationship between material wealth, spiritual peace, and emotional health.
Here are the verses for reference:
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.

The Philosophy of "Better Than"
These verses belong to a category of wisdom literature known as comparative proverbs. They don’t argue that being poor is inherently superior to being rich; rather, they argue that the quality of your inner life and relationships is the true multiplier of your happiness.
Verse 16: The Spiritual Math
"Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.”
I had the profound privilege of working for some of the richest people in the world when I was just 18. They had it all, everything, there was no want in their life… and they were miserable!
The Component of Peace: The "fear of the Lord" in Proverbs refers to a deep reverence and alignment with divine wisdom. This creates a psychological and spiritual foundation of security.
The Hidden Cost of Wealth: The "trouble" mentioned often refers to the anxiety, ethical compromises, or sleepless nights that can accompany amassing wealth without a moral compass. The more stuff you have the more stuff you have to take care of, watch over, worry about,
The Takeaway: $Small\ Assets + High\ Peace > Large\ Assets + High\ Stress$. It’s an argument for contentment over accumulation.
Verse 17: The Social Climate
"Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it."
The Dinner of Herbs: In the ancient world, a meal of herbs (vegetables) was the "budget" option—the food of the commoner or the poor.
The Fattened Ox: This represents the height of luxury—a "choice cut" reserved for royalty or major celebrations.
The Emotional Environment: This verse points out that our physical environment is secondary to our emotional environment. A feast tastes like ash if you are eating it with someone you despise, or who despises you. Conversely, the simplest meal is elevated by genuine connection.

Why This Matters Today
In a modern context, these verses act as a warning against "the grind" at the expense of everything else. They remind us of two things:
Wealth cannot buy a quiet conscience. If the pursuit of "treasure" creates "trouble" (broken integrity, legal issues, or chronic anxiety), the treasure is actually a net loss.
Relationships are the ultimate seasoning. We often spend our lives trying to provide the "fattened ox" for our families, but these verses suggest that our families would much rather have "herbs" and a present, loving version of us.
8 min
February 11 President Bunny, Bad Trump, ICE and false power
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
[email protected]

Bad Bunny, President Trump, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, ICE, Transgender rights, Olympic outrage, Tarrifs and trade, mass deportation, conversion therapy, Turning point halftime show vs NFL halftime show, The Epstein files, expanded travel bans, MAHA regulations, DOJ, Republicans, Democrats, Government shutdown…. Kidrock, JayZ, NFL players who are Christian,

When you feel powerless you choose a platform to publicly rebel so that you cover your emptiness. Rebellion is a false sense of power.
Why do you act out, rebel, etc… selfishness - its all about me. I am empty, I am entitled, I am important (because I truly don’t feel important) I matter and my opinion matters… because internally I don’t feel like I matter or like my opinion matters.
Listen to this verse.

Proverbs 16:32 one who rules his spirit is better than one who captures a city.

It is far more important that you rule your spirit, keep it under Gods control and act out in the fruits of the spirit than it is for you to rampage on social media about what ever cause you are trying to conquer.
Chew on that one for a second. Sweat that one out. It is far more important to God that you rule your heart, control your heart, control your spirit than it is for you to change that cause you are ranting about.
Yes we as Christians are just as guilty as non christians.

Finally… we have forgotten the purpose of our walk- its not to point out all the things that are wrong? Did Jesus do that? He had the opportunity and the power to showcase everyones sins… but his purpose was the gospel.
Look -personally I am to busy to trash, yell, argue, road rage about any of the so called controversial things that are going on in our country - the only thing that is going to change our country is the gospel. If you are not actively sharing Jesus - you my friend are the problem.
8 min
February 09 A Chest wide open
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
[email protected]

Keep your heart open to God.

Cam a young man who got a new heart. Sunday stopped service.
Showed the picture. They keep his chest open so they can get to it ASAP if something goes wrong.

Psalm 62:8 (VOICE) — "Have faith in Him in all circumstances, dear people. Open up your heart to Him; the True God shelters us in His arms."
A direct call to open your heart to God in trust.

Acts 16:14 — "One who heard us was a woman named Lydia... The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.”

Psalm 51:10 — "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."
David's prayer for renewal reflects a desire for a heart continually open and right before God.
Hebrews 10:22 — "let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience…"
Sincere heart - GK. ah-lay-thee-NOS. True inside and out. Exposing the “inner make up” of the heart.

Father keep my heart open…
Why is it so important for my wife to keep her heart open to me? Because it means she is sympathetic to what I am going through, my needs, my hurts, my wants, needs, hopes, fears… it is the foundation to a healthy growing relationship between us.
8 min
February 09 Selectivity is poison!
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
[email protected]

Superbowl… t’s actually been fascinating. Mike Macdonald is doing stuff he hasn’t done all season long to just completely confuse Drake Maye and the Patriots. He rarely blitzes, and he is blitzing the CRAP out of Drake Maye tonight.
Seattle's scoring: All points initially came from kicker Jason Myers, who hit four field goals (tying a Super Bowl record for most in a game, all from shorter distances like 39-41 yards). This gave Seattle a 12-0 lead by the end of the third quarter.
First touchdown: Late in the game (early Q4), Seahawks QB Sam Darnold connected with tight end AJ Barner for a 16-yard TD pass, making it 19-0 (with the extra point). This came right after a key forced fumble by the Seattle defense on Patriots QB Drake Maye.
Patriots' response: New England finally got on the board with a touchdown pass from Drake Maye (to Mack Hollins in some reports), cutting it to 19-7. Their offense has struggled significantly, with very few first downs and low yardage (e.g., around 58 total yards at one point in the third).
Defense dominates: Seattle's defense has overwhelmed the Patriots, holding them scoreless through three quarters—the second Super Bowl ever with no TDs through three quarters. Kenneth Walker III and the Seahawks' run game have been effective, while New England's offense has been stifled.
YOu might miss this: Yardage disparity: Seattle has racked up far more yards (e.g., 252+ at points) compared to New England's anemic output, highlighting how one-sided the trenches and play-calling have been.

Turning point Halftime show… cool, but needed more life on the stage like dancers etc…
But the kid rock / Joe Rogan montage was absolutely fantastic… loved it.

When love becomes selective, it stops looking like God’s Love.

The Pattern**

Every wrong love in Scripture has one thing in common: It centers on self instead of surrender.

Our biggest failure in love is we always first see how it should be applied to us and very rarely to other others.

Jesus said “love your neighbor as yourself”.
We apply that is positive situations… but what about negative, problematic, painful situations. Where the other person may not exactly deserve love according to how they are treating us…
AGAIN - love your neighbor as yourself.
When you are like that - and yes you, me all of us are like that - how do you want to be loved?
Remember Every wrong love in Scripture has one thing in common: It centers on self instead of surrender.
Now here is the kicker… every wrong love in our lives has one thing in common - it centers of self instead of surrender.

When I want to be loved the way I want to be loved - when I am at my worst - but I don’t want to love others in the same situation and in the same way - I am the ultimate hypocrite.
**lets practice self love on others… make sense? I hope so. Now go do it!
8 min