Do you ever find yourself saying, “I can’t do that?” Perhaps you have a valid reason. 

I have two friends with stage 4 cancer. Another friend recently lost her husband to accidental death.

If they told you they couldn’t do something right now, wouldn’t you be inclined to give them a pass?

That’s what I thought, too, until I read Matthew 14.

Mentioned in this episode:

Kingdom Business Summit

If you're an entrepreneur or business owner focused on advancing the kingdom through your business, I encourage you to attend the Kingdom Business Summit put on by Wez Hone.

You’ve heard the cliches. “The grass is always greener on the other side.” Or “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” Discontentment abounds when we lose our gratitude.

We’ve probably all seen something like this happen: A man grows discontent in his work so he starts looking around. He sees friends changing jobs and thinks this will make him happy. He discovers what looks like the perfect job. Six months later, or maybe after two years, he feels dissatisfied yet again.

The same thing can happen in marriage, with our houses, and even in our lives. We desire a different life based on jealousy, envy, or discontentment that’s stirred by social media and our thought patterns.

Mentioned in this episode:

Kingdom Business Summit

If you're an entrepreneur or business owner focused on advancing the kingdom through your business, I encourage you to attend the Kingdom Business Summit put on by Wez Hone.

Have you lost someone you love to death recently? If not, have you had to completely let go of a job, a relationship, or a dream? 

You may be thinking this feels awfully morbid and how can I possibly be thankful in the face of death? It’s a fair question.

While I’m not a grief counselor, I have experienced my share of death. My father passed away due to an accidental fall. I have multiple friends who have suddenly passed away through accidents, illness, COVID, and for other reasons. I have several friends who’ve been given the death sentence of cancer at far too young an age.

Death is natural, but not God’s design

Mentioned in this episode:

Kingdom Business Summit

If you're an entrepreneur or business owner focused on advancing the kingdom through your business, I encourage you to attend the Kingdom Business Summit put on by Wez Hone.

Do you regularly practice gratitude as a family or church community? How is that different from personal gratitude?

Life.Church recently celebrated their 25th anniversary. As part of their celebration they thanked God for thousands of changed lives, stories of God’s amazing provision, and the unprecedented opportunities for sharing the Gospel. It was very moving and God-honoring.

It got me thinking about how Western Christians tend to practice our faith very individualistically. What might it take to be grateful together?

Mentioned in this episode:

Kingdom Business Summit

If you're an entrepreneur or business owner focused on advancing the kingdom through your business, I encourage you to attend the Kingdom Business Summit put on by Wez Hone.

Have you ever felt depressed? I don’t mean just when you feel a little melancholy, but when you feel like you’re in a dark cave for days on end and can’t seem to climb out?

In this Gratitude Challenge, I’ve been advocating the benefits of gratitude for freeing us from anxiety and stress while also producing a protective shield around our hearts and minds. Scripture clearly teaches this is possible, but what about when it doesn’t happen? What about when we’re medically depressed? Should the intentional practice of gratitude be our only remedy?

Let’s talk about this.

CAUTION: I’m not a doctor or a licensed therapist. If you feel depressed for more than a few days you should likely talk to your doctor or a therapist.

Mentioned in this episode:

Kingdom Business Summit

If you're an entrepreneur or business owner focused on advancing the kingdom through your business, I encourage you to attend the Kingdom Business Summit put on by Wez Hone.

Ever feel like you’re being attacked on every side? Do you wish you could have a protective wall around you allowing you to finally rest? 

Scripture reveals God as our refuge and strong tower. He is a real strength and a constant never-sleeping guard. 

But what’s our role in building up those walls? No surprise here, but gratitude is a critical ingredient.

Gratitude won’t keep you from all harm, but it will make you more resilient. Gratefulness strengthens your faith and helps you get back up when you fall.

Mentioned in this episode:

Kingdom Business Summit

If you're an entrepreneur or business owner focused on advancing the kingdom through your business, I encourage you to attend the Kingdom Business Summit put on by Wez Hone.

Have you ever played a musical instrument? Were you deliberate about practicing or did your parents have to force you?

Gerald J. Leonard claims that professional musicians spend 95% of their time practicing and only 5% on stage. He should know... 

Gerald is a professional jazz musician, a Portfolio Management Professional consultant, and the author of two books: Culture is the Bass and, his new book, Workplace Jazz. As a lover of neuroscience, he understands the importance of deliberate practice.

In this conversation, we explore the unexpected connection between deliberate practice and gratitude.

Mentioned in this episode:

Kingdom Business Summit

If you're an entrepreneur or business owner focused on advancing the kingdom through your business, I encourage you to attend the Kingdom Business Summit put on by Wez Hone.

Do you struggle to remain grateful through your day? How about in your closest relationships? Do your closest friends and family also struggle to remain thankful?

Jim Rohn famously said: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

So if you tend to spend time with negative people, you will remain negative. If you feed your mind with positive information, your mind will follow suit.

Let’s explore how this works.

Mentioned in this episode:

Kingdom Business Summit

If you're an entrepreneur or business owner focused on advancing the kingdom through your business, I encourage you to attend the Kingdom Business Summit put on by Wez Hone.

Have you ever felt caught in the comparison trap? Do you know what I mean? It’s where we constantly compare ourselves to the rich, the famous, the successful or the beautiful and slowly start to despise and devalue our gifts and abilities.

President Teddy Roosevelt famously said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” While it almost sounds biblical, this truth still confronts an ugly problem we all face. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Kingdom Business Summit

If you're an entrepreneur or business owner focused on advancing the kingdom through your business, I encourage you to attend the Kingdom Business Summit put on by Wez Hone.

Do you struggle to get a good’s night sleep? Does your mind race as you rehearse conversations, invent new products, or stress over the things you didn’t accomplish?

Researchers have confirmed what the Bible has taught for millennia: gratitude helps you sleep better. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Kingdom Business Summit

If you're an entrepreneur or business owner focused on advancing the kingdom through your business, I encourage you to attend the Kingdom Business Summit put on by Wez Hone.