This new season of Treg Talks is going to be a huge encouragement to you!  It sure seems all of us know someone or possibly are someone who is facing some hardships right now.  I like to call these the "walls of the Christian life."  I hope this new season helps you find balance, success and encouragement as you hit this walls of life!       

We are all guilty of doing it.  We all have a tendency to blame someone else for our actions.  After all, it can't be our fault, can it?  In this episode, we will look at the first blame game played and some others in the OT.  We will also determine if God justifies our actions because of someone else's behavior.     

Cain had a difficult time watching his brother's success and coming up empty on his alter.  He knew he wasn’t the farmer type but thought his gardening expertise would pay off in the end.  He knew God would love his fruit even though the standard had been the sacrifice of an animal.  He worked the soil and did everything he could to yield the best crops he could to give to God.  

Now we know, but people had to learn God was more concerned with obedience than the best offerings man could create.  Unfortunately, before coming to the understanding it was the obedience of his brother God was pleased with, he developed a hatred and an evil bitterness toward him that led to committing murder.  

Cain had a selfish evil desire for two ego-boosting traits:

1.  Recognition

2.  Respect

In our hearts and minds, we can find ourselves longing for the same!

We are so easily distracted in life.  We forget our purpose and why God has us here.  In this episode, we are going to look at three ways we are distracted and three mindsets that can help us stay focused.  Enjoy this episode of Treg Talks!  

 Forgiveness. I feel many of us have been hurt and are struggling today to forgive.   In this episode we will discuss different views of forgiveness and see some great examples of it!  

Is it a sin to have wealth?  Does God want us to be poor?  This podcast will explore the secrets of wealth and poverty and how to handle both according to the Scripture.  

When we talk about a subject like this we most likely want to tune in to see what we can learn about building wealth.  Our ears perk up when we hear conversations about stocks, investments, or sales strategies.  

Unfortunately for you,  two pastors are doing this podcast so we can wax elegant on the poverty side, but not so much on the Wealth side.  If that was our specialty we would be the worst financial advisors in history!!  

But I will say this: there are some guys out there including pastors who everything they touch turns to gold.  I mean money just falls into their laps.  They buy a house and a week later someone offers them double for it.  

There are hundreds of books, webinars, email lists, and videos out there today to help people build wealth.  Grant Cardone’s videos on wealth and real estate (which my boys love), The 4-hour workweek.  Charles Payne's book and commercials on unstoppable prosperity.  My favorite sales read of all of theses is Expert and Dot-Com secrets. Kiyosaki’s “Rich Dad, poor dad.”  And most of us will watch episode after episode of Shark Tank.  

I honestly enjoy reading these and learning about this side of the world.  It is not so much because I want to have wealth or I’m striving for wealth, but it’s more of a fun thing to just see or hear about.

For others, this is what they live for.  They operate their every moment in light of one dollar more.  

Proverbs 17”1-“Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.”

Now on the flip side, I’ve seen pastors and people have as much pride about their poverty.  

Conclusion:

Key is honestly one word- “Contentment”

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

1.  It is a learning process

2.  It is not a geographical location but that can apply

3.  Wealth is not necessarily a gift from God-it can be a curse

I think no matter what we have the key is honoring God with what he has given to us. 

What makes a man?  I grew up I a generation of real men.   Salone, Arnold Schwarzenegger Clint Eastwood, Hulk Hogan, Randy MachoMan Salvage!  If anyone was a real man it was Machoman! 

In this podcast, we will discuss five characteristics of a real man!  

If you have travelled outside the US you know there is a different perception of Americans abroad, especially in 3rd world countries.  One place it was very evident was India.  The people there acted if though I was a special servant of God considering I came from America.  When we hear that we instantly know that is not right, but we also at times act like it.  We interpret all of Scripture and prophecy through Western eyes.  God loves the church of America and the world all the same!  

In this podcast, I will talk about one of my trips to India and how I was treated there as an American (both good and bad).  

When I started to compete heavily in triathlons I knew I needed to purchase a “real” triathlon bike.  But I didn’t just go buy one.  I built one.  I started with the frame.  Then the wheels, saddle, tires, etc.  One of the last purchases I made was the chain.  I put the chain on and took my tri-bike out for the first time.  It was amazing!  I rode down my typical route and began my first climb.  As I stood up and cranked the pedals my chain popped off.  My master link was not on tight enough and I was done-instantly!  

A young man was mentoring with an evangelist and they were speaking at our church.  I set up a 2hr time slot to simply pour myself into this 24yr old.  When we were done he said, “Pastor, I have been traveling for two years and you are the first Sr. Pastor to ever talk to me.”  This makes my blood boil!  The next generation of leaders are out there and we are doing nothing about it.  This is why churches die with their pastors.  This is why fellowships are following apart.  The chain has been broken.  Our young leaders are the master link to hold it together!  Don’t break the chain! “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).  Was Paul just wanting them to hang out and teach in Ephesus?  No.  His desire was for them to go and teach in every city and replicate themselves.

What’s holding you back?  What is the one thing you have always wanted to do?  According to a recent survey, 81 percent of Americans feel they have a book in them -- and that they should write it.  Currently only 44.2 thousand have accomplished it.  Why?  Why have we yet to take that dream vacation?  Why are we still putting off training for that one race you have always wanted to accomplish?  You have the online application to that college continually on one of your tabs, but have yet to complete it. 

The majority of you have at least one thing yo have talked about or desired to do.  You would love to start a building project, another ministry in your church, or your own business.  What is it that is holding you back form accomplishing this desire?

The day after my heart attack I was lying there in the hospital bed completing the realities of my near death.  A 100% blockage in your widow maker will cause one to do that.  As I laid there I pulled out my phone and made a bucket list.  There were so many things I wanted to do and wanted my family to do that I just kept putting off.  I would have died with major regrets.  

How about you?  If so, it is time to do something about it.  It is time to eliminate the road black and go after your desires.

Many of us are held back by:

1) Our concept of reality.

“I just don’t have the time or energy to do that right now.”  “There is no way anyone would get behind a fundraising project like that.”  “I would have no idea how to start a business.”  Reality is often just a reason for you stay in the status quo.  How can God do the impossibly through you if you never move out of the possible.  

2) Procrastination

“One day.”  It is amazing how much is gong to get accomplished one day.  Missions will be doing the amazing one day.  Churches will accomplish the amazing one day.  

One day is not on your calendar.  You phone will not alert you in the morning, “Today is one day!”  You must create the day!  You must take the first step in seeing it begin. 

3) What Others will Think

It truly is amazing how we seem to know what others are going to think.  Fact is, it is usually our own thoughts that we are accusing of others of possibly having.  We can’t live our lives ruled by what others think.  One day I am not going to stand before others and answer for my actions on earth, so why do I base my decisions on them now.

4) Fear

If we were to analyze the real reason you have never trained for that half-marathon, started that new ministry, or began that business it is because of fear.  

5)  What it will Cost