Yesterday Was Easy

n this 41st episode, Pastor Luke discusses what it means to speak plainly.

One of Luke's biggest pet peeves is men who don’t speak plainly. His friends and family will tell you that he likes to be direct, probably too direct at times.

He loathes beating around the bush and becomes irritated with those who do. From his perspective, those who are really good at profusely talking in code, are typically trying to hide what they are saying. They mask the true meaning or their actual intentions.

Christian men, if you want to honor Christ with your speech, then speak plainly. Let your yes be yes, and your no be no. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Be honest. Be truthful. Stop muddying the waters, but strive to bring clarity. Your wives and children will respect that. Your friends and fellow Christians will appreciate it. And most importantly, your Savior will honor that.

Speak plainly. Yesterday was easy!

In this 40th episode, Pastor Luke discusses what it means to rake your rocks to the glory of God.

I have had the honor and pleasure of hearing a family story told, in person separately, by both Doug and Nate Wilson. I have borrowed their story, and application of it, and use it often in my counseling sessions.

Scripture clearly details a very high view of God’s sovereignty. Meaning, he is in control over all things, and nothing happens that has not been sovereignly decreed according to his perfect plan and will.

So, here’s the point: the Lord God, our Creator and Sustainer, has sovereignly given you rocks to rake, according to His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Rake your rocks. Yesterday was easy!

In this 39th episode, Pastor Luke discusses the idea of having a full toolbox.

Some Christian men would say, “I am a jack of all trades, but a master of none,” and what they mean is they are very good at a lot of things, but not a master of any one of them. And these men that would say this, not only are good at a lot of things, but probably even an expert at them, they just have not achieved master level.

These are the types of men we need to have around. These are the men that are trustworthy. These are the men that are dependable. Their toolboxes are full, and although the tools may not be the shiniest, most expensive tools out there, they sure as heck are sharp, and you better believe they know how to use each and every tool in that box. These men are the problem solvers. They are the ones that can adapt to any given situation. They are the men that will find a way to get done whatever is needed. They can accomplish any required task.

A jack of all trades, but master of none, is often times better than a master of one, because they are more adapted to handle all of life. They have more experience and more skills. They are more holistically well rounded. They are better leaders, and can take on more responsibility. In other words, they are better men.

Have a full toolbox. Yesterday was easy!

In this 38th episode, Pastor Luke looks at a passage from 2 Chronicles and demonstrates how worship is warfare.

If we are being faithful Christians, we should be thinking forwardly. We should not just be sheltering our loved ones, but also preparing them for war outside of our homes. And the way to prepare them, is to support strategic goals and tactical objectives, and we achieve that through family worship.

Praise is not passive, but productive, and protective, if it is properly given to the Lord of Hosts. The battle is always His, and if we are going to successfully participate in it, we must start with worship. We must leave our homes lead by worship.

Worship is warfare. Yesterday was easy!

In this 37th episode, Pastor Luke takes on a new phenomena of those trying to manufacture influence on social media.

Over the last several years, a trend has grown on social media for young people to be considered an “influencer,” even to the point that you can now self-proclaim yourself as an official “influencer” in your social media description, as if that is a legitimate job title.

If you want to be a real “influencer,” then lead by example by faithfully and consistently doing the work. Don’t just talk the talk, but also walk the walk. Don’t depend on viral comments to build influence, but allow your work to influence others. If you’re not willing to do the work in real-life, then do not attempt to fabricate influence on the internet. This is not reality. It is fake, and is not long-lasting. Stop trying to build your own brand for your own pocketbook, and try building Christ’s Brand, for the sake of His Kingdom. Be faithful unto the Lord, and not unto the controversy.

Don’t manufacture influence. Yesterday was easy!

In this 36th episode, Pastor Luke discusses what it means to be a Quiet Professional.

According to Grok:

“A quiet professional is someone who demonstrates exceptional skill and dedication in their craft; lets their actions and results speak for themselves rather than seeking recognition, praise, or social media spotlight; places the mission, team, organization, or greater purpose ahead of personal ego, ambition, or accolades; embodies humility, discretion, reliability, and understated confidence; does the unglamorous, hard, or ‘dirty’ work without complaint or needing to be asked — never saying ‘that’s not my job.’”

The satisfaction we get from living out our God ordained roles as Christian men, should come from honoring Christ by quietly and sacrificially loving our wives and children. Put a shirt on. Put away the duck lips. Delete the thirst traps. Quit complaining. Stop seeking attention. This is our mission, and we should do it well. We should do it to the glory of God, and we should do it without ever expecting even an ounce of recognition.

Be a Quiet Professional. Yesterday was easy!

In this 35th episode, Pastor Luke discusses the need for men to be OK being uncomfortable to accomplish what needs to be done.

In this 34th episode, Pastor Luke discusses what it means to be a turd.

In the SEAL Community, a “turd” is an operator who does not give a crap about his job, and forces everyone else to pick up the slack for him. There will always be men in the SEAL Teams that are great operators, but awful teammates. Nobody wants to work with these guys because they cannot be trusted. Many times, they will be shifted around from team to team until they are finally flushed out of the community all together.

Putting to death turdness requires a holistic change. It demands a change in the inner man. It entails putting others before yourself. Have a good attitude. Be selfless. Don’t grumble and complain. Lead by example rather than waiting for someone else to lead. Bear good fruit. Give a crap.

Don't be a turd. Yesterday was easy!

In this 33rd episode, Pastor Luke discusses what it means to cultivate the culture.

Have you ever noticed that culture and cultivate have the same root word: cult? There are two distinct meanings of this word, one is agricultural (there it is again), and one is religious.

This religion externalized we find ourselves in, is nothing more than the outworking of the hearts of those propagating that religion. If we’re going to cultivate a righteous Christ-honoring culture, then we must first start by uprooting the weeds as we plant righteous seed. The hearts of men must change, or the weeds will continue to grow.

Be a gardener. Yesterday was easy!

In this 32nd episode, Pastor Luke discusses a major no-no in the SEAL community: boat ducking.

A major aspect of the SEAL training pipeline involves carrying or riding in a 13-foot rubber boat, known as an IBS, which stands for “Inflatable Boat, small.” Each boat is typically carried around by seven candidates of similar height, with the shortest group being labeled as the “Smurf Crew.”

A boat ducker is someone who intentionally evades responsibility, by selfishly looking for the easy path, only considering self. In the SEAL community, which is built all around the concept of team, thinking only of self is the cardinal sin.

Christ carried his burden perfectly and selflessly. He did not duck his boat. In order to pick up your cross and carry it, you must daily deny yourself. In other words, you must leave self at the foot of the cross. Every single day. No matter how difficult things get.

Don’t be a boat ducker. Yesterday was easy!