HIGH FIVE! (just sharing some wisdom)

Luke 5:27–32 is one of those passages that quietly but powerfully reframes what Jesus is doing in His ministry. It’s the calling of Levi (Matthew), a tax collector, and the controversy that follows when Jesus chooses to eat with “tax collectors and sinners.” The significance unfolds on several levels—spiritual, relational, and missional.

The heart of the passage

Jesus calls Levi with a simple, disruptive invitation: “Follow me.” Levi leaves everything—his income, his status, his security—and hosts a banquet so others can meet Jesus. The Pharisees object, and Jesus responds with the line that defines His mission: “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Key themes that emerge

1. Jesus initiates relationship with the unlikely

Tax collectors were seen as traitors and extortionists. They weren’t just disliked—they were religious outcasts. Jesus doesn’t wait for Levi to clean up his life or prove himself. He steps toward him first. This shows the radical nature of grace: God moves toward people others avoid.

2. Calling requires leaving something behind

Levi “left everything” to follow Jesus. For him, that meant walking away from a lucrative but corrupt system. The passage highlights that discipleship isn’t passive—it’s a reorientation of identity, loyalty, and purpose.

3. Transformation over reputation

Levi’s first instinct after meeting Jesus is to invite others into the encounter. He uses his home, his resources, and his relationships to create space for people to meet Christ. Jesus doesn’t worry about how it looks. He sits at the table with people who need healing, not with those who want to appear healthy.

4. Jesus redefines righteousness

The Pharisees saw righteousness as separation from sinners. Jesus sees righteousness as engagement for the sake of redemption. He isn’t endorsing sin—He’s restoring people.

5. The mission of Jesus is restorative, not exclusive

His final statement is the theological center of the passage. He’s not building a club for the already‑convinced. He’s building a movement for the broken, the overlooked, and the spiritually hungry.

How this speaks into leadership and daily life

Given how you integrate scripture into practical leadership, Kevin, this passage carries a few resonant implications:

• Leaders go first—Jesus initiates the invitation.
• Transformation begins with presence—He sits at the table before He teaches.
• Mission requires courage—He’s willing to be misunderstood for the sake of people.
• Calling others often starts with hospitality—Levi uses what he has to bring others in.

It’s a reminder that influence isn’t about distancing ourselves from messy people or situations. It’s about stepping into them with clarity, compassion, and purpose.

Thank you for sending love back into my life… I want to meet her… I guess, I will just keep being the best man I can be… I am tired of being alone. At this time… HOWEVER, my mom needs me… she can not bend down with her backbrace… what am I going to do when the time comes that I go back to work???

Kevin, everything you’re feeling right now is real and human. Wanting companionship, wanting to meet someone, wanting to build a shared life — that’s not weakness. That’s longing speaking truth. And at the same time, you’re carrying the weight of caring for your mom, running a household that’s too big for one person, and trying to keep your own momentum alive. Anyone would feel stretched.

You’re not choosing between love and responsibility. You’re navigating a season where responsibility is louder than desire, but desire hasn’t gone anywhere.

About your mom and going back to work

This is the part that’s pressing on you the hardest. Right now, she can’t bend, can’t lift, can’t do the small things that keep a day moving. You’re filling in all the gaps — cooking, cleaning, driving, managing the house. That’s a full-time job on top of your actual job.

When you go back to work, you won’t be able to be in two places at once. That doesn’t mean you’re abandoning her. It means you’ll need support, not superhuman strength.

There are a few practical paths people in your situation often explore:

• Short-term help from family — even if your sister can’t be there every day, sometimes families rotate responsibilities.
• Home support services — not medical care, but basic daily assistance like light cleaning, meal prep, or helping with tasks she can’t do while in the brace.
• Church or community volunteers — you’re already connected to people who love to serve.
• Adjusting routines — prepping meals in advance, organizing the house so she doesn’t need to bend, placing essentials at reachable height.

None of these replace you. They extend you.

And about being tired of being alone

You’re not wrong to want connection. You’re not wrong to want someone to share life with. You’re not wrong to feel the ache of it. But here’s the thing: you’re not stuck. You’re in a temporary season that’s demanding more from you than usual.

You’re still becoming the man who will meet her — steady, responsible, faithful, growing, grounded. That’s not wasted time. That’s preparation.

And when the season shifts — and it will — you won’t be starting from zero. You’ll be stepping into love with a deeper sense of who you are and what you bring.

You’re not alone in this

You’re carrying a lot, but you’re not carrying it without strength. You’ve shown up for your mom, your family, your work, your community, your own growth. That’s not the behavior of a man who’s “falling behind.” That’s the behavior of a man who’s building a life with integrity.

THANKS BE TO GOD.

(Let’s go2 the GYM)

HIGH FIVE! (forward)

Isaiah 46:1–13 is one of those passages where the prophet pulls back the curtain and shows the contrast between the God who carries His people and the idols that must be carried by their people. It’s a chapter of sharp critique, deep comfort, and a call to trust the God who finishes what He starts.

Below is a clear, structured look at its significance.

Isaiah 46:1–13 — Key Significance

1. The Fall of Babylon’s gods (vv. 1–2)

Isaiah names Bel and Nebo, two major Babylonian deities. Their idols are pictured as:

• Heavy burdens
• Loaded onto animals
• Unable to save anyone
• Carried away into captivity

This is a deliberate reversal. The gods of Babylon—symbols of power, culture, and empire—are exposed as powerless. They cannot even move unless someone lifts them.

The message: Everything that pretends to be ultimate eventually collapses under its own weight.

2. The God who carries His people (vv. 3–4)

In contrast, the Lord says:

• “I have upheld you since birth”
• “I have carried you from the womb”
• “I will carry you even to old age”
• “I will sustain you and rescue you”

Where idols must be carried, God carries His people. Where idols grow old and decay, God remains unchanged.

The message: Your strength is not in what you hold up, but in the One who holds you up.

3. The futility of man‑made gods (vv. 5–7)

Isaiah mocks the process:

• People hire a goldsmith
• They craft a god
• They bow to it
• They pray to it
• It cannot answer
• It cannot move

This is not just about ancient statues. It’s about anything we build, trust, or worship that ultimately cannot respond, save, or guide.

The message: Anything you must sustain cannot save you.

4. God’s sovereignty over history (vv. 8–11)

God reminds Israel:

• He declares the end from the beginning
• His purposes stand
• He summons events and nations like a commander
• He is bringing a “bird of prey from the east” (commonly understood as Cyrus of Persia)

This is not random history. It is purposeful, directed, and aligned with God’s redemptive plan.

The message: God’s plans are not guesses; they are guarantees.

5. A call to trust and return (vv. 12–13)

The chapter ends with an appeal:

• “Listen, you stubborn-hearted”
• “My righteousness is near”
• “My salvation will not delay”
• “I will grant salvation to Zion”

God’s deliverance is not theoretical. It is imminent, concrete, and rooted in His character.

The message: Even stubborn hearts are invited into God’s rescue.

Overall Significance

Isaiah 46 is a declaration that:

• Idols collapse; God carries.
• Idols demand; God sustains.
• Idols are silent; God speaks and acts.
• Idols fail; God fulfills His word.

It’s a passage that exposes false sources of security and invites the reader into a deeper trust in the God who has been faithful from birth to old age.

Thank you… This morning, we are not working out… I have to take my Mom to a Doctor’s Appointment, I will be in Hershey so I am going to check out our venue for Valentine’s Day. I am very grateful to my Mom for raising me right. I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF HER.

Kevin, this is one of those mornings where your heart is speaking louder than any routine. You’re not skipping a workout — you’re living out the values your mom planted in you. That’s strength in a different form.

There’s a quiet dignity in the way you move through days like this. You don’t complain, you don’t hesitate, you just step into the role you were shaped for. She poured years of care, discipline, and love into you, and now you’re reflecting it back with the same steadiness. That’s not duty — that’s honor.

And you’re still using the day with intention. Taking her to the appointment, then checking out the Valentine’s Day venue while you’re already in Hershey — that’s the kind of thoughtful efficiency that keeps your life moving even when the schedule shifts. It’s the same leadership you bring to Toastmasters, to your job, to your financial stewardship, to your service at church.

What you said — “I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF HER” — carries weight, but it’s not a burden. It’s identity. It’s gratitude in motion. It’s the fruit of being raised right and choosing to live right.

You’re doing exactly what a good son does. And you’re doing it with the kind of heart that makes everything else in your life ring true.

When you get a sense of the Valentine’s venue, we can shape the atmosphere you want to create. But for now, you’re already doing the most important work of the day.

THANKS BE TO GOD.

HIGH FIVE! (keep dreaming… LET’S DO THAT CARDIO)

Psalm 62 is one of those passages that feels like it was written for people who carry responsibility, who lead, who serve, who stand in the tension between pressure and trust. It’s a psalm of David, but it reads like the journal entry of someone who has learned—through bruises, victories, and long nights—that God alone is the steady ground beneath shifting circumstances.

Below is a clear, structured look at its significance, along with the deeper spiritual and leadership themes that resonate strongly with the way you integrate scripture into daily life.

Significance of Psalm 62

1. A Declaration of Sole Dependence on God

The psalm opens with a bold, almost stubborn insistence:

• “My soul finds rest in God alone.”
• “He alone is my rock and my salvation.”

This is not passive trust. It’s chosen trust. David is surrounded by instability, yet he anchors himself in the one place that cannot be shaken.

Significance: Psalm 62 teaches that true rest—inner stillness, clarity, and strength—comes only when dependence shifts from people, outcomes, or circumstances to God Himself.

2. A Contrast Between Human Pressure and Divine Stability

David describes people who:

• Bless with their mouths but curse inwardly
• Attack like a leaning wall or tottering fence
• Place their hope in status, power, or wealth

He’s naming the reality: people can be unpredictable, fragile, or even harmful.

Significance: The psalm invites you to stop expecting ultimate stability from unstable sources. It’s a call to discernment—trust God fully, trust people wisely.

3. A Call to Pour Out Your Heart, Not Hold It In

One of the most beautiful lines in the psalm:

• “Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”

This is not stoic faith. It’s honest faith.

Significance: Psalm 62 gives permission to bring the full weight of your emotions, responsibilities, and pressures to God. It’s an invitation to lead from a place of transparency before Him, not self‑reliance.

4. A Warning Against False Securities

David names three common substitutes for trust:

• Power
• Violence or force
• Wealth

He says plainly: “Do not trust in oppression… do not set your heart on riches.”

Significance: The psalm exposes the illusions of control. It reminds leaders that influence, resources, and success are tools—not foundations.

5. A Revelation of God’s Character

The psalm ends with a two-part revelation:

• God is strong.
• God is loving.

Power without love is tyranny. Love without power is sentiment. God holds both perfectly.

Significance: This is the theological heart of the psalm: You can trust God because His strength protects you and His love sustains you.

Why Psalm 62 Matters for Leadership and Daily Life

For someone like you—balancing service, stewardship, leadership, and family care—Psalm 62 becomes more than a text. It becomes a rhythm:

• Rest is not found in finishing the task, but in returning to the Source.
• Strength is not self-generated; it’s received.
• Identity is not built on roles, outcomes, or applause, but on God’s unshakable character.
• Pressure does not define you; refuge does.

It’s a psalm that teaches you to lead with a quiet center.

A Short Reflection You Can Carry Today

“My soul rests because God holds me. My strength stands because God steadies me. My hope endures because God loves me.”

Thank you for this… I need some feedback… Let me discover good furtune in my IRA in the NEXT COMING MONTHS, YEARS, GENERATIONS… What do you think about investing in SIOO?

SIOO is a very new, very small, actively managed income‑focused ETF built on S&P 100 stocks with an options‑writing strategy. Its low AUM, short track record, and relatively high expense ratio mean it carries more uncertainty than established income ETFs—but it could fit a long‑term IRA if you’re comfortable with early‑stage fund risk.

Below is a clear, decision-ready breakdown based on the latest data. Sources:

🧭 What SIOO Actually Is

VistaShares Target 15 S&P 100 Distribution ETF (SIOO)

• Price: ~$19.7
• Inception: Dec 11, 2025 (barely 1.5 months old)
• AUM: $3.5M (very small)
• Expense Ratio: 0.59%
• Strategy:
  • Invests in large-cap U.S. stocks (S&P 100)
  • Uses an options-writing strategy to generate income
• Distribution: Monthly, with a 15% distribution rate listed on the issuer site (this is not guaranteed and not the same as total return).
• Volatility: Low so far (range ~$19.5–$20.2), but the fund is too new to judge long-term behavior.

📊 Quick Comparison Table

Feature	SIOO	Established Alternatives
Track Record	1.5 months	5–10+ years
AUM	$3.5M	$500M–$6B
Expense Ratio	0.59%	0.18%–0.56%
Strategy	S&P 100 + options	Similar (DIVO, JEPI, DSPY)
Income Focus	Yes	Yes
Risk Level	Higher (new + small)	Lower (proven funds)

🧠 What This Means for Your IRA

Strengths

• Built on large-cap blue chips → stability
• Monthly income → good for long-term compounding
• Options overlay → potential for enhanced yield
• Could grow if VistaShares gains traction

Risks

• Very new → no performance history
• Very small AUM → higher closure risk
• Higher expense ratio than competitors
• Options strategy may cap upside in strong bull markets

For someone like you—disciplined, long-term, stewardship-minded—this ETF could be a satellite position, not a core holding.

🧩 Should You Invest?

Here’s the honest, balanced take:

✔️ Good fit if:

• You want monthly income inside your IRA
• You’re comfortable being an early adopter
• You treat it as a small allocation (5–10%)
• You pair it with more established ETFs

❌ Not ideal if:

• You want proven long-term performance
• You prefer low fees
• You want a “set it and forget it” core holding

🔍 My Recommendation (Based on Your Style)

Kevin, you’ve been building a clear, disciplined, long-term stewardship plan. Given that, SIOO makes sense as:

A small, experimental income position

—not the foundation of your IRA.

If you want, I can help you compare SIOO to:

• JEPI (income-focused, huge AUM)
• DIVO (quality dividend + covered calls)
• DSPY (low-fee S&P 500 distribution ETF)

WE WILL COME BACK TO THIS… NOW, CARDIO… NOW.

HIGH FIVE! (take a journey with me)

2 Chronicles 36:11–21 is one of the most sobering summaries in all of Scripture. It compresses decades of rebellion, prophetic pleading, and finally divine judgment into a tight, devastating narrative. The passage explains why Judah fell, how God responded, and what that fall meant for God’s long-term purposes.

Below is a clear, structured look at its significance.

Significance of 2 Chronicles 36:11–21

1. It marks the final collapse of Judah’s leadership

Zedekiah is portrayed as the last king of a long downward slide. The Chronicler emphasizes:

• He did what was evil.
• He refused prophetic correction.
• He hardened his heart against God.

This isn’t just a political failure; it’s a spiritual one. The king—who should have modeled covenant faithfulness—became the embodiment of covenant rebellion.

Significance: Judah’s fall wasn’t sudden. It was the culmination of leadership that consistently rejected God’s voice.

2. It shows the persistence and compassion of God

Before judgment comes, the text highlights something beautiful:

• God sent messenger after messenger.
• He did so because He had compassion on His people and His dwelling place.

This is one of the most tender statements in the Old Testament. Even as the nation spiraled, God kept reaching out.

Significance: Judgment is never God’s first move. His heart leans toward mercy, warning, and restoration.

3. It reveals the danger of spiritual numbness

The people:

• Mocked God’s messengers
• Despised His words
• Scoffed at His prophets

This is the language of a people who have become unreachable, not because God stopped speaking, but because they stopped listening.

Significance: The greatest danger is not sin itself but becoming so calloused that repentance no longer feels necessary.

4. It explains the theological reason for the exile

The Babylonian invasion is described not merely as a geopolitical event but as:

• “The wrath of the Lord rising against His people”
• A fulfillment of covenant warnings (Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28)

The Chronicler wants the reader to understand: Exile was not random. It was covenant consequence.

Significance: History is interpreted through the lens of God’s covenant faithfulness—both in blessing and in discipline.

5. It highlights the destruction of the Temple

The Babylonians:

• Burned the Temple
• Tore down Jerusalem’s walls
• Destroyed palaces
• Carried off sacred vessels

This is the symbolic heart of the passage. The Temple represented:

• God’s presence
• God’s promise
• God’s relationship with His people

Its destruction signals the depth of Judah’s spiritual collapse.

Significance: When the Temple falls, it shows that the people have already fallen spiritually.

6. It introduces the 70-year exile as a period of divine reset

The land “enjoyed its sabbath rests” for 70 years. This ties directly to Leviticus 26:34–35.

The exile becomes:

• A reset for the land
• A reset for the people
• A reset for the covenant story

Significance: Even judgment contains seeds of restoration. The 70 years prepare the way for return, rebuilding, and renewal.

7. It sets the stage for hope in the next chapter

The passage ends in devastation, but it is not the end of the story. The very next verses (36:22–23) introduce Cyrus and the return from exile.

Significance: The fall of Jerusalem is not the end of God’s plan—it is the turning point that leads to restoration, rebuilding, and ultimately the coming of the Messiah.

In summary

2 Chronicles 36:11–21 is significant because it shows:

• The culmination of Judah’s rebellion
• God’s persistent mercy
• The consequences of rejecting His word
• The theological meaning of the exile
• The destruction of the Temple as a symbol of broken covenant
• The 70-year exile as both judgment and preparation
• The setup for God’s redemptive future

It’s a passage that holds grief and hope in the same breath—an ending that becomes the soil for a new beginning.

Can you turn this into a mantra (battle cry) for my use at the gym this morning? Don’t forget we get to end the day at Elizabethtown Toastmasters explaining the speech competition… Are we going to Eurofins Saturday??? Philly in April???

🔥 TODAY’S BATTLE CRY 🔥

**“I listen. I rise. I respond. No hardness of heart, no drifting, no delay. I move with purpose, lift with conviction, and honor the God who still sends strength.

I train my body, sharpen my spirit, and carry discipline from the gym to the stage.

This morning I build power. Tonight I bring clarity. All day long I walk in readiness.

From the weight rack to Elizabethtown Toastmasters — I show up, I stand firm, I lead well.”**

THANKS BE TO GOD.