Tag: investing

TODAY’S LESSON: Coca-Cola: A 20-Year Dividend Growth Strategy

DING. DING. (thank you for the alarm)

Mark 1:14–20 marks the moment Jesus steps onto the public stage with urgency, authority, and invitation. It reveals the arrival of God’s kingdom, the call to repentance, and the radical summons to discipleship that redefines identity and purpose.

🌅 1. The Shift in God’s Redemptive Timeline

  • John’s arrest signals a transition—the forerunner’s work is complete, and Jesus now steps forward to begin His ministry.
  • This moment is described as “the time is fulfilled”—the long-awaited moment in salvation history has arrived.
  • Jesus proclaims the kingdom of God has come near, meaning God’s reign is breaking into the world in a new and decisive way.

🔄 2. The Core Message: Repent and Believe

  • Jesus echoes John’s call: “Repent and believe in the good news.”
  • Repentance here is not just sorrow—it’s a turning, a reorientation of life toward God’s kingdom.
  • Belief is not mere agreement but trusting allegiance to the One who brings the kingdom.

🎣 3. The Call of the First Disciples

  • Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John while they are doing ordinary work—casting and mending nets.
  • His invitation, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men,” reframes their identity and vocation.
  • Their response is immediate:
    • They leave their nets (their livelihood).
    • They leave their boats (their security).
    • They leave their father (their social identity).
  • Mark emphasizes the urgency and totality of discipleship.

⚡ 4. Theological Significance

A. Jesus’ Authority

  • He doesn’t persuade—He commands.
  • His call creates the ability to respond; His word is performative.

B. The Nature of Discipleship

  • Discipleship is relational (“Follow me”), not merely instructional.
  • It is transformational (“I will make you…”).
  • It is missional (“…fishers of people”).

C. The Kingdom’s Nearness

  • The kingdom is not a distant hope but a present reality breaking in through Jesus’ ministry.
  • This passage sets the tone for Mark’s fast-paced gospel—God is on the move.

🧭 5. Practical Significance for Today

For someone like you, Kevin—who blends leadership, service, and spiritual reflection—this passage speaks directly into your rhythm of life:

  • God calls in the midst of ordinary work. Just as the disciples were found at their nets, Jesus meets you in your leadership at Hershey’s, your Toastmasters service, and your community work.
  • Discipleship is both surrender and purpose. Leaving nets isn’t about abandoning responsibility—it’s about letting Jesus redefine your “why.”
  • Your calling is relational and missional. Every space you step into becomes a place where the kingdom can break in through presence, integrity, and invitation.
  • The kingdom is near—now. Not someday, not when life is perfectly arranged. Right here, right now, in Bainbridge, in your routines, in your leadership, in your service.

If you want, we can also explore how this passage connects to your current season—especially your leadership roles and the transitions you’re preparing for.

Thank you… as you are aware… I am using my ETFs as a seperate income stream… The dividends that I recieve are helping me pay my bills… I want to put some of my money into a strong, dividend paying growth stock that I can let grow for 20 years. Can you give me a recommendation?

A long‑term dividend‑growth stock you can hold for 20 years needs three things: unstoppable cash flow, a proven record of raising dividends, and durable competitive advantages. Based on the latest data, Coca‑Cola (KO) stands out as one of the strongest candidates for a 20‑year hold.

🏆 Top Recommendation: Coca‑Cola (KO)

A global, recession‑resistant powerhouse with 63 consecutive years of dividend increases and strong free‑cash‑flow generation.

Why KO fits your 20‑year growth‑and‑income goal

  • Ultra‑reliable dividend growth: 63 straight years of raises makes KO a “Dividend King,” one of the most elite categories in the market.
  • Strong financial performance: KO posted 30% EPS growth in Q3 and generated $2.4B in free cash flow, supporting long‑term dividend sustainability.
  • Global brand dominance: Coca‑Cola’s asset‑light model (selling concentrates to bottlers) keeps margins high and costs low.
  • Resilient across economic cycles: People buy beverages in recessions, expansions, and everything in between.
  • Perfect complement to your ETF income strategy: KO gives you slow, steady, compounding dividend growth while your high‑yield ETFs give you weekly/monthly cash flow.

🥈 Strong Alternatives (Also 20‑Year Worthy)

Procter & Gamble (PG)

  • Over 135 years of uninterrupted dividends and decades of increases.
  • Household‑staples giant with brands people buy no matter what.
  • Excellent long‑term compounding potential.

Broadcom (AVGO)

  • Double‑digit dividend growth fueled by massive AI‑related revenue expansion.
  • Lower yield than KO, but much higher long‑term growth potential.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)

  • Huge free‑cash‑flow generator with decades of dividend raises.
  • Healthcare demand is durable across generations.

📊 Quick Comparison

StockDividend StrengthGrowth PotentialStabilityWhy Consider It
Coca‑Cola (KO)⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Safest long‑term dividend compounder
Procter & Gamble (PG)⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Ultra‑stable consumer staples
Broadcom (AVGO)⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐High growth + rising dividends
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Healthcare stability + cash flow

🎯 My Personalized Recommendation for You, Kevin

Given your strategy—ETFs for income now, and one stock for long‑term compounding—Coca‑Cola (KO) is the cleanest, safest, most reliable 20‑year anchor. It grows slowly but relentlessly, and it won’t stress you out during market swings.

If you want a bit more growth while still keeping dividend reliability, Broadcom (AVGO) is the next best fit.

DING. DING.

TODAY’S WORD: Faith and Endurance: Key Lessons from Hebrews 10

HIGH FIVE! (do the math)

Hebrews 10:32–39 emphasizes the call to persevere in faith, reminding believers of past endurance, present confidence, and future reward. It urges Christians not to shrink back in hardship but to live by faith, trusting God’s promises.

✨ Key Themes in Hebrews 10:32–39

  • Remember past endurance: The writer recalls how believers once endured suffering, reproach, and loss with joy because they trusted in a greater, eternal possession.
  • Confidence in God’s promises: Verse 35 warns against throwing away confidence, which carries “a great reward.” Faith is not just belief but steadfast trust in God’s future fulfillment.
  • Need for endurance: Verse 36 highlights that perseverance is essential to receive what God has promised. Endurance is framed as active obedience to God’s will.
  • Living by faith, not shrinking back: Verses 38–39 contrast two paths: shrinking back to destruction or pressing forward in faith to preserve the soul. This sets up Hebrews 11’s “Hall of Faith”.
  • Hope of eternal reward: The passage points believers to Christ’s return and the eternal inheritance, encouraging them to endure present trials with future hope.

📖 Why It Matters

  • Encouragement in suffering: The audience had faced persecution, property loss, and public shame. The text reminds them that their past resilience proves they can endure again.
  • Spiritual perspective: Earthly possessions and comfort are temporary; the “better possession” is eternal life with God.
  • Faith as action: Faith is not passive belief but active endurance, obedience, and confidence in God’s promises.
  • Transition to Hebrews 11: This passage bridges the warning of Hebrews 10:26–31 with the examples of faith in Hebrews 11, showing that perseverance is the hallmark of true believers.

🪞 Practical Significance for Today

  • Perseverance in trials: Modern believers may not face imprisonment or confiscation of property, but rejection, ridicule, or hardship still test faith.
  • Confidence in God’s promises: Holding fast to God’s promises gives strength when circumstances seem bleak.
  • Faith as endurance: Faith is proven not in ease but in persistence through difficulty.
  • Hope of eternal reward: Keeping eternity in view helps believers endure temporary struggles with joy.

📌 Summary Table

Verse RangeFocusSignificance
32–34Past enduranceRecall joy in suffering, rooted in eternal possession
35–36Confidence & enduranceDo not throw away faith; endurance leads to promise
37–38Faith vs. shrinking backLive by faith; avoid destruction
39Identity of believersTrue believers persevere to salvation

Would you like me to expand this into a devotional reflection that connects Hebrews 10:32–39 with your leadership and stewardship work, or into a practical teaching outline for sharing with your Toastmasters or church group?

SURE… let’s read about ETFs today and find out which stocks whould be good for growth… LET’S SAY, 1-2 Years… in the Energy Industry…

For 1–2 year growth in the energy industry, experts recommend a mix of diversified energy ETFs and select mid-to-large cap stocks in both traditional oil & gas and renewables.

🔑 Energy ETFs to Watch (2025–2027)

  • Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE): Tracks major U.S. energy companies like ExxonMobil and Chevron. Strong for broad exposure.
  • iShares U.S. Energy ETF (IYE): Covers a wide range of U.S. energy firms, including producers, refiners, and service providers.
  • Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP): Focuses on pipeline and storage operators (midstream). Attractive for income and infrastructure growth.
  • SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP): More volatile, but offers upside if oil prices rise.
  • Invesco Solar ETF (TAN): Renewable-focused, capturing growth in solar energy adoption.

Sources:

📈 Energy Stocks with Growth Potential (2025–2027)

  • Brookfield Renewable (BEPC): Renewable powerhouse with ~10% annual cash flow growth projected through 2029.
  • ConocoPhillips (COP): Strong dividend growth and disciplined capital strategy.
  • Chevron (CVX): Aggressive buybacks and cash flow growth post-acquisitions.
  • Weatherford International (WFRD): Mid-cap oilfield services firm with upside in drilling and production support.
  • Talos Energy (TALO): Offshore exploration company positioned for growth.
  • Plains GP Holdings (PAGP): Midstream operator benefiting from U.S. oil transport demand.

Sources:

📊 Comparison Table

CategoryETF/StockFocusGrowth Potential (1–2 yrs)
Broad ETFXLELarge-cap U.S. energy majorsModerate, stable
Diversified ETFIYEWide U.S. energy exposureModerate
Infrastructure ETFAMLPPipelines & storageModerate, income-focused
Exploration ETFXOPOil & gas explorersHigh volatility, upside
Renewable ETFTANSolar energyHigh growth, higher risk
StockBEPCRenewable powerStrong long-term growth
StockCOPOil & gas productionDividend + growth
StockCVXIntegrated oil majorStable, buyback-driven
StockWFRDOilfield servicesMid-cap growth
StockTALOOffshore explorationSpeculative upside
StockPAGPMidstream transportInfrastructure-driven

⚡ Takeaway

For a 1–2 year horizon, a balanced approach works best:

  • ETFs like XLE or IYE for stability and broad exposure.
  • Mid-cap stocks (WFRD, TALO, PAGP) for higher growth potential.
  • Renewables (BEPC, TAN) for long-term upside, though more volatile.

Would you like me to build a sample portfolio allocation (e.g., % in ETFs vs. individual stocks) tailored to your disciplined stewardship style, or a chart of projected growth trends for these picks?

do i have a good strategy??? I am building a portfolio aimed at ETFs that pay a weekly dividend… I am using these dividends as supplementary income (another paycheck) How much should I invest to make $1500 a month? My stocks are: MSTY, CONY, SNOY, SMCY, AMDY, TSYY, HOYY

I like the way you’re thinking, Kevin — turning ETFs into a “weekly paycheck” is a disciplined, stewardship‑style strategy that fits your focus on clarity and actionable planning. Let’s break it down carefully:

🧩 Step 1: Clarify the Dividend Structure

  • Most ETFs (even income‑focused ones) pay monthly or quarterly dividends, not weekly. A few specialized funds experiment with weekly payouts, but they’re rare.
  • The tickers you listed (MSTY, CONY, SNOY, SMCY, AMDY, TSYY, HOYY) don’t match standard U.S. ETF symbols. They may be placeholders or niche funds. To calculate accurately, we’d need their actual dividend yield (annual % of payout relative to price).

🧩 Step 2: Translate Income Goal into Yield Requirement

You want $1,500 per month = $18,000 per year. The investment needed depends on the yield:

Investment Required=Annual Income GoalDividend Yield

Examples:

  • 5% yield → 18,0000.05=360,000
  • 7% yield → 18,0000.07≈257,000
  • 10% yield → 18,0000.10=180,000

So depending on the yield of your ETFs, you’d need somewhere between $180K–$360K invested to reliably generate $1,500/month.

🧩 Step 3: Risks & Considerations

  • High‑yield ETFs (often in energy, REITs, or covered‑call strategies) can pay 8–12% but may have price volatility or distribution cuts.
  • Weekly payouts are more about distribution frequency than higher income — the yield is the same, just split into smaller checks.
  • Diversification: Relying only on niche weekly‑pay ETFs could expose you to sector risk. Balancing with broader dividend ETFs (like SCHD, VYM, or XLE) adds stability.
  • Tax efficiency: Frequent dividends can increase taxable events depending on your account type.

🧩 Step 4: Strategy Evaluation

✅ Strengths:

  • Clear income target ($1,500/month).
  • Discipline in treating dividends as “paychecks.”
  • Focus on ETFs (diversified vs. single stocks).

⚠️ Watchouts:

  • Weekly dividend ETFs are rare; confirm your tickers and yields.
  • High yields often come with higher risk.
  • You may need a large principal ($200K–$350K) depending on yield.

⚡ Practical Next Step

To refine this, I’d suggest:

  1. Verify the actual yields of MSTY, CONY, SNOY, SMCY, AMDY, TSYY, HOYY.
  2. Build a blended portfolio yield estimate (e.g., average 7%).
  3. Calculate exact investment needed for $18K/year.

THANKS BE TO GOD.

TODAY’S WORD: Building Generational Wealth Through Faith and Resilience

HIGH FIVE! (generational wealth)

Hebrews 12:3–13 is a powerful passage that speaks directly to the heart of perseverance, discipline, and spiritual maturity. It’s written to encourage believers who are weary, struggling, or facing hardship—not to give up, but to see their trials through the lens of divine love and purpose.

🔍 Key Themes and Significance

1. Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus (v.3)

“Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

  • Jesus is presented as the ultimate example of endurance. He faced hostility, suffering, and shame, yet remained faithful.
  • The call is to “consider” Him—not just glance, but deeply reflect—so that we don’t lose heart in our own struggles.

2. Understanding Suffering as Discipline (v.4–11)

  • The passage reframes hardship not as punishment, but as fatherly discipline—a sign of God’s love and our legitimacy as His children.
  • Discipline is painful in the moment, but it “produces a harvest of righteousness and peace” for those trained by it.
  • This echoes Proverbs 3:11–12, reminding us that God’s correction is purposeful and redemptive.

3. Spiritual Strength and Healing (v.12–13)

“Strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet…”

  • These verses shift from reflection to action. After understanding the purpose of discipline, we’re called to rise, strengthen ourselves, and walk a path that leads to healing—not just for ourselves, but for others who may be “lame” or struggling.
  • It’s a call to resilience, leadership, and compassion.

🌱 Why This Matters for You, Kevin

This passage resonates with your journey—navigating transitions, longing for deeper connection, and staying faithful through uncertainty. You’ve endured, reflected, and grown. Hebrews 12 reminds you that your trials are not wasted—they’re shaping you into someone who can walk with strength and help others heal too.

If you’d like, I can help you turn this into a poetic meditation or a short devotional—something you could share with Lena, your Toastmasters group, or even tuck into your journal for those quiet mornings.

That would be nice to share my desire for generational wealth to Lena. That is why, I applied for that full time job at Hershey’s Chocolate World. If I got that job, I would have company paid benefits… something, I do not have now. As you know, I did not get that job. LET’S MAKE A TRADE so I can pull that money out of SDX. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP?

Your desire to build generational wealth—rooted in love, legacy, and responsibility—is deeply honorable. Even though that full-time role didn’t come through, your vision hasn’t dimmed. You’re still moving forward, and now we pivot with purpose.

💼 How to Withdraw Funds from SDX

Here’s how you can make that trade and pull your money out of SDX:

✅ Steps to Withdraw from SDX

  1. Go to the SDX Trading App Visit app.sdx.markets/trade.
  2. Connect Your Solana Wallet Click the top-right corner and select your wallet.
  3. Check Your Trading Account Balance Click the “Available Balance” button.
  4. Close Any Open Short Option Positions If you’ve sold options (short positions), you’ll need to close them first to free up collateral.
  5. Click “Withdraw” On the Trading Account Balance page, hit the “Withdraw” button.
    • Withdrawals are processed instantly.
    • Make sure the funds are not locked in active trades.

🪙 Want Help Choosing What to Trade Into?

If you’re pulling out of SDX, we can look at ETF options that align with your goals—low volatility, long-term growth, and dividend yield. I can help you chart out a few candidates and even build a narrative you can share with Lena, showing how this move supports your shared future.

Would you like me to help you build that ETF shortlist or draft a message to Lena that blends your financial vision with your heart?

Let’s build this in two parts: a shortlist of ETFs that align with your goals, and a heartfelt message to Lena that blends your financial vision with your love and legacy.

💰 ETF Shortlist for Generational Wealth

These ETFs offer a strong mix of long-term growth, dividend yield, and stability—perfect for building a foundation of generational wealth:

ETFFocusWhy It Fits Your Vision
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM)U.S. large-cap dividend stocksReliable income, low cost, strong long-term performance
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD)Quality dividend-paying U.S. companiesHigh yield + growth potential + low volatility
SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY)Companies with consistent dividend increasesGreat for compounding and legacy planning
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO)Broad U.S. market exposureLong-term growth, ideal for wealth building
Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD)Defensive dividend strategyProtects against market swings while earning income

“Lena, I’ve been thinking deeply about the kind of future I want to build—not just for myself, but for us, and for the generations that may follow. That’s why I applied for the full-time role at Hershey’s. It wasn’t just about a paycheck—it was about stability, benefits, and laying the foundation for something lasting. I didn’t get the job, but I’m not discouraged. I’m pivoting with purpose. I’m pulling funds from SDX and reinvesting in ETFs that grow steadily and pay dividends—because I believe in planting seeds now that will bear fruit for years to come. This isn’t just financial strategy. It’s love in action. It’s legacy. And it’s my way of saying: I see you in my future.”

TODAY’S WORD: Mastering ETF Strategies: From Spiritual Insights to Investment

HIGH FIVE! (GYM, Garage organization, TM meeting, Employee Cookout, TM meeting, ETF charts)

John 4:7–26 is a profound and multilayered passage that captures one of the most intimate and transformative encounters in the Gospels—Jesus speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well. Here’s a breakdown of its significance:

🌊 Spiritual Themes and Symbolism

  • Living Water: Jesus offers the woman “living water,” symbolizing eternal life and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This contrasts with the physical water she came to draw, pointing to a deeper thirst only God can satisfy.
  • True Worship: Jesus reveals that worship is not confined to a location (Jerusalem or Mount Gerizim), but must be “in spirit and truth.” This redefines worship as relational and internal, not ritualistic or geographic.

🤝 Radical Inclusion and Grace

  • Breaking Social Barriers: Jesus, a Jewish man, speaks openly with a Samaritan woman—something culturally taboo. Jews and Samaritans had deep-seated animosity, and women were often marginalized in public religious discourse.
  • Personal Revelation: Jesus gently exposes the woman’s past (her five husbands and current situation) not to shame her, but to invite her into truth and transformation. His approach is compassionate, not condemning.

✨ Messianic Revelation

  • First Explicit Declaration: In verse 26, Jesus says, “I who speak to you am he,” directly revealing Himself as the Messiah. Remarkably, this is one of the earliest and clearest self-disclosures in the Gospels—and it’s to a Samaritan woman, not a religious leader.

💬 Evangelism and Testimony

  • Ripple Effect: The woman becomes one of the first evangelists, running to tell her community about Jesus. Her testimony leads many to believe, showing how personal encounters with Christ can spark communal revival.

🪞 Reflection for Today

This passage invites us to:

  • Examine our own spiritual thirst and where we seek fulfillment.
  • Embrace the radical grace that meets us in our brokenness.
  • Worship authentically, beyond tradition or location.
  • Share our story, knowing that even imperfect lives can point others to Christ.

Kevin, this passage feels like it echoes your journey—drawing from deep wells of scripture, finding joy in unexpected places, and letting your story become a spring of life for others. If you’d like, we could craft a poetic reflection or Table Topic inspired by this scene.

NO THANKS… let’s think about crafting data anaylsis charts for your ETFs

Absolutely—let’s pivot to your ETF strategy and explore how data analysis charts can help you visualize performance, risk, and allocation. Since you lean toward pragmatic investing with a mix of stability and curiosity (especially around crypto), we can tailor charts to reflect both your core holdings and exploratory assets.

📊 Chart Ideas for ETF Analysis

Here are some chart types that could bring clarity and insight to your portfolio:

1. Performance Over Time (Line Chart)

  • Purpose: Track price or NAV (Net Asset Value) of your ETFs over months or years.
  • Use Case: Compare long-term growth of stable ETFs (e.g., VTI, SCHD) vs. more volatile ones (e.g., crypto-linked ETFs).
  • Bonus: Add benchmark lines (like S&P 500) for context.

2. Asset Allocation (Pie Chart or Treemap)

  • Purpose: Visualize how your investments are distributed across sectors, regions, or asset classes.
  • Use Case: See how much is in equities, bonds, crypto, international markets, etc.
  • Bonus: Highlight overexposure or under-diversification.

3. Risk vs. Return (Scatter Plot)

  • Purpose: Compare ETFs based on historical volatility and average return.
  • Use Case: Identify which ETFs offer the best risk-adjusted performance.
  • Bonus: Add a “Sharpe Ratio” overlay for deeper insight.

4. Dividend Yield Comparison (Bar Chart)

  • Purpose: Compare annual dividend yields across your income-generating ETFs.
  • Use Case: Evaluate SCHD, VYM, or other dividend-focused funds.
  • Bonus: Include payout frequency and growth trends.

5. Correlation Matrix (Heatmap)

  • Purpose: Show how ETFs move in relation to each other.
  • Use Case: Spot diversification opportunities or redundancy.
  • Bonus: Include crypto ETFs to see how they correlate with traditional assets.

🧠 Want to Go Deeper?

We could:

  • Build a mock portfolio and simulate performance.
  • Create a dashboard concept for tracking your ETFs weekly.
  • Explore thematic ETFs (e.g., AI, clean energy, blockchain) and compare them to your core holdings.

Would you like to sketch out a few ETFs you currently hold or are considering? That way, I can tailor the charts to your actual strategy.

I want to withdraw that 5k, that I have in SDX… IT IS EARNING NO INTEREST… I AM LOSING AN OPPORTUNITY WITH MY ETFs…

That’s a sharp observation, Kevin—and it shows you’re thinking like a disciplined investor. If that $5K in SDX (assuming it’s sitting in a stagnant or low-yield account) isn’t compounding or growing, then yes: it’s essentially opportunity cost in motion.

🔍 Why Opportunity Cost Matters

  • No Interest = Erosion: Even without inflation, idle cash loses purchasing power over time.
  • ETF Potential: If your ETFs are yielding dividends or appreciating, reallocating that $5K could unlock growth or income.
  • Time in Market > Timing the Market: The longer your money is invested in solid assets, the more it benefits from compounding.

💡 Smart Moves You Could Consider

1. Reallocate to Core ETFs

If you’ve got stable performers like:

  • SCHD (dividend growth)
  • VTI (total market exposure)
  • VOO (S&P 500)

You could split the $5K across them to balance growth and income.

2. Explore Sector or Thematic ETFs

If you’re curious about innovation:

  • ARKK (disruptive tech)
  • IBIT or BITO (crypto exposure)
  • ICLN (clean energy)

These offer upside potential but come with volatility—so maybe a smaller slice.

3. Use Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA)

If you’re cautious about market timing, you could:

  • Invest $1K per week over 5 weeks
  • Smooth out entry points and reduce emotional decision-making

📈 Want to Visualize the Impact?

We could chart:

  • A 12-month projection comparing SDX (flat) vs. ETF growth (e.g., 6–8% annualized)
  • Dividend income potential from SCHD or VYM
  • A reallocation pie chart showing your new portfolio mix

THANKS BE TO GOD.