Pruning season was near and the owner told me they would look even more barren and grotesque. There were two principles regarding maximum harvest that I learned. First, tougher conditions for grapevines, like dealing with less water and nutrients, basically puts them on survival mode. But guess what? That stress makes them produce smaller, more […]

We just had a massive storm in Santa Barbara. Many were negatively impacted. Storms generally don’t have an upside. Life’s storms are different. They are essential because of the present opportunities.  Ryan Holiday, of the Daily Stoic, wrote The Obstacle Is the Way. The book narrates stories of people who opportunistically approached life’s trials. Although this strategy runs through

As we stand at the starting gate of this year, the past month has been dedicated to gearing up for all that lies ahead. However, a crucial consideration emerges: without reflecting on this aspect, we may miss the essence of it all. Amidst the constant advice surrounding us on maximizing the next 12 months, I

I have learned a lot on my own health journey. When I first started moving away from processed foods and began clean eating, I learned a lot about whole foods and real nutrition. It can be tempting for many of us who travel or work in a fast-paced career to forfeit the time to prepare

It’s a new year. We commonly reflect on the past and plan for the next. What do we have to show for 2023? Last week, Noah challenged us to “step on the scale.” He gave us TMP areas to measure in our body, mind, soul, and spirit and our roles: spouse, parent, worker, and steward. He asked if we

Did you know that hope is the currency of your heart? It’s the way in which you’re going to be able to take risks. Take anything on, a challenge, whatever it is – you hope to have the confidence to achieve amazing things. So, what will it take to have the right amount of hope

Do you know what your guests are really hungering for this Thanksgiving? It’s probably more than just the turkey with all the fixings and pumpkin pie that we typically consume. As a side dish to the usual fare, what if we offered our guests a genuine experience with the Fruit of the Spirit? Lisa Allen, my

Eternity is challenging to grasp. Our human minds struggle with the concept. Living for millions of years seems otherworldly. And, of course, it is.  For over 500 years, the grace doctrine has helped Christians feel secure in their eternal destiny. Martin Luther helped us see that our entrance into heaven was through grace alone. No ongoing penitence from the

Are you confident that tomorrow, if you repeat today’s agenda over and over, you’ll be rewarded? Hi, I’m Jeff Gerhardt from The Master’s Program. Have you ever considered the significance of your actions 10,000 years from now? In the last Insider Journal, Nadya spoke about thinking with the end in mind, challenging us to ponder

Is there a decision you made in the past that you are grateful for today?Are there any regrets in the present for missed opportunities in the past?Most of us would respond yes to both of these questions. “What can you do today your future self will thank you for?” If considering the next 3 years,