Clarify to Multiply

CLARIFY TO MULTIPLY

By Brandon Bridges

04|03|2025

Over the last year or so I have experience a lot of healing. We all have wounds, imperfections, impairments, little quirks and kinks we must work out. Some of these are developed, some inherited. For example, my mother and brother work really hard. It's what they do. Like it's in their genes. Some call them workaholics. My sister and future wife and I can be just as stubborn in our own way as well. I was recently told that this trait tends to manifest itself in me through my drive to learn and acquire knowledge. I didn't really notice this until recent talks between my sister, fiancée and myself. These days, most of my attention is bound up in barbering, marriage prep, spiritual development, writing, personal enrichment and graduate studies—Master of Arts in Christian Counseling (Specialization in Life Coaching). It would be very easy to lose balance and drop all these spinning plates if I'm not careful!

As a life coach we are trained to build client-centered relationships where we help the client identify a specific Agenda, determine Action Steps and then hold them responsible. Usually, we check-in every 7-14 days and ask for what is called a Progress Report. If the client were to stop fulfilling their side of the deal by completing their Action Steps then the client-coach relationship is susceptible to immediate termination. Staying proactive matters. But there is a big difference between busyness and goal acquisition.

The more I've coached others and put this coaching philosophy into practice the more I have begun to recognize where I myself fall short. Where I could make some changes and clarifications. I've often noticed myself feeling overwhelmed and busy and yet not getting what really matters done. Or, I'll be crowding out the people and practices that matter most to me. It happens. So, I am in the process of coaching myself these days. I am checking my Agenda, my true aim. I'm determining S.M.A.R.T. goals—goals that are Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic and Time-bound. I'm refocusing on those people and things that really matter and getting rid of what doesn't. Every step has to be measured sometimes. But it ultimately clarifies my movements in a way that makes me much more productive. Every day I am growing and becoming the best-version-of-myself one step at a time. And life feels full of purpose...even while incarcerated. 

I encourage you to really clarify and determine what you want in the next 90 days, maybe based off of a 5 Year Plan. Define some daily and weekly Action Steps. Share these things with someone who will support and celebrate your Progress. 

Life is short. Time is precious. Be all you can be, where you can be it, with who you can be it with. There is a purpose for your life. Search for it! Don't let it slip you by. For me, it helps to start with prayer, maybe asking God to show you what and who really matters?

Be Encouraged,

B

I don't know how you came across this site, maybe you or someone you know is having a difficult day, maybe not but you can still relate to other times in your life when you or others did. Maybe everything is just beginning to feel too overwhelming, and you are afraid you might quit your job or school, go crazy on someone, or give up on your dreams. 

First off, I want you to know that I get it. I was told I would never make it out of prison. I was sentenced to longer than I'd been alive. Sometimes, life can get pretty hard. I also know that it is best to just take a deep breath in at times, recalibrate- then get back to it, take it one day at a time. Sometimes even just one breath at a time. While you are taking your deep breath, maybe you can find a blog post title or devotional that resonates with you and your situation, read it, and be encouraged? Remember: You got this! You're stronger than you think, I promise you that. :) 

When asked what surprises him the most the Dalai Lama said: 

"[That] man sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future, that he does not enjoy the present moment. As a result, he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then he dies having never truly lived."

I'd like to consider myself a student of Wisdom. It is a task I took on after making lots of unwise decisions at an early age. Doesn't mean I am wise in comparison to the men or women who have such wonderful things to say. But I am an admirer. I believe others who are wiser than me would find such truths just as exciting. This one here seems to have some interesting points to it. So I figured I might share. Sharing a quote by someone does not mean I agree with the totality of their philosophy for living. That said, I may start sharing these with you more often. Sometimes I send collected quotes out once a day, often less. I don't have Google and have learned of these from old fashioned reading, some recent, some from nearly a decade ago and that I found relevant enough to write down. Maybe you will find them worth reading from time to time as they are sent your way.

My prayer for you today is that you enjoy each moment. This one, and this one, and this one and so on; and not get to anxious about the moments to come. God speaks most clearly in the present. Don't miss it :)

Ready, Set, Go!"

Hurry up and do it all over again! 

New Years can certainly be an exciting and positive time when we make fresh changes in our lives a try our best to adhere to them, but it's easy to see it as the beginning of just another foot race for the finish line. The same race, in fact. And our focus becomes "OK, what do I need to do today to help me get to the finish line...again." Don't let the start of your year quickly become just another chore. Stop and take a single solitary minute and direct your attention to the one who tells us simply: "Apart from me, you can do nothing"- King Jesus. Start THERE. Jesus also tells us "Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you". 

     I can tell you from experience that this is the truth. God has seen fit to bless me even within the context of prison, and there is no denying it - his blessing and peace became a reality in my life once I became determined to stay my mind on HIM and His Kingdom, rather than the world. I encourage you today to begin your year with the same determination and watch what God does in your life. Do not misunderstand, He will not completely remove hardship and trial from your life. He uses those things to craft you to his will for your own good, but he WILL without a doubt be there with you in any storm. Make the race you run this year HIS race, not the race of the world. 

With love and prayer, 

    Spencer Pinekenstein 

    The War Within

How many of you know the feeling inside that feels like your own personal war?

I know this feeling all-to-well. Often times through my life, I've been at war with myself. I'd feel like I got my feet on the ground with a job, my own place, what have you, and boom, I'd knock my own feet out from under myself with self destructive behavior.

Other times I feel like I'm at war with God. A loved one passes, something bad happens, and I blame him for it. "How can you let this happen God?" Which also leads me to be a spiteful son. Doing evil to spite God.

Maybe I'm alone on this, but I bet I'm not. Times when I should turn to God to help me, I'd turn to drugs to forget. Times when I'd get angry and should pray, I'd harm someone instead.

This way of life kept me trapped in the revolving door that is the prison system for most of my adult life. Leading to the life sentence I now serve.

I still haven't learned, because even today, I fight is war. No matter how many times I pray, I still feel this rage inside. I still think evil thoughts, I still fall short.

Sometimes I feel like its a war I can't win. I promise God to never hurt another person, and then he tests me by putting someone in my path that drives me to the edge. In my past, this is the point in which I break, doing evil to get past the rage. For me it doesn't take much to get there. I've lived a hard life, and carry a lot of pain.

I have learned to wear a mask, and hide my feelings better, and in doing so, little by little I've also gotten stronger at self control. With that strength, so to has my strength in faith grown.

I'm just venting here to you, my brothers and sisters, but also saying, "you're not alone in this battle. If you share these feelings (maybe not with rage and anger, but whatever problem) I do to. Stay strong and keep the faith." Pray for me, and know I'm praying for you all.

                   - currently incarcerated inmate Jason Pardue

      THE POWER OF LOVE

By Brandon Bridges 8/21/2023

There is power in love. Perfect love, that is. Not selfish or jealous or controlling or lustful or greedy love. Perfect love. Love that sets you and others free and brings lasting peace. This is why Jesus says those that find him find freedom, they are free indeed. For "God is love" (1 John 4:8, 16). Perfect love. The Scriptures contain no equivalent statements with respect to other qualities of the divine nature. Love is the highest characteristic of God, the one attribute in which all others harmoniously blend. This love is far more than mere kindness, benevolence or affection.

WHAT IS PERFECT LOVE & WHY IS IT POWERFUL?

In Scripture there are four Greek words for our English word "love." C.S. Lewis describes them in detail between the covers of his book titled The Four Loves.

1. AGAPE—unmerited, self-giving love.

2. PHILOS—a love that is warm and merited, friend love if you will.

3. STORGE—has the idea of family love or affection.

4. EROS—expresses a possessive love and used mainly of physical love.

Our English melds all of these facets into one simple word: love. But all are NOT created equal. All do not free and give peace.

To follow Jesus is to follow the way of perfect AGAPE love. We love people without reason. Whether they are poor or in prison, liked or lonely, rich or reeking of poverty. This love is seen in the way God loved the world: that he gave his only son to die on a cross for a world full of sinners (Jn 3:16) 

...For a people who rejected Him, spit in His face, beat Him essentially to death, mocked Him, put a crown of thorns on Him and betrayed Him in every way imaginable. 

And Jesus was NO victim. By far He was the most powerful being to ever walk this planet. He said he freely laid his life down for us. While all of us were still full fledged criminals in His eyes. Enemies.

What can you do with that kind of love? How can you hurt a person who loves you enough to LET you take their life? Let's you come in and tear their world to pieces just for the mere chance that their love may make your life better.

Scripture says we love God because he first loved us. This love changes us. When fully embraced, it turns us into people who pray for our enemies good. 

Walking the way of perfect love: one finds freedom. 

Freedom from unforgiveness, bitterness, and envy. Freedom from the need for someone to love you back the way you love them. Freedom from shame that has the ability to haunt you. Freedom from hate and anger and depression and loneliness. 

True love is able to let someone go if they need to go. And it will be waiting for them if they ever come back. Although a person who loves like this may find themselves alone, they are never lonely. Because this love comes from God, from Jesus and having a right relationship with him. We love others like this because we understand the grace and mercy and sacrifice involved in Him loving us this way when He died for us on a cross. 

This is the clearest picture of agape love and the effect it can have on humanity. One drop of pure agape, unmerited, self-giving love has the power to change the world. Just look at how The Way, how Jesus and His love has changed this world for good. From hospitals to educational institutions to millions upon billions being cared for from out of this sense of love. 

It hasn't always been so clear what true love is. It isn't philos, storge or eros. It is Agape. 

For someone who loves in this way there is nothing at all to be afraid of. 

"So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgement, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect [agape] love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:16-19, ESV, brackets mine).

To say, "God is love" implies that all His activity is loving activity. If He creates, He creates in love; if He rules, He rules in love; if He judges, He judges in love. This is The Way. 

And we are told: "let all that [we] do be done in love" (1 Corinthians 16:14. It is the Way we walk. For better or worse. For lose or win. We give love and people everything we got, with all we've got and without expectation of full return.  

There can be no fear or pain or sense of punishment. Not with perfect self-giving, unmerited agape love. 

Where there is true love there is power and self-control (2 Timothy 2:7). It isn't by accident. And it isn't selfish.

"...Christ has set us free...for in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love" (Galatians 5:1,6).

If we can but get to this point where THIS love controls us (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) and permeates our thoughts and feelings and actions we can feel and find freedom and perfect peace.

"If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32).

You might be wondering why I have included this as an encouraging blog post? I believe that no matter what you may be facing if you can learn to live and love without thought of self or loss then you can find peace. This love only comes through Jesus and the example of agape love he shows us, and allows us to experience of Him on the cross. It isn't found anywhere else. 

Grace and Agape are two words that set Christianity apart from all other faiths in the world.

In this world people will talk your ear off and make you all kinds of promises. For whatever reason, most of these promises get broken. And it can hurt. Really bad. But it will hurt a lot less if we can develop this lens through which we see the world through the purely loving eyes of Jesus. 

Be Encouraged,

B

      Believe and Be a Victor

Positivity is important. Faith in something greater than what is seen. I've found it is imperative to any real and lasting change(s). Believe in yourself. Believe in a new you. Even if you can't presently see it clearly in the mirror. Yet. BELIEVE you can see it. For the athlete: is your shot getting a little better? Are you getting stronger? My arms, do they look bigger to you bro?

We have to envision who we want to be, what we want to look like, how we want to feel, what we want to do—and then live our lives (taking action) into that image... as if it were already true. 

Below is what was once known as the Optimists' Club Creed. Before you read, understand this: We have two ways of looking at life—as a Victim, or, a Victor- an agent of positive change, growth, and transformation. We can either be a burden to people, or we can help carry and lighten someone else's burden- because we've been there. We can look at life as the glass half-empty or half-full. Negativity leads to weakness. Positivity leads to power. Negativity looks at disabilities and obstacles, leading to a life of little worth, little real feelings of intrinsic value and self-worth. Positivity looks at strengths, abilities and opportunities, leading to a life of true value and impact. The choice is truly yours.