The Copperhead Course, Unbreakable Walls, and the True Spiritual Advisor
I finally made it out to the porch at 7:27 AM today, greeted by a full moon glistening over the water, framed by pink cotton candy clouds. My very first thought was, God, I am a sinner and I don't deserve any of this. A bit later, I headed to Innisbrook in North Tampa for a Christian Business Men's Connection golf outing. It is a renowned PGA facility, respected for the Copperhead, Island, and South courses. I'm not much of a golfer these days, but I jumped at the opportunity. I got paired with a guy named Guy, whose son played football at Liberty just like I went there. We had a great time, but the real weight of the day happened in the middle of the round. A good friend opened up about some severe domestic issues with his seventh-grade son and his ex-wife. I leaned on my own painful divorce experience, hoping the Holy Spirit was guiding my words to speak truth in love.
It got me thinking heavily about ministry, advice, and spiritual covering. I have another buddy boosting shirtless Instagram posts with his tithe money, calling it a "viral" ministry. I actually used AI to help me generate some biblical points to gently challenge him, and it gave me incredibly solid, biblical advice that I hadn't even thought of. But it also forced me to look in the mirror. None of our "ministries" are actually sanctioned by our pastors. I'm going to ask Pastor Jordan and Pastor Garrett for their advice and covering. As I build my AI agency, Grockbots, I realize I need solid spiritual footing. I want to honor my son, Cash, the most righteous 19-year-old I ever knew, by making his legacy the heartbeat of this company. But I have to remember who is truly leading and advising me.
Today's SOAP
S - Scripture
Mark 4:9 (NIV): "Then Jesus said, 'Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.'"
Romans 5:5 (NIV): "...God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
Lamentations 4:12 (NIV): "The kings of the earth did not believe, nor did any of the peoples of the world, that enemies and foes could enter the gates of Jerusalem."
O - Observation
Reading through Lamentations 3 through 5 today, I noticed something I missed in Jeremiah: Jerusalem's walls seemed completely unbreakable to the rest of the world. Yet, they fell because the people stopped listening to God. Jesus echoes this warning, urging those with ears to actually hear His truth. Furthermore, true ministry and counsel aren't about our own wisdom. The love Paul talks about in Romans is agape—an unconditional love that seeks the good of another above oneself. Loving someone on their worst day and being the first to forgive is beyond our natural human ability; it cannot be manufactured. It only shows up as a fruit of the Spirit.
A - Application
I need to make sure I am listening with ears that actually hear. America feels unbreakable right now, just like Jerusalem's walls did, but without the Lord, any nation or business can be taken down at any moment. I have to ensure my own life has the right foundation. I love using AI to help me outline biblical thoughts, but AI is a tool, not the Holy Spirit. And while Cash's legacy is the inspiration of my business, I must rely solely on the Holy Spirit to be my Spiritual Advisor. When I try to give advice to a hurting friend on the golf course, I can't rely on my own strength; I need God to pour out His agape love through me so I can love my friend on his worst day. I must submit my plans to my pastors, submit my agency to the Holy Spirit, and stop relying on my own unbreakable walls.
P - Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the moon over the water and the grace You show a sinner like me. Give me ears to hear Your voice above the noise of the world, above the AI, and above my own pride. Pour Your agape love into my heart so I can truly help my friends when their lives are falling apart. I dedicate my business to You. Holy Spirit, be my ultimate Spiritual Advisor. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Today's Challenge:
Identify one "ministry" or major project you are running right now—a business, a social media account, or a mentorship—that has not been submitted to pastoral or spiritual covering. Schedule a meeting or a phone call this week with a trusted pastor or elder to formally seek their wisdom and blessing over it.
