PowerTies Consulting Group

10/01/2025

In Luke 9:57-62, the Bible shows the seriousness of following Jesus. When a man promises to follow Him anywhere, Jesus answers by reminding him that discipleship is not about comfort or security. Even animals have a place to rest, but Jesus does not. His mission requires giving up the normal securities of life, because the call of God goes deeper than what the world offers. To follow Christ means being ready to live a life that may not be easy, but is full of purpose.

When Jesus tells another man to follow Him, the man first asks to bury his father. At first this seems like a natural request, but Jesus answers in a way that shows how urgent His mission is. He is not saying that family duties are unimportant, but that the call to bring life through the Gospel is greater than even the most serious earthly responsibilities. The work of God must come before everything else, because it deals with eternal life.

The last person wants to follow Jesus but asks to say goodbye to his family. Jesus uses the image of a farmer plowing a field. If the farmer keeps looking back, he cannot plow a straight line. In the same way, anyone who wants to follow Christ must not keep looking backward at what they are leaving behind. True discipleship requires full commitment, without hesitation, excuses, or divided hearts.

This passage also warns against making excuses when it comes to living out faith. Each person in the story wanted to follow Jesus, but each also had a reason to delay or hold back. The excuses might have sounded reasonable, but they revealed hearts that were not fully ready to commit. In our own lives, it is easy to say we will follow Christ but then place conditions on it, such as waiting until life feels more convenient or until other priorities are taken care of. Jesus shows that there will always be something that can serve as an excuse, but none of them outweigh the importance of following Him now.

At the same time, Jesus is not closing the door on those who struggle. He is making it clear that His work and purpose must be the center of our lives, because that is where true freedom and fullness are found. Excuses hold us back from living and being our best selves, yet God knows we are weak and will sometimes fail. What matters most is that we keep coming back, trying again, and allowing His grace to shape us. Discipleship is not about being perfect on the first try but about continually turning back to Him with a willing heart. In this way, Jesus both challenges us to rise above excuses and reassures us that there is always room to begin again.

This passage teaches us that following Jesus is not something that can be done halfway or delayed. It is a decision that asks for trust, sacrifice, and focus on the kingdom of God above all else. The reward is not comfort in this world but life in Christ, which is far greater and eternal.

06/24/2025

Today's Gospel passage (from Luke 1:57–66, 80) tells the story of the birth and naming of John the Baptist — a moment where divine purpose quietly enters the world through the obedience and conviction of his parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth. Against cultural expectation and family tradition, Elizabeth insists, “He is to be called John,” a name that breaks with human convention but is faithful to God’s command. When Zechariah, Elizabeth's father who could not speak, affirms this by writing “His name is John,” his voice returns. His obedience unleashes not only his speech but also divine praise and prophecy. The neighbors marvel, not just at the miracle, but at the deeper question: “What then will this child become?” — a child clearly marked by God’s hand and hidden strength.

This moment of quiet courage and obedience — done without public fanfare — is reflected deeply in something that Robin Williams used to do. Known for his electrifying performances and larger-than-life comedic talent, what most people didn’t know was that he had a private condition he insisted upon for every film he worked on: that production companies hire at least ten homeless individuals to work on set. He didn’t broadcast it. He didn’t use it for publicity. But like Zechariah and Elizabeth, he acted decisively and faithfully in a way that rippled far beyond the moment. His action wasn’t about checking a box — it was about seeing the humanity and dignity of others in a way the world often overlooks.

Both stories remind us that 'naming' someone or 'choosing' someone can be an act of restoration and justice. John the Baptist was named not according to what the world expected, but according to what God had ordained. Robin Williams, in his own way, also chose to 'name' those society often leaves nameless. He gave them dignity, a place, and a role — quietly insisting they belong.

We don’t need fanfare to do good. Often, the most powerful acts of justice and mercy are done quietly, even stubbornly, behind the scenes — when we insist on goodness, not because it's expected, but because it's right. And those actions, like John’s naming and Robin’s quiet hiring, leave the world asking in wonder: 'What will become of these people?' What lives might flourish, just because someone decided to make room?

Perhaps we, like them, could live in such a way that our obedience to God’s quiet nudges changes the trajectory of lives — perhaps even generations.

06/01/2025

Unity, Learning, and Transformation: A Cohesive Reflection - by Keith Tully

Today's gospel message (John17:20-26) about unity in the Church body reveals a profound truth that extends far beyond religious boundaries. When Jesus prayed for all believers—past, present, and future—He established a timeless principle of interconnected purpose that resonates deeply with our modern challenges.

This divine call to unity finds unexpected harmony with futurist Alvin Toffler's insights about navigating change. Toffler observed that "The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." He also described technology as the "great growling engine of change." These observations illuminate a crucial reality: in our rapidly evolving world, adaptability isn't just helpful—it's essential for survival and growth.

Here lies the beautiful paradox of human nature. We often express dissatisfaction with current circumstances, declaring "I don't like the way things are." Yet when presented with opportunities for meaningful change, we resist, saying "But I don't want things to change." This contradiction reveals our deep need for unity as both catalyst and comfort in the transformation process.

Unity transforms the intimidating prospect of change into a shared journey of growth. When we commit to changing together, we create space to help both ourselves and others—potentially impacting the entire world. This collective approach naturally generates grace and forgiveness because we recognize our companions as allies rather than adversaries. We extend understanding to those walking alongside us because we share common purpose and direction.

The most effective solutions emerge not from isolated thinking, but from the dynamic tension of diverse perspectives united in common cause. Within the safety of unified teamwork, we can debate differences constructively, knowing that disagreement doesn't threaten our fundamental bond. This mirrors the wisdom found in healthy marriages, where couples approach challenges with an "us versus the problem" mentality rather than allowing problems to divide them.

Whether we draw from ancient prayers for believers or modern insights about technological change, the message remains clear: unity provides the foundation for meaningful transformation. In unity, we find the courage to learn, unlearn, and relearn together, creating solutions that none of us could achieve alone.

05/22/2025

This passage from the Gospel of John (John 15:9-11) gets at something deeply human: the desire to feel loved and to experience real joy. Jesus is speaking to His followers in a moment of closeness and trust. He’s saying, in essence, “The love I’ve received from the Father, I’m now giving to you. Stay connected to that love.” And He ties that connection to the way we live — specifically, to keeping His commandments, which are really about how we treat others and ourselves with respect, truth, and compassion. Then comes the heart of it: “I’ve told you this so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be full.”

There’s something very real here for anyone trying to figure out how to live with more peace and less frustration. If you think about the people and habits in your life, some probably fill you up, make you feel grounded, and bring a kind of joy that sticks. Others might do the opposite — they leave you drained, anxious, or feeling like you’re moving away from who you really want to be. This passage offers a lens to make sense of those dynamics. It suggests that real joy comes from staying connected to what’s good and true and loving — not just in some vague spiritual way, but in how we choose to live and who we choose to keep close.

So if you’re trying to sort out who or what deserves a place in your life, maybe start by asking: Does this relationship, this habit, this way of thinking help me feel more at peace, more loving, more like myself at my best? Or does it pull me off course? The idea isn’t to cut people off the second things get hard, but to notice patterns. Joy tends to grow where love is mutual, honest, and rooted in something deeper than just convenience or comfort. That’s what Jesus is pointing to — not a rulebook, but a way of living that makes space for joy that lasts.

05/21/2025

We often think that we have to do things "all or nothing" and all at once. But in today's gospel, Jesus teaches that we should take away a little at a time - prune our bad habits. And add more, really delve into our strengths and good habits (and learn how to be the best versions of ourselves that we can be). We can do that for ourselves and others - it's true coaching and leadership.

John 15:1-8
Jesus said to his disciples:
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,
and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you.

05/17/2025

Here's a group called Step Pets that you've probably never heard of, but who are really great. Listen to these lyrics, cuts, and rifs. It's a very touching song actually. https://open.spotify.com/track/0ejUiSyxyQamS6ge2di6oA?si=YzonaC1MTHSXYa4O61OosQ

Step Pets · Step Pets · Song · 2015

04/29/2025

02/14/2025

Sorry for the long post, but as I was praying, meditating, and writing this morning, I came up with this, and I need to share:

The Gospels invite us to come together as one people and not let divisions separate us. Jesus taught that we should love one another, no matter where we come from or what differences we may have. The message of unity is a big part of His teachings. In John 17:20-23, Jesus prays to God, asking that all believers be united as one, just as Jesus and God are united. He wants everyone who believes in Him to be one family, showing the world God's love. This prayer shows that unity is not just something Jesus wanted, but something He prayed for, so that the world could see how much God loves us.

In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus tells us that the two most important things are to love God and love others. Loving our neighbors helps bring us together as one people, no matter who they are. He says that loving God and loving others are the foundation of everything in life. This teaches us that love is the key to unity. If we love each other, we will be united. Jesus also shows us the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation. In Matthew 5:23-24, He says that if we have a problem with someone, we should fix it before offering our gifts to God. This reminds us that unity comes from making peace with one another.

St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 that the Church is like a body with many parts. Even though everyone is different, we are all part of the same body in Christ. This means that even if we come from different backgrounds, we are all connected and part of God's family. The differences we have are not reasons to divide but to come together and work in harmony.

Paul also writes in Ephesians 4:1-6, urging us to live in peace and unity. He says that we are all part of the same family in Christ and should treat each other with love and respect. To preserve unity, we need to be humble, patient, and kind to each other.

In John 10:16, Jesus calls all people, no matter where they come from, to be part of His one flock. He wants everyone to be united under Him as our Shepherd. This shows that Jesus' message is for everyone, and He wants us all to be united in Him.

Jesus also warns about the danger of division in Mark 3:24, where He says that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. This reminds us that division makes us weak, and we must work together in unity to carry out God's mission.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus teaches that we should treat everyone with love and kindness, even those who seem very different from us. This parable shows us that love and unity go beyond differences in race, religion, or background. It teaches us to show compassion to everyone, no matter where they come from.

St. Paul also reminds us in Galatians 3:28 that, in Christ, there is no difference between people based on race, social status, or gender. We are all equal in God’s eyes. This means that Jesus calls everyone to be united as one family, no matter who we are.

Ultimately, the Gospels teach us that we are all invited to be united as one people in Christ. By loving God and loving our neighbors, accepting each other’s differences, and working together as one family, we can show the world God’s love. Unity is not just a nice idea but something Jesus wants for all of us. When we live as one, we can better share His message with the world.

02/10/2025

Even in the fiercest storms of life, God is with us. He is not worried about the storm because He has power over it. When we trust in Him, we can experience peace—even in the middle of life’s challenges.

01/20/2025

I thought this was fitting for today honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and all he did with God's guidance and his own choice and will to change the planet for the better.

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
— Matthew 7:12

Often called the Golden Rule, this teaching encourages kindness, fairness, and mutual respect in all interactions and relationships.

01/10/2025

As my parents have gotten older, they have become a little more prone to scams. I told my dad about something I do, and he adopted it also. I interact with the world using only my Chime debit card. And that is not the account I put the majority of my money in. So, if anyone tries to scam me, and they get that card, they can only get so much. After a scammer got my dad that way, he started adopting the same policy. For the new year, whether you use Chime or not, finding a way to limit your exposer to the world is a great ambition. This is an adulting skill.

As my commercial for Chime, it's free to transfer money, and they have debit card cutoff by pushing a button, and there are no banking fees. Plus you can auto send money to your savings by rounding up each month and/or sending 10% of deposits to savings as well. Also, if you join me on Chime and we'll may each get $100. (Terms apply.)

Get Paid Early. No Hidden Fees.

01/02/2025

Make the choice. Choose Joy today! (And everyday.)

Click here to stream and download "TOGETHER": https://forkingandcountry.lnk.to/TOGETHERSO Text us! (615) 257-9555 Join us on tour this Christmas! https://t...