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Sozo Today .com

Daily Inspiration D A I LY I N S P I R A T I O N

Featured Business

Paula May

Inside This Issue!

On The Cover:

Building a Bridge

Gwynn Cuttler

CASTING THE NET

BILL BROTHERS & BIGFISHFM

What is Sozo?

I

’ll never forget, years ago, when I sensed this question stirring in my spirit, “Do you know how saved you really are?” Now having grown up in and around church most all my life, my initial answer to this internal question was quick. I said to myself, “Sure I know how saved I am. After all, I had heard the “Gospel Story” since I was just a child and I had even “asked Jesus into my heart” when I was just four years old.”

If anyone had asked me what it meant to be “Saved” prior to this moment, my response would have been the same as most Christians. Simply, that being saved meant that one had received Jesus Christ into your heart/ life, thus receiving forgiveness of sin.

As a result of receiving Jesus, your name is written in the “Lambs Book of Life” and you have the promise of going to Heaven when you die and not spending eternity in hell.

Does this response sound familiar to you? After all it’s what most Christians would call a pretty “main stream” answer to a very serious question. In spite of my programmed response I couldn’t shake this question. It kept persistently coming, thus letting me know there must be more and my answer must be incomplete.

So I grabbed the concordance I had just purchased and thought, “This is silly,” “Why am I looking up the meaning of a word I already know?” To my amazement, I was floored when I saw the definition of “Saved.” I could hardly believe what I was seeing, right there in front of me. I had looked up the word Saved from John 3:17 which says, “For God sent not his Son into the world not to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” I’m thinking there’s no way this definition is the same in every occasion the word “Saved” is used in the New Testament. So, hurriedly I began looking at every verse that contained this word.

Needless to say, a flood of emotions began to sweep over me. I was extremely joyful over what I had just discovered,

but I also felt duped. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t angry or upset with any one person, but how could I have gone all these years and not known what the whole meaning of this one word was? This word “Saved” was one of the most fundamental and foundational words I had heard throughout my church upbringing and yet I had never known the true, complete meaning. I had simply never been told.Well are you ready for this? This is life changing! Or, as some would may say “A game changer!” The New Testament word for “Saved” is the Greek word “Sozo” and it literally means “To Save, Heal and Deliver.” When you combine Sozo with Sōtēria, which is the Greek word for Salvation you get the complete meaning. Simply putting these words together you are able to get the whole picture. To be “Saved” means to be saved, healed, delivered, preserved, protected, to make prosperous and to make whole.

The word “whole” means to restore, or

that nothing is missing and nothing is broken. Maybe you, like myself, have only accepted a portion of your salvation. Maybe all you’ve known is the part of being saved that forgives you of your sin and promises you Heaven. I’m here to tell you that there is more! Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly.” He was speaking of not only about your eternal future, but your life right here and right now.

No wonder Peter said “Our adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. Many believers today are living a life below what God intended for them to live. My hope and prayer is that you will discover and experience for yourself this life changing Sozo.

Prayer to Receive Christ

Father, I acknowledge today that Jesus is the son of God and that he came to die on the cross and be raised from the grave so that I may be forgiven of my sin and receive eternal life. Today I put my trust in Jesus Christ as my lord, savior and soon eternity Messiah. And I receive by faith all that Jesus died to give me. In Jesus name, Amen.

Johnny Jones is Pastor of South Point Community Church, local entrepreneur, and author of SozoToday.com.

He can be reached at johnny@sozotoday.com (252) 758-7355

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I N S P I R A T I O N

Daily inspiration, and devotional for the workplace, marketplace and life.

Gwynne Cutler

Building A Bridge

F

or as long as she could remember, Gwynne says she’s loved working with children and has always wanted to make a difference in their lives. Growing up in the southern Beaufort County community of Aurora, Gwynne experienced the safe harbor environment every child needs.

After high school Gwynne received an academic scholarship from the PCS Phosphate Company and went on to ECU where she earned a Bachelors and Masters Degree in just four years and one summer, in Early Childhood Education. Quite a feat considering this was before the days of dual enrollment and pre-college credits. After ECU, Gwynne came back to Aurora where she became a second grade teacher at S.W. Snowden Elementary.

Just after her first year of teaching Gwynne married Gary Cutler and two and a half years later their son, Chad, was born followed by two more sons, Josh and Will. “After our three boys were born I didn’t think we would have anymore, but to my surprise God blessed us with three more wonderful children, Sarah, Catherine and Luke,” says Gwynne.

“During Chad’s second year of School God began to lead me to the idea of home schooling, an idea for which I really wrestled with. I needed a lot of con-

firmation that He wanted me to do this. That following summer our family went on a beach getaway and “just so happened” to set up our beach tent right next a home schooling family. We talked and they began to encourage me to step out in faith and do it. When we got to our room later that day there was a newspaper laying there that had feature article entitled, “Are you considering home school?” The story was about a lady from Greenville who was successful home schooling her children, so the next week I called her and we set up a time for me to come to her home and where she gave me step by step instructions on how to get started. The Lord really used her to get me started.”

After her oldest sons graduated, Gwynne found more time to substitute, teach, tutor and lead an after school program back at Snowden.

“I believe that when we make ourselves like putty in God’s hands He gives us the desires of our heart. He places the desire in us, and as we stay pliable and yielded to His way He brings those desires to fulfillment effortlessly.”

“Realizing the need children have for a “Safe Harbor” God

has graciously given me the opportunity to provide this through The Bridge Summer Day Camp. Last year we kicked off the camp with 15 children and were able to provide a loving and learning environment.”

“Each week’s theme and field trip allows campers to experience learning in a very hands on and impactful way. We were also able to instill the love of God in these children and have seen the impact on many of their lives. This year, it is my prayer that we can reach many more.”

“This is where I needs you help. Because of the economic challenges in our community many children will be left at home through the summer to fend for themselves. I am asking you to prayerfully consider partnering with me in this ministry. Your tax-deductible gift will make a difference in the life of a child this summer!”

Contributions can be made to: The Bridge Learning Center P.O Box 167 Blounts Creek, NC 27814

Bill and Lora Brothers

Casting the Net

Bill Brothers & Bigfish FM

W

hen asked to talk about himself, Bill Brothers says “I was born a small child in Tokyo, Japan” and laughs. Bill is 6’ 3” and not Japanese and it’s quite the contradiction.

He traces his family roots back to the 1700’s along the Delmarva Coast on the Eastern Shore. So, why Japan? It was the go-go Fifties and America had just conquered Germany, Italy and the Japanese, and his parents were part of the occupying forces in Japan after World War II. As a child in a family with a long military history, he grew up at Dover Air Base where his father was in command. He recalls visiting the mortuary there and seeing the hundreds of the flag draped coffins with young soldiers coming home from Vietnam. It is a memory he says, he will never forget. In Bill’s view, “service to our Country is a proud heritage which must be honored, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, are big days for our country as we honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, and we celebrate our heritage.

Bill and his wife, Lora, moved to New Bern almost 3 years ago to serve in another way, launching a FM radio station on 92.7 Bigfish FM, which has quickly become the region’s most popular Contemporary Christian Radio Station. “Hav-

ing a heart to serve is critical in this form of ministry” says Bill, because the impact our music has on listener’s lives, marriages, and children is sometimes unseen.

even imagine,” says Bill. In that very difficult time in his life, it was through Christian radio, along with loved ones, Church and friends, that he was able to immerse himself in God’s Goodness.

Upon receiving the broadcast license for WBNK-92.7 FM, Bill and Lora could have chosen any format, from Country, Rap, or Talk. However, after they sold their TV stations in Florida and took a few years off, they decided that if we were going to launch one more broadcasting network, it was going to

“It’s true, that what you put into your life is what you become and what you should expect to be.” That’s one of the biggest reasons, Bill says, for starting Bigfish FM 92.7. “It gives everyone in Eastern Carolina a free 24 hour a day place for people to immerse themselves, to take a bath, if you will from all of the media crud we are pummeled with.

be for Christ, with the hope of making a positive impact on society. It became clear to them what they were meant to do. “Launch a Christian Radio Station to help bring the next generation to Christ.”

What, Christian ROCK you say, whoa there buddy! Yes, it’s true!

Through a particularly difficult time in Bill’s life back in the early 90’s he found Christian Contemporary music as one of the sources God used to bring him comfort and hope. Artists like Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Carman, Russ Taff, and Twila Paris and the very radical DC Talk, helped him to connect with God just driving down the highway and probably saved his life in the process.

“Who knows what plans God has in store for you, when you think it is all but done; He has a way and a future you can never

So many listeners tell me, it is the only station they listen too! Bigfish FM is an opportunity to make a choice and to listen to uplifting songs that help fill the emptiness with Godliness.” For Bill, he says, “It’s really cool to be able to praise Him, right there in my car. There are hundreds of stories of how music has changed lives, changed hearts, healed marriages, and brought joy into a life.

Make a choice to fill your life with gladness.” <///><

SozoMarketplace .com E X PA N D I N G Y O U R R E A C H

Full Circle

Paula May

When Paula May stepped away from the world of salon ownership in 2006, she had no idea she would ever return. Although she continued to maintain a personal client base, the days of hustle and bustle were over. “I just needed to step away and let God work on my faith, my family, and myself,” says Paula. “God led me to a quiet place for a season to learn how to make Him the center focus of my life.” After several years of a much-needed sabbatical, God began to speak to Paula about coming full circle. “My pastor was speaking one Sunday morning about how when God puts a dream in you, and you pray for it’s fulfillment, in His time He brings everything around to completion.”

didn’t want to force this.” “If it was going to be, I wanted it to be a ‘God thing.” Over the next few months, through a series of divine events, all the pieces began to fall in place. And now, Paula is excited to announce the opening of her new salon sometime in mid July. Salon Circa, a full services salon specializing in the latest cuts, styles, color techniques and wedding and formal hair design, will be located in the Lyndale Marketplace just off Red Banks Road, Greenville.

“As owner of Salon Circa I hope to provide a professional, yet relaxed environment to serve our clients. I have been in the business for 15 years here in Greenville, NC. I have come full circle both personally, professionally, and geographically on my journey. Hence the name Salon Circa. The circle is a perfect symbol of a life that is always changing, learning, and continuing to grow. God has blessed me with a gift and I love using it to make others look and feel fabulous.”

On a date night with her husband Wayne, Paula mentioned this desire that was starting to take shape on the inside of her, of starting a new salon again, and Wayne could not have been more supportive. As part of her fleece, Paula enlisted the help of some very close prayer partners and together they began to pray that God would show himself in this by opening every door Himself. “I

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Paula May SalonCircaGreenville.com pmay2@suddenlink.net 620 Red Banks Rd Suite E Greenville, NC, 27858 USA 252-814-8323

“Group Economics”

And The Need For Christian Commerce

R

eceiving an allowance is a major accomplishment for an eight year old. As I washed dishes and tidied my room, I kept an internal tally of the dollars and cents earned – budgeting mentally how every cent would be spent.

Money for my savings, a couple of pieces of nickel candy… maybe a new outfit for my favorite doll. Unbeknownst to it, I was learning the principles of earning a living and budgeting. As an adult, I understand the value of not only each dollar earned, but the how that dollar is spent.

While in seminary school – I remember sitting in a conference hearing a prominent minister of the time teach on the end time transference of wealth. Boy did the crowd soak up this word of the Lord, “..the wealth of the wicked is laid up for the just (Proverbs 13:22b).” God not only wanted his people blessed, He wanted His people to be RICH!! Many prosperity preachers sprouted up overnight proclaiming the news, great edifices were built, and the church lived in a state of bliss – awaiting the transference. In retrospect, I wonder the current financial state of those who shouted and sowed into this movement. Don’t get me wrong – I am not a prosperity basher – Just a free thinker.

In March, I was again sitting in a conference (how ironic), listening to friend share of the call of Christians to the marketplace. In her presentation to up and coming leaders she stated that everyone has a calling, some to the pulpit, some education, some politics, etc. It is the responsibility to the believer to

answer the call of God and do it unto the Lord. Suddenly I had a divine epiphany – we as a church (myself included) are quick to celebrate a person answering the “call” to ministry (i.e. a minister or missionary). Do we celebrate and support as joyfully a fellow believer answering the call to entrepreneurship?

Could it be we are missing this end time transference of wealth because we used the Holy Scriptures as a divine getrich-quick scheme to heap wealth upon ourselves?

I began to ponder this thought and while reading a news article I received a revelation.

The author of the article stated that he visited a Jewish community in New York that was virtually unscathed by the American recession – in fact they were thriving!! Why is this?

In the book “Talking Dollars and Making Sense: A Wealth Building Guide for African-Americans,” Brooke Stephens explains: “John Wray, an economic development specialist in Washington, D.C., did a study that traced the flow of dollars through comparative ethnic communities. Wray found that in the Asian community a dollar circulates among the community’s banks, brokers, shopkeepers, and business professionals for up to 28 days before it is spent with outsiders.

In the Jewish community, the circulation period is 19-30 days…, but in the African-American community – 6 hours!”

Here’s my question – how long does a dollar last in the Christian community?

Could it be that the great end time transference of wealth is removing money from the world system and distributing amongst our community. Read this passage from Acts 2:43-45 (Message Bible): “Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived

in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.”

What if the Body of Christ took the group economics model of the Jewish or Asian communities and transferred wealth amongst ourselves? Instead of going to your routine fast food establishment for a dinner on the run – consider ordering a take-out dinner from your sister or brother with a restaurant or catering business. How about Christian Yoga or utilizing a Christian accountant? We’re out there you know! Imagine if we could keep money in our community at least 45 days! All believers growing equally, pooling our newly “transferred” resources to feed the homeless, clothe the naked; build our churches and schools – enlarging the Kingdom of God! Galatians 6:10 (NIV): “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Here’s my challenge to you dear reader – this month when you are budgeting your allowance, ask yourself, how can I transfer this wealth deeper into the kingdom? Make a conscious effort to find the Christian business men and women in your community and support them with your patronage.

Mary Kirk is an author and entrepreneur with a passion for Ministry and the Marketplace. She ministers alongside her husband Al of Al Kirk Ministries

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Marketplace & Ministry Spanish, and foreign languages.

Perhaps you recall, when you were young, a “town center” or a country market where all the produce, farm equipment, hand-made items, fresh bread and flowers were available.

Your parents, more than likely, have fond memories of a marketplace. Fresh food, colorful clothing and fresh ideas, news, gossip and beliefs are all on display for consumption.

W

ords really do have power.

When you hear a word like, “race-car”, you instantly have an image in your mind (imagination). How about the word, “pizza”? I know you can smell it. What’s on yours? There is power in words.

I’m writing this article to help us shape the images and thoughts we have with two words, “marketplace” and “ministry”.

In fact, let’s take both of these words and place them together so that we have “marketplace-ministry.” What images come to you?

In Miami Beach, Florida the historical Lincoln Road becomes a bustling marketplace on Saturday morning and lasts through Sunday evening. You can smell the fresh exotic-fruits and see the exploding-rainbow of flowers. The aroma of bread, perfumes, and incense fill the air. Conversations are thick with passionate and bold sales pitches. Enthusiasm echoes off the stucco buildings, and vendors shout their offers in English,

People sit and drink coffee, and exchange ideas. Over all the conversations and offers, you hear a man yelling, “the end is near! the end is near!!” At first, it sounds like he’s disappointed that the market will close. Soon, you realize that this man is a zealot, an “evangelist”. In his hand he holds a tattered black Bible with bold-white lettering. It reads, “HOLY BIBLE”. As he stands high atop an old, wood Coke crate, the thought enters your head, “the end is near?”

It’s true, it is the end of an age, where “Good News” competes with vendors selling magic pills, fruit, and snake oils. The “end” has come to mixing The Kingdom of God and the voices selling sacrificial doves or T-shirts with catchy slogans.

The “yelling evangelist” changed nothing.

However, he held the Holy Bible high over head and we could see the Word of God, high and lifted up. Jesus is the Word. Jesus says, in John 12:32, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself.”

Marketplace-ministry is established by lifting up the name above all names, Jesus. We invade and persuade our culture, the “marketplace” not by yelling worrisome slogans like, “the end is near”

but by lifting up the Word, Jesus Christ.

You walk in a culture everyday, at work, home, in social settings, school, even church, that is demanding and competitive. Give your marketplace the “real thing”. Bring SOZO to the marketplace.

Jesus is very clear on how to use the marketplace as a “temple”. He tells us, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” (Mark 16:15).

The “end is near” and the beginning of your marketplace-ministry is NOW!

Brent Engelman Co-Pastor: The Church @ New Bern www.newbernchurch.org Marketplace: www.insurancenewbern.com Phone: 252.349.0899 Email: brent.phammond@gmail.com

SozoToday .com D A I LY I N S P I R A T I O N

Daily inspiration, and devotional for the workplace, marketplace and life.

While the inspiration for tangling with such familiar demons was admittedly a result of the hardships among friends and family of the band, it also came from responding to Third Day fans.

Citing its audiences’ gut-wrenching reaction to songs like “It’s A Shame” from Wire, an album which guitarist and songwriter Mark Lee says was a “little more lyrically vague overall,” Third Day committed to offering up more of that kind of emotionally precise material.

W

ar. Floods. Devastation. Paranoia. Political upheaval. Through it all, there is hope. Troubling times to be sure nonetheless the current backdrop for Third Day’s steely-eyed eighth album, Wherever You Are. Berthed amid a storm of personal crises, as well as the troubling events beamed nonstop through the media, it may just be the band’s most galvanizing moment. It’s certainly its most personal.

“We lost three family members last year and had a pastor who lost a father,” explains guitarist/songwriter Brad Avery. “We have friends who endured divorce and others who have fought financial problems.

Those difficult sorts of loss and triumph fueled what we wanted to talk about and made the message a little more tangible to our listeners this time.”

Third Day

But at the core of even the darkest moment, there is hope. And it’s that nugget of light that forms the very marrow of Wherever You Are. “When you’re lonely and it feels like the whole world is falling on you,” Mac Powell sings on the high impact first

single, “Cry Out to Jesus.” “You just reach out; you just cry out to Jesus.” “On the last record we tried to reach people’s heads,” says Powell. “The songs on this album however, speak to their hearts.” And the band has landed a bulls-eye. Further honing their ever-sharpening song writing skills, Third Day, who’s stood atop the Christian rock world for the better part of a decade, continue the work they started in earnest on the Grammy-winning, goldselling Wire.

With a keen eye for introspection, the Atlanta-based rockers leave over-arching testaments of faith behinds, instead choosing to dig deep and dirty into the travails of everyday life. There is turmoil. There is celebration. There is heartbreak. There is happiness. There are tears and plenty of what Powell calls the “major catastrophes in our everyday lives.” But fighting through the swirling clouds of doubt, there is hope.

And God is present in the midst of it all.

“There are times in your life when hope is the only thing you have to hold on to,” says Avery. “That’s where this record really came from and we wanted to write songs that met people in whatever situation they were in.”

“You could tell that song hit home when we were on tour,” Lee says about “It’s A Shame.” “We felt a sense in the audience that they wanted that kind of realness from us. I mean, you come to a show and you put your best face on, but people are always going through heavy stuff. We’re not pretending we have all the answers, but God is bigger than the problems.” Powell says being able to make art out of life’s common struggles is a sign that the band is maturing. When Powell and Lee started Third Day back in 1991 (Tai Anderson and David Carr joined in 93; Avery in 95) they were fresh out of college and still holding down day jobs. Fourteen years later, the group is all grown up with marriages, babies, and mortgages to deal with.

“Life is different now,” he points out. “It’s a wonderful thing, but there are plenty of ups and downs. There’s always something to write about; changing circumstances, new challenges, even revelations of older things. You’re constantly having to rethink and readjust the things you’ve learned.”

One thing that hasn’t changed for the band, however, is its mission; to convey the hope and salvation in the eternity of Christ through their music. “Good times or bad,” Avery says, “people always need a reason to hope.

God has given us this message and I think the time is right for Third Day to deliver it. We’re seeing tremendous response to these new songs in our live shows.” From the hopeful, “Rise Up” to the inspiring, “Mountain of God” (featuring guest/friend Ashley Cleveland) – each of these songs offer a message of hope. It’s a message that meets you Wherever You Are.

when he got a call saying their worship pastor was leaving and they needed Jason to fill in. He confesses he’d always been hesitant to lead worship, but didn’t want to say no.

“So I went in and I led the Christmas service and it was awesome,” he says. “I had a blast! I was surrounded by people who desired to grow musically and spiritually. I felt like God did something with me there that he hadn’t done with me on the road in a while.

I called up the pastor and said, ‘I think God has called me to do this.’”

Q

uite often the gifts that God gives believers take on an added potency when simmered in the sauce of experience. Such is the case with Building 429, the talented pop/rock outfit that topped the charts in 2004 with “Glory Defined” and proceeded to build one of the Christian music community’s most impactful ministries.

Now after nearly a decade in the national spotlight, Building 429 has teamed with Provident Music Group for their fifth album, Listen To The Sound. “It really is the overflow of the life that we’ve lived over the last two or three years, especially this past year,” says lead vocalist Jason Roy. “I’m a worship pastor now and that has been a huge part of the lyrical content of this record. It’s about the lives that I’ve been involved with. This really does come from a much more honest place.”

Drummer Michael Anderson agrees. “Individually we’re all on a different spiritual level than we’ve ever been,” he says. “We have great home churches now that we’re happily involved in. Our family lives at home are better than they’ve ever been and our relationship as a band is light years above what it’s ever been. I think that really shows through

with this new music.” Blessed with one of the most distinctive voices in any genre of music, Jason overcame a turbulent childhood and found solace in the church and in music. He launched Building 429 determined to make a difference in the lives of others needing to hear the truth of the gospel. The band broke through with the powerful hit “Glory Defined,” which was named BMI’s Christian Song of the Year in 2005.

That same year Building 429 was named New Artist of the Year at the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards and the band was also nominated in the Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year and Song of the Year categories. In the past few years, Jason, Michael, guitarist Jesse Garcia and bassist Aaron Branch have toured heavily. They’ve hit the road with Casting Crowns, tobyMac and other acts as well as headlining several treks, including Food for the Hungry’s SummerFest 2009 and 2010 and Food for the Hungry WinterBlast 2010 and 2011. But even as they were touring the country and pouring into the lives of others, Jason and his wife Cortni found themselves becoming increasingly involved in their home church in Clarksville, TN. Jason was on tour in New Mexico

Collectively the songs on Listen To The Sound acknowledge life’s struggles, but point to the hope, grace and love of God. “I think what this record does is it makes you take a look at your life and say ‘I’m connected to it because it’s the truth that I don’t tell anybody else about. This is where I am,’” Jason says, acknowledging that the record is encouraging families struggling in this tough economy, people dealing with depression and other challenges. “This record keeps coming back to the point that this is not what we were made for, that this is not our home. It is hitting people in the midst of a struggle, but it’s doing it in this pop kind of thing that makes you smile while you listen to it.” Recording the whole album was an enjoyable experience for the seasoned pop/ rock outfit. “We’re just much more comfortable as a band, and it all starts with our spiritual walk,” says Michael. “We’re much more mature now. This was the most relaxed and the most fun we’ve had recording a record. We all played on it and we were all in the studio pretty much the whole time while everybody was recording. It was fun to be there and to be able to encourage each other. This is definitely a record that the band was most involved in every little part of it.”

Experienced, mature, and as dedicated as ever to sharing God’s truth, the members of Building 429 are excited about this new season in the band’s ministry. “This is where God has put me right now and I hate to quote my own song, but it really is about just ‘one foot in front of the other,’” Jason says with a smile, citing the up-tempo anthem “One Foot.” “We just have to focus on this moment. It’s time for us to value every second that we have and use it all for the glory of God.”

f there’s one thing I’ve learned from being a new dad, it’s that I have to work much harder at staying hip. There’s just something about dirty diapers and snotty nose holes that causes me to lose sight of my inner coolness. I’m not sure if it’s just the humbling realization of being old that is unjustly attached to parenthood or if I’m just so focused on other things that I somehow misplace my swagger. But, one thing’s for sure – I’m trending down.

At that time it just comes naturally. But eventually, without us ever noticing a change, the door will close leaving us with a boring state of ourselves. You’re in luck though. Because when one door closes, there’s usually another one waiting to be opened. I’ll warn you though, the longer you stay in the lame room the harder it is to get out. Your exit may even be sealed shut, but get ready to grease those hinges Grandma!

Because, believe it or not, being cool is a state of mind. It has nothing to do with age or status. The only reason you may have lost your edge is because you just forgot where you put it. Rest assured, it’s somewhere close. It may just be hidden in your “hip” pocket.

I want to challenge us all young and old… cool and uncool. If your mind feels stale, renew it by being open to change. Don’t get lost in the irrelevant state of normal everyday life. Stop blending into the crowd and get in touch with your wild side. Don’t be afraid to do something different. Sometimes it takes a transformation in yourself before you’re able to transform others. So…

Stop wearing Members Only jackets like they’re going out of style. Trust me, they went out years ago and showing off your “membership” prevents you from being cool in more ways that one. It’s much harder for God to use you when your mind is set on cruise control. Kick your life into high gear by doing something you’ve never done before. Something innovative, something crazy, something that goes against the grain. You’d be surprised at how much a little change of scenery can revive your youth and, with that, your influence. After all, you’re too young to feel too old.

is a local entrepreneur and creator of the MendMark brand, a nationally acclaimed online wristband and apparel company.

July 4, 2011 Lawson Creek Park New Bern, NC Featuring: * Third Day & Trevor Morgan, * Building 429, * Awake the Fire, and * Chasing Eden Buy Tickets Online at www.bigfishfm.com