Gentleman's Purpose eMagazine - March 2022 by Gentleman's Purpose

Unity & Holiness: Synergy, or Conflict? Page 10 Celebrating Marriage: What’s Your Style? Page 22 World Events Affect Business Page 28 TRAVEL: Palatka, FL Page 62

March 2022

Gentleman’s Purpose Articles

eMagazine Publisher General Media Consulting Co. Editor in Chief J.N.Gaynor General Media Consulting Co. 3961 Langford Rd. New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 1-800-484-9825

office@generalmediaconsulting.com www.GeneralMediaConsulting.com

In order to submit an article for publication in Gentleman’s Purpose eMagazine, please contact our Editor-In-Chief, Justin N. Gaynor, at: justin@generalmediaconsulting.com All authors that contribute to Gentleman’s Purpose eMagazine are funded through “crowd funding”. So when you send your article in, if you include a hyperlink to your PayPal account, we will include a “crowd funding” link with your published article. You will not be considered an employee or an independent contractor of General Media Consulting since all payments for your content will come to you directly from the “crowd” you will be solely responsible for any tax implications for that income. Advertising in Gentleman’s Purpose Advertising in Gentleman’s Purpose eMagazine has some significant advantages over advertising in traditional print magazines, call today to discuss your advertising needs 1-800-484-9825. Current ad rates are: 1/4 Page Ad - $50 Per Edition 1/2 Page Ad - $99 Per Edition Full Page Ad - $299 Per Edition 2-Page Spread - $499 Per Edition

START YOUR NEW BUSINESS TODAY.

1-800-484-9825 4

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE

CLICK HERE

General Media Consulting

offers a free podcast to help you in business + life. The General Idea Podcast can be found on Apple Podcasts,Soundcloud, at the General Media Consulting Website, and on our social media channels. Click the link to Listen Now!

Call Today to Schedule Your FREE On-Site Design Consultation and Estimate

(561) 733-9300

Create a Resort Look at an Affordable Price. www.illuminationFL.com Visit us online for inspiring design ideas and to learn more about landscape lighting for your home.

Licensed & Insured

FAITH

Unity and Holiness: Synergy or Conflict? Written by Justin Gaynor As we travel through this life, gentlemen, we have an opportunity to meet a lot of very interesting women. Often, they will contribute something to our lives, sometimes they will contribute a lot. In Scripture, God often embodies concepts in the form of women. Through King Solomon, we learn of the woman “Wisdom”. She stands close beside you in faithfulness with encouragement and guidance that will lead you to a prosperous and fruitful life. However, if you take her for granted and consistently refuse to heed her warnings and guidance, she will stand far off and mock you in your downfall the way you mocked her by insisting on the woman that is her counterpart, her opposite, “Folly”. God doesn’t always speak in allegory, sometimes he allows a concept to literally be embodied. We see “witchcraft” and the spirit of “Lilith” embodied in the person of Jezebel. Jezebel was a God-hating woman that exercised authority over her husband, the king, who was a weak-willed man, unwilling to stand for what was right as a king. The exact opposite of what God is really like. Remember, God is the head of every man, and every man has been created in the image of God. However, because of sin, very few men rightly reflect that image, and none do so perfectly, none but Jesus. So, the lives of these people are set forth in Scripture as clear examples of what God is not like. They show how these spirits mock the relationship between Christ and the Church, the relationship between God and His Glory.

Can you imagine a Church that consistently tried to rule over Jesus, and mock His sovereignty? Well, we see another picture of this in the book of Esther. In that story, the king’s first wife, Vashti, is another picture of this hateful, rebellious, self-centered spirit. She is eventually replaced by Esther. A woman of virtue that not only respects her husband, the king, and his sovereignty, but also loves the people and is willing to lay her life down for them, embodying what is best in the king himself. She is his glory. As we consider the true nature of God, gentlemen, we need to consider what it looks like to embody and reflect our Father’s true nature. In Greek culture during the time that the New Testament was written, they had a word for “a perfect expression of a divine concept or person”. That word is the Greek word “Logos”. So, in the beginning of St. John’s Gospel, he speaks of how the “Logos” was in the beginning with God, and that the “Logos” was God, and the “Logos” was close beside God, and the “Logos” was manifested in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. The encouragement is to learn what God is actually like by looking at Jesus, and then as those who believe in His name and have been given the right to be called sons of God, we are to learn to be sons by following Jesus’ example, in His Spirit.

Gentleman’s Purpose Believes In A Better Future.

Will You Believe With Us? www.ChristChurchJerusalem.org

A Financial Gift to the Mercy Fund of Christ Church Jerusalem Will Nourish The Root of the Tree We Have Been Grafted Into.

www.FreedomChurchPB.org

A Vibrant Faith Community That’s All About Jesus!

A Local Anglican Church Where Tradition is Respected and Relationships Flourish.

Click Here To Visit

www.SaintLukesAnglicanChurch.com

Common Ground Community Development 1201 S. Federal Hwy. Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460 kelly@cglakeworth.org

Relationships

You Fell In Love With It, But Are You Truly Married To It? Written by Justin Gaynor Marriage is one of the most beautiful and terrifying institutions that exists amongst human beings. It is beautiful in the way that it is an intensely accurate picture of the relationship between Christ and the Church, when it is expressed rightly. It is terrifying because it is the coming together of two complementary parts to make an entity that can be described as “one”; however, there exists in both husband and wife, something that makes both completely miss the target of who and what they are supposed to be in the relationship. Even though we have this beauty and terror all wrapped up into one, husbands and wives are continually compelled to be united with each other in this way. The question then becomes, with this strangely compelling thing set before us, how can we make the most out of entering this “dance” of human balance and fruitfulness in a way that grows in it’s accuracy of telling the story of God’s Word, and His redeemed and restored people? I wish there was a simple answer. The fact is that there isn’t. There are so many variables at play, the best we can do is offer some guidance to help build up and strengthen the things that contribute to a successful display of this divine picture. In addition, we can put some wise “stop orders” in place, or we can put some wise “limit orders” in place. “Stops”? “Limits?” Well, I worked in the stock market for many years and there is a tool that an investor can put in place in case the company’s actions and the surrounding conditions and circumstances indicate switching towards a downward, costly trajectory. When the “stop” is triggered, the company still exists, but the extent to which you are willing to risk your assets to the company’s stewardship in the present conditions is reduced. As an investor in the stock, you have a percentage ownership of that company and how it is managed. You have a voice. If the company listens to wise counsel and gets back into a fruitful mindset given current outside

conditions, as a wise investor, you become willing to throttle up your position again with hopes of a fruitful future.

Unfortunately, if wise counsel is not heeded, and the company continues to be mis-managed and circumstances do not improve, the company will likely go out of business and be dissolved. Sadly, this happens with a lot of marriages. Of course, we would hope that, in Christian marriage, being a covenant of such important divine expression, both parties would have the level of commitment that they would be willing to “go down with the ship” and never fully exit the position; however, that is not the driving narrative we have happening here in America presently. The reality is that when those “stops” are triggered, self-preservation and personal profit are strong motivators to reduce your personal investment in the enterprise. The worse it gets, the more you exit the business with the value you were adding to it. Instead of using “wise stop orders”, according to the world’s wisdom, Christian’s are called to remain optimistic about the company’s prospects. So, instead of “stop orders”, the Christian has considered things ahead of time and put in place “wise limit orders”. Limit orders are triggered when the value of the company begins to decline and hits certain lower prices. The investor’s position is actually increased when limits are hit. They buy into it more than ever before because they see long-term value. The rationale is that if they liked this company at $100 a share for the long-term, then they should love it at $50 per share. They give more of themselves, they increase their ownership position, their voice becomes stronger for the benefit of the company and all shareholders and stakeholders. They get more involved in the success of the venture. The thing to remember is that taking the Christian approach only really works when you trust in the sovereign, saving grace of God whom you have entrusted with stewardship not only of the company, the marriage, but also of all the variables and circumstances outside of the marriage that may be impacting the strength, fruitfulness, and viability of the marriage. Will you trust Jesus with your marriage?

Justin Gaynor, REALTOR®, 3510 S. Nova Rd., Ste. 112, Port Orange, FL 32129 - 561-876-9728 (Mobile)

Click the eBook for FREE access to the definitive guide to buying a home in Florida!

Style

Celebrating Marriage: What’s Your Style? Written by Justin Gaynor

Commitment When it comes to marriage, you will often hear about “Christian marriage” in the pages of Gentleman’s Purpose. However, the legal union of two or more people has been occurring outside of the Judeo-Christian narrative for a long time. As Jews or Christians, we understand that people who are outside of the covenant relationship that we have with God do not engage with the same commitments, questions, and responses that we do. To think otherwise would be ignorant. So, when you think of the term “marriage” what comes to mind? Are you operating from a Biblical worldview, or something different? Once you identify your own worldview and what narrative you are being guided by, you can call a spade a spade and then, you will understand the hopes and expectations you should have with regard to commitment in marriage and how best to express that commitment. It may be a legal document drawn up by a State authorized person, or as in the case of my previous intern, a Hindu man, a Wedding Pandit may perform a ganesh pooja. If you are a Christian, an ordained Gospel Minister will set forth the covenant commitments to which husband and wife will give their “Yes” in the presence of God. If you are Jewish, a Rebbe or Rabbi, will perform the appropriate ceremony and confirm the covenant. So, what is your style of commitment and how will it inform your marriage? Venue The next thing to consider is venue. Where you choose to get married will inevitably reflect the worldview and style of the parties being brought together in union. There are so many venues available these days. In a traditional Christian marriage, a venue that reflects the value placed on connection with God will bring to the forefront a church building or garden, a place of prayer, or perhaps some location where there is a historic moment where God performed some great, inspiring act. However, if your decision on venue is not informed by these types of things, there are other options. From Las Vegas Drive-Thru Marriage Chapels where you can have Elvis impersonators perform the legal obligations to Synagogues, Temples, or courthouses. The venue you choose will reflect your personal style and worldview.

real vintage that is really affordable...

617 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460 561-460-0977 25

Attire The next thing to consider is what those entering the marriage, those who are part of the process, and those who will be observing the festivities will be wearing. This also will reflect your values and worldview. Some ceremonies are very formal. That formality may be expressed in very culture-oriented colors and garb…a formal wedding for a Christian looks very different than a formal Muslim or Hindu or Jewish marriage with regard to what people wear. Some weddings are far more casual with regard to garments. Weddings on the beach often happen with men in board shorts and t-shirts and women in bikinis. The question is, what type of attire speaks most accurately to the type of relationship you are hoping to enter? Guests Marriage ceremonies can get to be very expensive. Not much informs the expense as much as the number of guests and what you hope to provide for them to enjoy during the festivities. Some keep a very small circle of friends and family, and they want a very intimate, close ceremony. For others, such as the marriage of royalty, the marriage represents not only the union of those immediately involved in the marriage, but also new political, religious, business, and social relationships. In such a case, you can imagine the costs escalating very quickly. All that being said, your budget and the type of experience you are hoping to invite people into will inform the guest list. Music The kind of music you choose to develop the atmosphere of your marriage celebration will be informed by many of the same variables that we have been speaking of. Will you hire a live disc jockey? Perhaps you know of a musician or band that you can hire to play live during the ceremony. Many venues have built-in sound systems, and you may choose to simply build a play list and trust a friend or family member to press “play” at the appropriate times. Music is an extremely powerful way to express who you are, what you value, and ultimately your style. 26

Food and Beverage Sharing meals with people is a place of common ground that is almost untouchable in it’s universal ability to unify. We all have physical bodies that need to be nourished and that requires food. People will remember a delicious, unique meal. The questions to wrestle with here is style of dining: table service, buffet style, hors d’oeuvres and finger foods? Will you offer an open bar or have cocktail servers? What types of place settings and flatware will you utilize? This becomes a great way to express the personal style and values of those being united in marriage. Gifts Marriages are difficult institutions regardless of the nature of the relationship. One of the best gifts anyone entering this kind of relationship can ask for is the genuine commitment of guests to support and help the marriage to endure and all commitments, covenants, and legal obligations entered to be fulfilled. Beyond that, marriages are often the beginning of a journey. A journey that will require things like a place to live together, household items, help with employment that will provide for the marriage to grow and flourish, and so forth. For the practical things, like kitchen utensils and linens, there are a host of registries available these days that will ensure that you don’t get a bunch of things you don’t want or need, and that those that want to invest something in the marriage won’t be wasting their time or money. Speaking of money, money is always helpful to a new marriage. Most people know this, and an option to the registry is always cold, hard cash or gift cards.

Business

World Events Affect Business Written by Justin Gaynor

In previous articles we have talked about how the word “economy” finds it’s roots in the management of a household. This is particularly related to household finances, but can include all the variables that in some way or other affect household finances. Recently, we have had some circumstances and events occurring in the world that can, and most likely will, affect the domestic American economy as well as the global economy. The questions that I want to focus on in this article have to do with the impact on small businesses. How Wars and Rumors of Wars Impact Small Business War often acts as a catalyst that strengthens the economies of first world countries. However, it does so at a tremendous cost. Military spending increases, a multiplier effect comes into play which has to do with more advanced economic theory, but the short of it is that more jobs are created in that sector and supporting sectors of the economy. When there is a common enemy, the unity, and levels of felt and expressed patriotism increases, which in turn increases motivation and productivity. Of course, not all areas of the economy feel the positive impact of all the additional government spending. Fear plays a role as well. The less confident a person is in their nation’s ability to be the victor in the conflict, the more likely they are to hunker down and begin to stockpile money and necessities. It is a terrible thing to be looking for opportunity to profit from something as horrible as war, and with it the loss of human life and damage to the psyche of those that make it through. A Jewish Rabbi commented that the reason Noah went and got drunk after the whole flood was the negative impact of seeing all the bloated, floating bodies of those that would not repent. This is why in the New Testament book of Revelation, there is a promise that after the “great day of the Lord” when God’s people are safely in the New Heaven and New Earth, the former things will not be remembered, nor will they be brought to mind.

Understanding Inflation Sam Ewing says, “Inflation is when you pay fifteen dollars for the ten-dollar haircut you used to get for five dollars when you had hair.” Perhaps somewhat of an oversimplification, but it certainly makes the point. It can be a sort of slight of hand that makes it look like an economy is growing and flourishing, when in fact it really is not. Henry Hazlitt points out that “Mere inflation-that is, the mere issuance of more money, with the consequence of higher wages and prices-may look like the creation of more demand. But in terms of the actual production and exchange of real things it is not.” So how does inflation affect the economy, and more importantly for our discussion, small business? Well, the more money that enters circulation, the more dollars it costs to buy the same item, as we discussed. Because things cost more, people need to earn more. However, they do not typically become more productive through retraining, developing new skills, or something like that. Typically, there is an outcry for the minimum wage to be raised and with-it higher pay grades to deal with the dollar cost increase of goods and services. So, we catch a glimpse of the ace hidden in the dealer’s sleeve. Ronald Reagan was so bold as to say that when it comes to a healthy economy, or even a small business “Inflation is as violent as a mugger, as frightening as an armed robber and as deadly as a hit man.”

Interest Rates & Taxes Interest rates and taxes, and their fluctuations, are key factors in the success of small business owners. Having access to capital at reasonable interest rates is often very important to small business owners. Few small business owners operate on a 100% organic basis where they never borrow money. So, if a small business owner is operating with an average profit margin of 15% and the cost of borrowing money increases 5% that can seriously change the businesses prospects for growth and long-term viability. The same is true of tax rates. While I personally believe that every citizen and business entity should pay their fair share of taxes as a part of the local community and of the nation, I also believe the smaller and less intrusive the government, the better, and the amount of taxes any person or entity pays should be the least amount possible within the legal parameters of the tax code. Honestly, when given the chance, I often speak up for scrapping the whole progressive tax system as it is, in favor of a more Biblical model. I would promote the first $15,000 dollars of income be tax free, to ensure the poor were not having to deal with the additional financial burden of taxes. This is very much in line with the current standard deduction. Income earned above that, in my opinion, should be taxed at a flat 10% rate across the board. Just sayin’…we would likely end up with more tax revenue and a lot less headache. Of course, accountants, related professions, and the vast majority of IRS workers would have to find a new career because the demand for all the crazy finagling would no longer exist. Efficiency is not beautiful to everyone.

Supply and Demand The last thing that we should discuss here is supply and demand. Of course, there is consensus for the nation, and the local economy, not to mention demand for certain products and services driven by quality marketing and salesmanship. However, for our purposes, we are talking of how world events can impact supply and demand. Typically, during times of war, spending becomes more focused on staples. Expenditures on vehicles and related costs as well as new furniture and household items decrease. The highest areas of increased spending during wartime are on food and beverage (including adult beverages), housing, fuel, and medical care. Understanding these variables will put you in a better position to ask good questions when making strategic choices for your business. Of course, if you would like assistance with your small business, from planning to coaching, strategic management or marketing, you are welcome to contact General Media Consulting Co., the firm that I founded to help entrepreneurs build strong, fruitful businesses. 1-800-484-9825

Dining

Paris In Town A Restaurant Review by Justin Gaynor

I recently took a road trip to South Florida. The longest trip that I’ve taken on the Indian Scout 60 Bobber that I picked up in Daytona Beach, FL during Biketoberfest. My parents know how much I enjoy dining, and writing about dining. So, when I arrived in town, they decided to introduce me to a couple places that they had discovered. “Paris In Town” is a truly authentic French cafe’. The space felt comfortable and elegant. The cafe’ is located at 11460 US Hwy One, N. Palm Beach, FL 33408 and they are open for business from 7:30am until 5:00pm each day. I enjoyed the Salmon and Egg Sandwich that included scrambled eggs, Nova smoked salmon, capers, and cream cheese on a buttery croissant. It was delicious. If I had tried to make it better at home, it would have been a challenge. Their skill in crafting my cafe mocha, extra hot, tasted like experience. My dining cohorts enjoyed various selections from the menu as well. Everyone ate with gladness of heart, and was satisfied. So, next time you are in North Palm Beach, stop in for brunch with friends or family. Plan to sit and talk a while. Good food takes time and savoring it is the best way forward. 38

Books

Recommended A Library For March 2022:

This is the quintessential book on the love between a man and a woman. Jewish boys and girls are saturated in scripture by the time they reach their teen years, except for this book. For thousands of years this has been the book you read only once you have come of age. I read it with my oldest son on a weekend vacation I took him on when I found out he was going to be instructed on sexual education in his public school at 11 years old. I wanted to make sure this was in place to help him properly discern things with the school’s curriculum.

Additions To Your Essential Books on Love

Stormie wrote “The Power of a Praying Husband” and had many requests to simply take the prayers from that book and publish a seperate book. This is that seperate book. Personally, I don’t know how a person can pray for another specific person, with any consistency, and not begin to love them more fully and completely. I truly believe you start to experience God’s love for that person and that is far more powerful than anything we could possibly muster up on our own.

Recommended A Library For March 2022:

If you’ve been reading Gentleman’s Purpose for any length of time, you may already have picked this one up. It is another prayer book; however, this one is far more comprehensive. The more you interact with the God who is love, the more genuinely and passionately you will be able to love others. Your capacity will increase and you will grow strong in the Spirit.

Additions To Your Essential Books on Love

Without question, one of the greatest Christian authors to ever live, C.S. Lewis explores the four types of love that we experience as human beings. This is a classic of Christian literature, meant both to inform and to be lived and experienced. You will become a better person as your understanding of love increases.

Music

NICKEL CREEK

“I don’t care what kind of music you play, from country to metal. Dynamics is everything in music and these guys have it in spades. Moving back and forth to the mic at just the right distance to basically make a polished, and MIXED record live on the floor with one mic. An engineers dream band. Able to take it from a whisper to a blast anytime they want just by knowing about dynamics. Great ears.”- SG

Gear

GEAR for a Productive Home Office

NETGEAR offers a WiFi Extender that is extremely user friendly in setup and use, that will allow you to tap into and strengthen your home’s existing WiFi for your home office. 54

I have long been a fan of brother printers, ever since my Brother in Christ bought me one for use in my Gospel Ministry to print resources for students. The quality and reliabilty of their machines far surpasses that of other manufacturers that I’ve utilized. 55

Normally, I work from a laptop computer. I work from many different locations and it just makes it easier for me. However, a client recently setup a workstation and added one of these all-in-one units from HP, and with cloud storage, it really makes it easy to jump right in and get things done. Honestly, it had been so long since I worked from anything but a laptop, that it was kind of refreshing. 56

I’ve come a long way from drawing obscene pictographs on the foreheads of drunken, passed out college buddies with these things. The fact remains though, you will need Sharpie markers in your home office. I don’t know what for, but within the first couple days you will be like, “Man, I need to pick up some Sharpies!”...so go ahead and order them now. 57

If you are going to be sitting on your ass for hours each day, making your clients lots of money, you will want a comfortable chair. Something ergonomical, something easy to operate, that won’t flip over backward when you get excited about that big contract going through. 58

You’re a man damn it! You were not meant to sit in a cubicle for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 50 years of your life. However, for the time that you do need to be inside, have an easy to care for plant. The mental and emotional health benefits to this have been studied and proven. We come from the earth, we connect with this shit...don’t try to figure it out, just man up and get you a plant...if you have a medical marijauna card, you could...nevermind...get back to it ... :-) 59

Newer to Gentleman’s Purpose eM Click here to read more editions...and please share with

Magazine? friends and family!

Travel

This is Gator Territory! Written by Justin Gaynor One thing about living in Florida, you are never too far from your next adventure. Whether you want to take a long weekend in Key West to swim with dolphins, or ride airboats through the Everglades to spot some of the local wildlife. There is always something amazing to do in Florida. This past weekend, I was invited to celebrate with my family on my mom’s side in Palatka, FL. My cousin Haley was marrying a strapping young fellow with a kick-ass beard. He’s got a good job, and he loves her...treats her right... and he’s been courting her for, I don’t know, damn near a decade now, so I was pleased to give my blessing to the union, along with the crowd that gathered at the Rodman Plantation. A beautiful venue with classic southern, old Florida style. I liked it. A lot. So, I went online and found a nice little bed and breakfast type place called Antique Chic Estates. It turned out to be my kinda place. It was like staying at my great-grandma’s place in Statesville, NC where there’s plenty of fireflys to chase at sunset, and plenty of switches for Aunt Judy to light your ass up with if you get outta line.

I rode my motorbike. Took the scenic route up A1A (Beachside) to Flagler Beach and then headed directly west. It was a beautiful Saturday ride. It was about lunch time when I pulled into town. Beef O’ Brady’s is a nice Irish Sportsbar that serves up a delicious Reuben, so I got something to eat before officially checking in to my room at the Antique Chic Estates. 65

The wedding commenced at 4:30pm and was quite lovely. It was such a wonderful thing to see so many of my family members gathered in one place for such a special day. After the ceremony, I had an opportunity to mingle a little and when it came time to grab a seat for supper, I noticed a lady sitting at a big table by herself. I figured I’d keep her company and there were plenty of seats for my brother and his crew when they decided to join us for the meal. The lady I sat with was related to my new cousin, Austin Griffin, the groom. Her husband took his seat shortly thereafter and I learned that they were in fact Gospel music ministers. Before we even had a chance to fix our plates we were already sharing testimonies and swapping contact info. Once they found out I was staying in town for the night, they invited me to worship with them at a little local church plant they are ministering at called Life Church. I agreed and Frank, that was the gentleman’s name, texted me all of the church’s information. As the evening began to slow down, I said my farewells and headed back to my suite. I was actually in the sack by around 9pm, so I was well rested for church the next day. I like Palatka, and even though it was only a day trip, it is a day that will forever be in my heart.

My cousin Alex escorting my Aunt Cindy down the isle

My cousin Courtney and me getting our picture taken before the ceremony

Antique Chic Estates 1505 Twigg St. Palatka, FL 32117

The Rodman Plantation

298 Co Rd. 310, Palatka, FL 32117 386-916-2811

Austin & Haley Griffin

Married February 26th, 2022

From left to right: My Aunt Cindy, Haley Griffin, Austin Griffin, and my Uncle Mark