Introduction: The Western Disease of "Next"
In our Western culture, we are conditioned to be problem-solvers. If a room is too cold, we turn up the heat. If we don’t like our job, we browse LinkedIn. If we are unhappy in a season of life, we assume something is "broken" and needs to be "fixed."
We have developed a theology of entitlement—the belief that if we are uncomfortable, we are entitled to change our circumstances immediately. But as we look at Scripture, we have to ask a difficult question: Is our primary calling to change our situation, or to be changed by it?

The Scriptural Standard of Enough
The Bible speaks a language that feels foreign to our consumer-driven hearts.

• Luke 12:15 warns us: "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions." (NIV)

• 1 Timothy 6:6-8 takes it further, stripping life down to its barest essentials: "But godliness with contentment is great gain... if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." (NIV)

Paul, writing from a prison cell, gives us the famous words of Philippians 4:11-13. He says he has "learned the secret" to being content in any situation, whether well-fed or hungry. We often quote verse 13—"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (NKJV)—as a slogan for achieving our goals. But in context, Paul is saying Christ gives him the strength to endure his current circumstances, not necessarily to escape them.

Before we can be abandoned for our callings and purposes, it is wise that we first be abandoned to God Himself. To be abandoned to Him signifies a total surrender and union. It is the realization that we are not our own.

In the Western church, when we feel discontented, our immediate reaction is to fix it. But our first call is always the act of abandoning ourselves to His sovereignty. We cannot be abandoned for Him without first being abandoned to Him.

Is it Time to Change, or Time to Stay?
How do we know if a difficult situation is a "closed door" we should walk away from, or a "blessing" in disguise intended to refine us?

• Hebrews 13:5 gives us the anchor: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" (NIV)

The indicator isn't our comfort level; it’s our proximity to Him. If our desire to change our circumstances is born out of an entitled heart that says, "I deserve better," we are likely running from a lesson God wants to teach us. If we haven't first sought His will, we are merely practicing self-preservation, not discipleship.

Conclusion: The Call to Surrender
The blessing isn't always found in the exit strategy. Sometimes, the blessing is the furnace itself.

Before you try to change your circumstances, ask yourself: "Am I abandoned to God in this moment?" If you are truly surrendered to His will, you may find that the "change" you were looking for wasn’t a change of scenery, but a change of heart.

My mom had it right some of the time. Her only goal was to help me learn to be bold and brave. But always going out to change my circumstances led me to believe I should change them whenever I want. I had to stop trying to manage my life for God and start surrendering it to Him. This, in turn, leads me to contentment that the world can neither give nor take away.

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"How joyous are those who love the Lord and bow low before God, ready to obey Him."

There is a distinct theme running through all that the Lord has been downloading into my spirit for this New Era: humility and unity. This verse speaks directly to it—bowing low before the Lord and being ready to obey His voice. It is an incredibly powerful time to be part of the body of Christ, provided we can walk in this humility and unity, genuinely serving one another as we discussed previously.

I was deep in reflection on this dynamic when I clearly heard the Holy Spirit ask, "Who has the power to move a mountain?"

I continued pondering that thought and, naturally, my first response was, "Lord, You do. You have the power to move a mountain." But then, a sudden realization hit me: "Wait a minute! I have the power to move a mountain through my faith!" In Matthew 17:20, the disciples came to Jesus in private after failing to heal a boy. They asked, "Why couldn’t we drive that demon out?"

"Jesus replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you!’"

So, my ultimate response is: "You, Lord. You have all the power." There is no limit or end to His power. It is eternal in its fullness, and it is always growing. The profound paradox of God is that He is simultaneously entirely complete and ever-increasing.

Yet, we also possess that power because of our faith in Him. Have you ever looked at the tip of a ballpoint pen? It is about 1 to 2 millimeters wide. That is roughly the size of a mustard seed. It is incredibly small! And according to Jesus, that is all the faith it takes. It is our faith in Him—understanding His power, knowing exactly who He is, and activating that truth in our daily lives—that releases the ability to tell a mountain to move from here to there.

How fun would that be?

This is an excerpt from The Issachar Report coming soon! To learn more about my books: BysBooks.com

It was in that same local community that he met his wife and started a family. Now thirty-six, he wanted nothing more than to raise his children, perform his job well, and observe his daily prayers. A quiet man, he relished the solitude of his work. Hour after hour, while repairing everything from busted light fixtures to those squat, four-wheeled tugs that push planes around the tarmac, the thought seemed to take root: What if God touched the earth today?

The true catalyst, however, arrived one evening when a friend asked Ameen to cover his shift, inadvertently placing him in the airport chapel with a small group of college students.

Deciding to help his friend was easy. It was during this shift switch that he was driven deeper into the unknown.

God still speaks today, as strongly as he did to Paul on the road to Damascus. Many who are receiving revelation of truth are stepping out, trusting that God will work on their behalf. Leaving family, friends, and in fear for their lives, they are now living in many nations, able to worship a living God. A savior of hope that never leaves us.

PURCHASE TODAY!

This excerpt from Falling Through the Stars focuses on a young Muslem family man discovering a path he never would have considered if it hadn't been for that one evening at prayers.

He stood beneath the canopy of the night sky, watching his smoke drift upward to mingle with the city lights and the darkness beyond. The stars were elusive here, washed out by bright streetlamps and neon shop signs. Seeking a moment of solitude, he turned, walked to the far end of the mosque, and leaned his back against the cool outer wall.

He inhaled deeply. Squinting past the urban glare, he longed for the crisp, diamond-hard starlight of his childhood homeland. As a boy, he would often sneak out to the hills near his house, letting the absolute darkness envelop him until the stars felt close enough to touch. Those were the golden memories of his life before the move.

Leaning against the mosque wall, a question suddenly rushed into his mind. It was so clear and vivid that he felt the stars had reached down through the darkness, past the smog and neon, to pierce his very being: What if God touched the earth today?

Purchase Today: https://a.co/d/00fQgwDO

I’ve been on a journey of discovery lately, observing individuals and organizations that seem to command influence simply by being exactly who they are. I wanted to drill down into the "why." What exactly are they doing that sparks such deep, undeniable engagement?

The common thread was unmistakable: a profound love for what they do.

They weren't manufacturing a persona. They were expressing what they loved with honesty, authenticity, and zero pretense. There was no slick sales pitch—just pure heart. Those are the people who truly inspired me.

It made me pause and ask a vital question: "Shouldn’t this be the ultimate goal for every believer?" Shouldn't our goal be to present the truest version of ourselves to the world? To live in such a way that people are drawn into the Kingdom not by our "pitch," but by our absolute lack of hypocrisy?

Love Without Pretense

Romans 12:9 gives us the exact blueprint for this kind of influence: "Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good." (NASB)

Paul is inviting us to a higher way of living. Healthy love naturally lacks hypocrisy; it carries the weight of true authenticity. When we offer our honest, unmasked selves to the world, we are expressing a true, God-centered love.

At first, I asked myself, "What do I do honestly and with joy?" That was the question that started my initial research. But as I uncovered this concept of "love without pretense," I realized my first question was still entirely too self-focused. The influential people I was studying were not focused inward; they were focused on projecting that authentic love outward.

So, my question had to shift. It became: "Where in my life am I operating from love without hypocrisy?"

This isn't about a functional outcome; it's about the deep posture of the heart. I am far less concerned now with "finding myself," and far more engaged in the pursuit of expressing unhypocritical love. This shift successfully removes the focus on "who I am" and replaces it with, "How do I love others?"

~From…

I know what you might be thinking, looking at your screen with a bit of trepidation: "Why, Byron, do you have to tell us another story?" Let me give you a quick peek behind the curtain at how this one came to life.

The Story (Without Fear)

A few weeks ago, I woke up in the middle of the night with a sudden, compelling thought: I needed to gather all my writings from as far back as I can remember (which, let's be honest, is quite far back). The next morning, I started digging through every corner of my folders, files, and the cloud. I ended up discovering 44 different pieces focused entirely on the New Era.

BAM!

I said aloud—much to Crystal's ever-growing fear that I've finally lost my mind—"It's a new book on the New Era! A very comprehensive book at that!"

I was thrilled, and I can tell you're excited too. I can feel your energy from here—that distinct feeling you get when you realize something has shifted in the cosmos. So, before you is an exclusive summary, wrap-up, and recap. Start with the first paragraph. If you like it... keep reading. If you like it even more after that, comment below with "PUT ME ON THE LIST!" and I'll make sure you get a special discount when the book officially goes live.

Here is The Issachar Report

The Issachar Report outlines a profound spiritual and cultural shift currently transforming modern Christianity. Believers have crossed a definitive "demarcation line" into a "New Era," a transition accelerated by the global pandemic, which intentionally disrupted traditional religious systems to initiate a holy pivot. To successfully navigate this unprecedented period, Christians must move away from passive, spectator-style religion and embrace an activated lifestyle structured around Education, Revelation, and Activation (E.R.A.).

For the Crazy Reader Types: The Two Gates

Central to this transition is the concept of two gates: the gradual closing of the 1,700-year-old "Hierarchical Structure," which relied on top-down control and centralized gathering, and the opening of the "Kingdom Move," characterized by Spirit-led, grassroots authenticity. This necessary shift in leadership and community comes down to a "My Bus vs. Our Bus" analogy. The outdated "My Bus" mentality values function over relationship, using people merely to serve a single leader's vision. The "Our Bus" approach prioritizes genuine, caring relationships where believers equip and release one another. This relational shift dismantles the exhaustion of religious performance, replacing it with an inclusive mandate where "Everybody Gets to Play."

The Action Plan: The Issachar Anointing

To effectively lead in this era, the church must adopt the "Issachar Anointing"—the biblical ability to understand spiritual trends and know exactly what action to take. Instead of relying on an exhausting "influencer" model focused on addition and Sunday seating capacity, believers are called to exponential multiplication by intentionally discipling small groups and releasing them into their unique spheres of influence. I envision a "Town Without Walls," urging believers to stop compartmentalizing their faith and instead integrate it seamlessly into their businesses, art, and daily neighborhoods. By becoming "distribution centers of kindness" and taking the time to "stop for the one" in everyday encounters, ordinary believers become the primary catalysts for a prophesied billion-soul harvest.

Really? I Have to Grow Up?

Finally, the book addresses the theological maturity required to sustain this movement. It compares a healthy view of God to an "upright coin" that balances the breathtaking majesty of His sovereignty with the intimate warmth of His mercy. By quieting the soul, practicing daily resets with the Father, and holding fast to God-given promises, believers are equipped to overcome the enemy's attack vectors of disillusionment, misunderstanding, lackluster, and fear. Ultimately, life in Christ is framed as both a secure journey of salvation and a thrilling, unpredictable quest, inviting believers to boldly step out of the pews and co-author a story of Kingdom expansion in their own communities.

For years, I didn’t understand what was happening during those restless nights. I would fight to shut my mind off, hoping to flip a switch that would send me back to dreamland. Instead, my thoughts would drag me endlessly through a maze of the previous day’s events or the anxieties of the day ahead.

Then, a shift in perspective changed everything. I began to see these waking frustrations as opportunities to process my thoughts in the quiet stillness of the night. I realized these were divine appointments—moments where I could either cling to my frustration or change my mindset and listen for God’s whisper.

Job 33:15-18 tells us that God bends down to whisper in our ears through dreams and visions. Since visions can happen while we are awake, I thought, why not stop and listen to what the Father wants to say during these nighttime sessions?

While I can’t say I’m entirely in love with waking up early just yet, I’ve genuinely grown to appreciate these moments. I’m a work in progress, and I still occasionally find myself whining my way back to sleep. But ultimately, these nighttime encounters have opened my spirit to insights I simply miss during the day.

Recently, during one of these nighttime sessions with the Father, a clear thought rushed into my mind: a concept for a new book called The Issachar Report. This project digs deeper into the “New Era” we’ve entered. When I published my first book, An Introduction to the New Era, in 2018—after years of study, conversation, and prayer—I honestly thought my writings on the subject were complete. As it turns out, God had other plans!

Here are the details:

• Date: Wednesday, May 27

• Time: 4:30 PM PDT

• Location: Link will be provided

During our time together, I’ll be sharing a sneak peek into the core themes of the manuscript, discussing the transitions and flow of the new book, and exploring the leadership paradigms it addresses. Most importantly, I want to open the floor to you. We’ll have time for a live Q&A and some small-group style discussion.

Whether you’ve been reading my work for years or just recently joined us here, your perspective is a valued part of this conversation.

Please mark your calendars, bring your questions, and feel free to share this invitation with anyone else who might be interested. I look forward to seeing you there and exploring The Issachar Report together.

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But truth be told, those ideas shouldn’t just live in an inbox. They are meant to be wrestled with, talked through, and experienced in community.

That’s why I want to invite you into a new chapter of this journey—one that moves us away from passive consumption and into active, relational connection.

The Vision: 5 to 7 Friends, One Screen

The vision is simple: a small circle of five to seven friends tuning into the live stream together—whether you are gathered in the same room or connecting from different screens across the miles—to spark a real, interactive dialogue.

I’m not looking to build a massive, faceless digital audience. Instead, I’m looking for a deeper connection to invite 5 to 7 friends (both old and new) into a shared conversation.

This isn’t a lecture. It’s a dialogue.

These Substack live streams will be fully interactive and discussion-based. Because you’ll be gathering with people you know, the atmosphere will naturally be relational, safe, and deeply encouraging.

How We Will Journey Together

I want to start with a new book I’m about to finish, as it offers a more comprehensive look at the New Era we have entered. But I believe my first book on the subject, An Introduction to New Era, is a better place to start. This little book is an overview of my study, conversations with people, and my relationship with God, beginning in 2008 and culminating in its writing in 2018. We will tackle the concepts together, concept by concept, stream by stream, right here on Substack.

Here is how we’re breaking the mold:

• Completely Flexible: We will meet for as long as you and your group desire. Beginning with An Introduction to New Era and then moving on to The Issachar Report. A total of thirteen weeks or one quarter.

• Choose Your Pace: After 13 weeks, we can dive deep into a new book or not. You set the rhythm that works for your circle.

• Interactive Access: Through Substack’s live tools, your group can interact directly with me, ask questions, and share insights in real-time.

Let’s Build Something Lasting

NOTE: You only need a Substack account to join. You don’t have to be a paid subscriber.

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To navigate this change, we are setting out on a deep dive into the Issachar Report, exploring three essential pillars known as the ERA Keys: Education (Knowledge), Revelation (Insight), and Activation (Action). Through Education, we examine how historical shifts, such as the invention of the printing press, ended a monopoly on learning, enabling mass literacy and self-education today. Revelation moves us beyond mere facts to understand God’s “Why” and His heartbeat behind the information. Finally, Activation is the realization that we all have a unique part to play as ambassadors of the Kingdom. This shift empowers every believer to move from being a spectator in the stands to an active participant in their community, recognizing that in this Era, “Everybody Gets to Play.”

At the heart of this deep dive is a fundamental change in how we view relationships through the lens of “Our Bus” thinking. For too long, many have operated under a “My Bus” mentality, where people are used as functional tools to serve a leader’s vision and then discarded once that function ends. In the New Era, we prioritize relationships over function, viewing people as the “living building” while organizational structures are merely the “scaffolding” intended to support them. This transformation is fueled by “Love Without Pretense”—an unmasked, honest love that draws others to Christ through authenticity rather than a “sales pitch”.

We are standing on the edge of a prophetic Unprecedented Kingdom Harvest, a grassroots movement of multiplication rather than just addition. This move specifically targets a subculture of Cultural Creatives—a growing segment of the population seeking genuine authenticity and spirituality outside traditional religious walls. Because they won’t walk through the church doors, the Father is activating us to meet them face-to-face, one-to-one. Prayer is our frontline in this mission, serving as a “sweet fragrance” and “Kingdom currency” that releases heaven’s strategies into our world. We invite you to join us for a deep dive into the Issachar Report.

Seek the Voice, Not the Echo.

Listen as you read along.

It’s full-on spring here in Northern California. Fluctuating between the low 50s at night and hitting the 80s in the day. Our rainy season is most likely over, and we will soon lose the beautiful green hills. In California, the hills turn golden. I’m not buying that, but Crystal and I do reminisce about the lush green of summers we spent growing up in the Midwest.

We have told our family that if they move from California, we will beat them there, wherever they go. But, in reality, that’s not completely true. California is a wonderful state with many amazing and beautiful places. It was once said that as California goes, so goes the nation. That may still be true, I’m not sure. What is certain is that we don’t want to leave a good fight.

Many have left California because they felt the demise and frustrations of our government and moral standards. They went to other states in the hope of finding a better life. A place where costs aren’t as bad, and the lifestyle at least has some leanings toward reality. BUT...

Who’s going to stay and fight? Who’s going to pray for the release of this move of God we have been promised? I believe it’s a choice and a calling to stay. We all have battles, right? We all have choices the Father sets before us, which brings me to the end of this post.

“When battle rages around us, pray for the peace of Christ, knowing that as the Spirit dwells in us, His peace is never far from us.”

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Byron: I’d like to chat a bit about imagination. What’s your first recollection of dealing with imagination?

Angela: As a kid growing up in church, I sang songs with hand motions. This was a fun way to learn Bible stories and scriptures. One of these simple songs emphasizes ‘be careful’ what you hear, what you say, what you touch, and where you go. ” The song’s repetitive verses warn us to be cautious of what we allow to enter our minds and hearts (good or bad). These influences and experiences shape us as people and affect our thoughts and imaginations.

Byron: The influences around us indeed affect our thoughts and imagination. I know as a child I was a dreamer. That’s how I began writing, but somewhere I became afraid of dreaming, and I stopped. Did these outside influences affect you? How did you respond?

Angela: There was an invitation to refocus, to receive a new image, and lift to a new thought.

Byron: OH, I love that idea of ‘lifting to a new thought.’ It’s such a powerful image that our thoughts are lifted to a new dimension by the invitation to imagine.

Angela: True, this song taught me to be sensitive to what I look at, what I listen to, and what I do, for they can impact the growth of my imagination. However, then and now, my mind and imagination are constantly bombarded by the world's influences.

Byron: As we continued our conversation, I was interested in discovering what Angela felt might be the negatives.

Angela: Technology (specifically smartphones and TV) is always flooding my mind with unnecessary information. This information overloads and sows worldly, unrighteous seeds in my imagination garden. These seeds may become weeds of negativity, sadness, hopelessness, fear, confusion, and division that clutter my imagination. So, my imagination landscape needs constant tending to remove the choking weeds. It takes time and work!

Byron: I know Jordan Peterson has talked about our thought life. Paul, the apostle, writes about our thought life. Any idea why he focused on this in relation to the effects of negative thinking?

Angela: This is the reason Paul wrote to the believers in Philippi, encouraging them in what to think and how to think. Their thoughts and imaginations had become cluttered and confused. His instruction was profoundly personal and for each individual to consider. The invitation was to refocus, to receive a new image, and lift to a new thought. Paul provides a framework on how we should direct our thoughts, which will help us create a healthy (weed-free) imagination.

He writes, “…..whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].”

Byron: I have to do this daily. I will create a pattern for myself to help start my day on a positive note. The scriptures are a part of this. It’s never about how much I read, but about connecting with Jesus through reading, thanksgiving, and prayer. It paves the way for a strong possibility of a positive return on my day. How do you see Paul’s words of encouragement?

Angela: Paul’s encouragement and wisdom are timely for us today. We, too, are invited to assess and examine what we are focusing on and imagining.

Byron: I believe this will be the first of several conversations. I so appreciate your heart and thoughts in imagination. Do you have any words to encourage us as we look to lift our thoughts to new heights?

Angela: Let’s be inspired by the Word to imagine and discover “the pure, spiritual, heaven-born possibilities that have their foundation in the Holy being of God,” as you turn your heart’s imagination towards the righteous wisdom God is generously raining down in the!

Byron: Thanks, Angela, for taking the time to connect with us here.

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I am grateful that you are here in the midst,

In fact, you have no hesitation in coming to me.

It’s not like you’re sitting in heaven complaining,

“Oh, I can’t believe they are wanting my attention, again!”

You are so available to me, so available.

Thank you!

Psalm 139:7-10 – Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. (NIV)

2 Chronicles 16:9a – For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (NIV)

A Letter from Your Father: The God of No Hesitation

My Beloved Child,

I see the moments when you pause before talking to me. I see the hesitation in your heart when you think you’ve brought too many needs, made too many mistakes, or simply asked for my attention one too many times. You have been taught by a tired, broken world that love has limits, that patience runs out, and that eventually, everyone sighs and says, “Oh, not them again.”

But I want to remind you today: I am not like the world, and I am not exhausted by you.

When you look toward heaven, you will never find Me checking My watch, reviewing your spiritual resume, or tapping my fingers in annoyance. Because of the finished work of my Son, there is no barrier left between us. Jesus didn’t endure the cross so you could stand outside the throne room hoping I might squeeze you into my schedule. He tore the veil permanently so that you would know, with absolute certainty, that my calendar is perpetually clear for you.

You do not need to clean yourself up, rehearse a perfect apology, or wait until you feel worthy to draw near. Worthiness was already gifted to you.

I am a God of no hesitation. When you call, I don’t weigh your recent performance to decide whether I will answer; I respond immediately because you are my child and my absolute delight.

Stop apologizing for wanting my attention. Whether you are soaring on the wings of the dawn or feeling like you’ve made your bed in the depths of a mess, I am already right there with you. I don’t wait for the mess to be cleared before I step in. My right hand is already holding you fast.

Let go of the striving. Drop the heavy burden of thinking you are a bother to me. I am totally present, totally accessible, and wildly eager to be with you. You never have to earn my ear or my presence—it is your inheritance. Come to me relaxed, without reservation, and without shame. Come to me expectant. For I am right here, always.

With unhesitating love,

Your Heavenly Father

A Prayer of Gratitude for God’s Availability

Father, what an incredible, boundless joy to know you!

I pause in this moment to reflect on your nature, and I am simply overwhelmed by your immediate and utter availability. You are the sovereign King, yet there is no hesitation in your step when I call.

It’s not a cosmic inconvenience for you when I reach out. You aren’t tapping your fingers impatiently in heaven, sighing, “Oh, they’re wanting my attention, again! Can’t they just manage on their own?” No! That is entirely foreign to your heart.

Instead, you are right here, totally present, totally accessible. You are not waiting for me to be perfect before you show up; you just show up.

Thank you for being so incredibly available to me—a loving, present, and willing Father. My heart is full of gratitude for this amazing gift.

Amen

Five Faith-Growth Questions

1. How does knowing God is eager to meet you change how you approach him? Take a moment to simply thank him for being so readily available.

2. Since the Father isn’t complaining or reluctant to give me his attention, what practical way can I shift my daily prayer from being a duty I have to perform, to a simple, relaxed response to his constant availability?

3. If I truly believe that God is so available to me right now, where in my life am I still striving, worrying, or trying to earn a breakthrough that I could instead simply receive by trusting in his promised presence?

4. How might my awareness of God’s enthusiastic no hesitation availability change the way I interact with others who need my attention, time, or forgiveness?

5. What action, decision, or dream have I been putting off because I felt inadequate, thinking I had to wait until I was better or more worthy, when the truth is, God’s available presence is the only qualification I need?

Call to Action

Do you hear that? It’s not the sound of a heavenly sigh or an exasperated groan. It is the sound of absolute, unreserved WELCOME!

The Father’s calendar is perpetually open for you. He’s not reviewing your spiritual resume, checking your recent prayer history, or sighing at the audacity of your needs. He never rolls his eyes and thinks, “Oh, them again?”

The door is always open and his presence is always available. You have been given a “God of No Hesitation.” Therefore, your next move is to live with no reservation. Don’t wait until you’ve cleaned up enough, prayed enough, or performed enough. Don’t let shame or busyness convince you that you’re a burden or a bother. You are a delight!

Action Steps:

• Run to your Father who is available right now, in the mess, in the moment, with the big need, or the simple whisper of thanks. Because he is so available to you, you are free to be so vulnerable with him. Let his heart for you empower your no shame!

• Journal your heart to the Father. What does his availability mean to you?

5 Steps to Go Deeper into No Hesitation Grace

• Declare His Availability, Not Your Worthiness: The “No Hesitation” perspective shifts the focus entirely from your performance to his willingness. Your attention-seeking doesn’t annoy him; it invites him. When you pray, immediately stop yourself from confessing weakness or trying to clean up. Instead, declare his readiness before you ask for anything.

• Stop Apologizing for Wanting Attention: The phrase “Oh, I can’t believe they are wanting my attention, again!” is a lie about his nature. To go deeper, deliberately stop praying or thinking in ways that treat him like a burdened or annoyed parent. Replace any thought of “I shouldn’t bother Him” with the truth: “I am His delight.” When you pray, pray with the confidence of a beloved son or daughter, not a beggar.

• Embrace the Immediate Shift in Atmosphere: The moment you acknowledge his “No Hesitation” presence, the atmosphere around you changes from struggle to rest, and from striving to trusting. Practice a “5-Second Shift.” The instant a heavy or anxious thought appears, take 5 seconds to thank him for His immediate, unhesitating presence, allowing the heaviness to lift as you rest in his nearness.

• Use Your Availability as a Witness: Since the Father is so available to you, the natural response is to become more freely available to him and others. This isn’t a chore; it’s a reflection of his nature shining through you. Look for a chance today to be unhesitatingly available to someone else (a kind word, an act of service, listening without rushing). Let your action be a demonstration of the grace you have received.

• End Every Prayer with Thankful Certainty: The final word of the original prayer is “Thank you!” This is the ultimate expression of assurance. To go deeper, make gratitude the final, sealing act of every conversation with him.

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  From the new Meditations of a Common Man

  A Three-Book Series to Interact With the Father

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JUST GIVE ME THE ICE CREAM

Crystal and I were part of the Vineyard movement in Indianapolis, Indiana. At that time, I was known as a worship leader. I had just finished traveling with a soloist on CRU. We performed at Billy Graham crusades, national TV appearances, and concerts across the United States. I was her pianist and arranger. Crystal and I had recently begun to learn about the things of the spirit, such as healing, prophecy, and deliverance. Have you heard of a grocery store called Piggly Wiggly? This is where this story begins.

Sunday evenings in our home were a time to relax, watch a movie together, and share some ice cream. It was my job to go to the store and purchase the ice cream. I went to the ice cream cooler, and standing in front of the ice cream cabinet is a lady about a hundred and eighty-seven years old, weighing three pounds. She was the tiniest little woman. She was all bent over and hunched back. Her hands were incredibly arthritic. What was my goal? You have to remember my goal was ice cream, but she was standing about two inches in front of the doors to the ice cream cabinet, and I couldn’t move her out of the way. I’m thinking: how do I hip-check this lady without breaking her body? Maybe she’s studying the ice cream, or maybe she’s fallen asleep, when I hear in my spirit, ‘Say hello.’ That’s no big deal, right? But I know what hello leads to: a conversation. I wasn’t interested in a conversation, I was interested in – ice cream! Thank you very much. We’re on the same page. I heard it again. So, I said, “Hi, how are you?” And of course, she turns and looks up and says, “Hi.” I’m thinking, believing, and hoping that she’ll recognize that I’m standing there waiting for the ice cream and move out of the way so I can reach in, grab a half gallon, and be on my way. Simple is as simple does!

She doesn’t budge, and the Lord says to me, “Ask her how she’s doing.”

“What,” I said to God, “Have you seen her? Are you losing your eyesight? I’m seeing a lady that needs...” I had an internal pause before the word healing formed in my mind. “Oh, no, no, no, no, no. I mean, not healing. I don’t have time for this. Lord, I’ve got family at home. Family’s important. Family’s very important.” I started working on reasons not to respond to Him or to this woman. Ultimately, I responded to that inner voice of God. “How are you doing?” She told me, and she told me everything!

Then the Lord prompts me to pray for her. My response is, “Fine with me, if that gets her out of the way and I can get my ice cream.” With reservation and a bit of anxious thought, “May I pray for you?” Most people at this point think what a nice young man he is; he’s going to go home and pray for me. But no, not me, I had just been trained in how to pray for people, and I said, “I’d like to pray for you right now. Is that okay?” And she was not taken aback by that.

“May I put my hand on your arm - right here?” I asked.

“Yes, that’s fine,” she tried to look up at me with apparent pain.

“I’m going to take a minute and listen to God and ask for a prayer for you,” which became the longest thirty seconds of my life. It felt like months had passed. I’m sitting in a Piggly Wiggly in front of an ice cream cabinet, praying for a lady who needs healing. But obviously, I want to go home, eat ice cream, and watch a movie with my family. Rising from my heart and out of my mouth, a prayer ascends. In a moment, her crumpled left hand begins to unfold, and then the right hand begins to unfold. She began to stand upright. In that moment, I was not a worship leader. I was not a guy who had been on national TV or playing at a Billy Graham crusade. She didn’t know me from Adam. I was just a guy getting ice cream.

I was so excited. I ran out of there, and when I got home, I told my wife and daughter the story, realizing I never even got her name. She’s probably sitting in front of the ice cream cabinet, wondering, “ Who was that masked man?”

Listening is good, responding is better. Now entering an amazing season of a new era in our world, where the Father is drawing millions to himself, we all have a part that we can play. What’s your part? Who is in front of you that needs us to respond to the Father? Be the one, be the change!

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Now, this was a guy who obviously wanted to travel the world himself and wasn’t doing it. His question caused me to pause. Internally, I was thinking, I don’t know if I really have an answer for this. I’m not some great orator that makes people go, “Oh, wow, I want to hear more. I love his eloquence.” I’m a simple guy—well, maybe not simple, but hopefully not complicated. (I guess Crystal would be the one to answer that!)

I kept thinking through it. Why do we get to travel? Over all those decades, traveling to so many different countries and locations, engaging with so many people, and ministering in a variety of ways... and then it hit me. I had a very simple answer for him.

I said, “Really, the only reason is that we took the risk and said yes.”

We all have the option to take risks in our lives and say yes. Have all of those risks turned out perfectly? A big no, for sure. We definitely made some mistakes along the way, but we took the risk.

It made me think about the apostles. Do you think their lives were perfect? Do you think they made every wise step? I don’t think so. They were human. They made mistakes. They listened to the Spirit as best they could and stepped into what they felt God was asking them to do. You don’t read much about their missteps in scripture, because that wasn’t the focus. The focus was Christ.

What did I gain from all these years of travel? I gained the knowledge that Christ is always with me. No matter where we go, no matter the mistakes we make, through the joys and the exultations—it’s all about Him.

Why do I not have more conversations about Him? Why is it that strategy, planning, and ideas are sometimes treated as more important than talking about Jesus? I don’t see that in Paul’s epistles to the churches. He didn’t spend much time talking about strategy or plans. He talked a lot about Christ and about how to live a holy life in the Holy Spirit.

Looking back at all the questions God has asked me, all the places He has sent us, and all the risks we’ve taken, I wish I had spent more time talking about Jesus. I want to learn more of that now.

How about you? What do you think about all this?

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Over the last four decades, my journey has taken many forms. It has looked like advising international leaders, spending quiet hours composing at the piano, and working alongside my wife, Crystal, to build safe and secure homes for widows and single mothers in Nicaragua. Across all these seasons—through the writing of books like Dream Big Dream Often and An Introduction to New Era—one constant has remained: a deep, unwavering pursuit of spiritual truth.

This Substack is dedicated to exploring spiritual insights that have anchored my life, my leadership, and my legacy.

Why Focus on Faith and Spiritual Insights?

In a world that frequently prioritizes mass-media influence and loud broadcasting, I have seen firsthand that true, lasting change happens differently. It happens relationally. It is a concept built on the multiplication principle—investing deeply in a few, who then invest in a few more.

This is the very model Jesus demonstrated. True impact isn’t about reaching the masses with a fleeting message; it’s about the profound, generational change that comes from intentional connection and spiritual grounding. My writings here are an extension of that exact philosophy.

Whether we are diving into the theological realities I explore in the Why We Say Yes series, examining spiritual truths through allegories like Out From The Shadows, or discussing what it means to build a community from the ground up, the goal is to cultivate a space for genuine, quiet reflection.

What You Can Expect

By subscribing, you are joining a community centered on meaningful dialogue away from the noise. Together, we will explore:

• Theological Reflections: Unpacking the nature of God, the teachings of Jesus, and the practical, daily realities of walking out faith.

• Relational Leadership: Examining how spiritual insights intersect with community building and the multiplication framework to create lasting impact.

• Storytelling and Allegory: Using narrative to bring complex spiritual realities out from the shadows and into a clearer light.

Just as my solo piano compositions are written to offer a place of peace, rest, and hope, my vision for this written space is that it provides a grounding anchor for your own spiritual journey. While my musical recordings and my written series are distinct projects, they share the same heartbeat: an invitation to pause, look upward, and grow.

Thank you for being here. I look forward to walking this path together.

— Byron Easterling

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