THE ED MYLETT SHOW - You're Stronger Than You Think w/ Joel Osteen

Episode Date: December 7, 2021

 Like many of you, I’m a person of STRONG FAITH AND CONVICTION.  My LOVE of my GOD means everything to me and has brought me PEACE, PURPOSE, and STRENGTH throughout my entire life. Before I tell you about this week’s guest, PASTOR JOEL OSTEEN, I want to make it clear that I RESPECT and ENCOURAGE you to practice your faith and spirituality in any way you see fit. That said, I wanted to share this UPLIFTING interview with Joel because it goes way beyond any single religious persuasion, exposes you to NEW IDEAS, and most of all, GIVES YOU A LOT TO THINK ABOUT. For more than 20 years, Joel has combined his love of the ministry with a savvy approach to media and business to build one of the LARGEST FOLLOWINGS in the world.  The Lakewood Church has become one of the most popular visitor destinations in Houston and currently draws more than 45,000 WEEKLY ATTENDEES.  Joel’s international broadcast following has expanded into more than 200 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS in the United States alone. And his dedicated SIRIUSXM channel (Channel 128) and NIGHT OF HOPE events worldwide continue to amplify his messages to millions of more people. Incredibly, Joel never set out to do the work he does today.  The story of how he reluctantly filled in to deliver a sermon for his ailing father that turned out to be the FULFILLMENT of his DESTINY is a powerful example of God’s hand at work that you need to hear, along with the importance of CONQUERING YOUR FEARS to live the life you were meant to lead. We talk about facing dark seasons in our lives, and how we can OVERCOME CHALLENGES and by holding onto our faith.   Joel also reveals how he prays, why GRATITUDE is a big part of his conversations with God, and the role of DESTINY in our lives. If you struggle with CONFIDENCE (and most of us do), Joel offers advice on overcoming your fears and doubts by mastering self-defeating limitations. We also touch on LETTING GO of things that add nothing to our lives and FOCUSING ON WHAT MATTERS MOST, a lesson all of us NEED TO LEARN. JOEL OSTEEN is a tremendous force for GOOD IN THE WORLD, and after you listen to this week’s episode, you’ll know exactly why. 

This is the end my let's show. Alright everybody, welcome back to the program. I have a gentleman here today that probably needs no introduction but I'm going to give him a decent one. He's somebody I've admired a great deal from a distance for a long time. And I was thinking about it driving over here today. I think he's probably one of the three or four, five most influential people walking the earth. If not number one, he's certainly in my mind

the number one force for good in the world and has been for a long time. He's got a new book out called, You Are Stronger Than You Think that I read in an entire setting in one day, which is incredible. And I'm just honored to have him here and share him with my audience for the first time.

So Jolo Stainwell, what are the program, bro? Hey, yeah, thank you so much, man. You give a very nice introduction, but I can tell you, I love your work. I was just telling you, I know you said it's not your main business, but, man, you're great at inspiration and motivation and getting people going.

I love that. Thank you. Turns out you're pretty good attitude, though. Awesome, man. I'm glad to give to a cup with you. Me too, I am as well. And I got, I meant what I said. You've inspired me a great deal.

Sometimes I even think we're just meeting for the first time that I wanted the compliments I could give you. We've never met before in there. Actually situations in my life where I've thought, I wonder how Jolostein went and handled this. Wow. And I think that's one of the biggest compliments I could give another man is I have really thought

that several different times in my life. That's very nice. Well, you know, I'm just, I never dreamed I'd be doing this. Maybe we'll get into some of that, but you know what? You never know what's in you and where God's going to take you and never never imagine I'd be here with you. Yeah, well, that's kind of the thing in the book that fascinated me. And so I'd like to start there, actually, because I'm reading about you. And obviously, to me, when I watch you speak, there's this tremendous anointing that's on you. But I start to read and I'm like, this guy was really never intending to be a pastor. No.

Never wanted to be. You're take us through that for years, like like 17 some odd years, you're back in the video room doing stuff for your dad who was leading the church and never wanted to be out front, which is crazy to me. I know it really is. Ed, I never had any desire to get up in front of people and do any kind of, you know, my dad was a group of pastors kid and so my dad was a great minister and he'd get up there and talk and very powerful and all that and I thought that was just not me. I was much

more quiet and reserved and just no desire to do it. Even during those 17 years, so I worked behind the scenes and I would do the production for my dad and he did a television program and all the lighting and stuff, but I loved doing that and I think it was right for the time, but my dad would try to get me up there to the minister. And he'd even tell me, he said, you'd be a good pastor. Why don't you help me? And I thought, I thought, what is he? I don't, I can't believe he'd even ask because I just didn't feel like I had anything in me. And so I don't know to make a long story short. My dad passed in 1999, 77 years old of a heart attack, and he'd been on dialysis for about three months, but it still was kind of

a shock, you know. I was very close with my dad. We'd travel the world together, like I said, I worked with him. And so when he passed, you know, you know, I said like a Dave, I kind of in a shop for a day, but then all of a sudden I had this desire to get up and pasture the church. And so it was like, you know, God put the desire in me where I ran from it before. I knew I was supposed to do it. The funny thing is I didn't know if I'd be any good, but I just thought, you know what, this is my chance to take a step of faith. And if it doesn't work, I'll go back and do television production. I thought, you know what, we've all failed it something. But I did have that somehow I had this boldness and courage to step up although I was afraid and timid and thoughts told me nobody's gonna listen to you Joel. You

haven't been to seminary and you're not big and strong and bold like your father but you know what? I had to downplay all that and I took that step of faith and really we're talking about you mentioned the book stronger than you think. I didn't know this was in me I didn't know this gift was in me and I didn't know I could get up and speak and so I believe God's equipped us For everything we need in life Yeah, in other words that God knows every struggle every disappointment every setback every dream that he's placed in our heart Everything to hold me I could never do this, but I discovered it was in me. And so that's kind of what the book is about. It's about, you know what, you're more talented than you think. You're stronger than you think. You're more favored than you think. You're probably

more attractive than you think. And you're talking about it, talk about it a lot, but you get your mind and your thoughts going in the right direction. It's amazing what can come out of you. It is. And it's, and it's something with you And I know we talk about, but you know, God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the cold. And in that case with your dad, I really, you know, learning more about you, you know, a little bit more about that was that you would actually, your dad called you. He was in the hospital and actually said, would you please preach? And you actually, this is your dad. He's sick. He's on dialysis. He's in the hospital. This is how the Lord's everything's always happening for us and not to us. We just, in hindsight, it ends up revealing itself, right?

But so you actually tell your dad, no daddy, I can't get up and do it, right? I know, I know. It's crazy, Ed, because he had asked me, you know, a hundred times before over the 17 years. So when he asked me that night, I was at my sister Lisa's house, eating dinner, my mom was there too, or that, no,

I was at home, my mom and my dad, and was at my sister Lisa's house. And my dad said to my mom, it was a Monday afternoon. I remember it like it was yesterday. He told my mom, he said, I'm going to call Joel and see if you'll speak for me this Sunday. And my mom said, John, you're wasting your time. Joel's not a preacher. And he laughed. He said, well, I'm going to call him anyway. My dad called and you know, he had, like I said, he'd done it a hundred times. And then he said, oh, why don't you speak for me this weekend, give me a week off.

And I love my dad. I admired him, he's my hero. But I said, I didn't have to think. I said, daddy, I'm not a preacher. I said, I'm honored that you think of me like that that I could get up and stand. And, you know, there's 6,000 people coming to the church. But I said, that's just not me.

And so, I sat down and my dad, he never pressured me. He just encouraged me. And so I sat down and my dad, he never pressured me. He just encouraged me. So I sat down to finish eating my, I was in dinner at the time. And I felt something on the inside, so strongly, it said, joy, you need to do it. And I don't know how to explain it.

I just knew that I knew that I knew I was supposed to do it. It was so strong that in those, the first time in those 17 years, I picked up the phone, I said, you know what daddy, I changed my mind. I'll speak for you this Sunday. Unbelievable. It was, it was, it was amazing. And I told Victoria my wife, and she couldn't even believe it. But you know, it was funny. That was on a Monday. That was a most miserable week of my life. I so dreaded having to get up there. I thought, what am I going to say? And I don't know how to do this. But I knew I was supposed to do it. So my father had been on dialysis for about three months, and that Friday he had a couple

of complications. He had to go in the hospital so he couldn't be at the service that weekend when I spoke. So I was going to speak my first message. So it's 1999. We didn't really have the internet like today. So we just hooked him up by phone. So I get up there to speak and my dad's listening to the hospital by phone. So I'm kind of contraption. We hooked out. And I got up there to speak and my dad's listening in the hospital by phone. So I'm kind of contraption we hooked up.

And I got up and I did my best. I was so nervous and I talked so fast. And I felt like I had to hold on to the podium. The thing is that people love my dad and my mom. They've been there for 40 years. So I could have got up there and you know, read us chapter from the Bible and they had to cheer for me. So I got finished and I went to the,

I told the church, let's go to the hospital and they had a cheer for me. So I got finished and I went to the I told me to I said let's go to the hospital and see my dad see what he thought and The nurses stopped me in the hall. They said Joel. We've never seen your dad so proud He just beam in from ear to ear. So that was the first time I ever spoke as a pastor ministered in the podium and And again my dad was just beaming with joy. the next Friday, my father had a heart attack and pass. Oh, my gosh. And so I thought part of that, you know, God has a way of making things work for each individual

because I thought, what are the chances of 36 years old that I've never done this in the 17 years or the 36 years of my life? And I just so happened to do it on the last weekend of my dad's life. And that was one of those signs that when I knew I was supposed to step up and pastor the. And that was one of those signs that, when I knew I was supposed to step up and pastor the church,

that was one of those signs. I thought that could not have been a coincidence. That's the hand of God getting me prepared. And it's those little signs that I believe God gives us along the way to keep us moving forward. I do too. And one of the keys, lessons for me taking away from that, that I've learned in my life also,

is you're often one decision, one moment, one choice, you talk about this in the book, one relationship, one event away from completely changing your life. And you had that calling on you, but you answered it. And there's a lot of people listening to that have that there's some time I should start a business. I should ask her out, you know, I should I should do so. I should tell my daughter this lesson. I should say in there, There's a fear in doing it

But you actually made the decision to do it, right? I mean, you're always one away. No, it's a very powerful Which you're saying is exactly right and I think too I don't want this to be negative But there are some decisions some opportunities that don't come a second time Yes, now I know God gives a second chance But my dad had passed and I thought, you're gonna sit back for six months and be too afraid to afraid to do that and go to your grave not knowing what would have happened if you would have stepped up.

And so I felt that sense of urgency and just that sense of knowing that this is a destiny moment. And I don't, and again, I believe God, because I know somebody's thinking, oh yeah, I miss mine. No, you didn't miss it. But if you see another one coming, you've got to step into those moments. So I did it was a, and I think too, Ed, you know, I didn't do it because I felt courageous or all of a sudden I felt like Superman. I still felt

fear. But you just, you just, you have to step past it. And even in the script, I was reading the other day about Gideon, because Gideon was a book. You taught this in the book. Yeah. And at one point it told God told Gideon. Because Gideon was a book. You talked about this in the book. Yeah, and at one point, it told Gideon, go in the strength that you have. Because I think sometimes we're waiting well, as soon as I get, you know, lose this weight, I'll do it. As soon as I get more finances,

as soon as I get better connections. But when you know it's the right time, you need to do it now. And maybe it's time for all of us to be preparing for that. Yes. That step as well. Well, you say in the book too, you talk about this, it's something that I've talked about, you just say it more eloquently than I do,

that you don't have to know or need everything in order to step into the space. I think sometimes people struggle in life because there's this threshold of what they think they have to know or be equipped or prepared for before they'll step into the space. And that holds them back, whereas I've found that God has this amazing way of revealing parts of me or parts of other people. They that already existed, but they didn't know

existed when you step in boldly in faith. And you talk about in the very beginning of the book about the snail fish. And I think it's I want people to hear this because it's almost the perfect example of he doesn't he doesn't put you in situations you're not prepared for or equipped for. You just may not know it until you get in that situation. That's so good you said very eloquently. I love that yeah, I think it's that that mariana snow fish well let me well let's go there so there's this little fish I mean I get it perfect but there's this fish that lives. You know deeper than any fish in the ocean like I can withstand a thousand times the pressures of most fish. Well, you think about how can that fish live, you know, five miles down in the ocean or

whatever it is. It's because of God designed the tissues and special ways and it's got a unique digestive system and on and on. If I read the, you know, it's got all these special things about it. The point we make it is, is that God doesn't put you somewhere where you're not equipped. And so, you know, you may think, well, this dream's too big. Well, God wouldn't have given it to you if it was too big. You just probably don't realize that it's in you. And so, you know, I think when you do realize

you have what it takes, you have the favor, you said another great thing too, is you may not feel it at the time as you get going, you'll begin, it'll begin to reveal, and you'll begin to discover things in you. Again, the last thing when my dad would just ask me to get me up to minister, I used to think, I would know what to say. What I even say, and yet now, I've been speaking for 21 years in front of public audiences, well, I could still be sitting back, nothing wrong, but running the camera, editing, that's nothing wrong with that, but you have to take those steps, do it afraid, and watch what God will do. And the other thing you did, too, I watched your dad before I watched you. Your father was one of the greatest orators.

I think it was an anointing, just an unbeliever with a voice. He had just, he was just incredible. And then when I watched you, I was struck by the fact that at least at some point, you made the decision not to be your dad But to be you and to have your own style. No, by the way, everybody just give you a context. It spends all these years behind the camera I know you may all know this but just to give you a context this man's reach you're talking about 40 to 50 million people a month Listen or watch this man when I say one of that. I believe the greatest force for good I don't say that because he's sitting in front of me. This is statistically probably provable.

Yet you really aren't like your dad when you preach. You stepped into your, with your own giftedness, your own talents. I think that's a lesson also that's in the book about being stronger than you think. It's playing to the gifts and talents that you were given through God, right? Not just someone else's.

Absolutely. It's so important. And you bring out a great point because think about this. So my dad passed your lakewood for 40 years when he passed and I stepped out. So when I went out to speak to the people, I knew everybody that's here came

because of my dad, because they've been there for, you know, he'd been there all that time. They didn't come because of me. They even heard me except one time. So everything in my mind said, you gotta be like your dad. You need to preach like your dad.

You need to lead like your dad. You need to, you know, my dad would come to the offices. You know, he was, he went through the great depression. He'd come to the offices, be the last one to lead, turn off all the lights and just interact with everybody. Well, I thought, you know, well, let me say this. At first, the first four or five months,

I tried to be like my dad. And a lot of it was out of honor and respect. And let me preach this, at first, the first four or five months, I tried to be like my dad. And a lot of it was out of honor and respect. And let me preach his messages and all that. But I realized along the way, that's not what I was good at. You'll never be the success and reach your potential trying to be like somebody else. And my natural gift is encouragement and being positive. And, you know, somebody said, why did you become a positive minister?

And I thought, well, I was like this when I was playing sports. You know, it was just in me. But as long as I was trying to be like my dad, it wasn't working. My dad was more, you know, like you said, more loud and all this. My gift is to take a little part of the scripture

and just explain it and talk to about how to live life where as my dad was more of maybe a traditional pastor and he may teach a whole book in the Bible like the book of James or something. Yes. That's not my gift. But it's about six months in Ed. I read a passage in the scripture. It said, David fulfilled his purpose for his generation.

And I felt like I heard something on the inside, say, Joel, your dad fulfilled his purpose and go fulfill your purpose. In other words, trying to be like your father, honor him, but step into the grace and the giftings that I've given you. And when I did that, that's really when things started to take off, because I was being limited by trying to be like my father out of respect.

And I think sometimes we do it just because, you know, we need to be like somebody else, because respect. And I think sometimes we do it just because, you know, we need to be like somebody else because they look good and they're successful, but you know this, it you talk about it, you're equipped to be you, you're anointed to be you. And you know what, I'm not the greatest speaker in the world, but I'm good at what I do. Nobody can beat me at being me. Right. That's why I don't want to prepare because I could be intimidated by you or we could be intimidated by somebody else, but nobody can beat us, nobody can beat you at being you.

And so that's why even talking with you today, this is not hard for me because I'm not trying to be somebody else. And I think there's a lot of that going on in the world today, but I've just learned when stuff started to take off and I begin to see favor, it's when I stepped into my own shoes. I love that.

I feel like the people that I connect the most with and then I think are the happiest and most influential have some level of self awareness, but also comfort with themselves. When I watch you, even when we met here today, I just sense that this is a man who's comfortable with themselves. I have some of that as well.

And actually, it's not an ego thing. It's actually that I'm aware that the King of Kings made me in his image and likeness. And so I'm kind of comfortable with me. I don't think my talents aren't better than someone else's, but I do have some that he gave me. And so do you that are listening to this or watching this. And I want to help some people maybe consider having got come into their life.

One of the things I love about what you do is that you don't just preach to the church crowd. And I think one of the cool things about me is that people that think, well, I want that private jet or that fast car or that mansion. And I can say, hey, you ought to get one of those. Those are cool. But what's really cool is this, but I can maybe potentially reach someone that, you know, people that walk into a church know what they're walking in to get. And so what I love about what you do is that obviously, you know, you're, you're

anointing as massive, but not everyone who listens to you is in the church. And I was thinking about something I heard you say preparing for this. It just took my breath away. And that was that oftentimes, I'd like you to speak to this because I want people to really consider, you know, peace in their life. And I, and I want to say what you said, which was it, it was just blew my mind. You said, you know, oftentimes people's version or vision or picture perception of what their heavenly father is comes from what their earthly father was. And that you were blessed to have such a wonderful earthly father.

My father had his struggles, but I had a father that believed in me deeply and loved me. I knew had my back. And so when I think of God, when I think of Jesus in my life, that's what gives me the most comfort is that he loves me. He believes in me. He's gonna protect me. He's gonna deliver to me what I need as you talk about

in the book. Speak to that just for a second. For maybe people didn't have a greater earthly father. Or maybe they didn't have any father in their life. And just being open to having a heavenly father, which is even more important. I know. I think that's where it starts, Ed, when you realized that you're created for a purpose, that you didn't just show up on earth, but the scripture, I believe, in the scripture, says,

that God knew us before we were formed in our mother's room. So God put us here, our heavenly Father, you're exactly right. I believe many people get their idea of God from their earthly Father. You're exactly right. I believe many people get their idea of God from their earthly father. Sometimes they're harsh and they're mean. They're not there. It's easy to think of God that way. Like you said, I was blessed to have an earthly father that believed in me, and that loved me, and encouraged me. I think when you see your heavenly father like that, and somebody that's for you, I he's, I believe even now, he's breathing in your direction, he's planned out your days for good,

he can help you overcome the obstacles. Well, I think that relationship with your creator, and some people, you know, I know they weren't raised in church, and you're right, I like to reach, I like to talk to people that didn't grow up in church like me. I mean, half of our audience today don't go to church or want raised in church. And that's what I've always tried to do because I think sometimes we, you know, we keep

God in the church. And that's good. That's important. But there's a lot of great people that are looking for purpose and meaning. And they feel like maybe something is missing. And I think that's the relationship with our Heavenly Father. And when you believe in Him and you commit your life to Him, and I get up each day and say, God, help me to make great decisions today.

And thank you for this day that you've given me. It's not being super churchy and super religious. And I think that's sometimes people see it, you know, religion, that's guilt, and that's all these rules. But it's different than a relationship with God. And when you have that in your life, and I believe through his son, Jesus, that's where there's purpose, there's destiny.

And then God makes things happen that we couldn't make happen. At one touch, you say, one right person, when one touch a God's favor, will bring the right person, will open a door, will bring gifts out of you. And so I think that's important to have that relationship with your Heavenly Father. And to see God, I have a lot of friends that say, you know, the universe. And I know what they say, because they won't raise like me. I know what they mean. But always just

add two words, the creator of the universe. It's God. I love that. That I love that. Yeah. You just gave me that gift. The other thing that you talk about, there's so many things, and I'm frustrated, I don't get nine hours with you. in the book something that just stuck out to me was that You know that God created the universe out of darkness and a lot of times people end up showing in a dark time I mean in the evening you talk about Genesis I never thought about it this way and I'd like you to speak to this So you know, there's a lot of people that are listening today that are in a dark time in their life Yeah, it's it seems bleak, you know people have let them down or hurt that are listening today that are in a dark time in their life. It seems bleak.

People have let them down or hurt them or the finances aren't very good or they just feel lost and they can't see the light in their life. They don't see the vision in their life and you said something so profound in the book about that God didn't create the universe, create the world and the daytime. He actually created it in the dark in the evening. Can you elaborate on that? Yeah, that's awesome. It's a great principle because we all go through these dark seasons and it's easy to get discouraged and bitter and give up on our dreams and give up on life. But

I just like to think about, you know, the dark times, God's still in control. And I think the point in the book is I call it victory begins in the dark. So anyway, the day, a new, you think about it, a new day starts at 12 o'clock midnight, but it's dark. You know, why wouldn't a new day start at, you know, 7 a.m. when the light starts to come up? But the way God does things many times is He'll start in the dark. And you think, what's, it's not a new day, Joel. It's one in the morning.

It's dark in my life. I've got this medical issue or I've got problems with my children or I can't talk about accomplishing my dream. I don't have the funds. What may be dark right now, but you have to believe that that sunrise is coming, that God is still working. I think about even that analogy of a, you take a seed and you know, if it stays on the shelf,

it's not gonna do any good, but that seed has to go through a dark time. It gets planted. It's under, you know, if it stays on the shelf, it's not going to do any good, but that seed has to go through the a dark time. It gets planted. It's under, you know, it gets buried. It's in the ground. It's dark. It's uncomfortable. People may be walking on it, but you know what? God created the only way for that seed to germinate is to go through a dark season. So I like this thought about you're not buried, you're planted, you're about to come up. You're going to blossom. Great things come out of the dark. And so I think that's when you have not buried, you're planted, you're about to come up. You're gonna blossom. Great things come out of the dark. And so I think that's when you have to just, that's when you have to hold onto your faith

and say, God, I may not understand this. It may not be fair. These people didn't do me right, or I had this set back, but when you believe that God is still in control, that He's still directing your steps. And out of that dark season, you're gonna come into a light season, you're gonna come into a time where you bloom and blossom.

But I think the key is we can't get better in the dark. We can't give up in the dark. And I know we have seasons where you think, you know, we may go through a season of, you know, a little bit of discouragement. But I believe you can get out of that. And you can, you know, have that faith to say, God, I believe that victory begins in the dark. And it may be midnight in my life, but it is a new day and then I'm going to come into these bright seasons.

I hope people don't forget that. This is one of the things out of the book. By the way, you can tell, I really loved the book. I mean, I really did. And in the book, you even talk about seeds. I just give a little bit of it away so everybody to read it. But you actually, not only about that seed being planted, but you talk about the apple seed and how one apple seed can actually grow into an entire orchard except it's got to get what on it first. It's got to get dirt on it. Yeah, it's got to get dirty.

It's going to have to have a mess first, right? And that's the difference. I think those dirty seasons, those messy seasons is somewhere, you know, what I get at is, well, where was God when this happened? But you know what? Everybody in the scripture went through difficulties. Most everybody before they came into their their prime before they saw God's favor in great ways. I mean, I talk a lot about Joseph just in the book and in general, but think about his life. He was betrayed by his family. So his brothers were jealous. They they sold him as a slave, 17 years old for 13 years or something 12 years or so.

He was working for in slavery in slavery in another country against his will, didn't speak the language, all these negative things. But one day he interpreted a dream for the Pharaoh and was made in, you know, put in charge of the nation of Egypt. And so you think about, I think about Joseph, all those 13 years, would I have been that positive, would I have been, would I have done the right thing when the wrong thing was happening? Yet all those disappointments, his brothers betraying him, being put in prison falsely, What I've been that positive, what I've done, the right thing when the wrong thing was happening, yet all those disappointments,

his brothers betraying him, being put in prison falsely accused, all these disappointments were leading him to the destiny that God had. I think that's sometimes what takes real faith to say, okay, wait a minute, God, I don't wanna go through this setback, I don't wanna go through the pandemic

or this person walked out of my life or this business didn't make it. How do you know you're not a Joseph that's not leading you to your greatest days that are coming? Wow. Wow. If you ever doubted your faith. I have not really, I'm not a big doubter and I don't mean to sound super holy, but it's

not, I haven't really doubted. I've had difficult times. You know, my mom's going through cancer and you know, just, you know, we all have difficult times. So I have it, I'm not that type that doubt I turn to my faith. I think God, you know what, this is, this doesn't seem fair or this is tough or I don't understand it, but I turn to it to draw strengths from my faith. To me, that's where I get strength. I can be, you know, you can wake up some mornings and just feel like the weight of the world's on you, but if I can have a half a, you know, a little time to just say, God, I think it that I'm alive and I'm healthy and you brought me through in the past. And I remember the victories in the past.

And I think you didn't brought me this far to leave me. And that, that builds my faith back up. And I haven't really gone to a doubting place. I assumed you would say that, but I wanted to ask you just to see how you said it. I asked you a question. I've heard you say this many times. Maybe I'm getting personal, maybe I'm not, but about you said, you'll say that, but I wanted to ask you just to see how you said it. I asked you a question. I've heard you say this many times. Maybe I'm getting personal, maybe I'm not, but about you said, you'll say, hey, God, and then you'll say something.

When you pray, I'm just curious, do you pray out loud like that, or are you having these conversations in your mind and your heart? I know how I do it, but I'm just curious how you do it. I do both. I start the morning off. I try to start the morning off, you know, it's not every morning, but I will pray out loud. You know, just this loud. I don't pray that loud, super loud, but during the day, a lot of times I'll just talk to God in my thoughts. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. There's a script that just talks about, says,

pray without ceasing or like, pray all the time. We can't pray all the time. You've got to work. Yeah, do this. But I think in your thoughts, you can keep, you can have a conversation with God. I think back to that, you know, people not being raised like me, prayer is just talking to God like you talk to a friend. And I think sometimes we, you know, I have a lot of, a lot of the people in our church back home in Houston,

you know, half of them are coming out of a Catholic background or are still Catholic. And there's a lot of, you know, formalities there. And I think, you know, and sometimes even the way some people raised, it's, you know, holy God and it's in language that we don't talk in the devil. But I think you talk to God like you talk to your friend. You know what? For I walked in here, look, give me the words to speak today.

You know, help me to help me. For I work out, Lord help me get a good workout. Give me a safe trip home to Marjus. I'm just talking to God in my thoughts. I really believe God will be as close to you as you want him to be. He's a friend. He's not going to come knock you over most of the time, but you can talk to God all through the day and you can draw strength from him and know that he cares. But I do pray in the morning. I do pray out loud, just the way I like to do it, but a lot of my prayer

is thanking God. You know, I just, there's things I ask for, but you know, I ask for wisdom and all and, you know, certain things, but a lot of times I just thank God. Thank you for your blessings. Thank you for bringing the right people into my life. I'm kind of, I like to thank God in advance. In other words, I think there's some, sometimes we come, you know, I talk to people, I'm begging God to help me from this cancer and I'm begging God to send

me somebody. And I know what they mean, they're earnest, but I don't think you have to beg God. You ask God, Lord, I thank you for healing me from this sickness. So God opening up a new door. God, bring me a great spouse, whatever it is. And then I just like to, Lord, thank you that you're working. Thank you that you're bringing me a spouse. Thank you that you're healing me. So I think that grateful attitude, you know, is a healthy attitude. Yeah, I think there's a level of, I feel it in your spirit. You're a grateful man.

And I think that that spreads. I think it's infectious. I also think that thinking God in advance, that there's a level of expectations in our lives that the world is going to reveal to us. And if we have an expectation that God's going to deliver to us abundance and increase and have us rise and give us peace and deliver the right people in that right conversation, that we're going to see it when it shows up, don't you? I do. It's exactly right. You are very good at putting that, making that this message very broad, but what you're saying and, you know,

growing up in church, about bringing that language is, God's gonna meet you at the level of your expectations. And I think sometimes we don't have any expectation. We're just, let's just get through the pandemic. And let me just, let me just try to raise these kids. And I think we get up and we draw in negativity,

but, you know, I think God meets you there when you get up and say, Lord, I thank you for abundance. I thank you for health. I thank you for whatever your dreams are. You get that vision, you get that down in you and when you're expecting it, it's really, you're releasing your faith. In other words, you're saying, God,

I believe you're big enough to make this happen in my life. And I can go back to the scripture, you know all this too, and probably people listening too, but you know, there's a lady in the scripture that has been sick for 12 years, and she saw Jesus was passing through, and she reached out through the crowd,

and she just touched him, but she had a faith that when she touched him, she would be well. And you know what, there were hundreds of people around Jesus that day. I'm sure people were bumping into him. It was crowded, yet he stopped and said, you know who touched me?

I don't know that everybody else got healed or they all got their miracle, but when you release your faith, when she had an expectancy that, hey, if I can just get to him, I know something's gonna happen. I know I'm gonna get well. Well, I think if we live with that expectancy,

you know Lord, thank you, it's another great day that you're open indoors that I can't open. You're taking me where I can't go on my own, giving me wisdom, helping me to be a blessing. Just an expectancy to, like you're saying, to be a force for good and to see dreams come to pass. I love that. I'm so grateful we're doing this. Thank you for this. I, for me personally, but also I just, I just know millions of people are being affected

by it and it just warms my heart to know it. But you're also a dude. And so I love this story in the book. I could like almost identical thing happened to me. And I love this because it's about the enemy underestimating us. So you're about 10 years old. Yeah.

You're playing a little league game. And I was a little dude too. I love you love baseball. I played college baseball. We both share that in a comment. Fills tell me about how when you gave your big talk, I think it was at Yankee Stadium. You set the podium up over second base.

So I do know you love baseball. But I think it was one of those stadiums anyway. But so anyway, I want you to tell them this story because I think it's so powerful in the book you talk about how you come up to bat. And what are the coaches do? But I love your response because you're still a dude, right? That's important.

That's it. Yeah, it's funny because we're not six foot five. Right. We're both good sizes. But I grew, I was always very, very small growing up, high-to-wise size, yeah, high-to-wise. And so I mean, like, little league, like 10 or 10 or 11 years old and I come up to bat. And I was a good player. I played second-vice, but I was just so small. So I come up to bat and a little game You got all the parents on both sides and you know as a kid you're still trying to figure out who you are to begin with

So the coach from the other team comes out of the dugout when I come up to bat And he starts waving and hollering to his outfield saying come in come in come in and he's just way way too dramatic You know he could have done he could have done a lot more subtly and you know He's basically say come in this loser's up to bat I mean, you know what? I just thought you know what this guy does not know what's in me He does not know what I can do. He's a he didn't he didn't breathe life into me He didn't equip me and there's just something rose up at 10 years old And that guy the picture through the pitch and I swung as hard as I could and it went over everybody's head

One one bounce hit bounce hit the fence and I had to inside the park home run. I was always very fast, but the funny thing, the point of the story, not just a brag on that, but the point of the story is the next time I came up to bat, I promise you that coach came up with the same enthusiasm and started shouting, back up, back up, back up. And I believe that's what happens to us many times in life that hey listen don't let somebody else label you or tell you what you can't do or you know think you know make you feel like you're at a disadvantage or you didn't get it you know you're not strong

enough big enough talented enough good looking enough you don't have a great personality listen they're underestimating you you got to go out and you know hitating you. You got to go out and, you know, hit the ball out. You got to go out and use your gifts. And you let that boldness, that confidence rise up in you because people don't determine your destiny. God does. And so I believe that you, you step up with courage and with confidence and, you know, you'll, you'll see those same people that put you down. They'll be the ones saying, well, you know, look out. Look what they're going to do. I love it. I hope those of you that are listening to this that may not even be people of faith or just starting to feel something stir within you that you're capable of more. And that,

you know, maybe you'll begin to consider what Joel and I are speaking about today, but at a minimum that you begin to feel something stirring in you. And for all of you, they'll listen to this. There's a reason why you've always said that question on your heart. The reason why your soul is always tugged at you is, what's the truth about this? Why is that the main question you've always had all your life? You ought to consider why you keep asking yourself that question. And I hope maybe today's given you some of those answers. I have to ask you a question.

I wonder where your confidence comes from and if you've struggled with it. Because you have this very beautiful combination of people that I love, which is they have a, they're confident. It's combined with a tremendous amount of humility. Yeah. And I'm wondering if you struggle with your confidence in the past or currently, even do you have it now? Yeah. And and what what are some of the things you do to help yourself or what could other people do to help themselves with it? Yeah, exactly. I struggled with my confidence early when I was younger in life and especially when I stepped up to pasture, because their thoughts telling us, or telling me, I don't want to speak for you,

but I think they come to us all saying, just what I said while I go, you're not, I'm not as, you know, I'm not as talented as that, or I'm not as strong as Phil, or I'm not, there's always something trying to push us down to keep us from our potential. And what helped me to build my confidence, a couple things, let me see if we can get this one first. I started playing a different recording in my mind. When those thoughts told me, Joel, nobody's going to listen to you, you're going to get up to in front of people and not know what to say, you're going to look like a fool.

I quit playing that. They kept coming, but I quit playing them. And I would just replace it with what the scripture says with God says just I'm strong I'm confident. I'm well able. This is my time. I just I just stayed positive toward myself And you make a good point Ed because we don't I don't mean this in arrogance or like oh, you know We're better than somebody but we're not worse than anybody and I think you have to have a right I don't think you'll rise any higher than the way you see yourself.

And I think so many people see themselves limited and hey, the way I saw myself as I can't do it, my dad did. I don't have that authority to get up in front of people and I'm to this, I'm to quiet, I'm to shine, I'm doing it like the coach, I'm too small. But you know what, you gotta tune all that out. So I think a big part for me was letting the right recording play in my mind, just changing those thoughts.

And I would, I would talk to myself, Ed, you know, maybe not always out loud, but there were times, especially early on on a Saturday night when I didn't want to get up on Sunday morning and speaking for the people because those thoughts were trying to fear, was trying to hold me back. I would look in the mirror and just say, Joel, you are strong, you are well able, you've been raised up for such a time as this. I would talk myself into it. You did.

You did, that's interesting because I, I do the exact same thing. And I think some people, this is why it's so powerful the way you said it, Joel. I don't know that some people are even aware of it that recording's going on. I know. And I think if you just get quiet and ask yourself,

what are you saying to yourself? What are you thinking about yourself? Second thing is you don't have to believe everything you think. Not everything you think is true. In fact, a lot of the things you think are true. And you can actually take control of that recording, as Joel said. And you can actually begin to believe those things.

You know, Philippians 413 tells us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Well, listen to me. He didn't say some things or just things. He said all things. That's an important word all. It's too many people. I think God's in their life on Sunday at church.

Bible study is great, but when they walk into a board meeting or a speech or an interview like this, all of a sudden, they're alone. And that's when that conversation starts to happen. My recommendation, everybody is, don't leave him at the door then. He said all things, right? I know. It's so good. Absolutely.

That's very powerful. And I like that point too that, you know, some people leave God out. No, the point I really wanted to make is that what you said that people don't know the recordings going on. And I think some people don't realize it's not supposed to be negative. I think that's just life has pushed us down or somebody's, somewhat somebody said has got into that recording and they don't even realize it's just kind of a subconscious of, you know, you're not just, you're not that talented or you,

you can't get that position or you can't make that speech. But I think it's a subtly there. You know, it's very powerful to say if you get quiet and listen and think, are there things that are limiting me? Am I defeating myself with my own thoughts? My defeating myself thinking that, you know what? Maybe that I've made too many mistakes in life. My defeating myself because this last thing didn't work out, that it's never going to work out again.

You got to get those thoughts changed and, you know, know that, you know what? I believe our brightest days are still out in front of us. I believe that God, you know, he's using everything, like I said with Joseph while I go, you've had some disappointments maybe, or a setback, or something didn't work out, but I believe that's still leading you to where God wants you to go,

to some bigger and greater things. So if we can get our recording going right, then I believe we can get there. So why? And I just as you were talking, I was just thinking about so often, I think people think their current mess disqualifies them.

The mistake, yo, Joe, you don't know the mistakes I've made. You don't know the sins I've committed. You don't know how broke I am. You don't know the things I'm ashamed of. The truth is God does know those things, and it does not disqualify you from a bright future. In fact, he loves you just as much as he did before you did those things.

My children screw up all the time, right? Our kids do this, I'm sure years have to. I've never thought once when my son or daughter's made a mistake that disqualifies them from being happy or successful. And that's your father and heaven's not thinking of that. If you either, right? But I think we judge ourselves with the mistakes we make, thinking somehow, okay, because I've done that that's why it's not going to be a good thing. It's not going to be a good thing. It's not going to be a good thing. It's not going to be a good thing.

It's not going to be a good thing. It's not going to be a good thing. It's not going to be a good thing. It's not going to be a good thing. It's not going to be a good thing. It's not going to be a good thing. It's not going to be a good thing. It's not going to be a good thing.

It's not going to be a good thing. It's not going to be a good thing. I think we, like you said a lot of times, we live with that guilt and that condemnation that's pushing us down, but I think of it like this, we've all made mistakes. You have to receive mercy and move on, but here's the point I wanna make. You have enough people in life against you. Don't be against yourself. Don't be defeating yourself.

I've made too many mistakes, or even that negative inner dialogue as well, but some of the greatest people in the Bible made big mistakes. I think about Phil, my friend Phil Muncie's over here, we talk about sometimes Abraham, the father of our faith. Well, he had a baby out of wedlock. He lied and said his wife was his sister, and yet he's called the father of our faith. And so God was showing us that, hey, don't try to make mistakes.

Don't live sloppy, but we don't try to make mistakes, don't live sloppy, but we're all going to make mistakes. And so you've got to get back up. And like you said, earlier, get back in the game. I mean, there's a game going on. There's still a great destiny, beautiful feel. I really believe this. God can, his mercy is bigger than any mistake. And he can still get you to where you're supposed to be, but you have to get back in the game. I don't think God's going to come and force us to do something. You got to stir your faith up and I like to think of it like this. Somebody needs what you have.

Your family needs your love. Somebody needs your gifts. This world won't be as bright as it should be without your smile, without your hug, without your, you know, you release in your talents and your potential. So, you know, don't be selfish and keep it to yourself. Get back in the game and, you know, you release in your talents and your potential. So, you know, don't be selfish and keep it to yourself. Get back into the game and, you know, start moving forward. And as you do that, you're going to see God open doors and make things happen that you couldn't make happen.

Just signs of his favor as you step into, you know, just new levels of your destiny. That game, by the way, is important that you play your own game. So, I heard you tell this story. I hope you remember, you could tell it. But you're out for like this jog. Yeah. And I just think this analogy is so unbelievable because I've done the exact same thing.

But I think it's such a great metaphor for life. You only have so much energy. When you begin to expend it on things that don't serve your dreams, don't serve your family, don't serve you. You're a weaker version of yourself. And you got to play your game. So would you tell them that given that example and the lesson from it too, which is so profound? of your dreams, don't serve your family, don't serve you. Your weaker version of yourself. And you got to play your game.

So would you tell them that given that example and the lesson from it too, which is so profound? Yeah, that's a good point. And yeah, you know, I was out running a while back and I've run through the neighborhood of, you know, attracted, I run on our streets of St. You know, and I got on this one path and it's a mile down the boulevard and I saw a guy about, I don't know, a block or two ahead of me. And he was, I could tell he's run a little bit slower thanlevard and I saw a guy about I don't know a blocker to ahead of me. And he was, I could tell he's run a little bit slower than me, but I just, in my mind,

I thought, you don't want to catch him. I'm racing him. I just, you know, just a competitive spirit has. There's no Jolo stains racing. I mean, he doesn't even know it. I know. That's the thing. I've got it even knowing he was, he's way older than me too.

So I wouldn't really fear. So, but I just kept running and I ran faster and faster. And you know, I think he's going to have goals, but this I'll make a better point with this. I keep running faster and faster. And man, every block I was gaining a little bit, gaining a little bit. I kept going faster. I just focused. I got to beat this guy. I got to beat this guy. Didn't even know I was racing him. Well, I finally passed him. And when I passed him about, you know, 30 seconds later, I looked up and I had missed my turn. I was supposed to turn like four blocks sooner.

So I was so focused on what's trying to catch somebody else, trying to in a race that I wasn't supposed to be in, that I missed where I was supposed to go. And I think we do the same thing. We can think, man, I gotta outperform somebody, I gotta outdress them, I gotta outdo them, but you have to run your race and stay focused on your goals. And I think one thing you're so good at, Ed, is you're,

you're very successful, but you're happy for other people that are successful. You know, you're so happy for me, and I know you are for others. And I think sometimes instead of being happy for somebody else, we gotta compete with them. And we gotta try to outperform, and we gotta try to, I don't know, I don't know if it's competitiveness or jealousy or whatever, but it's,

you have to stay in your lane, run your race. I've learned this, if you can't celebrate people that are ahead of you, you'll probably never get there. I think sometimes we try to pull them down and say, well, they're not that great. I could do that if I had that much money, if I had this, but you got to celebrate people that are maybe seem to be more gifted or more

talented or more successful because pulling them down is just going to, you know, talking about them, finding fault because we all have faults. Everybody does, but I've just learned to, you know, God gives you different strengths and what a mind is, hey, there's a lot of people that are, you know, better speaker, more successful, but you know what, more power to, I'm celebrating them, but I think it goes back to being comfortable in your lane and not comparing and trying to spend energy on, you know, trying to impress somebody, that takes a lot of energy. It sure does. You need that energy for your dreams and for your goals.

So celebrate who's ahead, you know, and then just run your race. It's interesting. I know we're going to have too much time left, but what you're just saying, I've always been that way, but my dad passed last year. In fact, it'll be a couple of weeks. It'll be a year. And I was with him, my sister, who's Erica, who's here today, she was with them as well when he passed, which is a beautiful thing to be able to be with him when it happened. Difficult during COVID because you couldn't go visit him in the hospital. I feel for so many people who lost someone in the hospital, we were able to get my dad home it happened. Yeah. Difficult during COVID because you couldn't go visit him in the hospital. I feel for so many people who lost someone in the hospital,

we were able to get my dad home for about a day or two before he passed away. But well, I was sitting there with my father as he was passing. I was just thinking to myself, all the things of the world of this world that we worry about that in those moments are no longer going to matter. When my dad was there taking his last breaths with his family around him, he wasn't thinking about some guy that got a promotion in 1988 in front of him. Yeah. He wasn't worried about some other guy who was richer than him or had a plane or and I think sometimes in life most people think only everybody else is going to die. Yeah.

I don't think most people, one of the great things about faith is it makes us think about the limited time we have here on earth and the extended time, hopefully for eternity that we have somewhere else. And in those moments, just the idea of worrying about how much more successful what other people are doing in the end is that going to matter. And your last breath is that going to matter. And more and more as I just get older and have these experiences That perspective I wish I could have given my 25 year old self that I hope maybe even just sharing it right now gives it to People that are a little bit earlier in the game than I am run your race play your game. It's yeah, so profound It's so good it that that I feel the same way in that the older I get the more I realized that

I feel the same way in that the older I get the more I realize that man each day is a gift from God. We got to make the most of this day and some of the things that we would have worried about, I would have worried about 20, 30 years ago, man I don't have time for that now. You got to make the most of each day and I think that's why it and I probably closer to the same age. We're trying to encourage somebody that's younger than us. There's a lot of things in life that you can't control. You're gonna look back.

I mean, when we were trying to get our big building, the compact center, Ed, that was 15, 20 years ago. You know, a lot of nights, Ed, I would wake up in the middle of the night, sweatin' and think, what if this doesn't work out and all that? But, you know, if I could look back, when you look back and you see the grace of God, of guiding your steps and all,

I just tell my younger self, don't worry so much. It's going to work out. And if the door closes, it wasn't supposed to open in the first place. But I think so much of this that we are missing the beauty of this day. I do too. And that's the great skyscraper. I let everybody get the book analogy about the compact center in the book. I mean, I'm telling you brother, I loved this book.

I can read the recalls right there, right. I loved the book because it's true. And it's backed with scripture. But, you know, the other thing I think everybody should consider and we're limited on time. So I want to make sure I ask you one or two more things. But, you know, oftentimes, I think when people come to a decision point, like you with the compact center, it ended up being a tremendous blessing. But you know what I think? I think had you not bought it there to just spend another blessing. In other words I think there's this false belief system that every decision that we make is either gonna turn out good or bad Is it possible that if you just call a shot and execute and step in faith that God will bless either decision? Is that not possible? I think it is Ed. You put it very beautifully well. Yeah, that's right

That God opens doors God closes doors and I don't really see it as a disappointment if a door closes, rather that, hey, it's just another opportunity is coming. And sometimes you have to go through the closed doors to get to the open ones. And I think like you said, sometimes we put too much emphasis on it, but I just believe that God's ordering our steps. And sometimes the steps are not always in the direction that we think they're going to be. God doesn't always take in a straight line. Sometimes you'll be looking the other way, God, what are you doing? But there's a curve coming that you're going to get there. But I think you're right.

It's not, you know, if something, I think another way to put it in my thinking is what's supposed to be yours is going to be yours. And nobody else can get it. And so that's why if the compact center didn't open, okay, there's going to be yours. And nobody else can get it. And so that's why if the compact center didn't open, okay, there's gonna be something else. If that last business didn't work out or the contract or even a relationship, you know, unfortunately, sometimes it doesn't.

But you know what, what's supposed to be yours, who's supposed to be in your life, is going to come, you keep doing the right thing, and you'll see the right thing show up. I really believe everybody. If you'd rewind that last minute of what Joel said, I really believe that's true. And I think there's this pressure we put on ourselves

as leaders and as parents. I better not make the mistake. I better not make the mistake. I think that all goes back to your earlier point about our earthly father. I think sometimes that a father or parents' role in our life is to rebuke, is to punish Jesus, rebuke in the Bible several times.

But I think often times that pressure of making a mistake or getting in trouble, even as an adult, I'm gonna get in trouble if the compact center doesn't go right, there's this fallacy in our life. You have a God that's blessing you, call the shot, be decisive, step in faith, it's maybe both will work out. Just think about that everybody.

That's good, yeah, that's good. You're very inspirational. I think, too, I think, too, you know, we put too much pressure on ourselves. We sometimes we're fighting everything, but I've learned to live from a place of peace, a place of rest. I'm going to do my best. I'm going to study. I'm going to prepare. I'm going to do my best to make good decisions. But you know what, every one of them may not be great, but God is full of mercy, and I'm not gonna beat myself up if it doesn't work out, because He knows how to close doors and open doors, and just I think, you know, sometimes I think we can get so focused

on our dreams and everything's uptight, and we're living, I gotta get this done, I gotta get that done, but you gotta enjoy this moment, enjoy the day, still, I think it would tell you, let's work hard, let's use our gifts and talents, let's stretch and believe. But along the way, we have to enjoy it and know that God's directing our steps. Yeah, bust your tail, bust your tail, but have some fun doing it and have some gratitude when you're doing a couple of last things. By the way, I'm so grateful for this

today. I just a personal thing. I wonder, does it dawn on you, the magnitude? And I know that listen, you're a man, and I'm a man, and that's all we both are. But does it dawn on you? It makes me emotional to ask you this because sometimes it impacts me and my little way too. Does it dawn on you the magnitude of how important you've become? And is there, do you feel a pressure about the weight of the millions of people that you carry and who you are in the world. Do you ever have moments, Joel, honestly, where you sit back and go, my gosh, this is big. This has turned into something pretty big here. There's got to be a flash.

I do. I do. And I do it in a right sense. I think I still am in awe of what God has done and where I am. I don't feel like I've lost that. You know, I feel like it's just the other day I was back running camera, which is a good thing too, but yeah, I just feel humble by it. I don't really feel, I feel pressured in the right sense of responsibility. I'm not going to get up there and speak if I don't, if I'm not prepared because I feel

like two people are giving me their time, they're giving you their time. And I think you feel like I do. I don't want to waste their time. So I want to be prepared and, and I feel feel very honored to be to be able to speak to people. I never dreamed this would happen. And so I think it helps me to stay humble because I realized that especially when you come from my top background, why I didn't think I could do it, that is God giving me the strength and the wisdom and somehow the favor and somehow the connection with people. I don't know where it all came from, but I mean, I know it came from God, but I didn't, I didn't know it again. It was in me, but I think it's important to live. You know, don't lose the

wonder of what God has done. You know, I think sometimes we were, we were on cloud nine when our babies were born, but you know, how about 15 years later, you know what I mean? I think it's just, oh, when that, you know, sometimes God gave us that job and we were so thrilled, but you know, sometimes you look up and 10 years later you're complaining about it. I think it's important to remember, you know, staying all of the look back over your life, the great things that God has done.

You know, when you met somebody and fell in love and I don't know, I think it's important not to lose the wonder. Beautiful. I just think of how I feel like you were being prepared. I just, I think oftentimes God is preparing us for this next level in our lives, even though it probably doesn't feel like it at all right now. I'm thinking about this.

I'm just picturing you as a young man, you come back from college, you go to work in your dad's church. By the way, your dad's church for like the first decade, basically went from like 90 people to a couple hundred. So your dad was planting all these seeds and then eventually there became this much more abundant harvest, but it was the first decade. It didn't really grow very much. Most people don't know that, but I'm picturing this kid back there kind of shy guy, you know, and he's cutting tape and he's cutting these sermons down. Your dad would talk for 40,

45 minutes. You'd have to make it like 25 minutes for the show, but you're watching these over and over again. I just have to think that that was God preparing you to even have more of the word in you, to have more of the inspiration in you, to have more of the understanding of how to deliver it on the stage in you, even though you do it differently, you were being prepared and many people listening to this, you're being prepared right now. True. Preparation is huge in life. Maybe no, it doesn't feel like it. Yeah. And I didn't know that I'd ever get up and speak. But yeah, those 17 years, I was having to get my dad's train of thought to edit the sermon down.

Listen to each sermon probably four or five times to take it from 45 minutes to 25. So I like what you're saying, Ed, because you're being prepared right now for the great things that God has in your future. Keep doing the right thing. keep being good to people, keep getting to work on time, being your best because you don't know where God's going to take you. Because sometimes we think, well, I'm just a business person or just an architect or just a school teacher, but you're not just anything. You're made in the image of God and he has awesome things in store. And so I believe you are being prepared. It may not be to be on a stage, but you don't know what God's going to do.

You may be working at a company, but you're going to own a company one day. Or you're teaching at a school, but you're going to run that school. You don't know where God's taking you. You were born to do something great with your life, period. And some of them are going to seem like very small ways. Phil asked me to ask you this, so I got to ask you, what's the story with you and your dad's shoes for a year? Well, when my dad passed, I worked up in the production. So I didn't have, you know,

nice suits and shoes. I'd climb ladders on Sunday morning. So we bought my dad some shoes in Italy about 20 years before my father passed him. All I get are shoes. My dad would never spend, you know, $600 back then on a pair of shoes because he came out of the Great Depression. So he wore them for all those years. Well, when he passed, I didn't have any dress shoes. So I just borrowed my dad shoes and saw I wore them for the first year. He passed in January. But I didn't think about it. I just wore them because they were not shoes and we wore the same size. But in a sense, I guess I was filling my father's shoes. Oh my gosh. That's true. You really wore your father shoes? You would be, you would I guess I was filling my father's shoes. Oh my gosh, that's true. You really were your father.

You would be passering in your actual father's shoes. For the first year, the first 11 months, I was wearing my dad's shoes. And then that was 1999 when we hit 2000, I went bought a new pair of shoes. And that's 2000, I wore my own shoes. But Victoria, my wife says, Joel, you weren't just filling your dad's shoes. You were drawn strength from his shoes. It's really something. I didn't even realize it was symbolic until somebody started writing about it, but I still

have them in my office though. It's incredible story. I just picture your dad listening to you on the phone that day before he passes away and just how proud he must be of you, brother, and what you've done in the world. Just unbelievable. Last question. I'm proud of you. By the way, before you answer that last question, I just want to tell you that I'm proud of you. By the way, before you answer that last question,

I just wanna tell you that I'm praying for you. Thank you. You continue to grow, that your spirit grows. Everything about you just continues to expand and grow because you're such a tremendous force for good in the world. And if there's ever anything, I can do to support you or help you. I want you to have a brother here

and anytime you need me, just want you to know that. I believe that it, thank you. You do, brother. I brother here and anytime you need me. So once you know that, I believe that it. Thank you. You do, brother. I feel that meeting you is wonderful because you're everything you were presented to be in more. Last question. So I'm listening to this or I'm watching it.

I'm on YouTube. I just don't know where to start. I'm not happy in my life. I don't feel like I'm fulfilling my potential. And I do believe I think you've convinced me today, Joe, I am stronger than I think. Where should I begin? Give me a practical, something first step, first thought that I should do to be taking the

next step in my life towards proving that I'm stronger, towards proving I can make my dreams come true. What would you say to that person listening today? Well, I think first step is get your vision, write your vision out, get something in front of you and then just whatever steps you can take to start moving toward that. In other words, don't just pray, don't just believe, start taking some steps. Well, maybe a door will close, but maybe something will open, but I believe you have to start

taking those steps, get it down and writing what you want to do, and then start taking some steps. You've got to get moving. I think it's the point. Very few pastors talk about that part of it, right? And when things I love, the parable, the sower, you can look at it many different ways that parable. But one of the things I do love about it is,

yeah, you're going to plant some, and it's going to go awry, and the weather's going to get all of it. And some of it's just not going to work out. But if you plant with faith that there becomes a harvest that has multiplied many times greater. The greatest confirmation of my faith is any of the external success of it because I know God used a dork like me. He must be one powerful God.

I'm meeting you today. I'm not calling you a dork, but it's unbelievable that two average and ordinary men have been able to make a little bit of a difference in the world through the power of God. Yours is just obviously so inspiring and you inspire me to get better too. So thank you for being here today. I am very honored to be with you. Great to meet you and blessings to all your listeners.

I bless you guys. Hey, all right everybody, you saw it. You've been all asking for it for a couple of years. You saw the two of us together today, or you listened to it. You need to share this with people that you love that need to be inspired, that need their lives to change. And I just want to thank all of you for doing that because that's why the show is now in the

position that it's in because of all of you sharing, commenting, and spreading the word about our beautiful show here. God bless you all, max out. This is The End My Let's Show. you you