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Author: Henry Murphy

Feeds My Faith

One thing I truly love about God is that He unapologetically allows us to be who we are. Our backgrounds, the things we’ve seen and experienced, all play a significant role in shaping us, often in ways we don’t fully realize. As I’ve matured in my faith, I’ve come to understand that the Word of God feeds my faith. It nurtures the dreams, desires, and plans that He has placed inside me.

You know the scripture: “Submit your plans to God and let Him direct your path.” That’s crucial because trying to navigate life and business purely on our own instincts doesn’t make much sense. When I tell people that faith got me living risky, I’m talking about how God places things on my heart that may seem irrational to others. But they don’t understand what feeds my faith. It’s the assurance that the dreams He gives me are not just figments of my imagination, but divine assignments.

Think about Peter stepping out of the boat. To everyone else, the water said “sink,” not “walk.” But Peter’s faith was fed by his belief in God’s call. That faith fueled his boldness to step onto the water, to take the risk. He wasn’t fed by the logic of the situation; he was fed by the Word, by his trust in the God who called him. That’s why we take risks. It’s not for the thrill of it—it’s because we believe that God has called us to do something bigger than ourselves.

I used to go back and forth about the phrase, “faith got me living risky,” thinking maybe it was too radical. But no, this is me. I know there are millions of people out there who feel the same way—that God feeds their faith, driving them to impact lives and pursue the calling He’s placed within them.

I’ve taken many risks in my life, and I plan to take more. It’s not about getting comfortable, because greater things are on the other side of that risk. We walk by faith, not by sight, and it’s faith that feeds the vision, propels us forward, and gives us the courage to live the life God has called us to.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

What do I believe?

I wasn’t planning to write tonight, but sometimes being in a place of vulnerability is the best time to share. I’m sitting on a rooftop overlooking the city of Los Angeles, unsure of what to do in this moment. I’ve been in places like this before, but somehow, this time feels different—pivotal. It feels like there’s a weight trying to crush me, urging me to give up, to abandon everything I’ve been teaching about faith, perseverance, and trusting in God.

Yet, even in this heaviness, there’s a fire in me that won’t be extinguished. I don’t feel like I hear the Lord telling me to keep going right now, but maybe that’s because He’s already spoken. I feel like He’s already said, “Be courageous and do not fear.” He’s already promised, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” So now, it comes down to this: What do I believe?

One thing that comes to mind is the blog I wrote, Closer Than You Think. I feel like I’m closer than I think, yet so far away—so far from everything in my heart. I’m sitting here thinking about the sponsorship program I want to create—one that gives away opportunities through scholarships. There’s so much going on in my life right now that makes me wonder if I should even be thinking about this.

But maybe that’s the point. This hasn’t always been my heart, but this is something God is doing in the midst of it all—changing me, shaping me, growing me.

So, if you find yourself in a place where it feels like everything is closing in on you, where it seems like nothing you’re doing is working, remember this: those are just feelings. Stand on the Word of God. Believe what He has already said.

I have two words for you: “ Keep Going”!

God Bless The Entrepreneur

Do You Need a Coach?

Everyone needs a coach. I was blind to this fact for a long time. If you listen to my podcast or read my blogs, you’ll often hear me talk about it. It’s funny—when we get into business, we somehow think we’re supposed to navigate everything on our own, which doesn’t make much sense.

A coach—or rather, the right coach—will help you get through obstacles much quicker. To me, it’s kind of like the importance of discipleship. When I was being discipled, people walked with me for almost a year as a new believer, guiding me step by step. Trying to figure it all out alone would’ve been overwhelming. The same is true for business: it’s far too much for you to tackle on your own.

I remember when my dad handed me off to the pee wee coach to teach me the fundamentals of football. That coach taught me core principles that, while simple, had a lasting impact. Things like discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and paying attention to the details. Those same fundamentals apply in business. You learn to trust the process, rely on the expertise of others, and focus on mastering the basics before advancing to the next level. My dad trusted that coach to prepare me for the next phase in football, just like we need to trust a business coach to equip us for the next level in our entrepreneurial journey.

Anyone who’s ever done something great always had a coach. The key is being willing to invest in one and, just as importantly, being teachable. I love to say that you can go at it alone, but you don’t have to.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

Capture Your Thought

In the lively landscape of our minds, where thoughts surge like waves, capturing a single idea can be a daunting task. In the era of Instagram and TikTok, where distractions abound with over 1 billion daily users, finding the focus to translate thoughts into words becomes a unique challenge.

Have you ever pondered the sheer volume of thoughts coursing through your mind each day? It’s a dynamic process, influenced by experiences, emotions, and the constant influx of information. Estimates suggest tens of thousands of thoughts may flutter through the average person’s consciousness, creating a complex tapestry of ideas.

Amidst this cognitive whirlwind, I found myself compelled to develop a system – a lifeline for my creative expression. Whether through jotting down notes or recording my thoughts, this structured approach became essential to embrace the chaos and transform mental musings into tangible content for my blog and podcast.

In a world brimming with incessant hurry, I discovered the power of slowing down. Creating a space for solitude and self-reflection became a crucial practice. It is in these moments of rest and introspection that I could truly connect with my thoughts, crafting them into authentic expressions for the world.

As a content creator, the relentless pace of consumption poses a real threat. The urgency to keep up with trends and stay relevant can drown out the authentic voice within. I learned that taking a step back, finding a day to retreat from the chaos, allows me to retrieve the ribbon of my thoughts, weaving them into meaningful narratives.

In essence, it’s a reminder to fellow creators – amidst the rush, don’t neglect the essence of your authenticity. By intentionally slowing down and embracing solitude, we can capture the elusive thoughts, offering a genuine and unique perspective to the world. So, in the mosaic of thoughts, navigate wisely, and let your authentic voice be heard.

The Waiting Room

There’s this episode of Seinfeld that had me cracking up, but the truth behind it hit me one day. Jerry talks about going into a waiting room, knowing exactly what’s going to happen—you’re going to wait. Then, after they call you, it feels like you’ve only moved from one big waiting room to a smaller one. It’s funny because it’s real. Every time you go to the doctor or hospital, 10 times out of 10, you’re going to wait.

Entrepreneurship often feels the same way. Dreams take before they give, and it can seem like all we’re doing is waiting. But let me tell you, if you learn how to wait right, waiting becomes powerful. What I mean is, while you’re waiting, you keep getting better. You keep working on your craft. You keep reading, going to seminars, listening to podcasts. You keep applying what you’re learning and finding new ways to serve people.

The waiting period isn’t passive—it’s active. It teaches you patience, and patience is everything when you’re building a business. It’s more important than most of us realize. So, be prepared to stay in the waiting room while chasing your dreams. Just know, they’re on the horizon. Your waiting isn’t in vain, as long as you never stop moving forward.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

Be Faithful Where You Are Planted

I haven’t always been the best example of working as unto the Lord. I remember when we moved to Atlanta and I took a job at a restaurant. My initial training was incredible—I was surrounded by great people, and I built relationships that lasted for years. But once I officially started in the store that I would be at after training, things changed.

Before the move, I was in a general manager position, running multiple stores. So, coming into this new job was humbling, to say the least. I had to work under a woman who led differently than I would have. It wasn’t about her being a woman in charge; it was about the drastic shift in leadership styles. I couldn’t stop thinking, “If I was leading, I’d do things this way.” But that’s the wrong attitude when you’re supposed to be serving under someone else’s leadership.

And to make matters worse, there was another manager who was… let’s just say, difficult. He had a way of causing division in the store. Nobody seemed to mesh well with him, and it just added to the overall tension I felt at the time.

Over time, things did get a little better. That manager and I eventually found a way to work together, and I gained a bit more peace in the workplace. But if I’m honest, my heart was never 100% in it. My mind was so focused on entrepreneurship and the next phase of my life that I wasn’t giving my all where I was. I appreciated the job, but I wasn’t fully present.

Here’s the lesson: as believers, we’re called to work as unto the Lord, no matter what kind of leadership we’re under. We’re called to serve well, even when it’s difficult or we feel like we could do things differently. God is always watching how we handle those situations.

Looking back, I realize I could have been much more faithful in that job, but I wasn’t. If you find yourself working for someone else—whether in a corporation or any other organization—be faithful. If you plan to have your own, you need to be faithful in someone else’s organization first.

God bless the entrepreneur.

Closer Than You Think

If we’ve been on the journey for a long time and start feeling the weight of exhaustion, that’s natural. I get it. There are days when I want to quit, days when my flesh says, “I’m done.” But I believe with all my heart that there’s something inside me that fights against that urge to stop. The Holy Spirit lights a fire in me every single morning, even when I don’t feel like doing anything. It’s almost as if I’m being encouraged by God’s Spirit to keep going. It’s an amazing feeling.

Sometimes, though, my mind and body get tired. You’ve felt it too, haven’t you? That feeling of being worn down but still being pushed by something you can’t explain? But let’s be honest here: if we really knew how close we were to the finish line, we’d never quit.

That reminds me of Florence Chadwick. In 1952, she attempted to swim across the Catalina Channel—a stretch of ocean 21 miles long. It was a grueling swim, but what made it even harder was the fog. It set in thick that day, and no matter how hard she swam, she couldn’t see the shore. She was tired, cold, and her muscles were screaming at her to stop. Finally, she asked to be pulled out of the water.

What she didn’t know—what the fog kept her from seeing—was that she was only one mile away from shore.

How often is that us? Right on the brink of breakthrough, but the fog of life—the distractions, the tiredness, the doubt—makes us want to quit. We’ve got to keep pushing forward, even when it’s hard, even when the goal isn’t visible. The truth is, sometimes we are closer than we realize.

Whatever you’re working on, know that you can be the first to do it. And when you succeed, you inspire others to believe in what’s possible for them. There will always be haters and people talking about you behind your back. Let them. Stay focused on your mission and keep going. Yes, the fog will try to block your view of the goal, but don’t let that be the reason you stop. Keep swimming—because you never know how close you are to the shore.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

Unsure

There are days when I refuse to pretend like I have it all together. It wouldn’t be fair to make you think my life is always on track because it’s not. I have plenty of days filled with doubt—days when I feel completely unsure of what’s next. I struggle to see the direction God wants me to go in. I only start feeling this way when the fruit hasn’t appeared yet—the kind I’ve been working toward, praying for, and expecting.

But here’s the thing I have to remind myself: just because I don’t see it right now doesn’t mean it’s not coming. I’ve learned that momentum is built on consistency. When I stay consistent, a few things happen. I get better. I grow. And I open up opportunities to reach new people. It’s really only a matter of time. Sometimes, all it takes is one person, one connection, to change your life forever. I’ve seen it happen in my own life, and I know it will happen again.

Even in my moments of doubt, I hold on to faith. I remind myself that the plans I’ve submitted to God, the work I’m doing every single day—it’s all part of a greater process. My work is working for me, and it’s working on me, whether I can see it or not. Myron Golden said something once that stuck with me: “Your work is always working for you.” That simple truth changed the way I look at everything. Even when it feels like nothing is happening, the work is still moving things forward in ways I can’t always understand.

Entrepreneurship has slapped me in the face more than once, and if you’re on this journey, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s not easy. There are highs and lows, and days when it all feels overwhelming. But even in those moments, I stay encouraged. I stay committed to the journey because I know I’m just one blog away, one book away, one piece of content away, one connection away. You get the picture—keep going.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

Obedience to God: Faith and Surrender

Obeying God often sparks a profound internal struggle, questioning what it truly costs to follow His will. Yet, with the passage of time and the grace of God, the realization dawns that the challenges were not mere losses but a refining process.

Understanding God’s character is paramount; He is the good Shepherd guiding us along the path He has set for our lives. Despite the pain and apparent losses, it’s crucial to see beyond human perspectives tainted by past hurts. God, being faithful and incapable of lying, has a purpose for each life. Obedience unveils His plan, a journey marked by both joy and challenges.

Reflecting on personal experiences, such as the journey with Unapologetic Urban Gear, underscores the importance of surrender. Sacrificing what seems thriving and prosperous can lead to resurrection beyond imagination. Realizing that obedience aligns with a greater purpose, even in the face of external skepticism, speaks to the essence of a genuine relationship with God.

The story of laying down a flourishing business in 2021, despite financial success and external validation, exemplifies the challenges obedience may pose. Choosing to trust God’s guidance over worldly logic is a testament to a deep, unshakeable connection with the Divine. It challenges the notion of what is considered wise or foolish by societal standards.

A true relationship with God, marked by trust and obedience, becomes a compass navigating life’s pivots. Transparency about the struggle in making such decisions is a reminder that the external world may not always understand the internal callings of the spirit. The journey of faith is often solitary, filled with moments where one’s obedience seems perplexing to onlookers.

Ultimately, the narrative emphasizes the necessity of obedience, urging individuals to discern God’s voice amidst the noise of the world. Testing the spirits becomes a crucial step, ensuring that the call to surrender and obey is indeed inspired by God. The story serves as a compelling reminder that, in life’s intricate design, obedience to God is the thread that weaves purpose, faith, and ultimately, the joy of the Lord into every season.

Resetting: The Strength in Vulnerability

I spent today having a series of conversations with my wife about the idea of resetting. We talked about being real about the journey we’re all on. Yes, you may be doing big things in business, hitting goals, and pushing forward, but let me remind you—it’s OK to reset.

Lately, I’ve been speaking a lot about the Sabbath. It feels like God has been shouting at us, saying, “I made the Sabbath for you to reset.” I want to establish from the start that hitting reset is important. But what’s truly on my heart today is how important it is to let people know when you need that reset. We live in a time where social media shows us all the highlights. It’s amazing to see people pursuing their dreams and going big—trust me, I’ll applaud you if that’s what you’re doing. But where is the vulnerability in showing that sometimes, you don’t have it all together? That sometimes, you get weak and need to step back?

Showing the human side is necessary. People need to know that it’s normal to feel tired, overwhelmed, and in need of a break. When we only show the highlight reel, we mislead others—and sometimes, we mislead ourselves. That’s how we end up living double lives.

I love when my wife comes across someone on YouTube who’s out here doing big things, but then the next day, they share the real emotions they’re battling. They’re laying it all out there. They’re not trying to be some kind of superhero who never gets tired, never grows weary, and never needs to reset. There’s power in that honesty.

So, let’s get comfortable with transparency. Let’s be OK with admitting when we need to reset. Let’s be OK with asking for prayer, with being vulnerable. I know some of you might be thinking, “I could never let anyone know when I’m weak or struggling.” But we were built for community—we were never meant to do any of this alone.

Maybe you’re not in the spotlight of social media or business yet. But if you continue to build, you might be one day. As your influence grows, it can take on a life of its own, and that’s when you’ll need to be OK with hitting that reset button, or at least having a close circle that understands when you need it.

Do me a favor—consider it. Maybe you’re not there yet, but you might be one day, and when you are, don’t be afraid to reset.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

Lately, I’ve been speaking a lot about the Sabbath. It feels like God has been shouting at us, saying, “I made the Sabbath for you to reset.” I want to establish from the start that hitting reset is important. But what’s truly on my heart today is how important it is to let people know when you need that reset. We live in a time where social media shows us all the highlights. It’s amazing to see people pursuing their dreams and going big—trust me, I’ll applaud you if that’s what you’re doing. But where is the vulnerability in showing that sometimes, you don’t have it all together? That sometimes, you get weak and need to step back?

Showing the human side is necessary. People need to know that it’s normal to feel tired, overwhelmed, and in need of a break. When we only show the highlight reel, we mislead others—and sometimes, we mislead ourselves. That’s how we end up living double lives.

I love when my wife comes across someone on YouTube who’s out here doing big things, but then the next day, they share the real emotions they’re battling. They’re laying it all out there. They’re not trying to be some kind of superhero who never gets tired, never grows weary, and never needs to reset. There’s power in that honesty.

So, let’s get comfortable with transparency. Let’s be OK with admitting when we need to reset. Let’s be OK with asking for prayer, with being vulnerable. I know some of you might be thinking, “I could never let anyone know when I’m weak or struggling.” But we were built for community—we were never meant to do any of this alone.

Maybe you’re not in the spotlight of social media or business yet. But if you continue to build, you might be one day. As your influence grows, it can take on a life of its own, and that’s when you’ll need to be OK with hitting that reset button, or at least having a close circle that understands when you need it.

Do me a favor—consider it. Maybe you’re not there yet, but you might be one day, and when you are, don’t be afraid to reset.

God Bless The Entrepreneur