Author: Henry Murphy

I remember it like it was yesterday—flying out to California on tour with Jonathan McReynolds. We had a show lined up in Los Angeles, followed by another in Oakland. I found myself at a crossroads, debating whether I should fly directly from Los Angeles to Oakland or drive the distance. I ultimately chose to rent a car in Los Angeles and make the drive to Oakland, and I’m so glad I did.

As I drove up toward Oakland, the landscape unraveled before me, and I was mesmerized by the terrain. I saw mountains stretching into the sky, deserts sprawling into the distance, and for the first time, I found myself in a real valley. A valley can be a lonely place, shadowed and cut off from the light. It’s a place of struggle, a low point between the peaks, where the path forward is often unclear, and every step feels heavy. And just like in life, a valley can symbolize those tough seasons—times when we feel lost, overlooked, or overwhelmed. These are the moments that test our faith the most. It was an experience that caught me by surprise—I had never seen a real valley before. Captivated, I pulled out my phone and began recording the journey, eager to capture the awe of it all. I couldn’t help but look up at the mountain tops; they were astonishing. It was in that moment that Psalm 23 came alive to me like never before.

As I navigated through this physical valley, it dawned on me that the journey isn’t just about being faithful in the valley to reach the mountaintop. Life’s valleys are where our faith is stretched and where our character is forged. We face difficulties and disappointments, feeling like we’re stuck in a low place while others seem to be thriving on the peaks. In these times, it’s not just about holding on until we get to the mountaintop. It’s about being faithful, period. If we’re honest with ourselves, we often aim to be faithful in the valley only as a means to get to the mountaintop. But what I learned in that season was profound—if I never reach the mountaintop, I still want to be faithful in the valley.

The valley taught me to appreciate where God has placed me, to trust His timing, and to lean on Him more. I realized that it’s in these low points that we often learn the most about ourselves and our relationship with God. Whatever God is trying to show me in this season, I want it to become a part of my life, to shape my character, and draw me closer to Him. And if, by His grace, I do make it to the mountaintop, I want to serve Him there with the same faithfulness I showed in the valley.

This particular season in the valley challenged me more than I can express. I was dealing with a lot, but it drove me to depend on God more deeply. If the Lord chooses to bless me with more, I never want to lose the lessons I learned in the valley. I don’t want to lose that intimacy with God, that dependency on Him, or the hunger for His word that I discovered in the valley. Valleys have a way of teaching us patience, humility, and dependence on God—qualities that can fade if we lose sight of where we’ve been. Let this blog serve as a reminder: always be faithful, whether in the valley or on the mountaintop.

God Bless The Entrepreneur

A lot of my thoughts revolve around the kind of friends I want in my life—scratch that—the kind of friends I need in my life. I need people who will hold me accountable, not just in one area but in all aspects of my life. As an entrepreneur, I need friends who will keep me accountable for the commitments I make, based on the potential they see in me, challenging me in ways I might not challenge myself. If I tell them I want to create a multi-million dollar company, I want them to ask, “What’s stopping you from making it a billion-dollar company?” I want to be challenged that way—I need those types of people around me. I need people in my life who match my hustle. What do I mean? If I’m creating 21 pieces of content a week, I want them to say, “Hey, I created 21 pieces this week too; let’s push for 25 next week, let’s ante up.” If I say I want to write a new book next year, I want them to start with me right now, setting the same goal. Accountability needs to be mutual. I need to be challenged.

When it comes to being married, I want friends who will hold me accountable if they see me straying, even in subtle ways. I call this the “second glance” test. Seeing a beautiful woman can’t be helped, but turning around to look again—now that’s where we cross the line. I need people who will remind me to cherish my wife: “When was the last time you bought her flowers? When did you last tell her you love her? When was the last time you did something she enjoys?” I need that kind of accountability in my life.

As a believer, a follower of Jesus Christ, accountability is essential. I need friends who will examine my character and ensure I’m being the person God calls me to be. I need encouragement, but I also need to be challenged. I need people who walk alongside me, pointing me back to the Word of God, asking questions that lead me deeper into the scriptures: “Did you know this?” or “Have you considered that?” Such probing questions should push me to dive into the Bible and discover more on my own. When it comes to our inner circle, those closest to us must hold us accountable. This is what true accountability means: to challenge, support, and encourage us to be our best selves spiritually, relationally, and professionally.

So, take a look at your circle and make sure the people closest to you are holding you accountable. If they aren’t, it might be time to make some changes.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

I remember going to the club on Saturday night, then showing up to church on Sunday morning, feeling like such a hypocrite. I knew I had lust in my heart, was drunk and high off of 5 blunts from the previous night, and still tried to show up at church like everything was fine. This was a long time ago, but the fact remains: It took me a while to realize that my body is the temple—not the church building, but my own body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Your sin might look different than mine, but the main thing is recognizing that it ain’t right. Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

What’s deep about this is that I truly believe I had the Holy Spirit in me. Yet, I kept going against Him over and over again. Repentance started to feel fake because I was sinning willfully. Don’t get me wrong, we all sin and need to repent, but it’s different when we just keep doing the same thing over and over without any remorse.

I didn’t write this to preach, but to say this: the church building doesn’t save you, and it can’t save you. Grace plus faith saves you. It’s God coming into your heart, taking out a heart of stone, and giving you a heart of flesh. That’s when true repentance takes place, and a real relationship with God begins.

Your relationship with your mother, father, sister, brother, husband, wife, or kids doesn’t compare to the relationship we should have with the Lord Jesus. He’s with us every second of every minute of every hour of every day. This relationship is happening all the time, and it should be the most important thing in our lives—everything we do should flow from it.

The beauty is, when we go into the church building and gather with the rest of the body, there’s power in that unity. Something powerful can happen when we come together.

Let me be clear: the church might be the best place for you because, hopefully, God’s truth is coming forth. However, know that it is the word of God and not the building that can change your heart forever.

I remember going to the club on Saturday night, then showing up to church on Sunday morning, feeling like such a hypocrite. I knew I had lust in my heart, was drunk and high off of 5 blunts from the previous night, and still tried to show up at church like everything was fine. This was a long time ago, but the fact remains: It took me a while to realize that my body is the temple—not the church building, but my own body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Your sin might look different than mine, but the main thing is recognizing that it ain’t right. Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

What’s deep about this is that I truly believe I had the Holy Spirit in me. Yet, I kept going against Him over and over again. Repentance started to feel fake because I was sinning willfully. Don’t get me wrong, we all sin and need to repent, but it’s different when we just keep doing the same thing over and over without any remorse.

I didn’t write this to preach, but to say this: the church building doesn’t save you, and it can’t save you. Grace plus faith saves you. It’s God coming into your heart, taking out a heart of stone, and giving you a heart of flesh. That’s when true repentance takes place, and a real relationship with God begins.

Your relationship with your mother, father, sister, brother, husband, wife, or kids doesn’t compare to the relationship we should have with the Lord Jesus. He’s with us every second of every minute of every hour of every day. This relationship is happening all the time, and it should be the most important thing in our lives—everything we do should flow from it.

The beauty is, when we go into the church building and gather with the rest of the body, there’s power in that unity. Something powerful can happen when we come together.

Let me be clear: the church might be the best place for you because, hopefully, God’s truth is coming forth. However, know that it is the word of God and not the building that can change your heart forever.

In the poignant lyrics of KB, “called by every name that your momma never gave you,” lies a sentiment that resonates deeply with those who have faced cruelty from peers or even their own family. Negative self-talk often traces back to our upbringing, where affirmations were scarce, and positive influences were few. However, our past should not dictate our potential.

Life can be challenging, especially if we didn’t receive the encouragement we needed. Yet, this cannot be an excuse to hinder our personal growth. Despite the cliché, the truth remains that each of us has a purpose. The weight on your heart reflects the undeniable truth of this statement.

Our mindset is an ever-evolving process, and the first step towards change is acknowledging the existence of an issue. To break free from self-sabotage, we must recognize and admit our negative self-talk, acknowledging that it contradicts the path that God has set for us.

Identifying the traps of self-sabotage is crucial. Regardless of what others may have told you in the past, the truth is that you were made for more. Starting today, when negative thoughts arise, confront them head-on. Stop them in their tracks and declare, “That is not me!” Then, affirm who you are, beginning with the powerful words “I am.”

This process is not a one-time event; it’s a continuous journey. The more you repeat these affirmations, the more you’ll believe in them. Repetition builds intention, and as you get your mental “reps” up, you’ll find yourself embracing the person you were truly meant to be. Break free from the shackles of self-sabotage and step into the boundless potential that awaits.

I was having a conversation with a friend of mine, whom I mentor, about his brand’s growth journey. His brand is growing because he’s unique in his wordplay and design style. People are starting to notice and appreciate the hard work he’s been putting in. He’s done incredibly well online, figuring out all the different aspects of running a brand. I like to think of it this way: through all the mistakes he’s made and the deep work he’s put in to improve, he’s starting to scale.

Now, he’s stepping into something unfamiliar—being a vendor. He was overthinking the situation, which is understandable because you don’t know what you don’t know. He has this amazing shirt with the phrase “Smile, You’re My Favorite Hater,” and his brand, called Verb Society, has been doing really well with it. The tee has been a hit online, with most of the stock selling out quickly. He was planning to take the remaining shirts to an out-of-town event but wasn’t sure what to do. He had to fly out the next morning, and time was running out.

I simply told him, “Don’t overthink it. Sell all the T-shirts except one, and keep that one on a mannequin. Use a QR code to send people to your website to buy more. Make sure you’re collecting everyone’s email and phone number.” You always hear me say, “Own the data.” Data allows you to take customers on a journey and turn them into lifelong customers. The great thing about being a vendor is that you get to meet people face-to-face; they get to see your charisma and who you are. He was in the same position—unsure but eager. Don’t overthink it. You’re going to make some mistakes, but like anything else, you’ll get better with time.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

Let me be direct with you: there was a time when you had to physically go out, shake hands, and make face-to-face connections to grow your network or build a business. But these days, you have access to platforms that allow you to connect with millions of people from the comfort of your own home, and the best part? It’s for free.

I cannot stress this enough: we often take for granted the incredible opportunity that social media platforms provide us. Imagine hosting an event where 500 people showed up. You’d be ecstatic, right? You’d be telling everyone how successful the event was. Now, think about this—on social media, you can reach 500 people, or even thousands, every single day if you put in the work.

Just look at the numbers: Instagram has 500 million daily users, TikTok has over 1 billion, Snapchat has 383 million, X (formerly Twitter) has 237 million, and Facebook and YouTube both have around 2 billion daily users each. These are massive audiences, waiting to hear your story, see your products, or learn about your services. Are you taking advantage of this?

If you’re already putting in the work on these platforms, I salute you. You’re leveraging free platforms to build your brand and grow your business. But if you’re not, I challenge you to start today. Get over whatever is holding you back. If you don’t want to get behind the camera, let me tell you—get over yourself! Your ‘why’—your purpose—should push you to get in front of that camera. This is your opportunity to tell the world who you are, what you can do, and what you offer, all on a platform that costs you nothing.

Think about it like this: if your local grocery store started giving away ribeye steaks for free, you’d be the first in line. Well, these platforms are allowing you to promote yourself and your brand for free—so take advantage of it! Put out organic content, see what people are drawn to, and double down on those things. Eventually, you can invest in ads, but for now, focus on the free opportunities you have.

The marketplace will let you know if your message resonates. This is your chance to get better, to refine your voice, and to be heard. Go out and get it done today.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

When I first began creating content and engaging with entrepreneurs, I was still figuring out who I was speaking to. In the beginning, it’s natural to take some time to identify your ideal audience. For me, it meant understanding who my content was for and who it wasn’t.

My content is not aimed at those with side hustles. I believe in building businesses the right way, having learned from my own mistakes. I’ve faced the challenges of managing business structures, taxes, and legal issues, and I want to help others avoid those pitfalls. I want to speak to individuals who are ready to trade in the side hustle mentality for a true business mindset—those who understand the importance of strong values, which guide every aspect of their business, from hiring to company culture to trademarking.

Trademarking is crucial, yet many companies never reach that stage because they lack understanding of business structure and tax planning. My goal is to work with those willing to commit to building a business that can be sold or passed down through generations. I want to connect with people committed to long-term success and willing to put in the daily discipline to create something remarkable.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

So, I was going through my notes and came across a text I sent myself with just the date and a vague idea about “forced focus.” I had a good laugh at how rushed my thoughts were, but it got me thinking about the real power of journaling.

Journaling is one of those practices that can truly force you to focus. Why? Because it shines a light on your consistency—or lack thereof. If your journaling is inconsistent, it’s a clear sign you need to tighten up and improve. But when you’re consistent, you see what you’re doing right and where you can enhance your efforts.

Whether you’re using a traditional notebook or the Journal app on your iPhone, journaling helps you track your progress and reflect daily. It also gives you a chance to jot down what you’re grateful for. Despite the current blur in my vision as I await surgery, I’m thankful for the ability to write, to speak into other entrepreneurs’ lives, and for the opportunities that come my way.

Journaling isn’t just a habit—it’s a practice that produces a tool capable of changing your life. I encourage you to make it a part of your routine. It’s a habit that will lead to profound transformation.

God Bless The Entrepreneur.

In a captivating sermon, a preacher once delved into the profound conversation between God and Moses at the burning bush. Moses, like many of us, found himself listing reasons why he was not qualified for the tasks God had in mind. It’s a familiar scenario—questioning our Creator’s design and struggling to see the potential He sees in us. Ultimately, it all boils down to belief.

God’s question to Moses, “What do you have in your hand?” is a powerful reminder that each of us possesses something unique. Moses, a simple shepherd in the desert, had a staff, and God used that ordinary tool to perform miracles. Similarly, we all have a role to play, along with gifts and talents that are uniquely ours.

The trap lies in comparing our gifts to others and feeling inadequate. Every gift is distinct, and the attention one receives doesn’t diminish the value of another. What matters most is our faithfulness to God. Keeping the perspective that our journey is between us and God helps maintain focus.

When excuses arise, and we doubt our ability to fulfill God’s calling, remember the question: What do you have in your hand? Spending time with God, staying connected, and allowing His Holy Spirit to pour into us reveals the very purpose He has called us to. Embrace your uniqueness, discard comparisons, and move forward in the path that God has uniquely laid out for you.