Tag: disciple (Page 5 of 43)

Unlocking Growth: The True Nature of Coaching

November 13, 2025 / / 0 Comments
A coaching conversation in progress, showing reflection and accountability in personal growth.

Coaching isn’t about advice — it’s about growth, accountability, and discovering what’s possible in your life.

When most people hear the word “coaching,” they think of someone telling them what to do.

That’s not coaching. Not really.

Coaching is about creating space. Space to reflect. Space to notice what’s holding you back. Space to explore what’s possible when you take responsibility for your own growth.

At its heart, coaching is about empowerment. It’s helping someone see clearly, think deeply, and make choices that align with who they want to be not just what someone else thinks they should be.

I’ve experienced the value of this firsthand. Coaching has helped me pause when life is moving too fast, see blind spots I didn’t notice, and stay accountable to the goals and values that matter most. I’ve also seen it transform others from people stepping into leadership, to finding focus in their faith, even taking ownership of the life God has given them.

Coaching also connects naturally with spiritual development. In both faith and personal growth, the journey is rarely about external instruction alone. It’s about reflection, discipline, accountability, and making intentional decisions in alignment with God’s will. When you take responsibility for your growth in thought, in character, and action you’re living out the spiritual principle of stewardship over your own life.

Here are a few key elements at the heart of effective coaching:

  1. Listening deeply: Understanding not just words, but motivations, fears, and hopes.
  2. Asking better questions: Encouraging reflection rather than giving answers.
  3. Holding accountability: Helping someone follow through on their own commitments.
  4. Fostering growth: Guiding toward insights that lead to intentional action.
  5. Encouraging courage: Inspiring people to step into what’s possible, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Coaching isn’t magic. It’s a disciplined, relational practice the combination of presence, clarity, and accountability that enables transformation over time.

It matters because growth rarely happens in isolation. Life, faith, and purpose all thrive when we’re willing to pause, reflect, and take ownership of the next step with someone alongside us to help us see what we might miss on our own.

Call-to-Action (CTA)

Take a moment this week to reflect: What’s one area in your life where you could benefit from reflection, accountability, or fresh perspective?

Rest as Resistance

November 7, 2025 / / 1 Comment

Confession: I’m competitive. I know! Shocker!

I’m competitive with myself, with the weights, with life, with pretty much everything around me. So sometimes I skip rest days. Because who wants to take a break when there’s more to lift, more to do, more to “fix”?

But here’s the thing I’m learning in my years of experience (aka being old as my daughter would put it): skipping rest is not strength. It’s weakness dressed up in busyness.

Muscles grow when you recover, not when you grind nonstop. And muscles are a lot like other parts of our lives, including faith! Spiritual growth, emotional health, even leadership stamina all thrive in the spaces where we pause.

Rest isn’t optional. It’s resistance. It’s saying no to the things that aren’t going to move the needle.

It’s saying no to the lie that productivity equals value.

It’s telling the world (and yourself) that you trust God to keep working when you stop.

It’s bending the knee to a rhythm bigger than your to-do list.

Some of the best work I’ve ever done in the gym, in ministry, in life all started with a deliberate pause. A day off. A walk in the field. A quiet coffee without guilt. A slow evening with a one finger pour. The pause brings purpose to the process.

So take a breath. Step back. Turn off the blower, put the weights down, and let God do what only He can do. You’ll come back stronger. You’ll last longer. And you’ll probably be a lot less likely to look like a man riding a chicken.

Because rest is not laziness. Rest is resistance against burnout. And in a world that won’t stop demanding, that’s a radical act of faith.

Finding Clarity Through Coaching

November 6, 2025 / / 0 Comments
Person looking through glasses with blurry image to show lack of focus.

How pausing, reflecting, and thoughtful coaching can help you see what really matters.

Life has a way of clouding our vision. The busyness, the noise, and the constant pull of other people’s expectations can blur what once felt clear.

I know this personally. A few months ago, I found myself constantly reacting – putting out fires at church, over-committing at home, and feeling frustrated that I couldn’t see the next right step.

That’s when a coaching conversation helped me pause. Just 30 minutes of focused reflection helped me name what was really driving me, and for the first time in months, I felt a little relief.

Clarity doesn’t arrive as a sudden revelation. It comes layer by layer, in quiet moments of reflection. Coaching isn’t about giving you the answers. It’s about asking the right questions to help you see what’s already there.

Here’s a simple framework I’ve found useful for finding clarity:

  1. Pause and notice: Take 10–15 minutes to step away from your daily tasks. Even a short walk or journal session works.
  2. Ask yourself honest questions: What matters most right now? What’s getting in my way? What can I let go of?
  3. Prioritize one next step: Don’t try to solve everything at once. Pick one intentional action that aligns with what’s most important.
  4. Reflect and adjust: At the end of the day or week, check in. Did your step bring clarity or progress? What needs tweaking?
  5. Seek an outside perspective: A coach, mentor, or trusted friend can help you see blind spots and encourage you when you feel stuck.

I’ve seen these steps work in my life and in the lives of people I’ve coached. Sometimes clarity comes in a quiet “aha” moment. Sometimes it’s a gradual series of small realizations. Either way, the key is intentionality.

Take a moment today to reflect: Where do you feel foggy? What’s one step you can take this week to bring a little more clarity?

Clarity isn’t about doing more — it’s about seeing more clearly. And once you see clearly, even a small step in the right direction changes everything.

Call-to-Action (CTA)

Take 10 minutes this week to pause and reflect on what matters most. What one step can you take today to bring clarity into your life? Share your thoughts in the comments or with someone you trust.

The Discipline of Deadlifts and Devotion

November 5, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Confession time: I hate leg day. Yep. Hate it with a passion!

Give me chest, shoulders, or biceps, and I’m good to go. But leg day? No thanks. That’s the day I suddenly feel the urge to take a rest day.

It’s not that I can’t do squats or deadlifts. Actually the moves aren’t hard at all and I can handle a decent amount of weight. I just don’t want to. They’re uncomfortable. They burn. They make it hard to sit or stand the next day. Heck they make me question all my life choices.

But you know what happens when you skip leg day too often? You start to look like a man riding a chicken. You’re all big up top, tiny at the bottom, unstable when life gets heavy.

And honestly, that’s what a lot of Christians look like spiritually. Strong in the more visible areas like church attendance, Christian talk, surface-level kindness that better not interrupt my day. But all too often weak in the parts that actually carry the weight.

Because real faith, like real strength, is built from the ground up.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way.” (1 Timothy 4:7–8, ESV) He wasn’t talking about how we handle ourselves at the gym. He was talking about discipline. The kind of commitment that builds unseen strength.

It’s the same in devotion. Everybody loves the mountaintop moments! You know the powerful worship set, the answered prayer, the goosebumps of God’s presence. But not many people love the grind. The leg day of the spiritual walk. Things like showing up to Scripture when it feels dry, praying when nothing visible is happening, serving when nobody seems to notice.

That’s spiritual leg day. It’s not fun. It’s not flashy. But it’s what gives your faith stability when life drops something heavy on your shoulders.

The older I get, the more I realize: Faith that skips leg day looks good in the mirror but collapses under pressure.

So yeah, I still hate deadlifts. But I do them. Not because I like them, but because I need what they build. The endurance, humility, and strength where it counts.

The same goes for devotion. God’s not impressed by how spiritual you look up top. He’s shaping the foundation underneath.

So show up. Do the not so – glamorous work. Train your soul as much as your body.
Because when life gets heavy (and it will), you don’t want to be the spiritual guy or gal riding a chicken!

The Power of Truth Against Deception

November 3, 2025 / / 1 Comment

You’ve probably noticed it, people walking away. Walking away from faith. Walking away from commitments. Walking away from truth. It’s everywhere. Some quietly drift off, others announce it like a badge of honor. But 2 Thessalonians 2 reminds us that this isn’t new. Paul saw it coming. He called it “the rebellion” (literally apostasia) the great falling away from truth.

We picture rebellion as loud, messy, and obvious. But spiritual rebellion often happens in whispers. It’s subtle. It’s the slow fade when conviction becomes opinion, and truth becomes “my truth.” That’s the drift Paul warns about. It’s the kind that leads hearts away from Jesus and opens the door for deception to take root.

But here’s the powerful part: something or rather Someone is still holding the line. Paul says the “man of lawlessness” is being restrained. The enemy doesn’t get free rein. Truth still stands. God still reigns. The Word still works.

That’s not just theology, that’s real life. Because every time you hold fast to truth when it would be easier to compromise, you’re joining the resistance. When you open Scripture instead of scrolling for opinions, you’re reinforcing the barricade. When you choose to speak grace and truth, you’re standing with the One who restrains the chaos.

Here’s where it connects with coaching and leadership. Unfortunately we have to say it out loud but truth has to have a seat at the table. I see it every day in conversations: people are hungry for clarity, not noise. They don’t need another self-help mantra; they need something unshakable. That’s why real growth spiritual, personal, professional always begins with alignment to truth.

As a coach, I’m not here to hand out answers; I’m here to help people discover what’s already true. Because truth, when uncovered, still holds power. And when we live aligned with it, the enemy loses ground.

So, let’s make this practical:

  • Check your source. What’s shaping your worldview more the Word or the world?
  • Stand your ground. You don’t need to be loud to be firm. Quiet conviction changes rooms.
  • Stay connected. Apostasy starts with isolation. Stay in community. Truth sharpens best in relationship.

The rebellion is real but so is the restraint. And as long as God’s Word holds the line, we’re not powerless. We’re participants in His plan.

Truth wins. Always has. Always will.

3 Questions to Guide Your Week

  1. Where are you seeing “apostasy” or drifting from truth in your circles your workplace, family, or community?
    How are you responding with both grace and truth?
  2. What truth are you holding onto that could strengthen someone else right now?
    How can you lead others to discover and live in that truth?
  3. In what ways are you staying connected and accountable?
    Who is helping you stand firm so you can help others stand firm too?

Lessons on Grace: Mowing Through Life’s Messes

October 31, 2025 / / 1 Comment

Ok so I don’t rake leaves. I have far too many. Raking would be like trying to bail the Titanic with a coffee mug. So I use a blower. Well, that’s not even totally true because most of the time I’m just too lazy to blow that many leaves. I typically just mow them over and hope for the best. I’d need a blower the likes of a jet engine to handle the leaves properly and I’m too cheap to buy anything like that. Even though it would be fun to have!

Every fall, I spend hours in the lawn, mowing over piles of leaves and sending the clippings into a nice pile. Just to watch the next gust of wind scatter them back all over the yard.

And somewhere between the noise, the frustration, and the endless repetition, I realize: this is a picture of grace.

You see grace is a lot like blowing leaves. No matter how hard you try to get things perfectly clean, the mess keeps coming back. Then the second you think you’ve got it all under control. A mini vortex comes and messes it all up! So another pile, another reminder that this isn’t a one-time job.

I think that’s why Paul said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV) Grace isn’t about a clean yard. It’s about the constant presence of God’s strength in our endless weakness. The harder we try the more the wind of temptation or boredom tends to come in and blow us away.

And if I’m being honest, there are days I want to just quit! Not life but I want to stop fighting the leaves, stop cleaning up messes, stop trying to make life look tidy.
Then I remember. I can’t throw in the towel because grace doesn’t quit on me.

That’s what I remember every fall: Grace keeps showing up, leaf after leaf, sin after sin, failure after failure. It’s not neat. It’s not quiet. It’s not easy. But it’s real.

So now, when I hop on the mower and start another round, I don’t just see work. I see something like worship. Not the “hands raised, perfect harmony” kind. The kind that happens when you’re sweating through your hoodie. Covered in dust and leafy bits. Realizing that even in the noise and futility, God is there.

Because sometimes, the loudest reminder of grace comes with the roar of a zero turn and a cloud of leaf dust flying through the air.

Coming up next week: “The Discipline of Deadlifts and Devotion” where we’ll talk about why the gym might be one of the most honest places to learn about spiritual growth.

The Most Confusing Hour of the Year

October 30, 2025 / / 1 Comment

Only in the United States could we take an hour from the end of our day, move it to the beginning, and convince ourselves we’ve got more day. It’s the type of math that would make your third-grade teacher roll her eyes in disbelief!

But here we are again, time to “fall back” this Saturday night.

Every year, we all face the same dilemma: When do we fall back?

Maybe you’re like my mom. Growing up, she’d set the clocks back first thing in the morning. This meant the entire day felt like some twilight zone time warp. Breakfast was too early? Night activities felt late. And nobody knew what time lunch was supposed to happen!

Or maybe you’re a “last-minute before bed” person. You make the big adjustment right before you hit the pillow. The plan is that you can wake up and pretend your body magically agrees that 6 a.m. is suddenly 5 a.m.

And then there’s the real debate. What do you do with that extra hour?

  • Do you actually sleep in, basking in that glorious “bonus hour of siesta”?
  • Or are you one of those people who thinks, “Oh goody, an extra hour to stay up and binge one more episode”?

Look it really doesn’t matter you handle it. Here’s your friendly reminder: Set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night.

And while you’re at it, take a deep breath. Whether it’s light or dark, early or late, God’s the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

So enjoy your “extra” hour… even if it’s just an illusion. And heck if your body gets you up a little early…maybe I’ll see you Sunday morning in church!

The Problem With Perfect Leaders

October 29, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Let’s be honest, pastors can be some of the best actors around. Far too often we preach about authentic faith but live like we’re auditioning for Most Holy Person of the Year.

We smile even when we’re exhausted. We shake hands when we’d rather hide. We quote Scripture while quietly wondering if it still works the same for us as it does for everyone else.

The truth? Ministry can end up polishing the soul until it looks shiny from a distance but leaves the inside feeling…hollow.

And that’s not just a pastor thing. It’s a people thing. Leaders, parents, teachers, entrepreneurs, all of us! We’re all trying to hold it together in public while life leaks in private.

I’ve done it too. For years, I lived as though leadership meant never letting them see you bleed. But Jesus never modeled that kind of leadership. So why should I?

He wept. He sweat blood. He was betrayed, exhausted, misunderstood, and still chose to love.

That’s leadership. It’s not the filtered, staged version of leadership either. It’s the kind that bleeds grace.

So here’s where I’m landing these days: Leaders aren’t called to be impressive. We’re called to be honest.

When you stop pretending to have it all together, people stop pretending too.
And the cool part is, that’s when discipleship actually happens. It’s not when we hand out carefully crafted bullet points on leadership, but when we invite people to watch us wrestle with obedience, failure, and hope.

I’ve led well and led poorly. I’ve prayed hard and still felt dry. I’ve seen God move powerfully and then wondered why He felt silent the next day.

But through it all, I’ve learned that faith doesn’t thrive in perfection. It grows in the cracks. The broken places in our lives that look barren and yet are the perfect places for light to poke through.

I think of stained glass and how the broken shards of glass are the ones that cast the most amazing light refractions. The same is true for us. When we let the cracked parts of our lives become exposed to the grace of God, then the light of his presence refracts into the lives of those where we live, work, and play.

So if you’re leading anything. Yeah anything! From a church to a business even a family listen up: You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be present.

Show up. Tell the truth. Repent quickly when you mess up. Laugh often. Admit when you’re wrong. That’s leadership that looks like Jesus. And that’s the kind of faith the world actually needs.

Coming up later this week: “Blowing Leaves and Remembering Grace”  a post from the dirtier, simpler side of life where God keeps reminding me He’s not afraid of a mess.

Wholehearted Leadership: 10 Traits of Effective Leaders

October 28, 2025 / / 0 Comments

We don’t need more impressive leaders. We need more wholehearted ones.

I’m reading the book Daring Greatly and it’s been an eye opening read so far. Admittedly, I’m not too far into the book but this felt like something I had to put in my own words.

Too many of us lead from scarcity. We’re constantly chasing the next metric, afraid of disappointing people, afraid of being exposed as not enough. But what if the best thing you brought to your team, your church, your family… isn’t perfection, but presence?

That’s the heart of wholehearted leadership. It’s showing up fully human and leading from grace instead of fear.

Here are ten traits the author suggests mark leaders worth following. Each one is a tension: something to cultivate and something to let go of.

1. Cultivate Authenticity and Let Go of What People Think

People don’t follow titles. They follow realness. Stop performing. Start showing up as your actual self. Vulnerability isn’t weakness. It’s credibility.

2. Cultivate Self-Compassion and Let Go of Perfectionism

Perfection is the fastest route to burnout. Grace builds resilience; shame builds walls. Lead yourself with the same kindness you preach to others.

3. Cultivate a Resilient Spirit and Let Go of Numbing

Leaders hurt. That’s part of the deal. The difference between leaders who last and those who quit isn’t pain. It’s whether they process it or hide from it. So it’s okay to hurt. Just call it what it is and grow through the pain.

4. Cultivate Gratitude & Joy and Let Go of Scarcity

Scarcity says “there’s never enough.” Gratitude says, “God’s already provided.” Joy isn’t naive. It’s rebellion against cynicism.

5. Cultivate Faith & Intuition and Let Go of Certainty

Control is comforting, but it kills creativity. Faith requires movement without a road map. Trust God more than your spreadsheets and formalized plans.

6. Cultivate Creativity and Let Go of Comparison

Comparison steals contentment. You can’t lead freely while staring sideways. Be faithful to your calling, not another person’s highlight reel.

7. Cultivate Play & Rest and Let Go of Exhaustion as a Badge of Honor

Busyness isn’t a fruit of the Spirit. Leaders who never rest eventually have nothing left to give. Sabbath is your strongest leadership strategy.

8. Cultivate Calm & Stillness and Let Go of Anxiety as a Lifestyle

Anxious leaders create anxious teams. You set the tone. Lead from peace, not panic.

9. Cultivate Meaningful Work and Let Go of “Supposed To”

Purpose beats pressure. Don’t build a life around expectations. Build it around calling. Do the work that matters most. I try to live by the motto of only do what only you can do. I heard that at a conference years ago. It’s been a game changer for me most days.

10. Cultivate Laughter, Song, & Dance and Let Go of Control

If you’ve forgotten how to laugh, you’ve forgotten how to lead. Joy is magnetic. Freedom is contagious. People follow leaders who are alive.

Leading from Enough

Wholehearted leadership isn’t about soft feelings or sentimental slogans. It’s about leading from a place of enoughness. I know it’s not a word. It’s the realization that you are the one who is there for such a time as this.

When you stop hustling for worth and start leading from grace, everything changes. Your tone, your presence, your team’s trust, and your own soul. It’s like you and your team become brand new people.

Because the truth is, your people don’t need a perfect leader. They need a whole one.

What’s Next for the Blog (and Why I’m Excited About It)

October 24, 2025 / / 0 Comments

I’ve heard a few questions about why shift the focus? And that’s a great question! I think of it like a freeway system. Having more lanes is often a great way to free up congestion. Well there’s a lot more to life than just the part we see on Sunday. And frankly, if I’m asking the people in my circle to share their lives with the people in their circles then I should show you how it works in my own life.

Over the years, derrickhurst.org has lived mostly in the world of pastoring and discipleship. I’ve focused pretty solely on sermons, theology, church leadership, and the occasional rant about spiritual apathy. And that’s been good. But lately, I’ve been pulled to a bit of a new focus: Discipleship isn’t limited to Sunday mornings and coffee-shop Bible studies.

It happens when I’m swinging a shovel.

It happens when I’m training at the gym or even in my garage. Yeah even those times when I want to quit.

It happens when I share a pour of bourbon and engage in honest conversation with a friend under the stars.

It even happens when I’m arguing with weeds that keep winning the war in my garden.

So, starting next week, this blog gets a bit of a reboot. It will be this same old guy writing, with the same love for Jesus, simply using a wider lens.

Here’s what you can expect:

The Rhythm

  • Two posts every week.
    One will usually hit on faith, leadership, or discipleship. We’ll still consider that the core stuff.
    The other will explore the discipled life in the real world. Things like fitness, property work, bourbon reflections, simplicity, or the things that make us human will all be up for discussion. Some posts will be longer and others fairly short. But they’ll all be real, authentic, and me.
  • Bonus posts will pop up when the mood strikes, because sometimes a thought just won’t wait for the schedule.

The Voice

Still me. Still bold. Still calling things what they are. Still unapologetic.

Some posts will make you think; some might make you laugh; a few might make you uncomfortable and that’s kind of the point. Growth rarely happens in comfort zones.

The Goal

To explore what it looks like to follow Jesus in all of life. Not just as a pastor. Not just in church. But as a husband, dad, coach, neighbor, lifter, bourbon-sipper, and steward of a little patch of Ohio dirt.

So if you’ve been around for the ministry side, stick with me. You’ll still get plenty of that.

And if you’ve been waiting for something a little more real-life and raw, well you’re about to get it.

Starting next week, we’ll dig into gratitude, growth, and grace from the pulpit and the backyard.

It’s time to get a little more honest, a little more human, and maybe a little more fun. See you next week. Bring your coffee. Or your gloves. Or your glass. You decide.

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