Stop and Smell the Roses

by Mason Rutledge, President Are you seeing sprouts from seeds that were planted during the struggles of this season? These roses are from our garden. I did not plant them. They were placed decades ago by another homeowner. They worked the soil, dealt with the fledging sprouts, shoveled the rank compost, nurtured the growth, pruning, […]

SUP in a Pandemic

by Mason Rutledge, President For the last 15 days, I have been learning to stand. You see, I purchased a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) about two weeks ago. Learning to ride, I found the top ten tips for successfully “SUPing:” Use a Leash. Choose the Right Gear. Check Wind Direction. Learn the correct paddling technique. Correctly Engage […]

Stand Up. Look Up.

Recently speaking to a group, they asked repeatedly for a handout. I wanted to provide it, but I only had two points. The presentation would appear ill-prepared and lacking if the white, 8-½ by 11 sheet of paper listed only: Stand up. Look up. The talk was that simple on paper. It is so much […]

Remembering “The Great Three Hours” at Work

Fifteen ways you can remember Golgotha today, while at work or as a part of your Good Friday afternoon: Wear black to symbolize the mourning of Christ’s death. Observe a day of fasting and abstinence. Specifically, fast from bread as a reminder of the Bread of Life. Shut off the distractions. Turn off your phone, […]

Stand Up Anniversary

by Mason Rutledge, President “This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing, because we need each other! In fact, we should come together more frequently…” Hebrews 10:25a (The Passion Translation). It was one-year ago yesterday that COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. On this […]

The COVID CARES Strategy

by Paul Adams, Founder/CEO of Sound Financial Group and C3 Member We have seen our country go through unprecedented change in 2020.  Along with a contentious presidential election that seems to have gone into overtime, we have been faced with the challenges of a global pandemic.  This unprecedented pandemic came with some unprecedented action on […]

The Call to Initiate

by Mason Rutledge, President For the C3 Leaders’ B2B Devotional on the Prologue to John’s Gospel, I’ve been working on the devotion for John 1:14, the first half of which reads, The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (NIV) or The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood (The […]

November Comes Before December

by Mason Rutledge, President Life has certainly been loaded. There is an election. Property taxes are due. There is a global pandemic. And it’s supposed to rain the rest of the week. Don’t let the election ads or vote totals keep you from being thankful. Don’t let a pandemic cover your praise. Rain will fall, […]

Emotional Preparedness for Colder Weather

Adapted from the New York Times, originally printed October 11, 2020 Summer and a warm fall brought pandemic relief with outdoor brunches, rambling walks, and beers on the stoop — yet in the latest of 2020’s cruel twist, the plunge in temperature may cause a surge in infections and stress. “We’re moving from spring mode to marathon […]