Links & Quotes

November 7, 2026 — Craig T. Owens

One of the best pieces of leadership advice I’ve ever received: Slow down to touch people. Leaders have full agendas everyday, but they cannot miss opportunities to connect with the people they lead.

I have a lot of new video content on my YouTube channel every week. Please check it out and subscribe so you don’t miss anything.

“I would rather be what God chose to make me than the most glorious creature that I could think of, for to have been thought about, born in God’s thought, and then made by God, is the dearest, grandest, and most precious thing in all thinking.” —George MacDonald 

“Trials come to prove and improve us.” —Augustine 

An interesting overview of the Jewish names and activities of the disciples of Jesus. 

“We participate in the culture of our times because we are creatures of our times. We can’t escape the artifacts, institutions, and conventions of our day; however, we are at the same time citizens of a heavenly realm, and we serve a higher Authority than our unsaved neighbors, follow a different moral code, and seek a different City than they do (Hebrews 12:22-24). Thus, all we do in this world, all the ways we make and use culture—even down to how we take our meals (1 Corinthians 10:31)—should declare to those we engage with us that our cultural norms and use lie beyond their sight in a world where beauty, goodness, truth, righteousness, peace, and joy are the order of the day.” —T.M. Moore 

“You can never give another person that which you have found, but you can make him homesick for what you have.” —Oswald Chambers 

Ernie Johnson, a hall of fame sportscaster, announced his retirement. Breakpoint shared a blog post about this entitled, “Only this could silence Charles Barkley.” Here’s what is so noteworthy about Johnson and his career.

“God is preparing His heroes; and when the opportunity comes, He can fit them into their places in a moment, and the world will wonder where they came from.” —A.B. Simpson 

“By universal evolutionism I mean the belief that the very formula of universal process is from imperfect to perfect, from small beginnings to great endings, from the rudimentary to the elaborate, the belief which makes people find it natural to think that morality springs from savage taboos, adult sentiment from infantile sexual maladjustments, thought from instinct, mind from matter, organic from inorganic, cosmos from chaos. This is perhaps the deepest habit of mind in the contemporary world. It seems to me immensely unplausible, because it makes the general course of nature so very unlike those parts of nature we can observe.” —C.S. Lewis, in The Weight of Glory 

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Links & Quotes

October 31, 2026 — Craig T. Owens

2 Peter 1:3 tells us that the divine power of Jesus has given us everything we need to live a God-honoring life. Jesus did the work so that we could do the work! Without His work, we are unable to do anything for ourselves.

I have a lot of new video content on my YouTube channel every week. Please check it out and subscribe so you don’t miss anything.

“A rule of thumb for organizing your work strategy: Work where you are strongest 80% of the time, work where you are learning 15% of the time, work where you are weak 5% of the time.” —John Maxwell 

“A July 2026 study of immune cells found that cell function depends not only on genes and proteins, but also on how those parts are linked.” Check out new findings that continue to point to the genius of our Creator God! 

Then looking at how our blood vessels grow is another astounding discovery of the mind-blowing engineering of God’s design. “For a new blood vessel to grow in a useful direction, several steps must stay coordinated. The cell must detect force, pass that signal inward, change its activity, and remodel nearby tissue. At the same time, the growing vessel must keep its structure and function. The study shows these linked steps working together as one controlled response.” All of these intricacies point to an all-wise Creator!

This year marks the 500th anniversary of the first printed version of the Bible in English: the Tyndale Bible. Here is a remarkable historical account of William Tyndale and what the British Library called “the most important printed book in the English language.”

“Our pilgrimage on earth cannot be exempt from trial. We progress by means of trial. No one knows himself except through trial, or receives a crown except after victory, or strives except against an enemy or temptations.” —Augustine 

“The Azusa Street Revival (1906-1909) in Los Angeles and the African-American pastor of the Azusa Street Mission, William Seymour, have become iconic symbols of the Pentecostal movement. However, historians and participants in the revival point to a lesser-known Baptist pastor and graduate of Spurgeon’s College, Joseph Smale, who helped prepare Los Angeles for the revival.” Read more about Pastor Smale and the revival he ushered in. 

“Pilate hoped Jesus would defend Himself. Justice could be served and the whole matter put to rest if only the accused would speak, if only He would answer Pilate’s questions and, you know, help him a little bit. But the just outcome Jesus was seeking in silence before Pilate was of a much higher order than what the governor had in mind. And He knew that, for divine justice to be served in His situation, all human injustice must have its way.” —T.M. Moore 

“I do not perceive that John says, ‘Blessed are they that understand this Book,’ for, surely, they would be very few. I do not doubt that there are portions of Scripture which are not meant to be understood as yet—things concerning the future which are wrapped up in a phraseology which will be plain enough when that future arrives, but which for the present are not intended so much to gratify our curiosity as to stimulate our watchfulness. To keep us constantly on the look out, is the main object of every revelation concerning the future.” —Charles Spurgeon, commenting on Revelation 1:3 

Cold-case detective J. Warner Wallace uses three “chapter ones” from Scripture to make the case that Jesus really is God. And then check out this video where Wallace explains how we can trust the veracity of accounts of the virgin birth of Jesus, as recorded in the Gospels. 

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The King’s Currency

June 17, 2026 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.  

Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance (James 1:3). 

Dr. Henry Halley noted, “Perseverance here transcends the idea of bearing affliction; it includes the idea of standing fast under pressure, with a staying power that turns adversities into opportunities.” The opportunity is to allow my life to be valuable currency for my King to use for His pleasure and purpose. 

The Greek word for “testing” has several aspects to it, but all of them point to this truth: God desires purity, and He is the final Judge on the value of my purity. It has been said that the only faith that can be trusted is a faith that has been tested—and passed the test! 

James in this verse, and Peter in 1 Peter 1:7, are the only New Testament writers to use the Greek word dokimion, which means testing for purity and genuineness. 

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. (1 Peter 1:7 NLT) 

These verses insist that God has a loving and specific purpose in His refining process. The Septuagint uses dokimion when David declares the absolute purity—and the standard of all purity—that is found in God’s Word: The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times (Psalm 12:6). 

James says this purifying process “produces perseverance.” Paul takes this a step further in saying that perseverance produces character (Romans 5:4). This word for character is the word from which dokimion comes: dokime. This is defined as a proven character, or having received the the stamp of approval from God. Paul uses this word again…

Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. (2 Corinthians 2:9) 

But you know [Timothy’s] proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. (Philippians 2:22) 

All of this testing and refining and proving is to make me valuable for God’s use, and to be one who points others to Him. 

Dokime comes from dokimos, which James uses this way: “Having stood the test” (James 1:12). Other translations of this phrase read: 

  • When he has been approved (NKJV) 
  • The man who doesn’t give in (TLB) 
  • Proven to be genuine (NET) 

Dokime means beings pleasing, acceptable, and valuable to God and men. It is money of undiminished value—currency of the highest purity. Just as monarchs would have their image stamped into the metal of the official coinage of their realm, the stamp of approval on my life comes from God but is seen by men and valued by men—

Because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval (Romans 14:18). 

Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test (Romans 16:10). 

For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends (2 Corinthians 10:18). 

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). 

This is why I must “consider it pure joy” (James 1:2) when God puts me through His purifying process. He sees value in me that is not yet currency that can be placed into circulation. He wants my life to be spendable for His glory, so He loving removes anything that would diminish His image being seen in the currency of my life. 

As the Christmas hymn captures: “Adam’s likeness now efface; stamp Thine image in its place”! 

Make me valuable and useful for You, my King. Purify me and put me into circulation for Your glory. 

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The Craig And Greg Show: Growth From The Hard Road

April 16, 2026 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible. 

Think back to some of the hard times you’ve been through. Do those times conjure up fond memories and a longing to return to yesteryear? Of course not! Most people do their best to forget these moments as quickly as possible, but a mature leader recognizes the value of the suffering they’ve endured. Join us for today’s episode as we discuss how your most painful moments have the potential to be your biggest opportunities for growth.

  • [0:00] Introduction
  • [0:16] During this episode you might be saying, “I don’t want to go there!”
  • [2:03] Growth comes from switching from, “How do I get out of this?” to “What can I get out of this?”
  • [3:08] Why do we avoid that painful lessons that could help us grow?
  • [4:53] Greg shares about a learning experience from his football career.
  • [6:13] My rough season led to a book called When Sheep Bite.
  • [8:15] We have to practice learning in difficult seasons.
  • [10:00] Pain can show us what needs to be changed to realize growth opportunities.
  • [13:02] Greg asks me what is one thing that held me back from learning from adversity.
  • [14:55] Greg shares what held him back earlier in his leadership journey.
  • [16:52] I have learned an important first response in difficult times.
  • [18:53] Sometimes we need an outside mentor to help us see where we’re struggling.
  • [22:00] “Your hardest times often lead to some of your greatest moments.”
  • [22:49] Here’s how Maximize Leadership can help you navigate your hard roads.

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8 Quotes from “Leading In Tough Times”

April 7, 2026 — Craig T. Owens

Everyone faces tough times, but leaders who encounter these difficult times have the opportunity to help their teams thrive or fall during this time. John Maxwell shares the challenges leader face in these situations, and how they can overcome them and help successfully bring others along as well. Check out my full book review of Leading in Tough Times. 

“Good leaders understand that adversity and challenges are actually opportunities to rise up in leadership.

  1. Adversity introduces us to ourselves
  2. Adversity is a better teacher than success
  3. Adversity opens doors for new opportunities
  4. Adversity writes our story if our response is right” 

“How do people overcome problems, challenges, and difficulties? They make changes. Improvement requires change. Innovation requires change. Seizing opportunities requires change. … As a leader in tough times, you need to become a change agent. You need to help others embrace positive change, even when it takes them outside their comfort zone. You need to help them get results, even when they worry that it might not be possible.” 

“There is no downside to adding value to people. Yes, it will cost you time and effort. But when you add value to people, you help them and make them more valuable.” 

“If you lead people who are falling short of their potential, you need to start asking why. Have you put them in their strength zones? Are you providing the training and resources they need to be successful? Is there something they need that you’re not giving? You always need to make sure you are not the problem before you look to see where the problem is.” 

“If you are a leader, the true measure of your success is not getting people to work. It’s not getting people to work hard. It is getting people to work hard together.” 

“In times of difficulty, relationships are a shelter. In terms of opportunity, they are a launching pad. Trust is required for people to feel safe enough to create, share, question, attempt, and risk. Without it, leadership is weak and teamwork is impossible.” 

“One of the best ways to persuade others is with your ears. That may seem counterintuitive, because we expect persuasion to involve speaking. But when a leader listens to members of the team, that act gives the leader greater credibility and therefore influence. In contrast, when team members no longer believe that their leader listens to understand them, they start looking around for someone who will.” 

“Care and candor must be in balance. Care without candor creates dysfunctional relationships. Candor without care creates distant relationships. But care balanced with candor creates developing relationships. … Caring values the person while candor values the person’s potential.” 

My Patreon supporters have access to all of the quotes I shared from this book. You can join them to get exclusive content and early access to other content by becoming a supporter today.

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Leading In Tough Times (book review)

March 17, 2026 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible. 

Some people have a misconception about leadership that John Maxwell dispels in the opening words of his book Leading in Tough Times. He writes, “Good leaders understand that adversity and challenges are actually opportunities to rise up in leadership.” 

In fact, I would say that some of the best leaders have gone through some of the toughest of times, learning lessons that have set them apart as an exemplary leader. 

Tough times come to every organization—no matter its size—but leaders who will seize the opportunity to navigate the difficulty successfully will grow both themselves and the organization they lead. That’s because there are some lessons that can be learned in no other way than to grow through difficulties. 

If those statements inspired you, then Leading in Tough Times is the book for you! As he does in all of his books, John Maxwell culls the best advice from the best sources and distills it down into actionable steps for leaders who are ready to learn. In this book, Mr. Maxwell shares seven challenges that give leaders opportunities not just to go through difficulties, but to grow through difficulties. 

If you are in a challenging season right now, this book could be a lifeline for you. If you aren’t in a difficult season right now, use this book as a training manual for both you and the emerging leaders around you to prepare for the next challenge. After all, the challenging times are inevitable, but our growth as leaders in these times is entirely up to us. 

►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎

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In Dire Straits

December 30, 2025 — Craig T. Owens

dire straits:
[dahyuhr streyts]   / ˈdaɪər ˈstreɪts /
→ very difficult circumstances.

In Psalm 142, David relates the dire straits he was in:
Enemies closing in.
Trapped in a dead-end cave.
No one around to help.

I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me. (Psalm 142:4 NLT)

When there is no earthly way you can get out of the jam you’re in, it’s a perfect time for God to show you that He cares enough to do what no one else can do or will do!

Don’t throw in the towel; throw your hands up to God.

Then I pray to You, O Lord. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life.” (Psalm 142:5 NLT) 

If you are in dire straits, you may also want to check out: 

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The Change From “Why?” To Worship

November 5, 2025 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.

On this episode of The Podcast, let’s talk about seeing something brighter in the darkest of times. 

Check out all of the Scriptures I reference in this video here. 

You may seem some glimmers of light in your dark place—like Paul did in the Roman prison—but even if you don’t see anything but darkness, make the choice to worship. I need to remind myself that God has a plan for my life and that He is working out all the details for my good and to bring glory to Himself. 

Let’s change our self-focused “Why me?” to God-focused worship as we say, “Thank You, Jesus, that You are using me to build Your kingdom!” 

You may also be interested in:

►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎

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Tried And Tested

May 9, 2025 — Craig T. Owens

Moreover, [God] called for a famine upon the land of Egypt; He cut off every source of bread [Genesis 41:54]. He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold as a servant [Genesis 45:5; 50:20, 21]. His feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in chains of iron and his soul entered into the iron, until his word to his cruel brothers came true, until the word of the Lord tried and tested him. The king sent and loosed him, even the ruler of the peoples, and let him go free. He made Joseph Lord of his house and ruler of all his substance [Genesis 41:40]. To bind his princes at his pleasure and teach his elders wisdom. (Psalm 105:16-22 AMPC) 

“The word of the Lord tried and tested him.” When we cling to God’s promises despite the seemingly impossible circumstances we are in, that faithful clinging matures us. It both softens our heart and strengthens our trust in God. 

Before going through the difficulties, Joseph wasn’t ready to operate effectively in such a lofty leadership position. God uses all things to mold us and shape us for His purpose (Romans 8:28). We certainly see a more mature Joseph standing before Pharaoh than we saw interacting with his brothers earlier in his life. 

God called Joseph and he prepared Joseph. All that was lacking was Joseph’s faithful clinging to God and yielding to God’s maturing process. The end result was one of the most impactful leaders that history has ever known! 

I blogged more about Joseph:

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What Fills Me?

March 21, 2025 — Craig T. Owens

When swelling and pride come, then emptiness and shame come also, but with the humble (those who are lowly, who have been pruned or chiseled by trial, and renounce self) are skillful and godly Wisdom and soundness. (Proverbs 11:2 AMPC) 

The pruning, trials, and discipline the Lord allows us to experience are for an important purpose: To allow ourselves to be emptied of ourselves. This humility that empties us of ourselves makes room for us to be full of the presence of God. 

On the other hand, remaining full of yourself—also called “pride”—will also bring an emptiness. But this emptiness comes with shame and is absent of God’s fulfilling presence. 

You and I must choose one or the other: humility before God or pride in ourselves.

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