Week 17
Week in Review
Monday February 4, 2019
Last night was Super Bowl LIII (53). We got the privilege to witness the greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady, win his 6th Super Bowl – the most Super Bowl wins by any quarterback, and a record that will never be broken by anyone else as long as we live. We also had seven accountability groups make a spread to share with everyone in the pod. We made so much food everyone got to eat. It brings the brothers together, both in Phase One and Phase Two. The game was okay.
Today in class, we tested on Microsoft Excel. It was not a hard test, and we all did very well. Gami J. spoke to us about graduation, which is five short weeks away. Everyone is excited and can’t wait to walk across that stage. We then moved on to art history, our “favorite” subject. Once all the excitement of art history was over with, we went to lunch.
After lunch, we had some fun with a trivia game. A few brothers were called out to the back of the room at random. In order to get to the front of the room you had to start at the back of the room and dance to the front of the room. We got asked questions from the study guide given to us in Phase One – this is subject matter we got tested on in October. So some did well and others not so much. The ones who answered correctly got a treat, and the ones who answered wrong got the Wheel of Doom. We closed the day with art history once again.
Aron A. (a.k.a. “Gabriel Iglesias”)
Tuesday February 5, 2019
As we move closer to graduation, you can sense the tension in class. Monday we had an unexpected test first thing in the morning after our pray-in, which consisted of the basics of Microsoft Excel. While we worked on the test, our Servant-Leaders were hard at work proofreading the thank you cards we wrote to send to the attendees of our last event. After our test, we did a few pray-outs for the PEP brothers who are going home soon. It’s always good to see them go home, knowing their family is getting a new and improved dad, brother or son. After pray-outs, we indulged in a round of art history learning the ins and outs of fine art from the 18th and 19th centuries. We never know if we might get a pop quiz, so we pay attention to the colorful art history professor in the videos.
Most days we do a double session, meaning a second meeting after lunch, and today was no different. In the second half, we had another surprise test which consisted of explicit instructions that, if not followed to the tee, resulted in a failing mark. Question one said, “Be sure to read the whole test before you begin” and subsequent answers turned out to be unnecessary, because question six clearly stated to only put your name on the test and hand it in. A lot of us missed the first step, so needless to say, many of us failed.
After that tricky curve ball, we had a round of American History, learning about the creation of New York City. We got a chance to sign some paperwork pertaining to graduation and greeting cards we will send to our families, which pretty much concluded the day. Lesson of the day: pay attention, and stay ready to keep from getting ready.
Reginald A. (a.k.a. “Jerome from Martin”)
Wednesday February 6, 2019
Today we did our Coats of Arms for our families, and it’s nice seeing all of us come together as brothers and be creative. It gives us the chance to fellowship and focus on something a little relaxed and fun, which we all feel is just as important as the other nine Driving Values. We also had the privilege to have fun. Gami informed us of our upcoming menu for graduation, and we might add that it is quite an appetizing treat. It also reminds us of how much closer we are to receiving our certificates from Baylor as our families proudly look on. We are all also excited about seeing our much-earned Redeemed ’19 plaque on the wall beside all of the other graduate plaques. We have all been working hard to get to this point as we just recently finished our Pitch Day event, which will help us get ready for the upcoming Business Plan Completion (BPC). So many executives here gave us positive feedback on our business plans. It makes our journey to become better men that much more rewarding, knowing that people take time out of their busy schedules to come and support PEP. Knowing it does not stop here is just a tremendous feeling of ongoing accomplishment, and we know that we can do anything as long as we stay focused.
PEP is not just a program – it’s a brotherhood of love and integrity. All of this would not have been possible without our Servant-Leaders who have already graduated the program. And now we are getting ready to help our graduate brothers in any way we can as our Phase One brothers transition into Phase Two graduates. As iron sharpens iron, we will all embrace positive change by helping each other become the men God has called us to be. We are PEP; we are Redeemed ’19!
Rodney B. (a.k.a. “Vanity Smurf”)
Thursday February 7, 2019
Thursday is my favorite day. I love learning about entrepreneurship – starting and running a business – and being responsible with my personal finances and credit. I have loved the character development and the accountability piece. But for me, Thursday is my opportunity to give back to the program that has given me so much. Being the emcee for the new class of Legendary ’19 has been the highest honor and joy to be given and the chance to cast vision into the lives of these participants. It has been even better to watch the change in them take place as they have started to hope: hope for a different future, a better future. Today they learned about creating purpose in their sons’ lives by adding ceremonies of significance to usher them into different stages of maturity on their way to manhood. Much like the effect of christening a knight, these ceremonies point to and linger upon them a higher, noble calling to authentic manhood.
To emphasize this lesson, Keith B. told of his experiences with his own son. I enjoyed the subsequent discussion where participants shared not only the struggles of how they have failed during parenting, but their renewed vision for what kind of parent they want to be, as well as the steps they know they need to take to get there. For many, discussions like this are the first time they have realized that maybe what they have been doing isn’t the best, and that possibly there is a better way. It gives the participants a blueprint to know the difference. That is the power of change and transformation in the character development portion of PEP. It takes what you previously thought to be impossible – to be a good parent, a successful businessman, or simply a man you are proud to be – and reframes it as possible. It gives you the tools to get there. Thursdays are great days.
Dustin B. (a.k.a. “Miley Cyrus”)
Expressions
“The things that are impossible with men are possible with God.”
~ Jesus Christ
This quote has been a huge part of my life and my personal testimony; it comes from the mouth of Jesus himself, as recorded in the gospel of Luke, 18th chapter, and verse 27. It is how God got my attention and got me on the path I’m on right now. I believe deep in my heart that it’s simply God’s will for my life. I’ve always tried to take on everything in life on my own, almost to the point of being selfish in a sense. Truth is, I was completely lost and without direction or purpose, but I thank God that He has made not only my incarceration possible and “less uneasy,” but my entire life in general led by the power of the Spirit of God. To this day, I still try to take each day on my own, but the Holy Spirit speaks and convicts me that I’m not alone and I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
With all that being said, no matter how big or small the challenges each day brings, I can and will make it through. He promises me that. I hope one day the whole world comes to believe in the true Son of God, Jesus, and will be lead to the Father who is in heaven.
Jeremy B. (a.k.a. “ZZ Top”)
Week 17
Week in Review
Monday February 4, 2019
Last night was Super Bowl LIII (53). We got the privilege to witness the greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady, win his 6th Super Bowl – the most Super Bowl wins by any quarterback, and a record that will never be broken by anyone else as long as we live. We also had seven accountability groups make a spread to share with everyone in the pod. We made so much food everyone got to eat. It brings the brothers together, both in Phase One and Phase Two. The game was okay.
Today in class, we tested on Microsoft Excel. It was not a hard test, and we all did very well. Gami J. spoke to us about graduation, which is five short weeks away. Everyone is excited and can’t wait to walk across that stage. We then moved on to art history, our “favorite” subject. Once all the excitement of art history was over with, we went to lunch.
After lunch, we had some fun with a trivia game. A few brothers were called out to the back of the room at random. In order to get to the front of the room you had to start at the back of the room and dance to the front of the room. We got asked questions from the study guide given to us in Phase One – this is subject matter we got tested on in October. So some did well and others not so much. The ones who answered correctly got a treat, and the ones who answered wrong got the Wheel of Doom. We closed the day with art history once again.
Aron A. (a.k.a. “Gabriel Iglesias”)
Tuesday February 5, 2019
As we move closer to graduation, you can sense the tension in class. Monday we had an unexpected test first thing in the morning after our pray-in, which consisted of the basics of Microsoft Excel. While we worked on the test, our Servant-Leaders were hard at work proofreading the thank you cards we wrote to send to the attendees of our last event. After our test, we did a few pray-outs for the PEP brothers who are going home soon. It’s always good to see them go home, knowing their family is getting a new and improved dad, brother or son. After pray-outs, we indulged in a round of art history learning the ins and outs of fine art from the 18th and 19th centuries. We never know if we might get a pop quiz, so we pay attention to the colorful art history professor in the videos.
Most days we do a double session, meaning a second meeting after lunch, and today was no different. In the second half, we had another surprise test which consisted of explicit instructions that, if not followed to the tee, resulted in a failing mark. Question one said, “Be sure to read the whole test before you begin” and subsequent answers turned out to be unnecessary, because question six clearly stated to only put your name on the test and hand it in. A lot of us missed the first step, so needless to say, many of us failed.
After that tricky curve ball, we had a round of American History, learning about the creation of New York City. We got a chance to sign some paperwork pertaining to graduation and greeting cards we will send to our families, which pretty much concluded the day. Lesson of the day: pay attention, and stay ready to keep from getting ready.
Reginald A. (a.k.a. “Jerome from Martin”)
Wednesday February 6, 2019
Today we did our Coats of Arms for our families, and it’s nice seeing all of us come together as brothers and be creative. It gives us the chance to fellowship and focus on something a little relaxed and fun, which we all feel is just as important as the other nine Driving Values. We also had the privilege to have fun. Gami informed us of our upcoming menu for graduation, and we might add that it is quite an appetizing treat. It also reminds us of how much closer we are to receiving our certificates from Baylor as our families proudly look on. We are all also excited about seeing our much-earned Redeemed ’19 plaque on the wall beside all of the other graduate plaques. We have all been working hard to get to this point as we just recently finished our Pitch Day event, which will help us get ready for the upcoming Business Plan Completion (BPC). So many executives here gave us positive feedback on our business plans. It makes our journey to become better men that much more rewarding, knowing that people take time out of their busy schedules to come and support PEP. Knowing it does not stop here is just a tremendous feeling of ongoing accomplishment, and we know that we can do anything as long as we stay focused.
PEP is not just a program – it’s a brotherhood of love and integrity. All of this would not have been possible without our Servant-Leaders who have already graduated the program. And now we are getting ready to help our graduate brothers in any way we can as our Phase One brothers transition into Phase Two graduates. As iron sharpens iron, we will all embrace positive change by helping each other become the men God has called us to be. We are PEP; we are Redeemed ’19!
Rodney B. (a.k.a. “Vanity Smurf”)
Thursday February 7, 2019
Thursday is my favorite day. I love learning about entrepreneurship – starting and running a business – and being responsible with my personal finances and credit. I have loved the character development and the accountability piece. But for me, Thursday is my opportunity to give back to the program that has given me so much. Being the emcee for the new class of Legendary ’19 has been the highest honor and joy to be given and the chance to cast vision into the lives of these participants. It has been even better to watch the change in them take place as they have started to hope: hope for a different future, a better future. Today they learned about creating purpose in their sons’ lives by adding ceremonies of significance to usher them into different stages of maturity on their way to manhood. Much like the effect of christening a knight, these ceremonies point to and linger upon them a higher, noble calling to authentic manhood.
To emphasize this lesson, Keith B. told of his experiences with his own son. I enjoyed the subsequent discussion where participants shared not only the struggles of how they have failed during parenting, but their renewed vision for what kind of parent they want to be, as well as the steps they know they need to take to get there. For many, discussions like this are the first time they have realized that maybe what they have been doing isn’t the best, and that possibly there is a better way. It gives the participants a blueprint to know the difference. That is the power of change and transformation in the character development portion of PEP. It takes what you previously thought to be impossible – to be a good parent, a successful businessman, or simply a man you are proud to be – and reframes it as possible. It gives you the tools to get there. Thursdays are great days.
Dustin B. (a.k.a. “Miley Cyrus”)
Expressions
“The things that are impossible with men are possible with God.”
~ Jesus Christ
This quote has been a huge part of my life and my personal testimony; it comes from the mouth of Jesus himself, as recorded in the gospel of Luke, 18th chapter, and verse 27. It is how God got my attention and got me on the path I’m on right now. I believe deep in my heart that it’s simply God’s will for my life. I’ve always tried to take on everything in life on my own, almost to the point of being selfish in a sense. Truth is, I was completely lost and without direction or purpose, but I thank God that He has made not only my incarceration possible and “less uneasy,” but my entire life in general led by the power of the Spirit of God. To this day, I still try to take each day on my own, but the Holy Spirit speaks and convicts me that I’m not alone and I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
With all that being said, no matter how big or small the challenges each day brings, I can and will make it through. He promises me that. I hope one day the whole world comes to believe in the true Son of God, Jesus, and will be lead to the Father who is in heaven.
Jeremy B. (a.k.a. “ZZ Top”)