How Well God Must Like You: An Everyday Maverick Reflection


How Well God Must Like You: An Everyday Maverick Reflection

Like (verb):

to feel delight in, to enjoy the presence or character of someone; to find pleasure in who they are, not merely what they do.


Oh! Did you Know that God likes you?

We often speak about God’s love — unconditional, powerful, unquestionable. But Scripture quietly suggests something even more personal: God likes you.

Psalm 1 opens not with commands, but with affirmation — a description of a life that has chosen alignment over conformity, depth over drift. And it begins with a line that feels almost scandalous in its simplicity:

“How well God must like you—
you don’t walk in the ruts of those blind-as-bats,
you don’t stand with the good-for-nothings,
you don’t take your seat among the know-it-alls.”
— Psalm 1:1 (MSG)
Read the full passage here

Liked, Not Just Loved

We often celebrate God’s love — and rightly so. But liking implies delight, joy, and relationship.

To be liked means you’re not a project to be fixed, but a person to be enjoyed.

For the Everyday Maverick, this changes everything. It’s about choosing a life that thrills to truth and rejects shallow conformity.

Refusing the Ruts

“You don’t walk in the ruts of those blind-as-bats…”

Ruts feel safe because they’re familiar. They’re well-worn, socially approved, and unchallenging.

Everyday Mavericks don’t rebel for rebellion’s sake — they refuse to live on autopilot. They question narratives, challenge shallow wisdom, and decline seats at tables that demand compromise.

A Different Source of Strength

“Instead you thrill to God’s Word;
you chew on Scripture day and night.”

This is intentional, embodied engagement. Mavericks don’t just scroll truth — they sit with it, chew on it, wrestle with it, and return to it again.

What you feed on shapes who you become. Depth becomes an act of rebellion in a distracted world.

Replanted on Purpose

“You’re a tree replanted in Eden,
bearing fresh fruit every month,
never dropping a leaf,
always in blossom.”

Replanted means you were moved intentionally. Not random. Not accidental.

An Everyday Maverick understands this: where you’re planted determines what you produce. Rooted people don’t panic in storms. They bear fruit in season — and out of season.

Two Roads, One Choice

“God charts the road you take.
The road they take leads to nowhere.”

This is the quiet confidence of the Maverick life. You don’t need to shout. You don’t need to compete. You don’t need to explain every decision.

God charts your road — and that’s enough.

Final Thoughts: The Everyday Maverick Faith

This reflection is dedicated to Alexis and Zoey — and to every Everyday Maverick learning to trust a different path.

Never underestimate God’s love for you.
And never forget — He likes you.

Walk boldly. Stay rooted. And don’t be afraid to take the road less travelled. That’s where Mavericks are made.

Shalom!

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HIS Story: How Wise Mavericks Learn Without Repeating Mistakes

Philosophy is the disciplined pursuit of wisdom—an intentional practice of learning how to think, live, and choose well. Rooted in reflection, history, and lived experience, philosophy invites us to learn not only from our own mistakes but from the successes and failures of those who came before us. In HIS Story, this way of thinking comes alive: history becomes a teacher, wisdom becomes a shortcut, and transformation becomes a conscious choice. By engaging the past with humility and insight, we position ourselves to live with greater purpose, alignment, and meaning—reducing repetition, refining direction, and stepping closer to our divine calling.


HIS Story

Do we learn from history—or are we condemned to repeat it?

How often do we find ourselves making the same old mistakes—ours, or worse, mistakes we’ve already seen others make?

My father, Harold Samuel Nicholls, once said something to me that has echoed through my life ever since:

“You are the youngest in the family. Watch your siblings closely. Don’t make the same mistakes they do.”

It was a simple sentence, but a profound lesson.

That moment taught me something counter-cultural:
You don’t have to experience every mistake firsthand to learn from it.
Wisdom allows us to borrow insight from the lives, failures, and victories of others.

I’ve tried to weave this philosophy into how I think, lead, and live. And yet, if I’m honest, I haven’t applied it as consistently or as intentionally as I should. This principle—when fully embraced—has the power to accelerate growth and elevate life to dimensions we often only dream about.

Scripture captures this truth with sobering clarity:
“My people perish for lack of knowledge.”

Not lack of effort.
Not lack of passion.
Lack of knowledge.

History—personal, communal, and spiritual—is a teacher. Ignoring it doesn’t make us brave or independent; it makes us vulnerable to repetition.

So here’s the invitation:
Let’s increase our rate of transformation by reducing our errors to absurdly low levels.
Let’s learn from past pain instead of romanticising it.
Let’s plan wisely, not react emotionally.

In Hebrew, the word “sin” literally means “to miss the mark.”
To sin is not merely to break rules—it is to miss God’s intention, to fall short of alignment.

When we grow in knowledge, wisdom, and historical understanding, we don’t just become smarter—we become more aligned. More intentional. More capable of stepping into the purpose we were designed for.

This is HIS story.
And when we pay attention to it, it reshapes ours.

Shalom!

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Building Your Dream Occupation: How to Find Purpose, Fulfillment, and Success at Work

Occupation Defined

Your occupation is more than just a job—it’s the way you engage with the world daily, the role you play, and the impact you make. It is the expression of your purpose, skills, and passion, shaping both your life and the lives of others.


 

Building the Dream Occupation

What Drives Us to Work

Why do we work? At its core, work is a pursuit of happiness. But what is happiness? It’s personal, unique to each individual, yet it rests on two foundational principles:

  1. Societal Contribution: The work we do must create value in the world, leaving a positive impact on others.

  2. Personal Fulfillment: The effort we invest must bring a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

In essence, true satisfaction comes when what we give to the world is returned in a meaningful way.

Every person has a purpose—a “Why”—that lives in their heart. Until you pursue your goals, your true dreams, you cannot feel complete in your occupation. Purpose fuels resilience. It provides hope. And hope is the most powerful tool a human being possesses. Without it, we stagnate; with it, we can overcome any obstacle.

Defining Work

Let’s examine the term occupation. It comes from the root word “occupied”. Your occupation is what fills your days—your consistent engagement, contribution, and labor.

Your occupation is anything you actively engage in, so choose wisely.

Seek Knowledge

To fulfill your purpose, education is essential. Knowledge empowers you to serve effectively. As the Hebrew prophet Hosea said, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.”

But knowledge alone is not enough—it must be applied. Education is holistic, touching body, mind, and spirit:

  • Spirit: Understand your true identity. Know who you are.

  • Mind: Clarify your goals. Understand what you aim to achieve.

  • Body: Master the skills and take the actions required to reach your goals.

This requires a commitment to both formal and informal learning, without limits. Study relentlessly, apply your knowledge, and grow continuously.

Last Word

Never allow your environment to define your potential. Use whatever resources are available—your skills, your tools, your creativity—to grow, build, and advance. Every step you take brings you closer to creating the occupation of your dreams.

 Shalom!

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Location: South Africa

From Failure to Success: Mastering the 5 P’s to Create Thriving Businesses

What is Success?

Success is the consistent pursuit of goals with courage, focus, and adaptability. On the Maverick journey, it’s measured by growth, impact, and the ability to turn setbacks into opportunities.



 

The 5 P’s Every Maverick Entrepreneur Must Master

Starting a business is not just theory—it’s lived experience. Over the past two decades, I’ve had both failures and successes while creating and growing enterprises. What I’ve learned is that success consistently ties back to five critical factors, commonly called the 5 P’s. Understand what you control and how to adapt to your environment, and you’ll progress faster toward your goals, becoming more productive on your journey of Becoming Maverick.

1. Product – Solve Real Problems

Your product or service must address a real need. It doesn’t matter how innovative it is—if it doesn’t solve a problem, it won’t sell. My failures often came from products that weren’t desired; my successes came when I truly understood customer needs. Always focus on value.

2. Place – Position for Visibility

Where you sell matters. Whether it’s an online store, a physical shop, or a hybrid model, the right place amplifies your chances of success. Choose locations or platforms where your target audience already spends time. Poor placement can kill a business quickly.

3. Price – Balance Value and Profit

Pricing is more than numbers; it communicates value. Too high and you risk losing customers; too low and you undermine your brand and profitability. Research, test, and adapt your pricing strategy. My lessons here came from both underpricing and overpricing mistakes—but adapting fast made all the difference.

4. Promotion – Communicate Value Authentically

Promotion isn’t about tricking customers—it’s about informing, educating, and building trust. Manipulative marketing may yield a quick sale, but loyal, long-term relationships drive sustainable growth. Customer retention beats one-time wins every time.

5. People – The Most Critical P

Without people, your business is dead. This includes customers, employees, partners, and even seemingly small connections. Some of my biggest opportunities came from unexpected relationships. Treat everyone with respect; nurture your network—it’s the lifeblood of your enterprise.

Key Takeaways from My Journey

  • Experiment and Adapt: No two businesses are identical; the environment changes constantly.

  • Learn from Failure: Every mistake teaches which P needs attention or adjustment.

  • Control What You Can: Focus on what’s within your influence, and adapt to what you can’t control.

  • Start Now: Delay gives competitors the chance to capture the opportunity.

Success in business isn’t a straight path—it’s a journey of learning, adapting, and applying the 5 P’s in every decision. Master them, and you’ll create enterprises that thrive while progressing in your personal journey of Becoming Maverick.

Final Thought: Your Maverick Moment

The 5 P’s are more than business principles—they are your map to freedom, growth, and impact. You have the power to shape your journey, learn from every setback, and turn every challenge into an opportunity.

So, don’t wait for the perfect moment or the “right conditions.” Start now. Test, adapt, and keep moving forward. Every small action compounds into progress.

Mavericks don’t just dream—they act. Take control of your product, your place, your price, your promotion, and most importantly, your people. Build something that matters. Leave a mark. And remember: the world needs your unique contribution—so step boldly, act wisely, and become the Maverick you were born to be.

Shalom!

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Image source: https://www.pexels.com/@august-de-richelieu/

You can read more on these P's  in an article by ALEXANDRA TWIN published on Investopia.

See the link below.


https://www.investopedia.com/contributors/54405/

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The Key to Life: Faith, Relationships, and Favour




The Key to Life: Faith, Relationships, and Favour

In psychology and social science, love is defined as a committed pattern of care, attachment, and action that seeks the good of another. Scripture echoes this truth: love and faithfulness are not emotions to feel but virtues to live. Proverbs 3:3 teaches that when love is embodied and expressed through our relationships and work, it shapes character, builds trust, and brings favour with God and people.

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” — Proverbs 3:3



There Is a Formula for Favour

In the Christian faith, Jesus Christ is the ultimate source of life. His death and resurrection stand at the very centre of Christianity, not only as theological truths but as living principles that shape how we engage with the world.

God is extraordinary.

Yet God is also both natural and supernatural.

As God’s children, we are called to understand both natural truths and spiritual truths if we are to live effectively on this side of paradise. Faith is not disconnected from real life; it is meant to inform how we work, relate, lead, and serve.

The Cross as the Key to Life

For a moment, imagine “The Key to Life” shaped like a cross.

According to Scripture, Jesus died on a cross, and throughout history Christians have used the cross as a symbol of devotion, sacrifice, and redemption. But beyond symbolism, the cross carries a powerful relational lesson.

The vertical beam represents humanity’s relationship with the Creator.

The horizontal beam represents our relationship with other people.

These are the two primary relationships every human being must navigate.

Taking a Closer Look at the Horizontal Beam

Let’s zoom in on the horizontal line of the cross.

This line represents interpersonal relationships — how we treat people, how we build trust, and how we steward connection.

We often underestimate just how important relationships are.

If you were asked what you need to start a business, you would likely list capital, skills, strategy, or resources. Financing would probably be at the top.

But I would argue that the most important item on that list should be relationships.

The quality of your relationships determines the quality of your life.

This truth applies just as much in the corporate world as it does in personal life. The old saying, “It’s not so much what you know, but who you know,” may sound uncomfortable — but it contains a great deal of truth.

Everything flows from and is sustained by relationships. When money is no longer an option, when systems fail, and when plans collapse, relationships are often what carry us through.

If you pause long enough to reflect, you will likely reach the same conclusion.

Let’s Get Personal

When I look back on my life, I can clearly see that people have played a direct role in both the highs and the lows I’ve experienced.

Modern systems increasingly push us away from human interaction and toward screens, platforms, and devices. Yet no app has ever replaced the power of genuine human connection.

Every system, device, and piece of software is ultimately designed, owned, and operated by a person.

The last few years have been especially challenging. However, because of the relationships my wife and I have intentionally nurtured over time — both personally and professionally — we didn’t just survive the storms of life.

We triumphed.

We grew in resilience, perspective, and depth. Was it easy? No. But it was progressive.

Out of respect for those relationships, I won’t share specific examples on a public platform. Their integrity matters too.

(A deeper conversation can take place during our next Coffee session.)

A Call to Live with Intentional Integrity

Let me leave you with this encouragement:

Treat every human being with love, dignity, and respect.

Let your actions give weight to your words.

Live with high integrity and pursue quality in all areas of life.

Get personal. Pay attention to the small details in the lives of those you interact with — both professionally and personally. Those details matter more than we realise.

Meditate on This

Proverbs 3:1–6

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Engage

Take a moment to reflect on these verses. How are you living out love, faithfulness, and integrity in your relationships and work? Share your thoughts in the comments below — your perspective can inspire others on their Maverick journey.



We've all come to learn.

Please be kind and express your thoughts in the comments.

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Rejection Is Not the End: Turning “No” Into Strength, Growth, and Excellence

Excellence

Excellence is the continuous pursuit of personal growth and improvement, focusing on becoming your best self without limits, comparison, or the need for perfection.


Rejection Is Not the End: Turning “No” Into Strength, Growth, and Excellence

How rejection builds resilience, confidence, and emotional maturity

This post is dedicated to every young man who has spent hours, days, or even months wondering how to approach the girl who made him forget how words work.

You finally summon the courage.

You step forward.

You speak.

“What?”

she asks.

You try again.

“No.”

No pause.
No consideration.
No mercy.

Sometimes it’s worse.

“Heck no.”
“Get away, creep.”

And just like that, the pain hits—sudden, sharp, and total.

Your chest tightens.
Your confidence collapses.
Your soul wants to crawl into a hole and disappear.

You’ve been rejected.

And it hurts. Bad.

My Story of “No”

This story isn’t just about romance.

It’s about life.

Because every one of us—at some point—has poured everything we had into something only to be rejected.

You might be:

  • A salesperson chasing a deal

  • An artist sharing your work

  • A student awaiting results

  • A pastor pouring into people

  • A leader launching a project

You invested time, love, passion, energy—maybe even money.

And then came the answer:

No.

Ouch.

When Rejection Hits, Everything in You Wants to Quit

When rejection lands, your instinct is primal:

Quit.
Give up.
Disappear.
Die a little.

So here’s the controversial advice:

Do it.

Yes.
Quit.
Die.
Enter the hole.

But do it intentionally.

Not to stay there—
but to heal.

Emotional Healing After Rejection (This Part Matters)

Find a safe place where you can:

Don’t store rejection for later.
Stored pain leaks out sideways.

If needed, find someone you trust—someone who can listen without fixing, judging, or minimizing.

Then, when the healing has happened…

Come back out.

The Power of Psychological Death

Here’s the truth most people never learn:

Once you’ve died emotionally and returned, fear loses its power.

This “death” is not physical.
It’s psychological, emotional, and spiritual.

It’s the moment you accept:

  • You cannot control other people’s choices

  • You are fully responsible for your response

And that realization?

That’s strength.

When you stop fearing rejection, you stop living cautiously.
You stop shrinking.
You stop asking permission to exist.

Rejection Builds Confidence—If You Let It

To overcome your fear of rejection, you must go deeper.

Ask harder questions:

  • How can I grow from this?

  • What can I improve?

  • Who am I becoming through this process?

Search deeper.
Think broader.
Create better.

This journey of growth has a name.

It’s called Excellence.

Excellence vs Perfection (Know the Difference)

Perfection is about meeting a standard.

And standards have limits.

Once you hit perfection, there’s nowhere to go.

Excellence is different.

  • Excellence is growth without limits

  • Excellence is self‑development for your own sake

  • Excellence is not comparison

  • Excellence is not performance

Everyone is capable of excellence.
Everyone can improve.

And excellence never ends.

What If They Still Don’t Like It?

You can pour everything into a project.
You can show up with integrity, passion, and effort.

And someone might still say no.

That doesn’t mean you failed.

It simply means:

  • You weren’t aligned with that person

  • Your work wasn’t for that audience

  • The timing wasn’t right

So don’t collapse.

Pause.

Heal.
Restart.

Shift your focus.
Expand your reach.
Grow your audience.

Find your people.
Find your supporters.
Find your love.

Rejection Is Part of Becoming Maverick

If you’re committed to excellence, rejection is unavoidable.

But how you respond determines who you become.

Choose growth over bitterness.
Choose courage over fear.
Choose love over resentment.

Respond progressively.

😊
Okay, you caught me—I didn’t actually tell you my full story.
We’ll save that for our next coffee. ☕😄

Shalom!

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Photo by vjapratama: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-holding-baby-s-breath-flower-in-front-of-woman-standing-near-marble-wall-935789/





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Understand the Power in Your Name | Identity, Calling & Purpose

\

Power

/ˈpaʊə/ noun

Power is the capacity or ability to influence outcomes, shape identity, and produce change—whether through action, authority, or meaning. At its deepest level, power is not merely force, but the ability to define reality.



Understand the Power in Your Name

Power is often misunderstood. We associate it with control, status, or dominance. But some of the most profound power we will ever encounter is far quieter—and far more personal.

One of the earliest demonstrations of power recorded in Scripture is not an act of strength, conquest, or command. It is an act of naming.

Before Adam planted, ruled, or built anything, his first responsibility was to name the animals. This detail is not accidental. Naming was not admin work—it was authority. To name something was to recognise its essence, define its identity, and establish its place in the world.

That same principle is still at work today.

Naming Is an Act of Creation

Whenever you name something—a child, a business, a vision, even a problem—you are doing more than assigning a label. You are shaping perception. You are setting boundaries. You are releasing expectation.

Names carry meaning.
Meaning shapes identity.
Identity determines potential.

This is why words spoken over us in childhood linger long into adulthood. This is why labels—good or bad—stick. And this is why the names we answer to matter far more than we realise.

Your Name Is Your Calling

I am convinced of this: your name is your calling.
It is not merely tied to it—it is what you have and are being called.

Some people need to step more confidently into their name, to fully inhabit it rather than minimise it, mock it, or shrink from it. Others may need to seriously consider a name change—not as rejection of their past, but as an act of alignment with who they are becoming.

Either way, the truth remains:
What you consistently allow people to call you is what you begin to become.

We live in a world saturated with language, yet remarkably careless with words. We underestimate how deeply they embed themselves in the human soul.

The Weight of Words

There’s a widely referenced idea in psychology and communication that it takes significantly more positive input to override a single negative word. Some suggest it can take up to 17 affirming statements to counteract one negative label.

Let that sink in.

If one person repeatedly calls you weak, useless, difficult, or not enough, that word doesn’t just pass through you—it settles. And undoing that damage takes intentional, repeated truth spoken over time.

This is why joking labels, careless criticism, and “that’s just how they are” language can be so destructive. Words don’t just describe reality—they reinforce it.

The Inheritance Hidden in Names

Some people carry names rich with history, intention, and strength. Others carry names given without thought, or worse, spoken under pressure, pain, or limitation.

That’s not about blame—it’s about awareness.

Reclaiming identity sometimes means redefining what your name means to you. Other times, it means courageously changing it—legally, symbolically, or relationally.

Becoming Maverick begins when you stop living under names that were never meant to define you.

My Name, My Story

When I reflect on my own journey, I can’t ignore the connection between my name and my lived experience.

My surname, Nicholls, is rooted in meaning associated with conqueror or victory of the people. For most of my life, I didn’t think much of it. But looking back, I can see a clear pattern: resilience, endurance, and an almost stubborn refusal to quit—even when quitting would have made sense.

I’ve faced an unbelievable number of challenges. Some external. Some deeply personal. Yet overcoming has always been part of the story. In hindsight, I believe that identity—to conquer—has been quietly reinforcing my posture toward life all along.

For years, I disliked my middle name, Wayne. It felt awkward, unnecessary. But once I understood how names shape behaviour and daily posture, I began to view it differently.

And then there’s Steven—a name historically associated with leadership and responsibility. Perhaps that explains why leadership roles have so often found me, even when I didn’t go looking for them.

Coincidence? Maybe.
Pattern? Without question.

Becoming Maverick Means Choosing What You Answer To

An Everyday Maverick does not passively accept the labels handed down by society, culture, family, or history. We examine them. We challenge them. We decide which names we will answer to—and which ones we will no longer carry.

Because once you understand the power in your name, you begin to live with intention. You speak differently. You allow different voices access to your life. And you stop shrinking under words that were never meant to define you.

So here’s the real question:

What are you called—and who decided that?

Some of us need to step boldly into our name.
Others need to lay one down and choose a new one.

Either way, reclaiming your name is reclaiming your power.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, experiences, and stories around names, identity, and calling. Let’s keep the conversation going.




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Girls & Dads: The Everyday Mavericks - How Safe, Available Fathers Raise Hope-Filled Girls

  Father: From Old English fæder , meaning protector and source. Today’s Everyday Maverick dad provides safety, availability, and hope—at ...