The Jesus Strategy: Love, Problem-Solving, and Authenticity in the Pursuit of Excellence

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,

Today, we gather here to delve into a topic that resonates with the essence of Becoming Maverick—a journey of self-discovery, personal development, and the pursuit of excellence. We embark on an exploration of the renowned Jesus Strategy, as we seek to uncover the principles and strategies that have propelled the Jesus Movement throughout the ages.

Before we proceed, let it be known that this discourse is not confined to religious boundaries. Instead, we invite you to engage with an open mind, regardless of your personal beliefs. Becoming Maverick is a platform that celebrates the quest to unleash the best version of our humanity, and it is within this spirit that we examine the remarkable success and longevity of the 'Jesus Movement'.

At the heart of the Jesus Strategy lies a foundational principle that resonates deeply with Becoming Maverick: love for humanity demonstrated on the individual level. Jesus, the embodiment of this principle, exemplified unwavering compassion, empathy, and acceptance. His love transcended societal norms, reaching out to the marginalized, the forgotten, and the broken. Through his actions, he illuminated the transformative power of love and its ability to ignite positive change.

Another key aspect of the Jesus Strategy is the ability to solve problems that people may not even be aware of. Jesus possessed an unparalleled understanding of the human condition, addressing the profound needs and desires of the heart. His teachings and actions offered a path to healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation, touching lives in ways that no other individual had done before. His example reminds us to look beyond the surface and seek holistic solutions that truly address the essence of our human experience.

Crucially, the Jesus Strategy was not merely theoretical or abstract. Jesus embodied the very principles he taught, leaving no room for hypocrisy. His authenticity served as a guiding light for his followers, inspiring them to embrace his teachings and emulate his character. It was this authenticity that allowed the Jesus Movement to thrive and foster a community of individuals who, in turn, became beacons of love, kindness, and compassion.

Becoming Maverick recognizes the importance of authenticity and personal growth. It is through embodying our values and principles that we make a genuine impact on the world around us. The Jesus Strategy provides a timeless blueprint for personal transformation and self-discovery—a roadmap to unleashing the best version of ourselves.

As we reflect upon the Jesus Strategy within the context of Becoming Maverick, let us embrace its profound message of love, problem-solving, and authenticity. Let us draw inspiration from the transformative power of these principles, as we navigate our own personal journeys. Becoming Maverick is an invitation to unlock our potential, challenge societal norms, and make a lasting positive impact on the world.

In conclusion, the Jesus Strategy, though originating in a different time and context, holds valuable lessons for us on our path to Becoming Maverick. Its emphasis on love, problem-solving, and authenticity transcends religious boundaries, resonating with the very core of our humanity. May we be inspired to integrate these principles into our own lives, unleashing the best version of ourselves and creating a more compassionate, inclusive, and vibrant world.

Thank you for joining us on this exploration of the Jesus Strategy within the context of Becoming Maverick. May it ignite a sense of purpose and possibility within each of us as we continue our personal journeys of self-discovery and growth.

Remember you are Becoming Maverick!

Shalom!

Red Pill or Blue Pill: Choosing the Maverick Mindset over Victimhood or Heroism

Red Pill or Blue Pill: Choosing the Maverick Mindset over Victimhood or Heroism

In the movie "The Matrix", the main character Neo is offered a choice between a red pill and a blue pill. The red pill represents the truth, no matter how difficult it may be to accept. The blue pill represents comfort and security, but it also means living in ignorance. This choice is a metaphor for the decisions we make in life. Do we choose to face the truth and take responsibility for our lives, or do we choose to live in a state of victimhood or wait for someone else to save us?

The victim mentality and savior mindset are two ways of looking at the world that can have a profound impact on our lives. Many of us have been conditioned to wait for a savior - someone who is bigger, stronger, smarter, and more awesome - to come and rescue us. We've been taught to believe that we are powerless to change our circumstances, and that we need someone else to come and fix things for us. On the other hand, some of us believe that we are the saviors, and that it is our responsibility to save others. This mentality can lead to burnout, exhaustion, and an inability to take care of ourselves.

Both of these mindsets are limiting and can have extremely destructive consequences in our own lives. In this blog, we will explore how to break free from these patterns and become a maverick - someone who takes responsibility for their life, makes tough decisions, and is willing to go against the grain. It's not always easy, and it can be uncomfortable at times, but it is necessary for growth and progress. So, are you ready to take the red pill and face the truth, or will you choose the blue pill and stay in your comfort zone? The choice is yours.

The concept of adopting a victim mindset vs the saviour complex has been on my mind lately. My observations lead me to believe that this information is put out through education, media, and entertainment systems and is reinforced through our trust circles; families, friendships, and even religious communities.

To understand the relevant mechanisms we first need to understand propaganda.  Propaganda plays a huge role in this conditioning process. Contrary to popular belief, propaganda is not 100% lies. In fact, it is mostly facts. It has enough facts to make it believable. A lie is actually a small component, so small that it goes undetected. However, the lie is so destructive that it can ruin generations.

Earlier we mentioned religion. It's important to note that in my opinion it's not religious books themselves that are the source of propaganda, but rather the teachings of their respective teachers who have adopted terrible philosophical approaches fueled by a poor world view and a lack of understanding of basic principles of how the world actually functions. They were subjected to bad teachings which they never took the time to do the due diligence on. Now they spread propaganda instead of wholesome spiritual teaching. Please don't get me not every religious leaders is spreading Propoganda. Yes the are those who have a healthy understanding of what they are teaching and are a good source of spiritual guidance.

However we need to be alert as both the victim mentality and the savior mindset can have extremely destructive consequences in your own life. I can bear witness to how both of these philosophies have captured different components of my life. Thankfully, I have identified and interrupted the pattern. I am now transforming my thinking so that my life can progress in the manner in it should and can be the man of impact I was designed to be.

Becoming Maverick is a beautiful and rewarding process, but it's hard work. It can be uncomfortable at times, and you have to make tough decisions. Yes! you're going to go against the grain and be controversial. Yes!  This will upset some people. Yes! Some might call you rebellious when you question things. Someone might label you a conspiracy theorist. And, yes, when you start teaching others, there will be those who attempt to discredit you. I know I've been there.

The truth can be uncomfortable when you have accepted a lie or incomplete theory as a fact. Truth challenges you to change your behavior. Humans don't like to change, but it's necessary for growth and progress. 

In future blogs, we will unpack the victim and savior mentalities in more detail. But until then, enjoy the Maverick journey. It's important to be discerning with the information we consume, and to make choices that lead to growth and enlightenment, rather than ignorance and enslavement. So let's be Mavericks, and encourage others to join us on this journey towards truth and progress. Share this blog with your friends, and let's continue to inspire each other to be the best versions of ourselves.

 Shalom!

Being Kind to Your Future Self: Everyday Choices That Shape Tomorrow

Kind

Kind (adjective) — showing consideration, generosity, and care toward others or oneself; acting with intentional goodwill that shapes outcomes over time.

In Being Kind to Your Future Self, kindness is redefined as a Maverick discipline—choosing today what your future self will be grateful for tomorrow.

Being Kind to Your Future Self

An Everyday Maverick Reflection

The idea of being kind to my future self has been sitting with me for a while now. Not the distant, retirement-version of me only—but the version of me five minutes from now… tomorrow morning… next year… and decades down the line.

Being kind to your future self is about leverage. It’s the quiet power of understanding that what you do now doesn’t disappear—it echoes. Every decision you make today becomes the environment your future self has to live in.

Everyday Mavericks learn this early: the present is not neutral.

Small Choices. Long Shadows.

Most people imagine “the future” as something abstract—some far-off destination they’ll deal with later. Mavericks know better. The future is being built in ordinary moments: what you choose to delay, what you choose to confront, what you choose to invest in when no one is watching.

History gives us a powerful picture of this.

The Wright brothers didn’t stumble into flight by accident. They were relentlessly kind to their future selves. While others mocked, doubted, or waited for better conditions, they invested their time, focus, and limited resources into a vision no one else could see yet. They chose discipline over comfort. Curiosity over certainty. Action over approval.

And the world has never been the same since.

Timing Isn’t the Enemy—Waiting Is

Scripture captures this tension beautifully:

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
— Ecclesiastes 3:1

This verse is often used to justify waiting. But read it carefully—it doesn’t say wait for the time. It says recognise the time.

One of the most dangerous lies we tell ourselves is, “I’ll start when the time is right.” The truth? The right time rarely arrives fully formed. It’s usually hidden inside discomfort, uncertainty, and imperfect conditions.

Being kind to your future self means learning to move with time instead of negotiating with it.

Kindness Looks Like Responsibility

This kind of kindness isn’t soft. It’s intentional.

It shows up in how you spend:

• your time (what you keep postponing),

• your money (what you consume vs. what you invest),

• your energy (what drains you vs. what builds you).

It means choosing growth over convenience. Health over neglect. Depth over distraction. It means owning the consequences of your actions—because your future self will inherit them whether you like it or not.

Everyday Mavericks don’t outsource responsibility to luck, systems, or circumstances. They understand that freedom later often requires discipline now.

The Cost of Neglect

When we fail to be kind to our future selves, the bill always comes due—usually as regret.

Regret over conversations not had. Skills not developed. Health not protected. Dreams deferred until they quietly expired.

The tragedy isn’t failure. The tragedy is never giving your future self a fighting chance.

A Maverick Commitment

Being kind to your future self isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about daily alignment. It’s about asking one simple question before you act:

“Will my future self thank me for this?”

As Everyday Mavericks, we choose to live awake. To act with intention. To plant seeds we may not immediately enjoy—but will one day sit under in gratitude.

So today, take one step—small, deliberate, courageous.

Your future self is counting on you.

Shalom!

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Challenging Outdated Parenting: A Maverick Approach to Raising the Next Generation

Challenging Outdated Parenting: A Maverick Approach to Raising the Next Generation

Becoming Maverick is a journey toward intentional living, personal growth, and greatness. It is about breaking free from inherited patterns, questioning what we’ve accepted as “normal,” and choosing a more conscious path forward.

As we walk this journey, one truth becomes unavoidable: how we parent matters. Parenting is not a side quest—it shapes future generations, cultures, and the world our children will one day lead. To become Maverick is to examine not only our careers, beliefs, and habits, but also the way we raise our children.

This reflection challenges outdated parenting models and invites a more progressive, intentional approach—one that allows us to live and love beyond limits.

Love Isn’t the Problem — Unexamined Tradition Is

Parents love their children. At least, we assume they do—and in most cases, they genuinely try their best.

So how do we end up harming the very people we love most?

Paradoxically, we often harm our children because we love them. In our desire to protect, provide, and preserve, we sometimes pass on habits, beliefs, and practices that no longer serve them. Love without reflection can become limitation.

Consider food—something essential, pleasurable, and deeply cultural. It can nourish, but it can also slowly poison when choices are driven by tradition rather than understanding. The same principle applies to parenting.

This idea echoes the haunting truth behind the song “Killing Me Softly.” Made famous globally by the Fugees in 1996, the phrase captures something uncomfortable: harm doesn’t always come loudly or violently. Sometimes, it comes gently—wrapped in love, familiarity, and good intentions.

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Parenting with Outdated Information

Most parents do not intentionally damage their children. They parent using the information available to them—information passed down through generations, reinforced by society, culture, and personal experience.

Here’s the challenge: much of that information is outdated.

In medicine, it can take over a decade for new discoveries to reach textbooks and training institutions. Professionals who don’t actively update themselves often practice with yesterday’s knowledge. Parenting is no different.

Without intentional learning and self-renewal, we default to what we were taught:

• “This worked for me.”

• “This is how I was raised.”

• “This is how it’s always been done.”

But what worked in one era may quietly fail in another.

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Universal Principles vs. Evolving Application

Some principles are timeless. Gravity still works. Human development still follows patterns. Children still need love, boundaries, safety, and affirmation.

What does change is how we apply those principles.

There was a time when humanity believed flight was impossible. The sky was the limit—literally. Today, we fly across continents and leave Earth’s atmosphere entirely. The laws of physics didn’t change; our understanding did.

Parenting is the same. Love remains essential. Guidance remains necessary. Discipline still matters. But the methods, awareness, and psychological insight must evolve.

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A Maverick Call to Progressive Parenting

To parent as a Maverick is not to reject the past entirely—but to question it wisely. It is to honour what still works while courageously upgrading what no longer serves.

Progressive parenting requires:

• Intentional learning

• Emotional intelligence

• Self-reflection

• Willingness to unlearn

• Openness to new research and perspectives

It asks us to parent not only for today, but for our children’s children—and generations beyond.

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Living and Loving Beyond Limits

Let us continue to parent to the best of our ability—but let us also be brave enough to grow.

Be kind to the third, fourth, fifth generation, and beyond. Challenge inherited limitations. Renew your mindset. Upgrade your understanding.

This is the Maverick way.

Live consciously. Love intentionally. Parent beyond limits.

Breaking the Cycle: Disrupting Harmful Influencers on the Journey of Becoming Maverick

Behavior (noun):
The way a person acts or responds to internal beliefs and external influences, often shaped by knowledge, environment, and learned patterns.

Our behaviors don’t form in isolation. They are learned, absorbed, and often inherited—sometimes unintentionally. On the journey of Becoming Maverick, growth begins when we interrupt negative behaviors and disrupt harmful influences that shape how we live, think, and raise the next generation.

Becoming Maverick: Interrupting Negative Behaviors and Disrupting Harmful Influences

Funny how life often seems kinder to children. At birth, we are fully functional—requiring only guidance, care, and healthy input to grow. Yet the truth is uncomfortable: those tasked with guiding us are often carrying wounds of their own. Broken people, doing their best, sometimes pass on broken patterns.

And this is rarely done with malice.

The words that matter most here are “unknowingly” and “unintentionally.”
No one sets out to harm their children. We love our children. We want to protect our bloodline. And yet, in trying to preserve life, we sometimes damage it—often in the very areas where we ourselves are wounded.

Ignorance Is Not Innocent

Scripture reminds us that we perish for lack of knowledge. Much of the harm we cause—both to ourselves and others—comes not from intent, but from ignorance.

Ignorance can be fatal:

• Mentally

• Emotionally

• Spiritually

If you knew a car was about to run a red light, you wouldn’t step into the intersection. But distraction—or lack of information—can cost a life. The same is true of what we consume daily. If we fully understood the long-term impact of excess sugar, toxic environments, destructive media, or careless words, many of our habits would change immediately.

What We Consume Shapes Who We Become

We often think of consumption as food alone, but that’s only part of the picture. We consume constantly through:

• What we watch

• What we listen to

• What we read

• What we believe

• What we tolerate

Every cell in the body is designed to repair itself—but only if the systems supporting it are healthy. The same is true for the mind and spirit. We are shaped, strengthened, or slowly destroyed by what we allow in.

Words can poison. Environments can infect. Influences can erode identity.

Born Into Families—and Societies

We are not only born into families; we are born into systems, cultures, and societies. Some people are raised intentionally. Others are raised by accident. Some thrive. Others survive.

Becoming Maverick means choosing intention over accident.

It means taking responsibility not only for our own healing, but for what we model, teach, and pass on to the next generation.

The Maverick Choice

On the journey of Becoming Maverick, we commit to:

• Interrupting our own negative behaviors

• Challenging inherited patterns

• Disrupting harmful influences in society

• Replacing ignorance with awareness

• Choosing growth over comfort

This is not rebellion for rebellion’s sake.
It is responsibility with courage.

Reflection & Journaling

• What negative behaviors have I inherited without questioning?

• What influences currently shape my thinking the most?

• Where might ignorance—not intention—be causing harm in my life?

• What would intentional living look like for me this season?

• What patterns do I want to disrupt for the next generation?

Final Reflection

Knowledge is not just power—it is protection.

When we seek understanding, we make better choices. When we become aware, we break cycles. And when we live intentionally, we create ripple effects that extend far beyond ourselves.

Let us become Mavericks who are self-aware, teachable, and committed to positive change—for our families, our communities, and the generations to come.

Becoming Maverick—enjoy your journey.

Shalom!

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Transformed by Brokenness: How Pain Shapes Purpose and Resilience

Transformed by Brokenness: The Roadmap to Maverick Excellence

Brokenness refers to a state of humility, vulnerability, or hardship that often precedes personal transformation, spiritual growth, and renewed purpose.

On my journey of Becoming Maverick, one truth keeps resurfacing: God has a long history of using broken people. Not the polished. Not the perfect. But the honest, wounded, surrendered ones.

When you zoom out and look at the Bible as a whole, a striking pattern emerges. Those who are deeply aware of their limitations often become the most impactful. Meanwhile, those who appear strong, self-sufficient, or flawless are frequently led through seasons that expose their fragility.

Have you ever reached the end of yourself? That place where there seems to be no way forward. Where the weight of life feels unbearable and disappearing sounds easier than continuing.

I’ve been there too.

Brokenness and Resilience: Lessons from the Maverick Journey

Over the past decade, I’ve walked through seasons I rarely speak about, except with a trusted few. Near-death moments. Business betrayal. Deep personal loss. Emotional, mental, and spiritual exhaustion that stretched me far beyond what I thought I could endure.

And just when I believed things couldn’t get worse… they did.

Yet in those dark valleys, one powerful lesson emerged: seasons change.

What you are facing now will not last forever. It may feel permanent, but pain is often a passage, not a destination. As motivational speaker Les Brown reminds us, in moments of despair we must whisper to ourselves: “It is possible.”

That whisper becomes a lifeline.

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Why God Uses Broken People

One of the most profound truths I’ve learned is this: God doesn’t avoid brokenness—He works through it.

Brokenness strips away self-reliance and exposes our need for something greater than ourselves. It teaches humility. It builds empathy. It forges resilience and inner strength.

In broken seasons, we don’t just survive—we are shaped.

Scripture is filled with examples:

• Moses, burdened by insecurity and a painful past, became a deliverer.

• David, flawed and imperfect, grew into a man after God’s own heart.

• Peter, impulsive and inconsistent, became a foundation of the early church.

Their weaknesses were not disqualifications—they were preparation.

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When Strength Is Refined Through Suffering

Even those known for righteousness were not spared hardship.

• Job endured devastating loss that refined his faith.

• Paul faced persecution, imprisonment, and rejection, yet emerged with unwavering purpose.

Their stories remind us that faith and adversity often walk hand in hand. Growth is rarely comfortable, but it is always intentional.

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Embracing Brokenness on the Road to Maverick Excellence

If you are in a season of brokenness, take heart.

Speak honestly with God. Ask Him to reveal purpose within the pain. Allow this chapter to shape you rather than define you. Brokenness is not the end of your story—it may be the beginning of your transformation.

This is the heart of the Maverick mindset: choosing resilience over resignation, hope over despair, growth over stagnation.

Seasons change. Healing comes. Strength returns.

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Final Encouragement: Becoming Maverick Through Adversity

If you are walking through a hard season, know this: your struggle is not wasted.

Brokenness can become a bridge to purpose. Pain can become preparation. As Les Brown says, “It is possible.” And I’ll add this—you are stronger than you think.

Keep pressing forward on your journey of Becoming Maverick.

Please share some hope with someone today.

Till next time,

Becoming Maverick

Shalom!

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Living with Intention: My Path to Becoming Maverick

Welcome back to "Becoming Maverick," a blog where I unpack my personal journey through life, sharing the lessons I've learned and the challenges I've overcome. It's a story of resilience, courage, and growth, inspired by the origin of the word "Maverick."

The term "Maverick" originated from the name of a Texas rancher, Samuel Maverick, who was known for his independent spirit and refusal to brand his cattle. He allowed his cattle to roam freely and unbranded, which went against the common practice of the time. Samuel Maverick's non-conformity and individuality led to the term "Maverick" being used to describe someone who is independent, unconventional, and unafraid to challenge the status quo.

In this blog, I share some personal experiences, insights, and reflections as I've embraced my own Maverick mindset and navigated through life's challenges and opportunities. I'll be candid about the lessons I've learned, the mistakes I've made, and the wisdom I've gained along the way. My aim is to give hope and inspiration to those who may be facing their own challenges or seeking guidance on their own journey towards success.

Through my journey, I've come to realize that Becoming Maverick is about more than just being independent and unconventional. It's also about giving purpose and meaning to life. As Earl Nightingale once said, "A life without purpose is like a ship without a guidance system." So many people simply let life happen to them, without actively pursuing their passions, dreams, and goals. But being a Maverick is about living life with intention, purpose, and direction.

In this blog, I also explore how finding purpose and meaning in life has been a driving force behind my journey of Becoming Maverick. I share some of my passions, setting clear goals, and aligning my actions with my values have given my life direction and helped me navigate through challenges and setbacks. I will also discuss how embracing change, taking risks, and learning from failures have been essential in my pursuit of purposeful living.

To all the regular readers, thank you for your continued support and engagement. Your encouragement and feedback have been invaluable on this journey of Becoming Maverick. I hope our diverse perspectives and insights will inspired you and provided you with encouragement and motivation.

For those who are new to the blog, welcome! I encourage you to return and join us on this journey of self-discovery, growth, and purposeful living. As John C. Maxwell once said, "You don't have to be intentional to exist, but you do have to be intentional to live." If you resonate with our message of embracing challenges, living with intention, and finding meaning in life, I invite you to share this blog with anyone who could benefit from diverse perspectives or needs some encouragement on their own journey.

Together, let's continue to explore the joys and challenges of life, uncover the power of purpose, and embrace the Maverick mindset. Thank you for being a part of our community, and I look forward to sharing more insights and lessons with you in the future.

 Please feel free to leave comment, I would appreciate your perspective.

With gratitude,

Steven WAYNE Nicholls