Christian Ray Flores here, wishing you a very Merry Christmas! Thank you for following the Xponential newsletter and occasionally send me your thoughts.
if you missed it
Latest solo pod issue: Build Your Six Figure Brand: 3 Rules + 3 Steps from Zero
do they know it’s christmas?
I’ve always loved the Band Aid song and video. It planted a seed in me that we should use our resources to think of the poor at Christmas time.
If you’re in that mood, consider this chance to give a tax deductible gift to Ascend Academy in Mozambique. We’ve been supporting this work for years and are taking a group of donors there in April. Here’s a short video, if you’re so inspired, make a one time or recurring donation here.
christmas tunes you may enjoy
A few years ago I released a Christmas album in three languages: English, Russian, Spanish.
Here’s the Spotify link. Let me know what you think. And a lyric video.
30 Lessons from 30 Years a Christian
December 23rd, 30 years ago I got baptized. I came to my baptism at a friend’s home with bags packed because I was leaving that night to go on tour. It redirected the whole trajectory of my life after growing up in a family of atheists.
Fair warning: This is explicitly a Christian post. If that’s not your thing, I won’t be offended if you skip it. No hard feelings.
But if you’re curious about what three decades of faith has taught me about actually living well, here’s what’s coming: 30 things I’ve learned about Personal Flourishing, Relational Wisdom and Business Advice.
Turns out applied ancient wisdom is life changing.
Personal Flourishing
1. Who you are is best defined by Whose you are—a loving God who directs your path.
2. You are not alone, not now, not ever. Nurture a daily relationship with God.
3. You are wonderfully made for a specific purpose. Learn it and you’ll never be without direction.
4. Your mistakes, shame and regrets can be erased in a heartbeat. Accepting that is crucial.
5. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Take good care of it.
6. Follow Jesus’s teaching and you’ll learn the truth—that truth will set you free.
7. Ask and you shall receive more than you can ask or imagine.
8. Your trials, suffering and obstacles can be repurposed as fuel.
9. Learn to be content. If you can’t be happy with a cup of coffee, you won’t with a mansion.
10. Live victoriously, like you know how this story ends. Because you do.
Relational Wisdom
1. Who you marry is the most important relational decision you’ll ever make.
2. Learn to build a healthy marriage like your life depends on it. Because it does.
3. Your children are your next priority before anything else, be present and active in their lives.
4. Parenting does not stop when they leave the house, but it does change as children mature.
5. True friends take a lifetime to nurture. Invest in them intentionally and deeply.
6. Give generously to those in need, whether you have abundance or lack. Non-negotiable.
7. Don’t tolerate toxic relationships. Forgive but move on.
8. Resolving conflict is one of the most valuable skills you can master.
9. Be an apprentice to someone your whole life. Wisdom is true wealth.
10. Love people. Love your family, your friends, your competitors and enemies.
Business Advice
1. Money is a great servant and terrible master. Deploy the servant for good.
2. Unlearn toxic money beliefs to master healthy money habits.
3. Aspire to greatness through service to others and you’ll never have money problems.
4. Find your assignments from God and focus on them with all your heart.
5. Commerce is service. It’s God’s incentive for His children to solve each other’s problems.
6. Your talent is not just a gift. It’s a responsibility to multiply what has been entrusted to you.
7. Align yourself with Kingdom purposes and you can count on supernatural results.
8. Take great pride in your vocation, strive to be known, liked and trusted in your work.
9. If you can’t work with someone for years, don’t work with them for an hour.
10. Scripture contains the best business advice in existence.
Which of these resonate with you the most? Hit reply, I read all the comments.