Resources

Let Your Magnificence Shine

Many of us spend a surprising amount of our lives trying not to stand out. We learn to manage impressions, lower expectations, soften our voice, or hold back our gifts. Sometimes we do this out of humility. Sometimes it’s fear. Sometimes it’s because somewhere along the way we learned that shining too brightly makes other people uncomfortable.

But shrinking was never the invitation of God for our lives.

Each of us carries something magnificent within us—not in an ego-driven, self-promoting sense, but in the deep and sacred way that God places unique glory inside every person He creates.

Your personality, your courage, your compassion, your creativity, your leadership, your wisdom—these are not accidents. They are expressions of God’s life moving through you.

In Crucible, we are more comfortable acknowledging our weakness than embracing our God-given strength. We know how to confess our failures. But we often hesitate to own the beauty, strength, and calling God has placed inside us.

Jesus speaks directly to this reality in the Sermon on the Mount:

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden… Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”(Matthew 5:14–16)

Notice what Jesus does not say.

He does not say, “Hide your light so others won’t feel uncomfortable.”
He does not say, “Dim your light until you are certain you deserve it.”
He does not say, “Wait until you feel perfectly confident.”

He simply says: Let it shine.

When we hide what God has placed within us, we are not practicing humility—we are withholding something others in our lives actually needs. The courage you carry, the compassion you extend, the wisdom you speak, the leadership you offer, the creativity you bring—these are ways the life of God becomes visible through you.

And something remarkable happens when one person chooses to live this way.  Permission spreads.

When someone steps fully into who God created them to be, it quietly gives others the courage to do the same. Authenticity, whether stepping into vulnerability or magnificence, is both magnetic and contagious to others around us.

In the work we do as Redwoods, we often talk about becoming the person God created us to be—not the person shaped by fear, shame, or old expectations. Part of that journey is learning to bring our shadow into the light.

But another part of that journey is just as important: embracing the goodness, strength, and beauty God has placed within us.  Both require courage. Living small is familiar. Living free is something we grow into.

So here is a simple invitation:  Take some time to reflect on what is magnificent about you.

Where do you see His life flowing most naturally through you?
Where do people experience encouragement, wisdom, or hope because you showed up?
What do you do easily that so many have told you they struggle to do?

Where does your heart come alive when you serve, lead, create, or care?

Those places are not accidental. They are clues. They are glimpses of the light God placed within you. And the world around you doesn’t need a dimmed version of that light.  It needs the real thing.

So don’t shrink.
Don’t hide.
Don’t apologize for the good gifts God has placed in you.

Let your magnificence shine—not for your own glory, but so that the goodness and beauty of God can be seen through the life you live.

Why You Should Lead an Exploration Group

Redwoods know what it’s like to walk into a Crucible space and finally exhale. They know what it feels like to be seen, to Check-In honestly, to begin naming the shadow, and to experience the steady kindness of Jesus in the middle of it. Many of them also know men and women in their lives who are not quite ready to commit to a retreat—but who are hungry for something deeper.

That’s where Exploration Groups come in.

Exploration Groups are one of the most effective pathways to initial retreats because they engage people in soul work before the weekend ever begins. They introduce participants to Crucible concepts in a welcoming, relational environment. Where these groups have been implemented, deeper connections are forming—and retreat registrations are increasing.

But more importantly, lives are being gently opened to transformation.

Most people in Exploration Groups eventually attend an initial retreat . Why? Because they’ve already tasted the culture. They’ve experienced the power of showing up honestly.

And Redwoods are uniquely qualified to lead.

There is no special leader certification required. If someone has been doing their own work and has experienced the Check-In process, they already have what it takes. In fact, many leaders discover that the Check-In alone becomes holy ground. For some participants, it may be the only place in their lives where they have ever spoken honestly about what is happening inside them. If that is all that happens in a session, it is enough.

James writes, “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16). Exploration Groups create space for that kind of confession—not dramatic or forced, but steady, safe, and real. Healing begins long before anyone steps onto retreat property.

Leading a group can be simple. A Redwood can gather a few men or women that are already in their world of influence. Other Redwoods can join as participants, though the group remains pre-weekend in nature . Some may prefer to co-lead to strengthen consistency and group culture. Others may choose to lead online, allowing the many people who do not know any Redwoods to be referred to your group.

The curriculum is provided. The leadership materials are free. The only commitment required is that the material is never charged for or used beyond its intended purpose.

Participants are never charged to attend. This is about invitation, not transaction.

There are men and women right now who will likely never sign up for a weekend without first experiencing a safe doorway. Exploration Groups are that doorway.

Redwoods often ask how they can multiply what they received. This is one of the clearest answers. Lead a space. Create a circle. Host the Check In. Trust Jesus with what happens next.

The first step is simple: contact the team  and request the free leadership materials. From there, the path unfolds.

Redwood Groves grow where Redwoods plant seeds.

 

Your Personal Impact in 2026

This time of year naturally invites reflection. Many of us look at the calendar and ask familiar questions: How do I want to be different by the end of the year? Maybe we’re thinking about healthier habits, better stewardship of our finances, deeper relationships, greater emotional health, or a more grounded faith.

Those are good questions. Important questions. But as Redwoods, I want to challenge us to ask one more—one that looks beyond ourselves.

What impact do I want to make in 2026?

How do I want to influence the people around me to help create a better world this year?

Crucible has shaped us not just for personal growth, but for meaningful engagement.

We’ve learned that transformation doesn’t end when the retreat does—it shows up in how we live, how we love, and how we invite others into the work.

Scripture reminds us, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24) That word consider matters. It implies intention. Thoughtfulness. Planning. Prayer

Impact rarely happens by accident.

As Redwoods, we each carry influence—whether we recognize it or not. In our families. At work. In our churches. In our communities. The question isn’t if we influence others, but how.

As you look ahead to 2026, the challenge is to move beyond vague good intentions and move toward a clear, prayerful plan. Ask yourself:

• Who has God placed in my life that might benefit from what I’ve experienced?

• Where am I being invited to step just a little outside my comfort zone?

• What does faithfulness look like for me this year?

Then, make it concrete.  Create a simple plan for your impact in 2026. It doesn’t need to be complicated—but it does need to be intentional. Set specific goals, attach target dates, and choose someone who will hold you accountable. Transformation—personal or communal—grows best in relationship.

Here are a few ways Redwoods often make meaningful impact, drawn directly from the life of our community:

• Invite someone to a Crucible Retreat. Not to convince them—but to share your story (link to Sharing article) and let them decide.

• Invite someone into a Crucible group  help form a new one where honest conversation and growth can happen.

• Share your Crucible testimony at church, in a small group, or with a trusted circle when the opportunity arises.

• Start a group at work, in your neighborhood, or within your faith community—grounded in listening, truth, and mutual support.

• Refer someone to a Crucible Coach  who could benefit from guided, one-on-one work.

• Introduce someone to the Crucible Podcast as a low-barrier way to explore deeper questions and conversations.

None of these are about checking boxes. They’re about paying attention—to where God is already at work and how you might join in. Jesus told his followers, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) Light doesn’t force itself. It simply shows up—and in doing so, changes what’s around it.

Your impact in 2026 doesn’t have to be loud or dramatic. It does have to be intentional. Take some time. Write it down. Pray it through. Decide what you’re committing to, when you’ll take the first step, and who will walk alongside you in it.

At the end of 2026, may we not only say, “I grew,” but also, “I showed up. I invited. I shared. I helped create space for transformation.” That is how you can impact your world in 2026.
That is impact worth planning for.

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Only 10 Days Left to Join

December 2025

As we approach the end of the year, I want to speak to you from my heart as a fellow Redwood, a brother on the journey, and a witness to God’s transforming work through Crucible. We are in the final stretch of 2025—and with only ten days left to join the financial partnership opportunity of our year-end giving campaign, I want to invite you into something that truly matters.

Fueling Transformation in 2026

This year has been extraordinary. Because of your generosity, more than 2,000 men and women took courageous steps toward healing and wholeness at Crucible retreats. Behind each number is a face, a family, a story, and a future forever changed.

Brettin shared, “I came as a woman feeling really confused and insecure about decisions I have to make. I left as someone who believes I can hear God speak through me and I feel more confident and playful.”

Frank shared, “Crucible freed me from the chains of shame and guilt that held me all my life and have had its effects cripple every part of my life…God broke me and put my heart in place…What I discovered gave me true freedom to be the man God intended me to be: one who loves, lives and is free and full of His grace.”

This is what transformation looks like. Not theory. Not concepts. Real courage. Real repentance. Real restoration. The kind only Jesus can do—and the kind that men and women are encountering in every Crucible retreat.

Stories like Brettin’s and Frank’s happen because Redwoods pray, show up, and give. Your generosity makes space for radical honesty, deep grace, and Spirit-led change.

Your Gift Makes Transformation Possible

As we step into 2026, our call is clear: expand our reach so more people can encounter God’s healing work.

Here’s what your gift makes possible:

• $193 covers the gap between the registration fee and the actual retreat cost for someone seeking healing. That’s less than $20 a month!
• $100 helps fund essential retreat supplies, expansion into new communities, and outreach to new referrers. That’s less than $8 a month.
• Any amount joins with hundreds of others to create life-changing experiences of truth, grace, and courageous transformation.

Perhaps you are called to make a substantial year-end donation and want to visit about the many ways to give. Every dollar is an investment in men and women becoming more fully alive, more deeply rooted, and more free in Christ.

Why Give Now?

Because right now—these next ten days—your gift matters more than ever.

Because someone is waiting for their chance to take the first courageous step.

Because healing is contagious. When one person transforms, whole families are impacted. Churches are strengthened. Communities shift. Legacies change.

Your year-end gift helps ensure that in 2026, we do not turn anyone away who is ready to encounter the transforming presence of God.

Would You Join Us?

Would you prayerfully consider giving a year-end gift so that more lives, families, and communities will be changed in the year ahead? Together, we are creating a world where people live with integrity, grace, and courage—fulfilling their God-given purpose.

Give today at TheCrucibleProject.org/Donate or mail your gift to:

The Crucible Project

PO Box 690894

San Antonio, TX 78269

Redwood, your partnership fuels transformation. Thank you for joining in the mission this way—and for helping create the space where God changes lives.

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The Cycle of Gratitude and Generosity

November 2025

When I think about what it means to be a Redwood, I picture those towering trees that stand together through wind, fire, and time. Each one looks strong on its own, but what really keeps them standing is what’s beneath the surface—their roots are intertwined.

That image feels true for us who’ve walked through the Crucible retreat experience. Our strength doesn’t come from standing alone. It comes from connection. From grace. From the quiet, steady exchange of life between us.

In the same way, there are two spiritual roots that keep us grounded and growing: gratitude and generosity. When they’re intertwined, they create a powerful cycle that keeps our hearts open, our spirits alive, and our communities strong.

Gratitude: All of Life is a Gift

Gratitude begins when we recognize that so much of what we have and who we are comes from beyond us. Robert Emmons, one of the leading voices on gratitude, calls it “a recognition and appreciation of the good in one’s life that comes from outside the self.”

For me, that means seeing life not as something I’ve earned, but as something I’ve received. Gratitude doesn’t deny pain or hardship—it gives us eyes to see grace inside of it. When I take time to notice the people, the opportunities, and even the challenges that have shaped me, I remember that I’ve truly never walked this road alone.

David DeSteno, another researcher, says gratitude is a moral emotion—it’s what moves us toward others. When we feel thankful, we want to give back. We want to pay it forward. Gratitude humbles us, but it also energizes us. It reminds us that grace isn’t meant to stop with us; it’s meant to flow through us.

Generosity: The Outflow of Gratitude

If gratitude is the inner posture of receiving, generosity is what happens when we let that gratitude overflow. Sociologist Christian Smith defines generosity as “giving good things freely to others with the intent to enhance their well-being.”

That’s not just about money. It’s about time, encouragement, wisdom, forgiveness, or presence. It’s what Adam Grant calls “prosocial behavior”—the act of contributing to someone else’s flourishing.

When I give from a grateful heart, it’s not about obligation or earning points with God. It’s about reflecting His heart. Generosity says, “I’ve been given much—now I get to give.” It’s not a transaction; it’s transformation.

And the beautiful part? Research shows that gratitude and generosity feed each other. People who regularly practice gratitude are more generous. And generous people—those who give freely—feel more grateful and fulfilled. It’s a sacred loop that Paul reminded the leaders of the church in Ephesus that Jesus had said: “… it is more blessed to give than to receive...” (Acts 20:35).

The Science Just Confirms What We Already Know

Over the last two decades, researchers have put numbers and brain scans to what Scripture and experience have already taught us: gratitude and generosity go hand in hand.

• When people are thanked sincerely, they’re far more likely to help again—and even to help strangers later.
• Gratitude activates the same parts of the brain that light up when we give.
• People who journal or pray with gratitude end up giving more of their time and resources.
• Generosity builds community, and community reinforces gratitude.

Jesus summed it up in one line: “Freely you have received; freely give.” (Matthew 10:8)

Ten Roots of a Grateful and Generous Life

If we think of gratitude and generosity as roots of the Redwood life, here are ten qualities that keep those roots healthy:

1. Awareness – Seeing goodness beyond yourself.
2. Humility – Knowing you depend on God and others.
3. Joy – Letting thankfulness bring delight.
4. Connection – Building trust and belonging.
5. Compassion – Feeling with others, not just for them.
6. Faith – Trusting that God will provide as you give.
7. Purpose – Knowing your giving matters.
8. Courage – Showing up and offering yourself anyway.
9. Integrity – Giving in ways that align with your values.
10. Legacy – Living in a way that blesses future generations.

Each one feeds the next. Gratitude leads to awareness, awareness to humility, humility to compassion, and compassion to action. The more grateful we are, the more generous we become—and the more generous we become, the more gratitude we feel.

What Gets in the Way

We all hit seasons when the cycle breaks down. Sometimes we get caught in comparison, entitlement, or fear. We start thinking about what we don’t have, or what someone else should have done for us. We tighten our grip on what God has given us to steward.

Gratitude is the antidote. When we start small—naming blessings, thanking others, acknowledging God’s provision—we begin to loosen the grip of scarcity. Gratitude restores perspective. It reminds us of abundance, even in lean seasons.

Generosity grows best in that soil. When we feel full, we give freely.

Living the Redwood Way

We often say that transformation happens through confession, grace, and action. The same rhythm applies here:

• Confess where you’ve stopped being grateful or generous.
• Receive grace—remember that you are loved and blessed beyond measure.
• Act—take one simple step to pass that grace on to someone else.

Maybe it’s a note of thanks to a mentor, a call to a Redwood you haven’t checked in on, or an act of service for your church or community. Those small acts are how we live out the Redwood way—rooted in gratitude, reaching out in generosity.

Because like the redwoods, we don’t grow tall by standing apart. We grow strong by standing together—our roots intertwined, our hearts open, our lives reflecting the generous heart of God.

The Invitation

Redwoods, this is our calling: to create lives of gratitude and generosity. To live as evidence of God’s grace in a world that desperately needs it.

May we keep our eyes open to the gifts that surround us.
May we give freely, without fear or measure.
And may our roots, intertwined in grace, hold us steady and strong—like the redwoods we’re named for.

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Introducing Crucible to New People

October 2025

I love talking about Crucible to people who have never heard about us. It is obvious that we don’t have a lot of details about the retreat on our website, so we frequently get framed into their understanding about us in poor comparisons. I’m hopeful that this blog will help you also talk to folks about the retreat in a new way.

Tell Your Story

Telling your story of Crucible’s impact is the most important way you can share about Crucible. Simply sharing what you wanted for yourself out of the weekend and what you got out of the weekend is a strong testimonial. Share about how something in your life was before and how it has been since.

Share the Opportunity

Sometimes a Redwood shares how difficult it is for them to try to sell someone on registering for the retreat. Let go of the outcomes and just share the transformational opportunity with them. Let God and them decide when it is the right time for them to attend. Don’t answer “no” for them by never sharing the opportunity with them.

Sticker Shock

Tell them the price of the weekend is $795, but that they can pay that out at as little as $85 a month. If it is true for you, let them know that the value of the weekend for you was worth many times more than you actually paid for it.

The registration price is much less than they would pay for a half year of therapy, or with many other groups who are charging over $1,000 to $10,000 for similar experiences. We continue to be one of the lowest-priced transformational experiences in the Christian marketplace.

And we will not let finances be the reason someone can’t start their soul work journey with us. Let them know that if their financial needs are a barrier, they simply click the Financial Assistance button and complete the required follow-up forms.

Comparison to Church and Other Related Retreats

One of the reasons for sticker shock is that they don’t know how different this will be from their local church retreat. They went to Emmaus Weekend or a Men’s or Women’s Conference and that is all they know to compare to. That is one of the reasons your story is so important.

I sometimes ask, “What about your life changed at any of the church retreats you’ve been to?” I share how the retreat is not a place to learn more about being all God has called them to be — not about learning new information.

Instead, the retreat is a sequenced set of experiences, from the moment you hit the retreat site, unlike any retreat you’ve ever been on that helps move you from the unwanted patterns of behavior in your life toward the kind of person you really want to be. The retreat experience gives you an opportunity to get at the things between your ears and between your head and heart that are keeping you from being who you know God wants you to be.

Ask These Questions

Is there something about you that you want to change, or have you already arrived at being all you believe God has called you to be? Is there a place where you have been stuck in unwanted patterns of behavior that you would like to change?

Do you trust me?

What is keeping you from stepping into the challenging retreat experience to get at those things?

Give a Taste of Crucible

If your community has an Exploration Group going, see if you can get the potential participant to experience a taste of Crucible by attending it with him. No Exploration Group going? Sign up to lead one. The curriculum and the group experience are absolutely free to you and to your guest. It’s also available to run online.

Men have weekly free Check-Ins. Invite the potential participant to join you and meet them there. The Better Man Check-In is every Thursday, noon to 1 PM CST.

A primer of Crucible’s teachings is in Unstuck: 7 Steps to Break Free and Live Courageously. If they are a reader, they can pick up the eBook for free when they sign up for the weekly Compass Resource email, or they can purchase one where they buy books, like Amazon. For men, there is a video-based 8-session small group series based on the book that will soon be available. Or send them to the YOUVERSION Unstuck Bible Devotional.

Share one of the many blogs that might be pertinent to them, a post on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram. Comb through several years of weekly Crucible Podcasts and share one of them that is a good fit for them. You can find them on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you stream.

If your church is planning an upcoming event for men or women, let them know that we have leaders who would be willing to speak at their event and give participants a taste of the powerfully transformative experiences that happen on our retreats. Make the connection.

No Time But Help Needed Now

There is nothing as powerful as a Crucible initial retreat. However, if they are in a season of pain and need to get started on their journey now, connect them to our Coaching page. Trained, safe, and confidential personal coaches are ready to help them get started. A free 30-minute session to get to know each other and make sure it is a match is available to anyone.

What if They Say “No”

That is OK. It is not yet their time to come. I remember inviting a college friend to come several times a year. About year five, I asked if he wanted me to stop inviting him, to which he replied, “No, keep telling me about it. It will work in my schedule someday.” At the 10-year mark, during a phone conversation, he made the commitment. He now is on the regional leadership team, has completed all the Second Level retreats, and has stepped into the Elder process.

We are the sowers. God is the one who gives the increase. Hold outcomes loosely and share the opportunity. Some may never be ready, but they won’t know about it when they are ready if you don’t tell them about it.

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