Moving Forward

Facilitating Personal and Relational Growth

recent posts

about

I live hard, love deeply, invite freely, gather passionately and follow Jesus wherever he leads.

  • Where Do I Trust?

    “But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” Mark 5:36

    Words matter. The average human speaks between 13,000 and 16,000 words a day. And If you look at the uniquely recorded words of Jesus, we have roughly a day’s worth. But yet the weight of his words carries thousands of years later into today.

    “Do not fear, only believe.”

    This morning, I found myself asking what Jesus meant by these words in that exact moment of time. A little girl had just died; a father was broken. This situation had to have felt hopeless to everyone around. 

    What is recorded here is brief, but incredibly powerful in the face of a dark, hopeless situation. He says, “Do not fear, only believe.”

    Looking closely at the meaning behind these words, I discovered how much depth this short sentence contains. In my understanding, Jesus calls on Jairus to keep trusting him– to place his confidence in, to rely on, and continue trusting him, by faith alone, even in the midst of calamity. Jesus is calling him towards a faith that does not give in to fear, even when feeling fearful or lost. Towards a faith that does not lose hope and does not panic or despair, because of who the faith is focused on and in.   

    This kind of faith believes that Jesus sees and knows all that is happening, and believes that he is present, active, able, and working for good–in all the details of your story. This faith believes where you are now is not the end of your story. This faith believes Jesus is greater than your fear or circumstances. This kind of faith says “Jesus, I trust you in this”. 

    Today, I hope you will choose to believe this, in everything you face and will come up against. I know this: I can trust Jesus. There is no scheme, no person, no power that can come against Jesus–he is greater! He alone has the power to bring dead hearts to life; the power to overcome the grave and make people new!

    If I found myself back in that moment 2,000 years ago, I can picture Jesus kindly looking at Jarius and gently saying to him, “Jarius, look up at me. I am here, and I am good. Just trust in me.”

    Jesus, You created the heavens and earth! You created life! You parted the sea! You stopped the sun! You made “nobodies” great! You calmed the storm! You healed the sick! You made the blind see! You made the deaf hear! You made the lame walk! You brought the dead to life! You conquered death and Satan! You sit on the right hand of God! Jesus, I want to trust you more. I recognize that I often put my trust in things outside of you when fear enters my mind. Jesus, I know you are at work in ways I can’t see, and I am trusting that what you are working is good. Help the places my faith and trust is weak, and show me where I doubt your goodness. Give me courage to act in kindness and love – not out of fear. Help me to respond to life and my relationships in love, not fear. I want to be a man who is deeply confident, no matter what I might face, because of who you are.

    Alex Gerber

    March 17, 2026

  • A Confident Man

    Who is the most confident person you know?

    To answer the question of “who is the most confident person I know”, I look to a short, bow-legged guy in shackles who wrote letters around 2,000 years ago.

    If Paul was podcasting or hosting workshops for men in 60 AD, his words would be bold: “Hey guys, I have the secret! Do you want to be empowered to face anything and everything in life well and remain content? I know how.”

    Paul knew trouble–he faced beating, abuse, hunger, shipwreck, and even stoning. While writing the letter in which this passage is found, he was in prison. And yet even there, he can say that he, in any circumstance or situation, whether good, bad, or terrible, knows how to be empowered and infused with inner strength to endure, prevail, and remain content. Now here is a confident man!

    What’s his secret? It sounds simple, but I had to dive into understanding his source. Hang in here-even if you aren’t spiritual, you may find something in this.

    “Through Christ”

    Here’s what I have learned:

    Paul’s insight speaks into every kind of hard circumstance a man experiences or faces–loss, grief, divorce, etc.

    His inner empowerment is relational, not materially-based or circumstantial.

    The strength (a.k.a. confidence) he gained was derived from who the relationship was founded in–not self-driven.

    The closer we are to Jesus, the steadier we can remain when life hits hard, and the more content we will be and confident in Him we will become.

    Joy, peace, confidence and contentment are linked: when you experience joy from a close relationship with Jesus, you can also experience contentment in the peace of that relationship, regardless of your circumstances, and be confident in His goodness.

    Paul is confident because he understands real contentment is rooted in a relationship. It is not self-driven, but relationally supplied by One who truly has the power to supply all that we need–Jesus.

    Being united with Jesus Christ offers real peace, internal strength, and endurance to face our circumstances with confidence and remain content. This doesn’t mean you will always feel that way, or that the pain, suffering, or circumstances will go away–but they no longer have their controlling power because of Jesus’s victory.

    Men, we are invited to participate in a life empowered in abiding with Jesus, where our minds can be given new perspectives, our hearts can be given strength, our souls can find contentment, and we can be confident, because of his Spirit living and working in us.

    This world needs men who are truly confident. Not in themselves, but in the One who is more powerful than our feelings or our circumstances. This world needs men who are rooted, perserving, and steady, no matter what they are facing or what is happening around them.

    Do you want to be a man who can face anything and remain confident and content?
    Look to Jesus to lead you–He is greater!

    I know this personally–He is the source I need to be truly confident. 

    Moving Forward

    No matter where you are at or what you are facing, ask yourself these questions:

    What is your source of confidence?
    Is it greater than the situation you are in?
    Will it last longer than your circumstances? Does it bring you peace?

    ———————-

    “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13

    Alex Gerber

    Host and Writer

    http://www.movingforwardcontent.com

  • Prayer

    What strategies do you use to cope with negative feelings?

    March 15, 2026

    Lord, what are the things I need to work through? Will You help me?

    I want to be a healthy man.
    I want to be a good husband.
    I want to trust in You more.
    I think in many areas I am not fully trusting in You.
    Will You help me to surrender my control of things to You? To hand over anything I do not need to be carrying?

    You are the source and You grow the fruit. Help me to remember my place.

    Lord, You are good.
    Where I feel jealous and insecure, help me to turn to You.
    Where I feel devalued, ignored, or inadequate, help me to see my identity in You.
    Where I am afraid or letting fear in, help me to hide in You.


    Fill me with Your love, so that I can genuinely love others.
    Put Your heart in me, for mine is feeble and fickle.
    Open up my dull, inattentive ears, and my hazy eyes.
    Help me, Lord! I need You!

    Let today be a day of renewing and refreshing, fill my soul, feed and nourish me please!

    I want to be obedient to You.
    I want to please You, Lord.
    I want to honor You and do the work that you have called me to well, Lord.

    Strengthen me. Overwhelm my feeble feelings and insecurities with Your great love. Let me turn to You in all things.

    My heart is Yours.

    Amen.

    ______________________

    Alex Gerber

    Host + Writer, Moving Forward

    http://www.movingforwardcontent.com

  • Becoming A Man of Loyal Kindness

    Right With God: Exploring Life, Relationships, Faith and Spirituality Through God’s Word. 

    www.movingforwardcontent.com 

    __________________________________

    Do you want a satisfying life? 

    I think most men I know would answer this question yes. We are so often looking for satisfaction, and living a life defined by it would be a dream. 

    To understand how to live this life, I dove into Proverbs 3. 

    “My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.” Proverbs 3:3-4

    This is not a far-fetched reality; relational satisfaction and favor are near for those who truly seek. In order to find them, one must know God. This is implied in the next 2 verses:

    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all that you do, and he will show you what path to take.” Prov 3:5-6

    The kind of acknowledgement and seeking referenced here is a knowing which comes from the Hebrew word “yada”. This implies a deep relational knowledge and intimate knowing of someone (as Adam knew Eve). 

    Next, take a look at 2 key words in verse 3 that describe what a relationally satisfied man “wears”. 

    Loyalty and Kindness (NLT translation): from the Hebrew words emet and hesed 

    “While often translated simply as ‘kindness’, hesed embodies a deeper meaning of covenantal obligation, compassion, and reliability. It is the same word used for God’s steadfast, loyal love toward humanity.

    It is frequently paired with emet (truth), indicating a total commitment to being both kind and honest/faithful.”

    Emet is “derived from the root aman, which is related to faith, trust, and firmness. It carries the imagery of being supported by strong arms; it is often used to describe the character of God as faithful, trustworthy, and consistent.”

    These 2 words imply strong, covenantal loyalty in relationships. I see this as applying to the relational strength of a man living committed to kindness, truthfulness, loyalty, integrity, and reliability. 

    Life Models: A Man With God

    A man who knows God should live out hesed and emet. His outflow (the arrows in the image below) is produced by and through his experience, or relationship, with God. The natural outflow of a close relationship with God is a transforming life marked by God’s character, wisdom, covenantal love and loyalty towards others. 

    A Man Without God

    A life without a real or right relationship with God is often marked by pulling away from God and pulling (or taking) from others, things, and circumstances to find inner peace, purpose, and satisfaction. And while relational satisfaction may still be found as an extension of God’s grace towards everyone, the deepest and most soul-filling satisfaction won’t.

    The outflow of this man may be performance-driven (“trying” to be a better man, dad, husband, etc) and self-centered. This life model is weakened; it results in poor relational strength, wavering joy, and a less satisfying life. I know–I’ve been in these shoes. 

    Living Loyalty and Kindness 

    A man living out hesed and emet cultivates a character that is self-sacrificing and growing in trust, humility, faith, and expressions of love towards others. He…

    Keeps commitments

    Practices love

    Chooses mercy and forgiveness

    Lives kindly, truthfully, consistently

    Speaks life

    Remembers the Lord’s commands

    Leans and trusts God in humble dependence

    Seeks God’s will in all he does

    Fears the Lord

    Turns from evil

    Honors God with the best he has

    Doesn’t reject or despise God’s discipline

    Seeks wisdom

    His life is guided by God’s wisdom and sourced in God’s strength, powered by the Holy Spirit. The fruits in his life are evident and good– not only for himself– but for others.

    I have walked in both shoes. I’ve experienced both good and broken relationships in a life without God. But, the most deeply growing and satisfying relationships I have ever had have been in and through knowing Him. I personally found that a right relationship with God was the only thing that could produce the inner peace and transformation needed to discover the relational favor found in these verses.

    Moving Forward

    What kind of man are you becoming and living as today?  

    Look towards a right relationship with God to cultivate hesed and emet; seek to know Him. Let your life model be guided with love, loyalty, and kindness. Begin to taste the satisfaction God has in store for those who love Him–come to know Him today!

    ___________________________________

    Want To Start?

    If you don’t feel like you are right with God, and are wondering how to start, feel free to reach out to me at gerberxc@gmail.com. 

    A right relationship with God starts with placing your trust in Jesus. Ask God to help you do this today. 

    [16]  “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

    [1] Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:1 

  • A New Day

    In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1.

    Reading this one verse tells me enough.

    God is my Creator. There is no force or fear more powerful, more sovereign, or more absolute. He created everything and holds it all together by His power.

    Nothing can come against me that will be victorious or take away His great and perfect love for me.

    For when I was helpless, hopeless, and in despair, He was there, and His love did not change.

    In my weakest moments, through my darkest days, and when my heart was hard and cold, He did not turn away from me.

    When I ran, He pursued me.
    When I fell, He carried me.
    When I hurt, He comforted me.

    There is no “why?” in my life greater than His love for me. There is no wound deeper than He can go. There is no part of my life or heart that will remain untouched by His mercy, grace, and love. And there is no AI or technology that can generate gratitude or sing praise like a heart can!

    Oh God, it is all Yours! You have and hold everything and everyone, and Your mercy and love extend to all–they are new each day!

    You are good.
    You are great!
    You are God.

    Alex Gerber
    March 13, 2026

    #charlestonsc #newday #God

  • Greater Than Superstitions

    Are you superstitious?

    Am I superstitious? First, let’s start by talking about what being “superstitious” means.

    “Superstitious describes someone who believes in superstitions—irrational beliefs in luck, magic, or supernatural causes, often driven by fear of the unknown.”

    Now here’s a place I want to say that we all share common ground–fear of the unknown. I have yet to meet someone who does not have fear. But as a man, it is often easy to hide my fears. So this question really points at something deeper, something that drives behavior and shapes decisions and character– fear.

    How we react to, respond to, and act through and out of our fear impacts not only ourselves but others. So this is an incredibly important topic! I see superstitions as a way that people cope with their fears. Don’t we all want to look for comfort or security when we are afraid? Don’t we want something stable and steady to lean on?

    For me, there was a time where it was easy to write things off as coincidence or luck. In my life, I began to see small patterns and things happening that were unexplainable. As I was going through the darkest time in my life–my divorce–I began to see small things happening that brought comfort and encouragement and hope to my situation. As I begin to journal and write about these small things, I saw something very important. There was no way that all these things could add up to be coincidence. It would take more faith to believe in luck or coincidence than to ascribe this to the hands of a God who loves and cares for me deeply, even in the small details.

    And so for me, while I may at times feel afraid of the future and the unknown, I know where to put my confidence and my trust–in someone that will always stand steady, never leave, never fail, never disappoint, and always keep His promises. This is my God, who is greater than anything I fear or face.

    I want to emphasize that men need spaces where we can talk about our fears. Places where the heavy, dark, and difficult can come to light. A man who doesn’t know his fears doesn’t know himself. A man who doesn’t acknowledge his fears is in denial. A man who doesn’t work through them with other men places his relationships in danger.

    I want to encourage men to step forward and be unafraid to step into spaces where they can bring and dive into exploring their fears.

    I also want to point to something greater than anything superstitions can offer to cope or face fears–someone who has faced the hardest, scariest and most difficult things a human can face, and who was victorious. Someone who can bring us into a right relationship with a loving God who cares about every detail of our life. This is Jesus.

    Alex Gerber
    Host and Writer, Moving Forward
    http://www.movingforwardcontent.com

  • Knowing God In All Things

    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all that you do, and he will show you what path to take.” Prov 3:5-6

    “Acknowledge him”…“Seek his will”  

    What does it mean to acknowledge God, to seek His will in all things?

    → Found here in the original Hebrew is “Yada”, which implies a relational knowledge and intimate “knowing” (as Adam knew Eve).

    → In all things, lean into and on your relationship with God. He knows you intimately. Go to Him, be near Him, draw near Him in everything, in relationship with Him, and He will (His promise) direct your steps (actively) and show you which path to take – whether in opened doors or removed obstacles.

    Come to Him in humble dependence and submission to His hand on your life, guiding you where He knows will be best for you and others and His Kingdom.

    ———–

    What are you facing today that you can bring to Him for guidance?

    Can you trust His goodness in directing your steps?

  • The Best Work

    If you are curious to explore and dive into faith-building content, check out more at http://www.movingforwardcontent.com


    A primary expectation, opportunity, and privilege of a life spent following Jesus is work. Enjoyable, energizing, tough, difficult, richly rewarding work. If we follow Jesus, within this work we have been given a task, and we are expected to carry it out– both individually and collectively. And while we have different gifts to use in different ways, there is no difference in the overall task assigned to us: reconciling people to God.

    I wanted to explore a few key words from a passage in 2 Corinthians 5:

    →“Katallassō”= to reconcile, restore to favor,
    to exchange hostility for peace and friendship, completely and fully

    →“Diakonia”= ministry, service, responsibility entrusted to someone

    Put together, these imply a “ministry of reconciliation”.

    →“Presbeuomen”= ambassador, to act as a representative, on the behalf / authority of someone greater

    Reconciliation involves a state of making something right– turning separation into relationship, hostility into peace, and guilt into forgiveness– completely. 

    Our work– our responsibility and ministry– is to serve as ambassadors, with this message to others of reconciliation with God offered through Jesus Christ.

    This work is relational work, and we are tasked with building relationships, which is critical to this ministry.

    Before anything else though, this all starts with our personal reconciliation with God. Only then, can we move forward in representing Christ (and his heart) towards others in our lives, working through:

    • mercy
    • forgiveness
    • kindness
    • compassion
    • love
    • humility
    • service

    Tough Reality

    A man who professes to follow Jesus cannot fully complete this mission, this ministry and this task if he is isolating, hiding, running from relational conflict, avoiding, retaliating against, or harboring bitterness, unforgiveness and resentment towards others.

    And, there is no work harder – more challenging – and often painful, than engaging in real relational work, because it often demands a lot of you.

    But, there is also nothing more rewarding than working towards this task. Consider…

    Personal rewards —
    friendships, right relationships, peace with others, joy and delight here on earth

    Kingdom rewards —
    others made right with God – eternal life, glory, peace, fruit, and joy.

    So…

    Moving Forward

    Work hard to represent Christ

    Work hard to draw others to Him.

    Look for opportunities and ways to do this work.

    You may (and should) find yourself pleading with and for (“parakaleō”) others, yet never forcing.

    Each relationship in front of you may provide an opportunity to participate in this ministry.

    Become a “welcoming invitation” to draw others towards God through your words, your actions, your story, and your life– this is your work and the task given to you.  

    “[18] And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. [19] For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. [20] So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” [21] For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

    —————-
    Writer’s note: I’m not a theologian – I’m just a regular guy in Charleston SC who enjoys diving into God’s word in the morning. As words (and coffee) sink in, I journal and love sharing what I’m learning. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to me at gerberxc@gmail.com

  • Never Give Up

    Morning Dive – March 6, 2026

    www.movingforwardcontent.com 

    “As God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanks giving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.” 2 Corinthians 4:15-16

    Is there anything you are facing today that is making you feel ready to give up? Consider these words in 2 Corinthians 4. 

    Our present struggles – even though they may not appear to be – are small and brief. But what they can produce is eternal and weighty!

    In the original language, “skopeō” is used for “fix your gaze”; it means to “scope”, observe, focus, consider with intention. To me, this is “the way we think about what we see”. 

    What can we see?

    • Circumstances
    • Trials
    • Suffering
    • Material things 
    • The visible experiences of this world

    What can’t we see?

    • Eternal glory
    • Spiritual transformation
    • Our eternal inheritance
    • God

    Understanding that what we can’t see is far greater than what we can allows our perspective – mindset – to shift, especially in hard circumstances. 

    When we focus on what we perceive to be happening to us, it can be easy to think “this isn’t fair”, feel discouraged or even hopeless, and feel that there is no point, purpose, or end to what we are facing.

    But when we look at reality through the lens of eternity, and consider what is being worked within us and through our circumstances – things that last far beyond what we see – we can discover how Paul could say “ that is why we never give up.” 

    How are you thinking about what you can see today? Consider the perspective offered in Corinthians as you look at what you are facing. Your present troubles may seem huge, painful, and difficult, but I encourage you to look beyond these to what they are producing, within you and for God – who alone can give you the strength to endure.

    Lift up your eyes and fix your gaze on Him today. Don’t give up.

    “It is impossible for that man to despair who remembers that his helper is omnipotent” – Jeremy Taylor 1613–1667, English Bishop + writer

    —————-

    Writer’s note: I’m not a theologian – I’m just a regular guy in Charleston SC who enjoys diving into God’s word in the morning. As words (and coffee) sink in, I journal and love sharing what I’m learning. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to me at gerberxc@gmail.com

  • Morning Dive


    March 5, 2026

    This is a journal entry of my thoughts and learning this AM; please excuse any content or grammatical errors due to not enough coffee.

    Why Romans?

    I’ve been in Romans chapter 12, and deeply considering why this chapter is placed where it is, and what it means. In reflecting this AM, I expanded my view to the entire letter to the Romans.

    Here’s What’s I Learned:

    Paul stretches out God’s plan, including the reality of our predicament, need for a Savior, and riches of God’s mercy towards us through Jesus Christ — the gospel — in chapters [1–11].

    ★ His response is worship — awe and reverence!

    → How great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge!
    → How impossible for us to understand His decisions and ways!
    → Everything comes from Him
    → Everything exists by His power
    → Everything is intended for His glory

    ★ And so Paul pleads — because of all God has done for us, and who He is — give your bodies to God as a living sacrifice! This is the way to worship Him.

    And now, because of what God has done…

    Allow God to work in you, transforming you into a new person by changing the way you think (renewal).

    Then:
    ★You will know God’s will for you (purpose).

    How You Will Change

    you will grow in…
    [Romans 12–15]:

    • A more humble mindset
    • A more honest self-evaluation
    • A greater sense of “body” belonging
    • An ability to use your gift(s) well
    • Really loving others
    • Hating what is wrong
    • Clinging to what is good
    • Delighting in honoring others
    • Working and serving the Lord hard and enthusiastically
    • Rejoicing in hope
    • More patience in trouble
    • Consistently praying
    • Helping those in need
    • Practicing hospitality with eagerness
    • Blessing and praying for those attacking or opposed to you
    • Empathizing with others
    • Living in harmony with others
    • Enjoying ordinary people
    • Always seeing ways you can grow and learn
    • Not paying back wrong with wrong
    • Living honorably
    • Not seeking revenge
    • Treating your “enemies” well
    • Not allowing evil to conquer you
    • Continuing to do good
    • Submitting to appointed authorities in respect and honor
    • Loving your neighbor as yourself
    • Living a “decent” life
    • Clothing yourself with the presence of Jesus
    • Not thinking of ways to indulge your fleshly desires
    • Accepting other believers who are weak in the faith
    • Not condemning or looking down on others
    • Living a life of goodness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit
    • Serving Christ with this attitude
    • Following convictions
    • Building up others in the Lord
    • Living in unity and praising God with others
    • Overflowing in confident hope through the power of the Spirit

    While there are likely more ways your life will change, this captures the essence of growing in:

    Love
    Humility
    Patience
    Goodness
    Kindness
    Peacemaking
    Gentleness
    Self-control
    Joy
    Faithfulness
    As well as service toward God and others.

    These are the “evidences” of a changing mind and transforming life, offerings of a person living in light of the understanding of what God has done for them. Without that understanding and motivation, this may simply become a “morality list” of someone trying harder to “be good.”

    ★And so, here is the great news of understanding the gospel of Jesus Christ I have learned from a review of Romans this AM:

    Understanding who we are, what He has done, accepting Him as Lord of our lives, and allowing His Spirit to do the renewing work within us begins to grow and produce these fruits, allowing us to live in greater evidence of a transformed — changed — life, reflecting Him, thereby worshipping God and loving others.