As far back as I can remember I watched the people I love work hard for what they have. As a young boy, I remember watching my dad climb into his truck early in the morning to drive deep into the woods to cut down the trees he would need to make a living as a logger. The years would pass, and I witnessed the same as he drove cross-country to deliver a variety of freight to the east coast. I remember thinking, "Man, my dad is the hardest working man I know!". I was proud at the fact he was a great provider and a hard worker. My mom was the same. She worked just as hard, if not harder raising myself and two sisters. I love them dearly. They did a great job raising us to respect others, go out and live our dreams, and to love God with our entire being. I respect and love them for the integrity, work ethic, and godly principles they instilled in us. I just simply had more questions when it came to the subjects of work and provision as a whole.

I really didn't think there was anything innately wrong with working hard, because it's all anyone around me ever knew. I mean, after all, much of society is wired to work hard in a variety of occupations and industries. But as I grew older and began working in industries and jobs I didn't like; I began to question this thing called "work".

It wasn't until I reached the ripe old age of 27 and had a major encounter with God through a set of challenging events, that I really began to question it. Not because I thought work was bad, but because the word "hard" was attached to it. I began to ask God things like, "Why does work have to be hard?" and "If work is good, then why do I feel frustrated when I'm doing some of it?" and "Why does it seem the harder I work, the less I get paid?" and "Why do I always seem to struggle with this money thing?" and "Why does work have to take the life out of people?" and "Why does the call of hard work have to rip families apart?" and "Was this what you originally had in mind for humanity?". On and on the list of questions grew.

Again, I wasn't raised to be lazy, so that wasn't the reason for all the questions. It was more of a desire to see if there was in fact, a better or "higher" way to look at work and this wonderful thing we call provision. After coming to the end of myself, I am happy to report there is a higher way. Effortless Provision is more than a message of hope and freedom. It's an actual encounter with Jesus himself regarding wealth, religion, provision, and more. Every time I sat down to write it's like he stepped through my very being to think, type, and converse with me.

There are answers in this book I have wanted to know my entire adult life regarding provision, and how it operates. It took me approx. two years to dictate this very conversation because it has taken me two years and longer to mature into living what is written on these pages.

So, to all those who have ever struggled with frustration, depression, anger, mundane work, lack, poverty, and self-effort, this "living" book is for you. It is my life message and a "thorn in the flesh" if you will when it comes to provision.

My prayer is that you will posture yourself in such a way that will allow you to receive this encounter/
message without bias. I would ask that you take off any conditioned, negative reactions and religious lenses you may have. Set them aside, and receive what Jesus wants to say to you inside these pages. If you do, I promise you will receive something that will change your life for the better. You will see Jesus in a way that will cause you to rethink some things because you will experience him sharing from a place of relatability and authenticity. It's the Jesus you always knew to be true away from the effort found in religion.

Here's to the end of effort.

Your friend, John