The Food for Thought Faithcast with Be Rob
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The Food for Thought Faithcast with Be Rob
Ep.23- Crescent Automotive-Inspirational Journeys of Faith and Community
What happens when life's trials test the very core of your faith? Join me as I recount a deeply personal journey marked by loss, resilience, and divine grace. Over the past six months, my family and I have faced the heartache of losing my father-in-law, navigated my wife's emergency surgery, and weathered the havoc wreaked by Hurricane Helene. Through these challenging times, we found solace and strength in faith and prayer, learning to trust in a divine plan greater than our earthly troubles. I reflect on biblical teachings and share insights that can guide you towards finding peace and understanding amidst life's chaos.
Unexpected encounters have a way of shaping our paths in profound ways. During this period, I had the privilege of meeting Brian, a fellow car enthusiast whose values resonated with my own. What began as a casual conversation evolved into a deep connection, bridging professional and spiritual realms. Brian and his wife’s touching adoption story of their daughter, Presley Jane, added another layer of inspiration, reminding us of the unexpected blessings life can offer. Through these interactions, I learned the importance of choosing fulfilling paths that align with our personal beliefs, rather than merely following lucrative opportunities.
As we celebrate stories of faith and leadership, I am honored to highlight the exemplary work of Brian and Jamie Johnson at Crescent Automotive, who have been recognized for their Christ-like values and positive impact. Their recent accolade, presented by evangelist Frank Shelton, stands as a testament to their dedication and influence. We continue this journey with hope and encouragement, inviting you to join us at upcoming musical events and remain connected as a community, united by faith and the promise of divine blessings. Together, we can navigate life's challenges, uplifted by stories of inspiration and the enduring love of God.
drive crescent.com
#drivecrescent
how y'all doing b rob here, it's food for thought podcast. It's sunday, february the 23rd, and I know we haven't done one in a couple days. I've been getting acclimated to my new life and I just want to tell you the testimony of that new life tonight. And, um, he, he takes care of his people and that's uh, it's an amazing thing. But, um, I need to quit saying um, that is killing me. But we're going to work on that, on this podcast, so, uh, so anyway, the last um, six months have been tough.
Speaker 1:Y'all saw me the last four years and I was working my butt off, playing for at least four nights a week, whether it was trivia, karaoke, djing or playing live music. I was working. I mean, it was my business, it was my small business and that's what I did when I retired, and it was very successful for three years. Then things happened. Things happened my wife's dad died and that was pretty detrimental to her. 30 days later she had hysterectomy surgery, which was kind of an emergency thing because she had a mass. Then, exactly 30 days later after that, we had Hurricane Helene, which happened in October. So it shut everything down for at least a month, two months, I mean I played gigs, but it wasn't like anything the year before. Even Christmas and private parties suffered because venues suffered, weddings were canceled, venues were canceled, venues were destroyed. We had a lot of things happen. But guess what happened? We persevered. We absolutely persevered. We prayed, we gave it to the Lord. We sure did, and there were times where times got very tough, and it's harder for my wife than it is me. I don't know why that is, but maybe that's why we're together, so I can help her, but I can help her. But I mean, there is a big, big, big things out there, bigger than you. There is a God who gave his only son as a human to die and suffer as a human in this world, a terrible, terrible, terrible death. And he was a flawless human too, a flawless human. The worst thing he did was question God. Well, he, I didn't. He questioned him, but then in one instance he went back and said no, this is what I have to do. So it wasn't, it was a human. That was the only time he was human. But I'm just here to share some great news and testimony with you guys. Today it's, it was a beautiful day.
Speaker 1:John, chapter 14, verse 27, says peace. I leave with you May peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid, basically saying that anything of this world that you may be relying on or you question God about it's never going to give you the kind of peace or satisfaction it's only temporary. The love that God gives, the love that Jesus showed, real love, the die for you type of love, that's the only thing that lasts forever. So if you believe in him, you should not be afraid, because he does not give to you the same satisfaction that the world gives to you, which is temporary. I mean it totally is. It's temporary and, guys, I just you know you got to believe that God is working in your life because right now, and even if you don't understand because, trust me, there were times in the last six months I did not understand what was going on because there were times where we just it's like you know, we live in this nice big old house that I saved up and I worked really hard for, but things were stripped away and things get stripped away for you for a reason, there is a reason and if you don't rejoice in that reason and understand. You won't understand the things to come and you might even, uh, mess that up, but I just want to say it's an amazing thing, because you just have to believe that God is working in your life, even if you don't understand or you don't see the the grain of the results at this time, because it may not be for you at this time. Old pastor of mine told me one time you're either going into a trial or you're coming out of a trial, and what that means is you're going to have low points and you're going to have high points, but the high points are going to be way better than the low points, and the low points are only there to hump you. They really are.
Speaker 1:Psalm 34, verse 14,. Depart from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it. Depart from evil and do good. Don't worry about this world. This world is evil. Don't worry about the temptations, pornography, everything you see on TV. I mean you can't watch a show right now and it's I mean this had pornography where it's just got so much subliminal things in it. Depart from evil, which is this world. I'm not saying uh, I mean we live here, but we can be the light. Depart from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it. Seek peace, truth, knowledge, pursue it. If you feel good in your heart, then that might be something God's telling you. Does that make sense? But it's not a temporary thing. It's a true love. It's not a temporary feeling. The future always proves the past.
Speaker 1:Another verse today is Exodus 14, chapter 14, verse 14. 14, 14, there's that. There you go. The Lord will fight for you. Be still. The Lord will fight for you, be still. If you stay steadfast in prayer, believe and have faith and are saved, he's going to fight for you. I mean, david didn't need to know Goliath's strength because why? He already knew God's Like. He didn't care about how big Goliath was and the books tell it he was two stories tall compared to David, who was nothing. He did not need to know Goliath's strength because he already knew God's strength. Nothing you're facing today is stronger than God, and if you think that, then you need to check your faith. You really do. You really really do. Which brings me to this Steadfast in prayer. You have to be steadfast in prayer. Mark 11, chapter Mark. Chapter 11, verse 24.
Speaker 1:Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have already received it and it will be yours. Do you understand what I'm talking about there? That's that manifestation, that's manifesting it in God's name. Not just manifesting it, but manifesting it in God's name, because he already wrote the book. You're already written in the story. Do you understand that? And if you understand that, then positive things will happen to you. And if you understand that, then positive things will happen to you.
Speaker 1:And let me just go on with my testimony before I get too long winded. I've been ever since the new year started. Well, I've been conflicted and I talked about that in the spiritual warfare episodes and if you have not heard those, you need to go back and hear them. Um, those are back in episodes. Let me check real quick. They are episodes Seven and eight. Okay, so it's. It's like a little micro pod, mini series, I guess you want to say.
Speaker 1:But I talked about how I was conflicted about I did not want to go back in the car business, because the contemporary retail car business to me is not of the faith and spiritual belief that I believe in, even though it made me a lot of money, but it's it's slavery. It really is like it's 70 hours a week it's. You get tried on the daily by people of all different walks of life and it's just not a good thing. Jobs and done many interviews since the first of the year, even got even got accepted for a couple of jobs got down to doing the paperwork and just said no, I can't do this. And I don't know why I said that. Something inside of me just said no. Something inside of me just said no.
Speaker 1:A lot of times I even went to talk with a really good old friend of mine, greg Hodges, who's an amazing, amazing car guy. Young, greg Hodges, he's one of my favorite people that I worked for and I just couldn't get myself to go do that. I don't know why, but something inside of me told me no. And you know, there's pressure from the wife, there's pressure from the bills, there's pressure from everything. I mean food costs. It's ridiculous, everything's ridiculous.
Speaker 1:But one day I got, I saw a thing come across, the indeed, and um, it was Crescent automotive, which I I I was pretty familiar with Crescent automotive, although I thought the original owner had sold it to a lady which come to find out I'll tell you the story in a second. But I uh, answered the ad. They wanted somebody to do their website and work their social media for $50,000 a year. I figured, heck, I was doing my own website, my own the music and everything. I was doing it for free. I was even doing a couple of restaurants social it for free. I was even doing a couple restaurants social media for free. And why not do it for $50,000 a year and still play music and do my weddings? So I answered the ad and I got a immediate return saying they want to do an interview and I believe this was on a Thursday and funny thing how God works.
Speaker 1:I woke up that morning, got my coffee, got ready for the interview. About five minutes before the interview, the evil one creeped in my head and told me you know they're going to pick some young person for this. You know, you old, you outdated, and you know I almost did not click on the Zoom button for the interview Five minutes before the interview. That's a true story, it really is. God is my witness. But I clicked on it anyway and a camera came up.
Speaker 1:A guy named Brian Johnson came on the camera and I looked at him and I was like Brian Johnson and he looked back at me and he was like do I know you? You look familiar to me. Of course, I got the beard and the long hair now. So 27 years ago, in the late nineties, I looked like a kid, because I was a kid, I was 22, 23 years old. And um, he was like do I know you? And I was like, yes, dick Smith, he's like huh. And I was like you used to buy all the cars I used to sell. He was like, oh, my goodness, it was crazy. And then his wife came on Her name is Jamie. And then Julia came on, which is their top co-worker and she's an amazing person and she's only like 29 years old and she's better than most of the people that I've met in 27 years of being in the car business. Like better doesn't lie, doesn't try to uh, one-up you. I mean it's. It's honestly pretty cool.
Speaker 1:So that we're talking. We're long story short. We're talking on the interview, okay, and you know, two car guys talk. Two car guys get together, especially old school car guys. We have a different language, so we know each other's language, like we could spot each other in a room, in a hotel lobby room of 200. And that's just how it's going to be and we're going to, we sniff each other out. It's just, I don't know, it's a different breed and you just have to be there to understand what I'm talking about. But he's done it for almost 40, and I've done it for almost 30. So I mean, that's, it's a different than today's, uh, economic temperature level.
Speaker 1:I guess you would say, um, we've, uh, all been there and done that sort of speak, but it was just amazing because we were talking to each other and the wife and the young salesman was listening and Brian was just like, man, I'm going to hire a young kid for this job that you applied for, but I want you to come, that you applied for, but I want you to come, just come, come, look what we do. And he went on to say that we have no dealer fees, no doc fees, we have SRP financing. So it's straight up and it's just really good, nice used cars, it really is. And I was like, okay, you know, cause I'm, you know, car guys will put you together, you don't, you don't know, I don't know, but he has had a reputation, not a bad one, and he's been at the same place for years and years and years and years. So long story, short food for thought is it's just wild how this happens, how God puts people together and I've talked about this on the show.
Speaker 1:We talked for about 30, 45 minutes me, jamie, julia and Brian and it was just an amazing conversation. And I get off the Zoom call and I'm just like wow, I never really thought about going back and selling cars. You know, I make a phone call tomorrow and get a finance job making a lot of money, but then I would sell my soul again and I would, I would be a slave. And I was like, wow. So about cause? I told him about my podcast and I told him about my business.
Speaker 1:So about an hour after that, brian text me and he said man, I'm listening to your podcast right now about spiritual warfare. He said I can totally relate. He said I think you're going to like it with us. So that was like green flag number one Well, maybe number two or three, but you know what I'm saying. I mean, that was just there's no red flags at this point and once again, I wasn't looking to sell cars, keep that in mind. Looking to sell cars, keep that in mind.
Speaker 1:So about 30 minutes later, he sends me a link To a podcast that he did, which was video, mine's audio, and he was on a show that was hosted by Nikita Koloff, which was one of my childhood remembrances of WWF wrestling the Russian nightmare back when Hulk Hogan, you know all that stuff, andre the Giant and so I watched the podcast. It's's almost two hours long, maybe, no, maybe an hour, I don't remember, but I watched the whole thing and come to find out this couple that I just interviewed with that owns this Crescent car lot that I've known, brian, for 27 years at least, because he sold the cars to Dick Smith back when I first started selling cars at Dick Smith 27 years ago. So that's how we know each other. Isn't that amazing? Like full circle. It's crazy, but it's not crazy. It's God, it's the universe, it's the creator, it's source. If you want to let that, you know, be a part of your faith, there's something bigger than you, definitely.
Speaker 1:But with that said, I'm watching this podcast with Nikita Koloff and he let me tell you a little bit about his story. From what I understand, he got out of the wrestling and did a men's ministry and now he preaches the gospel and tries to get people to Christ. Isn't that an amazing thing? He's been part of the success and the money and all that stuff, and then turns around and takes it and uses it for God, uses it for what he's called to. It's an amazing thing. And so I'm watching this thing. And so I'm watching this thing and I come to find out that Brian and Jamie, who own Crescent, they put a Bible in every car. Wow, that's amazing. Never heard of a dealership doing that. In fact, there are dealerships in the CSRA that won't let you have a Bible on your desk, and I'm I know this for a fact and they will shame you for it.
Speaker 1:Um, then the podcast goes on. Then the podcast goes on. Then I come to find out that they have an eight year old daughter named Presley Jane, and, um, she. Here's where the story gets complicated, because the Brian tells his story as if he started getting anxiety after all the kids left, and Brian's, I want to say he's about six, five or six years, he's upper fifties and I'm 50, not much older than me, but older than me, and all his kids are a little bit older than my kids, which they're adults, right. So he tells a story of how he became anxious and was praying to god because all his kids were moved out of his house. I guess the empty nest syndrome type thing which I've I can totally relate to. But I did.
Speaker 1:I kind of did that through music and, lo and behold, there was a baby that appeared on his doorstep. I think the story is 18 months old and now she is eight years. There was a baby that appeared on his doorstep I think the story is 18 months old and now she is eight years old. Her name is Presley Jane. They adopted her and she's a gift from God. It's an amazing story and when I heard that story it totally drew me in, because I was adopted by my father, randy Robinson, and he's an amazing person for doing that and I wouldn't be the man I would would be today if he had not done that. But the story even gets better. I mean, presley Jane plays softball I think she's going to start playing basketball but she sings and worships in the church and I've heard videos of this angel and she is amazing, is amazing, and I cannot wait to maybe even help out teaching her how to play guitar or even giving her some kind of vocal training or whatever they need me to do, because I feel drawn to this family and also the opportunity that they've given me in my life, and it's an amazing thing.
Speaker 1:And the cool thing about Crescent is they have no dealer fees, they have no dock fees and the cars are all really nice cars and I know this guy's no. I know this guy knows how to buy nice cars because he was buying nice cars for Dick Smith and we were, you know, selling them back in the late 90s. So it's an amazing thing. It's full circle and that's what God does and there are amazing people that work there and it's just, it's not cut, it's no cutthroat, it's no, nothing. In fact, he pays a fair, fair amount of money. He doesn't pay commission, it's just fair. And there's there's only five salesmen there. That's it. And if you want a great experience something like I've never seen in the car business no pressure. All the financing is done with SRP, so you don't go back to a finance manager and get pressured to do anything. High interest, all that stuff. I mean, either you can buy a car or you can't buy a car. It's cut and dry here. And that's what I love about it, because it's the car business without the BS, without the bull crap. It really is. I've only been there two days and I've already seen it. I mean it. It's, it's an amazing thing and if you, if you need a car, call me, text me, 706-691-1043.
Speaker 1:B Rob drives Crescent Websites drivecrescentcom. It's an amazing thing. I don't know really what else to say. We're going to take a short commercial break. We'll be right back.
Speaker 1:This episode is brought to you by S4 Construction Services out of Lincoln and georgia. You want your roof done right. You want your roof replacements done right. You want your metal and vinyl and hardy siding done right, patio covers, pole barns, wooden chain link fences. Call s4, call S4 Construction Services now at 706-834-0865. That's 706-834-0865.
Speaker 1:All right, we're back. It's B-Rob Food for Thought Podcast. What are we talking about? Oh yeah, the Marketplace Ministry that is Crescent Automotive, brian and Jamie Johnson, and how I found a new home and career, and it's just an amazing thing.
Speaker 1:And another amazing thing about it and I just want to tell you is they recently won an award and there's an evangelist named Frank Shelton. He's a world-known evangelist that even got an award from President Trump and they won an award for it's a leadership award. It's a it uh. It says thanks for modeling Christ and all you do. Your marketplace ministry inspires us all. You both are the best honored to be your friends. Roman eight, 28. Hashtag drive Crescent. And that's from Frank Shelton Global. That's pretty amazing. You want to know why that's amazing? Because there's only a couple, there's only a handful of people that's won this award. One is the new director of national intelligence, tulsi Gabbard. Um, frank gives her a shout out on Facebook. He says congrats to Tulsi Gabbard being named director of national intelligence. So proud of her. Great to see her and her husband.
Speaker 1:Recently in DC, our ministry made a leadership award for she's a winner. Man, it's a great time to be alive, isn't it? It's just a great time to be alive. God is bringing together the winners. I'm just telling you. I'm just telling you Next, next, next person, and this is Frank Shelton on X.
Speaker 1:He says yo, this is a leadership award I hand presented to Sylvester Stallone hashtag In Philly, so proud of his new appointment by President-elect Trump, and his says yo. Your films have touched the world and inspire millions. Your eye to detail and ability to tell a story is unrivaled. Thanks for modeling perseverance and patriotism. Yes, patriotism, much respect, and we're so proud of you. God bless you always. Keep praying and keep punching John 316. Isn't that an amazing award? And that was to Sylvester Stallone. The next one was given to Dion Sanders. How about that?
Speaker 1:Our ministry loves to honor those doing it right. Recently, I mailed Coach Primetime an award for leadership and living for the Lord. He gave a shout out back on social media Praise God. An award for leadership and living for the Lord. He gave a shout out back on social media Praise God. It's an amazing time to be alive, isn't it? And this is news, not the negative stuff. Not hearing that somebody on welfare shot somebody else on welfare I mean, this is news, this is stuff. This is the positive, this is the light we have spread through the community, through the country, the good stuff. You know, when Greg Hodges got a 30-year award at Acura no news, no nothing I sent them an email saying you guys put all this negative stuff out, but you can't even like, put this on the news. And that's a true story. That is a true story and I never understood that. I never understood that. I never understood that. I really really really never understood that.
Speaker 1:Well, today was a great day and I'm sorry I haven't been on the podcast in a couple days. I've been getting acclimated to my new job and I want to focus on that, but I still want to do the podcast, but I'm going to. It's going to might be some short ones this week, but I'm going to try to focus on my job and, uh, try to shine the light. Um, I get these source messages every day and I wanted to share some with you. This one says God is saying to you today, I am releasing favor over your life. I am opening doors that no man can shut. I'm healing your body, restoring your mind and filling you with fresh fire. I am enlarging your territory, increasing your influence and setting you up for blessings that will overflow. Walk in it, my child. Walk in confidence, walk in boldness, walk in faith. Your season of lack is over. Your season of struggle is ending. It's time to step into your destiny. How amazing is that? And you guys too, I mean this is me sharing this with you because it's your source code as well.
Speaker 1:Here's another one. It says God is saying to you today, something is about to happen for you and your family. I'm moving you to a new level. Your breakthrough is happening. The best part of your life is still out in front of you. Trust me and I'm telling you, the more you pray, the more you steadfast in prayer and the more you have faith and believe. God takes care of his people Always, has, always, will, since the dawn of time. It's through the Bible, throughout and throughout the Bible.
Speaker 1:Well, guys, it's Sunday, february 23rd. It's the Food Thought Podcast. My name's B-Rob. I love you guys. God bless, I'm out. Hey, drivecrescentcom, y'all hit me up and if you have any, any fan mail, anything you want to say about the podcast, just, there's a link right down below, just click on it and, um, y'all give me some feedback. And if you need anything, if you need anything, I'll be at Crescent Automotive, drivecrescentcom.
Speaker 1:And this coming week I'm not playing anywhere, but Saturday at the Three Star Orchard, and I want to say that's a little bit out of Edgefield, south Carolina. I want to say, but it's a beautiful place and that's 1 to 3. And then March 7th, I'll be in North Augusta at the back porch with Mark Janicek of Bodega Cat. He'll be playing the percussion for me. So y'all come check that out. That's 7 to 10. But, man, y'all come on down or call me. If you need a car, whatever, call me. It's full-blown B-Rob mode, let's go. You know what I'm saying. Drivecrescentcom, love you guys. Drivecrescentcom, love you guys. This episode is brought to you by s4 construction services out of lincoln and georgia. You want your roof done right. You want your roof replacements done right. You want your metal and vinyl and hardy siding done right, patio covers, pole barns, wooden chain link fences. Call s4 construction services now at 706 834-0865. That's 706-834-0865.
