Bishop Julius C. Trimble is the Resident Bishop of the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church.

Bishop Trimble has the personal mission to encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential. It is his commitment to his personal mission that led Bishop Trimble to create the “To Be Encouraged” Podcast along with co-host Rev.Dr. Brad Miller.

Bishop Trimble says, “I am compelled by Jesus to share with you an encouraging word or two about Jesus, theology, the Bible, the pandemic, the environment, racism, voting rights, human sexuality, and the state of the United Methodist Church.”

To Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble is to be published weekly and is available at www.tobeencouraged.com and all the podcast directories.

https://www.inumc.org/bishop/office-of-the-bishop/

Bishop Trimble's guest on episode 046 is his son Julius Thomas Trimble the author of "The Personal Bank Theory".

https://www.thepersonalbanktheory.com/

The book "The Personal Bank Theory" is all about making conscious decisions to be better every day, how financial freedom can be systematized and how personal change is foundational to impacting real change the world needs. Bishop Trimble and Julius Thomas Trimble ("J.T.") integrate their discussion of the concepts of his book with the around the importance of black history month particularly around the power of personal freedom to effect real change in society.

https://www.thepersonalbanktheory.com/

Hello good people and welcome to to be encouraged with Bishop Julius C tremble. Our special guest today is his son, Julius Thomas treble is the author of the new book, The personal bank theory. He works with the Hawthorne Thomas group, whose mission is to build positive new communities one family at a time. Bishop, would you help me welcome Julius Thomas treble to our podcast? Hey, my son, Julius Thomas, this is your father.

We have a long standing.

And make everyone else deal with you the same way. Julius Thomas travel is something you'd like to go by JT, thanks for being on the podcast and just tell us a little bit just a little bit about how you're with this kid, just a piece of your faith story. What led you eventually to writing this book, the personal bank theory, personal bank theory, give us a little bit about your story. Well, first of all, thank you for welcoming me and having me as a guest today on this this podcast to be encouraged podcast. And I hope I can share some information, some things that I've learned with the listeners to be encouraged. And I'll answer your question. I'm Reverend Miller by I started my faith journey, you know, starts a long time ago. As as we know that I am the son of Bishop Julius Caesar tremble. So that will make me a PK. And so as far as my faith journeys, originally started, more PK instructors, kids, for those who may or may or may not know that I'm a PK myself, but thank you, thank you for letting them know, sometimes we forget, because we're submerged in the church at such a young age, the, the language and the the customs and traditions are a part of our culture from an early age. So so my, my faith story started, you know, from Sunday school and from, you know, being in the church and seeing my father at the pulpit. But it really has been triggered and continued, as I've grown. And in maturity in life, especially, I would say, in my journey to California, which has really taught me a lot about

the need for faith in our own lives, but especially in this country, which inspired me to write an author, with the support of my family, friends and network, the personal bank theory, which really talks about the mentality that's required the faith that's required to first believe in yourself and your mindset to create the personal bank, the personal platform, financial platform, for you to create your own dreams life and,

and live out the life that you that you desire to live.

Bishop, what's your thoughts about integrating the work that JT is doing into this whole area? This whole conversation we're having about black history?

I think it's very important because I quote Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A lot. And often people associate him primarily. And this is unfortunately primarily with I Have a Dream speech, which was a great speech at the March on Washington in 1963. But before he died, he really focused a lot on economics around on wrong shared wealth. And one of the quotes is he God never intended for one group of people to live with superfluous, inordinate wealth while others live in abject, deadening poverty. He was a firm believer that no one had to live in poverty in the richest country in the world. And I think Julius Thomas's focus on the personal bank theory is that we have a lot to do with our own future as it relates to our economic make sustainability and wealth as individuals and as families and as communities.

So Julius Thomas, JT you, you emphasize in your book, some concepts about having some about freedom that comes with when you have your own sustainability and kind of focus towards folks who may have not had that. And so tell us a little bit about what you mean by achieving some of the freedom is more than a number, for instance, that you talk about in your book.

That I think that's an excellent point to bring up. Because life is really about perspective and your perspective, we all live our own lives in in See, see the world through our own two lenses. And so, you know, sometimes your part of the story isn't the whole story. And it's really important to, like, sit to have that perspective, well, I want

to understand you about personal freedom, you, you emphasize that in your in your book here about and what I'm trying to get at here is you can't be a contributor to to the world, I believe is what you're saying in your book and what you teach with unless you have your own personal freedom. And a part of that is you're developing, you know, your your personal bank theories, you say, you got to develop your own sustainability order to serve others. And there's some freedom in that

first starts off with your perspective and perspective of freedom. Because they say like, perception is reality, a lot of times, like your reality is based off your perception. And so, freedom can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people, but you need to be the consciously in control of what that end goal of freedom looks like to you. It could it could mean you know, being debt free, it could mean you know, having a million dollars, it could be, you know, going on a vacation a couple of times a year and having enough money to support your children when you need to. And so, freedom in my opinion really means the ability to be able to do what you want, or express yourself in ways without a consequence of changing your lifestyle. And in order to be able to do that, I think that starts with some type of financial base, to be able to uphold any type of turbulence, that your expression of ideas, thoughts, love, or whatever you do, and and not affecting that stability that keeps you you know, living and moving forward in this life.

Vishal Julius, Bishop Julius treble, Julius Thomas treble talks here, about your, your bass. How do you think Bishop having kind of a financial or a base of sustenance is integrated with our spiritual base, our spirit, our mental health base, our physical health base? How are they integrated together in order to make a greater contribution to the world and I believe, you know, Dr. King, gives us some leadership in this area. As we talk about black history month,

we've been created as whole person's body, mind and spirit. And our freedom is constricted, when any part of that part of our humanity is constricted. So in the case of the history of black people in this country, our freedom was constricted by by legally and, and illegally, laws that were passed, as well as for long term labor without compensation, slavery, chattel slavery, and so I think Dr. King, certainly emphasize, that person must be free of all restrictions from earning a living wage, starting one's own business, owning land, he often would point back to, you know, to people who have been granted land, and persons who've been given advantage of owning, and having access to capital and to property. So I think that this being a hold spiritually, we're not just here to prepare to go to heaven. You know, the Bible, we often talk about how the Lord has prepared a room or the King James Version who said a mansion was, but we also should be able to own sustainably have a sustainable life here on Earth, have shelter over our heads and food on our tables, and that should be across across the society. So we need to do our part, whatever part that is, and I think in the case of JT he's saying, hey, there's a pet, there's a pathway for individuals to make sure that that shirt you need to have faith you may need to have a faith community. You need to take care of your mental health and your physical health and exercise. But you also need to do some physical fiscal exercise not physical but fiscal, financial extra sizing in such a way that you're that you're that you're a whole person. That's, that's insane.

What JT, can't financial freedom be systematized? Can it? Is there a process we can use here? And how does that apply to what we're talking about? Here?

Definitely is the answer to your question. We all live in participate in systems and processes, whether we like them or not, we're born into systems in this country is a well well oiled machine system. And and, and so, in order to really create your own personal freedom, you need to apply systems and structure to your life. The everybody who's great at their craft, or the greatest at their craft in any any field is somebody who implements systems, especially earlier than later, the professional athlete who implements the system of practicing and waking up early, I'm not only going to the team practices, but individually practicing the shooting drills and in the dribbling drills, and he becomes a more advanced in his peers and, and elevates his game to become a professional. The speaker who, whose, whose, whose goes viral on YouTube didn't just happen overnight. They were practicing speeches, if not to other people, to their family, to their friends, getting their voice out and perfecting their craft, to the opportunity, that that that system of practicing, got them to elevate it to more people. And so by implementing systems financially, and starting with the first step of first believing that no matter how much money I make, it's not about how much money I make is how much how much money I keep, how much money I invest, you know, implementing that first system of thought of that you're not a victim of income or wage. You're a victim of mindset first. And by changing your mindset and then implementing the correct financial tools into that system, you can systemize your own personal growth and just by sharing this information, this process can be systemized because it's not reinventing the wheel is just that communication is constantly changing, and 2023. And that the methods that my father used to get information are different than the message that I use now to receive the news, which are a lot different than the message that my god, god, daughter and niece received a news that at four years old, and all this information is is the same, but it's communicated differently. And so by Systemising, the right things, it's really all about just communicating these things to reach the messaging to these people where they're at. So they can implement these systems in their own life.

I have a question for JT, you know, given this is Black History Month, and I've heard you refer to this as black wealth month. What would some people might say, Hey, I don't have a college degree. I didn't like like, JT, I didn't go to university and major in business or her finances. You know, I just want to beat green, I work a regular job. You know, is there is this something I can understand that personal bank through? What advice would you have for say, young black American or for any any black brown, white Americans, any any any person who would say, Hey, listen, I really want to be experienced. Freedom, financial freedom, and I do want to, I want to be in a position to help other people are proud, this podcast really is about encouraging people so we can help other people. And a lot of times, I think, grant that people even in our churches want to do more, but they haven't been able to really kind of work through some of their own challenges. As all all people have to deal with, and so they they aren't as we aren't as generous as we'd like to be. Because we haven't reached that. So JT, I know that's kind of a long a question. But I mean, someone said, what, what is one thing or two things because you I know you're doing? You've done some workshops at churches out in California. So what do you tell people step step one or step two, by the book or?

Well, I think that will be a short version. You know, yeah, it is written, as as has been said in in written and so it's in the text. But one thing that I share in this book and sharing and promoting this book is one message that I think this book really details outside of just the specific instructions and the financial vehicles his book breaks down and the importance of life insurance and, and collaboration and working together in unity and how these things can compound together just like how your money compounds. Collaboration is the key to liberation. So, you know, just sharing information is really the start of wealth. I think when you started your question about returning Black History Month into black wealth month for recording this month as black wealth month. Well, part of the reason we we want to express and affirm wealth is that is that the collection of coming together benefits, the collection and the whole, when communities are able to come together and work as a group to to first build something out on small scale is able to be scaled. And, and so I think it's really important that that, you know, we first like always, like I said, the book is called the personal bank theory, because the idea is that if we all take the idea to build our own personal banks, that the theory is that we can collaborate and come together and unite to really, really make some different changes to the status quo in this world. And so, if there's two things that I would say is, one is yes, it starts with your own personal mindset. And this book is a really a good start. That's really for anybody, you don't have to be in college or, or, or doctor, doctorate to pick up on this information. This This book was meant for everybody. But the idea of collaboration is the key to liberation, and that once you read this book, shared this book, share this book, share this information, and don't just take the information take action on the information. And that's where these, where this book really comes into play and where this system of freedom can be. Or this process of freedom can be systemized is by collaborating and sharing the information and taking action individually on set information. For ourselves. You've mentioned

a couple of times, Julius Thomas and also Bishop about mindset, and about how you need to we kind of have a disease a mindset, or we're constrained by an old, a mindset that holds us back. And yet, it's hard to change, isn't it? It's hard for us to change our ways. And it's hard to break a pattern there. You talk a little bit here in your book about a conscious decision. And Bishop I know we when we talk about sometimes we talk about being courageous, you have to decide to be encouraged with the world is often discouraging. So let's talk a little bit, both of you a bishop edge, and Julius Thomas, about change of mindset, how do you do it? What are some of the practices? What are some of the habits that you have to do? What are some of the uncomfortable things we know Steve must be to break mindset in order to achieve something greater

part of part of the mindset is, is how do we step outside of who we are, when I do all of the various tests. You know, I'm I'm more of an introvert and an extrovert. But some I have to step out of my, my my sense of being an introverted person who would just assume, be by myself and have conversation, read a book or watch a video or watch a movie. And recognize that I have a contribution to make I begin in the morning by reciting the 23rd Psalm before I get out of bed. And then I have a heavy anthem that I've that I've established, to speak to, to speak to myself and say, Listen, I am the CEO of myself. And I have the opportunity and the commitment to encourage people when I encountered them every day in the public space. So that encouraged I first have to encourage myself and then remind myself the commitment that I made and then when I leave the house try to live up or live into that commitment. And I think right now just given the the violence that we see across the country in the world, there's a great need for kindness, a great need for words of affirmation and great need for for for collaboration. As JT has said, you know, there's a hunger for that people do really want to share good good news, because they don't have a choice. We're being bombarded by bad news. So it's a conscious choice to do some people even a challenging in states like Florida and other places, challenging the, the need for Black History being taught, or or whether or not who's whose idea this was, or black history goes back to 1915 with the Association for the Study of Negro life. by Carter G. Woodson, who was actually a black and early black graduate of Harvard University. And he started in 1915. Because it was the 50th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation when Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves. And it's in February because people in the country, and particularly black people are already celebrating in the month of February, Abraham Lincoln's birthday and the abolition abolitionist Frederick Douglass is birthday. So that's why it's in February. And it initially was to promote highlights of black Americans who make great achievements and contributions. Persons who've done inventions and it's gone on through to be part of American history. That's highlighted in February, but part of part of the overall American history story, so we can celebrate people who are different. And and at the same time, take hold of our own future, as JT said, in terms of how we want to make a difference in terms of our own wealth, our own progress and on philanthropy, our own ability to make a difference in other people's lives,

which at this issue of mindset, and I guess I want to put this twist on it just a little bit with Black History Month. Is there any particular and aspect of mindset that needs to be approached any differently for for black Americans as opposed to America is of any other color nationality? I'm just asking, forthrightly, are they we that you think we need to look at this in terms of a particular mindset? To help us move forward?

I think that's a good question that needs to be brought to light. And to follow up on on my father, Bishop Trimble is on point about distractions and the fact that the idea of that moving forward, and people don't think that, you know, black history, and these things should be celebrated, or people want to strip these histories and, and, and kind of just move forward with moving, moving these things out of history and existence, it's important to understand that these things are intentional in 2023, I'm claiming the year of intention. And I think it's really important to have an intentional mindset as much as there's intentionally distractions that are placed in front of us all each and every day, that deter us from our purpose deter us from being faithful to our journey to what God wants us to do, as individual and individuals and as a collective community. And so I think it's really important to be intentional about our mindset for anyone, in particular, for African Americans in this country, because we're intentionally targeted as people who can only really do certain things, and are exploited in these things and glorify for these categories of entertainment, and sports. And these things that are very great and wonderful careers and paths. But there's so much more to our culture. And there's so much so many more African American entrepreneurs and, and people who are doing things, teachers, leaders, who are sharing in their information, their knowledge, their expertise, with everybody in. And I think it's really important to understand that, like, that all starts with the intention. And they having that intentional mindset and not being victimized, all the wrong that's going on. And all the distractions that are, like I said, are intentionally put out there to really deter you from your purpose. And so it's really just important for us to understand that like, as the Bible says, you know, there's good and there's evil, and we have to lean into the good and look within ourselves. By first having that intentional mindset of being positive human beings and leaders of Christ, who can move forward, collaborate together, and express our love in many, many different ways.

Bishop wanted to see if you have any thoughts about what the Bible says, or what is the church can say about all these, you know, all what we're talking about here, you know about, about developing your own breaking mindset about for black folks and others to break patterns here in order to be lifted up. We got people talking about critical race theory and all kinds of nonsense, which are distractions out there. But how can we focus on what the Bible says here? In terms of what we heard about moving forward?

I think too, there's two passages that come to mind and one of them is that If one of them reminds me sometimes I need to hold my place. I think that Psalm 4610, where where the God speaks to the psalmist, and says, Be still be still and know that I am God, it's on the walls in our home. Be still and know that I am God. Sometimes we are. So we're so caught up moving and chasing and reacting, that we can't be stealing recognize that we did not create ourselves. We were created by God. The second second thing I think, which is really apropos for this moment, in particular, and JT talks about intentionality, is resilience, as well as resilience as well as abundance. And I think of John 1010, when Jesus says the enemy comes to steal and to kill, but I have come, the Savior has come that you might have life and have it more abundantly. Some translations, they have life and head but fulfilling are full fully. So they have life and all of its fullest. I don't use that. Dr. Bread as as a launching pad for prosperity gospel is some. But I do believe Jesus really wanted us to have a whole life. And it also speaks to you think about the recent news about Senator, the newest, newest, one of the newest Senator John John Fetterman. And if I'm saying his name, right, and now he's brought attention again to mental health, because he checked himself in and as they praise be to God, you know, just this past week, as a bishop, I'm constantly hearing bread, you probably know this. You know, as a bishop, I get a lot of information about how, how people are just just wrestling with stress and depression. And and we are the stigma associated with that. So I think this is a month where we think of when I think about intentionality, we need to be intentional about about our spiritual, mental health, a willingness to help to get help, and JT is really has helped, he helped me as he I know, he's helped others when he talks about collaboration. You know, because collaboration means that we don't have to do things by ourselves. We talked about that. In the church as well. So I'm a firm believer that if we can be steel, know that God is God. And if we can hear at Jesus, that tape play that tape what Jesus said, When, if you feel like you're being attacked, that's because there's somebody that that then does the job of the enemy is to attack us, and to make them feel like hey, you know, why is this happening to me? Or why is this but Jesus said, Hey, I've come that you may have life and have it. But he didn't say life without problems Brett didn't say. He didn't say life without sickness. He didn't say life without obstacles. But he said, he said Life fulfilling and as one years ago, one friend said, he said life with Jesus is better than life without Him So

Well, JT, let's bring it around this, we'd like to bring our conversations with Bishop trip always round to to be encouraged as the theme of our podcast, and I would just like to ask you to, first of all want to thank you for being on our episode here on Black History Month, but also to share with folks how they can get your book. It's called a personal bank theory, and how they might be able to reach out to you and then of course, what are you encouraged about?

One I want to say thank you, once again, I thank you, Reverend Miller, thank you for hosting this podcast and, and my father, Bishop Trimble makes it my number one role model and one of my greatest inspirations in life still to this day, leading in in guiding and encouraging me. And so he is, you can find my book, The personal bank theory, where you will find a lot of encouragement, personal encouragement, and financial information that can help like said build your foundation to be fulfilled on your journey and also share and collaborate with others at the personal bank theory.com That's the personal bank theory.com where you can order the ebook that's available right now. And available online. And just this one last bit as far as for me as far as where I find encouragement. And it's definitely from my family and my friends and source but but also in this distracted world. I want to just encourage everybody to go outside and to look at nature and to and to see got it all around you.

Thank you JT. Well, Bishop, can you give us a word of thanks to your son? And then any any closing words you'd like to have and maybe a prayer please

ask Willie, thanks JT really appreciate it. So we give give thanks for your being on the podcast and we hope that the persons who are listening Brad and JT will find some encouragement in this in this message. I want to close with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. and also an N word of encouragement to everyone that you may have a great idea that can help change the world and make it a better place. It may be an invention, it may be just an idea, it may be a point, it may be a word of encouragement, it may be telling someone their life is very important to you. Love is the most durable power in the world. This creative force is the most potent instrument available. And humankind's quest for peace and security. Martin Luther King, Jr. Let us pray loving God for the people, and for the places where we live. For the children who laugh and the children who weep. And for those who are dying across the globe, because of violence and war and gun violence, oh God, we just pray that you will make us instruments of your peace. Make us transformers of love and kindness. Bless those who are without a church home and those who may not know you personally, oh god bless them to know that because we have breath. We have opportunity, blessings of God not that we may brag about our achievements, but that we may be a blessing to others. In Jesus name I pray we pray. Amen.