The AVADA Principle: How an Ancient Word Holds the Key to Your Highest and Best Life

By Michael Sipe

Imagine your highest and best life.

Envision your most abundant life. How would you describe it? What does a good life...better yet, a great life, look like for you? Most of us desire a great life, and there’s no shortage of advice on how to get it. Opinions abound. However, perhaps you’ve noticed that interesting opinions and catchy sound-bite advice fall short of delivering on the promised path to a good life. Maybe you’ve wondered if there might actually be a foundational, life-organizing principle you could trust. What if there is a principle that holds true for all people, in all times, in all places...including today?

Turns out, there is, especially if you’re a leader.

Whether you lead your business, guide your family, pastor a church, administer a governmental agency, coach a team, teach in a school or direct a non-profit, you have the opportunity to not only live your own most abundant life, but to also use your influence as a leader to help others do so as well. This book will help. The principle you’re about to discover is ancient. It found its first expression in the earliest forms of written language as a single word that has been woven throughout human history. Although the word is little known, and has been obscured for centuries, the principle it encompasses was true 6,000 years ago; it’s true today; and it will be true tomorrow. In fact, it’s timeless. Like an archaeologist unearthing a priceless scroll, as you explore the pages of this book, you’ll uncover the enduring keys to living your most abundant life, and helping others do the same. Welcome to The AVADA Principle!

Note: This book shares keys to living an integrated life that God can fully bless. However, to receive the blessing, you must take specific actions, as God directs. Purchase the companion workbook, The AVADA Treasure Hunt, to help you on your journey into an AVADA Life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Sipe
• Release date: Oct 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9781733499729

Michael Sipe

Michael Sipe is an ex-Army Ranger Captain, entrepreneur, mergers and acquisitions advisor, and Christian executive coach. He's founded, bought and sold multiple companies for his own account. As an investment banker, in the last 30 years he's evaluated over 5,000 businesses in about every industry conceivable; and provided advisory services for approximately half a billion dollars in business sales involving hundreds of companies. Since 2013, he's facilitated Christian CEO roundtable forums in which members meet monthly in small peer groups to focus on spiritual growth as leaders, business excellence and marketplace ministry using the platform of their businesses. He serves as an executive coach to extremely successful business leaders, many in the top 1% of income earners in the United States. A consistent theme in his life and in that of his clients is the quest for an abundant life of significance and meaning. He, and they, desire not only a full, properly ordered and well-balanced life, but more importantly, an integrated life that glorifies God; while leading with excellence in the marketplace as men and women of faith called to run exceptional businesses.

Book preview

What Leaders Are Saying about THE AVADA PRINCIPLE

For twenty years I’ve watched Michael serve and coach business owners, government officials, church leaders, and diligent workers serving in various vocations. In his service, and in the scriptures, Mike has discovered a crucial key to living a fruitful, joyful, integrated life. The three building blocks of a fully activated and integrated life – an AVADA life – are worship, work, and service. I guarantee that this book will change how you think about work, worship, and service, and thereby change your life. You will be more integrated (whole, complete, unified), more purposeful, and more productive!

Ken Johnson

Senior Pastor (Retired), Westside Church, Bend, OR

"For the last two decades God has caused an awakening among men and women in the workplace to see their work-life as a holy calling. Many books have been written on this topic during this time. However, Michael Sipe has given us a unique book on how to effectively integrate our work-life, worship, and service in his book, The AVADA Principle. I found this book to be very helpful in providing key truths about the importance as well as ideas on how to effectively do this. I highly recommend Michael’s book, The AVADA Principle!"

Os Hillman

Author, Today God Is First, President, Marketplace Leaders

You hold in your hand an extraordinary work, an ingenious design and set of blueprints, and a How To" roadmap for an integrated and successful life. Many thought leaders, writers, and coaches have danced around this topic with vague concepts and ethereal antidotes. But as you unpack the AVADA Principle, page after page will reveal proven truths, relevant and thought-provoking questions, and cutting edge strategies. This book is a gift from heaven, as is the author, and the life he leads. Enjoy the AVADA adventure as you live the life you were created to live. "

Robert Haaby

Eagle Mountain Ministries

In a world where so many people love to discredit, dismantle and devalue, Michael Sipe is a builder. He builds strategy into structures, strength into people and courage into culture. His faith is proven, his voice is trusted, and his experience is vast. His book will be an essential foundation piece for future builders. 

Bo Stern-Brady

Author, Pastor, Founder of She.ology

"Imagine a world where Christians understand that work is made to be worship and a great celebration of God joining us in it. Imagine a world where work is not dreaded but embraced in what Michael Sipe calls living an Avada Life. In The Avada Principle, Mike unlocks the principle of Avodah, living an integrated life of work, worship and service. Not work as most of us have viewed it but work as God originally intended. Work that brings life, flourishing and blessing to you and all those who come in contact with your work. God intended work to draw us closer to Him. Our Father wants to be a part of your work and the motivation for your work. The Avada Principle makes that clear."

Jim Brangenberg

Talk Show Host, iWork4Him

"The Avada Principle is a gamechanger for leaders and business owners. Mike shares impactful insight on how leaders can live their best life. This is a fantastic book that every leader who wishes to hear the words Well Done, should read. The ideas in this book are transformational and need to be appreciated deeply and mediated on frequently. I highly recommend this book. "

Ken Gosnell

Founder and Chief Experience Office at CEO Experience

"Michael Sipe is first and foremost an 'out loud' follower of Jesus. His years of leading people toward the more abundant life in Jesus have been successful, due to his integrity in leading people to a place of intimacy with his heavenly Father that he has arrived at first. The AVADA Principle will challenge the broadly held Greek mindset of compartmentalization, that promotes each area of life as separate and isolated segments that need to be brought into relationship through balance. Michael will invite you to a higher way, one he has well-traveled. The AVADA Principle will step you back God's original design of an integrated life of intimacy as seen in Deuteronomy 6, Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one. Trust Mike...he knows how to take you there!"

Mark Appleyard

Founder, Anothen

The AVADA life is like a chord of three strands that builds unity and health into our lives. Embracing an integrated lifestyle of Work, Worship and Service strengthens our foundation and enables us to build our lives with a holistic perspective. I'm very thankful for the insight and clarity that I received through these pages. May all who read these words be equipped to live the abundant life that Jesus provides.

Steve Buss

Pastor, Executive Director - One Hope Network

"The world does not need another self-help book or another training course. Instead, we need a way to align our life and activities in such a way that Heaven breathes on them and infuses them with His Spirit and Presence. This is the AVADA Principle that Michael Sipe has so elegantly articulated, and it couldn't have come at a better time. I highly recommend this book to anyone longing to live out of the flow of His Presence."

James Kramer

Founder/CEO Commissioned and Pneuma33 Creative

The AVADA™ PRINCIPLE

How an Ancient Word

Holds the Key to Your Highest and Best Life

Michael Sipe

Copyright 2019, Michael Sipe

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical (including any information storage retrieval system) without the express written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations for use in articles and reviews wherein appropriate attribution of the source is made.

ISBN: 978-1-7334997-0-5 (Amazon Print)

ISBN: 978-1-7334997-1-2 (IngramSpark) PAPERBACK

ISBN: 978-1-7334997-2-9 (Smashwords)

For bulk purchase and for booking, contact:

AVADA Publishing Group

P.O. Box 5202

Bend, OR 97708

[e-mail]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, web addresses or links contained in this book may have been changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The content of this book and all expressed opinions are those of the author and do not reflect the publisher or the publishing team. The author is solely responsible for all content included herein.

AVADA™ is a registered trademark with all rights reserved.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Scripture quotations marked (AMPCE) are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (TLB) are taken from The Living Bible copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked TPT are from The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017, 2018 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ThePassionTranslation.com.

Acknowledgements

God. Anyone endeavoring to interpret and apply Holy Scripture for the benefit of others must do so with great care and reverence. I thank you God for the opportunity and privilege to study your Word and to write this book. I pray it will be pleasing in your sight.

Jesus. I thank you Jesus for the greatest gift of all time, the gift of your life salvation and eternal life with you and your Father.

Holy Spirit. I thank you Holy Spirit for being ever-present, and for the revelation you provided for each line of this book and the companion workbook. This has been an amazing adventure of learning as you guided each step of the writing process. Regardless of whatever else happens with this book, I have been the most blessed of beneficiaries.

My wife Cathie. You model the AVADA life every day. You are my greatest champion. Thank you for being my wife, my lover, my partner, my friend and the most amazing blessing in my life.

My pastors. I have been immensely blessed to have been taught in the past by some amazing pastors, including: Glen Cole at Capital Christian Center in Sacramento, Chip Ingram at Santa Cruz Bible Church and Ken Johnson at Westside Church in Bend. These gentlemen probably have no idea how much their teaching shaped my life. But that’s the way it is. In this life we’ll never know all the people whose lives we touch. More recently, I’m grateful for Pastor Steve Mickel at Westside Church and Pastor Bobby Haaby at Eagle Mountain whose teaching keeps me on the rails – at least somewhat. I am grateful.

Buck Jacobs, founder of C12 Group. Buck, you are a mentor and spiritual father to many. I am deeply appreciative of the role you have played in my life.

C12 Group past CEO Don Barefoot, present CEO Mike Sharrow, the corporate leadership team and all the C12 Chairs, from whom I learned so much during my years as a C12 Chair.

10x Catalyst Group CEOs and entrepreneurs. It is the deepest honor of my professional life to have the privilege of serving you. Thanks for your friendship. Thanks for your trust. Thanks for inspiring and challenging me. Thanks for letting me test the AVADA Principle concepts in our meetings. Thanks for going after the AVADA Life every day in the marketplace.

My Grandad and Dad. Although both in heaven for years now, I love you and I miss you every day. Thanks for all the life lessons that hold me in good stead today.

Mom. I doubt there is any greater force on planet earth than a praying mother. I have the best. Thank you is insufficient. I love you Mom.

Table of Contents

Preface

Purpose

Introduction

The AVADA Principle

Section I: Work

Chapter 2: The Essence of Work

Chapter 3: Attitudes about Work

Chapter 4: Choices about Work

Chapter 5: Work and Vocation

Chapter 6: Work and Business

Section II: Worship

Chapter 7: The Essence of Worship

Chapter 8: The Elements of Worship

Chapter 9: The Experience of Worship

Section III: Service

Chapter 10: The Essence of Service

Chapter 11: Service and Allegiance

Chapter 12: The Privilege of Service

Section IV: AVADA in Action

Chapter 13: Obstacles to AVADA

Chapter 14: Winning the Spiritual Battle

Chapter 15: Winning The Mental Battle

Chapter 16: Biblical Case Study – The Sons of Kohath

Chapter 17: Modern-Day Case Study – A Daughter of Kohath

Conclusion: An AVADA Life

Additional Resources:

Endnotes

About the Author

Preface

Since you’re picking up a book on abundant living, you’re probably wondering what the underlying philosophy and theology is. You’re probably wondering who I am to write it, why I wrote it, and who it’s for.

First of all, this is a book written from the perspective of a Christ follower. I have believed in Jesus since I was a little boy. However, I have not always been a follower of Jesus. There’s a huge difference, and I’ve done my fair share of wandering and exploring, even into physical and spiritual places that turned out to be very dark and sometimes quite scary.

If you are not a Christ follower, I invite you—actually, I challenge you; I dare you—to read this book. We live in a society of tolerance and acceptance, so I urge you to simply investigate with an open mind the perspectives I’ll share. Then, reach your own conclusions, choices, and decisions. Chances are, if you call yourself an atheist, agnostic, New Age thinker, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Shaman or Jew, I’ve read some of your books and made up my mind. I invite you to do the same. In fact, I dare you.

If you consider yourself a Christian, I urge you to carefully ponder and embrace the AVADA message in this book. The AVADA Principle explored in these pages is revelatory and revolutionary. Most self-improvement books promise to change your life. I’m not promising this little book will change your life. I am promising that to the extent you are willing to embrace what will be revealed as you read, your life will dramatically change. I’ll share the AVADA Principle. Then, it’s up to you to execute.

I’m an American businessman, entrepreneur, business consultant, and executive coach to Christian CEOs and business owners. Although I pastor, serve, and provide Holy Spirit-inspired teaching to my clients, I am not an ordained vocational pastor. I don’t have a religious degree. I don’t lead a church. I work in the marketplace, and my ministry is in the marketplace serving extremely successful marketplace leaders. I am an unabashed American patriot. I am a committed capitalist. I am an unapologetic disciple of Christ and an ambassador for Him. I am an amateur (but dedicated) student of the Bible. I don’t sit around much. I work full out, I play full out, and I live full out. I love and enjoy the good things in life.

Much of the content in this book is derived from the curriculum I prepared for the monthly Christian CEO and entrepreneur roundtable groups I facilitate (www.10xgroups.com). Thus, what you’ll read in the pages to come is not idle theory. The concepts have been vetted and tested with many extremely successful men and women of great faith and discernment. In marketplace terms, their BS filter is very finely tuned. These are practical, bottom-line leaders who have a passion to grow spiritually, ambition to build excellent, thriving, valuable businesses, and a Kingdom-driven desire to use their businesses as a platform for marketplace ministry.

My clients and I desire a full, fruitful, and integrated life that glorifies God and makes Him smile. I bet if you have read this far, you do too. This book is the result of my pursuit of that life. I wrote it because I believe God wanted me to write it. I wrote it because I needed its message. I wrote it because I believe God revealed things of value to me that I needed to learn and that He wants me to share with you.

I am not especially qualified to write a book like this, but I was called to write it. Fortunately, I believe God qualifies those He calls more than He calls the qualified. Whether I rose to His calling or not will be for you to determine as you read. I hope you find that I did. More importantly, I hope God says, Good job!

This is a message intended primarily for Western Christians, or those interested in exploring Christianity from a Western perspective. That’s not because the core concepts in the book will not be useful to Christians around the world, but simply because I don’t presume to claim an understanding of what it’s like to be a Christ-follower in cultures with different economic, political, and social structures than those I’m familiar with in the West. If you’re a Christian from anywhere outside the Western hemisphere, I invite you to read this book and share your comments with me from the perspective of your heritage and experience. I have much to learn and welcome your input.

If you’re a Western Christian (or an open-minded seeker after truth) who desires a full, fruitful, and integrated life that glorifies God and makes Him smile, then I wrote this book for you. I pray you are blessed by it.

Purpose

Every book should have a purpose.

Some are for entertainment. Although I hope you find this book to be approachable, casual, and easy to read, its purpose is not to entertain. It is not a novel.

Some books are designed to address societal flaws, cultural