Being Sons

Summary In this conversation, Jay Heck and Bible scholar and Holy land tour guide Scott Heare explore the profound theme of sonship in the Bible, discussing its implications for identity, inheritance, and relationship with God. They reflect on their personal journeys, experiences in the Middle East, and the importance of understanding both the Old and New Testaments. The discussion emphasizes how the revelation of sonship transforms one's perspective on faith and life, moving from a transactional view of salvation to a relational understanding of being a child of God. Jay Heck shares his transformative journey of self-discovery, exploring themes of anger, identity, and the revelation of sonship. He reflects on his struggles with faith, feelings of inadequacy, and the profound realization of being a beloved son of God. The discussion delves into the importance of understanding one's identity in relation to God, the significance of asking the right questions in faith, and the transformative power of scripture in revealing the character of God. Jay emphasizes the shift from a performance-based faith to one rooted in acceptance and love, inviting listeners to embrace their identity as children of God. Takeaways -Sonship is a central theme in the Bible that shapes our identity.  -Understanding God as Father changes our perspective on inheritance.  -The journey of faith involves discovering the depth of sonship. -Experiences in the Middle East can enrich one's understanding of scripture. -The Old Testament is crucial for understanding the New Testament.  -Sonship transforms the way we read and interpret the Bible.  -Adolescence in faith reflects a struggle with identity and obedience. -The Bible is a library of interconnected stories, not just a single narrative. -Personal experiences can lead to a deeper revelation of sonship. -Sonship invites us into a transformative relationship with God. -Self-discovery often involves confronting deep-seated anger. -Understanding one's identity in God is crucial for spiritual growth. -The journey to sonship can be a gradual revelation. -Asking the right questions is more important than seeking answers. -Faith is a relationship built on ongoing conversation with God. -The burden of maintaining appearances can be lifted through sonship. -Scripture reveals the character of God and our identity in Him. -Sonship transforms how we approach life and relationships. -Embracing our identity as beloved children of God is liberating. -The journey of faith is more about discovery than performance. Chapters 00:00 The Foundation of Sonship 03:01 Scott's Journey and Current Work 05:51 Experiences in the Middle East 12:00 The Importance of the Old Testament 18:05 Understanding Sonship 24:09 The Transformative Power of Sonship 29:33 Journey of Self-Discovery and Anger 36:03 The Revelation of Sonship 40:17 Wrestling with Identity and Salvation 52:17 Understanding Sonship in Scripture  As referred to by Scott Heare, here is Jack Frost's teaching on sonship: "Session 1 part 1 - Experiencing the Father's Embrace" https://youtu.be/qFByVMXxWMg?si=749zptY7PdYzz1-g "Session 1 Part 2 - Experiencing the Father's Embrace" - https://youtu.be/Txdxv3Syw-c?si=AtEINJ0sD8d2P6gw ----------------------------------------------  Being Sons helps men live in union with God, as Father and sons. We host solo adventures for men and 1-on-1 father + child adventures. Learn more at https://www.beingsons.com/​ On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/57RK9lH8dKi8gh8lLVtK97?si=1d49d12321b84b0e On iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/being-sons/id1447340022 YouTube Subscribe to our free 47-week Video Journey called "The Way of Sonship": https://mailchi.mp/beingsons/way-of-sonship

Summary In part 2 of this 2 part conversation with Rich Pantusa we explore the theme of being sons in the workplace and how to see the sacred work of God in it. It draws parallels with the experiences of the Israelites in Egypt and their journey of sonship, highlighting the importance of going through uncomfortable places to develop character and trust in God. The conversation also discusses the preparation for reigning in the coming kingdom and the restoration of all things. Jesus' life is examined as a model for navigating challenges and finding purpose in the workplace. They discuss the significance of Jesus' hidden years and how they relate to our own journeys of initiation and maturity. They emphasize the need to bring our questions and frustrations to God, rather than trying to escape or find fulfillment elsewhere. They also share personal stories and insights, highlighting the importance of finding peace and purpose in our current contexts. The conversation concludes with a prayer for guidance and wisdom in navigating our work lives as sons. ---------------------------------------------- Being Sons helps men live in union with God, as Father and sons. We host solo adventures for men and 1-on-1 father + child adventures. Learn more at https://www.beingsons.com/​  On YouTube Subscribe to our free 47-week Video Journey called "The Way of Sonship": https://mailchi.mp/beingsons/way-of-sonship

How does God use a man's work to initiate him? In part 1 of this 2 part conversation, Jay Heck and guest Rich Pantusa discuss the tension of living a sacred life while working in a secular environment. They also discuss the importance of inviting God into this duality to His path and perspective. The conversation touches on topics such as finding identity in work, the pressure to provide for family, and the need for initiation and guidance from God in the workplace.   Being Sons helps men live in union with God, as Father and sons. We host solo adventures for men and 1-on-1 father + child adventures.  Subscribe to our free 47-week Video Journey called "The Way of Sonship": https://mailchi.mp/beingsons/way-of-sonship

Welcome back for part 2. The world is an anxious place and growing more anxious by the hour. What is God's provision and path to help us live above the fear, in union with Him, no matter what life looks like? For this 2-part discussion I invited friend and counselor Mandy Nelson to discuss her life-long journey with anxiety, what she is learning, and how it has led her to becoming a mentor who helps others navigate fears and find the peace God promises us. Mandy Nelson is a highly gifted communicator, teacher and mentor who also leads Socratic Scripture Studies and Biblical Dream Interpretation classes where she is Co-Director of Empowering Ranch with her husband Scott Morin. Find out more about Mandy Nelson. To join Mandy and Scott for Empowering Ranch's Socratic Scripture Studies, email Mandy at mandy@empoweringranch.com.

The world is an anxious place and growing more anxious. Why? What is God's provision and path to help us live above the fear, in union with Him, no matter what life looks like? For this 2 part discussion I invited my friend Mandy Nelson to discuss her life-long journey with anxiety, what she is learning, and how it has led her to become a mentor who helps other navigate fears and find the peace God promises us. It's a topic I need to engage personally, wrestling with anxiety myself at times.   Mandy Nelson is a highly gifted communicator, teacher and mentor who also leads Socratic Scripture Studies and Biblical Dream Interpretation classes where she is Co-Director of Empowering Ranch with her husband Scott Morin. Find our more about Mandy.

What is the Biblical definition of a sage? In part 2 of this 2-part conversation with author Chris Bruno we cover this and explore the first and second passages every maturing man must take in order to become the hero behind the hero. Chris Bruno is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Director of Restoration Project and author of the new (and excellent) book Sage: A Man's Guide into His Second Passage. After decades of diving deep into the sacred stories of men as a counselor, Chris Bruno has learned why so few men successfully navigate the final earthly stage of their masculine journey. Find out more about Chris Bruno at https://www.restorationproject.net/ Chris Bruno's Books on Amazon ReStory Counseling ---------------------------------------------- Being Sons helps men live in union with God, as Father and sons. We host solo adventures for men and 1-on-1 father + child adventures. Learn more at https://www.beingsons.com/​  On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/57RK9lH8dKi8gh8lLVtK97?si=1d49d12321b84b0e On iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/being-sons/id1447340022 On Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9iZWluZ3NvbnMubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M?sa=X&ved=0CAMQ4aUDahcKEwjgo8j21vSAAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQUQ YouTube Subscribe to our free 47-week Video Journey called "The Way of Sonship": https://mailchi.mp/beingsons/way-of-sonship

In the stories we all love so much there is often an older man in the shadows guiding the hero on his journey. He is the Sage...the hero behind the hero. But what exactly is a "Sage"? Who becomes one? And why are sages so rare today? These are the questions we explore with Chris Bruno, Licensed Professional Counselor, Director of Restoration Project and author of the new (and excellent) book Sage: A Man's Guide into His Second Passage. After decades of diving deep into the sacred stories of men as a counselor, Chris Bruno has learned why so few men successfully navigate the final earthly stage of their masculine journey. In part 1 of this 2 part conversation we start with the BIblical definition of a sage and explore the first and second passages every maturing man must take. Find out more about Chris Bruno at https://www.restorationproject.net/ Chris's Books on Amazon ReStory Counseling Chris Bruno on Youtube: Watch here ---------------------------------------------- Being Sons helps men live in union with God, as Father and sons. We host solo adventures for men and 1-on-1 father + child adventures. Learn more at https://www.beingsons.com/​  ON YouTube On Spotify On iTunes On Google Podcasts YouTube Subscribe to our free 47-week Video Journey called "The Way of Sonship": https://mailchi.mp/beingsons/way-of-sonship 

This is part 2 of our conversation with Jim Barker, a wise man who has for decades explored the invitation into sonship and become comfortable sitting with big questions. In this episode I press Jim to help us understand how sons are practically transformed by the love of God, and how experiencing it and operating in it go hand in hand. There is a secret power released in us only when we learn to move from the sickness of the singular into the power of the plural. It's the essential shift from "Me to "We". Our intended destiny as God's sons can only be realized via ever-increasing union with our Father, a reality Jesus demonstrated with perfection so that today we can experience the same union as we follow in His footsteps. Jim Barker has taken a wild journey from mocker of God to present day discipler of men. He is a national treasure, as are all the rare sages of the Kingdom. ---------------------------------------------- Being Sons helps men discover and live the powerful life God intended. Being Sons: https://www.beingsons.com/​ YouTube Subscribe to our free 47-week Video Journey called "The Way of Sonship": https://mailchi.mp/beingsons/way-of-sonship Being Sons Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beingsons9393 Check Out Our Adventures for Men​: https://www.beingsons.com/events

My guest on this episode is Jim Barker, a man who has done the work to become a true sage to me and so many other men. I asked Jim to sit with me and share some of the stories and wisdom he's gathered on his journey from being a pro golfer who mocked Christians to a son of God and gifted discipler of men. 

Have you really considered the power of fairy tales? From what dimension do these epic fantasies get their power to move the human heart? Join Jay Heck and guest Mandy Nelson as they use the blockbuster trilogy The Lord of the Rings to discuss how God uses story to grant us, His sons and daughters, access to truths written so deeply on our hearts only He can take us there.   About Our Guest - Mandy Nelson is co-director with her husband Scott of Empowering Ranch where she offers mentoring, pastoral counseling, teaches scripture using the Socratic method and helps people understand what God may be telling them through dreams. You can join their weekly Zoom call for discussion of scripture in the Socratic method.

What does it mean to be "adopted" as sons by God? This is the question Scott Morin (co-director of Empowering Ranch) and I dive into in this episode. Scott returns to the podcast to  bring some helpful perspective into this discussion using the lens of the Biblical language. We start with defining adoption, move into personal stories of how God transforms orphans into sons, and then discuss what the new testament has to say about it. (Galations 4:4-7, Romans 8:15, 23, 9:3-5 and Ephesians 3:1-6). Scott and his wife Mandy are gifted teachers leading disciples through scripture studies on Zoom calls on Wednesday nights. You can learn more about those and their other offerings at EmpoweringRanch.com.

Why wait for sex until marriage? Is there a compelling reason? Culture has lost God's vision for this incredible gift and the narrow path that ensures we get the most satisfaction out of it. In part 2 of this 2 part conversation, Jay talks with his 20 year old son Baer and his best friend Jake about the hot topic of sex. Whether you are a father prepping for the conversations with your son, or a son looking for the good way, we pray you find these discussions life-giving and equipping.

Navigating our sons skillfully from boyhood into the world of men is confusing and sometimes terrifying, especially when it comes to the topic of sexuality. No father leads his son perfectly, but this perfection we'd like to offer is not as critical as simply having some courageous intentionality. In these next 2 episodes I have a conversation with my 20 year old son Baer and his best friend Jake about their humorously imperfect journeys into manhood. In this episode we look back on the early father + sex son talks and their honest struggles to find God's best for them in a sex-drunk and perverted world. Whether you are a father or a son we pray you find these discussions life-giving and equipping.

Our guest is Darren Lewis, father of 4 sons and founder/director of Fathering Adventures, an adventure ministry equipping men in Australia with the guidance they need to father the way God intended. Darren's redemptive tale poignantly illustrates how God takes orphans in their brokenness and lovingly molds them into the deeply good fathers humanity so desperately needs. What does the journey from orphan to son to spiritual father look like? What does every son, regardless of age, need from a loving father? Darren has taken the ancient path, chosen radical trust, and is living the life of significance every son is made for. In part 1 of this 2 part story-conversation he offers wisdom and encouragement to help us see and trust that God is up to creating a masterpiece out of every son's story. Enjoy part 1. Join Darren with your son or daughter in Australia like I did for an adventure that change your relationship forever. Fathering Adventures

In part 2 of this 2-part conversation, Being Sons continues it's interview with New York Times best-selling author and father-figure to many, John Eldredge, discussing his new book "Resilient". Spiritual pressures are increasing and testing our strength in these turbulent times, and God is making provisions for those who align themselves with Him. So how do we do this? How do we recognize what we are under and respond with a strength that prevails? We talk about that, and prepping, and what to do with our dreams and the dreams of our kids when the world is sincerely mad. This episode is packed with the wisdom and encouragement we have all come to expect from a warm conversation with "Papa" John.

Best-selling author and a father to many, John Eldredge joins us again for a 2-part conversation about learning to live with resilience from God in these testing times. It's the subject of his timely new book release "Resilient". We talk about the pressures of the hour we live in, the end of the age, the reasons men's hearts are failing, and the abundant provision God is giving in this hour to His friends. These 2 episodes are packed full of life-giving wisdom and perspective. Join us for this warm and encouraging conversation with a sage who fathers us out of immaturity and into strength.

Have you experienced a tough but life-changing season in the wilderness? It's unavoidable. God takes every son he loves through these tough seasons. But why? In this encouraging episode I talk with Scott Morin, co-director of Empowering Ranch, about how God uses the wilderness to transform men and prepare them for a supernatural life in the land of blessing and influence. Scott brings his many years of Biblical Hebrew and Greek study to help us unpack this critical character called "wilderness". ABOUT SCOTT MORIN: Our guest today is Co-Director of Empowering Ranch where he serves as a counselor, speaker, trip leader and Socratic scripture study teacher. He has a master of divinity with an emphasis on Hebrew and Greek.  And he is a friend. Being Sons helps men discover and live the powerful life God intended. Here are Being Sons events and resources: BOOT CAMPS For men 18+  FIRST TRACKS Father + Son (9-13) Adventure TRAILHEAD Father + Older Son (14+) Adventure FIRST BLOOM Father + Daughter (Age 7-13) Adventure FIGHT CLUB - Campfires for men Being Sons on YouTube Donate

In this conversation I got to speak with one of my parenting heroes and an expert on girl's development needs, Sissy Goff. Out of the 29 years experience she has invested in working with girls, she shares some incredible wisdom and encouragement. How important a role do fathers play in the lives of their daughters? What do daughters need most from us? What questions do daughters carry with them wherever they go, and what gifts does God give uniquely to fathers who have the courage to press in and love well? What common mistakes do fathers make when fathering their daughters into and then through their teenage years? And given that most girls suffer silently under the crushing weight of anxiety, how can we recognize this anxiety and offer our strength in a helpful way? We also addressed the 4 developmental stages girls must go through to become women. • Stage 1 – Discovery Years, birth - 5 • Stage 2 - Adventurous, 6-10 • Stage 3 – Narcissistic Years, 11-14 • Stage 4 – Autonomous Years, 15-19 We talk about these things and much more. Listen, enjoy and be encouraged that you are God-picked to be your daughter's father for a reason and with God's assistance you have everything you need to succeed. :) ABOUT Sissy Goff, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, spends most of her days talking with girls and their families, with the help of her counseling assistant/pet therapist, Lucy the Havanese. She has worked as the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee since 1993, with a Master's degree from Vanderbilt University. Sissy speaks to parents and children's ministers across the country, and is the author of twelve books, including the bestselling “Raising Worry-Free Girls”, “Braver, Stronger Smarter” (for elementary school girls) and her newest book for teenage girls, “Brave”. See her full collection at the link below). Sissy is a regular contributor to various podcasts and publications, including their own podcast called “Raising Boys and Girls”. See Sissy's Amazon Bibliography: https://www.amazon.com/Sissy-Goff/e/B... Daystar Counseling Ministries: https://www.daystarcounseling.com/ Raising Boys and Girls website: https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/ Raising Boys and Girls podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Every boy needs things only a father can give. In part 2 of this 2 part conversation, we continue our interview with David Thomas, a sought after counselor with 26 years experience helping boys and families. We begin to dive into understanding the developmental stages of boys into men. • Explorer (roughly age 1-4) • Lover (5-8) • Individual (9-12) • Wanderer (13-18) • Warrior (17-25) I also asked him "Is it our job as fathers to push or pull our sons through the stages to become men, or do they naturally flow from one into the other?" What mistakes are common for fathers to make when fathering boys as they transition into manhood, between 7 and 20+ years old? What do we as fathers tend to focus too much on? Too little on? And what should we focus more on instead? What is your counsel to fathers when we blow it? How do we most effectively reconnect with sons? Very practically, what habits can we, as fathers, build into our routines with our sons to keep the lines of communication and joy open? What common qualities do you see in good, effective fathers? What do you want to say to men who fear they do not have what it takes to raise a son? (Maybe because fathering was not modeled well for them?) If you are a father to a boy, you will wanna hear this encouraging discussion. And be sure to go back and listen to part 1. ABOUT David Thomas: DAVID THOMAS, L.M.S.W., (Licensed Master Social Worker) is the Director of Family Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, TN. He is the co-author of ten books, including the best-selling "Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys" and "Are My Kids on Track? The 12 Emotional, Social & Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach" as well as his two latest titles "Raising Emotionally Strong Boys" and the companion workbook "Strong and Smart: A Boy's Guide to Building Healthy Emotions" (available for pre-order now!). He is a frequent guest on national television and podcasts, including his own called Raising Boys and Girls, has been featured in publications like The Washington Post and USA Today, and speaks across the country. He and his wife, Connie, have a daughter, twin sons and a yellow lab named Owen. You can follow him on social media @raisingboysandgirls and find the latest parenting resources at raisingboysandgirls.com. Daystar Counseling Ministries: https://www.daystarcounseling.com/ Raising Boys and Girls website: https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/ Raising Boys and Girls podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-boys-girls/id1366344369 David Thomas has written several books on raising boys, including: 1. Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys 2. Are My Kids on Track? The 12 Emotional, Social & Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach 3. Raising Emotionally Strong Boys (available for pre-order now!) 4. Strong and Smart: A Boy's Guide to Building Healthy Emotions" (available for pre-order now!) See his bibliography on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/David-Thomas/e/B001JS98NC?ref_=dbs_p_pbk_r00_abau_000000

Every boy needs things only a father can give. So what are those things? In part 1 of this 2 part conversation, Jay talks with David Thomas, Director of Family Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries, to help us understand the developmental stages of boys into men and what they need uniquely from their fathers.  ABOUT: DAVID THOMAS, L.M.S.W., (Licensed Master Social Worker) is the Director of Family Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, TN. He is the co-author of ten books, He is a frequent guest on national television and podcasts, including his own called Raising Boys and Girls, has been featured in publications like The Washington Post and USA Today, and speaks across the country. He and his wife, Connie, have a daughter, twin sons and a yellow lab named Owen. You can follow him on social media @raisingboysandgirls and find the latest parenting resources at raisingboysandgirls.com. Daystar Counseling Ministries: https://www.daystarcounseling.com/ Raising Boys and Girls website: https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/ Raising Boys and Girls podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-boys-girls/id1366344369 David Thomas has written several books on raising boys, including: 1. Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys 2. Are My Kids on Track? The 12 Emotional, Social & Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach 3. Raising Emotionally Strong Boys (available for pre-order now!) 4. Strong and Smart: A Boy's Guide to Building Healthy Emotions" (available for pre-order now!) See his bibliography on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/David-Thomas/e/B001JS98NC?ref_=dbs_p_pbk_r00_abau_000000

Maintaining our physical bodies becomes more challenging as we mature. How can it be done well? And is it worth the investment? In this episode host Jay Heck talks with Dr Anthony Balduzzi to discuss the reality that our physical bodies are actually temples where God Himself resides. As God's sons we are wise to maintain our temples with care because the benefits of keeping our bodies healthy are many. Dr. Balduzzi coaches us, as he has thousands of men, including Jay, to discover that there is hope for all men to age well and be as healthy in body as we are strong in spirit. ABOUT DR. ANTHONY BALDUZZI: Dr. Anthony Balduzzi is a naturopathic doctor, national champion bodybuilder, and founder of the Fit Father Project  and Fit Mother Project (https://www.fitfatherproject.com/). – online health and fitness communities aimed at empowering busy parents to get healthy, lose weight, and build muscle through practical nutrition and exercise plans.

Cayce Harris, Director at ONE, joins us to discuss the question God is always asking us, "Who do you say that I am?" The answer to this question leads us not only to see Him as He really is, but it helps us see ourselves as we truly are. Cayce leads us through how to invite God to reveal His names to us. ABOUT CAYCE: Cayce Harris is the Director of ONE (https://www.one-sa.com/), a ministry based out of San Antonio that specializes is helping people around the world practice union with God in their everyday lives. Experience 49 days of learning how to hear Gods' voice (https://www.one-sa.com/49-days).

As a father, how do you meet all your daughter needs throughout her feminine journey? Understanding what she needs at each stage will bear immense fruit. This insightful interview with famous author and speaker Stasi Eldredge will encourage and equip you to know how God has positioned you strategically to guide and comfort your favorite girl through each of the stages of her feminine journey into womanhood… and beyond.

Lynette Zang is an expert on the history of world currencies, serves as senior market analyst at ITM Trading and distributes red pills to her hundreds of thousands of students on YouTube. That's how I found her. Years ago I felt God prompt me to "prepare" for coming hard times. That set me on a journey that has had me spend time at Lynette's feet learning some uncomfortable truths about the way the world of power and money works. I pray this eye-opening conversation helps you navigate from disruption to a peace and preparedness only God can give. Lynette's YouTube Channel Lynette's video Interview with macroeconomist George Gammon All ITM's Videos and Research: https://www.ITMTrading.com/Blog Homepage: https://www.ITMTrading.com ITM Trading Twitter: https://twitter.com/itmtrading Lynette Zang Twitter: https://twitter.com/itmtrading_zang Facebook: https://facebook.com/ITMTrading By ITM Trading's Lynette Zang To contact ITM Direct for Long-Term Gold & Silver Strategies: 877-410-1414 Jay's advisor is Liz Rich, (623) 207-1036

What do you do as a father when young men begin pursuing your daughter? While guarding your daughter's heart is your foremost mission, it also presents a rare opportunity to offer young men a clear vision of manhood that he will hopefully carry with him, not only on that date with your girl, but for the rest of his life. This conversation will leave you with an elevated vision of how God can use you to bring some much needed fathering and strength into the world.

Given the hour and the spiritual landscape we live in, we are more in need of God's intimate counsel than ever. Do you feel this to be true, like so many allies I talk to? In light of this great need, why would we not ask God for His counsel? That's the question Jesus has been highlighting recently. An honest answer to this question can serve as a prison cell door, out of slavery and into a truer understanding of sonship. In this episode Jay invites you to process this invitation along with Him.

What does the voice of God sound like? Would you know it if you heard it? You'll likely be surprised by what you hear in this conversation with Cayce Harris, a friend of Being Sons whose mission is helping sons live in two-way communication with God. In this episode we address some destructive misconceptions about the way God speaks and offer the hopeful truth that you are already more practiced at hearing God speak than you think.

Asking Jesus 3 questions can help us cut through the noise and live in reality. This past week, hosting our first Trailhead father + son river trip, I personally took a big step in trusting Jesus to be the guide. In this episode I process my story aloud. "Jesus, what do I feel? Jesus, what do I need? And Jesus, what do I want?" What could the answers to these 3 simple questions do to help you live in reality?

"The joy of the Lord is your strength" says scripture (Neh 8:10). And Jesus said "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." Joy is a fruit cultivated personally by God in His sons. In this last of a 3-part conversation Rich and Jay discuss the fruit of Joy as inheritance, ultimate reality, obligation, and our treasure to be defended.

"Joy is the serious business of Heaven." - C.S. Lewis Scripture boldly announces that "The joy of the Lord is your strength". In other words, without His joy we are weak. For this reason Jesus has much to say about it. In this second episode in the series we invite you to walk with us through a life-giving exercise of listening prayer, asking Jesus what He wants to teach you about joy. 

"Joy is the serious business of heaven" wrote C.S. Lewis. How seriously do you take it? In this important series we will explore the invitation to live joyfully and hear what Jesus has to say about it. In episode 1 we talk about our breakup story.

Out of his own story "Papa" John Eldredge offers us some valuable counsel on how to live in such a "gnarly" time as this. In this hopeful interview with best-selling author and friend, I simply asked the questions I'd ask if we were alone and sharing a cigar. We talk about building fires, 2-way dialogue with Jesus, our changing assignments and how to defend your kingdom without it killing you. I pray you find this conversation as helpful as I do.

Rich and Jay discuss with Morgan Snyder, author of Becoming a King, the practices of sonship that are keeping them safe and well fed in a climate of confusion and scarcity. Psalm 23 promises "He sets a table before me in the presence of my enemies" but the table can be missed if you're not sticking close to Jesus. Crisis, pain and uncertainty are doorways for sons to discover the upside down economy of God. For those who are hungry and thirsty for what only God can give, there is a continual feast. 

In this last episode in our series Rich and I continue our conversation with Geoff Smith and Ward Dow, men who’ve moved from just attending a local fight club in San Antonio, TX to starting one of their own. We address common questions every man will ask if he wants God to use him to create this unique environment where men can explore the frontier of sonship.

In this 3rd of a 4-part series on Fight Club you’re going to hear from Rich Pantusa, Geoff Smith and Ward Dow as they share the surprising impact a simple campfire fellowship has had on them over time.  We reveal how the secret sauce to true transformation is rooted in two things: Your identity as son + belonging to an authentic community. Set your compass to find those two things and you will begin to get your heart and strength back.

Every man needs a place to step off the front lines and a group of men to share their stories with, but those can be hard to find. In this part 2 of a 4 part conversation we share more about the model of Fight Club for meeting men's need for authentic masculine community. We explore the rules of fight club, the flow of fight club and the desperate need for it in this hour. 

For over 5 years now, once a month Jay has lit a fire in his side yard, filled a cooler with drinks and invited men to join him to explore and seize, together, the life Jesus promised. It's become one of the more significant catalysts of personal growth for the men who make the mid-week trek. Small communities like this are desperately needed in this hour. Join Jay and Rich as they kick off a 4-part series about Fight Club. What is it? Why does it work? And why is it so badly needed?

In this episode we continue our education on hearing God's voice with mentor Cayce Harris who leads us through some very practical connection exercises we can do anytime. In addition we explore these realities: 1. You already hear God’s voice, 2. When you get stuck Jesus will always show up, 3. Breathing is prayer, and 4. God is Father. And Mother. We need both. Buckle up. This is good.    

Does God speak? And will He speak to me? There may be nothing more helpful or more opposed than a conversational intimacy with God. It's no surprise why people are divided on whether this is actually available, and to whom.  In this interview Jay asks Cayce Harris, the Executive Director of a ministry that specializes in equipping people to hear the still, small voice of God, how to do it. She shares her story, the theology of hearing God and the common obstacles she's been helping people overcome for more than 2 decades to help them walk in life-giving connection with Him.  This 2 part interview will finish with prayer to help us all practice discerning how God responds when we engage Him. Buckle up. This is good.

What's in a name? And what does it do for a man to hear God speak his name? In this conversation Jay and Rich share stories about the bestowing of our true identities through our names. Sometimes God gives us a new name and sometimes we hear our familiar name in a new way. In any case, a man doesn't walk away unchanged. Near the end of this episode we ask God the question every man longs to have answered, "God, how do you see me?" But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine." - Isaiah 43:1

In part 2 of this 2 part conversation Jay Heck and Morgan Snyder continue to discuss the brilliant way God shapes a man to be trustworthy with His Kingdom. A powerful life is grown through our willingness to increasingly risk more on God to come through. That's why the journey to kingship must start by believing God is our loving, deeply devoted Father who can be trusted with everything. God is not preparing us to do hard things. Our preparation is so that with God we will do impossible things. 

Jay Heck and Morgan Snyder, kingdom shaper and author of the new book "Becoming a King", discuss what all men want but few can handle: POWER. It's God's desire for man to have power, but for the good of the world that power must be rooted in character, and that character rooted in Sonship. This is part 1 of 2.

Jay and Rich discuss a vision God gave Jay for his personal masculine journey years ago and how it's made following God into the unknown much easier.

Could it be that Jesus became the most influential man in human history because He was simply better than anyone else at practicing reality? Last episode Rich and I wrestled with one of the many stories where Jesus was required to cling to truth in a situation that suggested the truth may not really be the truth. This week Rich and I share some of our own stories of ways Jesus leadership in living in this unseen reality of sonship has proven God to be a better author of our stories than we are.

While externally it feels like resources and answers are in short supply, there is a way of living that is ancient, time tested, and utterly dependable to help a man come through any trial. And more than that - it offers the hope of rest. This Way is called Sonship.  We are currently in a series called the Sonship 101 series. We learning from Jesus as we watch Him lean with all He’s got into the treasure of sonship. To be a son means we are never being led only into a wilderness, but also through it, and in good time out of it. It’s so hopeful. So we welcome you to join us as we follow Jesus back home and practice the way of being sons.

Many miss the treasure of the gospel when they believe Jesus invitation was simply to follow Him, live differently and become a Christian. But that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the offer He laid out. Instead His invitation was to come home with Him and be re-grafted back into the family God made that has been broken apart. Jesus masterfully crafts this invitation to his closest friends in MT 11 by creating a treasure map with hyperlinks to promises of hope made throughout the Old Testament going all the way back to the garden of Eden. I heard John Eldredge once say “There are only 2 types of men in the world: Those who rely on God and those who rely on themselves.” “Which kind of man will I be?” is the life and death option every man must make. That's why Jesus offer is a rescue. “Learn from me.”

All this time at home can get a man to thinking "What's really going on?" It kinda feels like we're in a movie but which one? Jay and Rich trade thoughts on how the shockwave of Coronavirus could be God's invitation to receive the two things we need most.  

While in Colorado Jay sat down face to face with Rich and Robin Pantusa to discuss our culture's knee jerk reaction to COVID-19. But as Jesus alerted us in advance, things are not what they seem. Our peace and identity come under assault. As Rich succinctly explains, "our gyros have tumbled", meaning "our instruments may be lying to us." But when you know the truth, the truth shall make you free. This is a time we can choose defiant joy, set our sites on what really matters and discover our true wealth. Join us as we ask Jesus the question that brings peace in the midst of any storm.

As sons we should always have questions. Best-selling author, president of Ransomed Heart Ministries, speaker, counselor and father John Eldredge has been walking in his identity as a son long enough and well enough to provide some very insightful answers to our questions.  What's the Kingdom perspective on the world today? Gender confusion? Mental health? God's primary revealed identity as Father? How do we maintain and even grow in connection with God in a world going mad. And along the way John shares some of the story of how God rescued him and began fathering him before he even knew that's what was happening. This is a very insightful and engaging conversation with a man God is using to father men around the globe. Be curious with us.

Jay and Rich continue introducing the offer into sonship as they navigate purchasing trucks for teenagers and helping Batman craft a hatrack. The offer of sonship: Who is it for? What does it look like? Even though we've already logged a few miles on the odometer we are still as curious as you. We begin exploring this invitation which is better painted through stories than by tips and techniques. Let's walk a few miles together.