Caffeinated Christianity

The Bible is awesome. The Bible also gets constantly used and misused. Some people value it. Others don't. Lots of people read it. But the key question is this: is the Bible actually true? Is it a reliable collection of historical documents or is it an amalgamation of fairytales and good advice? Well... let's find … Continue reading Ep. 55: How do we know the Bible is true? →

Photo by John-Mark Smith on Pexels.com Many of us have been told countless times, "Read your Bible!" This is all good and well. But do you actually know how to read your Bible? Do you know what that looks like? In this episode, we break down why we read the Bible, how Jesus viewed scripture, … Continue reading Ep. 54: How to Read your Bible →

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Many people would presumably say that mental health struggles are not a big deal for Christians. Surely, they have all the resources and solutions in the world, right? They're hurting? Let's just toss them a Bible verse. On this episode, we are dispelling the myth that mental health doesn't … Continue reading Ep. 53: [Myth #5] Mental Health isn’t a big deal for Christians. →

Many, if not all, of us have even guilty of qualifying our mistakes. We say things like, "Well, God knows I'm not perfect... listen, I know I'm not perfect.... that's okay, nobody is perfect..." And don't get me wrong-- all of these things are true. But truthfully, is this an okay thing? Should we just … Continue reading Ep. 52: [Myth #4] “God knows I’m not perfect… and that’s just fine with Him.” →

Many people are convinced that the "real world"-- whatever that even means-- is ruining our kids, our church members, etc. Here, we are going to talk about why in the world that is really probably not the case. Check out the blog for this podcast here. Welcome to Caffeinated Christianity. We are a site dedicated … Continue reading Ep. 51: [Myth #3] The real world is ruining our Christian kids! →

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com We all thought that maybe 2020 would help us get a lot of our priorities straight. Maybe, it did. For a lot of believers, it didn't. On this episode of Caffeinated Christianity, step into a bit of the philosophical as we wrestle with the idea of priorities, why God … Continue reading Ep. 50: [Myth #2] As long as God is on the schedule, I’m doing just fine. →

Photo by Andrew Neel on Pexels.com 2020 has been quite the year, and it's not even over yet. Many things have happened, begging us to ask the question: was it really supposed to be that hard? Doesn't God want us to be more successful than this? Find out more as we tackle our first myth … Continue reading Ep. 49: [Myth #1] The Christian life is supposed to be covered in bubble wrap… right? →

We could say, "Hey, the Loch Ness monster is going to eat your boat!" But you won't believe us when we say that. Why? You know the Loch Ness monster isn't real-- it's a myth. On this new series of podcasts, we're going to walk through the myths of Christianity. You won't find the Bigfoot … Continue reading Ep. 48: The Myths of Christianity →

https://youtu.be/BEyRqqDB25E I love my parents. Chances are, you do, too. So, if that is the case, why did God go out of His way to tell us we need to honor our parents. And why also does this commandment come with a promise-- unlike the several commandments before it? I tackle this on more on … Continue reading Ep. 47: The Ten Commandments — Honor Your Parents [Promises] →

https://youtu.be/nTc6QkDELwk Audio Only On this episode of the podcast, we are back with the next installment of the series on the 10 Commandments. In Exodus 20, beginning in verse 8, God commands the Israelites to honor the Sabbath Day (the Seventh Day of the Week) as He did and rest-- shabbat. What does mean for … Continue reading Ep. 46: The Ten Commandments — “Honor the Sabbath” [Don’t Watch Netflix] →

https://youtu.be/cwVONgnU2y4 Audio Only On this episode of the podcast, we are going to be looking at the third commandment-- taking God's name in vain. We've all been told what this means growing up, but perhaps it's not really what you think it means. Check out our next episode of the Caffeinated Christianity podcast here, on … Continue reading Ep. 45: The Ten Commandments — You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain… →

https://youtu.be/rvdBCh0dDrE Audio Only This is a sermon given by me, Cooper Short, at Bethel Baptist Church in Laurens, SC. This is a part of a series walking through 1 John. At the time of this posting, I am serving as pulpit supply for Bethel Baptist while finishing my undergraduate at Presbyterian College in South Carolina. … Continue reading Sermon — Nature vs. Nurture — 1 John 2:28-3:3 →

https://youtu.be/k0IGgkrvnoQ Audio only This is a sermon given by me, Cooper Short, at Bethel Baptist Church in Laurens, SC. This is a part of a series walking through 1 John. At the time of this posting, I am serving as pulpit supply for Bethel Baptist while finishing my undergraduate at Presbyterian College in South Carolina. … Continue reading Sermon — Key Words — 1 John 2:18-27 →

https://youtu.be/0L9LoiY5AXc Audio only This is a sermon given by me, Cooper Short, at Bethel Baptist Church in Laurens, SC. This is a part of a series walking through 1 John. At the time of this posting, I am serving as pulpit supply for Bethel Baptist while finishing my undergraduate at Presbyterian College in South Carolina. … Continue reading Sermon — Same and Different — 1 John 2:12-17 →

https://youtu.be/dY0cWVlIs0s Audio Only Full disclaimer: I took some interpretive (with a little research) freedom on this one. On this episode, we are talking about making carved images. No, this isn't art class. It won't be high quality, but it sure will be fun. #JohnOneFive Welcome to Caffeinated Christianity. We are a site dedicated to one … Continue reading Ep. 44: The Ten Commandments — “You shall not make for yourself a carved image…” →

On this episode of the podcast and video cast, we are tackling the first commandment of the 10-- "You shall have no other gods before me." It's not our natural inclination to think of ourselves as pagan idolaters, but I think the case can be made that we pretty much are. Check it out now! … Continue reading Ep. 43: The 10 Commandments — Idolatry →

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bu4hrVqmWw Here is a sermon given by me, Cooper Short, on 1 John 2:7-11. I preached this at Bethel Baptist Church in Laurens, SC. This is a part of a series walking through 1 John. At the time of this posting, I am serving as pulpit supply for Bethel Baptist while finishing my undergraduate at … Continue reading Sermon — Love Kills — 1 John 2:7-11 →

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EagIHBjvxrM We are finally an audio and video podcast. I'm no sure if that's good or bad. Let's just say good for now! On this inaugural episode of the Caffeinated Christianity Podcast, we are going to kickoff a series on the 10 Commandments. I'm sure you've heard them before, but you've never heard-- or seen-- … Continue reading Ep. 42: The 10 Commandments — Intro →

Here is a sermon I gave as part of a series on 1 John. At the time of this posting, I am serving as pulpit supply for Bethel Baptist Church in Laurens, SC. This series is my first sermon series ever. All feedback is welcome as I am learning the ropes of this whole preaching … Continue reading Sermon — Walk as He Walked — 1 John 2:1-6 →

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsieMsGos68 Here is a sermon I gave as part of a series on 1 John. At the time of this posting, I am serving as pulpit supply for Bethel Baptist Church in Laurens, SC. This series is my first sermon series ever. All feedback is welcome as I am learning the ropes of this whole … Continue reading Sermon — Let’s be honest… — 1 John 1:5-10 →

Here is a sermon I gave to begin a series on 1 John. At the time of this posting, I am serving as pulpit supply for Bethel Baptist Church in Laurens, SC. This series is my first sermon series ever. All feedback is welcome as I am learning the ropes of this whole preaching thing. … Continue reading Sermon — Introduction to First John — 1 John 1:1-4 →

We have taken quite a long time to tell one story. I know, I know... you're bored by now. But this is our final episode of the series! We have been walking through what are, in my view, the six major parts of the Story of the Bible-- the Story of Us. Here on this … Continue reading Ep. 41: The Story of Us — Consummation →

We're back. We started a Story in September. Due to some technical difficulties, we are still en route to finishing that story. Please extend some grace for our absence. The Bible is one big, interwoven story of redemption that Christ created for humanity. This is the story of us as people-- not just historical people. … Continue reading Ep. 40: The Story of Us — Expectation →

I've been on administrative leave due to some technical difficulties with recordings and all that jazz. I also chose to take a huge load of classes while also playing a college sport. Silly me! Check out this quick update on what's been happening. More content is on the way!

We're back, and of course, it's not in a timely manner. Please, do not criticize-- I'm a busy person. On this episode, we are in stage 4 of the Story of Us. We've talked about creation. We've talked about this creation being broken by sin. This sin puts us in a frustrating cycle. The only … Continue reading Ep. 39: The Story of Us — Salvation →

The Bible is one, big story. It's a story of history, yes. But it's also the story of you, me, and everyone else. In the first episode, we looked at creation. Last episode, we looked at devastation-- sin. On this episode, we are taking a look at the third part of the story: frustration. The … Continue reading Ep. 38: The Story of Us — Frustration →

The Bible is one big story. On the last podcast, we talked about the first part of this story: Creation. God created the world to be perfect and awesome. Creation as we know it today is still pretty spectacular. But there is something off. There is still war. There is still pain. Something happened to … Continue reading Ep. 37: the Story of Us — Devastation →

On this installment of Coffee With Friends, for one, there is actually coffee being consumed during the recording. That's probably a first. I got to sit down and talk to a teammate and friend of mine, Gavin James, about something very unique-- metal music. We talked about metal culture, Gavin's own metal band, and more. … Continue reading Coffee With Friends #8: Gavin James →

I am back from my accidental sabbatical. My life has been doing 1200 things since July, and not one of those things is slowing down. Caffeinated Christianity is still alive and well. I'm fired up. On this episode, we are going to be kicking off a new series (I really like series, don't I?) on … Continue reading Ep. 36: The Story of Us — Creation →

On this next episode of CWF, I got to sit down with Keith Schumtzler, another native Illinoisan. Keith and I talked about the call t0 ministry, preaching, bi-vocational pastoring, small churches, and more. Check it out now!

On this installment of Coffee With Friends, we are interviewing Sue Barlow, a native Illinoisan. Sue Barlow works for a local insurance agency. I got the chance to sit down with Sue and talk about the intersectionality between faith and working in the secular workforce. Check it out!

The Finale is here. On episode 8 of the Cornfield Chronicles, we recap the trip, we talk bibles (again), CHH (of course), and fight through the tears to give my takeaways from this wonderful summer. Thank you to Forsyth Baptist Church for being an 8-episode podcast series. And thanks be to God for letting me … Continue reading Ep. 35: the Cornfield Chronicles — Episode 8… The Finale →

Here is a sermon I gave on July 21, 2019, at Forsyth Baptist Church in Forsyth, Illinois. The passage I preached on was 2 Timothy 4:1-5.

The corn is getting tall. The tales are getting taller. On this episode of the Cornfield Chronicles, it's a lot of the same, but also a lot of new things. I talk about Bibles, preaching, Christian rap, crying, my little sister, and so much more. Oh, and peep the new instrumental at the end. I … Continue reading Ep. 34: The Cornfield Chronicles — Episode 7 →

Yes, indeed. We are back with the sixth installment of the Cornfield Chronicles. God called me to the state of Illinois this summer to serve as an interim pastor. This series is my audio diary of what's been going on during this process. On this episode, we talk about Bibles, Antiques, the Stoning of Stephen, … Continue reading Ep. 33: The Cornfield Chronicles — Episode 6 →

Here is a sermon I gave at Forsyth Baptist Church in Forsyth, Illinois, on the Acts 7:54-60.

Here is a sermon I gave at Forsyth Baptist Church in Forsyth, Illinois, on John 8:31-32.

Here is a sermon I gave at Forsyth Baptist Church in Forsyth, Illinois, on Jeremiah 32:36-44.

Here is a sermon I gave on June 9, 2019, at Forsyth Baptist Church in Forsyth, Illinois, on the story of David and Goliath.

We're back, folks-- Week 5 of the Cornfield Chronicles! On this episode of the Cornfield Chronicles, I cover several things. I talk about my family. I talk about St. Louis. I talk about plumbing. I talk about fireworks. I even throw a couple Bible verses in there. Check it out! If you haven't listened to … Continue reading Ep. 32: The Cornfield Chronicles — Episode 5 →

Welcome back to the third episode of the Cornfield Chronicles. This summer, God called me to serve as an interim pastor in Forsyth, Illinois. Newsflash: it's very far from home. Instead of casually sneaking things about the experience in my other podcasts, I decided to make a series of podcasts on what I'm doing here … Continue reading Ep. 31: The Cornfield Chronicles — Episode 4 →

Welcome back to the third episode of the Cornfield Chronicles. This summer, God called me to serve as an interim pastor in Forsyth, Illinois. Newsflash: it's very far from home. Instead of casually sneaking things about the experience in my other podcasts, I decided to make a series of podcasts on what I'm doing here … Continue reading Ep. 30: The Cornfield Chronicles — Episode 3 →

We're back and better than ever. On this second episode of the Cornfield Chronicles, I go over week two. I talk about church membership. I talk about McDonald's. I talk about a guy named Keith. And of course, I talk about Jesus. Come check it out!

Welcome to the first episode of the Cornfield Chronicles. I'm on a 2-month journey in Illinois to serve as an interim pastor. I couldn't fit you all in my car. So, we are going to be sharing this experience digitally. On this first episode, I'm laying some of the groundwork-- how I got here and … Continue reading Ep. 28: The Cornfield Chronicles — Episode 1 →

On this next installment of "Coffee With Friends," I get to ask Dr. Jonathan Bundon about everything from harmonicas, to praise and worship genres, to Christian rap music. Come listen to us chat about worship!      

Welcome back to another episode of "Coffee With Friends." On this installment, we are talking to Jeff Johnson. Jeff is the missions pastor at First Baptist Church Kings Mountain in Kings Mountain, NC. He's also a former Floridian and frisbee junkie. I got to interview Jeff about what missions are, what their role is in … Continue reading Coffee With Friends #4: Jeff Johnson →

We're rounding out the series on Bible translations! Come spend some brain cells with me while we address the New King James, Reina Valera, New International Reader's Version, Message, and International Children's Bible! It's a nerdy time! || Sources used: thomasnelsonbibles.org, tommynelson.org, thenivbible.com, messagebible.com, and biblegateway.com ||  

On this episode, we are still tackling the top 10 best-selling translations of the Bible. Here, I break down the NLT, ESV, and CSB. There's a little bit of history. There's a little bit of reading.  There's a lot of Bible. It's a great time. || Sources used: tyndale.com, esv.org, and csbible.com

Welcome back to our latest installment of "Coffee With Friends." On this episode, we are interviewing Chris Amond about when, where, how, and why we share the Gospel. Chris has got some great things to say. Give it a listen!

Starting this week, we are going to be doing a few episodes on the top 10 best-selling Bible translations. There is going to be a breakdown of each translation and its history. On this episode, we are doing an introduction. Then, we will get to the top 2 sellers of 2019: the NIV and KJV. … Continue reading Ep. 25: Which Bible do you read? – NIV & KJV →

I know, I know. It's a few days removed from Easter. Why are we talking about it? We're talking about it because it's the greatest day in history. On this episode, we're going to be taking a look at the historical resurrection of Jesus Christ and what that means for Easter and Christians. Thanks for … Continue reading CCP Ep. 24: Easter Break →