Friends In The Word

In our 50th episode, WE'RE 50!!! Jen and Cyndi spend some time talking about encouragement. You might be surprised to learn all that goes into Encouragement. Our Big Fat Word of the Week is Encouragement because we need a full orbed view of this important duty we have to one another and this grace God has made provision for to get us to the end. In Do You Understand What You're Reading Jen fleshes out some of the encouragement that Paul gives to the Thessalonians. In our discussion we talk through the ways we get encouragement from others and how seeing others believe and live out the promises of God can encourage us. We pray you are encouraged and also pray you'll get busy encouraging others!

In this episode of Friends in the Word, Jen Pam and Cyndi Weeks discuss approachability! Or saying no, to the "no face."As Christians we desire to be people that show we care and are approachable to others, what are some ways we can do that and what are some traps we fall into. The Big Fat Word of the Week is Aseity of GodWe spend some time in Titus 3 for Do You Understand What You Are Reading?And we hope to give you some practical helps for saying no to the "no face" and learning to become more approachable because of how Christ was willing to approach us! 

In this episode of Friends in the Word, Jen Pam and Cyndi Weeks discuss what it means to dress like a woman who professes godliness... (please forgive Cyndi's sound issues as she's recording in the remote hills of Tennessee in a 5th wheel trailer like a hillbilly)We also explain where we've been for the last 9 months as well as the Big Fat Word of the Week, vainglory... it packs a big punch! We also spend some time in 1st Tim. 2 addressing the passage on women's dress and how we are to present ourselves. If you're anything like Cyndi, you need this episode, there are lots of wows and woahs... as we get into a clearly needed topic that so many women in the church struggle with. We hope this episode will be a starting point for looking into the ways we express our attitudes through our dress and pray for all of us that we would bring glory to God in even this area of our lives! Thanks for joining us... Read Yo Bible!

In this episode of Friends in the Word, Cyndi Weeks and Jen Pam discuss creating a culture of evangelism in your church and in your circle of friends. The Big Fat Word of the Week is : Effectual Call Jen explains the difference between the outward call we give in preaching the gospel and the inward call God gives to those whom He calls to Himself. In Do You Understand What You are Reading we cover Psalm 126:6 and some of Spurgeon's great insights on this passage. Then we spend some time breaking down what it means to sow in tears but come back rejoicing with a harvest. It was such an encouraging conversation for us, we pray it will be for you also! 

In this episode of Friends in the Word, Jen and Cyndi discuss ways we need to adjust our expectations as we are seeing the moral decline of society laid out in Romans 1 before our eyes. The Big Fat Word of the Week is Worship- We know most of you know it's meaning but its always great it deepen our understanding of even basic words, especially ones as important as worship!For Do You Understand What You are Reading Jen helps ground us in reality... she gives us 12 truths found in Romans 1 that will help you understand better the chaos we are seeing. And then we get into a practical discussion for ways we can make adjustments to our thinking and behaviors. God has given us an unshakable kingdom  and yes society is changing, but our hope and mission has not! We pray this episode is super helpful, we are praying for you! 

In this episode Cyndi and Jen discuss why the Christian can and should have fun... it's in the Bible ;) We spend sometime discussing the word Jollification for The Big Fat Word of the Week and discuss Ecclesiastes 3 for Do You Understand What You are Reading as well as quite a few other passages that discuss our general enjoyment of life  and where we see the principle of fun in the scriptures. Let's follow the sunbeam up to the Son together and as we grow in our disciplines include fun and merry making! This is a fun episode and we pray you are blessed as you include a ministry of bringing glory to God by enjoying His good gifts to us! 

In this episode of Friends in the Word Jen and Cyndi discuss... well we discuss... uhhhhh... sin. This should be our most popular episode to date. BUT we actually hope it's up there, because the better we understand sin and it's weight, the more we can appreciate the beauty and absolute lavish mercy of God! Jen does Depravity for the Big Fat Word of the Week and we spend some time in Gal. 5 for Do You Understand What You are Reading  hoping to help us expand our understanding of our battle against sin and the flesh. Then we get into a discussion on misunderstandings around sin, it's euphemisms, it's lies and the general bad it brings into the world. We also learn that Cyndi doesn't know the meaning of Zero Sum Game ;P We hope you'll enjoy and share this episode so we can all better appreciate the grace and forgiveness extended to us at the cross. 

In this episode of Friends in the Word Jen and Cyndi discuss what is looks like to have a truly big heart. The Big Fat Word of the Week is Munificence - make sure to add this one to your vocabulary list, it's a great one! We spend some time discussing widening our hearts from 2nd Cor. 6 for Do You Understand What You're ReadingAnd we spend some time breaking down ways we need to examine our lives and hearts to see if we are living in a way that people would say we are generous in our spirits and big hearted in our approach to others. Sorry about the construction noise half way thru, it finally stopped raining in NZ... what can I say...Thanks for joining us and read yo Bible! 

In this episode of Friends in the Word Cyndi Weeks and Jen Pam break down the guilt and shame the world and sometimes we as Christians walk around with. We hope we can be part of removing the burden of that guilt by pointing you and each other to the cross. The Big Fat Word of the Week is Expiation... cool fact, it removes your guilt. Jen spends some time in Ephesians for Do You Understand What You Are Reading And we spend a good chunk of time breaking down the world's messaging and it's hopeless message of guilt and condemnation... Drive an SUV, guilty... Eat non organic Chicken Fingers, guilty... And all of these messages offer no hope. But we as Christians have the greatest news that our guilt can be dealt with at the cross. We hope you are encouraged and keep reading your Bible! 

In this episode Cyndi and Jen discuss how we can be busy as women building the ark rather than hunkering down in our bomb shelters just waiting for the end! Jen unpacks Deconstructionism for The Big Fat Word of the Week and we spend some time talking about 2nd Peter 3 for Do You Understand What You're Reading. It's such a helpful text to direct us in our purpose for living in crazy times, knowing that God will come soon to right every wrong, but for now is patient wanting many to be saved. We hope this conversation will encourage you in the ways you can build the arky arky in your home, your church and in the world around you! Make sure you stay till the end for one of the best of Spurgeon's High Thoughts of God.Let's encourage each other to get busy participating as He is building His kingdom! Read Yo Bible!

In this episode of Friends in the Word Cyndi Weeks and Jennifer Pam discuss the ways we get caught up "livin' for likes" and also the way God desires us to live for His approval and the biggest piece of this puzzle is that in Christ we already have it! For the Big Fat Word of the Week we discuss the concept of Oneism and Twoism from Peter Jones. Then Jen spends some time helping us to better understand Isaiah 2:12-21 for Do You Understand What You're Reading... Join our discussion of our own personal hang ups with livin' for likes and some of the areas we have experienced overcoming this all day every day struggle and pursuit! Finally Jen finishes us off with some great High Thoughts of God. We pray you will be encouraged to live out of the approval purchased for you at the cross!Read yo Bible. 

Hey friends! Jen and Cyndi are so happy to return to the podcast after a much needed hiatus with returning to  homeschooling for Cyndi and degree finishing for Jen. In this episode we talk about what it looks like to live a productive life to the glory of God. The Big Fat Word of the Week is - CruciformityWe spend a bit of time breaking down Ephesians 2:10 for Do You Understand What You're Reading? And then delve into a discussion about how we examine the priorities of our lives and work towards bringing glory to God in our life and work. We've missed you and are so happy to be back encouraging one another to get in the Word and order our lives according to it!

In this episode Jen and Cyndi discuss all things Christmas... We delve into the incarnation and spend some time covering the meta-narrative of Christ's coming to earth. We also have some fun sharing favorite memories and traditions we've done over the years. It's a fun one and our last episode for the year. Thank you so much for joining this year us and we'll see you in 2022! 

In this Episode Cyndi and Jen discuss Susan Hunt's idea of Spiritual Mothering. Everybody needs a Momma! Especially in the life of a believer, discipleship is key component to our growth. For women specifically Titus 2 gives us a framework for the things we are to focus on and grow up into. We spend some time discussing the why of spiritual mothering, the how to and the difficulties we face in a culture so greatly influenced by feminism. We pray you are blessed and will find a Spiritual Mother and be one! 

In this episode Cyndi and Jen discuss the ever increasing desire to do the "Safety Dance!" As Christians how do we evaluate risk and is God opposed to it? The Big Fat Word of the Week is Providence and we discuss Proverbs 3 and the wisdom God gifts us with that truly keeps us safe for Do You Understand What You are Reading. Then we dive into a pretty full on discussion surrounding our governments increased presence in keeping us safe and what the Bible has to say about how we respond to risk. Risk in sharing the gospel, risk in going abroad to dangerous places to be missionaries, engaging in a life that can sometime be dangerous while understanding God's providential hand in it.  You might not agree with everything we have to say in this episode, and even though there is no safe space provided, we're sure you'll be just fine! Thanks for listening and read your Bible!

In this episode Jen and Cyndi discuss how to navigate the ever increasing awkwardness of what is life today... especially as Christians how do we insert ourselves into the awkward rather than run from it. The Big Fat Word of the Week (or phrase) is Moralistic Therapeutic  Deism. We spend some time taking through 1st Peter 2:4-5 and our new role and duties Christ has given us in the church and have what we think is hopefully a helpful conversation around facing the awkward moments you will most definitely find yourself in! 

In this Episode Jen and Cyndi discuss how, what and why we fight as Christians. It's probably not exactly what you're thinking... but we pray it will be helpful to discuss in these tumultuous times. As Christians we must engage in the fight against our own sin, speak up for the oppressed in a respectful and honoring way and contend for the faith that was delivered to us once and for all.  The Big Fat Word of the Week is: Pugnacious. We dive into some of the Armor of God in Eph. 6 for Do You Understand What You Are Reading and have a discussion on what how and why we fight in this battlefield called life. We pray God equips you just a little more in your own battle until He comes again!  

In this episode Cyndi and Jen discuss how important pursuing wisdom is in our current time. Lady Wisdom and Dame Folly offer two houses, which one will you build? The Big Fat Word of the Week is Godliness and its definition may surprise you. We spend some time in the wisdom book of Job for Do You Understand What You Are Reading and we have a discussion centered on fearing the Lord and how this leads to wisdom and also the hard work mining for wisdom can be. We pray you are encouraged! Read your Bible

In this episode of Friends in The Word Jen and Cyndi discuss emotional stewardship. We are living in emotional times and the Word addresses us in the totality of our personhood. So how do our emotions affect the way we live, obey, worship? Jen gives us a little church history in the Big Fat Word of the Week when she tells us about Revival and Revivalism. We break down John 14 when Jesus says if you LOVE me, you will obey me for Do You Understand What You Are Reading and have a discussion about being emotional people that need to steward our emotions. We pray you are encouraged and that as you look at Christ and His great love for you that your emotional response will be to honor and glorify God! 

In this episode of Friends in the Word Jen and Cyndi discuss passages from the Old Testament that had a profound effect on them. The Big Fat Word of the Week is Inspiration of Scripture, we make sure to expose the tricks that false teachers are using to downplay how ALL of scripture is breathed out by God.  In Do You Understand What you are Reading Jen breaks down Hebrews 1 to help frame the conversation for the importance of the progressive revelation of scripture. We discuss inter-textuality of Scripture, a new phrase for me but an old concept that is so important! And then we share some of the more impactful Old Testament passages that we love. We pray it inspires you to get in there and read big swaths so that you might come to appreciate more deeply the beauty of just how merciful our God is!

In this Episode Cyndi and Jen discuss discussions, converse about conversations... you get the idea... The Big Fat Word of the Week is Apologetics... We bring some Proverbs into frame out the discussion about discussing in Do You Understand What You are Reading, and then jump into what we hope is a productive conversation about how as Christians we should approach one another and unbelievers as we seek to understand one another and facilitate relationships. We talk about the apologetics tool kit and give you some phrases that will help you navigate a conversation with grace and kindness. Lord knows in our current crisis we all need encouragement to remember how to address one another. We pray you are encouraged. 

In this episode Cyndi and Jen discuss what it looks like to live in light of your convictions. The Big Fat Words of the Week are Conviction and Piety. We discuss Hebrews 11 and how conviction and faith go hand in hand. We spend some time discussing how you form your convictions and the difference between Biblical convictions and personal ones. We pray this episode strengthens you to live by your convictions. We finish by praying for Afghanistan. 

Ooooh doggie...You ready to talk about fear of man? In this episode Cyndi and Jen discuss the trap that the fear of man is and how we have a glorious alternative! The Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, but why is it so easy to fear man then? We hope this episode will spur you on to behold the awesomeness of our God and why He alone is worthy! 

In this week's episode of Friend's in The Word, Jen and Cyndi discuss some really important concepts when you find yourself just hanging on while the earth is tottering! The Big Fat Word of the Week is - Sovereignty For Do You Understand What You're Reading we open up to Isaiah 46 for some Big God encouragement... and our conversation centers around the hope we have in a Mighty God who does as He pleases yet walks with us in our trials. It's such a good episode we ask you to share it with your friends. We all need encouraging right now that we have a great big God who will not falter or fail in the midst of a global pandemic.  We are praying for you!

If you haven't seen the tiny hands SNL skit we apologize for the title, but we don't apologize for the episode in which Cyndi and Jen discuss what you say to yourself when you're all alone or with your "by myself" We discuss why preaching the gospel to yourself in your thought life is so incredibly important  especially when the world around you seems to be crumbling. The Big Fat Word of the Week is the Formal and Material Principle of the Reformation, we spend some time talking about guarding the good deposit in Do You Understand What You are Reading? And hopefully have an encouraging and helpful conversation in which we hope to fan into flame the good gift of faith God has given you by talking about what preaching the gospel looks like in everyday situations. 

In this episode Jen and Cyndi discuss women of church history and with a little cheek, figure out if women can do that? The Big Fat Word of the Week is Perspicuous and we spend a little time discussing the clarity of passages about the roles of women in Do You Understand What You're Reading. In our main segment we discuss women in church history that have inspired us and explore some ideas that the culture has influenced even in the church. Its a spicy episode, we hope you're challenged and encouraged to get busy! 

In this episode Cyndi and Jen discuss one of their very favorite topics! Singing! The Big Fat Word of the Week is DOXOLOGY. We talk about how  there are 50 commands in scripture to SING! And why we believe it is so important to adopt into our everyday practices, God has made us a singing people. We finish up with a little fun of singing back and forth to each other some of our very favorite psalms, hymns and spiritual songs! This is a fun episode that you won't want to miss! 

In this episode Cyndi and Jen dive into the wonderful gift of the conscience. So many of us as Christians live with guilt and shame that we shouldn't or many of us live with guilt because we haven't taken our sins to the cross. Living with a clean conscience is such a gift to us.  The world screams guilty, the cross says you can be forgiven. Or the world says, don't worry about it, but God's holiness says it must be dealt with. Can you feel the craziness of it all!? Well we invite you to live with the joy of our conscience being cleansed by the blood! We are praying for you, be encouraged, live free!

In this episode Cyndi and Jen discuss the issue of issues for the Church, Biblical Authority. If the Bible isn't the ultimate authority, the question must be,  who is then? The Big Fat Word of The Week is more a concept this week "Effective Authority of Scripture"it's helpful in defining what is meant by authority and how it outworks in the life of believers. We dive into 2nd Peter 1 for Do You Understand What You're Reading and we spend a good chunk of time talking about how Biblical Authority actually influences the way you live in the world and how the culture influencing the church wants "your truth" over His truth. We are praying for you listeners that God would encourage and strengthen you to believe that the gift of the Word is our infallible rule for faith and life! 

In this Episode Cyndi and Jen discuss our relationship with the ever present and never without complications, technology! And our goal is to use it well but not love it as much as we love God, you see. The Big Fat Word of the Week is Antinomianism. And we try to have a coherent conversation, in spite of our technology affected brains, about how Christians need to think through their use of technology and the trade offs that are always present... Don't forget to read your Bibles! 

Don't worry if you're confused by the title of this week's episode... We WILL clarify how important the 3 istics are in our Bible reading, our counseling a friend, our encouraging a fellow church member! The Big Fat Word of the Week is Eschatology and no we will not be showing our hands ;) But we will talk about how important our future hope is! And we delve a bit into 1st Peter to demonstrate how the scriptures use the 3 istics... Realistic, Idealistic and Optimistic to help balance us in our lives! Thanks for listening, we're praying you're encouraged.

In this episode Cyndi and Jen discuss why you matter to your church. Did you know that God has made you a body part to which Jesus is the head? Or that you are a living stone and Jesus is the Cornerstone!? In this episode we break down Ecclesia for the Big Fat Word of The Week. And discuss some practical ways you can make a difference in your local body. Why? Because your church needs you! WHO? YOU!!! 

In this episode Cyndi and Jen discuss one of thee most powerful tools we as Christians have, PRAYER!  Yet we all know the struggle to pray is real! Maybe you need some encouragement to go into your prayer closet,  Maybe you need  some encouragement to get out of your prayer closet, you'll get both! We hope you'll leave ready to grab a friend and talk to our great God! 

In this episode Jen and Cyndi talk through how to approach aging in a godly manner. The Big Fat Word of the Week is Adiaphora- an important word that helps us better understand the concept of Christian liberty.  Have you struggled with aging to the glory of God? Hopefully this episode will shed some light on how we can be set free from worry but also embrace the good things God does in and through our aging. Thanks for joining us, hit the subscribe button, leave us a review, read your Bible!

In this episode Cyndi and Jen discuss the powerful and dangerous root of bitterness. We encourage each other in fighting it off and having faith that God is working all things together for our good, even the hardest things that might tempt us to become bitter. Our High Thoughts of God segment is brought to you by Puritan Poet Anne Broadstreet, and it's so good we end in tears! You don't wanna miss it, let's fight the bitter root together! 

In this episode Cyndi and Jen discuss being Hearers and Doers of the Word. The Big Fat Words of the Week are Justification and Sanctification.  This is such an important distinction that effects how we live out our faith! Excited to get our hands dirty with you! Let's go team!

In this week's episode Cyndi and Jen drill down into the depths of rich theological discourse to examine decorating our homes, it's for glory and for beauty, obviously. But seriously, God has thoughts about so much in this life that we are living and gives us some principles that surround even decorating. The Big Fat Word of the Week is "Beatific Vision" and it's a good one! We discuss the often characaturized  woman of Proverbs 31 in Do You Understand What You are Reading? And have a hopefully helpful discussion around the pros and cons to be aware of when it comes to decorating our homes. It's a fun one, thanks so much for joining! 

In this episode of Friends in the Word Jen and Cyndi discuss the really important topic of suffering. It's so important to have your theology of suffering in place, because if anything about life is certain it's that we will suffer. What we believe about God is revealed most clearly in our suffering! The Big Fat Word of the Week is Theodicy- it's such an important word that will help frame the discussion of suffering well. We pray that you will be encouraged to have an eternal perspective as you encounter trails of various kinds and remember the glory that will one day be revealed in you! 

In this episode Cyndi and Jen discuss Biblical friendship and there is no Michael W. Smith sing-a-longs incase you were worried.  The Big Fat Word of the Week is "Immanence" which is a surprisingly beautiful word. We discuss the faithful wounds from a true friend in Do You Understand What You're Reading. And we enjoy a pretty long, but really encouraging conversation on being a Biblical friend and forging a Biblical friendship! We are praying for your friendships that they would be Biblical and if you don't have one that you will start one! Thanks for joining us! 

In this week's episode, Cyndi and Jen discuss the sometimes awkward topic of greeting one another in the church! Our Big Fat Word of the Week is "Fellowship" and we break down the importance of how we express affection in the church and how it really is a sign of belonging to Jesus and one another.  This is us, giving you a big warm digital hug! Thanks for joining us.

In this episode Jen and Cyndi talk about the much consumed but little discussed, (from a Biblical viewpoint) issue of food. In our Big Fat Word of the Week we talk about the concept of Christian Liberty, and expound a bit on 1st Corinthians 10 and the issue of conscience. Then round out our time talking about ways we see the Bible discussing food and ways our culture does, hint... they don't match. Tune in this week to grow in appreciation and learn some stuff with us about being thankful for food!

In this episode Jen and Cyndi break down an often the misunderstood or the under represented concept of repentance. Its our Big Fat Word of the Week, its  in our Do You Understand what You're Reading passage, it is the main segment and our High Thoughts of God segment helps us see that we repent for our JOY!

In this episode Cyndi and Jen discuss a really Big Fat Word - Propitiation. We delve into Gal. 1 and being sure we not only understand what we're reading but understand what it is we are to share when sharing the gospel. Cyndi and Jen also have an honest conversation about ways they have personally gotten the gospel wrong and hopefully can encourage all of us to learn to get the Glorious Good News  Gospel right! Thanks for joining us, be sure to subscribe!

In this episode Cyndi and Jen continue the discussion of why expositional teaching and good exegesis is so important in the life of a believer. We further explain the Big Fat Words of the Week - exegesis and eisegesis. And we also hit on the dangers of not sitting under good expository teaching and why it can be bad for your soul and  we finish with The Supremacy of God in Preaching. Thanks for joining us! Don't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast. 

In this episode Jen and Cyndi talk about why going to a church that has expository preaching is so important for your soul. In their Big Fat Word of the Week they explain what Expository means and will help us understand why as the lay people and congregants we are responsible for what we listen to. This one's so important we decided to talk about it twice! 

In this episode Jen and Cyndi discuss often misunderstood words like Submission and Complementarianism and how we whole heartedly believe in God's complementary design of male and female and the positive ways we can sharpen and encourage each other in a small group setting! Its a fun one! 

In this episode Jen and Cyndi discuss a Big Fat Word of the Week that Cyndi's never heard of before, we decide whether we should read David and Goliath like we're David in "Do you understand what you're reading" and figure out what the heck "that's so meta" means as we discuss the Meta-narrative of scripture. 

In this episode we discuss how the gospel impacts our Bible reading, after we totally bungle our intro and have a good laugh about what we're enjoying right now. Our "Big Fat Word of the Week" is Penal- Substitutionary Atonement. In "Do You Understand What You're Reading" we discuss the living and active nature of the Word. We end with a glorious quote from the Spurge on the joy we experience in our fellowship with God. Thanks for joining us!

Hey we're two friends that love the Bible and talking about how it applies to our everyday lives with each other! In this episode we introduce ourselves and share our testimony of how we became Bible readers. We also have 3 segments that include our Big Fat Word of the Week, Do You Understand What You're Reading, and we always want to finish with High Thoughts of God. We can't wait to encourage you, come dive in with us!