Matt Kennedy Podcast

Sometimes it's hard to see the forrest for all the trees. When despair sets in the darkness can feel overwhelmning. In today's episode we tackle despair by learning how the vision to see things in their proper light can not only change our perspective but give also us the peace and confidence to overcome the despair and hopelessness that is trying to overtake us.

On today's episode we will be talking about anxiety. What do we do when the darkness of anxiety overtakes us?  With our heart pounding, blood racing and chack feeling like it is going to explode it can be hard to do the one thing needed to over come anxiety... Be Patient!

Worry seems to be a regular part of life. It sets in fast and has a way of hanging on longer than we want.  Today we will learn how to hold on to hope when worry would demand we give up on hope altogether.

We all have moments of panic. When life comes down on us hard and we need to make quick decisions under a lot of duress it can be difficult to feel good about our choices. Today we learn from three men who made a difficult decision that put their lives at risk. However, the security they found made the choice easier knowing in whom they were placing their hope!

Today we try to face our fears and exchange it for peace. There is a lot of fear in the world right now. In those times, it is good to know that peace is possible... even in a pandemic. Listen in as we discuss how to find peace when we feel afraid.

Today we kick-off a new series titled: "Flicker: Finding Light In Dark Times". We are going to get honest about the emotions we are feeling as we take the punch of COVID right on the chin. When we look at the world and see nothing but madness it can be hard to find the light. In today's episode, we will examine how we can trust when we feel powerless. Trust is the flicker of light when the darkness of powerlessness sets in. But it is where we place our trust that is most important.

As we end this series we finally get to hear directly from the Author. He responds with his conclusion on the Teacher's perspective and gives his response to all he has said. If you need a shot of hope... drink it up!

We are all subject to the effects of time. No amount of botox will ever stop the aging process. So how do we handle getting older? Today we look at two perspectives. One is full of pessimism and the other full of hope. I will let you choose which one is best for you. 

In today's episode, we hear from the Teacher a call to enjoy life to the fullest while we are young. The sand in the hourglass keeps on falling and one day we are going to wake up and wonder where the time went. So how do we live life to the fullest with the time we have left? Let's find out together.

In today's episode, we discuss how to prepare for all the unknowns in life. No matter how well we prepare, there will always be events in life we could never have foreseen. What should we do in those moments? How can we best journey through life prepared for the unknown? Come learn from the Teacher and Author how they deal with the unknown.

Today we conclude the Teacher's thoughts on how to learn from the foolish things of the world and what lessons the fool can offer.

We may not realize it but we all leave an example. Every life decision we make is one worth following or not. But even the bone-headed decisions people make can be learning opportunities.  Today we will be starting a 2 part series learning the lessons from the fool.

Today we discuss the importance of remembering the life lessons we have learned not only from our own life experience but also the life lessons that have been passed on to us from others. One of the most tragic things that can happen to us is to have to relearn old lesson we have forgotten.

Today the teacher makes an observation that is true of us all... we all are subject to things beyond our control and we all have an end. Listen as we discuss how to view such things through the eyes of the Author.

COVID_19 has changed our world. One way it has impacted us is how we grieve those who we have lost. In a COVID-19 world, how do we grieve the loss of a loved one while we must also remain in isolation? This is a conversation I had with one of the best people I know to talk with on this subject, Sara R. Ward.

Today we are addressing the issue of injustice. How are we to respond to all the injustice in the world? How should we address the wrongs being done when the wrongs come from our leaders? What becomes of a society when corruption reigns?

Today the teacher addresses his observations on how we approach and speak to our leaders. We all have our opinions as to what our leaders should do. when they do something we don't like we let them know about it! We protest, march, scream and yell. But is this the best way? In the end, the teacher gives solid advice on timing, approach, How those two things could mean the difference between success and failure.

Listen to part 2 of how we can do more than give out advice; we can pass on our wisdom. Come find out the best way you can personally make those around you better... Pass on your wisdom!

Today we examine the art of passing on the wisdom we have learned throughout our life. There is a difference between giving advice and passing on wisdom. Come learn how we can share in passing on the lessons of life.

We conclude this talk with part 3 looking at the teacher's observations of the many snares that can come with wealth.  Of course, the Author will then add a God-centered perspective on the matter at the end. 

Here's Part 2 of 3 of the latest episode of the Matt Kennedy Podcast "Wealth Has Many Snares". We are be tackling the snares of wealth. Money is such a big part of our lives but it turns out there are some major cautions the Teacher shares with us. Come find out if any of those snares have a hold of us and what we can do about it if they do. #moremoneymoreproblems

The heart longs for many things that money can provide. However, as the teacher observes, Money and wealth can bring out the worst in us all. Listen as we look at part one of the things the teacher warns us about when it comes to wealth and it's many snares.

In today's episode, we will be discussing the importance of keeping our word... especially when we make a vow. Keeping our word builds trust. Without trust, there can be no sense of safety in a relationship.

The heart is full of snares. There are many things about it that can lead us in the wrong direction. The tricky thing is, we may not always see it. Today we learn about how to guard our hearts against the things that will only serve to tempt us and ensnare us.

So much of our efforts in life are spent on trying to control life and it's outcomes. We all want to have a good life and enjoy ourselves in the process. However, as the Teacher shows us, We don't have any control over life, its times or its seasons. Today we will look at what, if anything we can do about it and who, ultimately, is behind the scenes pulling the strings and why that is a good thing! Please like, Subscribe, and Review. Thanks!

As we conclude our Christmas series we focus on the benefits of pondering God's words and deeds. We are so busy. Especially this time of year. In order for Christmas to keep its significance in our hearts, it will do us well to take the time to ponder God and all that he has done. Then the wonder of Christmas will stay with us throughout the year.

In the business of the season, it is important to remember why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. In remembering, we have the same response Mary and Elizabeth had... Praise to God!

Christmas is such a busy time of year. If we are not careful we can lose sight of what we are even celebrating. In this series, we are focusing on what our priorities should be this Christmas season. Today we discuss how to keep God's plan a priority.

Sometimes we try to find life in simply 'doing the right thing'. The problem is WE are the ones who are determining what is right. Today we will learn from the Author about who wisdom can be a blessing if we are trusting in the right source.

Today we look at the topic of pleasure. The teacher denies himself no pleasure and discovers how utterly futile it is to try and find life in it. Listen as the author shows us the purpose of pleasure once we have found life in God.

In today's episode, we explore the futility of trying to find life in our own wisdom. Instead, the Author encourages us to trust in God's wisdom since He is the All-knowing One.

This week we kick off a new series in Ecclesiastes called "Life And The Search For Meaning". Life is full of big questions, confusion, and uncertainty. We strive to make sense of a world that cannot be reasoned with. We search and search only to find all of our efforts coming up empty. However, life has meaning and purpose if you know where to look. Join me as we explore life through the eyes of a skeptic and gain perspective through the understanding of the great author.    

When we come to the end of the road of life, what will we leave behind? How will we be remembered? What will be our legacy? Abraham left a great legacy for his family. One that we are blessed by today! Come learn how we can leave a legacy that will be a blessing to those who come behind us.

Have you ever wonder which direction to take in life? Are you trying to figure out what God would want you to do? Being able to discern, understand and embrace God's plan is a normal part of life? Come and learn how you can know what God is doing in your life and which direction you should go in.

Sometimes things happen in life where everything seems to fall into place. What we needed, when we needed it, and how it all came about just fell right into place. Some people look at that and think it's all coincidence. Followers of Jesus look at it and know that God is working all things together for our good and His glory!

Eventually, we all face that moment when someone we love passes away. There is a beauty in celebrating and remembering the life of our loved one. There is also a beauty in knowing that we do not need to walk through this 'goodbye' alone.

Love is a powerful thing. We have all felt it and had it for someone or even something. How do we know when we love someone/something more than God? This week we will take the love test to answer that question.

Laughter can bring about great joy. It can also cause us sorrow. Whether we feel the joy of people laughing WITH us or the sorrow of people laughing AT us, God provides all that we need to keep us full of hope.

We have all avoided telling the truth to avoid negative outcomes. But at what cost? Our deceit can cause more pain than the truth. Come learn from Abraham about the consequences of trying to avoid negative outcomes through deception and untruth.

As we grow in our relationship with God we begin to become less selfish. As the needs of others become a concern to us, we can go to God and ask for His intervention and course correction. Come learn from Abraham how to intercede for the good of others. "Intercession is not the art of getting God to do what we want. It is the art of aligning our heart with His."

Sometimes we get discouraged when it seems like God has forgotten us. We want Him to act quickly and God is on a different time table than we are. But no matter how long our perceived delay, God gives us a reason to put our hope and trust in Him!

Sometimes we want to do the bare minimum in our walk with God. We are only willing to give God just enough to go to Heaven when we die but we don't want to over-do it while here on earth. Come learn from Abram what it means to be all-in and what happens when we dive headfirst into the greatest relationship we could ever have.

In a 'Me' powered world it is easy to think that we are the ones who are in control. When God seems slow in keeping His word we quickly try to help God out by accomplishing His plan for him. While there are things we can do to play our part, some things can only be done by God. When we try and do what only God can do the results tend to be disastrous. Listen as we discuss how to trust God for His timing.

Sometimes God's plans and promises are too amazing for us to believe and process. Yet God helps us to believe in Him and in His determination to bring His word to fruition. Please Subscribe, Rate, and Review. Thank You!

Today we are talking about how we come to the aid of those who are held captive and face injustice in the world. "Rescue begins with awareness but awareness alone is not enough. No one has ever been sent free because we told someone about their trouble." Please remember to Subscribe, Rate, and Review. Thank you!!

We have all made mistakes. In this episode, We will see how we can learn from our mistakes and discover God's faithfulness in getting us back on the right track.

Fear is a terrible advisor when it comes to decision making. It never produces the results we want and tends to do more damage than good. Today we learn from Abraham's mistakes in making fear motivated decisions and learn what factors should guide us in wise decision making.

It's been said that to truly understand someone you have to walk a mile in their shoes. Where they've been. What they've been through. Where they're going. When we do, we will see we are more alike than we thought. We kick off a new series "If The Shoe Fits". We will be walking through the life of Abraham and discovering we have more in common than we might think. First up is a look at 'Close Encounters of the Divine Kind' looking at when God crossed paths with Abraham.

Most people try to find life in accumulating as much as possible. It's easy to forget that the most fulfilling life isn't found in what we accumulate but what we give away. Today we will discover the joy that is found in generosity. Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review. Thank you!!

In today's episode, we will learn that we don't always have to see eye to eye in order to be at peace with each other. Not only that, but we can thrive relationally when we build our relationships on the things that give each other life. Please don't forget to Subscribe, Rate, and Review. Thanks!!

Life is full of ups and downs. Sometimes it can be difficult to find joy in the journey. When we realize that God is with us through all of life we can begin to see the joy throughout all of life's journey. Please Subscribe, Rate, and Review.