PocketNeif Podcast

Do you find joy in hearing how well others are doing? Are you blessed when your leadership or your words encourage another? Why not live a life of giving happiness to others as often as you can with God's help!

What words best describe God? David, the author of Psalm 86 which inspired the song I share today, and many others would shout their answer, "Gracious!" God is gracious, slow to anger, full of love. Gracious God, which I wrote earlier this year, gives God glory for his compassion and mercy. I trust you will grow in your love for him as you listen.Gracious GodYou are a gracious God, slow to anger, full of love.Your faithfulness endures forever (and ever).Your heart is merciful; your strength beyond compare.Your people rightly fear your name.Chorus:Hear our prayers, Lord! Teach us your ways!Guard our steps for all of our days!And we will praise your name foreverWith undivided hearts. Verse 2:You are a good God, comforting the poor and needy.In their distress they call to you (you answer).Your deeds are marvelous; providing help and granting mercy.Your people rightly trust in you. Verse 3:You, God, deliver us, from every enemy.No foe can stand against; they all fall down before you.Your servants all rejoice; they shout your victory!Your people rightly worship you.©2025 Mike Neifert (Inspired by Psalm 86)

Can an AI-generated prayer become a real prayer? What is it that makes worship true worship? It's more than the words, whatever their source which makes for "in the Spirit" worship and "in truth" prayer.

Look up! Do you see God's hand in what's above you? The Psalmist did. Perhaps if you paused, you'd observe God's greatness as well.

I'm old enough now to be grumpy. Not that I always am. But I was on the day after Easter. God help, me.

A new-to-me custom, hand-crafted ukulele from Hawaii, gifted to me by my cousin, stirred up joy and a new worship song. "We Need Joy" is a bouncy, bubbly request for joy and two other gifts God is more than happy to grant to his children when they ask.We Need JoyVerse 1: We need joy, joy, joy, joy, joy in your Spirit! We need joy, joy, joy, joy, the fullness of your joy! We need joy, joy, joy, joy, joy in your Spirit; For the joy of the Lord is our strength!Bridge 1:Joy to the world, the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King!Verse 2: We need love, love, love, love, love in your Spirit! We need love, love, love, love, the fullness of your love! We need love, love, love, love, love in your Spirit; For the love of the Lord will endure!Bridge 2:O love of God, how rich and pure; How measureless and strong!Verse 3: We need peace, peace, peace, peace, peace in your Spirit! We need peace, peace, peace, peace, the fullness of your peace! We need peace, peace, peace, peace, peace in your Spirit; For the peace of the Lord is our shield!Bridge 3: Whatever our lot, you have taught us to say, “It is well; it is well with our soul!”©2025 Mike Neifert

I was thirsty the other day so I went to grab refreshment from the fridge at the church. I found more than sparkling water when I walked into the kitchen. A woman at a well also found more than she was seeking when she arrived at the well near her Samaritan village. Her thirst was satisfied by a someone rather than by a something.

My friend dropped a "Thank God" as we were driving the other day. It happened to be on a Friday, but I thought, "It doesn't matter what day it is. Thank God!"

There are things which, if you find them missing, are worth going back for. A missing laptop got me to thinking about how important it is to "go back for" one thing much more important than a tool.

Jesus, Fill My Heart is a song based on a prayer written by Ryan Skoog in the book, Lead with Prayer. It's a petition asking for God's good gifts of love and peace and wisdom among other things. I got permission from Mr. Skoog to adapt his words and put them to music and this is what came out. My prayer is that each of you will find this prayer useful in connecting with God. (The original prayer is on page 62 of the hardcover edition of Lead with Prayer.)Jesus, Fill My Heart (A Prayer)Verse:Jesus, fill my heart with Your love; fill my soul with Your peace; fill my mind with wisdom from above.Jesus, fill my ears with Your voice; fill my mouth with Your words; fill my eyes with Your compassion.Chorus:May my hands be ever serving You.May my knees bow in surrender, too.May my feet walk in obedience to You.Bridge:Empower me – heart, soul, mind, andstrength – to live for Your glory, Lord.Empower me – heart, soul, mind, andstrength – to live for You, my Friend. ©2025 Mike Neifert

Signing day for a high school athlete is a big deal! Family and friends and coaches are on hand. Everyone is full of joy! Same thing happens in heaven when someone says yes to Jesus.

Some people are always filled with joy. Some are never ever joyful. I've learned a little from God about dealing with the later over the years. I'm still seeking his guidance, but this is what I've got so far. (If you're listening to this, I doubt you're one of my joy-missers, but I bet you know one or two.)

I've been getting ads all over the place for apps which proport to provide AI (artificial intelligence) help in preparing sermons. They promise to cut writing time in half. I can see both sides of this issue, but come down on one side.

For hundreds of years, believers have recited the prayer we call the Lord's Prayer. They've done so because this prayer orients them over and over to what Jesus wants and wills. Recently, the Bible Project podcast put out five episodes on the Lord's Prayer and invited people to submit musical renditions of the famous petition to get it into people's hearts. I was a little late for adding my song to their collection, but I'm still thankful for the encouragement to not only pray the prayer, but also to commit it to memory through melody. I call my song, Prayer and Doxology (Our Father). God bless as you listen.(Lord's Prayer resource page and sing the prayer page)

What will life be like 100 years from now? I recently read an article about predictions made in 1925 about the year we're living in. (It's currently 2025.) Flying cars made the list along with a few other things. I don't know all that will be in 100 years, but I know a couple of things. I'm sure of them. (Akron Beacon Journal article)

I've been trying out some new prayer practices as I slowly make my way through, Lead with Prayer, a book I got last year as a gift. It has been a gift to read new ideas of how to make my life with God more alive. I hope the practice of praying one-sentence prayers, which I am learning, will be helpful to you.

Psalm 46 says, "Be still, and know that I am God..." In the Friends church, we try to take this command seriously. Doing so is part of our heritage, our history. It's also part of our present to an extent. Do you need quiet, still time with God?

Do you know people who are struggling with life's troubles? Maybe they're dealing with a spouse who's declining mentally or grieving a death of a close friend. Maybe a weird physical symptom has arisen and they're worried or their job is stressing them almost to the breaking point.  Or maybe you're the one suffering. You're facing a situation that is stretching the limits of your patience…..with God.  David, the writer of dozens of psalms, seemed to be in that sort of place when he penned the words of Psalm 13. Those words inspired the song I share today, Look on Me (And Answer). My prayer is that it will encourage those who are barely hanging onto their faith, encourage them (you) to wait and see God's answer. Look on Me, Lord (And Answer) Verse:How long, Lord, will you forget my name?How long, Lord, will you hide your face from me?How long, Lord, must I wrestle with my thoughts?How long, Lord, will my enemies defeat me? Chorus 1:Look on me, Lord, and answer my cry!      Give light to my eyes, Lord, don't let me die!       Look on me, Lord, give ear as I call!      Don't let my enemies laugh as I fall.  How long?Chorus 2:I trust in you, Lord, your unfailing love!      My heart will beat stronger with joy from above!       I sing to you, Lord, with unending praise!      Your good-ness enduring for all of my days. How long? ©2025 Mike Neifert (Based on Psalm 13)

There's this story in Luke where Jesus miraculously knows what's about to happen. It's included in the account of Jesus' life, I believe, to build our faith in Jesus, God's Son, who knows what's coming and will be with us.

Two storms in less than a week and I'm thinking about the covering properties of snow. All the ugly is hidden. God talks about his power to forgive using snow as a mental picture of his work.

Just before Christmas (2024), I was reading John 1. What John wrote of God's Son coming into the world, inspired a song about Light shining the darkness and the Word becoming flesh so he could dwell among us. I hope you enjoy my thoughts on John 1 and the "live" recording of the song, "God Is With Us (Immanuel)". God is With Us (Immanuel) Verse 1:The heavens are shouting, the gift of the Son!The True Light that gives light to everyone!The Light is the Life by which death is undone!The curse is now ended, rejoice in the Son! Chorus 1:God is with us! Immanuel!God is with us! The Light has come!God is with us! Immanuel!Light shines in darkness and death is undone!Light shines in darkness; the Light is the Son! Verse 2:The Word became flesh and he dwelt among us!Taking our form, he was made of the dust!He gave up his Life so that God who is justCould give life eternal to all who would trust! Chorus 2:God is with us! Immanuel!God is with us! The Word has come!God is with us! Immanuel!The Word speaks in power; the victory's won!Death is defeated! Our life's with the Son! Bridge:True Light of true light; the Light of the world!Jesus, Messiah; God's glory unfurled! ©2024 Mike Neifert

The beginning of a new anything is a great time to reflect on the past and get going on what's ahead. It's true in sports and in life and in faith.

I've seen two holiday films - "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" and "Red One" - recently. The messages of the two are very different. "Red One" suggests a Christmas which can be lost. The "pageant" film pointed to the redemption which can come to even the worst of lost ones when they encounter Jesus.

Jesus humbled himself and became a man. (A baby first, of course!) With the celebration of his arrival on earth in human likeness, I thought I'd share (again) a couple of Christmas songs I wrote a year or two or three ago. My hope is that they will encourage worship!

How would you finish this sentence? "You can't have Christmas without..." I asked some middle schoolers to fill in this blank and got all kinds of answers. A few got the right answer. Did you?

Inspired by Tom Whitwell - I'll tell you about him - I offer you a list of things - some silly and some not - I learned this year. Since I didn't take notes throughout the year, some of these things might have been learned in another year. I just know I learned them fairly recently.

What do you as a believer need to do in order to gain wisdom? What can you do to double check what you want against what God wants?

What are you most thankful for today? I posed this question to a cafeteria full of middle school students the other day. How would you answer? See how your response compares with theirs.

"In the stars his handiwork I see..." Recent news about Voyager 1 set me to thinking about the greatness of our God and the vastness of what he's made and what he sustains.

Some days at the church there's a bunch of foot traffic - people sneaking in and sneaking out to do what God's given them to day. Today was one such day and all the activity got me to thinking about God's goodness in creating the church.

What a local barista said after I'd ordered in the drive-thru got me to thinking about what's most on point for me as a believer.

I've noticed a trend on social media which bothers me. People who love Jesus are misusing God's word to further their political agenda or demean the candidate they dislike. This bothers me greatly and I'll tell you why.

If you're looking for a direct political statement for or against a certain candidate during this (2024) election cycle, this is not the episode for you. If you want to gain a bit of godly perspective, perhaps this will be 4:00 well spent.

Wearing a sling right now is allowing my shoulder to heal after surgery. It's like trusting God's work to restore peace with him.

What do you do when your Bible reading time gets a bit chaotic? Do you have a plan for overcoming distractions?

What stuns you in the creation you see around you? What of what you can see stirs up praise? In what circumstances do you experience God's joy in what he has made?

In many cultures, there are ways to welcome a dignitary which include creating an archway for the VIP to enter through. Perhaps that's what the Psalmist is speaking of when, in Psalm 24, he calls upon the gates to open so the King of Glory may come in. Who Is This King of Glory (Psalm 24) Verse 1 Lift up your heads, you gates;    be lifted up, you ancient doors,    that the King of glory may come in.Who is this King of glory?    The Lord strong and mighty,    the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, you gates;    lift them up, you ancient doors,    that the King of glory may come in.Who is this King of glory?    The Lord Almighty—    he is the King of glory. ©2015 PocketNeif Music

Jesus tells a second parable in Luke 18. This one is about a prideful man and a penitent man who pray. One man receives what he needs. The other gets nothing.

I recently read a parable about persistent prayer in Luke 18. I think it will encourage you in your walk with Jesus.

Like a good pair of glasses which help you see better, seeing God can help you experience life with clearer vision, with focus and perspective.

Heroes are people who get things right. But do they get things right all the time? There's only one who is the perfect hero.

I know a few words in Spanish, but I do not understand it. When I found out I might have a kid on my team who knew no English, I was excited. Maybe I'd finally learn a bit of a new language. Then I heard a testimony of a man who didn't understand the Bible...and then he did. Listen and learn what changed so he could grasp what he was reading.

What if the west coast broke off of North America and fell into the sea? Would God still be your refuge? Psalm 46 begins with words of hope for those facing such terrifying circumstances. Though the Earth Give Way is my musical interpretation of the psalmist's words of hope. My hope is the music I've penned will encourage you in whatever difficult situations you find yourself.

I fell last week while running in the dark. The street tripped me up. This event led to some thinking about causing others to stumble.

While visiting a church in Hawaii recently, I gained perspective on troubles which arise during ministry. Perhaps you'll be encouraged as you learn about faith vitamins as well.

A simple question asked by a hiker on a steep and slippery trail led to thoughts about the struggles we face in life as we follow Christ.

I have a file in a cabinet in my office labeled, Encouragement. I pulled it out today and read some of what I'd squirreled away. I was...encouraging.

The heavens above Kansas (and everywhere else, I suppose) declare God's glory. Thinking on God's might and beauty displayed in the giant blue dome over my state, I wrote this song of praise to God as a thank offering for what I see of him every time I step outside. Kansas Skies Shout Verse 1:Storm clouds racing ‘bove golden grain Winds start blowing and then comes rain Thunder rolling, lightning flashing God's great might displayed again Chorus: For the glory of their MakerKansas skies shout praise to him Verse 2: Night is coming, the heav'ns turn Bright reds, yellows, and oranges burn Sunlight fading, shadows growing God's great beauty all eyes discern Verse 3: Stars start singing their age-old song Ten thousand voices sound all night long Rising, falling, e'er recalling God's great glory from dusk till dawn © 2024 Mike Neifert

Do you like organ music? Some do. Some don't. Whether you do or not, you might miss out on something special if you write off all organ music without giving it a listen. In the same way, you might miss out on something God has to say if you click away from a message just because you don't like the delivery.

My wife and I and some of her friends climbed a bit in the arid climes of Scottsdale, Arizona, recently. Hiking in the desert requires water - lots of it! Some of our crew didn't bring enough. We shared. Afterward, I had a few thoughts about how the church is at its best when believers bear each other's burdens.

How long can a typo in a church bulletin go undetected? How long will you hang on to your sin habits while Jesus offers freedom? If you don't repaint - oops! repent - you'll never know how good God's ways can be.