The Jacob Sheriff Podcast

In this episode, we're sitting down with special guest Rep. Cody Maynard to continue to tackle a big topic: how Christians navigate the messy world of politics. We're talking about the dangers of stepping back completely—and the risk of putting too much faith in politics or politicians to bring about the Kingdom.How do we stay engaged without losing sight of our ultimate hope in Jesus? Cody shares not only his insights but also real-life stories from his work at the Capitol. How does he keep Christ at the center while navigating the challenges of the political world? His experiences offer practical wisdom and encouragement for anyone wondering how to balance faith and politics in a healthy way.Join us as we dig into questions like: What happens after the election? What is the role of the Church after what many would call a victory? Support the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

In this episode, we sit with Duane Sheriff to unpack big topics like politics, culture, and faith. We ask him about his ongoing fight for truth in our culture. We also invite John Donnelly, a board member of Andrew Wommack Ministries, to get his outside perspective on the cultural tug of war in the US. Support the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

Our church is in a season of examining our culture, specifically our level of hospitality. In this episode, we're continuing the conversation on a culture of hospitality, diving into how Christians can connect with Gen Z and Gen Alpha. These younger generations are looking for more than just tradition—they're craving real community and deeper relationships in their faith journey. We discuss how we can open our doors (engaging our hearts) to them, creating spaces where genuine connections happen. Join us as we explore why building community matters more than ever and how it's shaping the way these generations experience faith.Hey if your interested in this subject. Here's a link to a sermon series Pastor Jacob is taking our congregation through at Victory Life Church:https://youtu.be/dykynlBbzk0Also visit Life Gate Denver or their YouTube channel to check out the cool things they are doing!lifegatedenver.comyoutube.com/@LIFEGATEDENVER Ask Ralph - Christian FinanceJoin financial expert Ralph Estep, Jr - Daily tips for balancing your faith and finances. Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

On top of the normal misunderstandings, idiosyncrasies, and life challenges in a marriage, ministry can make or break a relationship! If you're a pastor on a stage or pastor at work, sometimes listening to stories of people who have "been there, done that" is kinda helpful. In this episode, Jacob, Josh, and Hannah share some funny stories with Jim and Mary Baker on well... everything from proposal stories, to raising boys who can lead well, to navigating community, all while holding the tension of stewarding each other's gifts. We really hope this podcast is not just fun but also a huge blessing to you! If you enjoy this episode, drop a comment and share it with someone who might also like it! ...but only if you actually like it! zionequip.comwealthwithgod.com Ask Ralph - Christian FinanceJoin financial expert Ralph Estep, Jr - Daily tips for balancing your faith and finances. Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the Show.If this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

We couldn't think of a better way to end season five than to invite you to the studio, jump on set, and ask questions in a live streamed Q&A(R)! It was so much fun getting to talk to you! We are truly grateful for you! Stay tuned for season six! If you would like to watch the unedited complete episode check out the link below: https://www.youtube.com/live/-ngMVD7H...Restorers: A Water Street PodcastOver these short episodes, we will be introducing you to the heroes who are working in...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the Show.If this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

 In this episode, we look at three marriages and families, and we simply share what we do to create a sustainable, healthy family. In this episode, we share stories, scripture, and practical resources that have helped us along the way! Also, we have some exciting news about episode 12, our season finale! Austins Family Meeting Resource: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:b5e4f8cb-1b41-4355-9dd6-226bb7a0c674 Restorers: A Water Street PodcastOver these short episodes, we will be introducing you to the heroes who are working in...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify From Passion to Purpose"From Passion to Purpose" is a podcast that explores the world of nonprofit...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

 Are you a founder, protector, or squanderer in your organization or church? In this episode, Jacob, Josh, and Hannah make a case for multi-generational relationships for the longevity of any organization, after listening to a leadership podcast from Craige Groeschel. Restorers: A Water Street PodcastOver these short episodes, we will be introducing you to the heroes who are working in...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify From Passion to Purpose"From Passion to Purpose" is a podcast that explores the world of nonprofit...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

Studies show that by now most of us will have abandoned our New Year resolutions. However, our resolutions, in many instances, are simply a trivial glimpse of a much deeper conflict. Our desire for growth and transformation is often accompanied with feelings of powerlessness, depletion of willpower, and often simply feeling STUCK. In this episode we invite Pastor Micah Moore who is also a Marriage and Family Therapist Candidate to continue our discussion on transformation, willpower, and why we feel STUCK. Restorers: A Water Street PodcastOver these short episodes, we will be introducing you to the heroes who are working in...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify From Passion to Purpose"From Passion to Purpose" is a podcast that explores the world of nonprofit...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

We all want to change, to improve our lives in some way. That is no different as followers of Jesus, but how does it happen? How is it that some of us seem to struggle more than others? Is the answer simply "trying" harder? In this episode, after reading numerous books, Jacob begins to piece together his thoughts on the nature of change, the role of the human "will," spiritual disciplines, and the implications of them on soteriology (the study of salvation). He shares his personal struggle with joy and its purpose in transformation. Restorers: A Water Street PodcastOver these short episodes, we will be introducing you to the heroes who are working in...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify From Passion to Purpose"From Passion to Purpose" is a podcast that explores the world of nonprofit...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

Support the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

 In this episode Jacob and Hannah continue to share the incredible miracle story of their son Urias. Restorers: A Water Street PodcastOver these short episodes, we will be introducing you to the heroes who are working in...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

 In this episode Jacob and Hannah share the incredible miracle story of their son Urias. Stay Tuned for Part 2! Restorers: A Water Street PodcastOver these short episodes, we will be introducing you to the heroes who are working in...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

 In this episode Austin Hix and Andrew Cacho join Jacob and Josh, with stories of outrunning forest fires and being stalked during their annual backpacking trip! Support the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

 Whether its on a stage, at a work meeting, or with our spouse, good communication paramount. In this episode Hannah introduces us to 4 writing tones and how they correlate with public speaking. Support the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

Support the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

Support the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

 In this episode of the Jacob Sheriff Podcast, Jacob and Hannah share five lessons they have learned when it comes to raising five kids. Support the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

  In this episode Jacob gets a chance to chat with Jim Baker and Billy Epperhart during Jubilee, to discuss their views on topics like healing and finances and the history between Jim and Billy.  Support the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

 In this episode Jacob gets a chance to chat with Jim Baker and Billy Epperhart during Jubilee, to discuss their views on topics like healing and finances and the history between Jim and Billy. Support the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

 In this episode Jacob continues his conversation with Andrew Wommack and Duane Sheriff during Jubilee, to discuss their views on topics like eschatology and history between Duane and Andrew. Restorers: A Water Street PodcastOver these short episodes, we will be introducing you to the heroes who are working in...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Soaring to New HealthProspHire's podcast will help you prosper in today's ever-changing healthcare industry.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

 In this episode Jacob gets a chance to chat with Andrew Wommack and Duane Sheriff during Jubilee, to discuss their views on topics like eschatology and history between Duane and Andrew. Support the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

In this episode Jacob and Hannah share stories about the week Hannah went to Costa Rica on a Mission's trip, and how the Sheriff household navigated the change in dynamic, and the measures Jacob took to keep the kids alive! Restorers: A Water Street PodcastOver these short episodes, we will be introducing you to the heroes who are working in...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify The Rescue Mission PodcastThis podcast discuses real topics that affect real people. Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

In this episode we talk about workplace culture and our role in establishing culture.Support the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

In this episode Pastor Hannah Sheriff shares powerful stories from this year's Warrior Womens Conference! To watch sessions from the conference, check out the link below!https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLedt4aAZV5kkGbBBXCGwV-v7htojdcRAmSupport the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

In this podcast we look at what Asbury revealed about the heart of the Church. We also discuss how revivals are influenced by the social media age.Restorers: A Water Street PodcastOver these short episodes, we will be introducing you to the heroes who are working in...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify The Rescue Mission PodcastThis podcast discuses real topics that affect real people. Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

What if our common understanding of the Gospel is missing the point? What does the word Gospel even mean? How is salvation shaped by our interpretation of the Gospel?In this episode we look to answer some of these questions, while also taking a closer look at few books that help us better contextualize what we have come to know as the Gospel.The King Jesus Gospel - Scott McKnightThe Divine Conspiracy - Dallas WillardSimply Good News - N.T. WrightThe Gospel Teaching Series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeWrTZdZwgc&list=PLedt4aAZV5kk3u1N3_8ZMvUEdP1HRdPUCThe Rescue Mission PodcastThis podcast discuses real topics that affect real people. Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

“Hurry is the great enemy of the spiritual life in our day. You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life… There is nothing else.” (Dallas Willard)Do you feel like you're always in a hurry? Like you're constantly running from one thing to the next, never having a moment to slow down and enjoy life? If so, you're not alone. In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the busy-ness of everyday life. But it doesn't have to be that way. In this episode of the Jacob Sheriff Podcast, we'll share some tips on how to “Ruthlessly” eliminate hurry from your life and start living a more fulfilled and healthy life.Here are a few things you can do to eliminate hurry from your life:We must begin to see Hurry as an enemy of our soul, just like Lust, Greed, or Pride. Hurry is an absolute enemy to our spiritual lives.Slow down. Develop habits that help you to quiet your mind and cultivate awareness of God's Presence. Try setting aside time for silence and stillness.Set boundaries. It's important to set boundaries with your time and energy. Don't be afraid to say no to things that you don't have time for or that don't serve you.Sabbath. This is one of the Ten Commandments for a reason! God knows that we need this in our lives and it is His gift to humanity, we can't continue to ignore it expecting everything to be fine!Eliminating hurry from your life won't happen overnight, but it is possible. We hope this conversation helps you get a vision of how you can start to slow down, relax, and enjoy life more.Episode LinksVideo with Pastor Zach and Jesse Andersen on Sabbath: https://youtu.be/2kZ2DAsv2lMBook Recommendation: Emotionally Healthy Leader https://a.co/d/i7Xu00qBook Recommendation: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry https://a.co/d/11PUWt4Donate to the Podcast: bit.ly/41Sgk9fThe Rescue Mission PodcastThis podcast discuses real topics that affect real people. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify The Kerygma Ventures Podcast with Dudley HallJoin Dudley Hall each week as he talks about transformational grace and Christian living.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

In this episode, Jacob, Hannah, and Josh reflect back on their early adulthood and recall the challenges and obstacles they faced. We cover a wide range of areas including finances, education, jobs, and relationships.  Join the conversation as we share the wisdom and insight we gained walking through the season of young adulthood.Support the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

In this special bonus episode of the podcast, we share a short portion of Pastor Jacob's recent talk at our church's Staff Leadership Training on "Cultivating a Culture of Trust". We thought it'd be cool to share a little bit of a peek behind the curtain to what it's like being on staff at our church and to hear this awesome content on how to avoid a toxic workplace culture. If you'd like to hear more content like this, or for us to visit this topic in a full episode, please let us know! We hope you enjoy this content and find it helpful in your own workplace (or home) as well.The Rescue Mission PodcastThis podcast discuses real topics that affect real people. Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

In this Episode, we sit down with one of the Senior Elders of Victory Life Church, Jim Robinson to glean wisdom and insight from his life and experience. Jim is a businessman, rancher and gifted communicator who shares wisdom and insight from the Word of God. He's also a great storyteller, so we know you'll enjoy this conversation.In this episode, Jim mentions Project Big. If you'd like to learn more about Project Big, you can visit the Project Big Website.The Rescue Mission PodcastThis podcast discuses real topics that affect real people. Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

In this episode, we sit down with Jacob and 2 of his friends who recently joined him on a backpacking trip in the Mountains of Colorado -  Austin Hix and Andrew Cacho. They share stories from their experience as well as memories of previous trips. There's tons of hilarious moments that happen on the trail, but plenty of learning to gain as well. Stick around to the end to hear Hannah's side of the story as well!Verse by Verse Bible Study Verse by verse Bible study with Randy Duncan. This is an expositional bible study that...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

In this episode, we sit down with Cody Maynard, the next Oklahoma State Representative for District 21 and our friend. Cody shares his story about running for office and what it means to be obedient in following the Lord outside of your comfort zone. Also, Josh tells a story of getting stabbed while working on Cody's campaign...Support the showIf this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

This episode is all about learning how to have endurance when facing hard things. When we face difficult challenges what is our default response? Do we recognize the deep meaning that can be found in the middle of hardship or do we do all we can to avoid or ignore it?  We talk about times when we've been overwhelmed and have been tempted to just give up, but endurance is all about trusting God in the middle of hardship and trusting in His faithfulness in spite of everything else that may be going on. Pastor Jacob and Hannah share some of the challenges they've endured in their marriage and Josh talks about recognizing the attacks of the enemy that try to distract us from our calling and mission.So whether you're currently struggling or you've been struggling for a while, keep listening. We know how it feels to want to give up, but be encouraged that having endurance is worth it!If this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

We're back! It's time to kick off season 4 of the Jacob Sheriff Podcast with a discussion about the challenge of change, and how our comfort zones may be slowly killing us. Change is challenging. It's not easy, but we can either let it happen to us or choose to engage with it. 100% of growth happens outside our comfort zone. In this episode Pastor Jacob and Hannah talk about new rhythms and habits they've been putting in place to avoid becoming too comfortable... including cold showers lol. Before we get into the topic, we reflect on the best gifts we've ever given. We hope you enjoy this episode, please leave a comment and let us know!If this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

In this episode of the Jacob Sheriff podcast, pastor Jacob gets to sit down for another interview with Andrew Wommack. Get ready to gain wisdom and insight from Andrew's lifetime of following Jesus.Topics include:Why we must be bold and willing to stand up for the truth even when it's unpopular.Balancing the message of Grace without falling into legalism.How critical it is to have a healthy fear of God.How to stay faithful and steady following Jesus even when you don't "feel" it.What sort of consequences sin can have even though we've accepted Jesus' grace and forgiveness?The difference between Revival and a Great Awakening.Whether the Charismatic Move caused more harm than good to society.If you're looking to grow in your relationship with God, be sure to listen to this episode! Andrew Wommack is an incredible individual who has touched the lives of many, and I'm excited to share our conversation with you!If this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube ChannelAbout Jacob:Jacob Sheriff has dedicated his life to being transformed into the likeness of Christ. As a second-generation pastor, he has been blessed to have been introduced to the Gospel and have a relationship with Jesus from a young age. Jacob has been a part of the pastoral team at Victory Life Church since 2005, and now serves as the Senior Lead Pastor. He has had such radical encounters with the power of God that seeing people transformed by Jesus has become his life's mission. The most significant part of the call of God on Jacob's life is to his incredible wife, Hannah, and their five children. They are committed to raising their children to be disciples of Christ. In his free time, you can find Jacob reading, studying, enjoying good coffee, and backpacking. He is a Holy Spirit gifted communicator in sharing the truth of the Gospel of Jesus.If this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link.FacebookInstagramYoutube Channel

In this Bonus Episode, Jacob sits down with Billy Epperhart to glean wisdom from his lifetime of experience in business and leadership.So often we see people who are in their winning season and forget that they worked with a lifetime perspective or even an eternal perspective. Billy brings great wisdom to a conversation about leadership and entrepreneurship. If you are thinking of starting a small business, or any business, this is the podcast to gain great spiritual and practical wisdom in leading people and managing the business. About Billy Epperhart:Billy Epperhart is devoted to investing in people and is passionate about guiding others into sustainable financial freedom. Along with teaching people how to reach financial independence, he loves empowering others to build their wealth so that they can have a city and nation impact for the Kingdom of God. Billy is the CEO of Andrew Wommack Ministries and Charis Bible College, which is home to over 800 employees. His two nonprofits, WealthBuilders and Tricord Global, help people make sense of making money for making a difference. Through microfinance loans, Tricord Global has helped over 10,000 clients globally. As a CEO and founder of his own real estate company, he owned and supervised a multi-million-dollar real estate portfolio located in five different real estate markets. Billy is also a public speaker who has authored seven books. His new book, God's Road to Financial Freedom, came out in June of 2022. He enjoys fly-fishing and traveling around the world, and he and his wife Becky have two children and four grandsons. Billy is originally from Texas, but he now resides in Colorado where he earned his MBA at Colorado State University.If this content was a blessing to you and you'd like to help support this podcast directly, visit this link: https://ppay.co/5al8NWU-SrU

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 If you squeeze a lime, lime juice will come out. If you squeeze an orange, orange juice will come out. What comes out of us when we are under pressure– figuratively? Everything we do stems from what or who rules our heart. What is ruling our hearts? Is there something ruling your heart when Jesus is supposed to be sitting on the throne of your heart? It can happen very easily. It may not be easy to place Jesus as ruler of your heart, but it is simple. He has given us all the tools we need to stay connected and in deep relationship with Him.

We don't know everything about parenting, we are still in the middle of it. Our oldest is knocking on the door of being a teenager, the next one is not far behind, and our youngest is being potty-trained. Our culture today has tried to remove the importance and weight of parenting. We are responsible for our own children and we are all responsible for the next generation. There is a wide-spread illness of absent fathers, and it doesn't take the father being outside the home for him to be absent. God is always with us and He is always present. Parenting is not easy, but it's necessary and a great calling.

The word stronghold has a negative air around it, but it doesn't have to be heard as a negative word all the time. We need to build good strongholds, specifically of the Holy Spirit. We think that if we try harder to do better, but we don't work on the strongholds in our hearts, it will become striving instead of an action from grace.Hannah and I want the strongholds of the Holy Spirit to be built in our hearts, and give no good foundation to the strongholds of the devil. We want people drawn closer to Jesus. 

It's exciting when you discover that you're listening to the same Holy Spirit. Zach and I were hearing very similar things relating to the spiritual fight so we are bringing it to the podcast! When we say “spiritual”, we aren't talking fantasy, the spiritual fight is real and directly affects our lives and relationships. Zach talks a lot about the discernment of what spirit we are being influenced by. He even talks about how demons in the United States are educated and have manners. The enemy evolves into whatever he needs to be to confuse people. We need to be aware of this stuff, but not afraid.This podcast is a long one but it's a really good one. 

Sometimes we do more to impress God or we do less because we don't think we can do it. God doesn't look at our abilities to work through us, He looks at our obedient and surrendered hearts. If you have dealt with abuse in the past, the word “obedience” can feel like a controlling and dominating word. When we talk about it, we are talking about trusting God and allowing that trust to do His will on this earth. Humans are just really terrible about trusting and obeying. We try to do things our own way and negotiate with God, then we have to go back to Him and do it the way He needed us to do it. He is merciful as we continue to learn to trust Him, but the death and resurrection of Jesus empowered us to trust and obey in a better way– and right away. 

What we want will shape what we do. Sometimes what we do is sin. Did you know that you sin because you want to? Before you get upset with me, that's what James said. Whether or not we know what those desires are that will lead to sin, it is still a desire. We have to ask ourselves what we really want and why we want it. When we are rude to people, it's easy to make excuses about that behavior. Looking at why we behave a certain way as an excuse will cause us to excuse ourselves from growing. Looking at why we behave a certain way as an explanation, such as a trauma, is recognizing the “why” behind our behavior. When we look at the “why” behind our behavior as an explanation, we are looking at it as an opportunity for growth after a mistake.In this episode, we talk about learning to recognize what we REALLY want, how to build character regardless of our own wants, and allow Jesus to transform our desires.

Bonus Episode: This episode is a bit light-hearted! Who went to 3 state championships for basketball and has an award named after them? Who can be bossy? Hannah and I answered some fun questions about each other and you might learn some things you didn't know about us. I mean, we're not the most “fun” couple, but we definitely have quirks.

Truth vs Lie is a constant spiritual battle, but it's not a battle against flesh and blood. People are not your enemies. When we see things that are trying to purposefully normalize ungodly things in our kids, there certainly is an initial reaction of anger. However, do we trust Truth enough to know that His Word stands true and not repay evil for evil? We also do not need to over-shelter our kids that they aren't prepared to walk in this world with a practice of discernment. It is very easy to be manipulated into participating in public arguments and thinking that anything good is being done–that is a lie. To bring truth into those situations is to recognise that those platforms profit off of the arguments and sensational content of anyone, then love people more than you like being correct or winning the argument.

Being blessed and being a blessing is not about the #blessedlife trend. It's not about showing how great your life is on social media. I want to think biblically about what blessing means. Hannah talks about the new way she thinks about being a blessing. Seeing beyond people's attitudes, their words, their mistakes– instead seeing them the way God sees them. We speak goodness into people, openly recognize the goodness, and sow goodness into them.With all this, we start with our families. Blessing our children is of great importance and when we do this, we take a more proactive role in our children's lives instead of being reactive to things that need to be corrected. 

There are a lot of different ways we experience the world. Some of us experience more emotions and some like to use their mind to process what they are experiencing. You have heard me say it before in my sermons that I am more of a thinker and my wife is more of a feeler. No matter how much I say this, that doesn't mean we are locked into these labels, these are just the majority of how we each process. In 2 Timothy, the word says God has given us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. Whether you are a thinker or a feeler, you are first a Child of God with a freely given sound mind which is a balanced mind that is focused on God. 

In this episode, we share our experiences of practicing the presence of the Lord as parents. As we do this as parents, we bring it to the church, too. Hannah knew there needed to be more connection with God for the church, as always, but it's easy to drift into a place of being unaware of God's presence. And guess what? Practicing being in God's presence, especially with kids, does not look the way you might see in your mind. You might find that there are a lot of giggles when you try to have worship time with 5 young kids. 

You may hear a new yet familiar voice in this podcast and she is here for this season! (Maybe more!)  Let's welcome Hannah to the ongoing conversation! Tyler has had a few exciting changes in his family's life so he is refocusing on some cool things for his family.As a lot of you know, I went on Sabbatical last year. Hannah and I were able to truly just spend time with the Lord as leaders without daily responsibilities over staff. During this time, we learned a lot about time. I realized quickly that I had a poverty mentality around time and Hannah realized quickly how much time I would be spending at home. In this episode, we unpack some deep things we learned on sabbatical and how to lead our home and the church moving forward.

This episode we talk about our focus during the holiday season. We are about to begin the Advent season and there is so much that is trying to compete for our attention, but without intentional focus we allow our attention to drift where advertisers want instead of where the Word wants. It's funny that Josh asked us at the beginning about expectations and disappointments because Advent is a season of expectancy, but Jesus never disappoints. And poor Tyler talks about his sweet prayer as a child wanting to stay just ONE MORE DAY at Disney World. Well, he got to stay one more day...

Before people get too committed to arguing on social media about the holidays, specifically Halloween in this episode, let's look at the history. Typically, a lot of people look at holidays culturally, but not historically---usually absent of a Biblical view. There is no decision or activity that has NO effect on our souls, whether we feel it or not. This is not a place to get on any particular high-horse, but my goal here is to get us thinking about our effectiveness. We can be right but be wrong at the same time. Something we cannot do is pick a soapbox and not apply it across the board. Tyler really wants to have a Hallelujah Night, Josh talks about pretending they weren't home as a kid, and I get a little passionate about Jesus's authority. Next episode, we will talk about Advent, so stay tuned.

There has been much controversy over who is the leader in the home, but that is not what we are tackling today. How to we submit to one another in the fear of the Lord as husband and wife? I talk a lot about how I need to do better at submitting to Hannah. Then Josh talks about how he said to Audrie, early in their marriage, that he was the husband and he was in charge---