This Thing That We Call Life

In this episode, we dive into one of the most challenging yet impactful aspects of leadership: tough conversations. Whether you're leading a team, managing an organization, or serving in ministry, the way you address challenges defines your culture and success. Discover how to approach hard conversations with confidence, clarity, and compassion. We'll explore practical steps like being proactive, managing your emotional state, and declaring intent upfront. Plus, insights from John C. Maxwell's “Tough Talks” provide a roadmap for handling confrontation with care and candor. Tune in to learn how to turn discomfort into growth and build trust through intentional communication. Perfect for leaders who want to shape stronger teams and cultures.

In this episode, Don't Become Sick as Your Secret, we explore the progression of secret sin, its destructive power, and the freedom found in confession and community. Drawing from James 1:14-16, Proverbs 28:13, and James 5:16, we unpack how unchecked desires entangle us, why accountability matters, and how God's grace empowers transformation. Whether you're wrestling with hidden struggles or seeking to support someone who is, this episode offers practical insights and hope for a life free from the weight of secrecy.

This episode of "Navigating Temptations" explores how temptation can cloud our judgment and lead to devastating consequences. We discuss the importance of taking every thought captive and staying connected to a community of believers to resist isolation and deception.

Join us in this enlightening episode as we dive deep into the Book of Proverbs to uncover timeless wisdom for daily living. We'll explore: Proverbs 12:1 - Love Correction: Understand the importance of embracing correction to grow and strengthen your foundation in Christ. Discover why a humble spirit, open to feedback, is vital for spiritual maturity. Proverbs 22:29 - Skill and Anointing: Reflect on the difference between being anointed and being skilled. Learn why honing your abilities is just as crucial as recognizing your spiritual gifts, with personal anecdotes illustrating the journey from calling to competence. Proverbs 25:28 - Self-Control: Find out why self-control is essential for a well-guarded life. Learn to take responsibility for your actions and understand the power of focusing on what you can control, fostering discipline and resilience. Proverbs 26:4-5 - Flexible Wisdom: Discover the art of applying wisdom contextually. Wisdom isn't one-size-fits-all; it requires discernment and adaptability. Learn how to navigate life's complexities with the right tools and mindset. Proverbs 27:6 - Honest Friendship: Explore the value of true, honest friendships that challenge you to grow. Avoid the pitfalls of seeking empty praise and instead, cherish the friends who speak truth into your life for your betterment. Tune in for a transformative discussion that will equip you with practical insights and spiritual truths to lead a life of wisdom, rooted in Christ.

 In this episode, we explore three crucial traits for living in the last days: focusing on Christ, staying faithful and active, and anticipating His return. We shift the focus from signs and speculation to a steadfast commitment to Jesus, emphasizing that everything ultimately points back to Him. Drawing wisdom from Scripture and historical perspectives, we provide practical insights on how to live with purpose and readiness. Join us as we delve into the importance of maintaining an intimate relationship with Christ, staying diligent in our responsibilities, and living with a joyful expectation of His return.

In this episode, we delve into the crucial role of validation in relationships and effective communication. We explore what validation means, techniques to practice it, and its benefits in making people feel understood. We also introduce the powerful phrase “I could be wrong,” which fosters openness and curiosity in conversations. Tune in to learn practical tips for creating more meaningful and constructive interactions.

If you've ever felt stuck or frustrated with the lack of progress under your leadership, you're not alone. It's a common struggle, but there's a way forward. Today, we're going to look at three critical areas that can help you move from frustration to fulfillment as a leader. These principles will challenge you to rethink your approach and inspire you to lead with greater impact. #leadership #teamwork #vision

We're diving into a topic that's challenging but essential for real transformation—why trying harder isn't enough and why we need Jesus to change our hearts. It's about moving beyond rules and understanding that true change begins from the inside out.

In this episode, we're talking about the power of small choices and how they shape our lives. We often overlook the little things we do daily, but they add up in ways we may not realize. Whether we're building success or heading towards failure, it all comes down to our daily habits.

In this episode, we'll discuss the importance of holding fast to sound doctrine in a world full of differing teachings. I've been reflecting on this a lot lately, and I want to share some thoughts on why it's so crucial to remain faithful to the core truths of our faith, even when it's challenging not to withstand. I hope this episode inspires you to dig into the word of God yourself as we see Paul praised this within Acts 17 when he was teaching.

The Bible isn't meant solely for intellectual examination; rather, it serves as a lens through which we see Jesus. Scriptures themselves don't possess life; they direct us to Jesus, who is the source of life. It's not merely about knowing about Jesus; it's about actively seeking and embracing Him.

Spiritual transformation starts in the mind and heart. A mind dedicated to the world and its concerns will produce a life tossed back and forth by the currents of culture. But a mind dedicated to God's truth will produce a life that can stand the test of time. We can resist the temptations of our culture by meditating on God's truth and letting the Holy Spirit guide and shape our thoughts and behaviors.

Feedback is like a mirror reflecting aspects of ourselves that we might not see clearly. It's natural to feel uneasy about seeking feedback. After all, it requires us to be vulnerable, and the insights it provides can sometimes sting. But embracing feedback is essential because it unveils our blind spots and opens avenues for improvement.

"In its simplest definition, discernment is nothing more than the ability to decide between truth and error, right and wrong. Discernment is the process of making careful distinctions in our thinking about truth. In other words, the ability to think with discernment is synonymous with an ability to think biblically. First Thessalonians 5:21-22 teaches that it is the responsibility of every Christian to be discerning: "But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil." The apostle John issues a similar warning when he says, "Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). According to the New Testament, discernment is not optional for the believer-it is required."

In this episode, we unravel the vital role of relationships in leadership, emphasizing how understanding precedes influence. Join us as we uncover the essence of authentic leadership—where connecting authentically becomes the cornerstone for guiding meaningful change. Discover why assumptions can hinder progress and how aligning actions with core values shapes genuine leadership. We'll share practical insights on fostering open dialogue and understanding through non-judgmental conversations.

The distinction between merely attempting something and truly committing lies in one word: 'train'. Don't say you will try if you won't train. We will unpack this as we dive into 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. #thepowertochange #craiggroshel #personaldevelopment #selfcontrol #selfdiscipline #leadership #marraige

Proverbs 20:19 says, “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.” Words are powerful. They can build up or destroy James 3 instructs us to control our words, stating in verse 5: “Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.” Spreading “harmless” rumors, then, can cause great destruction. God desires that we use our words to praise Him, to speak wisdom, correct in love and to encourage and edify each other. Let's dive deeper and unpack that in this episode. #tdjakes #wordsmatter #gossip #ministry

I've seen so much material on becoming a Scrum Master for the wrong reasons. In this episode, I will unpack what it's like at its core and why you need to have a motivation other than money. Yes, it's a rewarding position but it comes with challenges. #Scrummaster #agilecoach #agileleader #projectmangement #afrotech #blackintech #technology #leadership #techisthenewblack #thetable

It's the application that makes all the difference. Truth isn't helpful if no one understands or remembers it. In this episode, we will unpack some things we might need to consider as we strive to lead the next generation and make sure we are preparing them God's way versus our way. #youthministry #familyministry #nextgen #nextgeneration

I want to grow into tomorrow's challenges, not just go into them. Why? Times are different and we have to make sure we have adapted our leadership to stay relevant in these times. Within the episode, we talk about why we need to have a leader-shift mindset so we can ensure we are always recalibrating our leadership. #leadership #agileleadership #scrum #ministry #adaptiveleadership

When it comes to marriage and how it should flow, many are starting to adopt a secular worldview rather than a biblical one. We must understand that some of the best lies contain a lot of truth. In the episode, Tim will give some insight into why we need to get back to the Bible on these matters. #unpackthevows #marriage #trendingtopics

I am talking about what's upcoming for Season 7, sharing my heart on a few things, and giving the Student of Life family a few other updates. #leadership #faith #Jesus #ministry #heartposture #adapting

We are always ready to shift responsibility for our sins such as calling it a sickness, or psychological issue, etc to escape the need to accept we need the Holy Spirit to help expose us to the light of Jesus and the working of salvation. #mentalhealth

We are being influenced day by day. The question is, who's influencing us? We will use Genesis 3 to examine why we need to answer that question in order to make sure we are truly living the way God intended for us to live, or are we living the life our greatest influences say we should live? 

You'll never outgrow your need for a leadership, business, or development coach. From decision-making to learning the necessary skills to go to the next level is vital and having the right coach is invaluable to any leader. Check out this episode to help you determine if you're ready and how to select a coach. #leadershipcoach #ministry #pastoralleadership #development More information: www.timothypratt.org

When you stop developing leaders, you stop growing. It's very important as a leader that we have the people we are responsible for on a leadership development plan.

Saul built an altar to the Lord and in the next Chapter he was building an altar to himself. We have to consistently ask ourselves who are we really pointing people to, Self or God? Let us examine when Jesus said many will say they did things for me, but I will say depart from.

Personal boundaries help to limit our selfish inclination to control or manipulate others. Likewise, boundaries protect us from those who have no self-control and who wish to control us. A person with clear, healthy boundaries communicates to others what is and is not permissible, saying, in effect, “This is my jurisdiction, and you have no right to interfere." #Boundaries

As a leader, do you take the time to position people well so that they may succeed in the role that they are responsible for? Many people are out of position due to various reasons and sometimes it's simply a different season in life. This episode will challenge you to look within as a leader by asking yourself do I position people well? #toureroberts #thecalled #chadveach #leadership

Sometimes prayer is used as an excuse to advocate our responsibility to actually help people who have problems because I can say I'm praying for you and there is no accountability as to whether I actually did that or not. However, I don't want to only pray about problems, I want to be an answer to them. Check out this episode on becoming an answer to problems.

Reconciliation is the spiritual practice of seeking a loving, liberating, and life-giving relationship with God and one another, and striving to heal and transform our lives through what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ did for us. Let's talk about why we should be active in this.

Why is the heart so important? Because it's the source of life. What are things being stored up in your heart? Throughout scripture, the heart refers to the center of one being, including the mind, emotions, and will. In this episode we will take it a step deeper and talk about how the word heart means more than our mental and emotional capacity, it also encompasses one's values. #heart-posture #myheart

Many leaders and people within the local church have made it very competitive to the point where you would think God is divided against himself. This has also led to a lot more agendas for self than the Kingdom Agenda. However, we should remember that this is truly about Christ and his love for us rather than it is about us and what we want. Matthew 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. #KingdomAgenda #Pastors #Leadership #Church #Localchurch

A lot of times ambition can carry negative connotations, but what about when it's submitted to God? Before Paul was converted, he was considered Saul, but his ambition and zeal never faded. He killed a lot of Christians, but when he got saved due to the encounter with Jesus, he went on to win a lot of souls for Christ. Could your leadership use more ambition? Check out this episode and let me know what you think. #leadership #ambition #kingdommindset

Whether you lead 1 person, 10 people or 1,000+, we all should have a heart posture of developing others to be better than us. Jesus remains our Leadership Model. His leadership was perfectly consistent with what God desired in a leader within the world. #Kingdomleadership #leadership #developing #personaldevelopment #leadershipdevelopment.

Holiness is not only a possibility for the Christian; holiness is a requirement. Cultivating a lifestyle of holiness does not mean that we must draft a list of dos and donts to live by. We will unpack what this looks like in a practical way. Read and study Hebrews 12 1 Corinthians 6 Romans 8 Romans 12 For more details, check out. Here is Holy #MichaelTodd #timross #thebasement

"I've had to learn how to get comfortable with my own "No" and I think this is why the Power of No was one of my favorite chapters in the book Balance. Far too many relationships work only because people say yes most of the time. Trying to avoid conflict by withholding a warranted no doesn't insure peace but increases friction within.

We hear it daily trust the process and I've said it so much, but let's take a deeper look at what this means in the context of Scripture. Can we do both? Are you dedicated to the process without God? #process #trusttheprocess #ericthomas #grind #ministry #selfgrowth

In Romans 12:1, Paul says, “I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service.” Paul's admonition to the believers in Rome was to sacrifice themselves to God, not as a sacrifice on the altar, as the Mosaic Law required the sacrifice of animals, but as a living sacrifice. The dictionary defines sacrifice as “anything consecrated and offered to God.” As believers, how do we consecrate and offer ourselves to God as a living sacrifice? #livingsacrfice #heartposture #loveGod #loveJesus #Jesus inspiration from #timross #embassycity

Denying yourself is an essential part of the Christian life. Jesus called upon those who wish to be His followers to reject the natural human inclination toward selfishness. The Lord Himself exemplified self-denial (John 13:1–17). In this episode, we unpack what does this look like in a practical way. Are we called to deny ourselves when we should also love ourselves? #selflove #loveself #denyself

It's impossible to be a disciple and not be Christlike. Let's take some time to unpack what is a disciple of Christ and how we can know if we are truly one. #disciple #ministry 

Overview of Season 6. We will discuss Faith & Therapy, Discipleship, Loving Difficult People, Hurting and Healing, Leadership, and a few other things.

Transformational leadership and communication are so essential because it leads to lives being transformed. Within this episode, I will give a quick highlight of what this looks like and how to move towards this mindset.

Why is it so hard to move forward in life? That's because many of us are more concerned with people seeing us fail than failing. Within this episode, I unpack how we can overcome the fear of it moving forward in life. www.timothypratt.org to connect more! #NewYear #Faith #Dreams #Fear #FaithoverFear #ForwardThinking #Jesus # Prayer

Good things can be bad when it hinders the plan of God. Within this episode, we unpack how neither Moses nor Issac was bad things in the life of Joshua and Abraham. However, God made sure that they truly understood that and how we can learn from them as well as the Bible on why God always has to be first in our lives. If not, it will minimize the impact that God desires to have through us.

“When you live each day with intentionality, there's almost no limit to what you can do. You can transform yourself, your family, your community, and your nation. When enough people do that, they can change the world. When you intentionally use your everyday life to bring about positive change in the lives of others, you begin to live a life that matters.” - John C. Maxwell For this one, I brought on Caleb Brown and he unpacked this intentional living in a way I've never heard. Take a listen as we dive into the practical side of living with intentionality. 

What's satisfying your thirst, especially in today's world? What do you think is the why behind that thirst? If you don't know, this will be a great episode to listen to and share with friends on how Jesus stated every earthy pursuit we can think of will keep us thirsty but if we accept Him, we will never thirst again. Let's unpack some of John 4: 13-17 together.

The S-word in leadership can cause a lot of problems because most of us don't understand the nature of submitting. However, being submissive in leadership can be vital to our success in any area of life. Check out his episode as I unpack what it looks like and the value of submission in leadership.

Contextual Leadership is basically the attempt to see things right before we try to set things right. Context can be just as important as the content and is vital within the leadership. Are you a contextual leader?

“The focal point of servant leadership within the church is “to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:12). We look at this verse in the context of the (faith) Bible of course, and how it translates within the secular world as well. Servant leadership at its core is what a true leader is. This is demonstrated in the leader's willingness to give of himself to meet the needs, but not necessarily the wants, of his people. Like a good parent, the true servant leader knows the difference between the needs of his spiritual children and their selfish wants and desires. #servantleader #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #ministry #pastors #leaders #managers

I'm sure you've heard leadership is influence, not simply a title. People can respect a title and not respect you. In this episode, we discuss how leadership is also relationship and how we can cultivate these areas through servant leadership. This is the first episode of our leadership series that we are kicking off Season 5 with. See Matthew 20 for additional context. #servantleadership #leadership #influence #relationship