Truth Serum

In this episode, we will discuss the history of the Black Church. The other day I was in a conversation and the topic of the white church and black church was brought up.If as believers in Christ we are supposed to be one body why is Sunday still one of the most segregated hours of the week? What is the value of the Black church and how has it contributed to the faith at large?ResourcesThe Whitewashing of Christianity (Book)I AM ApparelThe Urban Perspective PodcastPastor Jerome's WebsiteStamped from the Beginning (Book)Conscious Christianity Book List 

In today's episode, we will discuss: Is Trumpism really bad? Whether kingdoms or governments or employers or households, there are those who take pride in their country, their job, and/or their family. But what happens when pride only supports my interest instead of others. Over Time, different societies have generated people who lord their prideful agendas over other people's needs.Trumpism is an example of this same type of prideful behavior that puts one's own selfish agenda and ambition over the needs of other people.  We discuss the meaning of Trumpism, its pridefulness, and how believers should respond to its radical ideology.ResourcesScripturesMark 12:30-31Mathew 12:1Gal. 5:13-15Luke 10:25-37Daniel 4Proverbs 24:61 Kings 12Books and VideosLeadership as an Identity (Crawford Loritts)Tony Evans - Kingdom Voting

In this episode, we will discuss Christianity and the Republican Party. We want to say we are not affiliated with any party nor affirm any party. We are disciples of Jesus Christ who have been transformed by the gospel.Today we will discuss historically how Christians have voted. Also, how we should not be defined by a political party but how we should be identified as believers of Jesus Christ.Lastly, we will discuss how we can have hope in God even when our candidate is not selected. ResourcesKingdom Voting Series (Tony Evans)God is in Control (Blake Wilson) Why do White Christians Vote Republican and Black Christians Vote Democrat?SeculosityThe Black Church and the African American Experience

2020 has given us a multitude of mixed feelings: from Covid-19 to the loss of loved ones, from political agendas to social injustice.One emotion that has been prevalent during this time is anger. Anger can be expressed and used in many different ways whether for our benefit or for our demise.In this episode, we will explore the meaning of anger, its dilemma between the righteous/unrighteous, its potential root cause, and how it should be harnessed to promote forgiveness in order to release the pain that dwells inside of all of us.ResourcesBible VersesEphesians 4:25-32James 1:19-22Proverbs 18:131 Chronicles 21Genesis 4:6-7Acts 16Col. 3:18-20BooksOvercoming the Emotions That Destroy (Chip Ingram)Practical help for angry…Anger by Gary ChapmanEmotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete ScazzeroIs God a Moral Monster by Paul Copan

There are times which our feelings, pride, confidence, time, money, and trust are betrayed and this happens in the most unlikely of places, the church.Examples of Church HurtThings don't happen as you expect them to. Church not handling money in the way members expectFeelings of being usedEmotional AbuseChurch feeling like “work”Lack of integrity from church leadersPersonal life not matching up with Spiritual- Fear of JudgmentThe feeling of a lack of appreciation for contributionsThe embarrassment of being “sat down” in a churchDouble standards, favoritismRejection and not being chosen for roles in the churchJealousy and EnvyResourcesLife Together, Dietrich BonhoefferWho Needs Theology?Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Pete Scazzero

There are times which our feelings, pride, confidence, time, money, and trust are betrayed and this happens in the most unlikely of places, the church.Examples of Church HurtThings don't happen as you expect them to. Church not handling money in the way members expectFeelings of being usedEmotional AbuseChurch feeling like “work”Lack of integrity from church leadersPersonal life not matching up with Spiritual- Fear of JudgmentThe feeling of a lack of appreciation for contributionsThe embarrassment of being “sat down” in a churchDouble standards, favoritismRejection and not being chosen for roles in the churchJealousy and EnvyResourcesLife Together, Dietrich BonhoefferWho Needs Theology?Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Pete Scazzero

Welcome back to Truth Serum Podcast, a podcast of Crossover Bible Fellowship. This our 2nd season: The Aftermath. This season we are excited to discuss several topics that are impacting us as a result of Coronavirus. Including one of my favorites, emotions.Emotions are like tools that God gives us to live our lives more fully. We can choose to face our emotions, entrust them to God and experience the gifts they bring (or, we can deny our feelings and experience the impairment of our feelings) Specifically we are going to discuss loneliness.ResourcesThe Path of Loneliness by Elisabeth ElliotVoice of the Heart by Chip DoddGet out of Your Head by Jenny AllenSuicide lifeline 1-800-273-8255Seculosity by David ZahlLife in Community by Dustin WillisJesus Life by Larry SmithDelighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves

Get ready for the aftermath...af·ter·math (/ˈaftərˌmaTH/) || nounthe consequences or aftereffects of a significant unpleasant event.Corona changed things forever and with this new season of the truth serum podcast, we had to adapt. We asked over 400 young adults what topics they wanted to hear related to quarantine. What's different about season 2?More GuestsLive Video Episodes on FacebookMini-Series on a Single Topics (emotions, politics, toxic thoughts, social justice, lust)More Episodes Than Season One

In this episode, we will discuss race in the church. When we look at our culture it is clear people of color are treated differently in society.The prevailing thought is that the church is exempt from racism because we are supposed to be unified as one body and that love is stronger than hate.Whether it is 1920 or 2020 it is clear that the culture has influenced even the church as it relates to race and people take one of three stances:Blissful IgnorancePassive SegregationWorking for ChangeWhat does God have to say about racism and what can we do to overcome it?Racism - prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.ResourcesWoke Church (Eric Mason)How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind? (Oden)Woke Christian Book ListThe Gospel in Human Context (Paul H)Free At Last? (Carl Ellis)White Picket Fences (Amy Julia Becker)Oneness Embraced (Tony Evans)The Color of Compromise (Jamar Tisby)Insider Outsider (Bryan Loritts)Missions Dilemma (Steve Saint)- video series and workbookAnger (Gary Chapman)Crucial Conversations (Patterson)A Christian's Response to Cops in Our Culture - Sermon, Crossover Bible Fellowship

In this episode, we will discuss race in the church. When we look at our culture it is clear people of color are treated differently in society.The prevailing thought is that the church is exempt from racism because we are supposed to be unified as one body and that love is stronger than hate.Whether it is 1920 or 2020 it is clear that the culture has influenced even the church as it relates to race and people take one of three stances:Blissful IgnorancePassive SegregationWorking for ChangeWhat does God have to say about racism and what can we do to overcome it?Racism - prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.ResourcesWoke Church (Eric Mason)How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind? (Oden)Woke Christian Book ListThe Gospel in Human Context (Paul H)Free At Last? (Carl Ellis)White Picket Fences (Amy Julia Becker)Oneness Embraced (Tony Evans)The Color of Compromise (Jamar Tisby)Insider Outsider (Bryan Loritts)Missions Dilemma (Steve Saint)- video series and workbookAnger (Gary Chapman)Crucial Conversations (Patterson)A Christian's Response to Cops in Our Culture - Sermon, Crossover Bible Fellowship

In today's episode, we will unpack Running While Black a conversation about Justice and Forgiveness.One of the most pressing issues which are prevalent in the news is the death of Ahmaud Arbery. He was a young black man, 25 years old who went for a jog and was shot by 2 white men who claim they were trying to stop suspicious activity in their neighborhood and were looking to make a citizen's arrest.With yet another wrongful shooting under the backdrop racism, how does God, Justice, and Forgiveness fit in a situation like this? How should we feel?ResourcesOvercoming Emotions That Destroy (Chip Ingram)Oneness Embraced (Tony Evans)White Pickett Fences (Amy Julia Becker)Anger (Gary chapman)When God is for You:  The Story of Joseph (Genesis 37 - 42 )

Too many times we run into individuals who are "over-saved" in other words they have a list of additional rules to follow in order for people to "stay saved". We will dissect legalism or dependence on moral law rather than on personal faith. ResourcesSaving the Saved (By: Bryan Loritts)Beat God to the Punch (Dr. Eric Mason)Leadership as an Identity (Crawford Loritts)Respectable Sins (Jerry Bridges)The Grace Awakening (Charles R. Swindoll)How People Change (Timothy S. Lane, Paul David Tripp)

Oftentimes individuals will say that it is God will for me to be happy and not to experience any suffering in our lives. For because we have heard this we start to desire for our lives to look a certain way and not to experience any adversity in our lives. In other words, we want to uncover the truth. Is it God's will for me to experience suffering in our lives? And ultimately how do we overcome the desire for comfort in our lives?ResourcesBe perfect series- The perfect Process  (https://subspla.sh/v7zc37p)Faith or Fear series - Faithful Promises (https://subspla.sh/dvrswp4)Detours (Bible Study book) By: Tony EvansSurprised by Suffering by R.C. SproulSuffering is Never For Nothing by Elisabeth EliotOne Thousand Gifts Ann VoskampsWalking with God through Pain and Suffering by Tim Kellerhttps://cultivatewhatmatters.com/pages/cultivate-your-life-podcastPeace in Times of Suffering and Uncertainty: https://youtu.be/-a3j26a05H0Crossover On Suffering: https://subsplash.com/crossoverbf/search?q=suffering

Oftentimes individuals will say that it is God will for me to be happy and not to experience any suffering in our lives. For because we have heard this we start to desire for our lives to look a certain way and not to experience any adversity in our lives. In other words, we want to uncover the truth. Is it God's will for me to experience suffering in our lives? And ultimately how do we overcome the desire for comfort in our lives?ResourcesBe perfect series- The perfect Process  (https://subspla.sh/v7zc37p) Faith or Fear series - Faithful Promises (https://subspla.sh/dvrswp4)Detours (Bible Study book) By: Tony Evans Surprised by Suffering by R.C. SproulSuffering is Never For Nothing by Elisabeth EliotOne Thousand Gifts Ann VoskampsWalking with God through Pain and Suffering by Tim Kellerhttps://cultivatewhatmatters.com/pages/cultivate-your-life-podcastPeace in Times of Suffering and Uncertainty: https://youtu.be/-a3j26a05H0  Crossover On Suffering: https://subsplash.com/crossoverbf/search?q=suffering

In today's episode, we will delve into the topic of Christianity on My Own Terms. When people define what it means to be a Christian in their own opinion rather than biblical truth. This is God's truth vs. your personal perspective. We want to cover everything from denominations to disagreements.ResourcesSpiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (Donald S. Whitney)Living by the Book (Howard Hendricks)Sermon: Eternal Pursuit: Works & Reward (2 Corinthians 5:9-11)Systematic Theology (Wayne Grudem)Women of the Word (Jen Wilken)

In today's episode, we explore the meaning of purpose and what it looks like for each person. Is purpose something we discover or something that we were born to do?Resources:Just DO Something - Kevin De YoungThe Call-Os GuinessKingdom Single - Tony EvansDiscover Your Destiny - Tony EvansStart - Jon Acuff

In today's episode we will talk about the virus that is sweeping through the entire world infecting and killing people at alarming rates. Schools, Sporting Events, concerts, church services, and social gatherings have all been cancelled and it leads people to think that the world is falling apart.In this episode, we hope to shed some light in spite of the seriousness of this virus so that all will be able to know that God cares and He is in control.You're to our weekly prayer calls on Saturdays at 5:00pmT.R.U.T.H. Young Adults: 5:00pm319-527-3513Access Code: 712146If you have any questions, comments or prayer needs email us at truth@crossoverbf.com

 In today's episode, we will be continuing our Cultural Addiction Series engaging in the cultural dilemma of Apathy.In our current culture, responsibility is shaped based on one's own personal autonomy and how one has been raised by their own family.We have tendency to only care about what goes on in our everyday lives rather than the needs of other people.Join us as we move from being apathetic to being available, so that we may be able to help the next generation.

In today's episode, we will be discussing the cultural nuances of the western world and how those nuances lead people to their own cultural autonomy.In westernized society, it seems the ability to follow the Scriptures has been superseded by the cultures' ability to follow what one believes is true. And whatever that truth is, the truth has to be just as true as the Bible.Join us as we discuss the cultural norms of today so that we can help bring the Only Truth to the next generation.Resources:Counter Culture By David PlattMoral Choices 4th Edition by Scott B. RaeThe Intolerance of Tolerance by D.A. CarsonGay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill PerryThe Reason for God, Tim KellerI Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by Norman Geiser

In today's episode, we will be discussing Relationship Goals and how they affect our choices and our communication with the opposite sex.So there is this dynamic duo in the music industry from Atlanta Ga by the name of Outkast.In 2003 they put out a dual deluxe album called speakerbox/The Love Below. Big boi on speakerbox and The love below on Andre 3000. On the Love below, Andre lays out different types of thought process for relationships. He discusses topics from sex, communication issues, marriage, etc. The reason why I bring this up is because his album is kinda the way our culture thinks about relationships.Just like the love below album, our culture also has different types of thoughts when it comes to relationship goals. We did a survey within our church and we asked the question: what are your current goals for dating?80% Marriage70% friendship50% Checking Compatibility20% fun/good time10% free Food10% It's not that serious.

In today's episode, we will be discussing Community and how it affects our everyday lives.Building a solid community can be difficult to achieve. We live in a westernized culture where business is the norm and where people are told to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps.We live in a culture where loneliness and isolation are not only due to low self-esteem and lack of confidence but to choices made to mask transparency and authenticity.Join us as we discuss the life of community and community that can help us and the next generation.