Podcast appearances and mentions of jesus why

Have you ever felt like you were doing everything right — in your faith, your relationships, your purpose — and life still knocked you flat? This message is about finding real hope, working through anxiety, and building a foundation your faith and your life can actually stand on when the hard seasons hit.Not because you didn't work hard. Not because you didn't love Jesus enough. But because somewhere underneath the surface, something you built your identity, your purpose, and your spiritual growth on wasn't strong enough to hold the weight.In this message, we're wrapping up our High Ground series at Church of Hope with Jesus' story of two builders — one who built his faith on rock, one who built on sand. Same storm. Same anxiety. Same uncertainty. Completely different outcome. And the difference was never what people could see from the outside.This isn't a message about having a bad day. It's about what's actually holding your life together when the pressure hits — your marriage, your mental health, your finances, your faith, your future. We'll talk about why comfort always looks more appealing than obedience, why "Lord, Lord" isn't the same thing as actually knowing Jesus, and how to build a foundation today that will still be standing when the storm comes tomorrow. Whether you've followed Jesus for years or you're just curious what real faith even looks like when life gets hard, this one's for you.In this video, you'll learn: - Why storms don't create weakness in your life — they expose what was already there - The difference between being a "fan" of Jesus and a "follower" of Jesus - Why choosing convenience over obedience is always more expensive in the long run - Practical steps to build a daily foundation that can actually hold up under pressure

What an incredible night of worship, prayer, communion, and encouragement as our church gathered to prepare for School Blitz and celebrate what God is doing throughout our city. In this service, we were reminded that Jesus is the reason for everything we do. Through powerful worship, a message on biblical servanthood from Philippians 2, and intentional prayer for students, teachers, administrators, schools, and local churches, we centered our hearts on God's mission to love and serve our community. As we prepare to take the church beyond the building and into our schools and neighborhoods, we pray that every act of service points people to Christ and reflects His love, grace, and hope. In this message: - The heart of servanthood according to Jesus - Why serving others reflects God's character - Prayer for local schools, teachers, students, and leaders - The vision behind School Blitz and Love the Ville - Worship and communion focused on Christ alone "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." – Philippians 2:3 Check out our videos to learn more about us, or visit us at necchurch.org. Follow us on Facebook: @NECChurch Instagram: @northeast.church

Have you ever felt like God was far away?Whether you're walking through suffering, uncertainty, or simply feel spiritually dry, it's easy to wonder where God is. But throughout Scripture, we see the opposite of what we often assume: God is the One who moves toward us.In this message from Acts 7, Pastor Matt Shackelford begins the Dwell series by exploring Stephen's sermon and the story of Abraham. Long before Abraham sought God, God sought Abraham. The same God who called Abraham still pursues people today through Jesus Christ.You'll discover: Why God's presence isn't limited by a place  How Abraham's story points to God's pursuit of His people  Why God always makes the first move  What it means to live by faith instead of sight  How Stephen's message points us to Jesus  Why you can trust God even when His plan isn't fully visible  How Jesus makes it possible for us to dwell in God's presence forever No matter how far away you may feel, God's presence goes farther.Scripture: Acts 7:1-8Series: DwellIf this message encouraged you, subscribe for more biblical teaching each week from Central Church.

Send us Fan MailRescuing someone from danger can save a life. But what does it take for that person to become truly free?In this compelling conversation, Tim Stewart welcomes Danielle Strickland—author, speaker, justice advocate, and founder of movements working for freedom, healing, and human flourishing—to explore why rescue is only the beginning of liberation.Danielle explains why getting people out of harm must be followed by the longer work of getting the harm out of people. Together, she and Tim discuss trauma, community, prayer, justice, dignity, women in leadership, and the systems that keep people trapped. Danielle also shares what working as a brothel chaplain taught her about abandoning the role of rescuer, asking for help, and discovering mutual transformation.In this episode:• Why rescue is the beginning—not the finish line• How people are gradually “unwound” from trauma and oppression• Why community and belonging are essential to freedom• What prayer has to do with justice• How Jesus restored dignity by giving people agency• What brothel chaplaincy taught Danielle about receiving help• Why play can be part of healing from trauma• Women, leadership, and the example of Jesus• Why lasting freedom requires both personal and systemic transformationIf this conversation challenges or encourages you, please FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE and SHARE it with someone who would value these hope-filled discussions. Helping new listeners discover the podcast is one of the most meaningful ways you can support its growth.FEATURED RESOURCES

Kindness is more than being nice—and it's definitely not weakness. In this episode of our Fruit of the Spirit series, we're diving into what biblical kindness really looks like and how the kindness of God should transform the way we treat the people around us. We talk about the difference between kindness and people-pleasing, why kindness sometimes requires telling the truth, how to respond when people are difficult to love, and why the people closest to us should experience our kindness too. We also unpack how Jesus modeled kindness without compromising truth or boundaries—and how small, intentional acts of kindness can have a much bigger impact than we realize. If you want to become more like Jesus in the way you speak, respond, love, and serve others, this episode is for you. In this episode, we talk about: What biblical kindness actually means Why God's kindness is the foundation for our kindness The difference between being kind and being “nice” Showing kindness when it's inconvenient or undeserved How our words and tone can reflect Jesus Why kindness doesn't mean having no boundaries Being kind without expecting anything in return Practical ways to intentionally choose kindness every day Key Scriptures: Galatians 5:22–23, Romans 2:4, Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:12, Luke 6:35, Proverbs 31:26 PREORDER MY NEW DEVOTIONAL - The Abiding Way, Out 10.27.26!! Buy my book ⁠Becoming Happy and Health⁠y

Important Links: Dad Tired Annual RetreatHost A Dad Tired Conference at your churchJoin the FREE Family Leadership ProgramShop the Dad Tired store for best-selling gear__In this deeply moving episode of Dad Tired, Jerrad sits down with former country music star Granger Smith for a raw and hope-filled conversation about grief, faith, and true conversion.Granger opens up about the tragic loss of his three-year-old son, River, the darkness that followed, and the moment on a tour bus when he cried out for Jesus to save him. He shares how that moment began to unravel everything he thought he knew about himself, his identity, and even his faith.Together, Jerrad and Granger talk about what it means to move from simply knowing Christian language to truly tasting the goodness of God, why “I've always been a Christian” may be a warning sign, and how God sometimes strips away the very things we use to feel secure so that we can finally see Him clearly.Granger also shares why he eventually walked away from country music, what it looks like to serve in ministry now, and the heart behind his book Poison in the Well, written for those stuck in nominal Christianity.CONTENT NOTEThis episode includes discussion of child loss, drowning, grief, suicidal thoughts, and spiritual darkness. Please listen with care, especially if children are present.IN THIS EPISODE• Granger's life as a husband, father, former country artist, and pastor• The loss of his son River and the grief that followed• The tour bus moment when Granger cried out to Jesus• Why grief, shame, and despair exposed the emptiness of surface-level faith• The difference between knowing about God and truly knowing God• Why Scripture became food instead of a religious obligation• What led Granger to walk away from country music• The warning signs of nominal Christianity• Why every man should examine whether he has truly been born againRESOURCESPre-Order Granger Smith's book: Poison in the WellDad Tired Retreat: dadtired.com

What does it mean to have a faith that's real when nobody is watching?In this powerful message, we're challenged to move beyond "front yard faith" and allow God to transform the "backyard" of our lives, the places no one else sees. Walking through Matthew 23, this sermon explores Jesus' warning against hypocrisy and reveals the kind of authentic Christian character that God blesses.Real faith isn't about appearances. It's about integrity, humility, obedience, and becoming the same person in private that we are in public.In this message you'll discover:• Why practicing what you preach matters• How integrity leads to God's favor• Why true greatness is found in serving others• How opening doors for people reflects the heart of Jesus• Why we must stop majoring on the minors and focus on what matters most• How God transforms us from the inside out• What authentic discipleship really looks like• How to build a faith that lasts beyond Sunday morningsWhether you've been following Jesus for years or you're exploring faith for the first time, this biblical teaching will encourage you to examine your heart and invite God to work in every area of your life.Scripture References:Matthew 23Matthew 7:3-5Proverbs 11:25Proverbs 12:22If this message encouraged you, be sure to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more biblical teaching, Christian encouragement, and practical messages that help you grow in your relationship with Jesus.If you've just made a decision for Christ, please respond HERE: https://www.one.church/jesusTo Support this Ministry: https://www.one.church/giveWebsite: https://www.one.church/One Church Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onedotchurchOne Church Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onedotchurchGreg Ford Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregoryafordOne Church is on a mission to ignite a movement that reaches adisconnected culture.#onechurch #gregford #purpose

What does it really mean to be a Christian? Is it enough to grow up in church, believe in God, or pray a prayer? Or did Jesus teach something far more radical?In this message from John 3:1-16, Pastor Steven challenges one of the most common misconceptions about Christianity by examining Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus. Although Nicodemus was one of the most respected and religious leaders in Israel, Jesus told him something completely unexpected: "You must be born again."Through this powerful encounter, Pastor Steven explains why religion, good works, family heritage, and moral living can never make us right with God. Instead, Jesus reveals that what every person truly needs isn't self-improvement, but spiritual rebirth through faith in Him. Discover why salvation is God's work from beginning to end, what it means to genuinely believe in Christ, and how the gospel offers new life to all who trust in Him.In this message you'll discover:• What Jesus really meant by "You must be born again"• Why religion and good works cannot save us• What we can learn from Nicodemus' encounter with Jesus• Why every person needs a new heart—not just a better life• What it truly means to believe in Jesus• How the cross provides the only way to eternal life• Practical questions to examine whether your faith is truly in ChristWhether you've been in church your entire life, are exploring Christianity for the first time, or are asking what it really means to follow Jesus, this message points to the hope of the gospel: You don't need a better version of yourself—you need to be born again.

Can you really know God's will for your life, or is it something you're supposed to guess your way into? In this episode of LIVE FREE, Pastor Josh Howerton, Pastor Paul Cunningham, and Carlos Erazo dive deep into Exodus 3, the burning bush, the name of God, and the calling of Moses. From the meaning of Yahweh to the biblical framework for discovering your calling, this conversation unpacks how God reveals Himself, redirects our priorities, and calls ordinary people into eternal purpose. They also discuss the gospel hidden throughout the Exodus story, why Jesus shows up in the Old Testament, how to discern God's will through ability, affinity, and opportunity, and why more high-profile intellectuals and scientists are beginning to seriously reconsider faith. In This Episode The secret meaning behind God's name, Yahweh Why the burning bush points to Jesus How Moses' calling reveals a framework for God's will Why your age does not disqualify your purpose The connection between Exodus, baptism, salvation, and Jesus Why true encounters with God rearrange your priorities How to discern your calling through ability, affinity, and opportunity Why some scientists and intellectuals are turning toward faith The peace that only Christ can give Why Christians should consume entertainment with discernment Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free.

Musings on Marriage, Missions, and My Walk with ChristProverbs 30:1–5What do you do when weariness exposes how little you understand?In this episode, Keith Harris reflects on a year marked by weakness, recovery, marriage, mission, church family, and the faithfulness of Jesus. Beginning with Agur's words in Proverbs 30, Keith looks back on the goodness of God — not because circumstances always felt good, but because God has made Himself known in His Word and proven Himself faithful.In this episode, Keith reflects on:✅ Why Proverbs 30 is a fitting place to begin when we feel weary, weak, and worn out✅ How marriage is deeper than romance and points us to Christ's covenant love for His bride✅ How missing one mission trip and making it to another revealed that God's mission is bigger than our strength✅ Why the church is a gift — a blood-bought family where burdens are borne, prayers are lifted, children are loved, the gospel is preached, and weak saints are carried by God's grace✅ How burnout, calling, and identity remind us that we must pursue Jesus above the things we do for Jesus✅ Why hope in Jesus does not fail, even while we are still learning how to walk forwardThis is a testimony of the trustworthy God — the One whose Word proves true and who is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.“Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”Proverbs 30:5Read the written version with Scripture references and links here.

What is the Bible, really? Is it a rulebook? A collection of stories? A source of wisdom? In this message from our Catechism: Back to the Basics series, we explore one of the most important questions every Christian should answer: What is the Bible? The Bible isn't merely information to be studied. It's an explanation of the human condition, an introduction to Jesus Christ, and an invitation into a relationship with God. Through a powerful illustration of a road sign pointing to something greater, we'll discover why the goal of Scripture isn't simply knowledge—it's encounter. Whether you're new to reading the Bible or you've been a Christian for years, this message will challenge you to move beyond secondhand faith and experience God's Word for yourself.

In this episode, Andy Robinson shares his powerful journey with stage four cancer, exploring how faith, hope, and living boldly can transform even the darkest moments. Discover practical insights on living with purpose, supporting loved ones, and finding hope amidst life's challenges. Links Help keep this podcast on the web by simply buying me a coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattmcchlery Sponsor an episode of this podcast Click for Advertising info Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com Visit Andy Robinson's website thebigcinme.org Key Topics The meaning behind 'The Big C in Me' and faith in adversity Living boldly and intentionally when facing terminal illness The role of peace and hope in cancer treatment Supporting loved ones through cancer and chemo The intersection of medicine, faith, and healing Building community for those affected by cancer The importance of honest conversations about faith and healing Practical ways to support someone with cancer The impact of living as if each day is precious Andy Robinson's personal journey and faith story Sound Bites "Christ in me is the big C in me" "Peace that passes understanding is a gift from Jesus" "Why not me? is a powerful question" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Journey of Faith and Cancer 03:09 Understanding 'The Big C' and Living Boldly 05:56 The Role of Peace in Facing Terminal Illness 09:06 The Importance of Community and Support 11:54 Navigating Medical and Spiritual Healing 15:04 The Online Community: The Big C in Me 18:04 Practical Support for Loved Ones Facing Cancer 20:58 Personal Reflections and Life Beyond Cancer 23:55 Conclusion and Encouragement for the Journey  

Many people know about Jesus, but far fewer experience the transformation that comes from truly following Him. In this week's message from our Ephesians series, Pastor Ken explores Ephesians 4:17-24 and challenges believers to examine whether they are still living according to old patterns of thinking, believing, and behaving. The Apostle Paul warns Christians not to continue living like those who are spiritually disconnected from God. Instead, believers are called to walk in the light, allow the Holy Spirit to renew their minds, and embrace the new identity they have received through Christ. Pastor Ken explains how spiritual darkness begins when people reject God's truth and gradually become insensitive to His voice. Over time, a hardened heart develops, making it more difficult to recognize conviction, truth, and God's direction. But the good news is that transformation is possible. Through Jesus Christ, we are no longer defined by our old nature. We are invited to throw off the old self, renew our minds daily, and put on the new nature that reflects God's righteousness and holiness. You'll learn: • What it means to "walk" differently as a follower of Jesus • Why spiritual confusion begins with rejecting God's truth • The biblical meaning of a hardened heart • How repeated exposure to sin affects the conscience • Why Christianity is about knowing Christ, not simply knowing facts • How the Holy Spirit renews thoughts and attitudes • The connection between mindset and spiritual growth • Practical ways to live out your identity in Christ every day Powerful Takeaway: "Don't spend your life settling for the old self when God has already given you a new one." Whether you're new to faith, returning to church, or seeking spiritual growth, this message will help you understand how God's truth can transform the way you think, live, and follow Jesus. Connect with One Church: Website: youronechurch.com If this message encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help others discover the hope found in Jesus Christ.

What happens when God interrupts your plans?In Acts 8, we see the Gospel continue to spread despite persecution, opposition, and uncertainty. What looked like a setback for the early Church became a setup for God's purpose. As believers were scattered, the message of Jesus spread farther than ever before.Pastor Willie Simpson walks through the powerful stories of Simon the Sorcerer, Philip, and the Ethiopian eunuch, reminding us that God still changes lives, fills His people with His Spirit, and uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.In this message, you'll discover:• Why no one is beyond the reach of God's grace• The importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit• Why discipleship is essential for spiritual growth• How God uses available and obedient people• The power of pointing people to Jesus• Why every believer has a next stepNo matter where you find yourself today—needing change like Simon, searching like the Ethiopian eunuch, or being called to obedience like Philip—God wants to work in and through your life.

Life can feel confusing when your heart is heavy and the world feels divided. You can be deeply burdened by what's broken around you and still choose gratitude for what God is doing in the middle of it.In this message, we explore what breaks God's heart, what should break ours, and what it looks like to follow Jesus in a world full of fear, division, and noise. If you've ever felt discouraged by church, overwhelmed by culture, or unsure how faith fits into today's world, this message is for you.You'll discover:• Why Jesus-centered faith looks different than religion • What Jesus actually commanded His followers to do • Why love—not fear—should shape the church • How gratitude can grow even when your heart feels heavy • What it means to remove obstacles that keep people from Jesus • Why disagreement doesn't have to destroy compassionJesus didn't call His followers to fear people, shame people, or build barriers. He called us to love boldly, serve generously, forgive freely, and invite people into hope.No matter where you've been, what you believe, or what questions you're carrying, there's still an invitation for you. God is still making things new.

Do you ever wonder if there is more to reality than what you can see and touch? In this message, former atheist and bestselling author Lee Strobel explores compelling evidence for the supernatural and answers one of life's biggest questions: Is there a reality beyond the physical world? Drawing from documented miracles, near-death experiences, angelic encounters, and stories from around the world, Lee shows how the unseen realm points to the truth of Christianity and the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ. In this message, Lee explores: - Evidence for documented miracles - What near-death experiences may reveal about life after death - Stories of angelic protection - Divine dreams leading people to Jesus - Why judgment and eternity are real - How salvation is a free gift of grace through faith in Christ If you are skeptical, searching, or curious about what happens after death, this message offers evidence-based reasons to believe that God is real and that eternal life is available through Jesus. To go deeper, check out Lee Strobel's latest book, Seeing the Supernatural: Investigating Angels, Demons, Mystical Dreams, Near-Death Encounters, and Other Mysteries of the Unseen World. Subscribe to the Two Cities Church channel for more biblical teaching and practical encouragement to help you follow Jesus.

What does the relationship between parents and children have to do with preparing hearts for Jesus? In this episode, Dr. Rob Rienow begins a special series on God's purpose for the family in the New Testament by exploring the connection between Malachi 4 and Luke 1. Through the story of the angel Gabriel appearing to Zechariah, Dr. Rob explains how God's final promise in the Old Testament becomes the opening mission of the New Testament: turning the hearts of parents and children toward one another in preparation for Christ. This episode also includes a preview from the new Foundations of the Christian Family video Bible study. In this episode you'll learn: - The connection between Malachi 4 and Luke 1 - Why heart connection in the family matters spiritually - How John the Baptist prepared people for Jesus - Why parents are called to be primary spiritual trainers in the home - How churches can support family discipleship biblically - Why spiritual attacks often target parent-child relationships Featured Resources: Foundations of the Christian Family — A Powerful Video Bible Study to Strengthen Your Faith & Your Family Relationships. Learn more at: https://visionaryfam.com/foundations/  Upcoming Events — Meet us in person at a Visionary Family Conference near you. Full event schedule: https://visionaryfam.com/events Visionary Family Community — Join a movement of families dedicated to passing faith to the next generation. Receive prayer support, live teachings, and exclusive resources. Learn more: https://visionaryfam.com/community Love this episode? Share your thoughts or prayer requests with us at podcast@visionaryfam.com. If this episode encouraged you, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review helps more families discover the show. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode.

What changes when you stop trying to earn God's love… and start living FROM it? In this powerful opening message of our Ephesians series, Pastor Ken Senchal walks through Ephesians 1:1-14 and reveals the incredible spiritual reality believers have in Christ. Before the world existed, God already knew you, loved you, and chose you. This episode dives deep into: What it means to be united with Christ Why believers already possess every spiritual blessing How to stop living from emotional emptiness Finding true identity and significance in Jesus Why abiding daily with Christ changes everything Living free from shame, guilt, and people's approval In a world obsessed with performance, status, and validation, this message is a timely reminder that your identity is rooted in God's love — not your failures, achievements, or followers. Whether you're struggling with insecurity, burnout, purpose, or spiritual dryness, this conversation will encourage you to live differently.

What does it really mean to be a witness for Jesus? In Acts 26, the apostle Paul stands on trial for preaching the gospel—but instead of backing down, he boldly shares his story, points people to Jesus, and invites them to believe. This message explores: • Why witnessing is a privilege, not just a responsibility • The fear that keeps many Christians silent • How your personal story can point people to Jesus • Why our lives matter as much as our words • The power of invitation and hospitality • How God uses ordinary people as deep witnesses Whether you've followed Jesus for years or you're still exploring faith, this message is a reminder that God still changes lives—and still sends people out with good news.

Why is it that even when we've been set free, we find ourselves drifting back toward the chains of rules and performance?  This week on Off Script, Neil, Matt, and Conor discuss the raw power of identity and why living in the light of the Gospel means moving from condemnation to conviction. The conversation dives deep into the concept of identity, distinguishing between the external "mask" of religious performance and the internal reality of being a child of God. Matt shares personal stories of "home improvement projects" gone wrong as a metaphor for our own lives, reminding us that while the Holy Spirit convicts us to move toward something better, He never condemns who we are in Christ. The Challenge This week, pay attention to your "internal script" when you mess up. Distinguish between condemnation, which tells you that you are bad and drives you to hide, and conviction, which identifies the behavior as wrong but invites you into the light. Choose one area of "darkness" you've been hiding and share it with a trusted friend to walk toward freedom instead of shame. Hosts: Neil Gregory, Matt Williams, and Connor Hall What We Discuss The three things Matt originally left off his manuscript, from the beginning to the end of the sermon Understanding the "identity" crisis: Are you defined by your activity or your relationship with God? The difference between the Holy Spirit's conviction and the enemy's condemnation Why we are so tempted to stay in the "darkness" of our mistakes rather than bringing them to the light A look into Matt's "home improvement" struggles and how they mirror our spiritual growth The danger of "sideways energy" when we refuse to deal with our internal brokenness How to separate your worth from your performance at work or in the home The importance of having a community that points you back to your true identity in Jesus Why the "freedom" promised in Galatians is both a gift and a responsibility to walk in daily About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

here's a difference between being in the crowd around Jesus… and becoming someone who carries His authority.In Luke 6:17–19, crowds gathered from everywhere to hear Jesus, be healed, and encounter the power flowing from Him. The sick were restored. Demons were driven out. Lives were transformed.But not everyone in the crowd became a disciple.And not every disciple stepped into being sent.This message is about the spiritual progression Jesus invites every believer into:From curiosity

She planned to have a sex change operation. Today, she lives as a woman — and she has a dissertation full of research to prove her transformation wasn't an accident.In this episode of Calibrate Conversations, we sit down with Linda Seiler — a woman who identified as transgender and same-sex attracted from childhood — and Andrew Rodriguez, a licensed professional counselor, to tackle one of the most controversial topics in culture and the church right now: conversion therapy.Is it harmful? Is it even real? And what does the research actually say?We break down:* What "conversion therapy" actually is (vs. what the media says it is)* The Pila & Sutton 2021 longitudinal study showing measurable change IS possible* Linda's personal story of transformation through surrender to Jesus* Why the opposite of homosexuality isn't heterosexuality — it's holiness* How James 5:16 and community played a role in Linda's healing journey* What the church gets right and wrong about same-sex attractionThis isn't a political conversation. It's a Gospel one.Learn more about Linda here:Website: https://lindaseiler.com/home/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RevLindaSeiler/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RevLindaSeiler/featured @RevLindaSeiler  Learn more about Andrew here:Youtube:  @PsychoBible  Blog: https://psychobible.wordpress.com/Twitter: https://x.com/PsychoBible_ARRumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-407585Locals:  https://psychobible.locals.com/  Odysee: https://odysee.com/@PsychoBible:dJoin my email list by contacting me at mr.andrew.rod@protonmail.com.My counseling practice: www.integritychristiancounseling.careTimestamps:0:03:13 — “I Felt Like a Boy Trapped in a Girl's Body”0:03:40 — “I Was Ready to Transition as a Kid”0:04:53 — “I Was Suicidal Because I Hated My Body”0:05:36 — “I Thought Jesus Would Take It All Away Overnight”0:06:55 — “The Moment That Started My Transformation”0:07:45 — “I No Longer Wanted to Be a Man”0:10:47 — “Even Without Culture, We Still Struggle”0:14:40 — “Conversion Therapy Isn't Even a Real Term”0:32:35 — “Change Was Never My Goal”0:35:01 — “Transformation Happens as You Surrender”Join us weekly as we strive help people embrace God's standard for sexuality! Other ways to listen:https://linktr.ee/calibrateconversations#Transgender #Therapy #Transformation

In this message from Luke 6:46–49, we confront a sobering question from Jesus: Why call Him “Lord” but not obey Him? This sermon exposes the danger of casual Christianity, a faith that hears but does not act. Through vivid illustrations and Jesus' parable of the two builders, we are challenged to examine whether our lives are built on the solid rock of obedience or the shifting sand of empty profession. Real faith isn't just knowing, it's coming, hearing, and doing. The post Luke 6:46-49 – The Dangers of Casual Christianity appeared first on Island Pond Baptist Church.

In this message, Pastor Tim Hearon reminds that there is only one true Gospel, and the power it has for our lives. We'll take a look at Galatians 1:6-10, where the Apostle Paul confronts the Galatian church for drifting away from the true Gospel. He calls them—and us—back to the unshakable foundation of grace through Jesus Christ. We'll explore: • What it means to stay anchored in the finished work of Jesus • Why the Gospel is grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone • How to live for God's approval instead of chasing people's applause No matter how far you've wandered or how much you've tried to “earn” your way, the truth remains: Jesus has already done the work, so let's rest in it. Download the message guide for this sermon at the link below: https://chicocommunity.church/watch

Welcome to Wellspring Church!What happens when we truly grasp who we are in Christ? In this message, we explore how identity, power, and mission are meant to go together. When Jesus emerged from his Spirit-led time of fasting, he stepped into ministry filled with the Spirit—and clear about his identity as the Son of God. In the same way, followers of Jesus are invited to live from the same pattern: knowing who we are, walking in the Spirit's power, and joining God's mission in the world.Looking at Luke 4 and Jesus' announcement of his ministry, we see that God's people are not spectators in God's work. We are participants. Jesus reveals a God who sends—Father sending the Son, and the Father and Son sending the Spirit. Created in his image, we too are a people sent into the world.

What if the way we've been taught to hustle isn't the way God intended us to live?In today's episode of the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I'm joined by returning guest and friend Erin Harrigan, who was previously on Episode 273 where we talked about redefining success and trusting God's timing. Erin is back to share about her brand new book, Redefining Hustle: Navigating Success with Jesus.So many of us live in a culture that tells us to work harder, move faster, and rely on ourselves to get ahead. But Erin reminds us that while God created us with ambition and purpose, He never intended for us to hustle the world's way.In this conversation we talk about:✨ The difference between pursuing success and navigating success with Jesus✨ Why hustle isn't the problem—but how we hustle matters✨ Learning to surrender control and let Jesus be the true captain of the ship✨ The struggle of self-sufficiency and trusting God instead of ourselves✨ Setting healthy boundaries in work and ministry✨ Finding harmony instead of “work-life balance”✨ Why abiding in Christ changes everything about how we lead, work, and liveIf you've ever felt the pressure to keep running, keep producing, and keep striving, this episode is a reminder that God never asked us to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders.Instead, He invites us to walk with Him, trust His direction, and allow Him to lead the way.You don't have to hustle harder to prove your worth.You simply need to stay connected to the One who already holds the plan.

What if trying to be the hero in your home is actually hurting your kids? In part four of our From Overwhelmed to Intentional series, Kent and Lawson unpack a subtle but critical distinction every dad needs to understand: the difference between being an example and being a hero. Many dads feel crushing pressure to be perfect, to have all the answers, and to never mess up. Others check out completely because they feel unqualified. Neither path leads to biblical, healthy fatherhood. In this episode, you'll learn: Why Scripture calls dads to be examples, not saviors How being "the hero" can quietly tether your kids' faith to you instead of Jesus Why humility, repentance, and presence matter more than performance How to disciple your kids even when you don't feel spiritually equipped You don't need to be flawless to lead well. You need to be faithful, present, and pointed in the right direction. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the pressure of fatherhood, this conversation will help you breathe, recalibrate, and lead your family with confidence and clarity.   Want to shape the direction of the show this year? Leave us a voicemail and tell us what you're facing as a dad: manhoodjourney.org/podcast Scroll down to "What's Your Story?" and leave us a message!   You're not a father on accident. Go be a father on purpose.   -------------------------------------------------------------------------   Learn more about our new partners here: https://maninthemirror.org/ Download the Iron Circle worksheet here: https://manhoodjourney.org/iron-circle/   We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xODAw-1kW-M -----------------------------------------------------------------------   Range Leather: Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range Leather and get 15% OFF with code MJ15 Grab some fresh beans! https://rangecoffee.com/   Fatherhood Guard – Help us get to 100 members of the Fatherhood Guard! Connect with dads from over 20 states and at least 2 countries by joining today. Grab your welcome hat at https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/fatherhood-guard/     Buy Kent's latest book "Don't Bench Yourself" on Amazon: https://a.co/d/1qBF3RJ   Read the new State Of Biblical Fatherhood report here: http://manhoodjourney.org/sobf Find tools to share the report here: https://manhoodjourney.org/sobf-tools   Have a topic you want us to touch on? Well, get in touch! Send us an email at: info@manhoodjourney.org   -------------------------------------------------------------------------   About our hosts: Kent Evans is the Executive Director and co-founder of Manhood Journey, a ministry that helps dads become disciple-makers. After a twenty-year career as a business leader, he embarked on biblical Fatherhood ministry projects. He's appeared on television, radio, web outlets and podcasts. He's spoken at parenting and men's events, and authored four books. The first, Wise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom from the Men Around You, was written to help men learn how to find mentors and wise counsel. The latest, Don't Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When You Want to Quit, aims to help dads stay present in their roles as fathers and husbands even when they feel like giving up. Kent's life has been radically affected by godly mentors and his lovely wife, April. They have been married thirty years and have five sons and one daughter-in-law. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.   Lawson Brown is husband to his high school sweetheart, a father of two young adult daughters, has been a business leader since 1995, and is a former Marine. He served as a small group leader for teenage boys for many years, helped start the Christian media ministry City on a Hill Productions, then later Sanctuary – a new church in Kennesaw, GA – where he served as its leader for Men's Ministry. Lawson's journey of faith has always been centered in a grounding from his wife, Audrey, and supported throughout by many men whom he's found as brothers along the way. His family is nearing an empty nest phase and has recently relocated to the Florida Gulf Coast beaches area.

Who really has power? Who can be trusted with authority? And what happens when Jesus enters a city built on rival names? In Acts 19, the gospel confronts confusion, exposes counterfeit spirituality, topples borrowed authority, and provokes costly repentance. Pastor David walks us through five movements in the text: 1️⃣ Confusion — good but incomplete faith 2️⃣ True Authority — the Word of the Lord prevailing 3️⃣ Counterfeits — borrowed authority collapsing 4️⃣ Costly Revival — confession and renunciation 5️⃣ Cultural Collision — idols pushing back 6️⃣ The True Center — life in Jesus' name alone   This passage reminds us that revival isn't hype, formulas, or personalities — it's when the Word of the Lord outgrows the rival names that used to run us.  

Obedience to God is powerful — but it isn't always easy. Sometimes obedience costs comfort, approval, control, convenience, or certainty. In Episode 7 of Obedience: The Gateway to Freedom & Fullness, we dive deep into what it means to obey God when obedience feels expensive and requires real surrender. This episode explores costly obedience through Scripture, biblical examples, and practical application, showing why God often allows obedience to cost us something — and how that cost leads to deeper freedom, maturity, and spiritual growth. In this episode, you'll learn: Why biblical obedience almost always involves surrender What Scripture teaches about the cost of following Jesus Why obedience feels like loss before it feels like freedom What obedience may be costing you in this season How surrender reveals trust and alignment with God What God gives back when we obey Him fully If you're struggling with obedience, feeling stretched by what God is asking, or afraid of what obedience might cost, this episode will bring clarity, encouragement, and truth. This teaching is especially for Christian women seeking spiritual maturity, deeper faith, clarity in decision-making, and freedom through obedience.

What if gratitude is the gate that leads you into the presence of God… and the key to deeper healing, joy, and spiritual wholeness? In this message, Pastor Jason Daughdrill walks through Luke 17:11–19, where Jesus heals ten lepers — but only one returns. This one moment reveals a truth that medical research is only now catching up to: gratitude transforms you from the inside out.In this sermon, you'll learn: • Why gratitude is spiritual before it's emotional • How remembering where God found you fuels fresh worship • Why entitlement kills gratitude • The reason Jesus expects us to return, not just receive • How gratitude actually brings you closer to Jesus • Why gratitude makes you whole, not just healedModern research from Harvard, UCLA, and Mayo Clinic confirms what Scripture has said for 2,000 years: gratitude renews your mind, strengthens your heart, and changes your life.Be the one who returns.Be the one who remembers.Be the one who gives thanks.

In this week's Follow Up episode, Pastors Jack and Arlen dive deeper into John 8 — one of the most theologically dense and debated chapters in the New Testament. They discuss why Jesus says He is “the light of the world,” what it means that He uses the divine name “I AM,” and how to think about faith when people ask for more “proof.”They also address the famous passage of the woman caught in adultery — why it appears in some Bibles and not others — and why textual transparency actually strengthens rather than weakens our confidence in Scripture.Other themes include:• How assumptions distort our view of Jesus• Why every worldview relies on faith• How logic and experience work together• The tension of truth and grace• Why Jesus' clarity is actually compassionThis episode offers a grounded, pastoral, and thoughtful exploration of what Jesus claimed about Himself — and what that means for us today.

What are you most thankful for this Thanksgiving?In this powerful 2025 Thanksgiving weekend message, Pastor Dennis (70 years old, born 1955) shares his personal story and the 3 things he's most thankful for after 45 years of walking with Jesus.You'll hear:-How he went from being a Wall Street party guy and nominal Catholic to discovering he was actually an enemy of God-The night in 1980 when he finally surrendered 100% to the REAL Jesus of the Bible (not the cultural or “historical” Jesus)-Why true peace with God (Romans 5:1) is the greatest gift any person can receive-How God cares for His children daily in ways we often overlook-The joy of being “in the ditch” working alongside God to reach the lostIf you've ever wondered:• “Do I really have peace with God?”• “Am I following the Jesus of the Bible or a fake version?”• “What does genuine thankfulness look like?”…this message is for you.Romans 5:1 – “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Feeling overwhelmed by the busy holiday season and not sure how to make Advent meaningful for your family? In this conversation with Jamie Suel (artist, former missionary, and mom of five grown kids), we're exploring advent family ideas that create space to encounter God instead of just adding more activities to your already-full schedule.Jamie shares honest wisdom about slowing down, renewing your mind when life feels chaotic, and using beautiful visual reminders to help your kids focus on hope, peace, joy, and love throughout December.In this episode:✅Advent family ideas for creating physical and mental space to prepare your heart for Jesus✅Why traditions aren't just activities—they're cornerstones that help kids remember what matters✅How to interrupt negative thought patterns and renew your mind with God's truth (Romans 12:2)✅Beautiful Advent card traditions using hope, peace, joy, and love to teach kids to wait well✅Why your kids don't need you to be perfect—they need to see an imperfect person walking with GodReady to make Advent meaningful this year? Check out Jamie's beautiful Advent cards and devotionals at her Etsy shop or jamiesuel.com—perfect for creating visual reminders that bring your family back to Jesus all season long!Jamie and her husband of 31 years homeschooled their 5 children who are now all adults. She now has the joy of being Grandma to 3 precious little ones! "I spent the first part of my journey of motherhood stressed trying to do it perfectly. I am now seeking to live authentically with my children, and others, so they can know the deep love of the amazing God who created them for purpose in His world. I really want the people in my life to know that!"Follow Jamie on her socials:InstagramFacebookPintrestMentioned Resource:Prepare Him Room Advent Digital Prints Show Notes:Welcome and Friendship StoryHello, everyone! This is Kerry Beck with Homeschool Coffee Break, where we help you stop the overwhelm so you can take a coffee break. We are here with one of my very best friends, Jamie, and I don't say that lightly. I don't know how long we've known each other, 20 or 30 years. It's been a long time. We actually live in the same town, and y'all are in for a treat today.Seriously, Jamie and I—her kids are all adults now, but when her oldest was about 3, and her second one was about 1, she would come over for Bible study, and my kids were, like, 5 to 10, or somewhere in there, and they would play with her little kids, just so we could have some quiet time at the dining room table, and we could read God's Word, and we could pray together, and it's just been a blessing ever since.Meet Jamie SuelTell us a little bit about you and what you're doing right now.Jamie: Yeah, so we homeschooled throughout, there were different seasons when we did different versions of school. We served as missionaries in Kenya for a period of time, and so we homeschooled there, and just all different things with homeschooling.When we came back from serving overseas in Kenya, we began working with missionaries and doing security. My husband has a law enforcement background, and then I just had such a heart—I discovered on the field, actually, that my heart was to actually care and come alongside missionaries.In Kenya, I got to work with the homeschooling—so many people have to homeschool in Kenya, or when they're overseas—and so I got to work with them and helping them gather all their supplies, which is so fun. It's like getting to kind of spend other people's money. And create fun plans.I also just really love art, and that's kind of what I think prompted this time. Art is something that really ministers to me and helps me connect with the Lord. Also, bringing His truth into that is really important to me, so I feel like creating safe places where people can just slow down, get off the hamster wheel, and encounter the Lord, and create a joyful way forward. That's kind of my thing. That's really what I love.Five kids, they're all grown.Yeah, she's got grandkids. We're just sort of moving on in life. Before we talk about the art, I would like to spend a little bit of time talking about Advent, because I know you and I are on the same page, everyone's so busy. We're heading into—this is gonna publish right before Thanksgiving. We are in the busy season of the year.What Slowing Down for Advent Looks LikeWhat does slowing down for Advent look like to you, personally?Jamie: I love that. As I was thinking about coming on and talking with you about Advent today, I was trying to think, yes, today, it looks much different than it did when I had littles. But even when I had littles, there's something about the Advent season that is just really special.It is a time when the whole purpose of it is to focus us in on the Savior and His coming, to prepare for Him, and prepare our hearts for Him. For me now, currently, it looks like having special time—my reading changes, my focus kind of changes a little bit more on that, what were the prophecies? How did Jesus fulfill it? What does peace look like?This is where I was thinking about being a mom of littles. It's hard to slow down, especially in this season. So, I think, yes, there is a sense of slowing down. Like, I said no to a conference that I would really love to be at, but I know that if I go to that conference, that I will—I won't have any margin.I value that in this season, because I know it's gonna ramp up. Naturally, there's gonna be things going on, there's gifts and gatherings, and things like that. So, it's more about, like, okay, what can I calm, because I know this season is going to be more busy, what can I calm?I really try to be really intentional about November, December, whatever I can, slow down in my calendar. But then also, I think, just with being intentional with Advent, it's how do I slow down my mind? That not everything is the most urgent. Not everything is priority number one, but what is it that is the work for the day?Primarily, how do I engage my mind in keeping my eyes on Him? Really, we all want to make this season about Him.That's so good. I know you've used the phrase, creating spaces, which is sort of what you're talking about here. We need to slow down to spend time with God.Creating Space to Encounter GodWhat does creating space so you can encounter God, what does that look like maybe now, or what did that look like when your kids were at home and you were homeschooling?Jamie: Yes, immediately, I thought of a moment when all the kids were little, I think we didn't even have our fifth kid at the time, and I just remember that after the kids would go to bed, I would sit by the tree, by the light of the tree, and just be still. Even if it was just for 5 minutes, just really being still and looking at the tree, there's something just so beautiful about that.Another thing I really love to do is to—when we have a fireplace, I love having a fire going in the fireplace, and we live in Texas, so sometimes that's just too hot, but now you have apps on the TV. My kids laugh at me, but I really will, I'll keep that going throughout the day, because when I see it, it just kind of reminds me of, I can calm down.I think creating space is, yes, creating it physically. So, when my family was young, we would have book corners where there were Christmas books, or we'd have soft music playing in the background, soft Christmas music, we still do that.Read-alouds, oh my gosh. One of our favorite read-alouds, my kids still ask me to read it to them at Christmas time, is "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever."Oh my gosh!Jamie: Oh, it makes me cry every year at that book, and it just is such a reminder of why Christ came and how he loves everyone, and even those little Herdmans. Especially those little Herdmans.I think that's part of it, is like, okay, if I'm gonna create space for Him, I'm just being intentional, I'm being aware of what are the things in my home. How can I create little places? We were a one income family, my husband was a police officer, and you just kind of—how can I get creative with this space? How can I take what I have and make it a little more meaningful?I think the things that we came back to year after year were the read-alouds. The Christmas book corner was a big thing, and the traditions of when we put up our Christmas tree, we'd do hot cocoa.I know I'm talking more about traditions and things like that, but I think it is all connected, in that I'm creating space for these holiday traditions. So in the same way I do that, I do that with the Lord. I'm creating intentional time to think about Him, to prepare room in my heart and in my home to celebrate.That's so good, because that's what Advent is about. We think Advent is a whole bunch of activities, and then we have Christmas, and yet it's all about preparing our hearts, slowing down, even times of reflection and confession. I wasn't that great at teaching my kids that.I feel like I've learned a whole lot more once my kids have left, and yet we did do things, and traditions may sound like, oh, traditions, but they're sort of like cornerstones or something, where it's like, oh, yeah, it's time for this, and my kids have carried on some of those same traditions as well, which is sort of exciting to see.Best Christmas Pageant Ever, that's a great book. One that we read several times is Jotham's Journey.Jamie: Yeah, you gave me that one.I know, I'm sort of thinking that Ashley's kids would be ready. She asked me when they were, like, 5. I was like, that may be a little scary for them, I don't know. But Advent is more about us preparing our hearts for Jesus and the celebration of His coming.Renewing Your Mind When Life Feels HurriedThe other idea, I know you've mentioned in Romans 12, too, is transformed by the renewing of our mind. What practices help you renew your mind when life feels hurried and crazy, and we need to slow down, but we also really do need to renew our mind?Jamie: Yes, I think that is something I'm so passionate about. The first thing that comes to my mind, and the word that jumps out to me is awareness. I was talking with one of my daughters just today, and I just was hearing her say some things, like, I can't, you know, whatever.I just said, you know, every time you're saying that, you're driving—talk about neural pathways, right? You're reinforcing that belief, and that's not what God says about you. We need to be rehearsing what God says about us.If I could say anything about transforming our minds, this is where I've really been camped out recently in my own life. My husband and I both—catching—I think about that verse in Song of Solomon, catch the little foxes for us, the ones that ruin the vineyard. But it's catching those thoughts as I'm saying them, becoming more aware of, I'm having this negative thought, that's a lie, because I think we're just so used to it that we're used to that tape in our head.We've got to stop that. We have to cut it short, so we have to engage in that, and becoming aware, oh, that's a lie. That's not how God would talk to me. That's not what He would say about me. And then, speaking that truth out loud.I think that is one of the biggest ways. To know His truth, to know what God would say about us, we have to spend time with Him. We have to be in His Word, and hearing His voice, and listening for Him, and looking for Him.We only get to know someone through time spent. I can know about you, Kerry, I can read about you, but I have spent time with you, and I know your heart. I know what—if someone said, oh, Kerry said this, I'd be like, that doesn't really sound like something Kerry would say, because I know you.That's so important. It's so interesting, because I had Bible study this morning. I listened—it was a crazy morning, but I was listening to a podcast on the Word and how we need to take the Word out of the corner of our life and put it in the center of our life, which is truth.Then I go up to Bible study, and I'm meeting with the leaders, and we pray before our Bible studies, the leaders do, and, like, 3 of them kept using the word, the Word, and how important the Word is, because it is the truth. When we spend time with God and His Word, it makes me think of being in the presence of the Lord, which brings us joy, and then the joy of the Lord is our strength.In the presence of God, if you are stressed and overwhelmed, you may need to quit doing all that, spend time with God, because that is where true joy is. It will also give you strength, because the joy of the Lord is our strength.Jamie: Yes! I just want to, on a super practical level, when we interrupt those tapes, because those lies and those negative thoughts, they keep us in this kind of anxious mindset. But when we stop and we remind ourselves the truth, and I'm really big about—I'll say it out loud, because I want to hear it. I think it's really helpful.If I could go back and talk to my younger self as a young mom who thought she had to do everything perfectly, what I would now tell her is, oh, Jamie, your kids don't need you to be perfect. They need you to show them what it's like to be an imperfect person walking with God, receiving forgiveness, learning, growing, they need to see your process.I just felt like I had to do it all perfectly. But anyway, so being able to interrupt that and focus on the truth, and focus on what is real, actually helps us think more clearly. God wired us so cool. When we calm down and fix our eyes on Him, when we're in that place of peace with Him, and just in our minds, we think more clearly. We're able to make better decisions!It really is true, and y'all have heard me talk about some of this, and changing those neurons, and changing—get the lies out of your head and replace them with truth.Beautiful Advent Card TraditionsWe're going to move on to Advent, and since I brought up the idea, I am just going to show you this beautiful artwork that she did. She gave me a set of these for Christmas last year, and this card, and then on the back is the third Sunday of Advent, and has verses and things for you to talk about. There's one for all four weeks of Advent, so I would love to just know what inspired you to create these cards.Jamie: Yeah. So, like I said, I love art, I feel like it's the way I connect with the Lord, and we do support-raised ministry, and so every year, I do send to friends and family, and also our supporters, a gift that I've created.I just had it on my heart. Growing up, our church always did the Advent candles. You light one every Sunday. Well, the church we're at now doesn't really do that, and I was missing that tradition.I just kept thinking about the four Sundays. I was like, I really would love to create something like that, because one of my favorite things is creating spaces of reflection and places of encounter with the Lord. I just started painting, based on the four Sundays of Advent, and the Isaiah 9:6, the four names of Jesus—the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—and I wanted to coordinate those.I bought these on Amazon, because I wanted them to be reusable, and I wanted them to be able to stay lit the whole time and not burn down. So, I've got my little set here. I painted these, and I'm going to show you the originals, but the first Sunday, and each one—with the set that I sent you, I did do the devotionals on the back, but just because of the way the print system works, I created a download that has the different Sundays, and also there's a QR code for the playlist and everything.But every week, there's some scripture to read, there's a reflection, there's a pause and pray time, and a worship section. But I kept them intentionally very brief, because I wanted them to be doable and accessible, because that's creating spaces. It is a busy time, but I thought if you can engage with it on Sunday, and then you see the card throughout the week, it's reminding you of that, and bringing you back to it.Starting with hope. That's the first Sunday. We always put up our Christmas tree the first weekend after Thanksgiving, and it's just kind of all my kids love it, they want to be a part of picking the tree, and all those things, and putting it up. It's just kind of the anticipation of the season, and so for me, I painted a Christmas tree because that's what it is for me.The second candle that goes along with the candles is peace, and just the peace that Jesus brings to the world, and so, of course, I thought of a dove, and green always just kind of reminds me of peace.Third Sunday is joy, and this is the shepherd's candle. It's the pink candle, because it's like a break in the advent of celebratory. The shepherds received this great news, and I did a wreath, because that just seemed festive and fun, and I love wreaths.The last one is the love candle, and Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and he's just the light of the world. This one is signifying the love of God demonstrated by sending His Son.They are beautiful. I am blessed that I get her little artwork, but I had these, like, I sit at this table when I read my Bible, when I pray in the morning, and there's a little thing I could set them on, and they were just so—one, they're beautiful, and we should teach our kids to appreciate beauty, and your kids may not be able to paint something like this, but they should be able to appreciate that as well.Teaching Kids to Wait WellThe other thing I wondered about—Advent is all about waiting and anticipation for Christmas, and most of our kids are all waiting and anticipating, what gifts am I going to get under the Christmas tree? We need to sort of rework their brain. How could moms use these cards to teach their kids to wait well and focus on Jesus?Jamie: Yeah, so there are several different—there are the hard copy cards, but also in my shop, there's a digital download that comes with the thing, and so you get all four on one page, and it's yours once you download it.One of the thoughts I had was, wouldn't it be fun to shrink them down, to print multiples, and that each kid could kind of collect their Advent card every Sunday? So you could have the big one on the table, or in your room where you do homeschool, or whatever, but then they could have their own in their room.Another way I thought of engaging with this for the waiting, specifically, is it's just a way to slow down and to take a moment. Typically you would do these on Sundays, because if you're lighting the Advent candles, but you can do them whenever. But the point is to do them, and then to keep it visible throughout the week, and you can re-engage.Just having something visual helps you remember and re-engage. One of my thoughts was, if you printed it out—one of my favorite traditions that we did at Thanksgiving was this Thanksgiving box. I think you even told me about it. But every year you would write down what the person is thankful for, each week of that year, and you'd write it down at the table as you prepared for Thanksgiving. We love going back and reading those. It's so fun!So one of my thoughts was they could print this off, because you can print off as many as you want, every year you could do this. On the back of that card, you can put the child's name and what they hope for, what peace means to them that year, what joy, what love, or how does Jesus demonstrate hope, peace, love, joy, whatever. Whatever questions your creative minds come up with.Write that down on the back, and keep it as a keepsake of every year coming back to, oh, remember when you were four, and you said that, so fun. But yeah, just it's just a way to engage and slow down and have that visual reminder of what Christmas is about.Again, they're brief devotionals. I just want to tell you one part of that is, taking time to breathe. Every time I come into my time with the Lord, I just take some deep breaths, and now, it's like it's trained my brain, retrained my brain to, when I sit down in my chair, I automatically get calm, because I know that's what I'm about to do.It's just a way to help your kids learn, breathe, we're just gonna be with the Lord, and so there's prompts for that in there as well.That's so good. Jamie's a wealth of information, and more importantly, a wealth of encouragement in the Lord, and I am just so grateful to be able to call her my friend, and thankful for these. I know these cards could bless, so if people are interested in maybe finding out more about how to get some of these cards, where's the best place for them to go?Jamie: Yeah, so I have an Etsy shop. I opened an Etsy shop because my friend Kerry told me I should. I have an Etsy shop, and then I also have a website, jamiesuel.com, but the Etsy shop is where you can find the Advent package.Final EncouragementThat's awesome. Advent's really important to me. I didn't grow up celebrating Advent, our kids did more so. It's been just on my heart to be able to provide different tools, and every family's different in what they want to do, and seasons of life, what you do when they're 2, 3, and 4 might look different than when they're 12, 13, or 14.I love the idea of printing these out every single year, and then writing—letting the kids write something on the back for that year. What great memories! I wished I had written down all the things that our kids said thank you for. Maybe I need to get started with it. I've given them all a gratitude journal, but I don't know what all has been in there.Thank you for being here. Is there anything you'd like to leave our listeners and viewers with?Jamie: The thing that just jumped out of my mind was just how much God loves you and wants to be with you. I think going back and being able to talk to my younger self when I was a young mom, I think the thing I would have wanted to hear and be reminded of is that He loves your kids, he's got your kids, and also that we can't give away what we don't have.I spent so much time trying to be perfect for them, when now I know, I wish I would have just been able to bring them along in the journey with me a little bit more. But yes, this is to share with your families, absolutely, but my prayer is that you will engage it for yourself, because He loves you and wants your heart, and that will spill over to your children.The peace in your heart will spill over to your children, and to your husband, your families, and friends.Thank you for carving time. I'm not going to say anything, because that was so good. Thank you for just spending time with us and pulling aside some time from your day. I really appreciate it, Jamie.Jamie: Oh, I loved it. Thank you for having me.Ready to make Advent meaningful this year? Check out Jamie's beautiful Advent cards featuring original paintings of hope (Christmas tree), peace (dove), joy (wreath), and love (light of the world). Each includes brief devotionals, reflection questions, and worship prompts perfect for busy families. Find them at her Etsy shop or visit jamiesuel.com to bring visual reminders of Jesus into your home all season long!

What if gratitude could actually make you more beautiful from the inside out? In this conversation with Meredith Curtis, we're exploring the transformative power of cultivating gratitude in your homeschool family—and how thanksgiving changes not just your heart, but your entire countenance and home atmosphere.From Thanksgiving traditions that knit families together to miracle stories of God's provision, Meredith shares decades of wisdom on raising grateful children who focus on Jesus instead of consumerism.In this episode:✅How cultivating gratitude transforms you into a more beautiful person (yes, really!)✅Simple Thanksgiving traditions that build faith and family unity✅The crab legs miracle story that reminds us nothing is impossible with God✅Practical activities for the holiday season that shift focus from presents to Jesus✅Why serving others creates grateful hearts in your childrenReady to make gratitude a daily practice? Grab the free 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge mentioned in this episode and join hundreds of families started November 1st!Recommended Resources:30 Days of Gratitude ChallengeGrand Prize GiveawayGod's Girls Beauty Secrets Bible StudyCelebrate ThanksgivingJesus, Fill My Heart & Home Bible StudyChristmas Unit StudiesMeredith "GrandMerey" Curtis, mom of 5 homeschool grads and grandmother of 8, writes, speaks, leads worship, and loves celebrating God's goodness at every opportunity possible, believing that gratitude is the secret to joy. She enjoys creating homeschool curriculum and Bible studies for Christian families, as well as writing Maggie King Mysteries, wholesome cozies. Find her at PowerlineProd.com, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.Show Notes:The Beauty Secret That Changes EverythingMeredith Curtis is here with me today, and we're talking about gratitude. Meredith, y'all know I run the 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge, and I get guest bloggers to come in and post on our blog. I think Meredith has done it every single year I've ever done this. I know that's your heart. I know that's my heart. Gratitude just can do so many things for us.Meredith is a homeschooling mom who graduated her 5 children. Now she's grandmother to 8, so far, and all of them homeschool. She's a pastor's wife, a worship leader, a writer, a speaker, and she loves ministering to homeschool families. She's created a lot of curriculum, and she just started a mystery series called Maggie King Mysteries.Gratitude as a Beauty SecretMeredith, you have actually talked about gratitude as being a beauty secret. Can you sort of explain what you mean by that, and how you've seen gratitude actually transform someone from the inside?Meredith: I've always believed this, and I remember my grandmother used to say to me, beauty is as beauty does. When I was a young woman, teenager, young adult, young wife, I wanted to be beautiful on the inside. From my grandmother, I grasped that principle that beauty on the inside flows to the outside.One of the passages that really stood out to me was 1 Peter 3:1-7, and how God commends Sarah as a beautiful woman because of her gentle and quiet spirit. That got me on the road to thinking about beauty. I actually have a Bible study called God's Girls Beauty Secrets.When you're kind, when you're grateful, it changes your heart. Gratitude changes your focus from self to the Lord. Kindness changes your focus from self to others. When you're grateful and you walk into a home, or you walk into work, or you walk into your homeschool co-op or church, and you're having a conversation with people, it changes the expression on your face.You have more of a smile, you don't have those frowny frown lines. You have a beauty that emanates from you, and I think people want to be around you when you're like that. They want to be around people that are grateful, because it's gonna be raising them up rather than pulling them down.I'm a pastor's wife, and I see all the terrible things that happen to people. Mike and I have gone through so many trials. I think that sometimes the Lord just has to remind me, be grateful, be grateful, be grateful. When I am grateful, I notice the way people respond to me is very different than when I'm complaining and bitter.Beauty isn't just about a symmetrical face. Beauty goes so much beyond that, because it's your poise, it's your confidence. A truly beautiful woman walks into a room, and she's like, God is good, I'm so happy to see all of you, and her focus is completely on other people. That is beautiful.The Physical Impact of Bitterness vs. GratitudeYou know, as you're saying that, I do believe that however you're thinking on the inside is going to come out in your facial expressions, in your gestures, the way that you hold yourself. I also think, unfortunately, the opposite is true. Someone who is bitter—I have friends that are still holding bitterness towards people, and they're the ones that are in the hospital all the time. They've got illness, like, physical illnesses.Bitterness in your heart can actually mess up your insides. But the opposite of bitterness—you're forgiving, and you're grateful, and you're thankful, and you're kind—and that person, I think, God just blesses. When you have that attitude, people are like, oh, I want to be around them. Who wants to be around someone that's just complaining all the time?Passing Down Gratitude to GrandchildrenLet's talk about your grandchildren. Are there some things that you have been doing, or are doing, to pass down these values of gratitude and of your faith as well? Do you have any traditions that you're really cultivating a spirit of gratitude?Meredith: With Thanksgiving coming up this month, the first one I think of is we have a Thanksgiving tradition where before we say the blessing, we all pass around—sometimes I pass around kernels of corn, there's like this Thanksgiving poem about kernels of corn—or sometimes we just share things that we're thankful for.That is really powerful, because there's always tears. There's always something that's bittersweet, where someone's gone through something hard, and yet they're thankful for the things God did through it, or the people that helped them through it. There's just so much knitting together of family as people are thanking one another.Another thing I do with my grandchildren specifically: whenever they come over, I always ask them, what was the best thing that happened today? And then I always say to them, isn't God good? And then they say, yes, he is so good. That's not necessarily a tradition, but it's a habit that I've purposely cultivated with them to focus on the positive and be grateful.That's so interesting. When I'm with my grandkids, especially if I'm taking care of them and their parents are gone somewhere, and we're getting ready for bed, especially when they're younger, like 5 and under, I'm like, okay, we're gonna pray before we go to bed. I want you to think of one thing that you can say thank you to God for.That way, I'm like, we're gonna think. The only thing you have to say is, thank you, God. It does sort of make them think, well, what did happen? What can I be thankful for? That's such a simple way to say thank you, and it's thank you to God for whatever had happened.The Birthday Tradition That Honors PeopleMeredith: On birthdays, we always go around and talk about why we're thankful for the birthday person. Everybody shares, like, I'm so thankful for you because I love the way you do this, I love the way you do that, I appreciate it. My kids have carried it on, so at Cooper, my grandson just turned 9, and we were at the birthday party.They always start all their family birthday parties with just the mom or dad saying what they're thankful for, with all the kids there. They do it with all the kids' friends there. I think not only is it a blessing to the other children, but it's a blessing to the parents that are there.We do that a lot in our church, too, with people on a birthday. I noticed Paul does that in his letters. He'll say, I so appreciate you because of this and this and this. I was talking to someone the other day, and I was like, Paul wrote to the Corinthians, who were the squirreliest church in all of the New Testament, and he starts out thanking the Lord for them. There is no one we can't find something to be thankful for.You know, that's really important, too, because I have heard people say they're in a really difficult marriage, and they're just like, there's nothing good about my husband, there's nothing good. And I'm like, does he go to work every day for your family? Okay, there's one thing. Do you have a house that you live in? There's always, even in the most difficult situations, you can find something to be thankful for.When Gratitude Shifts the AtmosphereIs there anything else? Maybe you're walking through a difficult situation at your home. Has there ever been a time where gratitude sort of shifted the atmosphere during that difficult situation?Meredith: My husband right now is battling cancer, and it's been really hard on my kids. The Lord has been really good, but one of the things that I notice is talking with one of my children, and we'll both be talking about dad, and then we'll both kind of sniff, you know, like, suck back the tears, and then we'll just talk about what we're grateful for, like, what the Lord has done.There's just so much that God always has done. I think because of that psalm that says, enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise—I always start with thanking God. Sometimes when I wake up in the morning, I just lay there and start thanking God. I've trained my children to try to find something to be thankful for, so even in the most difficult situations.The Miracle of Crab Legs and Strawberry CakeI remember years ago, this is over a decade ago, we didn't have money. We had enough money to pay some bills, but not all. The whole family, we got in the family room, and we got on our knees, and we were praying. We were desperate for God to come through, but yet our prayers were so filled with thankfulness.We were thanking Him for all the times in the past that He had provided. I remember when we got up as family from our knees, we were fully, fully confident God was gonna come through. I remember Jenny Rose saying, well, I just wonder how God is gonna take care of this. I know He will.There's no testimony without a trial. Sometimes in the middle of a trial, when you can even just thank the Lord—I thank you that there's going to be a testimony in this.One story I can tell you that has to do with thankfulness: my niece came to visit one summer. This is when Mike was in seminary. We had no money. I would make hair bows and sell them, and that was our grocery money. My niece was there, it was her birthday.I said, what would you like for your birthday? And then I thought, wow, why am I asking her this? She said, I would like a strawberry cake with vanilla frosting, and I would like crab legs.I took her hand, and I prayed with her this really simple prayer. She wasn't a believer at the time. I said, Lord, thank you that you're the God who provides, and you hear this little girl what she wants, and I pray that somehow you would do a miracle and provide for that. I was not necessarily full of faith. About 5 minutes later, I was kind of like, what have I done?We had this food pantry, and they would have, like, you could pay a dollar, and you could get a bag full of groceries. That day, never before and never again, they had a strawberry cake mix and a vanilla frosting. We brought it home, I made the cake.It was getting close to dinner, so I thought, okay, I'm just gonna have to tell her, sometimes God says no. We get a knock at the door, and our pastor comes in with a grocery bag, about 4 feet high, filled with crab legs. Can you take these off our hands?I just remember saying, nothing is impossible with God. That filled our hearts with so much thanksgiving, and believe it or not, almost every time we face a difficult situation, we remember that story. God has probably been thanked for that story by my kids that weren't even alive then.When we pray boldly and see God answer, it builds a thankful heart in us even more. When we see God move, it helps us when we face difficult circumstances, because then there's a groundwork that, yes, God is good.Building Faith Through GratitudeJust the fact that y'all—I think it's growing thankfulness with our kids, but also their faith. When they see things like that, they do want to be thankful and continue to look back at that, but that is just another little step of building their faith that, look, God came through for us.It's really important, personally, keeping a gratitude journal. If I had to do it over again, I would keep a family gratitude journal. That way, you can record the things your kids are saying, and when bad things happen, you pull that thing out and read some of them.God wants us to record what He's done, and to be able to remember. Sometimes it's just verbally saying it, but sometimes we forget what He's done. The other idea is that we really believe in miracles. Sometimes we don't ask, because we don't think he's going to come through, and yet you just shared stories. He came through!Practical Activities for the Holiday SeasonWe're going to be sort of in that Thanksgiving-Christmas season. Do you have any practical activities that parents could do, families could do, to really build a habit of gratitude in the hustle and bustle? How can we be intentional during these holiday seasons to build that habit of gratitude in our kids?Meredith: First of all, the 30-day gratitude Challenge. That is a great one. I love that it's geared for children and for teens.The thing that I talked about earlier of going around before Thanksgiving dinner and sharing things that you're thankful for. As we were talking, I just thought, you know what I'm gonna do for our church is put a post at the top of our Facebook group, and just put the word gratitude, and I'm just gonna ask people, would all this month, when things happen, will you just post under that things that the Lord did to come through, or answers to prayer?What I used to do when the kids were little at Thanksgiving is I would put up a poster. Sometimes I did an answered prayer poster, I would write answered prayer, and then I would make columns, and then as God answered prayers, we could list the prayers. Or other times it was just what I'm thankful for.There's a craft that I've done, a thankful tree, where you make leaves and write something you're thankful for and glue that on.Serving Others Creates Grateful HeartsI also think just serving others gives us a grateful heart. There's one thing that it's almost the time will almost be up to turn them in, but it's the Shoebox Franklin Graham's ministry. When the grandkids were really little, like 2 and 3, the oldest ones are 9 and 10, I would take them to the Dollar Tree, and they could fill the box, and then I would just purchase everything, and we would wrap it up, and they would write a note.That just instills thankfulness. It could be serving at a soup kitchen. One year, I remember we adopted a poor family, and I remember it was a really dilapidated part of town, and we climbed up these rickety steps to the apartment on the second floor and delivered presents. I remember my kids, on the way home, they were thinking, wow, we're so blessed. When you see other people struggling, you realize how blessed you are.Christmas Carols and Focusing on JesusAnother thing that we do is we sing Christmas carols and have devotions all through December. On Christmas Day, we have these super long devotions. It's basically Luke 2, with a Christmas carol after every verse. We always sing, like, 3 or 4 verses, so it takes us, like, an hour. Then we sing happy birthday to Jesus.What that has to do with thankfulness is it sets the tone that Christmas isn't about presents. Christmas is a birthday, it's about a king, it's a king's birthday. We're gonna make the main focus of this day, Jesus. When you focus on Jesus, even the fact that he came in the Roman Empire, which was so evil—we think times are evil now, but the Roman Empire was so evil.He was born to a poor family, and he lived a perfect life, and how many times did they try to kill him? Finally, he let them take his life, and he died for sins, and he rose again. The more that we can gaze on that as families, in ways that are fun and relaxing and filled with love, the more children can gaze on Christ, the more they will be thankful.I think Christmas carols—there's something so powerful about the words to Christmas carols, especially if you go beyond verse 1. Even the song, God Rest You, Merry Gentlemen, there's, like, 8 or 9 verses, and every one of them is powerful. I think that there's something about the theology in them and the old hymns, too, but especially at Christmas time, the carols. Focusing on Jesus creates a thankful heart, too. Above all.Oh gosh, it's been 10 or 15 years ago, we were singing O Come All Ye Faithful, and we were singing the third verse. There's a line in there, God of God and Light of Light. We were studying the Roman Empire after Jesus' time period, but the church was growing in our history. Athanasius was standing up to say, no, Jesus was actually God. He was on the run because they wanted to kill this man.That phrase in that O Come All You Faithful verse, God of God and Light of Lights, was exactly what they were saying back in history at that time. We need to expose our kids to the verses. Pick one Christmas carol each year, and just sing it all the time. Go into the verses, use it for copywork, talk about what that means at the dinner table.Serving others—we did the same thing. Steve was head of the Benevolence Fund, and he would pick one of the families that really needed help. We'd go buy a turkey dinner for them with all the fixings for four or five people. The first time I did it, I was at the store, and I was like, they've got kids. We should get some Christmas gifts for them.We did that for 10 or 15 years, and would take it to a family that didn't have much. It really puts your kids in—it gives perspective to what is going on around us. Too often, we see the people that seem to have more than us, and we don't always see the people that have less than us.Resources From MeredithIf people want to reach out to you, Meredith, what would be the best way to find out more about you?Meredith: I do have two resources that I think people would enjoy. One is called Celebrate Thanksgiving, and it has hymns and prayers and poems. It has the entire story of the pilgrims in it from going to Holland, and then coming back, and then going to the New World.It has a lot of different Thanksgiving things, like the Macy's Parade. Then it talks about how to plan Thanksgiving festivities, like a pie breakfast or a praise and prayer brunch, or the big traditional family dinner, or a family football game. It's got a lot of different social things that you can plan. Some are really simple, some are more challenging, and then planner sheets to do it.The other book is called Jesus Fill My Heart and Home, and it's a Bible study. It talks about, first of all, letting Jesus live and abide in our hearts. Then it talks about how to bring the presence of God into your home in a really practical way. It touches on cleaning and all kinds of aspects of homemaking, but it does have a great chapter on holidays.It goes through the different holidays and how to celebrate holidays with a Christ-centered focus. Those are available at PowerlineProd.com. I have a store, lots of resources, lots of curriculum, lots of high school classes, and Christmas unit studies.I also have a blog on the site, PowerlineProd.com, and if you go there, there's links to our Facebook group, Powerline Productions. You can find me on Instagram, Twitter, and everything else from there. I'd love to hear from you.Final EncouragementAs we close out, is there anything that you would like to leave our audience with?Meredith: Yes, I would like to say this. Life is hard. I'm sure some of you listening are going through challenges, maybe challenges with homeschooling your kids, maybe grown children who've wandered from the faith, maybe health challenges.Jesus promised—the least favorite promise in all of the New Testament is, in this world, you will have trouble. But it doesn't stop there. It goes on and it says, take heart, because I have overcome the world.I just want to remind you that Jesus has overcome the world, that He is for you, not against you, and that if you put your hope in Him and your trust in Him, He will pour out grace and provision for everything you go through in this life. He will open your eyes to see so much beauty, and so many blessings, and so many people who end up coming in and just wrapping their arms around you and loving you that you don't expect.Draw near to Him, He will draw near to you, and eventually, one day, if you know Him and are born again, you will be with Him in heaven forever. It starts with just opening your eyes and being grateful, but there is so much more.Ready to transform your home with thanksgiving? Sign up for the free 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge at HowToHomeschoolMyChild.com/gratitudechallenge. Join hundreds of families cultivating gratitude together starting November 1st!

Are you growing spiritually or just getting older? In this episode of the Open Door Church podcast, Pastor Stephen Mizell tackles a crucial question every believer must answer: What's the difference between natural growth and intentional maturity? Drawing from Ephesians 4, Pastor Stephen reveals why salvation is just the starting line, not the finish line. He challenges us to move from being spiritual consumers to becoming spiritual contributors—from spectators in the stands to participants on the field. In this episode, you'll discover: Why growth is automatic but maturity requires intentional obedience How to walk worthy of your calling in Christ The difference between knowing Bible facts and looking like Jesus Why unity is evidence of maturity (and pride is the seed of division) How to move from consumer to contributor in God's kingdom What it means to be unshaken when culture shifts around you Pastor Stephen also shares a powerful, personal vision for the next season of ministry, including four specific commitments that will challenge and inspire you—whether you're a grandparent, a young person, a new believer, or someone sensing God's call to ministry. This isn't just another sermon about spiritual growth. It's a call to intentional maturity that will change how you walk out your faith every single day. Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16 visitopendoor.com

Saying yes often looks like saying no. “Drop your nets. Leave your boats. Come and follow me.” - Jesus  Why does following Jesus mean leaving certain things behind? Like any other decision, following Jesus involves a cutting off. It is, as Jesus says, a narrow path (Matt 7:13-14). To truly say yes to Jesus, we also have to give other people and things a no. This is uncomfortable and requires trust in Jesus that there is much kindness, much wisdom, and much power in the narrow way.Come this Sunday to learn more about the strange gift of no.- Series Description - In our new series, So, You Want to Be A Christian?, we'll cover the beginning steps of following Jesus. At times, these are the steps we're begging self-proclaimed Christians in the public arena to follow. Other times, these are our steps as we grow in discipleship for the first time or as we're humbled by God to focus on the basics once again. Either way, we need to know how to grow in faith and how to respond to Jesus' words, “Follow me.”  Whether this journey of following Jesus is brand new for us or whether we've been following Jesus for decades, each day is another chance to respond to his call for an upside-down kind of life reflective of His otherworldly Kingdom.

What if the very voice that created the heavens and the earth wanted to speak to you, personally, clearly, and today?In this episode of the Vibrant Living Podcast, I sit down with Lorraine Larzabal: worshiper, entrepreneur, global evangelist, twice cancer-conqueror, and passionate teacher of the Inductive Bible Study Method. For over 30 years, Lorraine has led thousands into their very first encounters of hearing God's voice for themselves.Her story is one of resilience, prophetic clarity, and undeniable healing. From facing cancer twice to traveling the world with the message of Jesus, Lorraine carries a radiant fire that draws people into God's Kingdom with love and power.Together, we explore:✨ How to hear God's voice in everyday life✨ The role of prophetic words and physical healing in restoration✨ Recovering from trauma through the presence of Jesus✨ Why intimacy with God is the doorway to divine confidenceThis is not just another conversation, it's an invitation to experience God in a fresh, life-changing way.

Jaymen Chase spent 25 years trapped in drug addiction—cocaine, crack, meth, pills, fentanyl. Multiple overdoses nearly killed him. But one day, after hitting what he thought was cocaine, Jaymen collapsed in an alley from a lethal dose of fentanyl.Instead of death, Jaymen found himself face to face with Jesus, who asked him a single question that changed everything: “Are you done yet?”That encounter ended decades of addiction instantly. Jaymen walked away completely sober, free, and transformed. He went from chasing highs to pursuing God's call—eventually becoming an evangelist and sharing his story of deliverance, restoration, and hope.In this conversation, Jaymen reveals:⇨ The trauma and abuse that fueled his addiction⇨ His terrifying overdose and encounter with Jesus⇨ Why he believes prayer saved his life⇨ How he was instantly set free from 25 years of drugs⇨ The radical transformation that followed-----------------------------Find Jaymen here:⇨ Website : https://lionheadministry.com/⇨ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jaymenchase/-------------------------------✟ Become a supporter of A Stronger Faith here ⇨ https://www.astrongerfaith.org/give-------------------------------✟ Recommend a guest for us here ⇨ https://www.astrongerfaith.org/contact-------------------------------✟ LISTEN/WATCH/SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ⇨ YouTube: https://bit.ly/asfmyoutube ---------------------------------✟ CONNECT WITH US! ⇨ Website: https://www.astrongerfaith.org/⇨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrongerfaith/ ⇨ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@astrongerfaith ⇨ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/astrongerfaith------------------------------------✟ If you need prayer or deliverance, or if you would like to join us as a prayer partner, please visit our prayer resources page at https://www.astrongerfaith.org/prayer.✟ If you are looking for a good faith-building book, visit our recommended books page at https://www.astrongerfaith.org/books.

What drains the soul and what restores it?In this episode of Two Pastors and a Mic, Cory and Channock unpack Chapters 8 & 9 of Enough Already - What Brings A Soul Back To Life? and I Can't Do This Alone. Together, they dive into the impact of social media, division, and image management on the soul, and why honesty, grace, and connection are the real nutrients we all need.You'll hear:

Have you ever wondered if you were really saved — or if you were just going through the motions of religion? In this raw and honest episode of the #MoreThanJustPretty Podcast, I share my personal testimony of realizing that for years I thought I was living as a Christian… but I wasn't truly walking in a real relationship with God. In this video we'll talk about:    •    The difference between religion vs. relationship with Jesus    •    Why so many people think they're saved but aren't truly born again    •    What it actually looks like to live in obedience to God (not culture)    •    Why Western Christianity often misses the heart of the Gospel    •    How to know if you're really walking with God or just following traditionThis year, God opened my eyes to what it really means to follow Christ—and it's nothing like the watered-down Christianity the world presents. If you've ever felt unsure about your salvation, or wondered if you're truly living for Jesus, this conversation will challenge and encourage you. Don't just settle for religion. God is calling you into a REAL relationship with Him. If this blessed you, make sure to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more faith-based conversations about purpose, relationships, and walking boldly with God.#Christianity #Testimony #BornAgain #RelationshipWithGod #Obedience #Faith #JesusSaves #WesternChristianity #MoreThanJustPrettyPodcastSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/morethanjustpretty8749/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Kountry Wayne shares:How he made $13 million off his skits

Have You Lost Jesus In Your Life? Duncan Crook | July 13, 2025 ---------- EPISODE SUMMARY Have you ever lost track of a child for even a moment? That panic is nothing compared to losing fellowship with Jesus in your life. In this powerful message, Duncan Crook uses the story of 12-year-old Jesus being left behind in Jerusalem to reveal how even the most devoted believers can lose intimate fellowship with Christ. Through Luke 2:41-52, discover the difference between losing your relationship with Jesus (impossible) and losing fellowship with Him (all too common). Learn the warning signs, understand how it happens gradually, and most importantly, find the path back to restored intimacy with your Savior. Core Message: You can't lose your relationship with Jesus, but you can lose fellowship with Him - and there's a way back. ---------- KEY TOPICS COVERED The Reality of Lost Fellowship - The difference between losing relationship vs. losing fellowship with Jesus - Why even the closest believers can lose their sense of Jesus' presence - The story of the coworker who "found Jesus" then seemed to lose Him again The Biblical Foundation: Jesus Lost in Jerusalem - Jewish travel customs that explain how Mary and Joseph lost Jesus - The significance of Jesus' Bar Mitzvah and coming of age at 12 - Why both parents assumed Jesus was with the other group The Security of Salvation vs. Fellowship - Once saved, always saved - but not a license to sin - Marriage analogy: relationship vs. fellowship maintenance - Why true believers don't want to persist in sin Who Can Lose Fellowship with Jesus - The shocking truth: those closest to Him are most vulnerable - Former pastors, deacons, and church leaders who've fallen away - How you can attend church regularly and still lose fellowship The Gradual Nature of Spiritual Drift - Why losing Jesus doesn't happen overnight - The danger of small steps away from Christ - The Inuit wolf-hunting illustration about gradual spiritual destruction The Samson Syndrome - How Samson lost God's presence without realizing it - The tragedy of assuming God is still with you while living in sin - Recognition that spiritual strength comes from God, not ourselves The Path Back to Fellowship - Step 1: Acknowledge that you have left Him - Step 2: Diligently begin to seek Him with persistence - Step 3: Return to the place you left Him David's Example of Restoration - How "a man after God's own heart" lost fellowship through compromise - The progression from spiritual laziness to adultery and murder - Psalm 51 as a model for genuine repentance and restoration ---------- MEMORABLE QUOTES "Have you ever been somewhere with a small child and turn your back for a second- and the child has gone?" "How easy it is to sometimes seem to lose Jesus in our lives." "I have a good Greek word for that: Hogwash." "If you are born again, you don't want to sin! You are a new creature in Christ." "Has there ever been a time in your life when you were consistently closer to Jesus than you are right now? If the answer is yes, then you have lost Jesus." "Sometimes we stay so busy in church doing religious things that we miss Jesus." "Jesus didn't leave Mary and Joseph; they left Him." "You can't afford one day out of fellowship with Jesus." "He awoke from his sleep and thought, 'I'll go out as before and shake myself free.' But he did not know that the Lord had left him." "You will never reclaim fellowship with Jesus until you are honest enough to acknowledge that you have lost it." "You will need to take as many steps back to fellowship as you took walking away." ---------- BIBLICAL FOUNDATION - Primary Text: Luke 2:41-52 (Jesus in the Temple at age 12) - Supporting Texts: Judges 16:20 (Samson), Psalm 51:10-11 (David's repentance) - Key Theme: The difference between relationship and fellowship with Christ - Context: Jewish Passover customs and coming-of-age traditions ---------- PRACTICAL APPLICATION If You're Questioning Your Fellowship: - Ask yourself: "Has there ever been a time when I was consistently closer to Jesus than I am right now?" - Examine your heart honestly, not just your church attendance - Don't assume religious activity equals intimate fellowship If You've Recognized Lost Fellowship: - Acknowledge it honestly without making excuses or blaming others - Begin seeking Jesus diligently and persistently - it may take time - Return to the specific place or situation where you left Him If You're in Church Leadership: - Remember that being close to Jesus doesn't make you immune to losing fellowship - Don't let busyness in ministry substitute for personal intimacy with Christ - Be watchful for the gradual drift that can happen to anyone If You're Struggling with Sin: - Recognize that small steps away from Jesus become giant leaps - Don't deceive yourself that Jesus is okay with compromise - Remember that sin has an exponential, infectious nature If You're Helping Others: - Look for those who may have lost fellowship while maintaining appearances - Encourage persistence in seeking restoration - it's not always immediate - Point people back to where they left Jesus, not just to religious activity ---------- THE ULTIMATE INVITATION God the Father is waiting for you to return to Him. When you do, He won't condemn, criticize, or punish you. He's going to welcome you with open arms, embrace you with His grace, enfold you with His love, and shower you with His mercy. You can be saved and going to heaven, but your fellowship and intimacy with Jesus can be spoiled. Will you admit it and start seeking the Lord persistently and diligently? Are you willing to return to where you left Him? ---------- Remember: Fellowship with Jesus requires the same diligence as any relationship - it must be maintained through consistent communion, honest acknowledgment of problems, and persistent effort to restore what's been lost.

The Voice of God God: My Pronouns Are I / Us Essential Church June 29, 2025 SUMMARY The message focuses on the role and significance of the Holy Spirit within the Christian faith. It begins with a depiction of a Baptist church member seeking the Holy Ghost to fill his congregation, emphasizing the desire for spiritual movement and presence. The pastor delves into the nature of the Holy Spirit, clarifying that it is not an abstract force but a person within the Trinity, which is one in essence but three in person. The discussion highlights the Holy Spirit's role in pointing believers towards Jesus Christ, emphasizing that the Spirit's work is to make individuals more Christ-like. The message also explores the concept of the Holy Spirit working with, in, and through believers, using the analogy of a theatrical play where God is the director, Jesus takes center stage, and the Holy Spirit is like the tech crew, orchestrating the unseen elements that enhance the experience. Furthermore, the pastor addresses common misconceptions about the hierarchy within the Trinity, likening it to a baseball team where each member knows their role without a single person calling all the shots. The message concludes with a prayer, asking for sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's guidance and a deeper relationship with God. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. **Role of the Holy Spirit**: How does the message describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer? What are the three prepositions used to explain this role? 2. **Focus on Jesus**: Why does the pastor emphasize that the Holy Spirit always points towards Jesus Christ? How can this understanding affect a believer's relationship with the Holy Spirit? 3. **Trinity Analogy**: The message uses a baseball team analogy to describe the Trinity. How does this analogy help clarify the roles within the Trinity? Do you find this analogy effective? 4. **Misconceptions about the Holy Spirit**: What are some common misconceptions about the Holy Spirit mentioned in the video? How does the speaker address these misconceptions? 5. **Personal Experience**: The pastor shares personal experiences of overcoming challenges with the help of the Holy Spirit. How do these stories illustrate the practical work of the Holy Spirit in everyday life? 6. **Empowerment and Gifts**: The message discusses the debate over supernatural fillings versus the enhancement of God-given talents. What are your thoughts on this debate? How do you see the Holy Spirit working in your own life? 7. **Prayer and Sensitivity**: The message concludes with a prayer for sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's guidance. How can believers cultivate this sensitivity in their daily lives?

Have you ever felt overlooked or like you didn't belong? In this powerful episode of Chosen By Jesus, Kelley and Taylor Tyan remind you of this life-changing truth: You are chosen—not because of what you've done, but because of who God is. Together, they unpack Ephesians 1, revealing what it means to be loved, accepted, and set apart by God before the foundation of the world. Whether you're struggling with comparison, carrying rejection, or craving deeper purpose, this message is for you. You don't have to be perfect to be used by God. You just have to be willing. In This Episode: What Ephesians 1 reveals about being chosen by Jesus Why your identity in Christ silences the lies of not being enough How to stop striving for approval and live from spiritual peace Testimonies of healing through Jesus A prayer to release shame and embrace your true worth Key Verse: “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…” – Ephesians 1:4 If you're tired of performing, comparing, or feeling unseen—this episode is your invitation to step into God's love and truth. You are chosen. You are loved. You are enough. Follow Kelley & Taylor Instagram: @chosenbyjesuscbj Subscribe to the podcast and never miss a new episode. Share this with a friend who needs to know: they are chosen too. you are chosen, identity in Christ, loved by God, Ephesians 1 devotional, chosen by Jesus, Christian podcast, top-rated Christian podcast, Christian encouragement, Christian women podcast, healing through Jesus, purpose in Christ, not perfect but chosen 

“You might think it's over… but this is where God begins.” In this powerful message from Exodus 2:11–25, Pastor Nick teaches how rock bottom isn't the end of your story—it's the start of God's greater plan. We look at the life of Moses, a man who had everything, blew it all, and found himself hiding in the desert with nothing left to show… and yet, God wasn't done.

Is it possible to change how you think… for good? In this powerful new message from Pastor Ken Senchal, we dive into what it means to develop the mind of Christ and why that process changes everything. From breaking old thought patterns to aligning our lives with God's truth, this teaching is packed with insight and hope. You'll learn: What sanctification means for your thoughts and emotions The difference between the mind of Christ and the mind of darkness How to catch, challenge, and change your thoughts to honor Jesus Why loving like Christ starts with thinking like Christ

No fluff. Just truth.If you're raising boys right now, this episode is your wake-up call. Culture is confusing masculinity, and too many dads are either checking out or crushing their sons under perfectionism. But there's a better way—a faith-fueled, gritty, grace-filled path to raising godly men.

Garth Heckman TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com The David Alliance      What are the marks of a man in history?      Across the globe, various cultures have developed unique and often intense rituals to mark a young male's transition into manhood. These rites of passage serve to test physical and mental fortitude, impart cultural knowledge, and solidify the individual's place within the community. Here are a few examples: Amazonian Tribes (e.g., Sateré-Mawé): A particularly grueling ritual involves the "bullet ant glove." Young men must wear gloves filled with hundreds of highly venomous bullet ants, enduring excruciating pain to demonstrate their strength and resilience. Ethiopian Tribes (e.g., Hamar): The "bull-jumping" ceremony requires young men to leap across the backs of several cattle, proving their agility and courage. Pacific Islands (e.g., Vanuatu): "Land diving" involves young men jumping from tall wooden towers with vines tied to their ankles, a dangerous feat that tests their bravery. Australian Aboriginal Cultures: "Walkabout" is a traditional journey where young men venture into the wilderness for extended periods, learning survival skills and cultural knowledge. Various African Cultures: Circumcision rituals are common, symbolizing the transition from boyhood to manhood. There are also many cultures that have rituals that include periods of isolation, where the young men are taught the traditional laws, and history of their people. Jewish Culture: The Bar Mitzvah, at age 13, marks a young man's religious coming-of-age, signifying his responsibility to observe Jewish law. These rituals often involve: Physical endurance: Tests of strength, pain tolerance, and survival skills. Spiritual or ceremonial elements: Rituals that connect the individual to their cultural heritage and beliefs. Community recognition: Public ceremonies that acknowledge the young man's new status within the group. Instruction and knowledge transfer: Older men imparting essential skills and cultural wisdom to the initiates. It's important to approach these cultural practices with respect and understanding, recognizing their significance within their respective communities.   What are my three marks of a man in todays world? Here are the three I think are relevant for your society.   Save your virginity until marriage   Serve others as a lifestyle    Evangelize the lost - tell others about Jesus   Why these three? They do three things…    Evangelism: It challenges you to learn. You must learn scripture, learn how to read people. Learn how to share the gospel with differing people, belief systems and environments. Learn how to answer questions that have a biblical backing, loving in nature and make God look good. And how to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit.    Servanthood. It challenges you to live outside your world and the worlds view (its all about me - its all about what my eyes want, my soul wants, my appetites want, what my pride wants… servanthood crushes that) One should monthly - and honestly more than once a month… but you should be serving in a capacity where you help others less fortunate than you. There are dozens of areas… food pantry, boys club, Prison ministry, Tutor kids, babysit for single parents,  visit a nursing home, Go hand out sandwiches to the homeless, help your church in some serving role, houses for humanity, work at a pet shelter… And part of serving is giving your money and not just your time.      They challenge you to learn discipline and reliance on the Holy Spirit to tame your most powerful, lustful and fleshly desires. If you can't tame your sex drive you will never fully be able to serve God with all your heart. It is the proving ground of truly wanting to be a man of God - more than evangelism and servanthood. If a girl/woman wants to marry a Christian man and he cannot handle is sex drive than he is simply confessing through his actions that his fleshly desires are more important than God and his word.

Today, Michael welcomes renowned speaker, teacher, and multiple #1 New York Times bestselling author, Marianne Williamson. A long-time leader of spiritually progressive circles, Marianne is the author of 16 books, including the bestsellers A Woman's Worth, The Law of Divine Compensation, Tears to Triumph, and The Gift of Change. With her books and online classes, Marianne has taught millions of people the universal spiritual principles at the heart of miracle-minded thinking. She is also a former U.S. Presidential candidate. Her latest book, The Mystic Jesus: The Mind of Love, is available online and at bookstores everywhere. *Plus, find out about Michael's upcoming one-day, live in-person and online event, “New Year's Meditation Reset: The Promise, The Practice & The Possibilities,” on January 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. See the link and details below!* Highlights from Michael and Marianne's conversation include: -Who is the mystic Jesus compared to the traditional, historical Jesus -Why Jesus isn't the “only son of God,” and why no one religion should “monopolize” Jesus -Why certain metaphysical and ‘higher consciousness' communities have tended to keep Jesus out of the conversation, and the importance of embracing his teachings -Unlearning Christian dogma to get to Christ; understanding heaven, hell, the crucifixion, and the resurrection in mystical terms; how to be more loving and finding unity beyond the separateness that appears to be driving society apart; and so much more! Next, Michael leads a guided meditation on waking up to our God-nature and Christ-consciousness. *Are you ready to recalibrate to your highest frequency, align with your highest vision, and step into your full potential in 2025? Join Michael Beckwith for an extraordinary LIVE one-day Intensive—New Year's Meditation Reset: The Promise, The Practice & The Possibilities–happening in-person and online via livestream on Saturday, January 4, 2025, 10 AM - 3:30 PM PT. Click here to register and for more details: https://agapemasterclass.com/2025-new-years-intensive/. Get your copy of “The Mystic Jesus,” find out about Marianne's upcoming events, and follow her here: https://marianne.com/ and on social media.  Subscribe or follow and set an alert to receive notifications each Wednesday when new episodes are available! Connect with Michael at his new website – https://michaelbeckwith.com/ – and receive his guided meditation, “Raise Your Vibration and Be Untouchable” when you sign up to receive occasional updates from Michael!  You can also connect with him at https://agapelive.com/. Facebook: @Michael.B.Beckwith https://www.facebook.com/Michael.B.Beckwith IG: @michaelbbeckwith https://www.instagram.com/michaelbbeckwith/ X:  @drmichaelbb https://twitter.com/drmichaelbb YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqMWuqEKXLY4m60gNDsw61w And as always, deep gratitude to the sponsors of the Take Back Your Mind with Michael B. Beckwith podcast: -Agape International Spiritual Center: https://agapelive.com/ and -NutriRise, the makers of Michael's AdaptoZen products: -Superfood Greens: https://nutririse.com/products/greens-superfood?_pos=1&_sid=2057ecc52&_ss=r -Superfood Reds: https://nutririse.com/products/adaptozen-superfood-reds   -ELEVATE Mushroom Complex: https://nutririse.com/products/elevate-mushroom-complex  -ELEVATE+: Organic Fermented Mushrooms: https://nutririse.com/products/elevate-fermented-mushrooms-powder