Podcast appearances and mentions of john mark comer

We popped ALL the confetti today on the podcast as we celebrate 1,000 episodes! Press play (or hop on over to YouTube to watch the fun) as we walk down memory lane.  Alisa's spills her favorite mic drop moments and also what's next for the podcast. You'll meet super fan Karen Holmes, who has listened to all 1,000 episodes! She's sharing how her God changed her heart through the podcast as she walked to REVING the Words. Here are some of Alisa and Karen's favorite episodes: #699 and #943 with John Eldredge #865 with John Mark Comer #706 with Lisa Bevere #885 with Christoper Cook A huge THANK YOU for tuning in and listening to the show! We wouldn't be here without you. Are you ready to lead others to health and wholeness as a Revelation Fitness Instructor or LiveWell Health Coach? Sign-ups are open now for our fall training! Download a packet here. Get connected: revelationwellness.org | Instagram | YouTube Please consider following this show (and sharing it with a friend), leaving a review, and telling us what you think with a voice message! If you leave us a voice message, be sure to include the episode number. Follow | Leave a Review | Send a Voice Message  

It took decades to form you into the person you are. The stories you've come to believe and the ones you tell yourself over and over. The habits and routines you've come to rely on that define virtually every morning and every night of your life. The circle that you have chosen (or that has chosen you) for influence and connection. These have shaped you.What if you began to believe good, true, and healthy stories about God and yourself? What if your routines became intentionally centered on a faithful future? What if your most important influencers were not instafamous, but people who live in your town who have been formed into the image of Christ?The sermon today is titled "The Slow Fix." This sermon is the fifteenth installment in our series "Follow Me," and is the fourth in the sub-series "More Like Jesus." The Scripture reading is from Hebrews 12:1 (ESV). Originally preached at West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on June 15, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Formation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):John Mark Comer, Practicing The Way.Tim Keller, "The Runner." Sermon April 12, 2005.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

"Information alone does not produce transformation." John Mark Comer cannot be more right. Whether it's our willpower, our knowledge, or counting on a sudden zap from God, we need something more, something better, something of heaven.The sermon today is titled "Three Losing Strategies." This sermon is the fourteenth installment in our series "Follow Me," and is the third in the sub-series "More Like Jesus." The Scripture reading is from Colossians 2:20-23 (ESV). Originally preached at West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on June 8, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Formation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):John Mark Comer, Practicing The Way.Acorn analogy borrowed from Tim Keller.The "Just Try Harder Heresy" line taken from Monte Cox, former preaching minister for the Downtown Church of Christ (Searcy, AR).I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

"There are no accidental saints. You can't just slip your hand up at the end of a sermon. It's a high bar of entry: It will require you to reorder your entire life around following Jesus as your undisputed top priority, over your job, your money, your reputation - over everything. Yet all these things will find their rightful place once integrated into a life of apprenticeship.” -- John Mark Comer, Practicing The WayThe sermon today is titled "No Accidental Saints." This sermon is the thirteenth installment in our series "Follow Me," and is the second in the sub-series "More Like Jesus." The Scripture reading is from Matthew 7:24-27 (ESV). Originally preached at West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on June 1, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Formation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):John Mark Comer, Practicing The Way.David Brooks, The Road To Character.Sports stories taken from here.Matthew Crowe, "No Accidental Saints." Sermon at the Goodman Oaks Church of Christ.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

On this episode of Captivated, Stasi invites the delightful Annie F. Downs into the studio for an honest conversation about walking with Jesus and how deeply we are held by Him—every season of our lives. They explore rhythms of rest, the gift of Sabbath, and the invitation to trust God's timing even when it's difficult to see the full picture. From winter's waiting to summer's work, they share about the beauty of every season and the joy of partnering with Christ. If you're feeling stuck, longing for rest, or simply needing encouragement, join us as we lean into God's goodness together.…..SHOW NOTES:…..VERSES: Romans 14:8 (NIV) – If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.Psalm 100:3 (NIV) – Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Matthew 25:21 (NIV) – “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'Isaiah 30:21 (NIV) – Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Psalm 16:6 (NIV) – The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.  John 10:3–4 (NIV) – The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.John 10:27 (NIV) – My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.Revelation 19:11–16 (NIV) – (here, v.11) I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.Genesis 2:2–3 (NIV) – By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.Mark 2:27 (NIV) – Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.…..ANNIE F. DOWNS Website: www.anniefdowns.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/anniefdownsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/anniefdownsYouTube: https://wahe.art/4ilzU6HThat Sounds Like Fun Podcast:  https://www.anniefdowns.com/thatsoundsfun/ANNIE F. DOWNS BIOAnnie F. Downs is a New York Times bestselling author, sought-after speaker, and successful podcast host based in Nashville, TN. Known for her engaging and honest style, Annie makes readers and listeners feel like long-time friends. She is the co-founder of the That Sounds Fun Network, home to her flagship podcast with over 100 million downloads, That Sounds Fun and creator of Single Purpose League, a community for single women to discover friendship, hope, and a life of purpose. With over one million books sold, Annie's catalog includes bestselling That Sounds Fun, 100 Days to Brave, and Remember God. She invites listeners and readers alike to experience fulfilled lives with a God who made them on purpose and loves them deeply. Learn more at www.anniefdowns.com.ANNIE'S BOOKS:Where Did TJ Go by Annie F. Downs and Tatum Green  https://wheredidtjgo.com/Find all of Annie's books, here: https://www.anniefdowns.com/books/…..RESOURCESGarden City: Work, Rest, and the Art of Being Human by John Mark Comer  https://amzn.to/4j0SWiL24/6: A Prescription for a Healthier, Happier Life by Dr. Matthew Sleeth  https://amzn.to/41KEPacSabbath: The Ancient Practices by Dr. Dan B. Allender https://amzn.to/4hHXyt3…..Don't Miss Out on the Next Episode—Subscribe for FreeSubscribe using your favorite podcast app:YouTube: https://wahe.art/4jFlAXuSpotify Podcasts – https://spoti.fi/42SsOipApple Podcasts – https://apple.co/42E0oZ1 Google Podcasts – http://wahe.art/3M81kxLAmazon Music & Audible – https://amzn.to/3M9u6hJ

A Critique of Practicing the Way, Part 7 - Jesus is the One and Only, presented by Bob DeWaay and Barb Gretch. We discuss the informal logical fallacies of equivocation and false equivalence and show how John Mark Comer uses these in the book regarding the terms "disciple" and "apprentice." We can't be an apprentice of Jesus because He is unique--the one and only. (duration 00:20:46) Click here to play

"A disciple is not above his teacher," said our master; "but everyone when he is fully trained will be LIKE his teacher" (Luke 6:40). In the past, we were predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom 8:29). In the present, we are being changed into His likeness by the Spirit (2 Cor 3:18). In the future, we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him in a fullness we can only dream of (1 John 3:2). In this podcast, we ask what it means to be "formed" into His likeness.The sermon today is titled "Spiritual Formation." This sermon is the twelfth installment in our series "Follow Me," and is the first in the sub-series "More Like Jesus." The Scripture reading is from Luke 6:40 (ESV). Originally preached at West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on May 25, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Formation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):John Mark Comer, Practicing The Way.James K. A. Smith, You Are What You Love.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

Yes, you are in.  People do peoplish things.  Got the pull to share more.  BTW, if you dig that opening hook that is Marcus Rogers, Best Life, please buy, support his music, here you go...Thanks for listening.  If worthy, thank you so much for sharing.  FriDudes are in the Hope and Encouragement business.  Last time, I checked, yes, this broken, frustrating planet needs some more Hope.So people do peoplish things, Rom 3:23.  Where I got the pull was 'Practicing the Way'.  Great book and teaching series by John Mark Comer.  If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, this one's for you.  If not, you are off the hook.  People may do peoplish things, including you, yet that doesn't give us an unlimited card to do whatever you want...well at least if you call yourself a Christian.One, you are not allowed to hate anybody.  Matt 22: 36-40You are to forgive everybody.  Matthew 6:14-15 New Living Translation (NLT)“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.You are to do kind things for your enemies.  Matthew 5:44 (NLT)But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!Odds are you have some work to do if you want to call yourself a Follower of Christ.  Me too.  Truth, we will until the day we die.  As we approach each day closer to death, for it is certain, Rom 6:23.  We will no longer strive to please this broken planet.  We best be pleasing our Creator before we meet.  Rom 14:12I am not perfect.  So don't expect perfection from me.  Yet, you should expect that I'm striving to be more Christ like each day.  If you were to ask my wife, kids, loved ones, neighbors, co-workers, etc., they should tell you that I was loving and caring.  Honoring Matt 22: 36-40.  They should also tell you that I loved God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.  They best know the reason why I love them through their flaws too. So how about you?  You are not alone.  I'm not picking on you. I'm trying to encourage you to step your game up.  For if you do, your heart will overflow.  Not my design.  Your creator's.If you haven't yet, check out John Mark Comer's book, Practicing the Way.  If you are in a small group, excellent, hold each other lovingly accountable.  Oh bonus, you can find our Small Group Best Practice Guide on our latest post at FriDudes.com, here's the link...https://www.fridudes.com/post/dudes-guide-for-small-group-engagement-and-growthNow go, love God, love others, take at least one step forward each day on being more Christ-like.  

A Critique of Practicing the Way, Part 5 - Diminishing the Uniqueness of Christ, presented by Bob DeWaay and Barb Gretch. John Mark Comer claims that we can "do as Jesus did." Bob DeWaay shows that to "do as He did" assumes that you have to "be who He is." We cannot do what Jesus did - He is completely unique. We are called to do what He commanded, not to do what He did. (duration 00:21:58) Click here to play

In this introspective episode, Jackie invites listeners to explore a foundational question: What is your native way of being in the world? Rather than diving straight into behavior or belief, she challenges us to uncover our truest self—our Imago Dei—before the world told us who we should be.She introduces the concept of a rule of life, not as a rigid list of dos and don'ts, but as a gentle structure or trellis that supports spiritual growth rooted in who we truly are. Drawing from ancient Christian practices, the Desert Mothers and Fathers, the Rule of St. Benedict, and modern voices like John Mark Comer and Parker Palmer, Jackie suggests that a life of flourishing begins with reclaiming our birthright self.Jackie shares her own journey, reflecting that her native way of being is captured in the word WITH—a value that has shown up across her life in relationships, presence, and ministry. She encourages listeners to consider what has always been true about themselves, especially before the pressures of performance, ego, or cultural roles set in.This episode blends spiritual reflection with practical tools, offering questions for personal discovery and inviting listeners to create a rule of life rooted in their truest identity, not their striving. It's an empowering reminder that we aren't here to manufacture a holy life but to live from the goodness already woven into us.Links for the episodeJohn Mark Comer, https://www.practicingtheway.org/Parker Palmer, Let Your Life Speak https://www.amazon.com/Let-Your-Life-Speak-Listening/dp/0787947350Three Questions: Take a moment to think about who you were before the world told you who you should be. What do you think is your native way of being—who you've always been at your core? If you were exactly the same person you were at age 7—but grown—what would still be true about you? What's stayed unchanged about how you move through the world? Take a breath and think of a moment when you felt most yourself. Not performing. Not proving. Just present. What did that version of you feel like?

Segment 1 • Expository preaching is drifting toward dry, academic lectures instead of soul-stirring truth. • Modern sermons often explain grammar and context but fail to spotlight Jesus. • The goal isn't just to educate minds but to ignite hearts with the beauty of Christ. Segment 2 • Too many pulpits aim for precision but miss power—biblical preaching should pierce the heart. • Reformers preached experientially, not mechanically—90% application, 10% exegesis. • Every sermon must ask: “Does this help me love Christ more?” Segment 3 • In 1805, missionaries signed the Serampore Agreement—still reshaping missions today. • Carey called us to treasure lost souls and learn their world to reach their hearts. • If we don't understand Gen Z's language and idols, we'll fail to evangelize them. Segment 4 • Tim Challies reviews John Mark Comer's latest book—filled with mystical practices and a deficient gospel. • Comer trades “Jesus crucified” for “live like Jesus”—but behavior can't save. • When mindfulness replaces repentance, the church loses the real gospel. – Preorder the new book, Lies My Therapist Told Me, by Fortis Institute Fellow Dr. Greg Gifford now! https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/liesmytherapisttoldme – Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

As we take a break from our regular devo series, we are offering a trip into archives and sharing a collection of some of our most meaningful messages designed to encourage and guide you in your daily devotion with Jesus. So, feel free to engage in a way that speaks to you whether through journaling, prayer, or sharing with a friend. Join in and keep growing!

In this teaching, John Mark Comer reflects on Colossians 3v15, inviting Followers of Jesus to “let the peace of Christ rule” in the core of their being. He shares his personal journey with anxiety and how cultivating inner peace is essential for living a life of love in a troubled world. Through Scripture and wisdom from church history, he reminds us that true peace is not the absence of conflict but a gift from God available to us now, even amid chaos. https://bridgetown.church/teaching

We check in on your reading for the year with Reading Restless. We talk about the principles to of how to read things you will disagree with and why. Matt uncharitably reviews John Mark Comer. We discuss things we disagree with and have various levels of appreciation for. 'There is still time to join in this year. Check the reading list here.  And there is no easier place to start than with a book for children. Restless would love your support on patreon. Join our patreon for bonus episodes every single week! You can follow this podcast all over the internet. twitter,   instagram.    or facebook Or email us at restlesspodcasting@gmail.com

Send me a one-way text about this episode! I'll give you a shout out or answer your question on a future episode.Today, we are wrapping up our series on Rhythms & Routines with a piece written  by former guest, Alecia Doty. Based on the Doty Family Plan she and her husband created, Alecia regularly creates a personal mission plan, or Rule of Life, informed the Word of God, to help her set and keep personal priorities in order. In this article, Alecia explains what a Rule of Life is and gives some pointers on how to create one. I follow up with some examples from a past rule of life plan that she shared with AoH readers. You can access Alecia's full example and a blank version for your plan at theartofhomepodcast.com/ruleoflifeNOTES & LINKSMore on Rule of Life from John Mark Comer https://practicingthewayarchives.org/unhurrying-with-a-rule-of-life/workbookSpiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald WhitneySupport the showHOMEMAKING RESOURCES Free Weekly Newsletter, Homemaker Happy Mail Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum Newsletter Archive JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide Audio Newsletter available to Titus 2 Woman monthly supporters SUPPORT & CONNECT Review | Love The Podcast Contact | Voicemail |Instagram | Facebook | Website | Email Follow | Follow The Podcast Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support

Our series Practicing the Way, inspired by John Mark Comer, invites us to become true apprentices of Jesus. If Jesus is the Way, then the practices we follow are not the goal themselves—but pathways to deeper connection with Him.

John Mark Comer's Practicing the Way has become a Christian bestseller since its publication last year.It's part of a new wave of books focusing on the ‘spiritual disciplines'.This week, our hosts delve into what these disciplines are and how we can approach them in a biblical manner.Author Alex Sosler then joins the show to discuss modern approaches to discipleship, before our hosts review the hit Netflix docudrama Apple Cider Vinegar.

Bryan is the co-founder and chief e-commerce officer at Simple Modern. Simple Modern is a digitally native brand, having sold 50 million bottles in less than 10 years and did $250M in 2024. Simple Modern has grown into a category leader in all 50 states and eight countries around the world, making products that are good everywhere.Highlight Bullets> Here's a glimpse of what you would learn…. Overview of Simple Modern's growth and success in the drinkware market.Discussion of the company's journey from inception in 2015 to achieving $250 million in gross revenue in 2024.Importance of product quality and innovative design in driving brand success.Strategic decisions made by Simple Modern, including focus on drinkware and partnerships with major retailers.Challenges faced by the company, particularly in cash flow management and manufacturing defects.The role of effective marketing strategies, including leveraging social media platforms like TikTok.Insights on the significance of competition in the drinkware market and its impact on brand awareness.The value of strong relationships with manufacturers and partners in navigating business challenges.Emphasis on data-driven decision-making and quick feedback cycles in e-commerce.Advice for entrepreneurs on resilience, adaptability, and maintaining a long-term focus in a competitive landscape.In this episode of the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast, host Josh Hadley interviews Bryan Porter, co-founder and Chief E-commerce Officer of Simple Modern. They discuss Simple Modern's impressive journey from its inception in 2015 to achieving $250 million in gross revenue by 2024. Bryan shares insights into the strategic decisions that propelled the brand to success, including a focus on product quality, innovative design, and effective marketing. He emphasizes the importance of strong partnerships, cash flow management, and resilience in overcoming challenges. This episode offers valuable lessons for business owners aiming to scale their e-commerce ventures to new heights.Here are the 3 action items that Josh identified from this episode:Master Cash Flow EarlyHire a strong CFO and explore flexible financing options—like delayed tax payments or supplier credit—to avoid growth bottlenecks.Double Down on Key PartnershipsBuild deep, win-win relationships with select manufacturers to secure favorable terms and reduce inventory pressure.Always Be Amazon-ReadyKnow the pros and cons of 1P vs. 3P selling, and have a solid contingency plan to handle unexpected platform disruptions.Resources & Links SectionEcomm BreakthroughAmazonTikTok ShopTargetWalmartWhole FoodsDisneyFBA (Fulfillment by Amazon)Vendor CentralSiena AISimple ModernPracticing the Way by John Mark Comer on AmazonThe Operators on YouTubeBryan Porter on LinkedInBryan Porter on TwitterSpecial Mention(s):Adam “Heist” Runquist on LinkedInKevin King on LinkedInMichael E. Gerber on LinkedInRelated Episode(s):“Cracking the Amazon Code: Learn From Adam Heist's Brand Scaling Secrets” on the eComm Breakthrough Podcast“Kevin King's Wicked-Smart Tips for Building an Audience of Raving Fans” on the eComm Breakthrough Podcast“Unlocking Entrepreneurial Greatness | Insider Secrets With E-myth Author Michael Gerber” on the eComm Breakthrough PodcastEpisode SponsorSponsor for this episode...This episode is brought to you by eComm Breakthrough Consulting where I help seven-figure e-commerce owners grow to eight figures. I started Hadley Designs in 2015 and grew it to an eight-figure brand in seven years.I made mistakes along the way that made the path to eight figures longer. At times I doubted whether our business could even survive and become a real brand. I wish I would have had a guide to help me grow faster and avoid the stumbling blocks.If you've hit a plateau and want to know the next steps to take your business to the next level, then go to www.EcommBreakthrough.com (that's Ecomm with two M's) to learn more.Transcript AreaJosh Hadley 00:00:00  Welcome to the Ecomm Breakthrough podcast. I'm your host, Josh Hadley, where I interview the top business leaders in e-commerce. Past guests include Kevin King, Aaron Cordovez and Michael E Gerber, author of the E-myth. Today I am speaking with Bryan Porter. Bryan is the co-founder and chief e-commerce officer at Simple Modern. Simple modern is a digitally native brand, having sold over 50 million bottles in less than ten years, and they did 250 million. You heard that right. $250 million in gross revenue in 2024. Simple. Modern has grown into a category leader ...

George Janko, Russell Brand—what do we do with popular influencers who are on a public faith journey? In this episode, I share my honest thoughts on the rise of online Christian voices, the risks of platforming spiritual newbies, and why discernment is so critical for believers—especially those still learning biblical truth. I'm not here to cancel anyone, but I am here to help you think critically about who you're letting disciple you. I bring on my friend, Vanessa Hunt, to discuss the problems with John Mark Comer. We unpack the red flags in his theology and sources, and explore why his books have become the top picks for Christian discipleship. This episode runs longer than usual—but it's a must-listen. Find Vanessa At The Picket Fence  Find Shanda www.shandafulbright.com Instagram & Facebook: @shandafulbright Email: hello@shandafulbright.com Free Resources: https://shandafulbright.com/links YouTube: http://bit.ly/ShandaYT2021 Store: www.Shandafulbright.com/shop  

This week on the No Regrets Leadership Podcast, Nate is joined by Troy Thomas from Crossway Church teaching team for a meaningful conversation on discipleship and connecting with the next generation. Together, they explore the challenges and opportunities of reaching young men in today's church and how spiritual formation is about more than just teaching—it's about doing. Troy shares how his journey has been centered around making disciples who make disciples, influenced by the writings of Greg Ogden, Dallas Willard, Eugene Peterson, and John Mark Comer. He unpacks the deeper dynamics of how men relate, addressing the widespread loneliness among men and the longing for authentic connection.  Troy offers tactical insight into how older men can build meaningful relationships with younger generations. Resources Mentioned: Discipleship Essentials: A Guide to Building Your Life in Christ by Greg Ogden Crossways Church - https://www.crosswayc.org Listen in to be encouraged and equipped to reach and disciple the next generation of men.

When I read John Mark Comer's "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry," I was excited to see how his approach to clothing aligns with my philosophy. Wardrobe simplicity eliminates hurry and restores peace by removing unnecessary decisions from your day, allowing you to focus on what truly matters. In this episode, I share four essential questions to ask before any purchase and I explain why having fewer, better garments creates space for what truly matters. The American expectation that women should rarely repeat outfits doesn't just clutter our closets—it complicates our mornings and clouds our minds. This week's episode includes a practical challenge: Create your two favorite outfits for the current season and experience the liberation that comes when wardrobe decisions become effortless. What's the fewest number of outfits you could get by with? #SignatureStyleSystems #WardrobeSimplicity #EliminateHurry #IntentionalLiving Let's connect! Are you a DIYer? Grab the workbook: The Wardrobe Pyramid and discover what clothes you really need for your lifestyle. Want to learn more about how to discover your Style DNA? Visit my website. To suggest a podcast topic, send email to hello@signaturestylesystems.com. Download the free guide - Discover Your Style DNA: A Guide to Seasonal Energy & Personality Colors.

Show Notes -https://homeofgraceforwomen.com/The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer - https://www.amazon.com/Ruthless-Elimination-Hurry-Emotionally-Spiritually/dp/0525653090/ref=asc_df_0525653090?mcid=d3a03884a3af3452a555694881f4af9c&hvocijid=3611855945108953193-0525653090-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3611855945108953193&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012934&hvtargid=pla-2281435175938&psc=1

Ben Chase concludes our series on Scripture. This series comes from the Practicing The Way resources by John Mark Comer. Sunday 6th April, 2025.

In this Episode Derry Breaks down 3 principles to avoiding burnout. From Self-Awareness, to Working Genius to Sabbathing Well this episode has it all! Derry's take on Vacationing is worth the entire episode.

Muito bem, muito bem, muito bem, está no ar mais um BTCast, o seu podcast de Bíblia e teologia! No episódio de hoje, Rodrigo Bibo conversa com Bruno Maroni, Amanda Centeno, e Pedro Felizola sobre discipulado para a vida cristã, a partir do livro “Praticando o Caminho”, do autor John Mark Comer. Nesse livro, somos […] O conteúdo de Praticando o caminho – BTCast 599 é uma produção do Bibotalk - Teologia é nosso esporte!.

Muito bem, muito bem, muito bem, está no ar mais um BTCast, o seu podcast de Bíblia e teologia! No episódio de hoje, Rodrigo Bibo conversa com Bruno Maroni, Amanda Centeno, e Pedro Felizola sobre discipulado para a vida cristã, a partir do livro “Praticando o Caminho”, do autor John Mark Comer. Nesse livro, somos […] O conteúdo de Praticando o caminho – BTCast 599 é uma produção do Bibotalk - Teologia é nosso esporte!.

Ben Chase continues our series on Scripture. This series comes from the Practicing The Way resources by John Mark Comer. Sunday 30th March, 2025.

Who doesn't love a best-of episode, right? Today, we're presenting the ultimate collection of life hacks to help you thrive. From staying focused to making better decisions, slowing down, and savoring life's joys, you're in for a treat.   Michael Hyatt, John Mark Comer, Andy Stanley, and Kendra Adachi will share their incredible wisdom. We'll discuss eliminating distractions, focusing on what truly matters, embracing rest in a hurried world, and asking the right questions to avoid future regrets.   And that's not all—we're tackling prioritizing like a pro and starting small as you build a life you love. Trust me, this episode? It's a total game-changer. So grab a cozy spot, and let's dive in together! Timestamps: (02:20) - Limiting Distractions and Focusing on Growth with Michael Hyatt (10:28) - Unhurry Your  Life with John Mark Comer (22:38) - Asking the Right Questions with Andy Stanley (31:25) - Choosing What Matters and Starting Small with Kendra Adachi   WATCH ALLI  ON YOUTUBE   I hope you loved this episode!

Dallas Willard challenges us to "ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life." John Mark Comer was so moved by this line, he titled his book "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry." We wonder why we can't hear the voice of God, or find his presence in the busy-ness of life. Perhaps the still, small voice still speaks in those inner rooms and deserted places Jesus chose to frequent throughout his life. Could it be that "doing more" is actually standing in the way of "being with"?The sermon today is titled "Wasting Time With God." It is the eighth installment in our series "Follow Me", and the fourth in the sub-series "Be With Jesus." The Scripture reading is from Luke 10:38-42 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 23, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Formation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):John Mark Comer, Practicing the Way.Rich Villodas, The Deeply Formed Life.Luke Timothy Johnson, Luke (Sacra Pagina).Tim Keller, "With the Anxious" (Feb 9, 1997).Eric Pickersgill Photos.Jonathan Storment, "Rise & Shine" (notes from this sermon), preached at Pleasant Valley Church of Christ; generously provided by Jonathan; used with permission.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

EPISODE 458 | Overcoming Elder Syndrome: The Prodigal Who Never LeftThis week on IGNITE Radio Live, we're taking a deep breath—literally. We begin by sharing the incredible impact of our Lenten Live IT series with couples in our home, journeying through John Mark Comer's The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. This week's focus on Sabbath challenged us to slow down, rest, and reconnect with God and each other in ways that truly restore the soul.We also take a moment to honor the unsung heroes of the home—stay-at-home moms—with a special gift we're calling “Beverage, Book, and a Time to Breathe” at our favorite local spot, Novel Blends in Bowling Green. The first ten moms to email Greg@MassImpact.us will receive a drink, a moment of peace, and a copy of my new book, Twelve Roses—a moving story of redemption and hope.We've launched a daily "LIVE IT TODAY" reflection on the daily Gospel, available as early as 6am every day HERE, which is already tracking in the hundreds!Then, we go deep into the Gospel with a powerful episode titled: “Overcoming Elder Syndrome: The Prodigal Who Never Left.”We unpack the five hidden facets of the older brother in Jesus' parable—how many devout, faithful Catholics might be spiritually close but emotionally far from the Father's heart. It's a wake-up call for those of us doing all the “right” things, but missing the joy, mercy, and intimacy at the heart of the Gospel.Tune in. Be refreshed. Be challenged. Be transformed.OUR MISSION: We're uniting families in building the Kingdom. Over the past ten years, thousands have been blessed by a "family roadmap." We've been united in gathering in our respective homes every week to talk and pray using a fun, meaningful "Live IT Gathering Guide" based on subsequent Sunday readings. Get your free LIT Guide at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ILoveMyFamily.us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or the Live IT App at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠http://MassImpact.us/APP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.We would be so grateful for your prayers, engagement, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Partnership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.GO: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://MassImpact.us/PARTNER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We are a full-time missionary movement 100% dependent upon your prayers and financial partnership.SUPPORT OUR MISSION BY USING OUR AMAZON BUTTON⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/461FFAT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BUY ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GREG'S BOOKS HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Twelve Roses" 12 Messages. ONE LIFE.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/4gX4Glu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"The Magnificent Piglets of Pigletsville: Our Present-Day Plight Wrapped in a Fairytale"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3KIX87x⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IF YOU'RE A CATHOLIC MAN interested in missioned friendships marked by the hearts of men united in striving to build the Kingdom. GO:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://Pentecost365.us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SUPPORT CATHOLIC BUSINESSES and leaders committed to professional excellence and building the Kingdom. GO: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://MassImpact.us/KINGDOM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Oh, Most Holy Spirit, come and IGNITE the Great FIRE of Your Love! Set it ABLAZE in our minds and hearts!#Friendship #Mission #Catholic #Marriage #Family #ilovemyfamily #ThyKingdomCome #christian #home #faith #children #virtue #holiness #funny #inspiring #love #parents #happiness #heaven #politics #culture

Christian Franklin our series on Scripture. This series comes from the Practicing The Way resources by John Mark Comer. Sunday 23rd March, 2025.

How can we practice the presence of God? By abiding in the vine.The sermon today is titled "The Habit of Abiding in God." It is the sixth installment in our series "Follow Me", and the second in the sub-series "Be With Jesus." The Scripture reading is from John 15:1-11 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 9, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Formation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):John Mark Comer, Practicing the Way.Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God.Tim Keller, "Grow in Grace" (Jan 5, 1992).Tim Keller, "The Vinedresser" (Jan 12, 1992).Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline.Jonathan Storment, "Rise & Shine" (notes from this sermon), preached at Pleasant Valley Church of Christ; generously provided by Jonathan; used with permission.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

What if the reward for following Jesus...is Jesus? What if gazing upon the beauty of the Lord was its own reward? Welcome to the power of contemplative prayer.The sermon today is titled "The Reward For Being With Jesus." It is the seventh installment in our series "Follow Me", and the third in the sub-series "Be With Jesus." The Scripture reading is from Psalm 63:1-8 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 16, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Formation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):John Mark Comer, Practicing the Way.Sam Wells, A Nazareth Manifesto.Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

We've recently talked about the seismic shifts happening in today's culture. That's why this week, we decided to dig up an older episode on this very topic. A few years back, Patrick sat down with John Mark Comer to discuss the state of Christianity in the culture. John Mark, author and pastor, shares his story of how he started following Jesus. Then you'll hear John Mark and Patrick dive right into topics such as the meaning of evangelicalism, especially in current times, and the problem with celebrity culture and Christianity. They also give insights into the cultural shifts challenging faithfulness to Jesus and how we can move forward. Whether you heard it already or not, it's a great listen! Have you read "Joyful Outsiders" yet? It's available now! Learn more, read a sample chapter, and grab your own copy here: https://joyfuloutsiders.com/ Ok, truth time... Did you like this episode? Tell us by leaving a rating or review!

Send us a Text Message - include your name!In this episode, Pastor Eric and Pastor Andy take an unhurried, winding path toward a conversation about John Mark Comer, the new charismatic movement, and the weight of life itself. There's a weariness in their voices—not the kind that shuts down conversation, but the kind that makes room for something real. Stripped of pretense, their words carry the quiet strength of men who know both struggle and hope. What unfolds isn't just a discussion; it's an honest moment, an invitation to sit in the tension, listen closely, and seek Jesus right in the midst of it all. Support the showSUPPORT THE SHOW BEYOND SUBSCRIPTIONS1. CASH APP2. Justgive"Faith Over Breakfast with Pastors Andy & Eric" is a weekly podcast where Pastors Andy and Eric come together over a imaginary delicious breakfast to talk about faith, food, sermons, culture, and more. In each episode, the pastors delve into thought-provoking topics and offer inspiring insights and practical guidance for those seeking to deepen their relationship with Jesus. With occasional guests joining the conversation, "Faith Over Breakfast with Pastors Andy & Eric" provides a unique perspective on what it means to live a life of faith in today's world. Whether you're a seasoned Christian or just starting on your faith journey, this podcast is the perfect companion for your morning routine. So join Pastors Andy and Eric each week as they explore the intersections of faith, food, and life over a delicious breakfast.Support:https://www.buzzsprout.com/97804/support

We are good at working for or being for others. But maybe we need to learn how to “be with.”The sermon today is titled "Being With." It is the fifth installment in our series "Follow Me", and the first in the sub-series "Be With Jesus." The Scripture reading is from Mark 3:13-15 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 2, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Formation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):John Mark Comer, Practicing the Way.Sam Wells, A Nazareth Manifesto: Being With God.Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline.Jonathan Storment, "Rise & Shine" (notes from this sermon), preached at Pleasant Valley Church of Christ; generously provided by Jonathan; used with permission.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

When I watch porn, when I relapse, when I wander, when I make mistakes... in the middle of my sin, how does God really feel about me?Resources mentioned in this episode:Inheritance: Message by Graham Cooke (video)God Has A Name, by John Mark Comer (book; paid link)How Jesus Reverses The Curse (podcast)Here are a few of the Bible passages we talked about:Matthew 3:13-4:11John 15:9Romans 5:81 John 2:1Psalm 103Luke 15Support the showTake the Husband Material Journey... Step 1: Listen to this podcast or watch on YouTube Step 2: Join the private Husband Material Community Step 3: Take the free mini-course: How To Outgrow Porn Step 4: Try the all-in-one program: Husband Material Academy Thanks for listening!

Ben Chase kicks off our series on Scripture. This series comes from the Practicing The Way resources by John Mark Comer. Sunday 16th March, 2025.

We tend to think of our baptism as our day of choosing. But today...and every day...will we choose Christ or ourselves?The sermon today is titled "A Time For Choosing." It is the fourth installment in our series "Follow Me." The Scripture reading is from Joshua 24:15 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 23, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Formation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):John Mark Comer, Practicing the Way.Nathan Guy, "Disagreeing Well." HealthyTheology.Jonathan Storment, "Saving the Saved" (notes from this sermon) & "Failure to Launch" (notes from this sermon), both preached at Pleasant Valley Church of Christ; generously provided by Jonathan; used with permission.Chairs illustration adapted from Rick Atchley. See his original here.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

Segment 1: • Fast that lasts forever? Todd discusses the issue of modern-day gossip and judgment on social media. • Christian gossip and judgment: Steve Lawson's fall, apology, and how social media handles issues. • Living without gossip: Should we fast from internet talebearing and refrain from passing judgment? Segment 2: • Personal experiences with chronic pain: Tim Challies' insights on deep grief and long-term pain. • Greg Gifford's book: The launch of “Lies My Therapist Told Me” is discussed and ready for pre-order. • Addiction's roots: Todd emphasizes how your brain doesn't make you call your drug dealer. Segment 3: • Illustrations and clarity: Todd reflects on John Mark Comer's new book “Practicing the Way.” • Danger of overregulation: Avoid turning personal preferences into laws and make sure our core focus stays on the gospel. • Free will and sin: Discussing the tension between free will, sin, and God's role in human suffering. Segment 4: • Women and sterilization: Discusses the alarming trend of young women choosing sterilization after political influences. • Politicians' impact on young minds: How fear and confusion about future generations are affecting decisions on family planning. • Letter to an unborn child: A letter from a terrified woman who regrets the choices made regarding family. ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

After watching all 25 hours of Jennie Allen's self proclaimed "new move of God",Gather25, I put together my assessment of this global church gathering to give you what I thought were the good, bad, and ugly things presented.Additional Resources:Fighting for the Faith on John Mark Comer's Creational Monotheism teachings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4wVG3nA9K0CANA on John Mark Comer's "God Has a Name": https://www.christiananswersnewage.com/article/john-mark-comers-god-has-a-name-is-this-the-god-of-the-bibleDaniel C's Documentary on Todd White: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEggNSFUbXg&t=2sMay this episode expose the false teaching entering the church and bring glory to God. To access the podcast, blog, and other resources go to the Thoroughly Equipped website @ ⁠ttew.org⁠ Follow me on Facebook & Instagram:https://www.facebook.com/TEWMelbaToast ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoroughlyequipped316/ ⁠ Christian Podcast Community: ⁠ Christianpodcastcommunity.org⁠ Striving For Eternity Ministries: https://strivingforeternity.org/To watch Thoroughly Equipped with no ads subscribe to the podcast/channel at https://lets.church/channel/ThoroughlyEquipped

In this week's episode, Brian Russell reflects on how to think about and surrender into a time of spiritual growth during the season of Lent and beyond. He shares from his own experiences as well as from the wisdom of John Mark Comer, Dallas Willard, JR Woodward, John Wooden, AJ Sherrill, and Martyn Lloyd–Jones. Resources Mentioned by Brian "How a Rule of Life Helps Your Growth in Love for God and Neighbor" https://youtu.be/r98dPPZARH0 John Mark Comer, Practicing the Way  https://amzn.to/4kr6GV9 Interview with JR Woodward https://youtu.be/58De8PsisLg Interview with AJ Sherrill https://youtu.be/-OfQ3IQbA78 AJ Sherrill, The Enneagram for Spiritual Formation: How Knowing Ourselves Can Make Us More Like Jesus (2020) https://amzn.to/36hezJj Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines https://amzn.to/41vi4GU   Sign up for Brian's Monthly Update: www.brianrussellphd.com Brian Russell's Books Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3uuWCoQ    Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God's Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ    (Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9 Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/   Join Brian's Monthly free centering prayer gathering: www.centeringprayerbook.com   Connecting with Brian:  Website: www.brianrussellphd.com  Twitter: @briandrussell  Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife  Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group?  Email: brian@brianrussellphd.com  Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.    

Segment 1: • The President's speech to Congress was more theater than substance. • What does it mean for a country to be great? It's about more than economics. • Biblical imprecatory psalms give permission to pray against evil deeds, similar to Jesus' rebukes of the Pharisees. Segment 2: • Todd, under the weather, provides updates on upcoming events like Dr. Jason Lisle's talk and Tim Challies' webinar. • Interesting article reveals the share of U.S. Christians is stabilizing after years of decline • Methodist denomination, once dominant, now sees waning influence. People are craving more depth in faith. Segment 3: • John Crotts' podcast is in the top 5% worldwide, with listeners tuning into the “Integrated” show. • The need to integrate truth and life is critical—especially in light of movements like John Mark Comer's. • Preaching love has become overcorrected—balance is key in teaching true Christianity. Segment 4: • Thousands of churches are using Jon Mark Comer's teachings, but are they truly biblical? • Comer's system can't heal wounds; it stops performing when people need it most. • The idea that God can change His mind at any moment is a misleading and dangerous theological stance. ___ Preorder the new book, Lies My Therapist Told Me, by Fortis Institute Fellow Dr. Greg Gifford now! https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/liesmytherapisttoldme  ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

255. Redeeming Our Time with Jordan Raynor   “But as for you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.” 2 Chronicles 15:7 AMP   **Transcription Below**   Jordan Raynor is a leading voice of the faith and work movement. Through his bestselling books (The Sacredness of Secular Work, Redeeming Your Time, The Creator in You, and The Royal in You.), keynote speeches, podcasts, and devotionals, Jordan has helped millions of Christians in every country on earth connect the gospel to their work.    In addition to his writing and speaking, Jordan serves as the Executive Chairman of Threshold 360, a venture-backed tech startup which Jordan previously ran as CEO following a string of successful ventures of his own.    Questions and Topics We Cover: 1. What does it look like, practically, to live on earth as it is in Heaven? 2. From your time studying of the Bible, do you find a difference in how our call to work applies to both men and women?  3. What are some ways we can pass along this wisdom to our children?   Other Episode Mentioned from The Savvy Sauce: Stewarding Technology for More Intentional Relationships  with Joey Odom Related Episodes on The Savvy Sauce: Being Intentional with Marriage, Parenting, Rest, Personal development, and Leadership with Pastor, Podcaster, and Author, Jeff Henderson Practical Life Tips with Blogger, Rach Kincaid Implementing Bite-Size Habits That Will Change Your Life with Author, Blogger, Podcaster, and Speaker, Kat Lee Fruitful with Laura Dugger Ordering Your Priorities with Kat Lee Living Intentionally with Shunta Grant Cultivate What Matters in 2021 with Emily Thomas Rhythms of Renewal with Gabe and Rebekah Lyons Divine Productivity with Matt Perman Why Limits Are Good For Us with Kelly Kapic   Thank You to Our Sponsor:  Sam Leman Eureka   Connect with The Savvy Sauce Our Website, Instagram or Facebook    Please help us out by sharing this episode with a friend, leaving a 5-star rating and review, and subscribing to this podcast!   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV)   Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   **Transcription**   [00:00:00]   Laura Dugger: Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.    [00:00:18]   Laura Dugger: The principles of honesty and integrity that Sam Leman founded his business on continue today over 55 years later at Sam Leman Chevrolet Eureka. Owned and operated by the Bertschi family, Sam Leman in Eureka appreciates the support they've received from their customers all over central Illinois and beyond. Visit them today at Lemangm.com.    I am pleased to get to introduce you to my guest, author, speaker, entrepreneur, Jesus lover, and family man, Jordan Raynor. We're going to discuss what God's word has to say about topics such as the afterlife and then what that means now for how we spend our time and what work we get to do both as men and women.   Jordan is a content producer and much of our conversation today is a follow-up to one of his books entitled, Redeeming Your Time: 7 Biblical Principles for Being Purposeful, Present, and Wildly Productive. [00:01:31]    Here's our chat.    Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Jordan.   Jordan Raynor: Laura, it's great to be here. Thanks for having me.   Laura Dugger: Well, it is truly my pleasure. I'd love just to begin here. How did you find your way into the work that you get to do today?   Jordan Raynor: I spent the majority of my career as a tech entrepreneur. I still have a foot in that world as executive chairman of the last company that I ran, but I spent 10 years full-time as a tech startup CEO.    I was in the process of exiting my second company when this kind of all started for me. So, you know, when you sell two companies, the natural thing to do is go start a third. So that was kind of the plan.    But for a hot minute there, my wife and I were really seriously thinking about planting a church. Why? Because I went to church often feeling this guilt that I think a lot of believers have felt of, Man, how dare I want to go to work and build a business tomorrow when there's a need for people to serve as pastors and move to mud huts 5,000 miles away from home to make disciples. [00:02:39]    So we're praying about these two paths: start another business, plan a church. One week after church, this mentor of mine pulled me aside. He's like, "Hey, I heard you're thinking about planting a church."    And I'm thinking this guy's going to pat me on the back, maybe write me my first check. He just looks me dead in the eyes, is like, "Yeah, I got to be honest, it sounds really dumb for you." Like, personally, I was like, "Oh, okay. Tell me more." He's like, "Listen, Jordan, you're a talented entrepreneur. You've served your customers and your team members and your investors with excellence. Why do you think you have to plant a church to do ministry? Don't you get that your work as an entrepreneur is ministry?"   I was like, "Yeah, no, I get it. I build these companies so I can write big checks to the missionaries, picture on my refrigerator, or share the gospel with my team members." He's like, "Yeah, but like so much more than that." I was like, "I have no idea what you're talking about."    So he's like, "Here's what I want you to do with this conversation, the background of your mind, I want you to read Genesis one and two." [00:03:39] And I'm thinking, "I've read Genesis one, two, five hundred times. What am I going to say? It's new."   But Laura, what I saw changed my life forever. I saw that before God tells us that He is loving or holy or omnipotent, He tells us that He is a God who works and creates. It's literally the first verb in the Bible. It's the only thing we know about God's character until Genesis 1:26, well, God says, let us make humankind in our image. Why? So that they may rule and work like God did long before the great commission to make disciples.    In Genesis 1, we see this first commission that God never once retracts for you and I to make culture. And that just stopped me dead in my tracks. So long story short, I did not go plant a church. I went and ran somebody else's company. But it set me on this search to really understand how the church's theology of work has gotten so, so lost. [00:04:38]    And it's led to the work I do today, which is creating a whole lot of content through books and podcasts and whatever, helping Christians understand the biblical story of work and God's plan for work from Genesis 1 all the way to Revelation 22 and respond to that truth in practical ways in how they do their work outside and inside of the home today.   Laura Dugger: Wow. Okay. So definitely want to talk about work, but then even zooming out bigger picture of our time, that some of the content that you've written about, and I'm specifically thinking about redeeming your time. So what would you say, Jordan, is one of your biggest cautions for us to consider, especially as it relates to ways that are culturally acceptable to spend our time, but they're not eternally wise ways to spend our time?   Jordan Raynor: Yeah, it's a really good question. [00:05:36] I think maybe the most significant one though is not where we spend it but how we spend it. I think culture outside of the church largely views time as a means of glorifying self, of pleasing self, of accumulating experiences and leisure.   It's the whole bucket list mentality, right? The purpose of your time now is to do it all because this is your only chance to do everything you want to do. And that's a deeply unbiblical lie that I think is one of Satan's favorites to peddle to believers and non-believers alike.   And so I think as believers, the gospel ought to compel us to not just manage our time for profit and for pleasure, but to redeem the time, as Paul says in Ephesians 5:15-16, to eternal ends, to things that are eternal.    And yes, that means souls, but it means way more than souls. I think a lot of times when we think about eternal uses of our time, we think exclusively in that bucket of evangelism. And Jesus didn't. [00:06:36] In fact, He spent 80% of His adult life swinging a hammer and making excellent tables and chairs. He spent time turning water into good wine and pursuing justice in the world and beauty in the world.    And I think all of that matters to God. I think all of that can be an eternally significant use of our time if, if, and this is the big IF, we're doing all those things with Christ-like love and compassion and excellence and in accordance with God's good and perfect word.   Laura Dugger: I guess you're starting to answer this, but I'm thinking then of the flip side of that question. What would you say are ways that God's will can be done on earth as it is in heaven?   Jordan Raynor: Yeah, yeah. I mean, I think that we could spend hours and hours and hours answering that question. I think we got to be clear though on what we mean by that term "heaven". [00:07:35] Because for the first time in church history, for the last 200 or 300 years or so, Christians, when they hear that word heaven, think almost exclusively about the present heaven, this amorphous, disembodied souls floating on clouds, which was not the hope of Jesus, it was not the ultimate hope of the writers of the New Testament.    God did not promise to fit us for heaven to dwell with Him there, as we sing every Christmas. He promised heaven on earth and to dwell with us here. See Revelation 21 and 22. And that's the "on earth" part.   So when we expand our thinking beyond heaven is only this place that disembodied souls go to in the future and we understand heaven as a state of affairs that is breaking into the present — Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is at hand — I think it greatly expands our vision of what it means to work in ways and manage our time in ways where God's will can be done on earth as it is in heaven. [00:08:32]    Yes, that means making disciples as we go about the work that God has given us to do. Yes, it means discipling our kids within our homes. But it also means cultivating beauty in the world. Because Revelation 21 says that when we do, we are scratching off a glimpse of the day when beauty will reign supreme over the face of the earth.   It means doing work with excellence, because Isaiah 60 tells us there are works of cultural excellence present on the new earth, which boggles the minds of many people, right?    So I think the definition is really, really broad of what that means to do our work on earth as it is in heaven. But the key is love. The key is, out of looking at the cross and understanding the love that God has shown us in Christ, letting that love overflow out of our hearts and spill into everything we do, whether we eat or drink or whatever it is that we spend our time doing, to riff off of Paul in 1 Corinthians 10. "Do it all for the glory of God."  [00:09:36]    What's his glory? The perfect love of His Son. When we're modeling that, that's what I think it means to bring heaven to earth, as Jesus calls us to do.   Laura Dugger: Okay, so expand our understanding, though, because I know you've been on a journey learning about heaven here on earth. What are some findings and realizations that you've made as you've studied scripture?   Jordan Raynor: Number one, nobody, including Jesus Christ, is going to spend eternity in heaven. If what we mean by heaven is the present heaven, where, God forbid, if I die in the plane that I'm about to go on tonight, I will be with Jesus in the present heaven. Nobody's going to spend eternity in that heaven. Read Revelation 21, read Isaiah 60 through 65, it makes that abundantly clear.    Number two, contrary to our American caricature of heaven as a glorified retirement home, Isaiah 65 says, starting in verse 17, God says, "See, I'll create new heavens and a new earth. My chosen people will build houses and dwell in them, and they will long enjoy the work of their hands." [00:10:39]    So, number one, nobody's going to spend eternity in heaven. Number two, on the new earth, we will worship by singing yes, but also by working with our hands alongside the risen Christ. And then I would say, you know, number three, I think what I'm learning more and more is we tend to think of heaven exclusively as a place that we go to in the future. And that is true in a sense, right?    But it's also, as I said before, this state of affairs that's relevant and breaking into the present, breaking into our homes, breaking into our communities. The good news of the gospel is not that I sit around and wait to go to heaven when I die. The good news of the gospel is that I get to partner with Jesus in cultivating heaven on earth until I die, and He returns with heaven in hand to finish the work, right? [00:11:36]    So I think as we expand our vision beyond these half-truths about heaven that secular and, frankly, church culture have been peddling for years, with the whole truths that we see in Scripture, it vastly expands our purpose in the present as we seek to redeem our time. And I also think it expands our hope for the future, because a future with Christ where He has truly made all things new and I get to long enjoy the work of my hands with Him is way more exciting to me, and way more importantly, way more biblical than endless harps and hammocks in the clouds. Way more exciting.   Laura Dugger: Absolutely. And then if you'd have to say what that means for us now, like on a regular Thursday afternoon, can you make it really practical?    Jordan Raynor: Yeah. I think it means, number one, you can have a whole lot more purpose in your work and feel much more alive doing the work, whether that's changing diapers or making widgets on your computer. [00:12:37] Because, listen, if earth is our temporary home, as Carrie Underwood likes to say — I love you, Carrie Underwood. I do — then matter doesn't matter, right? Like matter doesn't matter. And my work with matter doesn't matter.   And if that's true, less than 1% of my time matters for eternity. Because I'm willing to bet that our listeners spend less than 1% of their time on spiritual work like evangelism and prayer. But if earth will one day be our perfect and permanent home, then matter has to matter greatly to God. And my spiritual and super material and earthly work has to matter. And if that's true, then 100% of my time matters for eternity. And so what's the response?   I love that you brought up redeeming your time. Redeeming your time is the response. If 100% of my time matters for eternity, I have greater hope for the future, I have greater purpose in the present, and I'm much more motivated to redeem all of my time, to look at every single one of my minutes that I have living in this age as opportunities to glorify God and make things matter in the grand scheme of eternity because I understand that it does matter, and it's not all going to burn up in the end. [00:13:46]    So that's one of the practical responses. We can get uber, uber practical, talking about redeeming your time and how exactly to do that. But at a theological level, if you hold to this idea that earth is our temporary home, you're really saying that 99.9% of your time doesn't matter in the grand scheme of eternity. That's deeply depressing. And praise God, it's also deeply unbiblical.   Laura Dugger: Okay. So a few follow-up questions with that then as well. So all of this matters and is eternally valuable and valuable in this moment. What about our choices then where you could be numbing out on Netflix all night or Instagram or whatever social media, or pouring excellence into the work that you're doing or your family or something more significant. What's the difference between those two options if everything matters?   Jordan Raynor: Everything has the opportunity to matter. Everything matters in the sense that God's going to judge every minute that we spend. [00:14:48] But listen, you could have two people with the exact same job, exact same stage of life, and one of them is wasting it in the grand scheme of eternity.   It matters in the sense that God's going to count it. But we can certainly make our lives matter more for eternity based on how we steward those minutes. Christians have lost this doctrine that Paul makes very clear that every single minute we spend in this life will be judged. Our soul will not be judged. Our soul has been judged (past tense) based on what Christ did on the cross. Praise God, there's no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.   But every believer will stand before the beam of seed of judgment to give an account for how we live this life. And those of us who wasted this life binging Netflix infinitely, you're still going to enter the kingdom of heaven if you were trusting in Christ alone for the forgiveness of your sins. But don't expect a whole lot of rewards when you show up there, right?   The ones who are going to be awarded with treasures in heaven that Jesus talked about, with crowns, with increased job responsibilities on the new earth, see the parable of the minas, are those of us who, like Paul, expended ourselves, spent with all the energy we have to make Christ known in what we make and how we do it and how we live our lives and how we do our work. [00:16:01] That's a response, is to get off of the couch and to get in the game of scratching off glimpses of heaven on earth in the present.   Laura Dugger: I love that. Yes and amen. Somebody previously on The Savvy Sauce called me spicy for asking questions like this. I don't intend it in a controversial way.   Jordan Raynor: Listen, if we're not going to talk about these things, why talk about anything at all? I love spicy questions. Come on.   Laura Dugger: Okay. So I would just love to hear your perspective, Jordan, especially because you have immersed yourself in the word of God and obviously you have the Spirit of God living inside you as well. So when you've wrestled with these ideas, do you find a difference in how this applies to men and women? And I'm specifically thinking about Genesis and work. And I can ask some more follow-up questions, but what would you say to that?   Jordan Raynor: Oh man, I love this question. [00:17:00] I don't get asked this question very much. Listen, is there a distinction? Sure. But not much of one. Adam and Eve were both called to work the garden and to take care of it as partners together in Genesis 1 and 2.    There are tons of women throughout scripture who are celebrated for their engagement in the first commission to fill the earth, so do it and rule. I think maybe the most poignant of them is Luke chapter 8. Luke chapter 8 says, name specific women who were, quote, "helping to support them —it's referring to Jesus and His disciples — out of their own means," end quote.    And based on what we know about Mary Magdalene and some of these other characters. I don't think they had means before they followed Jesus. So the implication is these women went to work, creating value in the marketplace to support Jesus and His followers. [00:18:00]    So all throughout scripture... I'll give you one more. Gosh. You want a case study that celebrates working women? Just go read the book of Exodus, right? Exodus 1 starts with Pharaoh who's looking around and fearful of these Hebrew boys. Why? Because he wasn't afraid of Hebrew girls because they represented no threat to him, right? He's like, Ah, no, it's the boys who are going to rise up and fight against me.    But who does Yahweh use to thwart Pharaoh's plans? Two midwives, working professionals, and a whole bunch of other women all throughout the book of Exodus. If you can't tell, I'm a raging Jesus feminist with three daughters under my roof right now. And so I love that you asked this question.   There are certainly distinctions. And listen, we got to be careful here. There are differences in genders. God-appointed gender. God appointed differences in leadership within the home and within the church, right, which is not popular outside of the church. [00:19:01] But I can't get around God's word here. But both men and women are called all throughout scripture to roll up them sleeves and work hard at the work of the Lord of cultivating creation for His glory and the good of others.   Laura Dugger: And now a brief message from our sponsor.    [00:19:21]   Sponsor: Sam Leman Chevrolet in Eureka has been owned and operated by the Bertschi family for over 25 years. A lot has changed in the car business since Sam and Stephen's grandfather, Sam Leman, opened his first Chevrolet dealership over 55 years ago. If you visit their dealership today, though, you'll find that not everything has changed. They still operate their dealership like their grandfather did, with honesty and integrity.    Sam and Stephen understand that you have many different choices in where you buy or service your vehicle. This is why they do everything they can to make the car-buying process as easy and hassle-free as possible. They are thankful for the many lasting friendships that began with a simple "Welcome to Sam Lemans". Their customers keep coming back because they experience something different.   I've known Sam and Stephen and their wives my entire life, and I can vouch for their character and integrity, which makes it easy to highly recommend you check them out today. Your car-buying process doesn't have to be something you dread. So come see for yourself at Sam Leman in Chevrolet in Eureka. Sam and Stephen would love to see you, and they appreciate your business.    Learn more at their website, LemanEureka.com, or visit them on Facebook by searching for Sam Leman Eureka. You can also call them at (309) 467-2351. Thanks for your sponsorship.    [00:20:42]   Laura Dugger: I think something I've been wrestling with lately is I wonder what lies Satan is whispering that we're not even aware of. And I think one piece is that it's sinful or unbiblical for women to work, especially to work outside the home. And I know God has a different call on everyone's life. But yeah, could you speak to that? We have four daughters. You have three daughters. This is-   Jordan Raynor: Oh my gosh, if I'm Satan, if I'm Satan, I would love nothing more than to convince 50% of the image of God not to bear God's image outside of the four walls of my home. That sounds like a pretty good strategy. That sounds like a killer strategy, right?   And listen, don't take my opinion for it. Don't take Laura's opinion for it. Go read the Word. I think when you open up God's Word, you're going to see that a lot of these... it's going to expose the lies. [00:21:43] By the way, Satan doesn't just peddle lies through nonbelievers. Just as frequently, I think we could say, Satan is peddling lies through well-intentioned believers. Lies about heaven and the new earth that we just talked about. Lies about work that I grew up believing as we talked about in the beginning of this. And I think lies about the role that women can joyfully and enthusiastically play working inside and outside the home for God's glory and the good of others.   Laura Dugger: So well said. I just completely agree that it's a both-and. They think some people are called inside the home and that is a worthy work, and some are not.   Jordan Raynor: 100%. By the way, my wife works full-time in the home. That is a noble calling that she's chosen for this season. And I'm so appreciative of that. But there have been other seasons where she hasn't chosen that. Blessed be the name of the Lord.   We're so obsessed with black... we're all Pharisees. [00:22:45] We love adding extra regulations and rules on top of God's Word, this extra-biblical junk to make ourselves feel superior to one another. And I think when we get back to the Word, we find a lot more freedom than we find in our churches and our pharisaical structures.   Laura Dugger: Okay, so then you and your wife, I'd love to hear the ages of your daughters and how you two are engaging with them and teaching or discipling them on topics like this.   Jordan Raynor: I've been married to Kara for 15 years now. She's the love of my life. I love her dearly. And we got three little girls. So Ellison is 10, Kate is 8, and Emery, we adopted at birth almost five years ago. It'll be five years, one month from today.   And yeah, discipling them is a challenge and a joy. I think the hardest part is just redeeming the time and making space for intentional time with them. [00:23:50] And we can talk about how we do that if you're interested.   But, you know, practically what discipleship looks like in our home is every morning around the breakfast table, I'm there with the girls memorizing God's word. And not just memorize it, but really talking about it. So take it a week, right? It's like, okay, we love because He first loved us. Who's He? What does that mean? How did Christ show that love to us? And what does it look like practically for us to show that love to others?   So scripture memorization and discussion of the scriptures is a big part of it. Don't hear me saying we do family devotionals. We don't. We're not that put together. We're not that formal. It's really just taking a passage of scripture and hiding it in their hearts and trying to make it as practical and actionable for the day as possible.   Then, two, we talk with our kids a lot. As much as we can, we are pointing them to God and His goodness in regular conversations. It may be specific studies. I'm writing books for kids. So I wrote a book called The Creator in You about the call to create that we see in Genesis 1. [00:24:51] I'm about to publish a second one called The Royal in You about ruling and working with Jesus on the new earth. So we're constantly talking about those themes.    And then also looking for really tactical physical things within the house to point them to Jesus. I'll give one example, then I'll shut up, and or you can follow up on anything you want. I was really convicted by a friend and again, this is at the risk of sounding pharisaical. I'm not saying this is a rule you got to do. This is just working for my family.   I said the word "awesome" like three times in a conversation. He's like, "Hey, only God is awesome." It really stopped me and maybe take stock of my words. I'm like, "Man, there should be a word awesome, amazing, whatever you want, right, whatever works for you works, but there should be a word that we reserve for God alone, right? Even holy. We talk about us being holy as God is holy, right?    And so we just decided we're going to reserve "awesome" for God. [00:25:50] And we put a jar, kind of like a swear jar in people's houses. We put a “not awesome” jar in the middle of our living room. And every time somebody says something's awesome, other than God, we have to put a buck in it. And then we donate that money to an orphanage that we love supporting.   But Laura, that sounds silly and really trivial, but guess what? In the last week, it's given me, I don't know, 15 opportunities to talk about how Jesus is better than any creative thing. Man, I'll do that all day long. I'm constantly looking for little things like that to latch on to, to talk about God's goodness, to talk about His awesomeness, and talk about the role that He's called us to play in bringing heaven to earth.   Laura Dugger: Wow. No, that doesn't sound silly at all. Actually, it just is in line with these themes, intentional in our work, intentional in our time, intentional in our words, and that matters.   Jordan Raynor: I love John Tyson and his book, The Intentional Father. [00:26:54] I'm the overly intentional father. I am too intentional. And that will show up in this conversation, I promise.   Laura Dugger: No, we celebrate that around here for sure. That was kind of my follow-up question you just alluded to, being intentional. Was it with getting time with your daughters? Do you and Kara have a system for that?   Jordan Raynor: Yeah. Yeah, we do. Listen, this isn't going to come as a surprise to anybody listening. Our phones are enemy number one in our fight for deep work that we do in front of the laptop, but also the deep work of discipleship with our kids. And maybe the biggest game changer of my life and discipling my kids is that my kids never, almost never see me on my phone inside of my house. Outside my house for direction, sure.    I track this. I log every day that they see me. The last 90 days, my kids have seen me on my phone one time, inside of my house. [00:27:52] You better believe they know that dad loves them, but more importantly, it gives me more intentional space to be with them without being distracted.    And I know that sounds impossible to listeners. So let me give you five steps for cultivating this. If you want to do this, you're like, man, yeah, I would love to put my phone down for an hour and not think about it. Five steps. It's really simple to do, but it's going to take a lot of courage.    Number one, choose ahead of time when you want to check your texts and emails and asynchronous messages, right? It could be every hour. It could be on a, maybe say it's 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. That's it. Whatever.    Step two, build a list of VIPs who will have access to it all times and not just those predetermined times. So my VIPs are my wife, my kids' school, my assistant. It's pretty much it. Step three, pull out your phone and add all of your VIPs to your Favorites list if you're an iOS user or "Your people" list, if you're an Android user, that way, when you use just the basic out-of-the-box, do not disturb settings on your phone, only calls from those people come through. [00:28:57] Not their texts, not their emails, not every Instagram notification of people liking yet another picture of your dog, just phone calls from your VIPs.   Step four, you got to set clear expectations with your VIPs about your new response time. You send them a very simple message like this. I actually give you the template in the Redeeming Your Time book, but this is the gist. "Hey, I'm trying to be more focused with my kids at home." I know by the way, also at work, especially if you're sending this to your boss. "Here's how you can help me from now on. I'm only checking emails, texts, etc., at X, Y, and Z times. However, you're a VIP in my life. And so if you need me more urgently than that, do not text me, I won't see it. Don't email me. I won't see it. But if you call me on my cell, I'll answer every single time that I can."   Last step, step five, put your phone away for an hour and a half at a time. When you're with your kids, keep your phone out of sight, out of mind. For mine, I keep it in my master bathroom. It's on "do not disturb". I turn the ringer on. [00:29:58]    And here's what happens. I actually spent two and a half hours apart from my phone at nighttime from 5 to seven 30 p.m. every single night. And functionally what I've done is I've turned my cell phone into a landline, right? If the phone rings, I can go in there and see what VIP is calling and decide whether or not I want to answer it. But in all that other time, I am fully focused on my kids and the conversations I'm having with them about their day.    Laura, it's been a total, total game changer for me and for thousands and thousands of readers of Redeeming Your Time. This is one of 32 practices in the book, and I'm willing to bet it's probably in the top five of reader favorites.   Laura Dugger: Well, and I can see why that's incredible. And I'm curious, Jordan, do you know Joey Odom with Aro?   Jordan Raynor: I know Joey. I talked to Joey yesterday. I love Joey Odom.   Laura Dugger: Okay. He's wonderful. So we will link to an episode that he did on The Savvy Sauce. [00:31:00] If you're looking for more practical ways as well, like you said, putting your phone away, he just can contribute. I think that partners nicely.   Jordan Raynor: Yeah. And if you don't know Aro, go check out the episode. But basically it's an app on your phone. It's also a physical box that you can put the phone in. And it basically gamifies what I just explained.    So instead of me being accountable to care of my kids, I could theoretically share with my friends, "Hey, I spent two and a half hours today apart from my phone. Here's a screenshot of the evidence. I love what Joey and their team are doing. It's incredible.   Laura Dugger: And like you said, this is just one of the helpful suggestions in Redeeming Your Time. My husband and I have both benefited so much from that book.   Jordan Raynor: I love it. Thank you.   Laura Dugger: Well, yes. And thank you. But I'd love for you to walk us through the topics and the questions that we ask ourselves as we metaphorically go floor by floor through the building of intentional living.   Jordan Raynor: Yeah. Yeah. It's a great question. [00:32:00] You're asking about chapter four of the book, where I'm talking about prioritizing our yeses. And we hear about all these different terms when it comes to setting priorities. We talk about mission statements and callings and long-term goal, whatever. I just found it necessary for myself to bake the cake and put it all together. Be like, okay, give me one simple framework for thinking about all these things and how they connect to each other.    And so the metaphor I use in the book is this five-story building where on the fifth floor, the very top of this hotel, whatever you envision this building being is your mission in life that is over everything else. Listen, there are people selling books left and right, helping you discern the mission for your life. I'll let you off the hook for having to buy those. Listen, you didn't make yourself and so you don't get to choose the mission of your life. God does. Here's the mission of your life: to glorify God, period, full stop, right?   Now God in this goodness has given us a lot of freedom to choose the callings on the fourth floor of how we will live out that mission. But that's your mission, right? [00:33:05] So mission, fifth floor; fourth floor, next level down is callings. So I am called right now to be a husband, to be a father, and to be the CEO of Jordan Raynor company and create this content. That's it. I've chosen three callings, right?    The next level down are long-term goals. This is level three of the building, okay? Long-term goals. I am the biggest believer in the world in setting the biggest possible long-term goals, because in my experience, that's what helps me say no. If I have really small goals, I am getting sucked into the thick of thin things every single time.    So I would argue Christ's power should be setting the biggest long-term goals on the planet. By long-term, I'm talking at least a year, more likely three to five years, setting those long-term goals for each of your callings.    Then the next level down are short-term goals, which whatever works for you works. Maybe you want to set goals on a weekly basis, monthly basis. I love the quarterly cadence. [00:34:05] Every three months, looking at my long-term goals and setting quarterly goals that are attached to that.    And then the bottom floor, the first floor of this metaphorical building are what I call projects and actions. This is the tactical stuff. This is your to-do list born out of mission calling, long-term goals, short-term goals.    Okay. What are the specific projects and actions that I need to execute against over the next seven days, over the next quarter to make progress towards those goals? And then, as you know, Laura, there's a secret sixth floor to this building, which it doesn't deserve to be called a floor. It's the basement.    And this is what I call posteriorities. And this might be the most important. This is everything else that falls outside of what's already on my plate professionally and what falls under those short-term goals. Everything else goes into the basement of my mind in this metaphorical building. [00:35:05]    And so in my to-do list app, what I call my commitment tracking system, all of those projects and actions literally go in a separate folder called "Someday" that I only look at every 90 days. Once every 90 days, I look at that, decide if there's anything I want to pull out and work on over the next 90 days. But for the other, what is that, 89 days and a quarter, all of those things are out of sight, out of mind, so that I can fully focus on the work that I believe that God has called me to execute against over the next three months.   Laura Dugger: So good. Again, and these 90 days, let's zoom in on that. We also share a passion for the quarterly time, even the brain science behind it, that your brain can only be reminded and to hang on to a goal for 90 days. What does yours actually look like in these 90 days? Can you give us some examples in your own life of a goal for your calling and then ground floor what that looks like? [00:36:08]    Jordan Raynor: Yeah, I would be happy to. I'll show you some quarterly goals for the family. I got personal and professional short-term goals, quarterly goals. Here's a personal one. I really love the OKR framework, which if you're not familiar with it, Google made this famous, stands for objectives and key results.   So objectives are aspirational. They're the what you want to accomplish. And the key results are measurable and they tell you whether or not you reached the what. So, for example, this quarter, personally, objective. Strengthen my point of view on youth sports and whether or not it is in line with our family's goal to love like Jesus.    This one's going to hit for our audience. I have a feeling. Key result number one: read three credible articles from youth sports advocates and three articles from Detractors. [00:37:10]    Key result number two, post questions on this topic to at least two godly friends who have had their kids in serious youth sports and two who have intentionally chosen not to.    And then key result number three, draft a summary of my point of view on this topic and deliver it to Kara by December 31st.   All right. Let me give you a professional example. In this quarter, yeah, I'll share this, whatever. This is a little inside baseball, but it's fun. I can't say the name of it, but the objective is to sell my first TV show to Netflix or Amazon.    We're currently shopping a project right now. I actually only have one key result for this and it's to get one yes or three nos from A-list actors to agree to play the starring role in this show. So that's how I'll know. That's the progress I'm going to make towards that goal.    So that's just a couple of examples from my life. I obsess over this quote from Bill Gates though. I think this would be helpful for our listeners. [00:38:10] Gates once said that we human beings have the tendency to vastly overestimate what we can accomplish in a short period of time, i.e. a quarter, and vastly underestimate what we can do in a decade with what Eugene Peterson called long obedience in the same direction, right?   So if you take one thing from this conversation on goals, take that from Bill Gates. What you can get done in three months is virtually nothing, right? So set your goals accordingly. But what you can get done in a decade with long obedience in the same direction, you're not doing it, God's doing it through you is incredible.   Laura Dugger: I just wanted to let you know, there are now multiple ways to give when you visit TheSavvySauce.com. We now have a donation button on our website and you can find it under the donate page, which is under the tab entitled Support. Our mailing address is also provided if you would prefer to save us the processing fee and send a check that is tax deductible. [00:39:14]    Either way, you'll be supporting the work of Savvy Sauce charities and helping us continue to reach the nations with the good news of Jesus Christ. Make sure you visit TheSavvySauce.com today. Thanks for your support.   These examples are so helpful. I love practical examples because it helps me envision how to begin applying what I want to put into practice after a conversation like this one. My husband, Mark, and I will oftentimes reflect and look back on times that have been transformational in our lives. Typically, it's from practical application, you have to apply it, that leads to transformation. So, Jordan, will you give us maybe three to five habits or time savers or general best ways to steward our time?   Jordan Raynor: Oh, man, I'd love to. Honestly, the biggest one for me I've already shared, which is just taking control of when you check your messages. I cannot stress that enough. [00:40:19]    Let me give you a couple others. One, you want to do your most exceptional work, you've got to be getting a seven to eight-hour nightly sleep opportunity. The easiest way to practically do it is to just set a consistent bedtime. Most people have a fixed time at which they wake up, so it's simple math, right? Subtract from that, go back eight hours, that's your bedtime.   Gosh, you might not like the science. Trust me, I don't like the science, but the science is settled on this one. Most, 99% of human beings need seven to eight hours of sleep at night. That's a game-changer for me.    Honestly, weekly Sabbath has been a game-changing habit for me and my family that I think has made us much more productive in our goals.    I'll give you another one. Do one new thing at a time. In your work, in your life, you probably have a lot of recurring responsibilities based on work that you've created over the years. [00:41:19] With whatever time you have left over, the worst mistake, in my experience, that you can make is to try to do five new initiatives at once. You do one new thing at a time until it's done, and then when it's done, you move on to the next thing.    I'm trying to think of some other ones from the book. Yeah, I'll say this one. This is one of my favorite practices. It takes two seconds to start, but again, it takes a lot of courage. Quit the news cold turkey and let your friends curate the news for you. Why? How is this connected to time management, people ask me?    It could not be more relevant because all of this external noise is creating a lot of internal noise that blocks your ability to be loving, to think, to be creative, and listen to the voice of God. I know because I was the ultimate news junkie until eight years ago when I quit cold turkey. You know what happened when I quit cold turkey? Nothing. Nothing negative happened. [00:42:21]    What did happen is my friends started telling me about everything that I cared about, voluntarily. They have no idea they're doing this, but they're bringing me this. I spot-check from time to time. I'll go to CNN.com and say, did I really miss anything? Nope. 99% of the news is still totally irrelevant to my life and work. Great. Man, that's been a game-changer for me, Laura.   Laura Dugger: I did love that one about let your friends curate the news for you. Just one other follow-up. I want to circle back to the quarterly. Just as we're talking about practical application, how can someone start doing, if that's their first goal is to maybe plan something quarterly? How do you have a system in place to revisit these things every 90 days and what does that look like?   Jordan Raynor: That's a great question. I take a quarterly retreat. Ideally, this is for at least one night. Sometimes when things are really crazy, I just have to take a day to go do it. In that quarterly retreat, I'm doing a few things. [00:43:20]    First, I am just journaling the game that God has already produced in my work, the good things He's already done over the last three months.   Two, I'm just taking time to worship Him and praise Him for that. Remember that not only did I not deserve anything for the last three months, I certainly don't deserve anything over the next three months. It's putting me in this humble position of recognizing that the only thing I deserve is death due my sin. God has given me Christ and way more, and that puts me in a much healthier heart position to dream about what's next.    Then third step, I just journal off the top of my head without looking at any prompts what I think is most important over the next three months. I don't look at my to-do list because what's most important should be readily apparent to me. I shouldn't have to look at anything, right?    Number four, I review journal entries from the last 90 days as well as my to-do list to refine that journal entry about what I thought was most important. Maybe I forgot, oh yeah, Jordan, you're releasing a book in the next quarter. [00:44:25] We got to get ready for that or six months from now, whatever it is.    Then five, I am taking a first stab at drafting those objectives and key results. My rule is no more than five objectives in a given quarter and no more than five key results for each objective, which could mean 25 key results.    Most of the time for me, I wind up at one to three objectives total and one to, oh man, like 10 max key results in a quarter. Most recently, I've had between one and three key results, that's it, that I'm focused on the next 90 days.   Oh, by the way, I've been crushing it. The fewer key results that I'm setting, the quicker I'm getting my goals done. The last two quarters, I've hit my goals early for the quarter and I've had to go into that someday folder and pull new things out because I've gotten everything done. That feels great. [00:45:28]    Laura Dugger: That's incredible. That does feel great to get to check that off and go to the next thing. I want to see how people can apply this, but first also, maybe Sabbath is more so something that grabbed them. So can you share just a little glimpse of what that looks like? Because you said that's one of your most impactful habits.   Jordan Raynor: Oh yeah, absolutely. Sabbath starts with work, right? You got to work hard and work well if you want to be able to rest well. Maybe helpful to think about this, I'm doing all the work for two days in one. So we have chosen to enjoy the gift of Sabbath. Notice I didn't say observe Sabbath because that connotes life-sucking legalism.    We enjoy the gift of Sabbath from Saturday dinner time until Sunday dinner time. So Saturday afternoon, we are going through our Sabbath prep checklist. That includes cleaning up the house, picking everything up so we're not distracted, packing bags and waters for church the next day, making a plan for Sabbath. [00:46:33] So who do we want to hang out with? Texting and coordinating those plans ahead of time so we're not attached to our phones on Sabbath itself, doing laundry, running the dishwasher.   And then when we get to the end, I'm sending my phone on a 24-hour vacation. So I mentioned spending two and a half hours apart from my phone each night. On Sabbath, it is on airplane mode for 24 hours.   Then we kick off Sabbath by just feasting. So Sabbath to us is... I love how Kevin DeYoung put it. It's an island of get-to and a sea of have-to. We try to do nothing on that I have to-do list and only things on that get to-do list.   So that starts a feasting on some of our favorite foods. We get takeout. So cleanup's really easy. So we're Chewy's Mexican or good Chinese food, whatever. We light a candle to kick off Sabbath so that it always smells like Sabbath in my house, which is usually pumpkin pecan waffles, even when it's like July in Florida, which makes no sense. [00:47:33]    Then Saturday night's pretty chill, watching a little bit of TV with the kids, whatever. They're going to bed. On Sunday, this is my one day a week where I sleep in. My wife sleeps in the other six days of the week. I sleep in, Kara gets up with the kids. It's the one day a week of the week where they get to watch a full-length movie, which they're super pumped about, and don't judge me, drink coffee. So they get to drink coffee on Sabbath.    My kids wake up super early, so they can finish the movie before church. On the way to church is one of my favorite traditions where we stop and get donuts on the way and the whole drive we're talking about what we're thankful for from the past week. So just looking back, what are we grateful for? And then what do we want to adore God for about His character based on what He's done and what we've seen Him do and what we're thankful for the past week?   We then go feast on the word with our church family and then come back, have lunch at the house. We don't do the lunch after church thing to us. That's a little exhausting. [00:48:31] So we come home, have lunch here.    And then Sunday afternoons are pretty chill. A lot of times we're just playing games or swimming in the pool. This past Sunday, we went for a walk and let the kids climb some trees. But just a day to slow down and catch up to our souls and just be and remind ourselves that we are loved and valued, even when we're not being productive, that our heavenly Father does not need us. He wants us to quote my friend, [Scott Jotani? 00:49:05] And man, it's been a total game-changer.    I'll end with this. I saw a mentor who I hadn't seen in years. I think this was last summer. And we were on vacation in Rhode Island. I talked to my mentor for about an hour and he texted me after I left his house and he's like, "Hey, you seem way more rested than I saw you the last five years ago." And it's not vacation rest. He called that out. He's like, "This is not vacation rest. What is this?" I was like, "It's Sabbath." He's like, "That's what I thought. That's what I thought."   People can feel it. People know when they're in the presence of somebody who is living and working out of a Sabbath rest. So I would encourage you to try it. Treat it as an experiment. Don't say, "We're going to do this for the rest of our lives. Try it for four weeks. Try it for six weeks. Give it a shot. And I think you'll be blown away at how healthy it is, both for your soul and for the goals that you're chasing after the rest of the week. [00:50:10]    Laura Dugger: Okay. Challenge accepted. So great. So then bringing this home for someone, if they need to get quiet, get with the Lord, and just see what's bubbling up for them, do you have any other recommended Scripture, places to start, or questions for reflection or anything just to point us in the right direction?   Jordan Raynor: Yeah. I would just point you to the Gospels and the way of Jesus. We read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John almost exclusively for their theology and the ethic of Jesus and they certainly have a lot to say about that. But as my friend John Mark Comer has pointed out, the Gospels are also biographies of Jesus' life. And I don't know about you, but I want to redeem my time in the model of my Redeemer. He is the key to the whole thing.    By the way, even non-Christians can get on board with this. I'll tell non-Christians all the time, like, hey, Christian or not... pretty hard to dispute that Jesus was the most productive person to ever walk the earth. [00:51:09] And we know how He managed His time. And no, the Gospels don't show Him with a to-do list or a smartphone, but they show Him dealing with distractions at work. One time a guy literally dropped through the roof over Jesus' head while He was working and preaching. Unless that's happening to you, you're not more distracted than Jesus was, right?    They show Him seeking to be busy without being hurried. They show Him having to dissent from the kingdom of noise to think. And so, man, you want to redeem your time toward eternal ends? Look to the author of time, Jesus of Nazareth in the Gospel biographies.    Laura Dugger: This has been incredible to lay the foundation for our own lives, which is great to put into practice first. But as we're tying it all up to, how can we pass along this wisdom to our children?   Jordan Raynor: Yeah. Number one, just talk about the biblical narrative of work and productivity that your kids are probably not hearing in Sunday school. [00:52:11] I know because I see the Sunday school curriculum. I'm an elder in our church. They're not seeing it.    Point them to Genesis 1 and 2. Point them to the fact that we worship a God who works and created us to work and be productive and redeem our time in His image. And you can do that through Genesis 1 and 2. You can fast forward to Revelation 21 and 22 and Isaiah 65 that talks about work and productivity for eternity on the new earth.   Then I do have a couple of picture books that I wrote for kids as a tool, as a resource for you to communicate the why of redeeming your time, the why of work to your kids. They're called The Creator in You, which is this artistic interpretation of Genesis 1 and 2, and The Royal in You, which is the opposite book into scripture in Revelation 21 and 22.    And my prayer for this book is that it will... your kids may not admit this to you, but if they're anything like I was as a kid, if they're anything like my kids used to be, your kids view heaven with confusion, boredom, and maybe even fear. [00:53:18] And that's tragic because God's word replaces all of that with biblical clarity, excitement, and hope.    And that's my prayer for this book, that based on God's word, it would expand the vision of kids and, frankly, grownups to view heaven in the new earth with that clarity, excitement, and hope, all to God's greater glory and our greater joy.   Laura Dugger: A worthy vision indeed. We will certainly link to those resources in the show notes. Jordan, this time has been so enjoyable, but I still have one question for you because we are called The Savvy Sauce because "savvy" is synonymous with practical knowledge or discernment. And so as my final question for you today, what is your Savvy Sauce?   Jordan Raynor: Yeah, honestly, I've shared a lot of the practical answers to that. We started the conversation theological, went practical, let's end theological. My savvy sauce lately is that I spend a lot of time thinking about where I see myself professionally in five million years, not five years like you were asked in a job interview. [00:54:30]   Because again, God's word promises that we will work free from the curse of sin. And here's why, and here's how this connects to redeeming the time. The more that I've meditated on that promise of long enjoying the work of my hands, I am far less hurried in the present.   Because I spent years, Laura, worrying about finishing my life's work, of getting it all done. I got to get past this business because I still want to do X, Y, and Z in my life, right? But knowing that I'm going to have eternity to work for God's glory, I am free from all of those burdens and just so much less hurried because here's what's going to happen.   When I die with unfinished symphonies, and all of us will die with unfinished symphonies and to-do lists, either God is number one, going to tap somebody else on the shoulder and have them pick up that work and finish it, praise God. [00:55:29] Number two, He's going to finish that work by himself with no human involvement, praise God. Or number three, when I arise from the nap that is death, God in his goodness and generosity will put that unfinished symphony back in my hands and give me the joy of finishing it free from the curse of sin, praise God.   Either way, I don't lose. If the things on my to-do list are on God's to-do list, He will finish them. And as I've thought about that and work on the new earth, it has just been radical in slowing me down and recognizing that eternity is now in session and I don't have to finish it all before I die. It's been a tremendous gift that the Lord has given me. So I would encourage our listeners to do the same.   Laura Dugger: Yes. Well, Jordan, clearly God has gifted you with being a vision caster, a visionary, a leader, and I just appreciate this conversation is oozed with your love of Kara and your daughters and our Lord and has been, like you said, theological and practical. [00:56:41] I just have learned so much. So thank you for being intentional about redeeming your time. It really is a way that you are loving others and loving God well, and I just appreciate you. So thank you for being my guest.   Jordan Raynor: Thank you, Laura.   Laura Dugger: One more thing before you go. Have you heard the term "gospel" before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you. But it starts with the bad news. Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves.   This means there is absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved. We need a Savior.   But God loved us so much, He made a way for His only Son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. [00:57:43] This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with Him. That is good news.   Jesus lived the perfect life we could never live and died in our place for our sin. This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus. We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished if we choose to receive what He has done for us.   Romans 10:9 says that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.    So would you pray with me now? Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to You. Will You clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare You as Lord of their life? We trust You to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.    If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring Him for me, so me for Him. You get the opportunity to live your life for Him. And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason. We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So you ready to get started?    First, tell someone. Say it out loud. Get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes & Noble and let me choose my own Bible. I selected the Quest NIV Bible, and I love it. You can start by reading the Book of John.    Also, get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ. I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps, such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you.    We want to celebrate with you too, so feel free to leave a comment for us here if you did make a decision to follow Christ. We also have show notes included where you can read Scripture that describes this process.    Finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.    If you've already received this good news, I pray that you have someone else to share it with today. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

In this podcast episode 52 "The Ministry of Presence," Cherisse and her friend Christie Willumsen, explore the importance of "Being Present": with God, with our friends, and learning how to be present with ourselves too. Christie, a self proclaimed introvert, steps way out of her comfort zone to be here and share her journey. She shares her story and of how and when her heart was captured by Jesus. We talk Introverts vs Extroverts. We talk raising children and even being a new Grandparent. We talk about the hills and valleys of marriage and how she and Bob have mentored us through the last decade of marriage and truly championed our marriage when we need it most. We talk about Grief, deep grief and how do we walk beside friends in deep seasons of sorrow. How to love them well. She shares how this season of life has brought about "The Journey Collective" a way for her to love on her friends well through making a beautiful reminder they can see daily to show them their love and value. She shares what she is learning in this process and how these works of art are bringing light and hope out of some dark corners of life.  Chrisite shares the power of being PRESENT with our friends in times of grief and truly how the simple act of showing up for your friends in times or joy and sorrow can be the biggest gift we can offer those we love.  She leaves us with these words: "It is ok to not be okay. Be willing to be honest with where you are and what you are feeling. Find a trusted person you can be really vulnerable with that will just walk with you as you process and doesn't feel the need to fix you. Have someone that allows you to say the things that you are really thinking especially when you are really struggling with the Lord."  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Christie Willumsen Email: christie@thejourneycollective.com  Instagram: @thejourneyco_    Music and Worship Bands CU Worship: "00:14:02" Maverick City Music: "00:14:22" Upper Room: "00:14:35" Books and Audiobooks The Bible: "00:20:50" "Practicing the Way" by John Mark Comer: "00:46:26" "New Morning Mercies": "00:45:03" Key Quotes "It's okay to not be okay.": "00:55:05" "Find somebody you can talk to.": "00:55:16" "Be the friend you want to have.": "00:55:28" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Join our "Rhythms that Restore" Community on Facebook:  Walk through life IN COMMUNITY and beside others who are learning and putting these new Rhythms in place. Click: https://www.facebook.com/groups/339272845793051/ -------------------------------------- Follow "Rhythms that Restore Podcast" on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhythmsthatrestorepodcast?igsh=Z3lmY2UzcXZzMTlq&utm_source=qr -------------------------------------------- Tune In- Subscribe, Rate, and Share:   If you found value in this episode, be be sure to subscribe, rate, and share with "Rhythms that Restore" Podcast with a friend who can be encouraged through the message. Help us share this incredible transformative message of Gods word through the beautiful act of "ceasing to strive" and learning to "simply BE". ------------------------------------ Connect more with me on Instagram, Facebook and Email:   Lets Chat: cherissehixson@hotmail.com  Instagram: @RhythmsThatRestorePodcast 

Today on the show, I get to talk with Pastor Tyler Staton from Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon. He's also the National Director of 24-7 Prayer USA and you know we love to talk about prayer around here so Tyler such is such a deep well on the topic. We're going to talk about where God is in the winter and as we do we're going to talk about his relationship with prayer and how he's navigated praying in the middle of pain and a lot of unknown. Tyler also has a new book releasing about the Holy Spirit and it is SO GOOD. It's called The Familiar Stranger and this is one you're really going to love. If you're taking notes in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we're on page 15. And if you've been on the fence about getting a copy, you still have plenty of time to jump in for Winter, so you can find that at anniefdowns.com/seasons. . . . . . Find the show notes here! Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! DailyLook:  Head to DailyLook.com to take your style quiz and use code THATSOUNDSFUN for 50% off your first order.  Hiya Health: Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Thrive Causemetics: Right now, my friends can get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/TSF.  . . . . . If you'd like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . If you liked this episode you may also like these: Being an Apprentice of Jesus with John Mark Comer – Episode 854 Episode 429: John Mark Comer on Spiritual Formation   NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices