Podcast appearances and mentions of Steve Ball

Following on from last week's message by Steve Ball on engaging with God through meditation on Scripture, this Sunday Martin O'Brien took us deeper into one specific and powerful step of that journey: praying Scripture. “When you don't know what to pray… pray the Word.” This might sound simple, but it's life-changing. The Power of Praying Scripture Martin reminded us that many of us have moments when we don't know how to pray or what to say to God. But that should never stop us—because Scripture gives us the words. Read it. Write it. Then pray it. There is always something to pray. Just open your Bible. Practical Ways to Strengthen Your Prayer Life Martin gave us a few practical tools to begin developing a rich and consistent prayer life, rooted in Scripture:

Hearing God in the Small Story As we continue our journey through The Big Story of God—a theme introduced last week by Bill Chapman—this Sunday, we zoomed in. Guest speaker Steve Ball, Elim's Regional Leader, led us into a powerful truth: while God is telling a grand story through Scripture, He also longs to speak into our small, personal stories—right here, right now. And how does He do that? Through His Word. "Blessed is the one… whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night." – Psalm 1:1-2 Steve reminded us that if we're looking for a more joyful, anchored, hope-filled life, it starts with this one practice: meditating on the Word of God. Not just reading it. Not just hearing it. But meditating on it—like slowly savouring a delicious meal, letting it linger, nourish, and shape us from the inside out. The Ancient Practice of Meditating on Scripture Steve taught us a method of biblical meditation that is thousands of years old—a way to truly engage with the Bible so that God's voice is no longer distant or abstract, but personal and transformative. Here's how: 1. Read it Don't rush. Read the passage slowly. Re-read it. Read it in different translations. Each time, allow God to highlight something fresh. 2. Speak it Say it out loud. Change your emphasis on different words. Speak it over your life, your situation, your family. There's power in declaring Scripture. 3. Write it Writing helps take things deeper. That might mean journaling, drawing, writing poetry, even writing a song. The goal? To respond creatively and personally to what God is saying. 4. Pray it Turn Scripture into a prayer. Invite God to speak through what you've just read. Prayer and writing often go hand-in-hand in this step. 5. Live it This is where transformation happens. As we meditate, the Word stays with us. It shapes how we think, speak, and live—day and night. God Is Ready to Speak – Are You Ready to Listen? Meditation is not something to endure—it's something to enjoy. The invitation this week is simple: slow down, open your Bible, and let God speak. Whether it's one verse or a whole chapter, He's ready to whisper words that will shape your life. “God has some beautiful things to say to you today—you just need to get started.” – Steve Ball

The birth of Jesus is filled with amazing moments - an unborn child leaping for joy, an angel choir appearing in the night sky and a star leading wise men to the exact location of the baby Jesus. This Christmas, you'll be encouraged afresh by God's Good News that brings great joy for everyone!

In this episode, I sit down with Steve Ball, one of the founding members of the incredible local band, Dogs for A Cause. This group of talented musicians plays gigs around town, raising money for various charities, all without taking a dime for themselves. Tune in to hear about their inspiring journey and the impact they're making in our community! Plus, don't miss their upcoming event this Saturday night at Russell Station in Greece, NY. For more details, check out their social media or local event listings. How does that look? Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to add or adjust!

How do we become the new community that Christ commissions? Can the church rediscover the Acts 2 vision for the church to be truly redemptive.

Good Morning Nashville! ☀️ What's up guys! Another week, so you know with every new week you can expect new content from your favorite father & son podcast being Black Men Vent Too ✌