Against the Grain

Prayer is foundational and vital to Christian living, however it can also be confusing and abstract. In this episode Lorraine, Sonja and Eric discuss growing a vibrant prayer life, the effects of prayer on our hearts and how to grow your faith through prayer.

No matter where you are in your faith journey, the idea of sharing your faith can be daunting. It's tempting to think that sharing the Gospel with others should be done by those who are better at it. The truth is, all believers are called to share the faith BOLDLY. In this episode, Eric, Tommy & Jamie discuss sharing the faith courageously.

Show notes:

8 Ways & Discipleship Resources

Today’s generation of 18-35 year olds are facing unique challenges as they navigate being young adults in this culture. Whether you are a young adult yourself or have a young adult in your life, this episode is for you! While the life stages vary across this age range, from college students to becoming new parents, they are all learning to navigate the future while navigating the culture of this world. Join us as Evan, Michelle and Eric discuss living against the grain as a young adult. 

References:

1 Timothy 4:12

1 Corinthians 7:7-9

Philippians 4:11-13

James 1:2-4

Hebrews 10: 24

Not Quite There Podcast

Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller

Rethink Yourself by Trevin Wax

Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller

Doing Life With Your Adult Children by Jim Burns

The workplace is one of the biggest mission fields out there- and you are uniquely positioned for that field. In this episode, Bobby, Aubrie and Eric discuss how faith impacts work and how that can be leveraged that for the Kingdom. From jobs in leadership to entry level positions to working remotely, your job is a mission field waiting to be reached.

Pam, Courtney and Eric continue their discussion on parenting young children in episode 12 pt. 2 of Against the Grain. Parenting can be as joyful as it is overwhelming. In this episode, we learn about discipling kids in a culture that is counter-discipling them. Join us for part 2 of this conversation about parenting young kids against the grain of this world.

Parenting young children can be as joyful as it is overwhelming. In this episode, Pam, Courtney and Eric discuss discipling kids in a culture that is counter-discipling them. Join us for part 1 of this conversation about parenting young kids against the grain of this world.

Belief in the resurrection of Jesus is central to our faith. 

And as we look back at what is recorded in scripture we see solid evidence that the events described that day really happened. The best part is that you don’t have to be a scholar or have a degree to understand it! The resurrection is a story of ultimate hope. We know how the story ends, but how did it happen? Why was it necessary? What is the life-changing power of the cross? In this episode, Rick, Brian and Eric dive into the rich evidence of the resurrection of Christ and what that means for us today. Understanding these facts helps equip us to enter hard conversations about our faith with knowledge and love.

Show notes

1 Corinthians 15:3-5, 17-19

1 John 5:13

Books:

Can We still Believe the Bible by Craig Blomberg

Unshakable Truth by Josh McDowell & Sean McDowell

The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus by Gary Habermas & Michael Licona

Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell

Person of Interest by J. Warner Wallace

Evidence for the Resurrection by Sean McDowell & Josh McDowell

Videos: 

Cold Case Christianity - The Resurrection

Is the Resurrection Real?

4 Proofs of the Resurrection by Lee Strobel 

Podcasts:

Is the Resurrection a Reasonable Inference

The Resurrected Jesus (an interview with David Limbaugh)

Was the Resurrection Real (an interview with Sean McDowel)

Articles:

The Resurrection Was a Real Event in History

The Resurrection is the Tiebreaker by Tim Barnett

Where Did These Minimal Facts About the Resurrection Come From?

Living out our faith is often easier in theory than in practice. The discipline of carving out time with the Lord, creating spaces for solitude, prayer, and sharing the Gospel are all aspects of the Christian faith that we often struggle with. In this episode, Ross & Eric discuss practical ways to cultivate habits of discipline in your life. Ross shares practices he has implemented in his own life and his walk with the Lord.

Show notes:

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Celebration of Discipline

FIRM: Family, Interests, Religion, Message

The number of people dealing with anxiety on a daily basis has skyrocketed in recent years. The question today is not what is anxiety or what causes anxiety. The question is what can I do about this anxiety I'm facing? In this episode, Rachel, Cathy & Eric discuss how we can learn to deal with anxiety to cultivate a non-anxious presence in our own lives. In a culture that only acknowledges anxiety, we can live against the grain by fighting to combat anxiety in our minds.

Show notes:

Philippians 4:5-7

1 Peter 5:7

Psalm 86:11

In then Christian life, so many things beg for our attention. Even good things like church and LifeGroups and spending time with others cannot replace our need for God’s Word. When we delight in His Word, our hearts become replenished. When we delight in His Word, we gain new wisdom and understanding. In this episode, Eric, Jordan and Katie discuss practical ways to cultivate a heart that craves God’s Word.

Show Notes:

Psalm 1:1-3