Being Sons

"Joy is the serious business of heaven" wrote C.S. Lewis. How seriously do you take it? In this important series we will explore the invitation to live joyfully and hear what Jesus has to say about it. In episode 1 we talk about our breakup story.

Out of his own story "Papa" John Eldredge offers us some valuable counsel on how to live in such a "gnarly" time as this. In this hopeful interview with best-selling author and friend, I simply asked the questions I'd ask if we were alone and sharing a cigar. We talk about building fires, 2-way dialogue with Jesus, our changing assignments and how to defend your kingdom without it killing you. I pray you find this conversation as helpful as I do.

Rich and Jay discuss with Morgan Snyder, author of Becoming a King, the practices of sonship that are keeping them safe and well fed in a climate of confusion and scarcity.

Psalm 23 promises "He sets a table before me in the presence of my enemies" but the table can be missed if you're not sticking close to Jesus. Crisis, pain and uncertainty are doorways for sons to discover the upside down economy of God. For those who are hungry and thirsty for what only God can give, there is a continual feast.

In this last episode in our series Rich and I continue our conversation with Geoff Smith and Ward Dow, men who've moved from just attending a local fight club in San Antonio, TX to starting one of their own. We address common questions every man will ask if he wants God to use him to create this unique environment where men can explore the frontier of sonship.

In this 3rd of a 4-part series on Fight Club you're going to hear from Rich Pantusa, Geoff Smith and Ward Dow as they share the surprising impact a simple campfire fellowship has had on them over time.

We reveal how the secret sauce to true transformation is rooted in two things: Your identity as son + belonging to an authentic community. Set your compass to find those two things and you will begin to get your heart and strength back.

Every man needs a place to step off the front lines and a group of men to share their stories with, but those can be hard to find. In this part 2 of a 4 part conversation we share more about the model of Fight Club for meeting men's need for authentic masculine community. We explore the rules of fight club, the flow of fight club and the desperate need for it in this hour.

For over 5 years now, once a month Jay has lit a fire in his side yard, filled a cooler with drinks and invited men to join him to explore and seize, together, the life Jesus promised. It's become one of the more significant catalysts of personal growth for the men who make the mid-week trek. Small communities like this are desperately needed in this hour. Join Jay and Rich as they kick off a 4-part series about Fight Club. What is it? Why does it work? And why is it so badly needed?

In this episode we continue our education on hearing God's voice with mentor Cayce Harris who leads us through some very practical connection exercises we can do anytime. In addition we explore these realities: 1. You already hear God's voice, 2. When you get stuck Jesus will always show up, 3. Breathing is prayer, and 4. God is Father. And Mother. We need both.

Buckle up. This is good.

Does God speak? And will He speak to me? There may be nothing more helpful or more opposed than a conversational intimacy with God. It's no surprise why people are divided on whether this is actually available, and to whom. In this interview Jay asks Cayce Harris, the Executive Director of a ministry that specializes in equipping people to hear the still, small voice of God, how to do it. She shares her story, the theology of hearing God and the common obstacles she's been helping people overcome for more than 2 decades to help them walk in life-giving connection with Him. This 2 part interview will finish with prayer to help us all practice discerning how God responds when we engage Him. Buckle up. This is good.

What's in a name? And what does it do for a man to hear God speak his name? In this conversation Jay and Rich share stories about the bestowing of our true identities through our names. Sometimes God gives us a new name and sometimes we hear our familiar name in a new way. In any case, a man doesn't walk away unchanged. Near the end of this episode we ask God the question every man longs to have answered, "God, how do you see me?"

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine." - Isaiah 43:1