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What if the life you’re protecting is the very thing keeping you from truly living? We open Matthew 16:24–26 and get honest about denying self, taking up the cross, and following Jesus when comfort, titles, and fear pull in the other direction.

With Pastor Lee and Erica at the table, we explore how sin bends us inward and how the gospel lifts our eyes to a bigger joy. We talk through the ancient weight of the cross—shame and suffering in plain sight—and why Jesus “despised the shame” for the joy set before Him. That lens changes how we handle work promotions, public pressure, and the temptation to keep our faith quiet to avoid ripples. You’ll hear practical ways to witness with courage, from a simple daily prayer—Lord, who is my one today?—to gentle, Spirit-led questions that open doors: How can I pray for you? Did you find your joy this morning?

We also look at the heart-level meaning of “lose your life to find it.” Identity shaped by the world frays under pressure; identity rooted in Christ holds. Titles aren’t the enemy, but they’re not the treasure. We reflect on Jeremiah’s calling as a picture of the hard, faithful road: predictable paths can be good, yet the narrow path is often the obedient one that glorifies God. If you’ve wrestled with silence at work, spiritual hesitation in public, or the pull to keep the waters calm, this conversation offers clarity and courage to put God first—every room, every decision, every day.

If this spoke to you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs boldness today, and leave a review so others can find it. What one step will you take this week to be salt and light?

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A single request echoes through the garden and into our lives today: stay awake. Not just awake on the outside, but alert in spirit—eyes open to God’s will, ears tuned in, and a heart ready to move when he says go. Pastor Lee walks through Mark 14:32–42 and the scene at Gethsemane, where Jesus asks his closest friends to watch and pray and they cannot hold the hour. From that moment, we follow a thread through Luke 18 and John 4 to see how easy it is to be physically present yet spiritually distracted, missing the very people and moments God is using to advance his kingdom.

Pastor talks about “access to excess” and how constant inputs can numb discernment. Pastor Lee contrasts a surface-level faith with a living, listening relationship that actually recognizes the Father’s work in the small and the surprising—children brought to Jesus, a Samaritan woman who brings a town, a grave about to become a testimony. Along the way, we unpack what watch-and-pray really means: a posture of alertness, humility, and dependency that turns everyday routines into assignments. Expect a pastoral, urgent, and hopeful charge to wake up with practical steps—simplifying your inputs, carving undistracted prayer, staying ready to give an answer, and making yourself available to be used any day of the week.

If you’ve felt spiritually drowsy, drifting, or overwhelmed by noise, this conversation is your alarm clock. Join us as we ask God to open our spiritual eyes and ears so we don’t miss what he’s doing right now. If this encouraged you, share it with someone who needs a wake-up call, subscribe for more conversations beyond Sunday, and leave a review to help others find the show.

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Pastor Lee and Erica sit with Brittany Spivey to trace a winding road from church pews to rebellion, from suicide and addiction to a quiet surrender in a car ride home. The thread through it all is preservation—God’s hand shielding, guiding, and finally planting her in a church family where truth and love take root.

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The call of God on our lives rarely aligns with our own expectations or perceived abilities. In this powerful exploration of Jeremiah chapter 1, Pastor Lee and Erica unpack the profound truth that God designs us for specific purposes before we even exist.

What happens when God disrupts your carefully planned life with an unexpected calling? Jeremiah faced this exact situation as a young man from a priestly family. Instead of following the predictable priestly path, God called him to the challenging, unpredictable role of a prophet. His immediate response? Excuses about his youth and inability to speak well – something many of us can relate to when facing divine disruption.

The heart of this episode centers on a transformative truth: "When God speaks to you about something, what you do next shows what you believe about God." Are you making excuses that reveal a lack of faith, or stepping out in obedience despite your fears? Pastor Lee and Erica examine how God responds to our hesitation with gentle reassurance and firm direction, promising His presence through every challenge.

Perhaps most encouraging is God's promise that He "watches over His word to perform it." When God speaks something over your life, He takes responsibility for bringing it to fulfillment. Your struggles haven't caught Him by surprise – He knew them before they arrived and has already prepared the way through them.

Whether you're questioning your purpose, resisting God's call, or seeking confirmation about a direction in your life, this episode offers biblical wisdom and practical encouragement to embrace God's divine appointment. Remember, if He called you to it, He will see you through it.

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Grace Weyant knew something was wrong. For three years, doctors dismissed her shoulder pain until a cancerous tumor was finally discovered on her spine in 2015. This diagnosis interrupted what seemed like a perfect life for Grace and Shaun Weyant—parents of four young children.

What follows is an extraordinary testament to the power of faith when facing life's most devastating challenges. Upon arrival at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Grace had a divine appointment that seemed orchestrated from Heaven itself. The hospital houses a statue called "The Divine Healer," depicting Jesus with the inscription "Come to me all who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Having earlier been moved by a sermon about the woman who touched Jesus' garment for healing, Grace found herself able to symbolically touch the hem of Christ's garment through this statue—a powerful moment confirming God's presence in her journey.

The support that surrounded the Weyant's reveals the critical importance of community during crisis. While Shaun temporarily closed his business to care for Grace and their four children during Grace's 21-day hospital stay and recovery, their church family and community stepped in with remarkable generosity. From preparing children's lunches to handling grocery shopping, from financial donations to simply being present, these acts of kindness demonstrated how small gestures can provide profound relief during overwhelming circumstances.

Yet the Weyant's story doesn't end with one successful surgery. Grace faced recurrence in 2018, then again in 2022. Their daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor. They lost a sister-in-law. Through each new challenge, Grace discovered that complete surrender—not just hoping for healing but trusting God regardless of the outcome—was the key to maintaining joy and peace. As she powerfully states: "Following Jesus has not been easy, but it has been worth it. I cannot imagine going through life without Him."

Whether you're facing your own health crisis, supporting someone through theirs, or simply seeking perspective on life's fragility, the Weyant's ongoing journey offers this powerful reminder: while faith doesn't guarantee an easy path, it provides the strength, community, and divine companionship necessary to walk it with dignity, purpose, and even joy. What challenge are you facing today that could benefit from their example of faith in Jesus Christ?

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Have you ever longed for a place of complete safety in an increasingly chaotic world? During a recent camping trip, Pastor Lee Day and his wife Erica discovered profound spiritual truths while reading scripture beside a morning campfire that could transform your understanding of divine protection.

The Days unpack the beautiful concept of God as our "hiding place" from Psalm 32:7, revealing that the Hebrew word used is identical to the word for a mother's womb – suggesting a protection that encompasses, nourishes, and develops us completely. This isn't just poetic language; it's a practical reality available to every believer who chooses to dwell in God's presence.

What makes this message so powerful is how the Days balance theological depth with raw honesty about life's challenges. They acknowledge Jesus's warnings about persecution while simultaneously affirming that our strength comes not from avoiding difficulties but from experiencing them while sheltered in God's presence. As Erica beautifully states, "God doesn't always give us the answer, but he always gives us himself."

The conversation takes a challenging turn when they distinguish between occasionally visiting God's presence during emergencies versus habitually dwelling there. Using Spurgeon's insights and their "Stay in the Fort" analogy, they invite listeners to experience the difference between religious visitation and spiritual habitation.

Whether you're facing mountains of uncertainty or simply seeking deeper spiritual grounding, this episode offers practical wisdom for experiencing God as your complete refuge – a shield "above, beneath, around, without and within." Join the conversation and discover how to move from occasional visits to permanent residence in the shadow of the Almighty.

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The fiery furnace story from Daniel 3 provides powerful insights on maintaining unwavering faith even in life's most challenging trials.

• Pastor Lee and guests Daniel Raynor and Frankie Brown discuss Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's bold stance against King Nebuchadnezzar
• The "even if" mentality represents perhaps the boldest statement of faith in scripture
• When anger arises, pausing gives the Holy Spirit time to work within us
• Being bound in trials forces us to let God do the fighting for us
• Jesus Christ appears as the fourth man in the fire, demonstrating His presence in our darkest moments
• Those who experience God's deliverance "don't look like what they went through"
• Our willingness to face difficult situations rather than run from them can lead to transformation that impacts generations
• The king's heart was changed because three young men were willing to walk through fire rather than compromise

If you're going through a fiery furnace type trial in your life, keep pressing forward. God is in the midst of it and wants to rescue you. Be willing to walk in obedience and freedom, trusting that He will remove what has you bound.

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"Even if God doesn't rescue us, we will not serve your gods." These powerful words from Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego perfectly capture what it means to be a prisoner for Christ—complete surrender and obedience regardless of outcome.

In this heartfelt conversation, Pastor Lee welcomes his wife Erica to explore Paul's profound declaration in Ephesians 3:1 where he identifies himself as "a prisoner for Christ Jesus." Together, they unpack what this identity means for believers today, examining how Paul's physical imprisonments in Philippi, Caesarea, and Rome became platforms for ministry rather than limitations.

The discussion weaves through powerful biblical narratives—from Paul and Silas singing hymns at midnight while chained in an inner cell, to Jesus calming the storm after the disciples followed him obediently into the boat. These stories reveal a transformative truth: being Christ's prisoner means viewing every circumstance as an opportunity to spread the gospel, choosing obedience regardless of comfort or convenience.

Perhaps most striking is the paradoxical freedom that comes with this surrender. As Pastor Lee notes, "Paul had more freedom sitting inside those prison walls than most people walking around outside." This liberty comes from understanding that victory isn't avoiding tribulation but overcoming it through Christ's power. As Erica beautifully articulates, "Sometimes walking in victory isn't always avoidance of tribulation... we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony."

Whether you're facing storms in your health, relationships, career, or faith journey, this episode offers the encouraging reminder that God is with you in the boat. Stay in obedience to where He has called you, proclaim His promises, and discover the extraordinary freedom that comes from being a prisoner for Christ.

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Have you ever considered what it truly means to give God your very best? In this soul-stirring conversation, Pastor Lee Day and Brother Frankie Brown unpack the ancient biblical principle of First Fruits and reveal its transformative power for modern Christian living.

Drawing from Exodus 23:19, "The best of the first fruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of the Lord, your God," they challenge listeners to examine whether they're offering God their prime morning hours or merely the leftover scraps of their day. Through vivid analogies—from garden-fresh tomatoes to perfectly ripe avocados that brown as the day progresses—they illustrate how our spiritual receptivity naturally diminishes throughout our waking hours.

Brother Frankie vulnerably shares his own journey of answering God's call to rise earlier for devotional writing, noting how dramatically it has enriched his spiritual life. Meanwhile, Pastor Lee recounts a powerful testimony of how simply praying before his pre-dawn work shift resulted in a security guard immediately recognizing his Christian witness—simply by watching him walk across a parking lot.

The conversation expands beyond morning devotions to explore how First Fruits applies to our finances, travel plans, and work life. Both men emphasize that giving God our best isn't about obligation but hunger—a spiritual appetite that grows as we consistently feast on His presence first thing each day.

Whether you're struggling with consistency in your devotional life or looking to deepen your spiritual practices, this episode offers practical wisdom for anyone seeking to honor God with their best instead of their leftovers. Listen now to discover how the ancient principle of First Fruits can revolutionize your relationship with God and transform every aspect of your day.

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There's a profound difference between being knocked down and being knocked out. In this deeply moving episode, Pastor Lee welcomes Daniel Raynor, whose life exemplifies the redemptive power of God's relentless love even in our darkest moments.

Daniel's story defies the typical assumptions about addiction. Raised in a loving Christian home with both parents present, he was an athlete who enjoyed a particularly close relationship with his father. Yet despite this seemingly ideal upbringing, methamphetamine found its way into his life during high school. His disarmingly honest admission—"I tried it, I liked it"—shatters the myth that addiction only befalls those from troubled backgrounds.

What follows is a raw journey through the valleys of grief and addiction. Daniel shares how he used drugs to numb himself while his father was dying, and how he lost his position in ministry, his marriage, and daily presence in his daughters' lives. The pain is palpable as he describes these losses, yet so is the undercurrent of hope that runs through his testimony.

The turning point arrives unexpectedly. While high on meth and listening to a Christian song, Daniel experiences the Holy Spirit in a way that outshines any drug-induced high. "It was the purest feeling I had ever felt," he explains, "and I was high on meth, so I knew the difference." This powerful encounter begins a non-linear journey toward recovery that eventually leads him back to serving in church.

Daniel's testimony resonates with the prophetic words from Joel 2:25 spoken over his life years ago: "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten." Now remarried and serving alongside his wife, they dream of creating "Restoration Ranch," where their shared passions for roping and barrel racing become vehicles for introducing others to Jesus.

Have you ever felt too far gone for redemption? Listen to this episode and remember that while you may have been down, with God, you're never out. Share this powerful testimony with someone who needs to hear that their story isn't over yet.

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