Deep Thoughts, Simple Truths

You've lived as long as you have and have learned quite a few things about how this world works. You've read things, you've heard things, but also have experienced things. Your worldview is what you think is real. What you think is real determines what is true- those are your beliefs. What you think to be true is what is good- those are your values. And what you think is good is what you will do- those are your actions. 

We're talking about a worldview in this episode. Specifically a Christian one. It can answer these questions:

Origin: Where did I come from? 

Destiny: Where am I going?

Purpose: Why am I here?

Values: How should I live?

Truth: What is truth?

How does your worldview answer these questions? It may be worth thinking about. These things matter and play a part in your everyday life and the choices you make.

There's a lot of information in this episode. I hope that you can lower your red glasses for a moment to see the red letters that are in the Bible. 

Have you tasted what good, life-giving community tastes like? In this episode I invite a fellow believer and co-worker on the show to talk about the importance of connecting with people and what community is. I met Derek Thomas in the lunch trailer at work. It was just him and I. Minutes into our talking I found out he was a Christian. And this was right after our world was washing their hands constantly and wearing masks. It was refreshing to meet another believer. It was a sliver of what community was.

I'm sure you've felt the distance the last year and a half has brought. Zoom calls, phone calls, FaceTimes. But nothing substitutes the real thing. Good connection to people. In person. Especially in church. What does good community look like? How do we cultivate it? We talk unity, meeting together, being open and vulnerable, and being the body of Christ.

Have a listen and find a good community to be a part of.

Forgiveness. It's more than just saying you are sorry or that you forgive the other person. To forgive means to let go. It means not keeping a record of wrongs. It means forgiving people their faults the way that God has forgiven you.

In this episode, Pastor Aaron Denn of The Grove Church* joins me as we look at what forgiveness looks like and what it means. We look at verses from the Bible and draw out conclusions on how we are to live relationally with the people around us (as imperfect as they are) and how we are to relate to God (as imperfect as we are). What I appreciate about Pastor Aaron is how real and honest he is. He tells of an experience in college that taught him a valuable lesson about what happens when you forgive God's way. I went through a divorce and have experienced the same thing-the healing and freedom when we let that offense go.

I hope you have some time. It's a longer episode and we dive deep. Thank you for listening.

*The Grove Church is located in Marysville, Washington and their information is online at www.grove.church. Pastor Aaron serves there with an incredible staff that are building God's kingdom.

Welcome to this episode! We have a guest with us and he happens to be pretty cool. His name is Tim Johnson and yes he's related to me. We were live and in person for this recording and I had no idea where it was going. I took his lead and followed along. This man has depth to him. He lead with signs and destinations and purpose. I hope that he makes you laugh and you think about the things that were said. I know I sure did.

*Just because you make a wrong turn or come to a red light doesn't mean that's the end of your journey.* That was the line that got me.

I'd like to thank Tim for coming all the way out to Seattle just for this podcast. Just kidding. 

Anyway, enjoy and thank you for listening

In this NEW episode, I wanted to talk about what NEW is. Sure, it might be a NEW car or job, but it's only NEW once. Then it's OLD and gets OLD as time goes on. Then you go in search of something NEW again. All this striving for the NEW things this world has to offer you won't satisfy your soul. They are only temporary. Let's check out what God's Word says on what NEW is. He has continually NEW things. If you are in Him, you're a NEW creature. The OLD has gone. It's been erased and done away with. He does NEW things. He makes all things NEW. 

I hope you are encouraged by this episode. I know I sure was.

Hey listeners! Words have power. They can change your life. The right ones can lift you up and help you keep going. The wrong ones can stop you in your tracks and make you doubt. In this episode, we have a conversation with Tiffany Johnson about words. Encouraging ones, Godly ones. The best words I know come from the Bible. They are true, everlasting, and so comforting. 

I very much appreciate Tiffany's openness about how God's Word has helped her life. Her life verse is truly a great one. I hadn't thought of it in that light and I hope you are as encouraged as I was.

Also check out @adventureswithtiffonadime. She travels and shares her stories on Instagram. They are pretty cool and all done on her phone.

Thanks for listening

I'm so excited to announce my very first guest on the show! I have utmost respect and admiration for this man. He's coached me, encouraged me, listened to me, corrected me. My life wouldn't be where it is today without him. Give it up for Erik Shirkey everyone!

If you feel like going through a mentorship might be what you need, please check out www.meettheshirkeys.com. Both Erik and his wife, Mayra, do mentorships. If you are married, single, divorced, dating, or just feel broken, they may be a good match for you and can help you life your life from a place of health, power, and peace. 

I hope you enjoy the conversation.

It sounds like such a churchy, religious word, doesn't it? The fear of the Lord. Is it still something that we should know about and practice? Yes. Yes we should. It's a word that's similar to honor, respect, awe, admiration, reverence. We aren't supposed to be afraid of God and that he would smite us if we make a mistake. It's the other way around. We are to revere him and respect him and his word. Let him talk. Obey. To please him and bring him honor. 

Let's take a look at what Scripture teaches us and how we can better have a sense of what fearing the Lord looks like. My favorite part is what King Jehosaphat did when he heard what God would do for him when 3 nations were on their way to war with him.

I believe that the Bible is the breathed-out Word of God Himself. No other book has stood the test of time. It's where we get the 10 Commandments and the Golden Rule. So many truths are contained in it. It's a best seller worldwide. Yes there are some complex subjects and themes, but that doesn't make it invalid and outdated and false. It's worth studying and investigating. There are also verses that are very clear.

This Bible is for me, for today. It's legit. It hasn't lost value or meaning. The truths and principles can still apply in todays culture and society.

God didn't just send us the Bible. I'm not supposed to read it and try follow every rule to the letter. If I have questions, I can go to the Bible, but more importantly, I can go to the Author. "God, what did you mean when you said this.." He will explain it to me.

I value my Bible. I don't place anything else on top of it and it's the one item I would carry out of my house if there was a fire and I had to save one thing. It's life changing and I'm living proof.

Have a listen with me as we hear what the Bible says about itself.

Worship sounds like a very churchy word, but its seen in everyday peoples lives when you look at what they spend their time and attention on. It's where there heart is, what they talk about a lot. In this episode we check out some Scripture and where this idea of worshipping comes from. More than a song, worship is what you show devotion to and admiration for. The only person worthy of true worship is God Himself. All others are an idol and have way less value than God. Two very good reasons to worship God are 1) who He is and 2) what He's done. 

In Daniel 3, three men's lives were at stake on the subject of worship. The king himself was angry that these men didn't bow down to his image of gold. So he cast them bound into a burning fiery furnace. What happened next had him astonished and amazed. He changed his mind about worship after that.

Come explore the meaning of true worship with me. Thank you for listening