In this episode, Pastor Danny talks with Elaine Streno about Second Harvest Food Bank and the fight against hunger in East Tennessee. They discuss the growth of the organization, the development of food distribution efforts, and how partner agencies help address the ongoing challenge of food insecurity in the area. She also share emotional and spiritual motivations behind the mission to feed the hungry, as well as ongoing societal conditions which contribute to this need. For 32 years, Elaine has served as CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. You can find out more about their work at secondharvestetn.org.

Pastor Danny explores the themes of gratitude, trauma, and worship within the context of community and faith. He emphasizes the importance of resilience and realizing that our feelings emerge from our thinking. Danny talks about worship as a communal experience and the need for gratitude in our lives. He also touches on the challenges faced by church members and the significance of understanding our identity as part of God's flock. Ultimately, the enduring nature of God's faithfulness and goodness remains a basis for our worship of God.

In this episode, Pastor Danny recalls the reckless generosity of an unnamed woman whose actions are located in all four gospels. Her name is not mentioned nor are there any recorded words from her in that situation. More importantly, however, is that what she did remains as a testimony of love for Jesus. Her actions in that moment continue to be told "in memory of her." In a similar way, what is done for Jesus will remain long after we are gone.

In this episode, Pastor Danny and Brent McDougal have a fun yet meaningful conversation about Halloween, discussing personal experiences with the holiday, cultural tradition, and how the church can navigate this holiday. The conversation deals with fear and death, spiritual forces, and the importance of remembering the saints. Brent is the author of "Prayer Power: 40 Days of Learning to Pray like George Mueller” and be can followed on his website www.prayerpower.com. He has a Master of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Alabama. Brent is currently serving as Pastor of First Baptist Church of Knoxville, TN.

In this episode, Pastor Danny shows appreciation for pastors and others in helping professions. He discusses the struggles of feeling that one's work may not matter, drawing parallels to the life of poet John Keats. The conversation explores themes of failure, restoration, and the significance of love and community in the face of adversity. The need for hospitality, the dangers of fear, and the call to live out one's faith through action are emphasized. Ultimately, the calling of Jesus to faithfulness is more important than worldly success.

In this episode, Pastor Danny talks with Matthew Bimstein about his education, influences, and the importance of music and the arts. Matt (aka Mr. B) shares insights on the challenges and rewards of being a band director, the impact of marching band on students, and the significance and role of community support. He reflects upon the influence of faith in his life and the legacy he hopes to leave with his students. Matt received numerous awards and recognitions while playing in the Tennessee Tech University Golden Eagle Marching Band while also receiving his Music Education degree. In addition, he has a Masters in Percussion Performance and Literature from the University of Tennessee; he also served as graduate teaching assistant for the percussion studio. Matt is a fan of "Mr. Holland's Opus" and is currently serving as Band Director at Clinton High School in Clinton, TN.

In this episode, Pastor Danny interviews Meredith Miller about nurturing faith in children and the metaphor of spider webs to illustrate resilience in faith. She discusses the dangers of oversimplifying Bible stories, the importance of rituals in spiritual formation, and the need for connection and fun in church settings. She also emphasizes the importance of recognizing each child's uniqueness in their faith journey and the role of trusted adults in shaping their understanding of God. Meredith has a B.A. in Religious Studies from Westmont College and an M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary. She's a pastor and a parent who helps grownups and the kids they love, engage the Bible in ways that are life-giving and a fit for their real lives. Meredith is the author of "Woven: Nurturing a Faith Your Kid Doesn't Have to Heal From." And, you can find out more about her at www.meredithannemiller.com.

In this episode, Pastor Danny talks with Rev. Laura Stephens-Reed about the importance of celebrating church health, navigating transitions, and the interconnectedness of the pastor's health and the church's health and well-being. She also explores the concept of "soul repair", the challenges of church bullying, and the importance of accountability. The conversation highlights her own experience as a woman in ministry and concludes with thoughts on hospitality and the future of the church. Laura is a clergy and congregational coach and has undergraduate and graduates degrees from the University of Tennessee and the Candler School of Theology. She's currently working on her Doctor of Ministry from Lexington Theological Seminary. You can find out more about Laura and her work at laurastephensreed.com

In this episode, Pastor Danny reflects on the current state of political violence in America, especially with the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk. Danny draws parallels to events in America that occurred in 1968, while emphasizing the importance of preaching timeless truths from scripture. He discusses the challenges of preaching in today's culture, the need for the church to stay focused on its mission, and the importance of managing anger and responses in a polarized environment.

In this episode, Pastor Danny Chisholm unpacks a recent sermon from 2 Timothy 4.1-5 and reflects on the current state of political violence in America, especially in light of the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk. Danny draws parallels to events from 1968 in America while emphasizing the importance of preaching timeless truths from Scripture. He discusses the challenges of preaching in today's culture, the need for the church to stay focused on its mission, and the importance of managing anger and responses in a polarized environment.

Chapters

00:00 Reflections on Political Violence and Division

02:22 Historical Context: Lessons from 1968

05:11 Timeless Truths from 2nd Timothy

07:32 The Role of Preaching in Today's Society

10:33 Navigating Echo Chambers and Sound Doctrine

12:52 Maintaining Focus Amidst Distractions

15:39 Choosing Love Over Hate in Political Discourse