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With the world facing a pandemic unlike anything we've ever seen, people are looking too God for answers. But what questions are they asking? Here's a common one: Is God Angry? Is God angry with the sinfulness of this world.  We will answer that question today absolutely and confidently. But then comes other questions: Is God angry with all men or just some?  Is God allowing this to happen to Christians for a reason?  And maybe the most difficult one of all: Is God punishing godless nations and cities?  How confident can we be in our answers. We will explore what we can know from Scripture. 

In the end, it is less about why it is happening or who is behind it. The bigger question always is: what can I learn from this? What is the right reaction to suffering, sin and death in the world around us? And specifically, what should you be doing, whether you know what God is doing or not.  

- Is God Angry

- Is God testing His people

-Is God punishing evil nations 

- What can we learn from all of this

- What is the right answer, the right outcome, of all questions about God

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I need to tell you about Patrick.  He had a rough upbringing, a tragic loss, and a dark addiction. But two years ago he decided to get help.  And as he sat across from me, in my office, he was on step 12 of the Alcoholics Anonymous program!  And even as he was about to put on Christ in baptism, and celebrate victory over Satan, he needed more.  He said, "Kris, 12 steps is not enough. I need the 13th step."  I want to tell you about that step today.  I want to ask you how far you have come, if you have found victory, and if you are truly enjoying the decision that makes it all hold in place: the 13th step.

- what led Patrick to the waters of baptism

- what is the right way to deal with pain and addiction

- how was the 12 step program helped people heal their brokenness

- why is a 13th step needed to truly make the road to recovery hold

- are you caught in something scary and need a community of believers to help

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Don't panic.  We got this.  In fact, Christians were born for this.  At least, we were born again for this. When the world is turned upside down, Christians see Jesus standing upright.  We are the people who use times of fear to show courage. We use times of uncertainly to stand on solid ground. Today we will read a portion of an essay from 1948 to help with some needed perspective.  And then, at the end, I want to give you 6 basic, daily tips, to keep growing, even in this troubling time. 

- Why are people so scared of this pandemic

- Is this the first generation to have to deal with massive troubles

- How should Christians be found if disaster was to come to them

- Is this instruction from Jesus still valid: don't worry about tomorrow

- What are six things every child of God can do to make all the difference

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Let's explore how to get other people moving. I know, the purpose of these episodes is for you to work on yourself. And sometimes just doing that has the power to influence others. But every once in a while you actually need to get another person moving. How do you empower the individual to get going in their work?  Maybe in your family or in the church? Maybe at school or in the community? How do you get them engaged?

Governments and churches have gotten this wrong for years. To get people engaged, overseers organize programs, groups, public announcements, or sermons. These don't get it done. They are good encouragers for people who are actually trying, and need encouragement.  But legislation and public calls to action do not engage individuals who aren't currently interested in the work.  There is only one way to do that.  Let's explore that in today's episode!

- How do you get someone to engage in the work

- Why does it need to be done through individual connection

- How have churches and governments gotten it wrong over the years

- Why won't a sermon cause someone to engage in rightful living

- What does it take to connect with people in a way that empowers them

 

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No one enjoys trials.  If you are struggling with something in your life right now, you have no doubt prayed for relief. But as Christians, we have also signed on to be molded and trained by God. We wanted to be prepared to be a sanctuary, tried and true, and to do His work. After all, we have been saved to do His good works, and shine for Him. Do we have the right attitude about this? So many people want a life without trial, pain, temptation and sorrow. However, these things make us who God needs us to be. 

Joseph is a tremendous example. He went through many difficult events that were not his fault.  He always lived by faith and God was with him. In the end, though the 23 years away from his father were hard, he understood that God prepared him to do great things. Do you feel that way about the trials you are enduring right now?  Take a listen.

- Why do bad things happen to good people

- How can trials make us who God wants us to be

- What does it mean to be His workmanship, created for Good works

- How did Paul understand pain for the sake of glory

- How does Joseph show us the right attitude in difficult times

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The term "kick the bucket" has been around for well over 200 years.  But just in the last 15 years, we have started talking about "bucket lists." This represents things we would like to accomplish before the end of life. For the most part, people list places they would like to see or accomplishments they are striving for. And I'm not a big fan of exhaustive lists like this. If you just seize the day, and have a great attitude, a growing faith, and spiritual determination, most of that stuff will work itself out.

However, what if you just picked ONE bucket item?  What would you choose and single, most important thing you hope to pursue and accomplish between now and death.  It would be something you'd have to work hard for, something that would glorify God, and something that could help people long after you were gone.  What would that thing be?

- What is a bucket list and why do we have them

- Why are most bucket list items not really worth listing

- What would be the One Bucket Item you would want read at your funeral

- How do you set up the criteria for One Bucket Item

- How can you shrink down that criteria into everyday living

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When it comes to free time, discretionary time, we all wish we had more.  Life is busy. And obligations of our time exist in every single day of life.  From work to school to family to worship to rest, the calendar is full. But we all have moments around those events where we get to choose what to do!  Some say they do not, but that's not true. There are precious moments in every day where you get to decide what to watch, read, think, or do. 

If we aren't careful, we will waste those precious moments.  We will do things we immediately forget, things that have no value.  However, just by running our choices through one filter, one question, you and I can use that time much more wisely.  Whether the things we choose to do are unimportant, somewhat important, or very important, asking about Consumption or Remembrance will make all the difference.

- Why don't I have more free time

- How have I misused this precious time

- What are things I should consider before engaging in leisure time

- How does asking about "Consumed or Remembered" help me

- What would I do with more time to do things that resonated with my core values

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"Be the change you wish to see in the world." Do you know who said that? Most attribute it to Mahatma Gandhi.  Well, he didn't actually say that, but what he did say is amazing, and is summed up well in this popular phrase.  He created incredible change in the world by focusing on growing individually and letting that have a peaceful affect on then world. In that way, he is an incredible example.  

Did you know the best way to change an environment is to change yourself?  The best way to help others become better is to become better and show them a better way.  All of our episodes for the last year have been about you working on you!  The result:  you are different, and the people around you now are as well.  Not because you told them to listen to a podcast, but because they have seen those ideas living in you!

We would do well to stop focusing on collective issues and overlooking individual responsibilities.  If we do this correctly, we can help create a collective of morally growing people who can much more easily tackle large collective problems.  Today you will also hear from Jordan Peterson, as he discusses the need to keeping working on you, even if you really want to see global change. 

Finally, let's talk about faith.  Knowing all of these things doesn't really matter if we aren't living them in our faith.  The beautiful message of Scripture:  your change in spiritual behavior can save the souls of people around you!

- Who said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world?"

- What good is individual change when the world has such big collective problems?

- How can my personal growth be a difference maker for others?

- Why is it foolish to overlook my issues for "bigger issues?"

- How can I apply these lessons to my faith?

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Quitting can be a great idea.  If there are things in your life that do not resonate with who you want to become: quit them. If there are things that don't matter to God or your family, stop doing them.  If there are things that you know you will not ever return to, say goodby. This is actually a great way to create more time and energy for things that matter.  

However, when it comes to things that do matter to you:  stop starting over.  When it comes things you quit, but eventually find yourself returning to, stop starting over.  The energy put in to restarts could more efficiently be used on actual growth and progress!  In this episode we will look to identify some of these crucial things we need to stop walking away from.  And we will determine to see what our effort can produce if we use our energy to build on work, not rebuild abandoned structures.

- Why do I quit things and then start them up again

- How do I decide if it is the right time to quit

- What happens to my energy usage when I constantly restart

- How can that same amount of energy actually make a difference

- Faith, Friendship, Finances and Fitness:  what should I never quit again

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Christians seek first spiritual goals and the kingdom of God.  But let's not have our head in the sand:  money still matters. We need it to provide for our family.  And honestly, we need it to do a whole lot of extra great things for God and His people and the world. In centuries past, there were few opportunities to have money and save money and be rich. But we live in an amazing time for spiritual and physical blessings.  And if our hearts are right, and we make wise plans, we can honor Him every single step of the way.

It turns out, throughout the history of money management, a small list of tips are consistent for every generation.  I'd like to tell you my story, and how I learned these tips.  And also introduce to you a great book: The Richest Man In Babylon.  The seven steps in that book have the potential to change your life. 

- What is a great first step to securing your financial future

- How do people invest foolishly and lose everything

- What does it mean to "live below your means"

- Why would the Christian spend time thinking about money

- Who can help me find the right monetary path forward