Exempla

In 1647, Christmas was outlawed in England. Why would Parliament cancel the observance of such a beloved holiday and how did the people respond? It wasn't pretty. I'll tell you the story in this episode and share a lesson about how we choose our battles.

Sources/transcript: exemplapodcast.com/2024/12/14/the-plum-pudding-christmas-riots/

Benjamin Franklin had a son. We don’t hear much about William Franklin, possibly because of a decision he made in 1775 that forever changed the relationship between father and son. Let me tell you the story of how Ben and William found themselves on opposite sides of history—and how their story echoes the personal cost of standing by your convictions.

Pictures/sources/transcript: exemplapodcast.com/2024/11/23/ben-franklins-family-feud/

Some leaders are not worthy of our respect. King Saul was a highly dysfunctional king and he was trying to kill David, but when David had the chance to kill his worst enemy, his response surprised his loyal side-kick Abishai. Let me share the valuable lesson David has to teach us about how and when to honor authority.

Transcript: exemplapodcast.com/2024/11/09/a-chance-to-kill-the-king/

Leonardo da Vinci was a genius. But one of his artistic endeavors got the better of him. I want to tell you about Leonardo’s horse, a giant sculpture that did not end up like Leonardo intended. It was a project that some people say haunted him until the day he died.

Pictures/Sources/Transcript: exemplapodcast.com/2024/10/26/leonardo-da-vincis-giant-horse/

My seventh birthday was a disaster. It came during a move for my family, a move that did not go as smoothly as we hoped. But it’s funny how we can have good memories of unpleasant experiences. Reflecting on that miserable birthday makes me profoundly thankful and helps me think about what really matters in a child’s life.

Order your copy of The Christian Storyteller: https://a.co/d/iBN9WoD

Transcript/photos: exemplapodcast.com/2024/10/12/the-worst-birthday-ever/

What can you learn from a dead fish? You might be surprised. Samuel Scudder was certainly surprised by his fish encounter when he started studying under the renowned scientist Louis Agassiz. Let me tell you Scudder’s story and challenge you to ponder the valuable spiritual lesson Agassiz's fish can help us consider.

Get your copy of The Christian Storyteller: https://a.co/d/izDtlgF

Episode photos/sources/transcript: exemplapodcast.com/2024/09/21/look-at-your-fish/

Olympic middle-distance runners can run a mile in under four minutes. They are phenomenal athletes, but in many ways, they are just like the rest of us. Let me tell you the story of a race at this summer’s Olympics, the rivalry that fueled it, and the lesson we can learn from the result.

Video/pictures/sources: exemplapodcast.com/2024/09/07/theres-no-medal-for-fourth-place/

Do you want to become an effective storyteller who points others to the truth of God’s Word? I want to help. Listen to the introduction to my new book The Christian Storyteller. Learn more at christianstorytellerbook.com.

Sometimes, church is hard. There can be members you don’t like very much or people who just don’t seem to fit. What do we do when it feels like the church would be better off without some of its members? This is a story about a woman who thinks one man in her church might be more trouble than he’s worth. Is she right?

Learn more about The Christian Storyteller: christianstorytellerbook.com

Learn more about the Proclaim Podcast Network: proclaim.fm

Transcript and source for this episode: exemplapodcast.com/2024/08/24/necessary-members-replay/

It doesn’t surprise us that a volcanic eruption could shape history, but what about a postage stamp? Sometimes small things make a big splash. Listen to this story about the origin of the Panama Canal and learn a lesson about the influences that decide the course of history.

Learn more about The Christian Storyteller: ⁠christianstorytellerbook.com⁠

Pictures, sources, and transcript for this episode: ⁠exemplapodcast.com/2024/08/10/master-plan-replay/