Exhorter Podcast

Exhorter Podcast

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Exhorter Podcast episodes

  • 48 - Not Superstitious, But A Little Stitious

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    Ever wonder why we have quirky rituals for sports games or high-stakes competitions? Are you guilty of patting your car dashboard before a road trip or avoiding ladders at all costs? We unravel these peculiarities, linking them to biblical teachings and how God views superstitions. Sharing a few laugh-worthy anecdotes we explore how superstitions affect our understanding of God's will.

    Also, drawing from compelling narratives like the Philistines taking the Ark of the Covenant, we expose the pitfalls of tokenizing religion and blurring the line between religion and superstition.

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    28 min
  • 47 - Balancing Life and Keeping God as a Priority

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    Ever wondered why, despite a packed schedule and ceaseless hustle, there’s a nagging feeling that something is missing? Are we sacrificing the truly important on the altar of the urgent? Join us as we have an honest conversation about the struggle to keep God at the forefront, amidst the whirlwind of life.

    In our quest to balance faith, family, hobbies, and 'me time', it's easy for our priorities to tip over. We share personal stories and talk about the challenge of recognizing when our priorities are out of balance. 

    Our journey takes us through an exploration of how to resist the allure of 'good' things that can distract us from the 'best'—keeping God as our priority. We end on a note of grace, acknowledging that stumbling is part of the journey, and sharing practical tips on how to trim the excess off our time for what truly matters. 

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    30 min
  • 46 - Should I Care What People Think of Me?

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    Ever found yourself grappling with the harsh reality of prioritizing others' opinions over your faith? You're not alone. In this episode, we crack open some biblical accounts to shed light on this dilemma. We look at John 12, where many couldn't openly profess their belief in Jesus due to their fear of the Pharisees. We also explore the story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) and see how anxiety over people's perceptions can lead to devastating choices. 

    As we journey through this episode, we examine how age and maturity play pivotal roles in our sensitivity to others' perceptions. Using Paul's experience in Corinth as a blueprint, we see that criticism can often fester even amidst spiritual maturity. But hey, that's where the challenge lies. As parents, we're tasked with instilling in our children a sense of self-worth that reflects their divine representation, aiming to cultivate a mindset that shouts 'None of self and all of Thee'.

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    29 min
  • 45 - Are You Excited for Extracurriculars?

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    Gospel meetings, singings, lectureships, youth forums...events like these are somewhat above and beyond the usual weekly worship service. They aren't more important but they do have their own benefits to our congregations and our own Christian walks. What is your attitude in regard to these "extracurricular" events?

    Join us as we reminisce about the importance of these sorts of events to our own lives. We also dive into how they have changed over time and what our attitudes should be towards these opportunities.

    This episode also serves as an announcement of some of our own events coming up this fall. Be sure to check out the episode and mark your calendars!

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    30 min
  • 44 - Rekindling Lost Love in Faith & Marriage

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    Remember the excitement of the start of a relationship? Those little notes, sweet gestures, and genuine eagerness to impress? In this episode, we explore the reminiscent charm of the initial stages of relationships and also draw a parallel to the early days of our conversion. Listen as we dissect the Church of Ephesus from Revelation 2, a congregation so steeped in doctrine they lost sight of their initial passion, their first love. This is not a tale of yesteryears, but a timely reminder of the peril of going through the motions, of letting the flame dwindle in our service to others and our relationships.

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    37 min
  • 43 - Back to School: Advice for Letting Lights Shine

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    Have you ever felt the pressure of fitting in while trying to maintain your faith in school? We're taking you on a journey back to our school days, exploring the trials and triumphs of navigating peer pressure, fitting in, and upholding faith. We delve into the importance of recognizing influences, the challenges in explaining our beliefs, and the balance required to maintain a healthy relationship between our faith and school.

    Imagine being a high schooler, trying to find your place in a society that struggles to fully accept those who are different. In this episode, we reflect on this reality and discuss strategies for building self-confidence and serving others. We highlight the significance of friends and parents in shaping a positive environment, and how establishing relationships within the church community can provide a meaningful support system.

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    35 min
  • 42 - Tackling Unmet Expectations

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    Life frequently diverges from our expectations, especially in relationships and careers, causing disappointment. This episode explores setting aligned expectations with God's will and managing them in interactions with others. Pulling insights from Proverbs 13:12, we discuss how anticipations can lead to disappointment, and how the art of compromise in relationships allows us to manage these expectations.

    But what happens when low expectations breed cynicism and negativity? Together, we'll dissect how faithfulness is key when setting expectations of God and those around us, and why grace and mercy are crucial when anticipations fall short. Drawing from Paul’s letter to Timothy, we'll delve into the importance of placing our hopes in serving God, guaranteeing that the outcome, regardless of what it is, aligns with the divine plan. The episode aims to guide listeners toward this reality by navigating the challenges of unmet expectations and underlining the need to ground hopes in God's Word. Effective communication and understanding our own imperfections are highlighted when expectations are not fulfilled. 

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    30 min
  • 41 - Reviving Gratitude for a Contented Life

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    In this podcast episode, we explore the pervasive struggle of falling into the comparison trap and succumbing to negativity, especially fueled by the influence of social media. By delving into the harmful consequences of these traps on both our well-being and relationships, we uncover the true cost of constantly reaching for more while neglecting gratitude. Drawing inspiration from real-life experiences, we discuss teaching contentment and resilience to our children and how fostering an attitude of gratitude can amplify our happiness and fulfillment. Join us on this transformative journey as we break free from the comparison cycle and prioritize the driver's seat of gratitude in our lives.

    Scripture References:

    • Philippians 4:4: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
    • James 1:2: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds."


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    29 min
  • 40 - Welcoming Visitors

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    Remember that time you walked into a room where everyone else seemed to know each other, and you felt like an intruder? Picture that scenario, but this time you're walking into a Church of Christ, trying to find solace and connection. In this episode, we peel back the layers of what it's like to be a newcomer in a church environment. We begin with exploring how simple actions of door greeters can shape a visitor's first impression and why it's necessary to ensure a warm and familiar ambiance for them.

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    26 min
  • 39 - Let’s Talk About Addiction - Part 2: Digging Deep

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    In this episode, we continue our interview with brother Jim Ruby and our subject of substance abuse,  addiction, and its effect on so many lives in the church. This part-2 is a Q&A, where we dig deeper into the roots of addiction and bring in a biblical approach to helping those entrapped in it. This is our longest episode yet because it is jam-packed with discussions on tough subjects like...

    • Being predisposed to addiction
    • Once an alcoholic always an alcoholic
    • Dangers of alcohol
    • Relationship between addiction and sin
    • Are 12-step programs biblical in practice? Are they helpful?
    • What can we in the church do to help those struggling with addiction?
    • Did the church (members) help or hinder Jim's recovery? 
    • and more...

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    56 min

About Exhorter Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to the Exhorter Podcast, where we aim to stir up love and good works through bite-sized biblical discussions. This local effort of the Church of Christ, located in Clovis, California, is…

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