FAI Central

Right after He tells all His disciples that 1) one of them is a traitor, 2) one of them is a denier, 3) He's leaving (and they can't come with) and 4) all the triggers are getting pulled by sunrise, Jesus says: "Let not your hearts be troubled." What?

We enter 2021 with John 14:1-6; and perhaps Jesus' encouragement—in tandem with His declaration that He is "the way, the truth, the life"—will serve you as we begin this New Year.

This week's passage is John 13:31-35, and it's CHRISTMAS! What does the Incarnation of the "Word made flesh, who dwelt among us" mean for the tomb, the cross, and the crown? "Maranatha" means Jesus came once to break the power of death and sin, and He's coming again to restore all things. In this episode, we meditate on the Incarnation and wish you all a MERRY-NATHA!

DURATION: 32 minutes

Young love is often as immature as it is sincere, and Peter was no exception. He had big dreams, a mouth to boot, and a real desire to stay steadfast—whatever befall. But he was about to find out just how far he could fall, and just how quickly he would implode.

We've all betrayed, and we've all denied. We've all hung by the thread of Jesus' intercession and wondered if we could survive. Find courage in the life of Peter. Listen to Part 3 of our journey through the Farewell Discourse: The Denier (John 13:31-38).

SONGS TO SING THIS WEEK:
- "Galilee," by Stephanie Quick
- "The Blood & the Barley," by Dalton & Anna Thomas

DURATION: 39 minutes

You’re 3 years into something that has cost you your life. You haven’t slept in your own bed since you heard “Follow Me,” and you’ve “done life” with the same twelve rowdy guys ever since—God Incarnate included. You sit down for the most special holiday meal of your entire calendar year, and He tells you someone in the room is about to stab Him—and everyone else—in the back.

What will this do to your family? Your community? Your ministry?

What will this do to Jesus?

And—is it you?

Listen to Episode 02 of our slow dive into the Farewell Discourse: The Traitor (John 13:18-33)

DURATION: 37 minutes

Jeff is back, Season 2 is rolling, and Christmas is right around the corner. Dare we say 2020 couldn’t take everything from us?

Here we begin a slow, deep swim through The Farewell Discourse. Join Jeff, Steph, and John the Beloved for a thoughtful meditation through Jesus’ last moments with His boys—with all the drama, tension, pain, and glory John could cram into these few chapters.

Episode 01: The Washing (John 13:1-17)

SONGS WE RECOMMEND:

- “Eden,” Jervis Campbell
- “Beloved,” Tenth Avenue North
- “Indiscriminate Act of Kindness,” Foy Vance

DURATION: 39 minutes

Incredibly, the company that began in Toccoa, trained on Currahee, jumped into D-Day and Market Garden, and held the Bois Jacques woods in Bastogne, lived to see VE Day in Berchtesgaden—at Hitler's very own mountain retreat, known as the "Eagle's Nest." At D-Day+336, these men who had lost, survived, and fought for so much got to kick their feet up on their enemy's balcony, plunder his champagne, and raise a few toasts to his final defeat.

This incredible moment was captured in an iconic photo that is usually found on our walls or computer desktops. It means so much to us because it reminds us of a day coming when we can celebrate the devil's defeat—and yet, we know the war isn't over when the seventh trumpet sounds.

Join Jeff, Steph, Anna, Andrew, and Dalton for the final episode in our 'Better Brotherhood' miniseries.


RESOURCES:
- "Gallows," song by Jess Ray
- "Commitment to a Wartime Lifestyle," Essay by Ralph D. Winter, Sept. 1, 1994 (see http://www.missionfrontiers.org/issue/article/commitment-to-a-wartime-lifestyle)
- "The Last Battle," C. S. Lewis


DURATION: 46 minutes