Glimpses of Grace

In this episode, Mark and John finish their 3-part podcast series on suffering. The guys walk through passages in 1st and 2nd Corinthians, answering questions such as: "Will God put more on you than you can handle?" "Why doesn't God remove the thorn in the flesh?" If you want to discuss more, please email GFI at [email protected]

Links

Josef Tson on suffering: https://www.epm.org/resources/2022/Jun/24/josef-tson/

We may not know why we suffer, but we know that Jesus knows our pain and never forsakes us in our suffering. In this episode, Mark and John continue their discussion on suffering and look at the life of Jesus. Jesus suffered, and He suffered for us as our substitute. Where is Jesus when I suffer? This is a question we ask. He is not watching suffering from a distance. In Christ, God stepped into it! Jesus was a man of sorrows (Isaiah 53). Like us, Jesus experienced rejection, betrayal, and abandonment. However, some of Jesus' suffering was unique to Him. Mark and John discuss that knowing that God will ultimately make things right doesn't mean grief is inappropriate today. Suffering may attack your circumstances without changing your identity. Suffering changes many things, but it does not change who you are in Christ.

Links

Notes on Suffering: https://gracenotebook.com/the-faithful-god/

In episode 94, mark and John discuss suffering, specifically from the pages of the Old Testament. To understand suffering, you must first understand the fall in Genesis 3. Suffering is a consequence of the fall. Sometimes we suffer because of choices we make, sometimes it comes from others' choices, and sometimes we suffer simply because we live in a fallen world. Dr. John speaks of the Book of Job as a Case Study on Suffering. The book destroys the false assumption that good people never suffer. John mentions there may be dimensions to our suffering that we cannot see. Mark discusses how faith doesn't mean pretending something doesn't hurt. We discuss Job's friends: what they did well and what they did poorly. John gives the great point that we must be careful about trying to explain someone else's suffering. What they need is our presence. When you cannot understand the "why," keep trusting the "Who." God does not waste our suffering. He is capable of redeeming every painful event!

Links

Case Study of Job, Pt. 1- https://gracenotebook.com/job-a-case-study-on-suffering-part-1/

Case Study of Job, Pt. 2- https://gracenotebook.com/job-a-case-study-on-suffering-part-2/

C. S. Lewis Book, The Problem of Pain- https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/c-s-lewis-on-the-problem-of-pain/

Joni Eareckson Tada- https://joniandfriends.org

Why should we journal, and how do you do it? In this episode, Mark and John discuss how to journal, the importance of journaling, and how each of them incorporates it into their daily routine. They also discuss the difference between a journal and a diary. The podcast ends with 10 blessings of journaling.

Links

SOAP Journaling: https://elcmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/soap_instructions.pdf

Art and Soul of Journaling by PJ Clark: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Soul-Journaling-Greater-Intimacy/dp/B08B3338V4/ref=sr_1_2?crid=IB7KVOQ3XPZC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1yy2xLsfk1pioeI5RFqnn43ZF10QOc-Wafu3l9afTyOL1JAkPYEiSZqLum7ioW5TgRXJ_G3ZFFr5ZGEVxT8XimMY_GPNl552VL_CMDVPu1n8Wz7YvjekJ4Y_hBHhJIGG8vie0_TQCIFoGqEZ6X-TQ9MuogmDbBFbLVRna2tKXhn7naAytoaay_NeAmY6OcRPPA-Juky69VrDjSHdRhIYOKEazUBnYT8K3AX9mizGGWk.x5dpdcoGAbhb9g78q7wtCaZTqM2z7DO9KMnJ-a1QWL0&dib_tag=se&keywords=pj+clark&qid=1787239337&sprefix=pj+clark%2Caps%2C734&sr=8-2

In this podcast, Mark and John discuss how to pray. Prayer is not about getting God to do what we want. It is about enjoying a relationship with the One who already lives in us. Prayer is communicating with God, and Hebrews 4:16 speaks to the fact that we can come "boldly unto the throne of grace." We discuss why prayer is important and how the "Lord's Prayer" is a model for us to use, not just something to repeat. Finally, we discuss different types of prayer as well as obstacles to prayer.

Links

Show Notes: ⁠https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/praying%20life/⁠

My Prayer Helps: ⁠www.MyPrayerHelps.com⁠

Jennifer Kennedy Dean Book: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/159669291X?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback⁠

Strategic Renewal: ⁠https://www.strategicrenewal.com⁠

In this podcast, Mark and John discuss how to study Scripture. We share our regular morning quiet time routines. John shares how Scripture is spiritual food and a light for our path. We also discuss meditation and the four steps of study, which include:

• Observation
• Interpretation
• Illumination
• Application

If you don't know where to start, we discuss options and different things you can study in Scripture. We also discuss different Bible tools that will assist you in studying Scripture.

Links

YouVersion Bible: https://www.youversion.com/bible-app

John's Bible Reading Plan: https://gracenotebook.com/the-balanced-diet-reading-plan/

Hand Illustration: https://www.navigators.org/resource/the-word-hand/

Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/

Blue Letter Bible: https://www.blueletterbible.org/

Logos: https://www.logos.com

In this episode, Mark is joined by GFI's office manager, Liz, and our newest colleague, Dr. Scott Jenkins. Together, they discuss a recent camp, the increase of mental health issues amongst teenagers, and how phones/social media have added to this increase. Dr. Scott describes how the teenage brain works with all the emotions being developed, but logic (the pre-frontal cortex) is not. He states that responding to emotion with emotion only causes more confusion for teenagers. Scott, Mark, and Liz also discuss a new upcoming GFI resource for teenagers.

Links:

Certification to become a Guide for Students: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ELC_certification_children_2025.pdf

Victorious: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/event/victorious-a-four-week-summer-series-for-students/

Giving: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/about-gfi/donate/

GFI Life Coaching: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/coaching/

In this podcast, Mark and John discuss how, in Christ, we have a personal identity, but also a corporate identity. In Scripture, we see believers being called the family of God and the body of Christ. In this episode, we discuss the meaning of the word church and why having a corporate identity is important in our daily faith life. Mark and John break down "living stones" in 1 Peter 2 and why being "Lone Ranger" Christians is not the way God designed community.

Links:

Corporate Identity Notes: https://gracenotebook.com/corporate-identity/

GFI App for Apple- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6446342103

Android- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.subsplashconsulting.s_S8HP79

Victorious Student Summer Series: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/event/victorious-a-four-week-summer-series-for-students/

GFI Monday Night Bible Study Info: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/event/deeper-life-discipleship-study-online-meeting/

July Seminar: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/event/finding-joy-7/

July GFI Workshop: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/event/exchanged-life-counseling-workshop-12/

Certification Info: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/counseling-certification/

We give thanks to the Institute in Basic Life Principles for allowing us to use the Pineapple Story. In this podcast, we hear from Otto Koning, a missionary in the area of Papua New Guinea. Otto's story is both humorous and convicting as he helps us see the importance of conquering anger and surrendering our rights. If you would like to watch Otto's testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKYl6OM_eN0

LINKS:

Institute in Basic Life Principles: https://iblp.org

The Pineapple Story Audio Series: https://store.iblp.org/the-pineapple-story-audio-series.html

The Pineapple Story: https://store.iblp.org/the-pineapple-story-session-1-the-pineapple-story.html

In this podcast, Mark and John interview Linda King, the founder of www.Christianvideos.net. Linda has created 3 parable videos, a project with Major Ian Thomas, and a children's program called "Color Me a Rainbow." Linda shares her journey to Christ, as well as her understanding of Christ as life.

LINKS:

Linda's Website: https://christianvideos.net

Video's: https://christianvideos.net/?page_id=22

Linda's YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@shepherdassociateschristia8031

Torch Bearer's Major Ian Thomas Project: https://torchbearers.org/media/shop/rediscovering-christ-dvd-set/