Grace or Grit

How do we live a balanced life?  

Job.  Family.  Church.  Community.  Health.  Fitness.  Hobbies.  Aaaaaa!  How should I prioritize things?

One way of looking at life is by categorizing things as 1. sacred (or spiritual), 2. secular, or 3. sinful?  But is that legitimate?

This discussion might NOT appear to be as controversial as some that we have undertaken, but if you think deeply and practically, this is a real wrestling match for every Christian.

Our guest on this program is Pastor Jeff Minniear.  He has started the Shiloh Baptist Church in Bowie, MD.  It is a multi-ethnic work.  (Psst, he sounds just like Ross from FRIENDS).  Join Dave, Patrick, and Jeff for this significant conversation.

It makes sense that we would be rather defensive about the Bible we read.  After all, it is the vehicle God uses to reveal Himself to us.  But throughout my life I have witnessed considerable tension resulting from the debate over which translation of the Bible is best for the English speaking world of today.  On the one hand, such sensitivity is appropriate.  It is Satan who leads the attack on what God has said.  On the other hand, outrage and dogma have dominated many and (understandably) has done more harm than good.  Then others are so nonchalant about the issue that it begins to merit serious suspicion.  

Jesus Himself warned that many of His supposed followers were insincere and would not make it into His kingdom.  This is sobering news.  It is an issue that deserves careful attention.  Am I & are you fake Christians, or are we the real thing?

Join Patrick Reed and Dave Talley as they discuss the nature of repentance with Pastor Randall Blackmon of the First Baptist Fellowship in Cambridge, MD.  They attempt to unravel what the Bible says about the timing of repentance as it relates to regeneration, but there is so much more that makes it into this important conversation.

Of all the controversies that we could discuss, this one is an internal controversy.  It's an argument that I have with myself almost daily and a dilemma that I've struggled with throughout almost 20 years of pastoral work: what is the proper balance in ministry.  Specifically, how much time should a pastor spend studying, praying and preaching, and how much time should be spent in personal relationship building.  The 2 shouldn't be in competition - or so it would seem.

The late Rev. Tim Gelatt once reminded me that people ARE my ministry.  So, why the tension?  Joining Patrick and I for today's podcast is a true friend in ministry, Pastor Jared Mitchell.  Listen as the three of us wrestle out loud with our own personal issues and struggles in fulfilling our calling.

When it comes to sacred music, should we use the old hymnal & sing along with a piano, or do we build a band & sing the Christian songs from the radio?  Paul admonished us in Ephesians 5:19 to "...speak to yourselves in psalms & hymns & spiritual songs, singing & making melody in your heart to the Lord..."  But what does that look like in 2020?  Or what should it look like?  Joining David and Patrick for this episode is the pastor of White Oak Baptist Church in Stratford, Connecticut - Pastor Richard LeJeune. 

Would you rather be free or safe?  Galatians 5:13 reads like this, "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”  

Dave Talley & Patrick Reed host this pilot episode discussing the proper balance between freedom and safety in the life of a Christian.  Guest Barry Secrest adds his perspective as well.