In the face of loss, unanswered prayers, when something bad happens—We often look for a balancing of the scales of good and bad. We try to make sense of tragedy by making it purposeful, but that's not Christian hope. Of course, God works in the midst of difficult circumstances, but we don't need to settle a score in a life where you're not always going to see the score settled. So, what do we do instead? How do we follow God through despair, loss, and tragedy? How do we follow God in success, good times, and answered prayers?

In this episode, Church on the Move Pastors Whit George, Ethan Vanse, and Seth Swindall talk through the book of James. They wrap up a 15-week teaching series in James by emphasizing our need for perspective from Heaven, wholeness from God, and God's presence in our everyday life.

Spoilers: Life will swallow up death in the end

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SHOW NOTES:

The Plight of Man And the Power of God by David Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Its Cure by David Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Weekend Messages:

What "Brothers & Sisters" Really Means in James - Pastor Seth Swindall

Highlights from James: Wholehearted & Humble Living - Pastor Ethan Vanse

Practicing James' Model for Prayer - Pastor Whit George

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Next Steps Looking to take a next step? We'd love to help you get connected. 👉 Next Move – Learn more about who we are and how to get involved. https://churchonthemove.com/nextmove 👉 Join a Group – Find community and grow in your faith together. https://churchonthemove.com/smallgroups 👉 Give – Fuel the mission and make an impact. https://churchonthemove.com/give 👉 Connect with a Pastor – Need prayer or resources? We're here. https://my.churchonthemove.com/connect - About Church on the Move: We are a family of churches in northeast Oklahoma. Our mission is to introduce people to the real Jesus. A lot of people know about Jesus but have yet to experience the life-changing power of His grace and truth. Knowing Jesus has transformed our lives, so our goal for each of our worship services, from our kids' environments on up, is to help people know that same love. We actively pursue Jesus in everything we do, and we believe He's given us a vision for a church that is deeply centered on Him and His word. Find more information about service times, locations, and ministries by visiting: https://churchonthemove.com/locations...

If you've ever lain awake wondering, "Am I messing my kids up?"—you're in good company.

So many of us are parenting without a clear template. This is where the language of attachment can be a gift—not as a label to shame you, but as a tool to understand how you were shaped, how you're parenting now, and how Jesus can bring healing and security into the story.

In this episode, Jamie and Heather sit down with Valerie Isaacs, a licensed professional counselor supervisor, reflective consultant, and mental health trainer.

It's honest, eye-opening, grace-filled, and full of hope for every stage of the parenting journey.

Show Notes: Check out Valerie's Podcast: The Whole Person Parenting Podcast (with Valerie Isaacs)

Attachment Style Quiz

The Still Face Experiment: A powerful demonstration of how babies respond to connection and disconnection.

Understanding Attachment Styles

About Church on the Move:

We are a family of churches in northeast Oklahoma. Our mission is to introduce people to the real Jesus. A lot of people know about Jesus but have yet to experience the life-changing power of His grace and truth. Knowing Jesus has transformed our lives, so our goal for each of our worship services, from our kids' environments on up, is to help people know that same love. We actively pursue Jesus in everything we do, and we believe He's given us a vision for a church that is deeply centered on Him and His word. Find more information about service times, locations, and ministries by visiting: https://churchonthemove.com

Conflict has a way of exposing what's inside us. For many, our reactions are rooted in how we learned to handle tension growing up. But instead of running from discomfort, James invites us to "count it all joy"—to see every trial as an opportunity for formation.

In this episode, pastors Whit George and Casey Shirley explore what James chapter 5 teaches us about steadfast endurance and the true meaning of faith.

Show notes:

Listen to the message: How to Respond to Adversity

https://youtu.be/x2FyMcVIa3E?si=POFgOvLDsaSL_K9l

In this episode, Whit reads a prayer from the book A Guide to Prayer for All God's People by Ruebon P. Job and Norman Shawchuck https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Prayer-All-Gods-People/dp/083580710X

Faith isn't about managing behavior—it's about submitting your whole life to a sovereign God. The book of James confronts pride, judgment, and the illusion of control, reminding us that mature faith doesn't trust in outcomes but in who God is.

In this episode, Pastors Whit George and Blake Zimmerman unpack the end of James 4 and the beginning of James 5, exploring how our plans, words, and money reveal what our lives truly orbit around. In a culture driven by impulse and self-interest, James calls us to live differently—to see everything we have as His, to give freely, and to center our lives around the One who holds it all.

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Show Notes:

Listen to the messages:

Seeing Life Through God's Perspective

Keeping God at the Center of Your Life Vs Yourself

The Rocky Relationship Between You, The Lord, & The World

In this episode, they reference the book The Gospel Way Catechism by Trevin Wax and Thomas West

– Next Steps Looking to take a next step? We'd love to help you get connected. 👉 Next Move – Learn more about who we are and how to get involved. https://churchonthemove.com/nextmove 👉 Join a Group – Find community and grow in your faith together. https://churchonthemove.com/smallgroups 👉 Give – Fuel the mission and make an impact. https://churchonthemove.com/give 👉 Connect with a Pastor – Need prayer or resources? We're here. https://my.churchonthemove.com/connect – About Church on the Move We are a family of churches in northeast Oklahoma. Our mission is to introduce people to the real Jesus. A lot of people know about Jesus but have yet to experience the life-changing power of His grace and truth. Knowing Jesus has transformed our lives, so our goal for each of our worship services, from our kids' environments on up, is to help people know that same love. We actively pursue Jesus in everything we do and we believe He's given us a vision for a church that is deeply centered on Him and His word. Find more information about service times, locations, and ministries by visiting: https://churchonthemove.com/tulsa

Parenting digs deep—it exposes our fears, control issues, and insecurities. In this conversation, Jamie and Heather explore the two ditches parents often fall into: being too controlling or too hands-off. Both stem from fear—fear of losing control, fear of comparison, fear that our kids' choices reflect us.

Real growth happens through struggle, not avoidance. Parenting is one of God's greatest discipleship tools, shaping both us and our children.

Show Notes:

In this episode, they mention

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

Tell Me More Podcast episode: Faith Without Works Isn't Faith at All

About Church on the Move:

We are a family of churches in northeast Oklahoma. Our mission is to introduce people to the real Jesus. A lot of people know about Jesus but have yet to experience the life-changing power of His grace and truth. Knowing Jesus has transformed our lives, so our goal for each of our worship services, from our kids' environments on up, is to help people know that same love. We actively pursue Jesus in everything we do, and we believe He's given us a vision for a church that is deeply centered on Him and His word. Find more information about service times, locations, and ministries by visiting: https://churchonthemove.com

James doesn't just challenge what we say—it confronts why we say it. Our words expose what's really ruling our hearts, revealing whether we're led by the Spirit or by self.

In this episode, Pastors Whit George and Seth Swindall discuss James chapter 3 and the call to slow down, listen first, and let your words reflect the wisdom of the One who sees more than you do.

Show notes:

Listen to their weekend messages:

Talk Less, Sin Less

Who's the Captain of Your Life?

Pastor Seth is the Senior Pastor of our church in West Tulsa. Check it out: Church On The Move West

About Church on the Move:

We are a family of churches in northeast Oklahoma. Our mission is to introduce people to the real Jesus. A lot of people know about Jesus but have yet to experience the life-changing power of His grace and truth. Knowing Jesus has transformed our lives, so our goal for each of our worship services, from our kids' environments on up, is to help people know that same love.

We actively pursue Jesus in everything we do, and we believe He's given us a vision for a church that is deeply centered on Him and His word. Find more information about service times, locations, and ministries by visiting: https://churchonthemove.com

Real faith is proven by action. Culture says it's fine to be Christian—just don't be too Christian. But the more we live like Jesus, the more "radical" we'll look.

Faith alone brings us into God's family, but following Him requires effort. In this episode, Whit George and Blake Zimmerman unpack what true obedience looks like and why legalism and lawlessness both miss the point.

Show notes:

Check out the weekend message: Obedience Over Elaborate Affection

In this episode, they recommend the book A Guide to Prayer for All God's People

About Church on the Move: We are a family of churches in northeast Oklahoma. Our mission is to introduce people to the real Jesus. A lot of people know about Jesus but have yet to experience the life-changing power of His grace and truth. Knowing Jesus has transformed our lives, so our goal for each of our worship services, from our kids' environments on up, is to help people know that same love. We actively pursue Jesus in everything we do, and we believe He's given us a vision for a church that is deeply centered on Him and His word. Find more information about service times, locations, and ministries by visiting: https://churchonthemove.com

As parents, transitions never stop—whether it's sending kids to college, navigating adult relationships, or rediscovering your own calling in new seasons. In this episode, Heather and Jamie talk about letting go with grace, keeping peace in family relationships, and leaning into God as life unfolds in unexpected ways.

Parenting is always changing, but the goal remains the same: to prepare the way for lifelong friendship with our kids and allow God to shape us in every season.

Show notes:

In this episode, they recommend the book Doing Life with Your Adult Children

Partiality may feel like a small sin compared to the "big ones," but James insists it is not. James calls us to live fully turned toward Christ, where our faith shapes how we see and treat people in everyday life. In today's cultural moment, when influence and status dominate, Christ-followers are called to reject favoritism, live out the gospel with integrity, and honor people without compromise.

In this episode, Pastors Whit George and Ethan Vanse unpack James 2:1–13, revealing both the underlying issue and its practical application.

Show notes:

Check out their weekend messages:

No Favorites: Receiving All of God Vs Your Preferences of Him

Honor Over Favoritism

What does it mean to live out a genuine faith? Pastor Whit sits down with his former Wheaton College professor, Dr. Chris Vlachos—now teaching in Jerusalem—to wrestle with that very question.

Together, they explore the book of James as a wake-up call, reminding us that real faith always shows up in action. They unpack how James pushes us to obey Scripture, form a biblical imagination, and bring Christ's love into the everyday moments that can make someone else's day.

Show notes:

Check out the Weekend Message: Are You a Hearer & Doer of the Word? Putting Your Faith into Practice