Pastor Alan and Chris continue their discussion on Alan's new book, The Power to Bless, and reflect on Alan's childhood and what he learned about blessing his own children.

Anyone can discover the power to bless. On launch day of Pastor Alan’s new book, today’s episode lays the foundation for a life of blessing.

There may be many risks not worth taking, but there’s one dare we all must take: love. In Acts 20, Paul says goodbye to the elders of the Ephesian church, where he had spent years. It’s a stirring scene of great pathos that reveals Paul’s true nature. The scene unveils the nature of Christian love—deep affection and enduing care. In the aftermath of a contentious election, many Christians are uncertain what to do. In today’s episode, Pastor Alan and Chris discuss the one thing we absolutely must do: risk love.

Pandemics and political elections prove that our joy is far too dependent upon our circumstances. In the wake of the presidential election, liberals are jubilant and conservatives and upset—but what is the right attitude of the Christian’s heart? Joy—always joy. If you’ve lost your joy because one of more of your candidates lost the election, remember the Apostle Paul. He lived under an emperor who claimed to be god, was surrounded by pagan idols, and was wrongly imprisoned awaiting possible execution when he wrote: “Rejoice (have joy again) in the Lord always!” In the election of the heart, vote for joy!

As we approach an historic election, emotions (that have been frayed by pandemic and racial unrest) are running high. Christians and non-Christians have this in common as we near election day—anxiety and frustration.

What are we to with our frustrations and fears? How are we to interact with a culture that is unchurched and often antagonistic to Christianity?

With the backdrop of ancient Athens, today’s episode unveils Paul’s ingenious presentation of the Gospel via the image of the “altar to the unknown god.” Discover the amazing back story of “the unknown god” and gain skill in reaching people in a non-Christian culture. Whether your candidate wins the political election, there’s a different contest that every Christian can win—the election of the heart.

Does the upcoming election have your stomach in knots? Do you find yourself fighting unhealthy emotions? There’s good news.

There are two elections taking place in the next week. The first is the election of a president and other governing officials. In that election, we don’t control the outcome—we each get just one vote. But there’s a second election taking place this week. And, for the second election, we control the outcome 100%. It’s the election of the heart—what we each decide to do with our heart regardless of the political ups and downs. Todays’ podcast is part one of two special pre-election day messages that offer peace in the midst of the political storm.

In the conclusion to an important series about overcoming spiritual malaise, today's episode exposes the dangers of a mixed Gospel and explores the freeing power of pure grace. Discover why the smallest seeds of law are deadening and learn to embrace fullness of life in the Gospel of grace alone.

What was the most important meeting in history? The council of Nicaea? The Diet of Worms? The Yalta conference? Today’s episode suggests another meeting at the top of the list – the Jerusalem Council in the first century. There, as the early apostles assembled to consider the question of whether circumcision should be required of the Gentiles, the decision was for grace alone. Discover how only a gospel of pure grace can awaken us from spiritual malaise.

Ever noticed that you don’t know you’ve been asleep until you wake up? Today’s episode explores again the vague, uneasy sort of spiritual slumber that seems to be plaguing the body of Christ during extended pandemic. The only solution to spiritual malaise is a fresh wake up call!

When the angel of the Lord appeared in Peter’s prison cell to liberate him from death row, the heavenly messenger had to wake up the apostle. Like a parent waking up sleepy-headed toddler, the angel had to physically nudge Peter on the side. Freedom was at hand, but Peter needed to wake up. In today’s important episode, we return to the miracle story of Acts 12 with an eye on the scripture’s honesty about real life. James was executed. The church, though praying, couldn’t believe it when Peter was released. But, at the center of the story was the miracle. Life has some mayhem and plenty of Monday mornings, but the real story, the formative narrative of our lives, is the miracle of God’s grace. Pastor Alan opens up about some of the heartbreak in his own life in order to point toward a healthy, spiritual outlook on life. Pandemic has become wearisome, but, by the power of God’s grace, we call awaken from spiritual malaise.