Josh Ott's Podcast

Sung of as a “silent night,” we romanticize the Christmas story; a glorious star cuts through the darkness as the world's Savior is born. The reality of this beautiful story is riddled with trials, much like our own. A closer look reveals deeper beauty and meaning in the mess. It proves our need for a savior and promises hope.

Trends are defined by time, space, and culture; they are always in flux and primarily out of our control. We need something strong enough to last beyond the latest fads. Something unchanging. God’s Word is the only wholly reliable thing we can put our faith in. It transcends our circumstances, feelings, and even the fads of tomorrow.

What do big dreams and small steps have in common? They’re both crucially necessary to grow. Vision without action, just like progress without a goal, gets us nowhere. But teamed up, they make an intentional and awe-inspiring path forward. When God-sized dreams are paired with small, faithful steps, we become part of something bigger than we could imagine.

Our third value in this series is about serving. We’re not just talking about checking a box on our to-do

list. We’re taking a magnifying glass to this topic and looking at the hurdles (because it’s not always easy) and the profound benefits (because it’s always beneficial) of giving of ourselves. And overall, why it’s so important.

Keeping people below Jesus and above all else takes intention. Otherwise, we drift and start pursuing other, lesser things. It’s easy to miss that what we need isn’t found in stuff. And, counter-intuitive as it may sound, putting others before ourselves is more fulfilling than seeking our desires.

Overwhelmed. Exhausted. Guilty. When our priorities are imbalanced, we feel it. Keeping Jesus at the

heart of our lives won’t simply bring us peace, and it’s not just a good idea. It is the way. Let's look at the importance of keeping him center and discuss how to do it.

It’s easier to think about loving the people close to you better. We could get on board with that. But we are called to love everyone. And if it were just a feeling, we’d be in trouble, but actual love goes way deeper than feels. Love is an action and a choice. Understanding that love is so much bigger completely transforms relationships and lives.

Loneliness unchecked distorts. The longer we ignore it, the heavier it gets—the more significant the burden, the deeper the pain. So, we rush instead of waiting to fill the void as quickly as possible. Instant gratification sounds good when we’re worn out by loneliness, but the peace and wholeness God offers is the real thing.

It starts subtly…but the consequences are enormous. Ego is the unhealthy belief in our own importance and wreaks havoc in our relationships. There is a balance to self-view, but too far left or just far enough right gets it all wrong. Let’s talk about ego and find a healthy perspective.

Unwillingness to forgive is how we look to protect ourselves. We think it will keep us from being hurt or taken advantage of again. But it really builds a wall between us and everyone else, including God. Discovering the keys to forgiveness is empowering. And choosing it is freeing.