In this episode of Let’s Talk: Truth in Love, Doug and Jess discuss one of Jesus’ most familiar and powerful statements: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Whether in a family, a sports team, a business, a nation, or the Church, the principle is clear, division weakens, destroys, and eventually causes collapse.

Beginning with Mark 3, we see Jesus apply this truth to the kingdom of darkness. Satan does not cast out Satan, because even evil understands that division leads to destruction. Yet in our homes, our nation, and even within the Body of Christ, we often fail to live by this truth. Conflict, anger, pride, and fear can divide what God intends to hold together.

Doug and Jess first reflect on how this applies to families and marriages. Scripture teaches us, “Be angry and do not sin… and give no opportunity to the devil.” Anger itself is not always sin, but what we do with anger matters deeply. Conflict can either become a doorway for division or an opportunity to turn together toward the problem, protect the relationship, and seek God’s wisdom.

The conversation then turns to the Church. As the one Body of Christ, we are called to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Scripture tells us there is one Father, one Lord, one Spirit, one faith, and one hope. Psalm 133 reminds us how good and pleasant it is when God’s people dwell together in unity, and Jesus said the world would know we are His disciples by our love for one another.

So how are we doing? With thousands of Christian denominations around the world and centuries of division over doctrine, structure, politics, and tradition, the Church has often struggled to live as one Body. Yet truth and love are both essential. The answer is not to ignore truth for the sake of unity, nor to divide over every sincere disagreement. Instead, we must return to Scripture as our shared authority and learn from the wisdom of Acts 15, holding firmly to what is essential while allowing room for faithful Christians to differ on secondary matters.

This episode offers two key paths forward: first, trusting the Bible as God’s inspired, reliable, and authoritative Word; and second, pursuing unity with humility, grace, and love when sincere believers disagree. We are called to follow Jesus, not merely human traditions, preferences, or systems.

In a world divided by hostility, anger, rivalry, and fear, the Church is called to walk by the Spirit and bear His fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If we want to help our homes, churches, and nation stand, we must reject the works of the flesh and live as one people under one Lord.

A house divided cannot stand, but a people united in Christ can become a powerful witness to the Kingdom of God.

Looking for more? Dive deeper into the truth in love with these three insightful books:

• Moon in the Darkness
• Be with Jesus, Be like Jesus, Be for Jesus
• Christ in Us is the Hope of Glory

These books are available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats. To learn more, visit:

👉 www.friendsofthekingministries.org

While you're there, be sure to explore the many columns written for the Kingsport Times-News over the past eighteen years.

God bless, and we look forward to having you join us for the next episode!

In this episode of Let’s Talk: Truth in Love, Doug and Jess explore a surprising spiritual lesson inspired by a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. In the movie, Captain Jack Sparrow and his crew find themselves trapped in the “land of the dead” until they realize the only way back to the land of the living is to rock the boat until it flips. That image becomes a powerful picture of what sometimes has to happen in our own lives, churches, and ministries.

Many Christians and congregations can become stuck—spiritually stagnant, no longer growing, no longer moving, and sometimes even shrinking. We may want calm waters, but transformation often requires movement, tension, and discomfort. The truth is, no church and no Christian is called to stay the same. God calls His people to grow—to be transformed, built up, equipped, matured, and shaped more and more into the likeness of Jesus.

Drawing from Romans 12 and Ephesians 4, this conversation reminds us that the Body of Christ is meant to grow in unity, knowledge of the Son of God, maturity, and agape love. When we get stuck, God often sends “boat rockers”—people who challenge what is comfortable so we can move toward what is faithful.

Scripture is full of boat rockers. God rocked Abraham’s life by calling him to leave everything familiar. Moses rocked the boat in Egypt and at Mount Sinai. David challenged giants, moved the Ark, and reshaped worship. The prophets confronted injustice, idolatry, and spiritual complacency. John the Baptist prepared the way by calling people to repentance. And Jesus Himself was the greatest boat rocker of all—challenging religious leaders, redefining Sabbath, elevating women, establishing the New Covenant, and building His Church.

But most people do not like boat rockers. Change is uncomfortable, especially when it touches our religion, traditions, doctrines, or assumptions. Yet Jesus did not call us to stand still on the rock of our own comfort or belief systems. He called us to stand on Him—the living Rock—and follow Him wherever He leads.

This episode challenges us to ask: Are we standing on Jesus, or merely on what we already know and prefer? Are we willing to let God shake what needs to be shaken so that His Kingdom, which cannot be shaken, remains?

We need the folk who rock the boat. And we need to stand firmly on the Rock who is Jesus Christ.

Looking for more? Dive deeper into the truth in love with these three insightful books:

• Moon in the Darkness
• Be with Jesus, Be like Jesus, Be for Jesus
• Christ in Us is the Hope of Glory

These books are available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats. To learn more, visit:

👉 www.friendsofthekingministries.org

While you're there, be sure to explore the many columns written for the Kingsport Times-News over the past eighteen years.

God bless, and we look forward to having you join us for the next episode!

In this episode of Let’s Talk: Truth in Love, we tackle a subject that affects every relationship we have: the power of our words. Many of us grew up hearing the childhood rhyme, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” While well-intended, that saying simply isn't true. Words can wound deeply, sometimes leaving scars that last far longer than physical injuries.

Drawing from James 3 and Ephesians 4, we examine what Scripture teaches about the tongue and the extraordinary influence our words have on our lives and the lives of others. James compares the tongue to a horse's bit and a ship's rudder—small things capable of steering something much larger. In the same way, our words can shape relationships, influence identities, and even alter the course of our lives.

Doug and Jess discuss real-life examples from marriage counseling, family relationships, schools, workplaces, and friendships. Many people can still remember hurtful words spoken to them decades ago. Negative words from parents, teachers, peers, or loved ones often become deeply rooted beliefs about identity and self-worth. At the same time, Scripture reminds us that our words also affect us. Jesus taught that we will give an account for every careless word we speak.

The Bible sets a remarkably high standard for our speech. We are called to speak the truth in love, avoiding corrupting talk of every kind—lies, slander, condemnation, mockery, belittling comments, divisive speech, threats, envy, hatred, and words that stir fear, anger, or distrust. Instead, we are to speak words that build others up and give grace to those who hear.

This conversation also addresses the broader culture we live in today, where harsh rhetoric, social media attacks, and political division often reward the loudest and most damaging voices. Yet Jesus points us to a different way. He teaches that our words reveal the true condition of our hearts. A good tree bears good fruit, and a healthy heart produces life-giving speech.

The good news is that while no one can perfectly tame the tongue on their own, God can help us. Through His Spirit, His Word, and intentional self-discipline, we can learn to pause, reflect, and allow His love to shape what comes out of our mouths. As the psalmist prayed, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”

Our words matter. They can wound or heal, divide or unite, discourage or strengthen. As followers of Christ, we are called to use them to bless, encourage, and reflect the love of God.

Looking for more? Dive deeper into the truth in love with these three insightful books:

• Moon in the Darkness
• Be with Jesus, Be like Jesus, Be for Jesus
• Christ in Us is the Hope of Glory

These books are available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats. To learn more, visit:

👉 www.friendsofthekingministries.org

While you're there, be sure to explore the many columns written for the Kingsport Times-News over the past eighteen years.

God bless, and we look forward to having you join us for the next episode!

In this episode of Let’s Talk: Truth in Love, we explore one of the most important conversations of our time: the relationship between science and faith. Are they enemies competing against one another—or could science actually reveal the glory, power, and wisdom of our Creator? Beginning with Genesis 1:1, Psalm 19:1, and Romans 1:19–20, we examine how Scripture itself declares that creation points directly to God.

For many people today, science and Christianity seem locked in conflict. Questions about the age of the universe, evolution, physics, biology, and cosmology have led millions toward atheism, agnosticism, or spiritual apathy. At the same time, some believers have reacted by becoming suspicious of science altogether, while others try to compartmentalize faith and reason into separate worlds. But the Bible speaks to both spiritual truth and the natural world—and true science, rightly understood, reveals the fingerprints of God.

In this conversation, we discuss how modern scientific discoveries increasingly point toward design, purpose, and a Creator. From the astonishing complexity of DNA and the human body to the “fine-tuning” of the universe, from the Big Bang to the laws of physics and quantum mechanics, evidence continues to emerge that creation did not “just happen.” We also discuss several influential books that challenge materialistic worldviews and present scientific evidence for God:

• More Than Meets The Eye by Richard Swenson
https://a.co/d/09ec95cB

• Darwin’s Black Box by Michael Behe
https://a.co/d/09hDF7ym

• God, The Science, The Evidence
https://a.co/d/0dkvloKK

We also reflect on how science can become an invitation—not away from God, but toward wonder, humility, and deeper exploration of truth. The same curiosity that drives scientific discovery can open hearts to the mystery and majesty of Jesus Christ. As Colossians 1 reminds us, all things were created through Him and for Him, and “in Him all things hold together.”

This episode is not about rejecting science—it is about recognizing that both Scripture and creation reveal the same Author. As we continue to learn more about the universe, we believe we will see more and more confirmation that Jesus truly is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”

Looking for more? Dive deeper into the truth in love with these three insightful books:
• Moon in the Darkness
• Be with Jesus, Be like Jesus, Be for Jesus
• Christ in Us is the Hope of Glory

These books are available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats. To learn more, visit:
👉 www.friendsofthekingministries.org

While you’re there, be sure to explore the many columns written for the Kingsport Times-News over the past eighteen years.

God bless, and we look forward to having you join us for the next episode!

In this episode of Let’s Talk: Truth in Love, we confront one of the most common—and dangerous—philosophies in our culture: “The end justifies the means.” From politics to business, relationships to everyday decisions, many people believe that if the goal is good enough, then the methods used to achieve it are acceptable—even if they are dishonest, manipulative, or morally wrong. But Scripture teaches something very different.

Drawing from Proverbs, the teachings of Jesus, and the writings of Paul, we explore why God cares not only about our goals, but also about the way we pursue them. Proverbs warns that “bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel,” reminding us that shortcuts, lies, and manipulation may seem beneficial in the short term, but eventually lead to destruction. Jesus calls us instead to seek first the Kingdom of God and trust Him with both the process and the outcome.

We examine real-life examples that reveal how easily this mindset can creep into our lives: misinformation used to win elections, cutting corners for profit, cheating for success, dishonesty in finances, or even lying to loved ones to avoid conflict. In every case, wrong means produce harmful consequences—destroying trust, damaging relationships, and opening the door for more evil. As Scripture reminds us, Jesus is the Truth, while Satan is “the father of lies.”

At the heart of this conversation is a deeper challenge: learning to trust God enough to follow His ways, even when obedience is costly or difficult. Jesus Himself modeled this perfectly. The cross was the ultimate example of trusting God’s way to accomplish God’s purpose. Through suffering, sacrifice, and obedience, Christ brought salvation, resurrection, and life to the world.

This episode reminds us that Christians are called to pursue godly goals by godly means. We are not overcome evil with evil, but overcome evil with good. When we walk in truth, integrity, humility, and love, our lives become a witness to the wisdom and goodness of God.

Looking for more? Dive deeper into the truth in love with these three insightful books:
• Moon in the Darkness
• Be with Jesus, Be like Jesus, Be for Jesus
• Christ in Us is the Hope of Glory

These books are available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats. To learn more, visit:
👉 www.friendsofthekingministries.org

While you’re there, be sure to explore the many columns written for the Kingsport Times-News over the past eighteen years.

God bless, and we look forward to having you join us for the next episode!

In this episode of Let’s Talk: Truth in Love, we explore something every person—and especially every leader—desperately needs: wisdom. In a world filled with information, opinions, and competing voices, the real challenge is not knowing more—it’s making good, godly decisions.

Wisdom is the ability to exercise sound judgment—the power to choose well. And the stakes are high. The decisions made by leaders—whether presidents, pastors, parents, or everyday individuals—don’t just affect their own lives, but the lives of many others. Good decisions bring blessing and life. Poor decisions can bring confusion, division, and destruction.

The Bible makes it clear where true wisdom comes from. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all” (James 1:5). From Joseph to Solomon, from Daniel to Jesus Himself, Scripture shows us that real wisdom comes from above—not from human cleverness or worldly strategy. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10), because it places our trust in God as the ultimate source of truth.

In this conversation, we take a close look at James 3:13–18, where the Bible contrasts true wisdom with its counterfeit. Worldly “wisdom” is often driven by jealousy and selfish ambition—leading to disorder, division, and every kind of evil. But godly wisdom looks very different. It is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, and produces good fruit. It reflects the very character of Christ.

The question for each of us is simple but profound: What kind of wisdom is guiding our decisions? In a culture shaped by manipulation, pride, and self-interest, we are called to seek and live out the wisdom that comes from God—wisdom that brings peace, unity, and life.

This episode is both a challenge and a prayer—that we, and the leaders who influence our world, would seek God’s wisdom above all else.

Looking for more? Dive deeper into the truth in love with these three insightful books:
• Moon in the Darkness
• Be with Jesus, Be like Jesus, Be for Jesus
• Christ in Us is the Hope of Glory

These books are available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats. To learn more, visit:
👉 www.friendsofthekingministries.org

God bless, and we look forward to having you join us for the next episode!

In this episode of Let’s Talk: Truth in Love, we take a hard look at the real barriers that keep us from living the life God intends for us. Jesus said He came so we could have life “to the full” (John 10:10), and Scripture defines that good life as one filled with righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). So why do so many of us struggle to experience it?

The answer lies in the obstacles we face every day. Like a demanding obstacle course, the Christian life is simple in its foundation—but not easy in its execution. Jesus told us we would have trouble in this world (John 16:33), and Hebrews reminds us to lay aside every weight and sin that entangles us as we run with endurance, keeping our eyes fixed on Him.

In this conversation, we explore five major obstacles to a godly life:
• Lack of knowledge and understanding – When we don’t truly know God or His truth, we are easily shaped by culture instead of Scripture.
• Satan and the forces of darkness – A real enemy who deceives, distracts, and distorts truth to pull us away from God.
• The power of sin – Sin doesn’t just influence us; it can enslave us if left unchecked.
• Self – Our greatest daily challenge is choosing who will be Lord of our lives—God or ourselves.
• Habit – Patterns of thinking and behavior can either trap us or help us grow, depending on what we repeatedly choose.

The good news is that we are not left to face these obstacles alone. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the truth of God’s Word, and a life of intentional obedience, we can overcome. As Scripture reminds us, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world,” and “we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.”

This episode will challenge you to recognize the obstacles in your own life—and encourage you to run the race with endurance, faith, and your eyes fixed on Jesus.

Looking for more? Dive deeper into the truth in love with these three insightful books:
• Moon in the Darkness
• Be with Jesus, Be like Jesus, Be for Jesus
• Christ in Us is the Hope of Glory

These books are available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats. To learn more, visit:
👉 www.friendsofthekingministries.org

God bless, and we look forward to having you join us for the next episode!

In this episode of Let’s Talk: Truth in Love, we dive into the heart of the Christian faith—the resurrection of Jesus Christ—and what it truly means for us today. At Easter we celebrate, “He is risen!” But resurrection is not just a past event… and it’s not only a future hope. It is both now and not yet.

The Apostle Paul makes it clear in 1 Corinthians 15 that without the resurrection, our faith would be empty. But Jesus didn’t just rise from the dead—He rose into a new kind of life, one that is eternal, powerful, and victorious over sin and death. After His resurrection, He appeared to many witnesses—first to the women, then to the apostles, and even to hundreds more—forever changing the course of history.

Yet there is no resurrection without the cross. Jesus, the Son of God, humbled Himself, took on human flesh, and died for our sins. Through His resurrection, He defeated death and reclaimed all authority in heaven and on earth. As Jesus declared, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).

But what does that mean for us? Scripture teaches that resurrection is not only something we will experience in the future—it has already begun. Before Christ, we were spiritually dead. But through faith in Him and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are made alive now—born again, new creations, children of God. This is a real and present transformation—a spiritual resurrection from death to life.

And still, there is more to come. The fullness of resurrection is not yet complete. One day, we will be fully transformed—free from pain, sin, and death—living in a new heaven and a new earth with God forever. As Scripture promises, “We shall be like Him.”

Understanding both the “now” and the “not yet” changes everything. It gives us hope for today and certainty for eternity.

Looking for more? Dive deeper into the truth in love with these three insightful books:
• Moon in the Darkness
• Be with Jesus, Be like Jesus, Be for Jesus
• Christ in Us is the Hope of Glory

These books are available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats. To learn more, visit:
👉 www.friendsofthekingministries.org

God bless, and we look forward to having you join us for the next episode!

In this episode of Let’s Talk: Truth in Love, we explore a powerful and often misunderstood phrase from the Apostle Paul: “the obedience of faith.” Found at both the beginning and end of the book of Romans, this phrase captures the very heart of the Christian life—but what does it really mean?

Many Christians fall into one of two extremes. Some emphasize obedience so strongly that faith becomes about performance—trying to prove we are “good enough” for God. Others focus so much on grace that obedience seems optional, reducing faith to belief without transformation. But Paul points us to something deeper: not just whether we obey, but why we obey.

From Genesis to Revelation, God has always desired obedience—not out of fear or obligation, but out of love and trust. The Old Testament reveals obedience driven by fear and reward, but God’s ultimate goal has always been something greater: the willing, joyful obedience of children who trust their Father completely.

In this conversation, we unpack what it means to truly trust God—His goodness, His wisdom, His love, and His perfect faithfulness. Like Abraham, who “believed God,” real faith is more than belief in God—it is trusting Him enough to follow Him. It’s like trusting a great doctor: belief means nothing if you don’t take the prescription.

The good news is we are not left to do this on our own. Through the Holy Spirit living within us, we are empowered to grow in this kind of faith-filled obedience. And even as we stumble and learn, God’s grace covers us and continues to transform us.

The obedience of faith is not about earning God’s love—it’s about responding to it. It’s the life of trusting, following, and becoming more like Jesus every day.

Looking for more? Dive deeper into the truth in love with these three insightful books:
• Moon in the Darkness
• Be with Jesus, Be like Jesus, Be for Jesus
• Christ in Us is the Hope of Glory

These books are available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats. To learn more, visit:
👉 www.friendsofthekingministries.org

God bless, and we look forward to having you join us for the next episode!

In this episode of Let’s Talk: Truth in Love, we explore a powerful transformation described in Scripture: how people who once squandered their lives can become individuals who live out the extraordinary potential God created within them. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” But what does that transformation really look like?

We begin with the familiar story often called the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–31). The word “prodigal” means someone who wastes what they’ve been given—squandering wealth, opportunity, or responsibility. Yet Jesus’ story reveals a deeper truth: the younger son who wastes everything eventually comes to his senses and returns to his father, where he is met not with condemnation but with compassion, restoration, and celebration. Through repentance and grace, what was lost becomes found, and what was dead comes back to life.

But there is another prodigal in the story—the older brother. Though he never left home, he also wasted something precious. While everything his father owned was already his, he never truly embraced it. His resentment and legalistic mindset kept him from experiencing the joy, generosity, and love of his father’s heart. In many ways, Christians today can fall into the same trap—living near the Father but failing to fully receive the incredible gifts already given to us in Christ.

Scripture tells us that God has blessed His children with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3) and given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3–4). Through Jesus our Savior and King, the indwelling Holy Spirit, the truth of God’s Word, the gift of prayer, and the fellowship of the Church, we have been entrusted with riches far greater than the robe, ring, and feast in the parable. Yet too often these treasures remain unused—left “in the closet,” so to speak—while we live far below the life God intended for us.

The good news is that every prodigal can become a prodigy. When we return to the Father, rediscover our identity as His beloved children, and embrace what He has already given us, our lives can reflect the purpose and power He designed from the beginning. Ultimately, the greatest prodigy is not found in talent or ability—it is found in love. As Jesus taught, the defining mark of His disciples is that we love one another (John 13:34–35). When we live in that love, the world sees the transforming work of God in us.

Looking for more? Dive deeper into the truth in love with these three insightful books:
• Moon in the Darkness
• Be with Jesus, Be like Jesus, Be for Jesus
• Christ in Us is the Hope of Glory

These books are available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats. To learn more, visit
www.friendsofthekingministries.org, where you can also read columns written for the Kingsport Times-News over the past eighteen years.

God bless, and we look forward to having you join us for the next episode.